As most people who've been in the same room as a television in the last 10 years may know, Dubrovnik is famous for its appearance in the legendary series Game of Thrones, with many scenes featuring the medieval Old Town and stunning coastal landscapes. Naturally, most tourists venture to this beautiful city by the sea to scope out the film sets but forget about those for just a moment - because Dubrovnik offers so much more than just Hollywood gold dust and was a dazzling European destination way before it hit international screens.
For travelers in search of picturesque Mediterranean scenery, historic landmarks, charming culture, and a myriad of outdoorsy activities ranging from relaxing to heart-pumping, Dubrovnik is an idyllic setting serving up all that and more. So, with this in mind, what exactly amongst those should visitors do and see during a visit to this culturally rich, historic hub besides following the Game of Thrones tourist trail?
10 Walk Atop The Old Town Walls
It's impossible to resist a stroll through Dubrovnik's excellently preserved medieval town whilst enjoying its beautiful coast. The Old Town is entirely surrounded by walls, which once served as the city's defenses against invaders as well as the powerful ocean waves - and visitors can walk these walls on a fascinating tour. The walk is just over a mile long and takes around an hour or two to complete at a sauntering pace, which is done via a one-way system along the battlements to keep people flowing safely in one direction.
Because these walls are much higher than most of the city's rooftops, the majority of the walk grants stunning vistas at its incredible viewpoints, from which people can soak up impeccable sights of the sea and old town combined together. For the best experience and to avoid the crowds, take the walking tour in the afternoon or evening after all the morning cruise boats have been and gone. In the morning, it can become quite difficult to navigate the narrower sections of the walls when all the crowds descend at the same time.
9 Ride A Cable Car For Glorious Views
Enjoy an exclusive birds-eye view of medieval Dubrovnik by hopping on the super modern cable car. This is the ultimate way to take in the city's glorious scenery, the enchanting Old Town, the Adriatic, and the surrounding Dalmatian islands all at once without having to work up too much of a sweat trekking hills and climbing stairs.
Departing from a station just outside of the Old Town, the cable car has two spacious carriages that can each carry up to 30 people at a time in regular three-minute-long journeys all the way to the top of Mount Srđ. For the absolute best show-stopping vistas though, opt for this experience come sunset; the photos to be taken at this time are beyond worth waiting until the end of the day.
8 Discover The Rector's Palace
This is one of Dubrovnik's must-visits for history buffs and anyone interested in learning about its past (as well as those who appreciate the breathtaking architecture of course). Under the Republic of Ragusa (the city's previous name) from the fourteenth to the nineteenth century, the city's chief citizen - known as the Rector - used to live on the first floor of this marvelous Renaissance and Baroque-style building.
What was once his living quarters now serves as Dubrovnik's Cultural History Museum, and is filled with all manners of historic artifacts - think cultural costumes, sedan chairs, old-world furniture, and gorgeous paintings of Ragusan aristocrats. Plus, come summertime in July and August, the Rector's courtyard hosts fantastic classical music recitals - an experience that shouldn't be missed when visiting the city during peak season.
7 Learn About Dubrovnik History At The Maritime Museum
An authentic insight into Dubrovnik's past sea-faring and ship-building can be had in the maritime museum located in St John's Fortress, which guards the entrance to the old harbor. It's here where visitors can learn all about sixteenth-century Dubrovnik, which back in those days was once a major merchant shipping hub boasting one of the largest fleets in the world with over 180 ships and 4,000 sailors.
Historically inclined guests can get a real gauge for the city's mighty naval power back in its historic heyday, with myriads of exhibits including detailed model ships, sea-navigating equipment, sailors' uniforms, fags, and lots of maps. On top of that, there's also an aquarium on the ground floor of the fortress showcasing displays of Adriatic marine species, such as conger eels, octopuses, and even loggerhead turtles.
6 Enjoy Unique Beaches
Despite its rocky coastline, Dubrovnik is actually home to several beautiful beaches tucked in between the nooks and crannies of its dramatic ocean edges - and for the most part, they look completely unique to those seen in other Mediterranean tourist destinations. Most of them aren't sandy; they're made up of small rocks instead - but that doesn't mean they're any less pretty (or swimmable).
The Old Town has two main beaches on either side of it; one consists of slabs of rocks where people put their towels to sunbathe whilst a water polo court floats in the sea in front, and the other - Banje Beach - is a sandy shore just a 10-minute walk east of the Old Town. At the latter, beach-goers can rent sunbeds, baldachins (oh-so instagrammable and luxurious four-poster beds with chiffon drapes), and even try water-skiing and parasailing.
5 Enjoy A Kayaking Tour Of Dubrovnik
Kayaking by the walls of the Old Town is an experience like none other in Dubrovnik, awarding fun and views that folks on land don't get to enjoy. The walls on the ocean side are said to appear far more elaborate, and seem to tower much higher than one sees them from dry land. There are a few tour operators who offer kayaking trips, and many include going around the island of Lokrum followed by visits to caves and small beaches. Even better news; a tour is irresistibly affordable and usually includes a small lunch and some wine once back on land.
4 Marvel At War History At The Photo-Journalism Gallery
Spanning over two floors, War Photo Limited is an incredible exhibition center of war and conflict photojournalism situated inside Dubrovnik's historic Old Town. It features photography and stories from global war zones in an unbiased way in order to shine a light on the human element of such chaos around the world.
This is also where Dubrovnik's strong city wall enforcements are evidenced as having been put to the test many times over the centuries - most recently during the volatility of Yugoslavia's dissolution. There's a second-floor exhibition dedicated to photos of this war, which is undeniably a must for anyone with an inkling of curiosity about that violent, trying time.
3 Catch A Taxi Boat To Lokrum Island
Lokrum Island promises a photogenic escapade for which one most absolutely remember to bring a decent camera. The summertime sees regular taxi boats departing from the Old Town's harbor to the island, which only takes about 10 minutes. Imagine luscious panoramas of palms, pines, eucalyptus, cypresses, agave, and cacti against a rugged rocky shore dotted with inviting sunbathing spots, and that's an accurate picture of the place in the mind's eye.
It's not just aesthetically appealing, it's historical too; the abandoned eleventh-century Benedictine Monastery near the island's southwest corner couples with a pretty villa built by Archduke Maximilian von Hapsburg to create some tour-worthy experiences. Furthermore, the latter complex is set within an attractive botanical garden complete with a bar-restaurant, where pretty promenades, exotic flora, and passing peacocks put on a show. If that wasn't sufficient enough for a trip to Lokrum, then visitors should know that they can also trek to the highest point of the imposing nineteenth-century Fort Royal, from which jaw-dropping, uninterrupted views over the Adriatic can be enjoyed.
2 Take An Island Hopping Trip To The Elaphite Islands
From the Old Town's harbor, there are a wealth of different excursions and activities on offer - and one of them is an exciting trip to explore the Elaphite Islands, which are home to mesmeric views, glistening waters, and perfect beaches. This island-hopping tour is incorporated into either a half-day three-to-four-hour trip or an all-day seven-to-eight-hour day out and can be booked directly at the harbor at the many tour operator stalls. Alternatively, travelers who like to organize everything beforehand can reserve a space online - a better option recommended during peak high season since these boat tours sell out very quickly in and around summer.
1 Venture Off On A Day Trip To Montenegro
A venture to another country isn't exactly in Dubrovnik, but it is one of the most popular day trips from it since the drive to Kotor in Montenegro is a mere two hours. Travelers will find numerous different day trips available from Dubrovnik to neighboring Montenegro, most of which will take up the whole day exploring the likes of Kotor, Budva, and plenty of other stunning spots along the route. Whilst road-tripping isn't the picture of a holiday for many travelers, there are some who will enjoy this trip - especially avid explorers who want to tick off as many beautiful European destinations as possible in one vacation.