Dubrovnik is not only a beautiful walled city: it is a place where past and present coexist in a way that few European destinations can replicate. And even though its popularity grew this past decade, it still has a human scale that allows you to explore it without the logistical difficulty of other capitals of the continent.
These are five reasons why it deserves a spot in your itinerary.
ITS WALLS ARE A CATEGORY ON THEIR OWN
The Dubrovnik walls are among the best-preserved fortification systems in Europe, with 1,940 uninterrupted meters, five forts, and sixteen towers and bastions that surround the Old Town. They reach up to 25 meters in height and were built mainly between the 12th and 17th centuries. The most surprising fact is that no army was able to take the city during the Middle Ages.
Dubrovnik’s Old Town was declared a World Heritage by UNESCO in 1979. Walking is the most recommended activity for a clear reason: from above, the Adriatic Sea and the terracotta roofs of the city are one of the most memorable views in all of Europe.
A practical recommendation: enter the walls early or in the last hours of the afternoon. The summer’s midday heat over the stone can be a lot, and the golden hour light can transform your photos.
THE ADRIATIC SEA HAS AN INCOMPARABLE CLARITY
Dubrovnik’s geography has a particularity that few Mediterranean coastal cities share: the sea reaches the walls. There is no gradual transition between the historic city and the water. They are one landscape.
The Adriatic’s transparency in this zone is notable even for experienced beach travelers. There are two options to make the most out of it:
- 🏖️Banje Beach — the most well-known beach, with a direct view of the walls. The contrast between the medieval architecture and the turquoise water is the type of picture that doesn’t need a filter.
- 🏊 Sveti Jakov Beach — a fifteen-minute walk from the Old Town, less crowded, and with a water and sand quality that many travelers love.
For those who like being in the sea, there are kayaks from the Old Port that allow you to admire the walls from another perspective. Do you love art? Check out this guide to Rome and fall in love.
DALMATIAN CUISINE IS MUCH MORE THAN A SIDE
Croatian gastronomy is incredibly underrated in the European context, and Dubrovnik is the best argument to change that perception.
Dalmatian cuisine is built on two pillars: Adriatic ingredients and a Mediterranean tradition, with Venetian, Ottoman, and Central European influences, in proportions that vary depending on the dish and cook. What’s worth trying:
- 🦑 Squid Ink Risotto — the Dalmatian version has a flavor intensity hard to find elsewhere.
- 🐟Fresh Adriatic fish and seafood — sea bass, golden, prawn: the port’s closeness can be felt in every dish.
- 🍷Plavac Mali and Pošip Croatian wines — produced in the islands and peninsulas of the Dalmatia region, with a unique personality that surprises those who try it for the first time.
GAME OF THRONES MADE AN ALREADY EXTRAORDINARY PLACE FAMOUS
Dubrovnik was the main location for the outdoor scenes of King’s Landing throughout the TV show. And although the popularity of Game of Thrones multiplied the tourism, most of the spaces where it was filmed are the same monuments that already justify the trip.
The sites that appeared onscreen and that are worth visiting with context:
- 🏰Lovrjenac Fortress — built in the 11th century over a cliff to defend the city from the Venetians, with the inscription “Non Bene Pro Toto Libertas Venditur Auro” over its door: “Freedom cannot be sold for all the gold of the world.” In the TV show, it worked as the Red Bastion, the king’s residence. The entrance is included with the ticket to the walls.
- Jesuit Stairs — baroque staircase of the 18th century located by the Gundulic Plaza, setting of Cersei’s “Walk of Shame” at the end of the fifth season. Outside of the series, they are one of the most elegant architectural spaces in the Old Town.
- 🚪Pile Door and the Old Port — they appear in multiple episodes as the entrance and exit of King’s Landing. Today, they are still the main access points to the Old Town and the historic port.
The charm also works for those who never watched the show. The architecture doesn’t need a narrative context.
DUBROVNIK CHANGES THE RHYTHM OF ANY EUROPE TRIP
Dubrovnik offers something different. The Old Town is completely walkable in less than 20 minutes from one end to the other, eliminating any transportation logistics. The beaches are minutes away from the historic center. The restaurants work at a Mediterranean pace that invites you to relax.
The best way to make the most out of it is to book at least three nights. One to get familiar with the place, another one to expand on what you liked the first day, and a third one for tours outside of the city: nearby islands like Korčula and Hvar are a few hours away by ferry and they have a beauty that perfectly complements Dubrovnik’s historic intensity.
HOW TO INCLUDE IT IN YOUR ROYAL HOLIDAY TRIP
Dubrovnik is part of the European Mediterranean route. TravelXtra can help you find the best accommodation in the Adriatic Sea and make the most out of your membership for this destination.
Discover more European destinations on our website, download the Royal Holiday app, follow us on social media, and contact your Holiday Advisor to start planning your Adriatic route.