Travel Guide to Dubrovnik, Croatia

Dubrovnik is a pearl of the Adriatic Sea. The city is famous for its amazingly beautiful nature and the Mediterranean atmosphere. Dubrovnik Riviera is located in the south of the Dalmatia region. Tempting sea, small picturesque places with beautiful houses with terracotta roofs, green islands located along the coast – you will see all these and more, if you arrive in Dubrovnik.

Founded in the 7th century, nowadays the city has the population of 50 000 people. Dubrovnik can be surely called one of the most fascinating cities of Croatia. Due to its ancient centre Dubrovnik has been included in the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites. In the Middle Ages Dubrovnik was one of the most famous economic and cultural centres of the whole Mediterranean region. This port city was especially popular with artists, writers and poets. Nowadays, tourists can find there a unique open-air museum with numerous towers, churches, palaces and monuments.

The ancient part of the city – Gradske Zidine. The whole historical centre of the city is a pedestrian zone, which is located on an enormous rock over the sea. If you want, you can get upstairs and enjoy the baroque beauty of the city from the birds' eye view. The ancient walls (Gradske Zidine) are the symbol of Dubrovnik. They were built in the 10th century and later, in the 13th century, they were completed. Such well-known architects as Michelozzo and Ferramolino took part in the creation of the walls. The whole length of the walls estimates 940m, their height is 25m, and their thickness is 6m. More than that, the walls are fortified with ten semicircular bastions.

All sights of the historical center are situated on several square meters. The main street, Stradun Street (its former name is Placa) is an extremely cozy and fascinating market street, surrounded by plenty of small streets paved with marble. One can endlessly walk here for hours without any tiredness. Stradun Street leads to the historical center of the city and crosses Dubrovnik from east to west. The street was created in the 2th century, after the canal, that had separated the island and the land, was dried and filled up. Nowadays, you will find a lot of eye-catching bars and cafes in this part of the city. Driving is prohibited in this area, so you will have nothing to do but to enjoy a lovely walk.

Loza Square. The central square of Dubrovnik is called Loza Square. This is a traditional place for various meetings. There is also Dubrovnik port nearby, from which tourists can enjoy wonderful boat rides. Fans of lazy beach relaxation will find there wonderful nature beaches and pure sea water.

The Pile City Gate (Gradska Vrata Pile). The Pile Gate is the main entrance to the ancient part of the city. The gates were built in 1537, and served as a defensive structure. The Arcade Bay, which is built in the Renaissance style, is the location of the sculpture of St Blasius, the protector of Dubrovnik.

The Onofrio Fountain. Big Onofrio Fountain is located in a small square to the right from the Pile Gate. It was built in 1438 by Neapolitan architect Onofrio de la Kavi, who also projected the city’s water system. The fountain is one of the most well-known monuments in the city. Originally, it was decorated with a sculpture. However, later the sculpture was ruined during the earthquake of 1667. Only 16 stone masks have left since that time. The water runs out of the masks.

The first building to the left from Placa is St Savior Church. Not far from it you will see the world-famous Franciscan Monastery, which was built in 1317-1417. After the earthquake of 1667 they had to make a total reconstruction of the monastery. The only detail that left untouched was the south door, decorated in the Venetian gothic style. Near the entrance to the monastery you will find a sculpture named 'Madonna Pieta' by Ivan Meshtrovich.

The Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary (Velika Gospa). The Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary (Velika Gospa) is situated in front of Rector's Palace. The first variant of the church was destroyed during the earthquake of 1667. The restoration works of the building were finished only in 1716. Travellers are usually offered to visit the treasure-house, where they can look at the shrine with the relics of St Blasius and 138 golden and silver items of the 11th and the 17th centuries. The cathedral is also the location of a true masterpiece - 'The Ascension of the Virgin' - made in Titian's atelier. Many experts claim that the work was created by the master himself.

Dubrovnik Riviera is distinguished by the typical soft Mediterranean climate with mild, humid winter and dry, hot and sunny summer. In summer, the temperature is about 25C, and the temperature of water is 21C. As a rule, it’s warm here even in May - the temperature is above 20C. That is why the best time for visiting Dubrovnik is from May to October.

Read more about Dubrovnik:
Restaurants and cuisine in Dubrovnik
'Must visit' places in Dubrovnik
Nightlife and attractions in Dubrovnik
Preparing for Dubrovnik: Advices
Dubrovnik photogallery