Over the centuries, earthquakes, civil wars andsieges saw Dubrovnik nearly destroyed. Two of themost destructive events were the catastrophic earthquake of 1667 and the heavyshelling during the civil war in the early 1990s, but today Dubrovnikis a city reborn.
Begin your visit with a stroll along the city wallsaround the old town. The fortifications were built between the 8th and 16thcenturies and still stand tall and proud today. The huge wall, which is almost 2km long and 22 meters high, offers an excellent vantage point to see the sightsof the city and can usually be walked in around an hour.
Come off the wall and explore the car-free old town.It is a world heritage site, and most of the attractions of Dubrovnik,including the historic palaces, churches, gardens, as well as the moderndesigner shops, can all be found around here. Stroll Placa, the marble pavedmain street with its great selection of shops, cafes and restaurants. There areno billboards, signs or other advertising monstrosities here their absence isdue to local regulations which aim to preserve the traditional look of the areait.
Visit the Palace of the Rector, aGothic-Renaissance monument that was the seat of government of the old DubrovnikRepublic. Nearby is the Church of St. Blaise, an 18th century baroque buildingdedicated to the patron saint of Dubrovnik.
Chill out on the sand at Banje, the Dubrovnikbeach just outside the walls of the old city swim in the crystal clear waterand enjoy the sun with a breathtaking view over the Adriatic Sea. Go on to thepicturesque Port of Gruž, which is within walking distance of the old town, tovisit the fresh market or take the ferry to one of the nearby islands.
For the evening Dubrovnikhas both lively clubs and places to relax. The old town is dotted withrestaurants, cafes and bars. If you like to dance, go to Culture Club Revelin,a nightclub in the old RevelinFortress. If you’d prefer something a little more calming, then gofor a classical concert in the Palace of the Rector.
Since most of the attractions of Dubrovnikare in the pedestrianised Old Town, it’s likely all you’ll need to get aroundis a good pair of shoes. The rest of the city is easily accessible by bus, taxior rental car. Consider to buy a Dubrovnik Card.With this pass you can make use of public transport, get a guided tour of thecity, get discounts in restaurants and free access to some cultural and historicalattractions.
