Dubrovnik

1. Lovrijenac Fortress

Sitting austerely atop a 37-meter-high sheer rock and keeping watch over the coast is the Lovrijenac Fortress. It is arguably one of the most impressive historical attractions in Dubrovnik, and also one of the most key locations in the defense of the city’s western coast. Lovrinejac is estimated to have been built sometime between 1018 and 1038 and has seen several upgrades and alterations throughout the 15th and 16th century.

Explore the quadrilateral court with its mighty arches or stand on one of the three terraces to enjoy a scenic view of the sea. Better yet, get a first hand look at the canons and other marvels that made the fortress as dominant and daunting as it was.

Lovrijenac Fortress, UI od Tabakarije 29, 20000, Dubrovnik, Croatia

2. Dubrovnik Cable Car

Dubrovnik is a colorful and beautifully designed city with its bright orange rooftops and white structures that stand in sharp contrast to the vibrant blue sea at lavish greenery. In fact, it’s hard to appreciate the city’s beauty from the ground.

The only way to truly take in the magnificence of the is by getting a bird’s eye view of it from the Dubrovnik Cable Car. Built in 1969, Dubrovnik Cable Car is one of the most popular attractions in the city and has seen millions of enthusiastic visitors since its was first established. With ideal weather conditions, you can see as far as 60 kilometers around the cable car.

Dubrovnik Cable Car, Petra Kresimira IV bb, 20000 Dubrovnik, Croatia, Phone: +385-20-41-43-55

3. Orlando’s Column

A beloved and iconic monument located in the very heart of Dubrovnik’s Old Town, Orlando’s Column is a must-see for any traveler who finds his self or her self in the city. Erected in 1418, Orlando’s Column features the carved-out image of an armored knight by the name of Orlando. According to the folklore of Dubrovnik, Orlando helped the people of Ragusa (Old Dubrovnik) defeat invaders and retain their status as a free trade city-state. This resulted in the memorializing of the knight through a stone column carving. Today, Orlando’s Column is also the flag carrier of the Libertas Flag, which is flown during the down’s summer festival, and also the St. Blaise festival’s flag.

Orlando’s Column, 20000 Dubrovnik, Croatia

4. City Walls

Perhaps one of the most distinctive features of Dubrovnik are its city walls. 1,940 meters long and with 6 magnificent fortresses along its length, the Walls of Dubrovnik are a must-visit for first timers in the city. Walk along the City Walls while learning about the city’s history or participate in a City Walls Walking Tour or Dubrovnik Game of Thrones Tour of the Old Town. As visitors explore the walls, they can pay a visit to the Lovrijenac, Revelin, Miceta, Bokar, St. John or St. Lucas fortresses. Look out for the beautiful array of architecture styles that can be found nearby and around the fortress walls like the Renaissance designs of the Sponza Palace and the Gothic architecture of Rector’s Palace.

Poljana Paska Milicevica, 20000 Dubrovnik, Croatia Map

5. Church of Holy Annunciation

Built in 1877 within the Old Town’s Walls of Dubrovnik, the Church of Holy Annunciation is a historical icon and a popular landmark to explore. The church has withstood not only the test of time, but also a bombing in the 1900s during the Siege of Dubrovnik.

It was only in 2009 that the church was restored by the Ministry of Culture, and has since then, enjoyed a boom in interest and patronage. The Church of Holy Annunciation is home to a beautiful collection of valuable icons, some dating back to the 15th and 16th centuries, and is home to important pieces of church history such as the Miroslav Gospels.

Od Pucha 8, 20000 Dubrovnik, Croatia, Phone: +38-50-20-32-38-87 Map

6. Revelin Fort

Overlooking the Old Harbor and guarding the eastern entry point of the Old Town is the Revelin Fort. Magnificent in every sense of the word, the fortress is the largest of the old-town forts and is separate from the city walls. It is home to the Archaeological Museum, a haven for archaeology enthusiasts, and, unexpectedly, the Reveling Nightclub, one of the hottest night-time destinations in the city. Catch special performances at the fort, join in for spectacular parties, or simply sit and soak up the rich history within its walls. Whatever your cup of tea is, there’s no doubt that a visit to the Revelin Fortress will prove memorable.

Revelin Fort , Ul. Svetog Dominika 3, 20000 Dubrovnik, Croatia, Phone: +385-20-43-60-10

7. Memorial Room of the Dubrovnik Defenders

Located just a few steps into the entrance of the city’s Sponza Palace is a heartbreaking memento of Dubrovnik’s history – the Memorial Room of the Dubrovnik Defenders. In this memorial lies a collection of portraits of the young men who passed away during the Battle for Dubrovnik. This long drawn out battle raged from 1991 to 1995 during the Croatian War of Independence. Although it’s a heart wrenching monument, it’s also a beautiful legacy and story of the resilience of man to fight for freedom. Visitors can see the faces of the Dubrovnik Defenders who gave their lives for the cause of independence and read a few short lines of information about these valiant men as well.

Memorial Room of the Dubrovnik Defenders, Sponza Palace, Stradun 2, 20000 Dubrovnik, Croatia

8. Rupe Ethnographic Museum

Travelers eager to get a taste of Dubrovnik’s ethnic history ought to pay a visit to the Rupe Ethnographic Museum. Housed in a granary that was built in 1590, the museum is an incredible showcase of the city’s economic, cultural and spiritual development over the centuries. Guests can examine colorful folk costumes, take up close looks at various textiles, and even see recreations of what live would have looked like for a typical citizen in the past. The building of the museum itself is already a treat for history buffs and archeology fans as it was hewn out of living rock and was once used for the drying and storing the city’s imported grain.

Rupe Ethnographic Museum , Od Rupa 3, 20000 Dubrovnik, Croatia, Phone: +38-50-20-23-20-18

9. The Old Synagogue

Welcome to the world’s oldest Sefardic synagogue that’s still in use today – The Old Synagogue. Established in 1352, the Old Synagogue is located in one of the Old Town’s small and unassuming streets and is frequented by local Jews and foreign visitors alike. Worthy of pilgrimage, the Old Synagogue stands out with a mixture of designs from various eras as the result of numerous refurbishments and renovations through out the centuries. Although the Old Synagogue is an interesting visit whether you’re on a tour or not, the best way to get the scoop on all of the secrets and insider knowledge of this Jewish heritage site is by taking a private tour. Not only do you get to learn all about the history of the synagogue, the tour guides have some pretty quirky anecdotes to go with them, too.

The Old Synagogue, Zudioska ul. 5, 20000 Dubrovnik, Croatia, Phone: +38-50-20-32-10-28

10. Sponza Palace

No trip to Dubrovnik is complete without a visit to the Sponza Palace, a monumental Gothic Renaissance structure and one of the most beautiful palaces of the city. Built during 1516 to 1522, the palace still retains its original architecture and is located at the end of Placa Street. As it was once the home of a number of state offices, explorers can get a taste of political and cultural history when visiting the palace. For guests who just want to appreciate the beauty of the palace, a trip to the large inner courtyard and a walk along the open porches is a must. Visitors can feast their eyes on spectacular sculptural ornaments added to the palace by master stone cutters in the 1500s.

Sponza Palace, Stradun 2, 20000 Dubrovnik, Croatia