Tour guides Croatia > Dubrovnik

5 ideas for guided tours in Dubrovnik

• The city walls of Dubrovnik

  

  Walking the walls of Dubrovnik means suddenly feeling the weight of centuries of history. The path stretches for two kilometers, and each step reveals a new perspective: clustered rooftops, bell towers, and in the distance the sea blending into the sky. You pause often, simply to take it all in.

  These fortifications weren’t built in a single day. Their construction spanned from the 8th to the 16th century, with some sections so thick they exceed six meters. Tracing their length makes it easier to understand how the Republic of Ragusa endured for so long against threats.

  The contrast is striking: to the left, the packed houses; to the right, the Adriatic glittering in the light. Silence mingles with the cries of gulls, and at times with the footsteps of passing groups. It all feels like a setting still inhabited by the defenders of the past.

• Franciscan Monastery

  

  Located to the west of the city, the Franciscan Monastery of Dubrovnik, also known as the Monastery of the Friars Minor, was built in 1337 and is a Romanesque masterpiece featuring two cloisters and 130 columns. The building holds one of the country’s most valuable libraries, though it is only accessible to the monks who live there.

  It is also home to one of the oldest pharmacies in the world, where various devices and measuring instruments are preserved. Visitors can purchase herbal remedies prepared from ancestral recipes as well as natural cosmetic products.

• Placa (Stradun)

  

  The Placa, or Stradun, runs in a straight line through the heart of Dubrovnik. Its limestone slabs, polished by generations of footsteps, shine almost like marble. You walk it without thinking, from Pile Gate to Ploče Gate, letting yourself be carried along.

  The facades look alike, as if the city had sought harmony after the great earthquake of 1667. Yet behind these pale stones, lively cafés and small shops keep the street alive. The stairways branching off invite you to lose yourself in quieter alleys.

  The Stradun changes its face with the hour. In the morning, hurried locals fill the way; in the evening, lanterns and musicians set another mood. The air smells sometimes of hot pizza, sometimes of freshly washed laundry drying in the windows.

• Onofrio Fountain

  

  At the entrance to the old town, Onofrio’s Fountain has welcomed travelers and locals since the 15th century. Recognizable by its round, massive shape and the sixteen sculpted faces that still pour clear, fresh water, it’s a common stop, often just to refill a bottle.

  It was once part of a vast aqueduct system designed to bring water from the hills. For its time, it was a remarkable feat of engineering and a vital gathering point. Even today, it remains a must-see, almost a ritual when arriving through Pile Gate.

  The stone, worn by centuries, holds the marks of the city and its people. Those who sit on its edge often end up looking up, struck by its austere elegance. A simple monument, yet one that lingers in memory.

• Lokrum Island

  

  From the old port, a ten-minute boat ride takes you to Lokrum Island. Small in size—barely two kilometers—but lush and green, it feels like a floating garden. Right away, you sense the atmosphere is different from the city.

  An old monastery, now a botanical garden, hides beneath the trees. Peacocks wander freely, unbothered by visitors, giving the place a strange, almost surreal feel. Shaded paths invite you to stroll in cooler air than in Dubrovnik.

  At the island’s center, a saltwater lake opens up, discreetly connected to the sea by caves. The water is calm, almost still, and swimming here feels like a private pause. Few places offer such a sense of seclusion while being so close to the coast.

  Climbing up to the Royal Fort, built by the French in the 19th century, the view sweeps across the Adriatic and the old town. Lokrum is not just an excursion, it’s a breath of fresh air, a contrast you need after the bustle of the city walls.