Some cities I arrive in with a long list of things to see. In Dubrovnik, I prefer to do the opposite. Rather than rushing from one landmark to another, I like to choose a few places and give myself enough time to actually enjoy them.
Walk the walls before the day gets too busy. Stop for coffee, ice cream or brunch somewhere just off Stradun. Step inside a palace instead of only admiring its façade. And when the stone streets start to feel warm underfoot, escape across the water to Lokrum.
If you are searching for Dubrovnik must-see attractions, these are the five places I would put at the top of the list.
Walk the Dubrovnik city walls
This is where I would start. There is something completely different about seeing Dubrovnik from above. Once I climb onto the Dubrovnik city walls, the narrow streets and squares of the Old Town suddenly fit together like a map beneath me.
On one side are rows of terracotta rooftops, church towers and hidden courtyards. On the other, there is nothing but stone walls dropping towards the blue Adriatic.
The complete walls extend for almost two kilometres and include towers, fortresses and bastions that formed the defensive system of the former Dubrovnik Republic. But when I walk them, it is less the numbers or history that stay with me and more the constantly changing view.
Around almost every corner, I find another reason to stop. From Minčeta Tower, the Old Town spreads out below me. A few minutes later, Lokrum appears across the water. Further along, I can watch small boats entering and leaving the Old Port.
If I had to choose only one of all the Dubrovnik must-see places, the walls would be difficult to beat.
My tip:I would go early in the morning or later in the afternoon. Apart from avoiding the strongest sun, the softer light makes the rooftops and sea look even better.
Slow down on Stradun and wander through the Old Town
After seeing Dubrovnik from above, I like to experience it at street level. And sooner or later, almost every walk through the Old Town leads back to Stradun.
Officially called Placa, Stradun became the broad stone street we recognise today during the rebuilding of Dubrovnik after the earthquake of 1667. It is beautiful, but what I enjoy most is simply watching the city move around me.
Early in the day, the polished limestone catches the morning light and everything feels surprisingly peaceful. Later, café tables fill up, people meet beneath the clock tower, and visitors disappear into the maze of small streets leading away from the main promenade.
I always make time to do the same. Instead of walking straight from Pile Gate to the Old Port, I turn into the side streets, follow stairways without knowing exactly where they lead and stop whenever something catches my attention.
This is also where I like to look for souvenirs that feel a little more personal than the usual magnets – local illustrations, handmade ceramics, small design pieces or something created by a Dubrovnik artist. That is where Dubrovnik starts feeling less like a collection of famous landmarks and more like a real city.
Step into Dubrovnik’s history at Rector’s Palace
It would be easy to walk past Rector’s Palace, admire its elegant arches and continue exploring the Old Town. I recommend going inside.
During the time of the Dubrovnik Republic, this Gothic-Renaissance palace was both the residence of the Rector and an important centre of government. Today it forms part of the Cultural History Museum of Dubrovnik Museums, with rooms and collections connected to life during the Republic. For me, the courtyard alone is worth slowing down for.
After the energy of Stradun and the surrounding squares, stepping between the stone columns feels almost unexpectedly calm.
It is also one of those places that gives context to everything I have just seen. The walls, palaces and fortresses outside suddenly become part of a much bigger story about the city that once existed within them.
If you are planning to visit several of Dubrovnik’s main attractions, it is also worth looking into the Dubrovnik Pass, which combines access to several sights and museums and can make exploring the city a little easier.
Escape to Lokrum for a different side of Dubrovnik
One of my favourite things about Dubrovnik is how quickly the atmosphere can change. One moment I am surrounded by stone streets and centuries-old buildings. Shortly afterwards, I can be walking beneath pine trees on Lokrum.
The forested island sits just opposite Dubrovnik’s Old Town and is protected as a special forest vegetation reserve. Its landscapes include Mediterranean woodland and a botanical garden with exotic species. Boats depart from the Old City Port, making Lokrum an easy addition to a day in Dubrovnik. Once I arrive, I forget about following a strict itinerary.
I wander through the gardens, find the historic Benedictine monastery, follow shaded paths beneath the trees and eventually make my way towards the water. The monastery itself has roots going back to the 11th century, adding another layer of history to an island that initially feels like a simple escape into nature.
Finish with the panorama from Mount Srđ
I save one of the best views for last. From Mount Srđ, Dubrovnik suddenly looks very small.
The Old Town sits perfectly within its stone walls, Lokrum stretches out behind it, and the Adriatic seems to continue endlessly towards the horizon.
Mount Srđ is one of the viewpoints above Dubrovnik, known for its panoramic views across the Old Town and the sea – and easily one of the most Instagrammable spots in the city.
I particularly like coming here towards the end of the day. After walking through the streets below, I can start recognising individual places from above: the walls I followed that morning, the Old Port where I caught the boat to Lokrum and the dense cluster of roofs around Stradun.
Everything I have explored during the day suddenly comes together in one view.
My Dubrovnik must-see places in one day
Could I visit all five in one day? Technically, yes. But I probably wouldn’t.
For a first visit, I would spend the morning walking the City Walls, continue through Stradun and the Old Town, visit Rector’s Palace and finish at Mount Srđ around sunset.
Then I would save Lokrum for another morning or afternoon, when I have enough time to swim, walk and enjoy the island without constantly checking the time.
Dubrovnik rewards slowing down. The famous views are worth seeing, but some of my favourite moments here happen between them: turning into a quiet street away from Stradun, hearing bells echo between stone houses, catching a glimpse of the sea at the end of an alley or simply sitting somewhere with no particular place to be.
Dubrovnik is even better beyond the postcard
Before visiting, I associated Dubrovnik mainly with its famous walls and terracotta rooftops. They are spectacular, but what stays with me most is how much variety fits into such a small city.
My list of Dubrovnik must-see places is therefore not just about landmarks, but about seeing the city from different perspectives – from the walls, the streets, across the sea and from above. And once I have seen Dubrovnik this way, I am usually already thinking about coming back.
