I’m no authority in what places are the must-dos. But I can tell you which are the ones I went to. I’ll sprinkle in some basic information along the way and tell you about my experience. Your trip will be different than mine. But I thought I’d share what I saw.

Dubrovnik lives up to the hype. The architecture is as picturesque as what I saw onscreen in the Game of Thrones. Its history as a republic is rich that I often wondered how things would have worked out if it ended up separate from the rest of Croatia. But not everything is perfect.

The biggest letdown for me was knowing less than 10% of the original population reside in Dubrovnik. Most have left, finding the city too expensive and/or deciding to capitalise on its newfound fame (i.e. renting out every square meter to the willing and able tourists.) 

Many cruises dock nearby. Countless day trips are taken from neighboring cities. Before sunset, the place is packed with tourists. At night, Dubrovnik becomes a ghost town. 

Word of advice when exploring: get the day passes. It’s the same cost as a ticket to the Walls of Dubrovnik. But that day pass gave my friends and I access to more places and discounts in food establishments.

Side note: For places I visited Zagreb, you can visit this link. For a story from Dubrovnik, you can visit this link.

Finally, here are five places I visited in Dubrovnik.

The Walls of Dubrovnik

Accessing the Walls of Dubrovnik can be costly. But when we asked our accommodation provider if entering the structure is worth the money, without hesitation, he said “yes”. He even emphasised that the landmark is the main reason for a visit to Dubrovnik. And he is right.

Seeing the city atop a mountain or admiring Dubrovnik while walking the streets is nice. But viewing the place from the defensive walls is a completely different experience. I was elevated enough to get a bird’s eye view of the Old Town. But at the same time, I could see the finer details that would not be possible from a higher vantage point. 

The entire stretch is about two kilometers. At one point, my friends and I decided to take a pause and have a drink. And while this sounds lavish, it’s worth every Euro. 

The Rector’s Palace

I must make the caveat that I was running low on sleep during my visit. So I might not have as much appreciation for the place as I would have had if my batteries were full. 

The most interesting bit for me was how the palace used to house the seat of government during the days of the Republic of Dubrovnik. The leader, whose term was one month, was obligated to stay within the confines of the palace for his entire term. And the setup was intended to remove any distraction and heighten his focus on serving the public. 

The architecture was alright – grand halls, elaborate staircase, and a central courtyard. It’s an example of Gothic-Renaissance style, if details like this spark your interest. I must admit that I still don’t fully grasp what that entails.

Lokrum

Half a day was easily gone with my day trip to Lokrum. But the island is well worth the time (definitely more than what I allotted).

Peacocks, a fortress, dead sea, a Game of Thrones shooting location, a monastery, rock formations, sea shore, etc. – what else can a tourist ask for? Seriously, every turn my friends and I made, there’s something to appreciate. Whether one is an avid fan of nature, pop culture or history, there’s a treat for everyone. 

I would caveat though that a trip to the island costs 27 Euros. And that is a bit pricey in comparison to island hopping in other parts of Europe. But a 20% discount is available to anyone with a Dubrovnik pass having a duration of 3 or 7 days.

Mount Srd

Mount Srd’s peak can be reached by taking a cable car, driving or hiking. My friends and I bought a round trip cable car ticket. But the view was so breathtaking that I decided to hike down. I wanted to let myself be blown away a while longer with Dubrovnik’s orange rooftops and limestone walls. 

My friends and I enjoyed the sunset from the mountain top. And we had some beers to keep us company. Yes… I genuinely believe life is good. 

Word of caution: even though the elevation is only 400 meters, the pathway for people who decide to hike is LITERALLY rocky. I had to be extra careful the entire journey. And let’s just say that ergonomic shoes are a must.

St. Ignatius Church and the Jesuit Staircase

The church is dedicated to the founder of the Jesuit order, St Ignatius de Loyola. Paintings, frescoes, and sculptures are all admirable. But I’ve seen enough religious structures that I find it difficult to be amazed. The highlight for me is the staircase leading up to the church. 

For fans of the Game of Thrones, this is where the iconic “Walk of Shame” of Cersei Lannister took place. As I take a stroll, I find myself unconsciously chanting “shame”. 

Everyone takes photos here. Not only is it nice to recapture one of television’s most memorable moments. Apparently, every now and then, some tourists get the bright idea of walking naked and having the police chase after them. 

But the city view  is quite stunning. The only reservation I have are the few chairs and tables that restaurant owners decided to put out. They are good for business but not for Instagram. 

---

The trip happened on April 2023.