Old Town

About

The Old Town of Dubrovnik, also known simply as the Old City, is a living museum and a UNESCO World Heritage Site that captivates visitors with its layered history, dazzling architecture, and dramatic embrace of the Adriatic sea. Erected over centuries of mercantile ascendancy and military ingenuity, the city’s most iconic feature is its series of stone walls—more than 1,900 metres (6,300 ft) long—that encircled the medieval core and still rise to a maximum height of 25 metres (82 ft). These walls, carved in the 13th–17th centuries, were not merely defensive fortifications but also a testament to the city’s golden age as the free maritime Republic of Ragusa, blending Byzantine, Venetian, and Gothic‑Renaissance styles. Inside the walls, cobbled streets wind past the grand boulevard of Stradun, the bustling heart of Old Town, where historic buildings such as the Rector’s Palace, the Sponza Palace, and the Cathedral of St. Blaise stand as testimonies to the city’s political and religious heritage. Today, the Old Town offers a sensory journey: panoramic sea views from the walls, the rhythmic lapping of waves against sea gates, and the fragrant call to prayer echoing from the cathedral. With roughly 1.2 million visitors each year, Dubrovnik’s Old Town remains a top destination for travelers seeking an immersive blend of art, history, and maritime allure.

Highlights

• Walls of Dubrovnik
• Stradun
• Rector’s Palace
• Sponza Palace
• Cathedral of St. Blaise
• Cathedral of St. Blaise
• Sea Walls
• Land Walls

Must-See Areas

Good to Know

At a glance

• Typical visit: about 6 hours