A Guide to Old Town Dubrovnik, Croatia

We decided for our 3rd stay with Airbnb, to base ourselves in the city of Dubrovnik, Croatia! We honestly did know much about this part of the world before coming but after seeing some photos and reading about Dubrovnik - we decided it was a stop we wanted to make! We chose to stay in the Old Town, which is a part Dubrovnik surrounded by old city walls. It is actually known as one of the finest and most preserved medieval cities in the world despite an earthquake in 1667 and then being attacked during the civil war of the 1990s. In fact if you look out over the city and see brown roofs, those are actually ones that survived the war. The bright terracotta red ones you will see were all replaced after the war. It’s amazing how much of this city needed to be rebuilt and knowing that gives you such a deeper admiration for its beauty. You will actually feel like you have gone back in time walking around Old Town as there are no cars allowed inside the walls on its marble paved streets and it is full of renaissance fountains and beautiful monasteries and churches. 

The city is also still filled with locals! You will see narrow streets lined with steep steps to homes around every turn, our Airbnb is actually 120 steps UP from the Stradun, or Main Street in Old Town. We got our cardio this month for sure! Old Town has its own movie theatre, lots of restaurants and shops and in the summer hosts events like outdoor concerts, operas, and ballet. During Christmas (we are here in November) they set up a Christmas Market and have all kinds of little shops to grab local gifts, or food from.

Keep reading for some of our favorite things we have done while living here in Old Town Dubrovnik!

Walking the Old Town Walls 

The girls dancing right outside of our AIrbnb

Walking the walls will take about 2 hours, depending on how often you stop for photos and how quickly you walk the 1.3 miles around the city! This was one of our favorite things we did while we were here, so I would make sure you allowed enough time to enjoy it. There are more steps (the theme of Old Town!), but also views that will make the cardio worth it. We were here during a slow season, so we mainly had the wall tour all to ourselves. But in the summer I would imagine this to be a popular stop, so getting there first thing in the morning would help with crowds - and the heat!

Currently the entrance fee is 200 kunas (HRK) for adults and 50 Kunas per kid under 18 - but this includes entry into Lovrijenac Fort too which is another great place to explore and has gorgeous views of Old Town as well!! If you buy a Dubrovnik Card, you will also be given entry to the walls. 

(At this time of writing this with the exchange rate, that is about $30 per adult ticket and $7.50 for anyone under 18) 

A view of Old Town from Lovrijenac Fort

Views from the Cable Car 

Another must do in Dubrovnik is to take a ride up the Cable Car! From the top there is a snack shop, restaurant, and nice public bathrooms if you need them, but most importantly - the view! We had the freedom to walk around to various viewpoints but seeing Dubrovnik from up high with the Adriatic Sea and islands in the distance was just breathtaking. A must if you find yourself here for a few days! 

Tickets are very affordable and you can book them directly from the office at the entrance of the Cable Car, or avoid crowds and book them online here too. 

(At this time of writing this with the exchange rate, that is about $2 for kids ages 4-11 & for adults 12+ about $4. Kids 3 and under ride free.) 

A view from up above after riding the cable car!

Swimming at a Beach

There are lots of places to swim! Banje Beach is by far the most famous in Dubrovnik. This pebble beach is within easy walking distance from old town and offers great views - worth the trip! During the summer there are also restaurants open right next to the beach, so you could easily hang there all afternoon.

Pasjaca Beach is a hidden and also pretty small! Its accessible by stairs and known for its cave like appearance. This beach is more remote, with no restaurants or bathrooms close by but there is however a parking lot at the top of the cliffs if you drive over. There is also the option to kayak to/from this beach in the summer months!

Swimming in Banje Beach the first week of November

Boats to Lokrum Island & the Elefanti Islands 

Even though we weren’t able to go during our stay (ferries and tours end at the end of Sept/beginning of Oct ) if you get the chance to come to Croatia in the summer you need to take a tour of the Elephanti Islands and take the Ferry out to Lokrum Island to Explore! You can get tickets for both of these options from the Old Port or from one of many tour companies online. We have heard there are lots of wild Peacocks over on Lokrum, and lots of beautiful places for summer swim!

Lokrum Island right there, next to Old Town

We had no idea how beautiful this part of the world was and are so thankful we were given a month to truly enjoy it. If Croatia isn’t on your bucket list - I think it needs to be! It would be a great destination for your entire family to explore - as long as you didn’t mind a few steps!

**However if you come to Dubrovnik there IS an accessible option to visit Old Town! The Pile gate also has a ramp that takes you down to the main street and you can explore a lot without walking up any stairs - mostly just homes and access to other gates are at the top of the stairs!