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Dubrovnik — the pearl of the Adriatic, Lord Byron’s paradise, and one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Dubrovnik was the final stop on our Busabout Croatia Cruise, and I was looking forward to seeing this beautiful city in real life after dreaming about it for years!
Dubrovnik didn’t disappoint — it was breathtaking. In spite of the heat and humidity and heavy crowds, this was undeniably one of the most beautiful cities I’ve ever seen.
But the best way to see Dubrovnik is to get up high — on top of the city walls.
These walls stretch completely around Dubrovnik’s Old Town, a distance totaling 1.2 miles. There are no words that I can give for views this good — let me just say that you’ll be very glad you made the trip.
And some of the views are hilarious — like this not-so-hidden beach. Or PRIVATE MY ASS Beach (see it written out?), as I’ve taken to calling it.
Months back, Dave and I found a YouTube video declaring that this place was actually a nude beach — NOT SO! Being this accessible to the view from the walls, it would have only been a beach for exhibitionists (and from what I’ve observed, most nudists are the opposite).
On a more serious note, viewing Dubrovnik from the walls gives you the chance to see the damage from the war up close. Dubrovnik was sieged from late 1991 through early 1992, and the city was in ruins. It was painstakingly rebuilt, but you wouldn’t know it unless you were looking for the two-toned roofs.
If you happen to attract pigeons, Dubrovnik might not be the best place for you. The swarms of pigeons are absolutely INSANE, and they don’t hesitate to divebomb humans.
(You remember my great fear of birds, and especially pigeons, right? I didn’t do well in Dubrovnik.)
A few tips for walking the Dubrovnik walls:
- Buy tickets just outside the main gate to the Old Town. Tickets cost 70 kuna each, or $11.50.
- Try to avoid the hottest part of the day. Go early in the morning or late in the afternoon.
- Bring bottles of water — there are a few kiosks and cafes on the walls, but they’re expensive.
- Be sure to get a picture of PRIVATE MY ASS beach.
Few city walls are as dramatic and interesting as Dubrovnik’s, and from the walls, you’ll be able to enjoy the city from an unforgettable angle. If you’re spending time in Dubrovnik, don’t miss a chance to climb these walls! Lord Byron would agree.
Planning a Trip to Croatia:
- Two Weeks in Croatia Itinerary
- What NOT to Do in Croatia
- Best Time to Visit Croatia
- Solo Female Travel in Croatia: Is it Safe?
- 30 Stunning Mediterranean Islands To Visit In Your Lifetime
Croatian Islands and the Dalmatian Coast:
- How to Spend Three Days in Dubrovnik
- Why Korฤula, Croatia, is the Coolest Island of All
- Vis, Croatia, is a Quietly Stunning Island
- Dubrovnik Survival Guide
- The Waterfalls of Krka National Park
- A Place Like Zadar
- 30 Fabulous Things To Do in Split, Croatia
- 29 Sunny Things To Do in Hvar, Croatia
Istria and the North:
- Guide to Rovinj, Croatiaโs Prettiest City
- Places to Visit in Istria, Croatiaโs Italian-Flavored Peninsula
- 21 Unforgettable Things To Do In Zagreb, Croatia
I visited Dubrovnik as a guest of Busaboutโs Croatia One-Way Sail. All opinions, as always, are my own.
So beautiful! I heard so many people saying that Dubrovnik was over hyped and its reputation was largely exaggerated – it feels good to hear otherwise!
Honestly, Dubrovnik is chock full of sweaty tourists now. The walls were nice because it was less crowded and you could enjoy the beauty of the city without being smacked around by the crowds. And I was only there in early June — can’t imagine what it would look like in July or August!
Beautiful. I have to visit one day. Sounds like pigeons dominate the place (like Venice).
Oh, they definitely dominate — they’re more insane than the ones in Venice, though!
Wow it looks lovely. I’m considering not going to Croatia, as planned, but these photos are tempting me to reconsider..!
Oh, you have to go, Izy! It’s such a nice place!
Have always heard great things about Dubrovnik. It’s becoming a popular cruise port, so I hope it maintains some of its appeal…
It’s got TONS and TONS of tourists, so the days of it being undiscovered are long gone. But it really is a beautiful place, especially from the walls.
I didn’t know we shared a bird fear – I think I’ll have to enjoy Dubrovnik through your photos rather than visiting myself.
I am SURPRISED you didn’t know that by now! Once I was having lunch in a crowded park in Boston, a sparrow jumped on my head and I screamed bloody murder and fell to my knees like Elvis…that was the pinnacle of my fear…
Makes me definitely want to add Croatia to my bucket list! Thanks for sharing and safe travels !!!
Thanks! You should definitely go, Mike — it’s one of my new favorite countries.
Am I the only one that thinks that the wall looks terrifying? It looks SO HIGH!!! I think the pigeons would knock me off balance and I’d wind up a crumpled mess on Private My Ass Beach.
LOL! Don’t worry, there are high walls on the wall keeping you in! Unless someone wanted to throw you off, of course…
I LOVE Dubrovnik. My girlfriend and I spent a week in an apartment up on the hillside there. What a beautiful place. Thanks for reminding me to take a look back at my photos from the trip.
We were only there for around a day and a half, total, and as much as we loved Dubrovnik, we felt like it was enough!
Dubrovnik is definitely a beautiful city to wander, we had a lot of fun there ๐ It’s so picturesque as well, perfect for photo taking. We enjoyed Split a lot more though, a bit more ‘real’ and less large tour groups. Dubrovnik is certainly worth a visit though – and it’s lovely to sail through the Islands from Dubrovnik –> Split!
Sailing those islands was THE BEST, Tom!
I’m going to be walking the walls of Dubrovnik tomorrow, and can’t wait!!!
I hope you had a great time! ๐
It was awesome. And I didn’t see any dive-bombing birds! Maybe it was too hot for them…
I must be seriously sheltered, cause I have never even thought of Croatia as a tourist destination, but wow, all these posts about Croatia you’ve done have definitely sent it to the top of my list. How did I not know about this place?!
Oh, it is a HUGE tourist destination. Enormous!
One of my fave places ever! I actually forgot to pack water when i was there but lucky there is a fresh spring fountain by the ticket booth just before you make the climb. Croatian weather is a scorcher!
I loved that fountain. Reminded me of Rome with all the free fountains.
We have been to Croatia to vacation two years in a row (and will go back next year) and we are pretty much OBSESSED.
A quick clarification on the “PRIVATE MY ASS” beach – that spot is one of our favorites in Dubrovnik to lounge and cliff jump. The PRIVATE areas are a couple of small concrete landings that are owned by locals – so they are actually “private.” But the tourists spread out everywhere else.
Even the huge crowds and heat can’t take away the magic of Dubrovnik!
I’am from Croatia and it’s good to hear great things about Croatia but i’m sorry you didn’t get the chance to see other regions like Zagorje or Slavonia.Zagorje is beautiful.You can see lot of castle’s and wine roads and beautiful landscape.
Saw your post before we went there…while it was hot crowded , we still loved it!
http://tickingthebucketlist.blogspot.in/2014/09/dubrovnik-walking-city-walls.html
At the walls now thanks for all the tips ๐ fyi mid September still hot but not over run with tourists
have been to Dubrovnik a couple of times before going again this year on a cruiseship (again) a beautiful place with friendly people going to walk the wall this time
we will land in Dubrovnik on Saturday morning…looking forward. thanks for the tips
Btw it’s 120 kuna to enter the walls now…..
Thanks for the update!
On all my posts the prices are accurate as of date of publication. Beyond that, they change, but if I constantly updated prices on old posts I’d have no time to do anything else! ๐ It’s always a good idea to check the official website before you go.
Hi Kate was about to book Dubrovnik until I read this article. I too have a bad phobia of birds since I was a child. How bad is it in Dubrovnik? I see a few on images and yes I guess there will be swarms in the square! I have recently travelled to Barcelona, Palma City, Rome & Prague where there is also many birds but I try to deal with it when I get there as I love to travel. (Typical my love for city breaks is the worst places for pigeons) Thanks Ash x
Hi Elizabeth —
It really isn’t that bad at all, though I don’t know your personal level of fear. I don’t think you’ll find it worse than most cities.
This is now priced at 150 kuna. 50 for students with certain youth cards but must apply from home country.