1. Walk the Walls: Dubrovnik's medieval fortifications are one of its main attractions. They encircle the old town and offer picture-perfect views of its red-roofed buildings and the surrounding area, including the ocean. Climb into defensive towers and lookout posts, peek into tidy gardens, and take plenty of photos!
2. Shop for Souvenirs: From coral jewelry to traditional embroidery, souvenirs in Dubrovnik reflect Croatian traditions and local resources. You'll also be able to buy wine, dolls, lavender, olive oil, cookbooks, and more.
3. Experience the Dubrovnik Summer Festival: See folk performances, plays, and even internationally known performers when you visit during Dubrovnik's popular Summer Festival.
4. Try Regional Cuisine: Dubrovnik's cuisine marries coastal delicacies with the food of Croatia. Be sure to enjoy some of this light and flavorful fair when you're in this Adriatic city. While it's unfortunate that the seafood isn't local (the surrounding waters have been fished out), regional dishes are still served up proudly in Dubrovnik's restaurants.
5. Sample Croatian Wine: Did you know that Croatia has a tradition of wine production? Croatian wines have unique flavor that results from its soil and climate. Be sure to try Croatian wine while you're in Dubrovnik—it's a part of local culture you don't want to miss.
6. Go for a Dip: Dubrovnik's best beaches are not in the immediate vicinity of the old town, but you'll find swim spots outside the city walls and another beach just east of Old Town. Lokrum Island, the small island visible from Dubrovnik's walls, also has a nudist beach.
7. Visit the Aquarium: St. John's Fortress is home to a maritime museum and an aquarium. This excursion is a good option if you're traveling with children or need to escape either sun or rain.
8. Wander Ancient Streets: Dubrovnik's compact old town is made up winding streets and sheltered alleyways. Shops and restaurants occupy centuries-old buildings, but Old Town Dubrovnik is also home to a lucky few residents who own houses here. Explore streets that branch out from the main thoroughfare to understand the layout of the old town a little better.
9. Visit Old Town Dubrovnik in the Evening: Dubrovnik takes on a glow after night falls, with the Stradun reflecting street lamps and the town clock lit up for all to see. Duck into courtyards and examine the architecture in this new light, or find yourself a lively bar serving up drinks and music.
10. Celebrate New Year's Eve in Dubrovnik: Most of East and East Central Europe experience frigid temperatures at the end of December, but Dubrovnik's weather is pleasant and mild! If you want to experience New Year's in your shirtsleeves rather than a winter coat, consider Dubrovnik your destination of choice. Fireworks over the Stradun and other main sights create a magical display.
11. Celebrate Carnival in Dubrovnik: Dubrovnik's Carnival celebrations take the best European traditions and reenact them in this beautiful coastal city. You'll see individuals in period costume
12. Get Cultural with the Feast of St. Blaise: Any time of the year, you can visit St. Blaise's Church. St. Blaise is the patron saint of Dubrovnik and he watches over the city (you'll see his image over the gates). But every February 3rd, the Feast of St. Blaise is marked with a parade of the saint's relics and other celebrations. This festival is a one-of-a-kind event that has Dubrovnik's walls bursting with visitors.
13. View Dubrovnik's Sights: Be sure to tour Old Town Dubrovnik and view all of its sights. You'll peek into monastery courtyards, see medieval defense towers, and view palaces, fountains, and churches. These elements of old Dubrovnik are part of why visitors keep coming back to this Adriatic city.
14. Take Photos: And lots of them! Your photo album will be filled with blue waters, red roofs, and angles, angles, angles! Walk the walls to get the most intriguing photographs of old town, and be sure to use your camera's zoom feature. You'll be oohing and aahing over the images you've captured for years to come!
15. Go Diving or Kayaking: If you love water-related adventures, check out kayak tours and diving services in Dubrovnik.
16. Visit an Island: Dubrovnik-area islands offer quiet forests, beaches, bars, and even designated nudist areas. Ferries run regularly to Lokrum Island, the Elafiti Islands, and Mljet Island.
17. Take a Tour: A tour of Old Town Dubrovnik will introduce you to its sights and significant dates and individuals. This knowledge will help you appreciate the “Pearl of the Adriatic” even more, and you'll understand the city's relationship to the region and its influences.
18. Seek Out Live Music: Live music – both contemporary and classical – can easily be found in Dubrovnik. Though bars and nightclubs are the most obvious places for finding live music, also check out the old town's churches, which host regular concerts.
19. Visit a Museum: The Rector's Palace Museum, the Ethnographic Museum, the Maritime Museum, a Franciscan monastery museum, the State Archives, and the War Photos Limited gallery are all museums you can visit during your stay in Dubrovnik. They'll teach you more about the city and its history.
20. Take a Tour: Dubrovnik Walks gives tours of the city twice daily and tours of the city walls twice daily. Both tours are in English and don't require a reservation—just show up to the meeting point to gain access to the tour.
