Walking the Walls of Dubrovnik

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When I first discovered that my Busabout trip would only be briefly passing through the Croatian city of Dubrovnik, I was a bit bummed. We would only have about 4 hours to explore this “Pearl of the Adriatic,” and it didn't seem like enough.

But then I realized a couple of things: first, that Dubrovnik in the summer is incredibly hot, expensive, and teeming with tourists, and perhaps I didn't WANT to spend a lot of time there. Secondly, that 4 hours was plenty of time to do the only thing I really wanted to do in the city: walk its famous walls.

Dubrovnik, Croatia

Dubrovnik, Croatia

The Walls of Dubrovnik

Whenever I think of Dubrovnik, I think of the thick stone walls the encircle the city's Old Town — walls that went centuries without being breached by a hostile army; walls that helped Dubrovnik earn a UNESCO World Heritage Site designation in 1979.

Walking atop these walls was the only thing on my agenda.

Dubrovnik, Croatia

Dubrovnik, Croatia

When we arrived in Dubrovnik in the early afternoon (at the hottest time of day, of course), I made a beeline for the walls. I convinced one other person to join me in the midday sun, and off we went, up, up, up to the top of the walls.

I visited Dubrovnik before “Game of Thrones” mania took over the city (Dubrovnik stood in for King's Landing in several seasons of GOT), and entrance to the Walls back then was 70 Kuna. Today, it'll cost you 150 Kuna for the privilege of walking the Walls (roughly $24 USD).

Perhaps because it was so warm, the walls weren't actually as crowded as I'd feared, and the clear skies meant that it was perfect photo-taking weather.

Walking the walls of Dubrovnik

We began our adventure at a far corner of the walls, meaning we had to walk through Dubrovnik's Old Town first. Its beautiful, detailed Old Town.

Dubrovnik, Croatia
Dubrovnik Old Town

Dubrovnik, Croatia

Then it was time to climb up to the walls — about 80 feet up.

Dubrovnik, Croatia

Dubrovnik, Croatia
On Dubrovnik's walls

From atop the walls, you get an amazing view out over the Old Town, including those iconic orange roofs that the city is so well-known for.

Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik, Croatia

While Dubrovnik went centuries without a war breaching its thick walls, the city was severely bombed during the Balkan Wars in the 1990s. Today, though, you would never know it — except by looking at the city's rooftops. Bright orange roof tiles indicate roofs that were restored after the bombings.

Dubrovnik, Croatia

Dubrovnik, Croatia
Fresh orange tiles beside older tiles

You also get an amazing view out over the impossibly blue Adriatic.

Dubrovnik, Croatia

Dubrovnik, Croatia

The walls allow you a bird's-eye view down into the canyon-like streets of Dubrovnik.

Dubrovnik, Croatia

Dubrovnik, Croatia

From the walls, you can also look down on Dubrovnik's colorful harbor.

Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik, Croatia

You get to see the old, right alongside the new — all of it blending perfectly.

Dubrovnik, Croatia

Dubrovnik, Croatia

In the end, 4 hours was the perfect amount of time to spend in Dubrovnik on a hot summer day — walking the walls can take up to 2 hours (especially if you stop for as many photos as I did), and then you can spend the rest of the time wandering around in the Old Town, possibly in search of ice cream.

No matter how much time you have to spend here, though, walking the Walls of Dubrovnik MUST be on your list!

Going to Dubrovnik as a Game of Thrones fan? Check out these tours:

Which view would you most like to see from Dubrovnik's walls?

 

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Walking the Walls of Dubrovnik in Croatia

 

*Note: I visited Dubrovnik as part of a discounted 9-day Classic Balkan Trek tour with Busabout. All opinions, however, are my own.

"It's a dangerous business, going out your door. You step onto the road, and, if you don't keep your feet, there's no telling where you might get swept off to." - JRR Tolkien

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64 Comments on “Walking the Walls of Dubrovnik

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  1. We loved Dubrovnik but not the crowds. We managed to avoid them by starting out early and on non-cruise ship days. Also, the entry for the walls was 200 kuna when we went in 2019, so the price has gone up.

      Staying overnight is the way to go if you can manage it – then you can avoid all the cruise ship and day tour crowds!

    Is it suitable for those who don’t really like heights? I was fine with the cable car but the chance of falling looks high. Do people fall off?

      The only way you’d fall is if you climbed over and jumped. It’s definitely possible to walk on the walls without getting right up to the edge. 🙂

    September or June is the perfect time to go to Croatia if you don’t want the peak season heat or tourist. However having been to Croatia 3 times incl summer I’m always surprised at people commenting about the heat. The country has hot periods but it’s nothing like the heat in Australia or the humidity of Asia. If you’ve been to these countries during the hot season you’ll find Croatia mild.

      True, but it still certainly feels hot at the time! Doesn’t really matter where else you’ve experienced heat – hot is still hot in my book!

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