What is Dubrovnik Famous For? 11 Things to Know
Wondering what is Dubrovnik famous for? Here are the top 11 things!
Dubrovnik is popular destination along Croatia’s Dalmatian coast. It is known as The Pearl of the Adriatic due to its beautiful old town and breathtaking coastline along the Adriatic Sea.
After visiting Dubrovnik, I can understand why it is such a famous place! The city became known internationally by being the filming location of King’s Landing in the popular Game of Thrones series. However, Dubrovnik is famous for much more than Game of Thrones- from its incredible medieval city walls to its stunning old town.
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Don’t have time to read this whole post? Here are a few of the top things that make Dubrovnik famous:
✔️ Dubrovnik’s well-preserved Old Town
✔️ Game of Thrones filming location
✔️ Breathtaking coastline & beautiful beaches
✔️ The historic Dubrovnik Walls
✔️ Its nickname: The Pearl of the Adriatic
Top 11 Things Dubrovnik is Known For
Dubrovnik is famous for many reasons, which make it a city worth visiting. However, it is most well-known for the following 11 things.
1. Dubrovnik’s Well-Preserved Old Town
Dubrovnik is famous for its incredibly well-preserved old town, which is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The old town is surrounded by medieval walls that were first built in the 11th-13th century.
The inside of the old town is a pedestrian only area with no cars. In the old town, you will find limestone streets and baroque-style architecture with beautiful red terracotta rooftops.
The most famous street in Dubrovnik is Stradun, which is the main street in the old town and is scattered with restaurants, bars, shops, and historic sites.
From Stradun, you will find a series of smaller, winding streets that add to the charm of old town.
One of the best ways to experience the old town is by taking this Dubrovnik Walking Tour.
☑️ Book the Dubrovnik Old Town Walking Tour
2. Game of Thrones Filming Locations
Dubrovnik is famous for being the filming location of King’s Landing, which was the capital city of the popular HBO series Game of Thrones.
Some of the most famous Game of Thrones sites in Dubrovnik include the following:
✔️ Lovrijenac Fort – Filming site for the Red Keep of King’s Landing
✔️ Dubrovnik West Pier – Filming location of Blackwater Bay
✔️ Jesuit Staircase by Saint Ignatius Church – Filming site of Cersei’s walk of shame
Of course, there are many more filming sites for Game of Thrones in Dubrovnik.
So, if you are a big Game of Thrones fan like I am, then I highly recommend taking a Game of Thrones Walking Tour which will show you all the sites and make you feel like you have been transported into King’s Landing.
☑️ Book a Game of Thrones Walking Tour in Dubrovnik
3. Dubrovnik is Known as The Pearl of the Adriatic
Dubrovnik is popularly known as The Pearl of the Adriatic for its scenic coastline and for its beautiful mix of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture.
The nickname The Pearl of the Adriatic was first used by the English poet Lord Byron in the early 1800’s. The nickname has been around ever since, and Dubrovnik is considered by many to be Croatia’s crown jewel along the coast.
4. Dubrovnik is Famous for its Medieval Walls
Of course, another thing Dubrovnik is known for is its impressive city walls that surround the medieval old town.
The walls were first built in the 13th century, and today they stand up to 25m (82 ft) high and have a length of 1,940m (6,360 ft).
There are also 3 medieval gates around the walls that serve as entrances to the old town. These are known as the Pile Gate, Ploče Gate, and Buza Gate.
The Dubrovnik Walls are one of the most popular attractions in all of Croatia, as you can walk around the top of the walls. Along the way, you will experience breathtaking views of the city and the coastline.
One of the best times to experience the Dubrovnik walls is at sunset. You can even take this Dubrovnik Walls Sunset Walking Tour.
5. Dubrovnik Cable Car
Dubrovnik is located at the bottom of Mount Srd, and the city is known for it’s cable car that will take you to the top of the mountain. At the top, you’ll discover incredible panoramic views of Dubrovnik’s old town and the Adratic Sea.
The most famous restaurant in Dubrovnik is Panorama, which is perched atop Mount Srd with absolutely stunning views. You can reach the Panorama restaurant by taking the cable car, and it is one of the most popular things to do in Dubrovnik.
Even if you don’t want to eat at Panorama, it is still an incredible experience to take the Dubrovnik Cable Car to the top of Mount Srd.
☑️ Book Tickets for the Dubrovnik Cable Car
6. Dalmatian Wine & Food
Dalmatia is well known for its wine, specifically the Plavac Mali wines which are from a red grape grown across the Dalmatian coast.
There are several wine bars in the old town of Dubrovnik, as well as wineries in the nearby region.
To fully experience Dubrovnik’s wine culture, I definitely recommend taking one of these Dubrovnik Wine Tours.
Dubrovnik is also known for its delicious cuisine, which consists heavily of seafood due to its location along the coast.
Below are some of the famous foods to try in Dubrovnik:
✔️ Black Risotto – a seafood dish
✔️ Dalmatinska Pašticada – a traditional dish from Dubrovnik
✔️ Rožata – a desert similar to crème brûlée
✔️ Rakija – Croatian brandy made with fruits
7. Breathtaking Dalmatian Coastline
Dubrovnik is located in the southernmost part of Croatia, which is the region of Dalmatia. In this region, you’ll find a dramatic, rocky coastline that is perched along the beautiful blue waters of the Adriatic Sea.
The city of Dubrovnik is known for being along this breathtaking Dalmatian Coastline, which adds to the incredible natural beauty of the area.
8. Beautiful Beaches
Dubrovnik is known for being home to some incredible beaches, as well as the surrounding Elaphiti Islands.
While most of Dubrovnik’s beaches have pebbles instead of sand, they are still extremely beautiful. The azure waters of the Adriatic Sea make the beaches of Dubrovnik some of the most beautiful that I have seen in Europe.
Below are some of the most popular beaches near Dubrovnik:
✔️ Banje Beach – Most popular beach with postcard views of old town
✔️ Danče Beach – Local hotspot
✔️ Beach Sunj – Sandy Beach on Lopud Island
✔️ Sveti Jakov Beach – One of the most beautiful beaches
To explore the beaches of the Elaphiti Islands (such as Beach Sunj) you can take a full-day tour, half-day boat trip, or even a private boat cruise.
☑️ Book a Boat Tour of the Elaphiti Islands
9. Lokrum Island
Lokrum Island is a small island located off the shores of Dubrovnik. The island is a popular day trip and there are several ferries that run between Lokrum Island and Dubrovnik’s port each day.
Lokrum is known for its pine forested area, which is protected by UNESCO. You can also see colorful peacocks wander around the island, which is a unique aspect.
Some of the best things to do on Lokrum include visiting the Benedictine monastery, wandering around the botanical gardens, or going for a swim in the Adriatic Sea.
10. Most Expensive City in Croatia
While Dubrovnik is one of the most beautiful cities in Croatia, it is also known for being the most expensive city in the country.
Dubrovnik is more expensive than other Croatian cities due to its popularity as an international tourist destination, especially in the summertime.
While Dubrovnik is more expensive than places such as Zagreb or even Split, it is still more affordable than many other European destinations.
In my experience of visiting Dubrovnik, I found prices for meals, drinks, and accommodation to be similar to the US or much of Western Europe. I did feel that tours and activities were slightly less expensive than in other parts of Europe.
Insider Tip: To save money when visiting, check out the Dubrovnik City Pass which includes access to the City Walls and many other historical sites.
11. Dubrovnik is Famous for it’s History
Last but certainly not least, Dubrovnik is known for its history. The small port city has a fascinating history, and eventually became a powerful maritime republic that rivaled the Republic of Venice.
The city dates back to the 7th century AD and was once ruled by the Byzantine Empire, and was later under the sovereignty of the Venetian Empire.
However, the most important period in Dubrovnik’s history began in 1358 when it gained independence from Venice through the Treaty of Zadar and became the Republic of Ragusa (also called the Republic of Dubrovnik).
The Republic became a powerful maritime state, known for its wealth and commercial trading. The city even survived a massive earthquake in 1667 that wrecked havoc upon the old town.
The Republic of Dubrovnik acted independently until 1808, when Napoleon’s army occupied the city.
FAQ: What is Dubrovnik Famous For?
Dubrovnik is famous for its medieval walls that fortify the old town, that were constructed in the 13th century. The city is located in southern Dalmatia and also known for its beautiful coastline, which gave it the nickname the Pearl of the Adriatic.
One of the most unique things about Dubrovnik is its impressive medieval walls that fortify the historic old town. The old town is also home to beautiful baroque and renaissance style architecture, and historical sites such as Rector’s Palace and Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary.
Game of Thrones was the popular tv series that was filmed in Dubrovnik. The show was based on the Game of Thrones books by George R.R. Martin. Dubrovnik was that filming location of several scenes, including those of King’s Landing, the capital city in Game of Thrones.
The Wrap-Up: Things Dubrovnik is Famous For
Dubrovnik is famous for many things, from its historic old town and medieval walls to its beautiful beaches and coastline. The city of Dubrovnik has become a famous international tourist destination, and for good reason. It is an incredibly unique place that has so much interesting history, delicious food, and beautiful places.
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