For anyone who is visiting Dubrovnik for the first time and plans to walk the city walls, this blog post will give you absolutely every piece of information you need. From where to by tickets to what photo sports are the best, I’ve got you covered. Keep reading if you’re visiting the Dubrovnik city walls soon!
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GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE DUBROVNIK CITY WALLS
The Dubrovnik city walls are one of the most iconic and well-preserved fortifications in the world, so it’s no surprise they’re one of the most famous landmarks in Croatia. Most of the existing fortifications date back to the 12th to 17th centuries, but they’re incredibly well-preserved and genuinely look as if they’re new.
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The walls were built to protect the city from various threats and they encircle the entire Old Town. Because of its cultural and historical significance, the Old Town of Dubrovnik, including its city walls, was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979.
Overall, the Dubrovnik city walls are a must-visit attraction if you’re exploring Dubrovnik!
ARE THE CITY WALLS FREE?
Although that would be amazing, unfortunately that’s not the case. Dubrovnik city walls require an entry ticket. The fee does help with the preservation and maintenance of the walls, so it’s for a good cause. The tickets cost 35 euros per adult and 15 euros per child from April to October. If you’re visiting from November to March, the adult ticket is 15 euros and the children’s is 5 euros.
WHERE CAN YOU BUY TICKETS TO THE CITY WALLS?
Tickets to the Dubrovnik city walls can be purchased at several locations in the Old Town and online. The main ticket office is located near the Pile Gate entrance to the Old Town. Additionally, you can buy tickets at Pile and Ploče entrances as well. The easiest way to avoid the crowds is to just buy the tickets online on their official website.
DUBROVNIK CITY PASS – A SAVIOR FOR THOSE ON A BUDGET
If you’re on a budget and are looking for different ways on how to save some money in Dubrovnik, check out the Dubrovnik City Pass. The Dubrovnik City Pass is a convenient pass that will allow you to access various attractions, as well as give you discounts and transportation options in Dubrovnik.
There are 3 different options you can choose from, depending on how long you’re staying:
- DAILY PASS – 35 euros
- 3-DAY PASS – 45 euros
- WEEKLY PASS – 55 euros
Once you choose which Pass you want, you will get several perks and discounts such as:
Free entry to Dubrovnik’s cultural and historical sites
The Dubrovnik Pass will give you free or discounted admission to popular attractions in the city. Some of them are the Dubrovnik city walls, museums, galleries, and historic landmarks. Even if you’re in Dubrovnik for a day, it’s worth getting the Pass because only the entrance ticket to the city walls is 35 euros, so everything else you get is basically free. That means that museums you would need to pay for, such as the Maritime Museum or the Rector’s Palace, are now just waiting for you to walk in!
Public transportation
The Dubrovnik Pass gives you a daily public transportation ticket for the amount of days your Pass is valid. That means that you get unlimited rides on Dubrovnik’s public buses. This makes it much easier to get around the city and visit different attractions. It’s also a huge plus for your budget because the buses in Dubrovnik are pretty expensive!
Discounts at restaurants and shops
On top of all these already great perks, Dubrovnik Pass provides discounts at selected restaurants, cafes, souvenir shops, and other businesses in the city, so you can eat, drink, and shop for cheaper. Here’s a list of all discounted restaurants.
You buy it online here, or just scan a qr code which you’ll find all over the city. The Dubrovnik Pass is valid from the first time you use it until the end of the 24, 72, or 168 hours, depending on what Pass you bought!
Even if you’re in Dubrovnik for a day, it’s worth getting the Pass because only the entrance ticket to the city walls is 35 euros, so everything else you get is basically free.
HOW MANY ENTRANCES TO THE CITY WALLS ARE THERE?
In Dubrovnik, there are two main entrances to the city walls: the Pile Gate entrance and the Ploče Gate entrance. Both of these gates are close to the main Old Town entrances, so depending on where you’re coming from you can choose the entrance accordingly. On each entrance you can buy tickets in case you haven’t done it before. I always choose the Ploče Gate entrance as it always seems less busy than the Pile Gate.
You can also enter the city walls at St. John’s Fortress. The said fortress houses the Maritime Museum which is included in the Dubrovnik Pass. You can choose to visit the museum and immediately continue with the exploration of the city walls.
WHAT TIME CAN YOU WALK THE DUBROVNIK CITY WALLS?
You can explore the Dubrovnik city walls during their opening hours, which is from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. If you’re visiting off-season make sure you check the opening times online. In winter, the walls are open much shorter during the day.
I would highly recommend going immediately in the morning in order to avoid the crowds and very high temperatures. If your itinerary only allows you to visit later in the day, make sure you’ve got a hat and loads of sunscreen on you.
IS IT WORTH VISITING DUBROVNIK CITY WALLS?
Visiting the Dubrovnik city walls is definitely worth it. The walls will give you breathtaking panoramic views of the Old Town, the Adriatic Sea, and the surrounding landscape. Additionally, I dare to say you’ll get some of the best views in Croatia right from the Dubrovnik city walls.
This way, you can immerse yourself in Dubrovnik’s rich history and architectural beauty, as well as explore various historical landmarks and attractions along the way, such as forts, towers, and gates.
Whether you’re a history enthusiast, a photography buff, or just want a really memorable experience, a visit to the Dubrovnik city walls will be unforgettable.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO WALK THE CITY WALLS?
Walking the entire length of the Dubrovnik city walls depends on your abilities and pace. Typically it takes around 1 to 2 hours. The walls are approximately 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) long, and there are several points of interest along the way, including forts, towers, and scenic viewpoints, where you’ll want to stop for a while. It’s not too long, but make sure you have enough time, you don’t want to rush through this activity.
HOW HARD IS WALKING THE CITY WALLS?
Walking the Dubrovnik city walls can vary in difficulty depending on factors such as your fitness level, the weather conditions, and the time of day. Overall, the walk is moderate, but you have to be aware that there are stairs (which can be quite steep at times), several uneven surfaces (you’ll need to watch your step), and huge crowds which will take lots of patience.
While walking the Dubrovnik city walls requires some physical exertion, it’s a manageable activity for most visitors who are healthy and able-bodied. Unfortunately, there’s no way to get wheelchair users to explore the city walls, as well as baby strollers. If you want to visit the city walls with a baby, you’ll have to carry the child.
ARE THERE MANY STEPS ON THE CITY WALLS?
Yes, there are several sections of stairs along the Dubrovnik city walls. These stairs are typically found at points where the walls ascend or descend according to the terrain of the city. While some stairs may be relatively gentle, there are several steeper ones which require a bit more effort to climb.
However, you don’t have to worry. The stairs are well maintained, and you can always use handrails to help yourself. Overall, while there are stairs to navigate, they are manageable for most people and are part of the experience of walking the historic walls of Dubrovnik.
CAN YOU GET A GUIDED TOUR OF THE DUBROVNIK CITY WALLS?
Yes, guided tours of the Dubrovnik city walls are available and can enhance your experience! Guided tours are typically led by very knowledgeable local guides so they’ll tell you fascinating stories and information about the history, architecture, and significance of the city walls and the landmarks along the way.
You can often book guided tours through tour operators, travel agencies, or directly at the ticket offices. You can also book several options online – here are some of them!
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WHERE ARE THE BEST VIEWS OF THE DUBROVNIK CITY WALLS?
The Dubrovnik city walls offer stunning views from various vantage points along their length. No matter where you stop to take a picture, they’ll turn absolutely stunning. But here are some of the best viewpoints where I would definitely recommend you stop:
Firstly, there’s the Minceta Tower. It’s located at the highest point of the city walls and it offers panoramic views of Dubrovnik’s Old Town, the Adriatic Sea, and the surrounding landscape. It’s definitely one of the most iconic viewpoints in the city. You must climb all the way to the top of the tower where you’ll see the iconic small window with the prettiest views of Dubrovnik.
Next, there’s the St. John’s Fortress (Fortica). It is located on a hill above the Old Town and offers breathtaking views of Dubrovnik’s rooftops, the harbor, and Lokrum Island. You can easily reach Fort St. John by climbing a stairway near the Ploče Gate entrance.
Bokar Fortress is the best viewpoint in my opinion. Although it might not be the perfect place for the photos of the old town, you’ll get stunning photos of Fort Lovrijenac and the Adriatic Sea. The view here always leaves me speechless!
Finally, the long walk from Ploče Gate to Pile Gate. While walking along the city walls, anywhere you look gives you stunning views of the hundreds of red rooftops and narrow streets. It’s absolutely magical and insanely picture-worthy!
ARE THERE ANY AMENITIES AT THE CITY WALLS?
The Dubrovnik city walls don’t have plenty of amenities, because they are primarily a well-preserved historic landmark and the main tourist attraction. However, there are a few facilities and services that can make your visit easier and more comfortable.
Firstly, the restrooms. There are restrooms located at the entrance points to the city walls, such as near the Pile Gate and Ploče Gate entrances. It’s a good idea to use these facilities before starting your walk along the walls, but if you forget, there are a few restroom options once you’re up on the walls. There’s a restroom at a bar situated between Pile entrance and St. John’s Fortress entrance. Additionally, you can use a restroom in the Maritime Museum if you’re visiting it.
Secondly, refreshments! There are two bars on the city walls between the Pile entrance and St. John’s Fortress. They’re not big, but they have more than a few tables where you can relax and grab a drink with some of the best views in Dubrovnik.
I’ve always been interested in visiting Croatia, and I loved reading this post. Visiting the Dubrovnik city walls seems like such a cool experience, and your photos are beautiful!
I’ve never been to Dubrovnik. I always thought it was a bit overrated after the hype from GOT but clearly I’ve been mistaken!!! You’re right, those views from the City walls are absolutely worth it. Now I will have to rethink and plan a trip to Croatia 🙂
The circuit of the city wall is one-way so visitors should carefully consider which entry point to use. If you have limited time and only want to do the portion along the sea. You must enter at the Pile Gate.