Dubrovnik in 1 day: what to see in Croatia's Adriatic gem

One of the most attractive cities in Europe from a tourist point of view that I had yet to see was Dubrovnik, a Croatia.

Dubrovnik (and also Croatia) has become in recent years one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe.

This has also been encouraged because it is a common stopover in the Cruise who travel the Adriatic Sea.

And it was precisely during a recent cruise that I had the opportunity to discover Dubrovnik.

This is the experience of visiting Dubrovnik on a cruise.

In fact, this destination was one of the main attractions of the cruise that we enjoyed along the Adriatic and that included other great destinations such as Venice y Athens.

During this cruise I also had the opportunity to visit another Croatian city, Sibenik, on an excursion made during the stopover in Zadar.

Although in several of the stops on this cruise We have chosen to sign up for an excursion to some place in their surroundings, not knowing yet Dubrovnik We opt for one of the guided tours that are offered to visit the very touristy city on the Adriatic coast.

And regarding the visit, there were two factors that initially aroused our interest.

As always when you visit a destination with great tourist fame, first of all confirm that it was not going to disappoint us, and I can tell you that it has, since it is a wonderful corner of the coast with an incredible history.

And linked to this, given that our trip was at the end of July in the middle of the tourist season, we were afraid that the level of saturation of tourists would be truly unbearable... but the truth is that this was not the case.

I always comment that it is easy to understand that destinations such as, for example, Venice, also on the same cruise route, are really saturated with tourists given their wonderful attraction.

In the case of Dubrovnik, it is true that in the middle of summer there really are many tourists, but it is a city whose historic center is easy to visit.

Furthermore, in our case, the cruise It arrived at the port at 7 in the morning, so we started our journey early in the morning. tour, when it was actually very pleasant to walk around the historic Croatian city.

And only at the last minute of it did we really notice the accumulation of tourists, when at 15 p.m. we had to return to the boat to continue with the route on the boat.

We had a seven-hour stay, which I assure you is enough time to get to know the most notable corners of the city and experience its atmosphere.

Curiosities of the history of Dubrovnik

The first thing you should know is that it is a city that throughout history has had great strength.

It was founded in the 7th century by a group of Romans who were fleeing the advance of the Slavs who invaded the Balkan Peninsula.

This small city located on an island that was initially joined to the mainland by a bridge, became officially known as Ragusa.

Its walls began to be built in the 11th century, and the fortification was expanded during the following seven centuries.

For 150 years, and until 1358, Ragusa was under the rule of the Republic of Venice, but in that year it achieved independence with the name of Republic of Ragusa.

From that year onwards, the romanized Ragusa, which was already known as Dubrovnik by the Slavs who surrounded it, in order not to be invaded, it maintained a special status with the Ottomans, who did not go beyond what is now Herzegovina.

In those centuries Ragusa It had an enormous commercial boom and maritime activity with a fleet that exceeded 200 ships, becoming one of the richest republics in the world.

It was a very advanced society, where the first orphanage in Europe was founded, and where slavery was eliminated in the 16th century.

But in April 1667 Ragusa suffered a great earthquake that destroyed the city almost completely, so that it was repopulated by the Slavs from the interior.

By Dubrovnik, as it became better known from then on, also passed Napoleon and then the Austro-Hungarians.

It was already during the sovereignty of the ancient Yugoslavia when its tourist boom began.

But the dismemberment of the Soviet-influenced republic in 1991, and the movement that finally led to the Croatian independence, caused an incredible war.

Well, it is incredible that at the end of the 25th century, just XNUMX years ago, the already very touristy city of Dubrovnik was besieged from the surrounding mountains for six months by Serbian and Montenegrin troops.

During this siege, numerous bombings were carried out on the city, of which the truth is that now when you visit you will barely be able to see vestiges.

What to see and do in Dubrovnik in one day

You should know that when you go to visit Dubrovnik on a cruise, the port is located just three kilometers from the city, so you will get there quickly.

But the ideal is to previously be able to have some Panoramic views of the city from the road that circles it high in the mountains.

Dubrovnik Viewpoints

From there you will see its strategic location on the banks of the Adriatic Sea and at the foot of the steep St. Sergius Mountains where very lush oak forests extend.

You will also check what the configuration is. Dubrovnik, With the Old City surrounded by a walled area almost two kilometers long, and with the port well protected.

If you are passionate about Game of Thrones You will know that the main settings of the capital of the fictional kingdom of said series are located in Dubrovnik.

Fort Lovrijenac 

Thus, before entering the Old City You can approach the corner next to the wall from where you can see the Fort Lovrijenac.

Also know as Fortress of San Lorenzo, this fort dates back to the 11th century and is located on a cliff and from where the ancient Ragusa He wanted to protect himself from the attack of the Venetians.

Pile door 

For Dubrovnik visit you will enter through the Pile door (o San Blas gate) and in front of you you will find the long street that crosses the aforementioned Old City to the other door that faces the port, which was an old shipyard.

Parallel to this street are several very narrow streets, with steep perpendicular alleys towards the interior, with steps that go up towards the wall.

Dominican Monastery in Dubrovnik

On the walk through the city you will be able to see several monuments, such as the Dominican monastery, from 1268, where you can visit the cloister and a museum with works by medieval artists from the area.

Assumption Cathedral in Dubrovnik

Another notable monument is the Cathedral of the Assumption, which occupies the space where in the 6th century there was a first Byzantine church,

This church was replaced by a Romanesque building in the 12th century, and in the 18th century by the current Baroque building.

Governor's Palace 

For its part, in the Plaza Mayor will catch your attention Governor's Palace.

Throughout your journey you will find a great tourist atmosphere, which on the most holiday dates and at certain times I can't hide from you that it can be somewhat overwhelming.

How to climb the Dubrovnik wall

Yes, Dubrovnik highlights is undoubtedly your Wall, so a walk through it becomes essential.

I tell you that if you wish, you can go completely around the Old City going up and down the different sections of the fortification and its towers.

If you are somewhat pressed for time, as may happen if you visit the city with a cruise, essential is to take the tour through the interior section, because also from there you will see the Old City at your feet.

To climb the walls of Dubrovnik You can do it through the two entrances next to the two main gates of the city.

Guided tours in Dubrovnik

For your visit to this beautiful city, you have an offer of several guided tours for the same, as well as excursions in the surrounding area.

Here you have information about guided tours and excursions in Dubrovnik, and here you go other alternatives in English and other languages

If you arrive by boat, you have the option of a Dubrovnik Cruise Tour, in which they will travel to the historic center to visit it and, finally, return to board without rushing.

En Dubrovnik You also have more themed visits, such as the one that focuses on the walk along its walls, or the one that follows the route of the most notable settings where the popular series has been filmed. Game of Thrones in which you will tour the main settings of the famous series.

Map: where Dubrovnik is and how to get there

Dubrovnik It is located on the Adriatic coast, in the region of Dalmatia from Croatia.

The exclave is a seaside spit of land surrounded by the borders of Bosnia-Herzegovina and Montenegro, and geographically isolated from the rest of Croatia.