The Game of Thrones City

Dubrovnik has always been one of the most commonly visited places along the Adriatic Sea - and its popularity boomed further after Game of Thrones as it was the filming location for King’s Landing (in most seasons). Originally founded by refugees, it has been Byzantine, Venetian, a free state, French, and now Croatian. Much of the Old Town dates from the 15th and 16th centuries when it was a free state and had its golden period - though an earthquake in 1667 destroyed most of the original Renaissance architecture. A UNESCO world heritage site, Dubrovnik is probably most famous for its preserved city walls that wrap entirely around the Old Town - but the archtitecture and city plan of the town itself are equally as charming.

Because Dubrovnik is such a popular destination, I recommend going a bit off-season - May or September. In either side, you’ll escape the worst of the peak tourism and summer heat, and if you go in September you’ll get sea water about as warm as possible for the city. You only need a couple of nights to explore the city fully - though some tourists use it as a base for day trips. I don’t recommend Dubrovnik as a base, though, because it’s much more expensive than nearby cities.

WALK AROUND THE CITY WALLS

One of the important features that qualified Dubrovnik as a world heritage site was its preserved fortifications - a 1.2 mile wall that wraps around the entire city. It’s also one of the most recognizable features for Game of Thrones fans - and much of the time I found myself wondering which section of the wall was the first area burned by Danaerys and her dragon.

The walls are expensive - $30 - but I can’t imagine going to Dubrovnik and not having the experience. They offer amazing views of the sea and city - and truly make you feel like you’re stepping back in time. I found myself thinking - “I often fret that today’s world is unsafe. It’s helpful to remember that a few hundred years ago, cities had walls because other civilizations could raid at any time.” It helps to internalize historic context for our modern era - that by most measures we live in a very safe period.

The city walls ticket also gets you into Fort Lovrijenac - another Game of Thrones filming location - just outside of Old Town. It offers some stunning views of Old Town and is worth going.

EXPLORE OLD TOWN

Definitely don’t only see Old Town from the walls, though, as it’s equally as charming on the ground. You’ll most likely start on Stradun, the Main Street, which will be bursting with tourists during the day but is quieter in the morning and at night. You’ll notice that most of the buildings are nearly identical - which is because a decree after the 1667 earthquake required a lot of standardization across buildings. I think the more fun part of the Old Town is exploring all the back streets - alleys, stairs, nooks and crannies - which are consistently quieter and always feel a bit like a movie set.

Many of the most common spots to visit are what is remaining from the Renaissance - Sponza Palace, Rector’s Palace, St. Saviour Church, and the Franciscan Monastery. In my opinion though, it’s more fun to just wander the city and be amazed by what you see. You’ll most likely bump into all of these sites anyway.

And - if you’re a Game of Thrones fan, head to the Jesuit Stairs to make your own walk of shame.

TAKE IN OLD TOWN FROM A DISTANCE

After a few hill or mountain hikes to see cities from a distance, they all kind of look the same. Dubrovnik is an exception, however. Seeing the city walls from the top of Mount Srd is a really cool experience because you can take in the overall shape and scale of the walls, and see more clearly the protection they provide to the interior.

Mount Srd is more than an hour hike uphill; it can feel a little endless at points, but I think the walk is worth it. If you don’t want to do the hike, though, there is a cable car that goes right to the top as well.

OTHER THINGS TO DO

Most of Dubrovnik can be experienced in a day - one of the reasons it’s a common cruise ship stop. However, most people choose to stay longer. In addition to taking your time in Old Town, here are some other common to-dos:

• Relax at a Beach: There are a few public beaches throughout Dubrovnik. The one I most recommend is Blaze Beach - a nook outside of Old Town that offers cool city wall views. If you’re in the mood for privacy, there are several seaside nooks alongside Lapad Promenade.

• Stroll along the Sea: About 45 minutes walking north of Old Town, there’s a long (maybe 1 mile) seaside walk - Lapad Promenade. If you’ve had enough of Old Town or just need to get away to a place a bit less busy - this is a great little escape and is particularly beautiful at sunset.

• Ferry to an Island: From the Old Port, you can take a short ferry to Lokrum Island to have a day in nature. The pine tree filled island has a botanical garden, the ruins of a Benedictine Monastery and a beach.

• Take a Day Trip: If you’re not heading to Bosnia or Montenegro, you can take day trips to some of their most common tourist stops: Mostar in Bosnia or Kotor in Montenegro. You’ll get to see some tourist favorite cities and check another country off of your list.

My advice, though, is only to stay in Dubrovnik long enough to enjoy old town - so probably two nights. It’s a very expensive city for the area, so it’s not the best base for day trips.