The sun’s glare reflects off white limestone walls and patchwork paving as you stroll down the pedestrianised Placa linking the gates of Pile and Ploce. This is Dubrovnik: famed for fortifications, Franciscan monasteries, Gothic-Renaissance palaces and hexadecagon-shaped fountains. Oh, and the walls. Can’t forget the walls. Ironically, the walls of Dubrovnik offer a glimpse at what else is out there. The pine forests and saltwater lakes of Mljet National Park; the flower-festooned villages, summer houses and secret coves of the Elaphiti Islands; the Benedictine abbey and botanical gardens of car-free Lokrum Island. Strain your gaze south and the rural trails of Konavle Valley lie beyond.
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There’s more to Dubrovnik than walls so make the most of boats, bikes, kayaks and hiking boots as you release yourself from ramparts and explore without cruise ship crowds.
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To the north, from Ston, the vineyards and oyster beds of the Pelješac Peninsula create a gastronomic delight for cyclists. The twinkling Adriatic is crying out for kayaking, snorkelling and wading in crystal clear shallows in search of sand-free sanctuary without crowds, and, sometimes, without clothes.
Find out more in our Dubrovnik travel guide.
