All About Walls of Dubrovnik – Guide

The beautiful Walls of Dubrovnik are certainly the highlight of any trip to the ‘Pearl of the Adriatic.’ Not only you’ll be taking a tour around the city from the top, but you’ll also learn so much about the Walls, historical facts about the Old Town, see many landmarks, and so much more!

The vibrant city will definitely take you back in time, as you take in the lovely views of Fort Lovrijenac and the surrounding area, Fort Bokar, with their medieval architecture, and the Adriatic Sea, from above.

Walking along the City Walls is the perfect way to combine Croatian history and an incredible sightseeing experience!

So, if you’re ever jet-setting to Dubrovnik, make sure to take a walk along the City Walls! Make it the most important activity to do on your list!

Do you want your tour around the walls taken care of from start to finish?
Well, all you have to do is join one of our walking tours!

History of the Walls of Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik Old Town – The History, Culture, and Cuisine

The Walls of Dubrovnik have a rich history. Records state that the initial walls were built around the 9th century. Of course, during medieval times, there were not much construction works happening in the city, meaning the walls then aren’t the same walls you see now.

Most construction works happened between the 12th and the 17th centuries, by the end of middle times and on the Renaissance era, which is the same period where Croatia thrived and became an important rival to the Venetian Empire.

The walls went through many changes, especially following the wars, the 1667 earthquake, and other remarkable events. Walls defenses were strengthened over time, and many additions were made.

The Walls of Dubrovnik are a significant landmark and efficient defense mechanism against the foreign attacks for the city.

Imagine enemies coming with ships and cargo to occupy the city, just to find themselves facing a gigantic structure of defensive walls at Dubrovnik’s seafront with a failed attempt to penetrate the Old Town.

Even better, Dubrovnik’s most notorious guards are privileged to watch new incomers from afar and get prepared for any potential battle, just by standing on the walls.

These thoughts will certainly cross your mind as you take a stroll along city Walls. They are massive! You probably can’t imagine how big they are, but the scale is overwhelming!

For more historical facts, you can visit the museums dotted in Dubrovnik and discover many interesting facts!

Here’s a list to help you pick the best things to do in Dubrovnik.

Points of Interest on the Walls of Dubrovnik

Climbing Lovrijenac Fortress
Bokar Fortress
The Stradun (the main street)
Taking a nice walk over the Pile Gate
St. Luke and Chapels of Annunciation
Maritime Museum
Old Harbour
Minceta Tower
Revelin Fortress

Dubrovnik City Walls Opening Times

Walls of Dubrovnik welcome visitors all year around. You can come daily at any time to go up the Walls and take a walking tour along the city.

However, the Walls are closed on Christmas day ( 25th of December).

Opening hours change over the months, so make sure to follow this schedule when you jet set to Dubrovnik.

09:00 – 15:00 (January 01 – March 31)
08:00 – 18:00 h (April 01 – April 30)
08:00 – 19:00 h (May 01 – May 31)
08:00 – 19:30 h (June 01 – August 05)
08:00 – 19:00 h (August 06 – August 31)
08:00 – 18:30 h (September 01 – September 14)
08:00 – 18:00 h (September 15 – September 30)
08:00 – 17:30 h (October 01 – October 14)
08:00 – 17:00 h (October 15 – October 31)
08:00 – 15:00 h (November 01 – December 31)

Walking the Ancient City Walls of Dubrovnik

Walking along the walls of Dubrovnik is perhaps the most important activity to do when you visit the city. Visitors come from all over the world just to go up the Walls, take a stroll and witness the fantastic views from above.

Did you know that it takes about two full hours to go round the ancient city? The Walls are really long, with a total length of two kilometers surrounding the Old Town.

You can either choose to take a walk along the Walls on your own -and it wouldn’t be hard to find your way- or, you can join a guided tour and get important information about the Old Town, its history, its main features, etc.

Of course, guided tours can be private if you want to avoid crowded groups. Either way, it’s a unique experience to see the many landmarks from the top:

Fort Lovrijenac: It’s impossible to miss Fort Lovrijenac, which is perched on a western end high rock, almost over 40 meters from sea level!
Minceta Tower: You can climb Minceta Tower, which is the highest point of Dubrovnik’s walls, allowing you to enjoy a panoramic view of the city.
St. John’s fortress: You can also climb St. John’s Fortress, which is located at the entrance to the Old Port and take in the views from the top!
Other landmarks like Fort Bokar, the terracotta rooftops, the narrow-cobbled streets are all visible from the City Walls, and of course, the incredible crystal-clear waters of the Adriatic Sea. You just can’t miss out a sunset view there!
Lokrum island: It’s also visible from the Walls, and we recommend you go on a day trip there! It’s very close to the city, and it offers lovely beach activities for visitors!

For your information, if you choose to join a guided tour, our tour options are available all year round, just ask any tourist office or check online!

Nevertheless, we gathered some information about Dubrovnik’s Walls that might be very helpful. You find them below:

Walls of Dubrovnik: FAQ and General Info

Starting Location: Muralles de Dubrovnik – Poljana Paška Miličevića
Hours: From 8 am to 7:30 pm or later. The closing time varies depending on the months.
Length: 2 kilometers.
How long does it take to walk the walls of Dubrovnik? From 2 to 3 hours to complete the tour.
How much does it cost to walk the walls in Dubrovnik? €35 for adults and €15 for children (under 18).

One thing you have to know before walking along the walls is their significant scale! Dubrovnik city wall complex are two kilometers long, and you will be surprised at the massive amount of work to build such magnificent fortifications as you walk along the uninterrupted City Walls.

Precisely, they are 1940 meters long, with different thickness proportions going from 5 to 16 feet in thickness.

As you can tell from the proportions, the Walls were the first defense mechanism of Dubrovnik, protecting it for centuries from any potential enemy. They were designed to surround Old Town of Dubrovnik and to fail any penetration attempt from the mainland and the Adriatic Sea.

Many fortresses connect the Walls at every edge, and there are 17 fortresses in total, including three cylindrical ones!

Outside the Western Wall, you see Fort Lovrijenac, a main landmark of Dubrovnik, serving as both a defensive fortress and a theater.

When to Walk Around the Walls of Dubrovnik

If you’re wondering what’s the best time to walk along the walls, the best time would be first thing in the morning.

Take your walk as the walls open; you will witness the colorful buildings as the sun rays light them up, or at the end of the day if you want to see a lovely sunset.

Avoid going to the Walls in the middle of the day because Dubrovnik tends to get very hot, especially in summer, and because it gets very crowded by visitors coming from cruise ships or guided tours.

Do you want to get the most out of your trip to the walls of Dubrovnik?
Make sure to book our Half Day City Walls Tour Now!

Things You Need to Know Beforehand

Cafés

Don’t worry about feeling dehydrated; there are a few cafes along the walk. The cafes are on the walls, serving cool beverages, ice cream, snacks, and providing incredible views of the Old Town, the mesmerizing Adriatic Sea, and many landmarks. They are perfect for a small pause when you feel tired and want to sit at a shaded spot. The cafes can be a bit expensive than regular cafes in the city, because of their location on the walls.

You reach the first cafe you can find if you start walking from the Pile Gate in about 15 minutes. It’s a bit small, so we recommend you to be patient, keep walking until you come across the other cafes, which are bigger and provide proper seats and tables.

Toilets

Don’t worry! The Walls are dotted with toilets. So, don’t avoid drinking water, be safe, and stay hydrated! The weather is hot, especially in summer!

Be Prepared For a 2-Kilometer Walk

This means you have to wear suitable footwear for your tour. Just wear any comfy shoes you find best, preferably suitable for slippery paths. The walk is about two kilometers, with many steps going up or down as you go around the city.

Bring a Hat and Sunscreen

The weather is really hot, and the sun can be pretty deadly, especially in the middle of the day, as the temperatures go up. Protect your skin; otherwise, you can easily get a sunburn.

Bring Water

Bringing your own bottle can be really nice to save a bit of money. The water is obviously available at any cafe. Nevertheless, bringing your own water would be even better!

Walk Early Morning or Late Afternoon

The best way to plan your walk would be the first thing in the morning, around 8 am, as the Walls open. Or, at sunset around 5-7 pm, to see the golden view of the city and the Adriatic Sea, as you reward yourself with a wine glass. And, we recommend Buza Bar for that!

Avoid midday because it can get really hot and crowded.

Pro Tips

Get There Early: City Walls open daily at 8 am, which is the perfect time to take your walk peacefully, without getting annoyed by the crowds.
Avoid midday as there’s a risk you find yourself with no room to move! Nobody wants to be trapped between other people!
Keep an eye on The Cruise Ship Schedule! For that, we have a couple of nice tools to track on which days the cruises are coming. To avoid crowds, try to plan your stay in Dubrovnik, on the days without any cruises coming in the city.

How to Reach the Walls of Dubrovnik

There are three entrances to the ancient walls of Dubrovnik:

The main entrance by Pile Gate
St. John’s fortress entrance
Fortress of St. Lucas entrance

How to Reach the Walls from the Old City Harbour

Some ships anchor in front of the ancient city. Boats are used to take visitors from the cruise ships to the Old Harbour.

If you’re a cruise visitor, it’s easy to find the closest entrance to the Walls from the Old Habour.

As you leave the harbour, turn to the right and walk a couple of minutes along St. Dominic Street until you get to the fortress of St. Lucas. There, you find an entrance to City Walls.

How to Reach the Walls from the Dubrovnik Cruise Port

For visitors coming from Gruz, get to the bus station. Buses no. 1A, no. 1B and no. 3 will take you to the Old Town. Ride until the last stop and then head to the Pile Gate, where you find the ticket office. All you need to do is buy your City Walls tickets!

How to Reach the Walls from Lapad/Babin Kuk

For visitors from Babin Kuk or Lapad, you need to take buses no. 4 or no. 6, which will take you to the Old Town.

You need to reach the Pile Gate and get your entry tickets from the ticket office. That’s it!

Bars & Cafes on the Walls

There are a few cafes and bars on the City Walls! Some of them are even cliff-bars like Buza Bar.

The cafes offer seats and tables overlooking a lovely view of the Adriatic Sea. You can relax and enjoy the summer breeze, a cool drink, or a light meal.

At the end of the walk, after two kilometers, the mind-blowing panoramic view of the city and the blue Adriatic will make you forget all the effort you made. And what’s even better? There’s a cafe at the very end where you can enjoy the sunset view!

Sunset Over the Dubrovnik Walls

The best spot to watch the sun go down is by the end of the walk. You’ll see a panoramic view of Dubrovnik, the Adriatic Sea, and Fort Lovrijenac. You’ll find perfect spots to sit by the Minceta Tower and watch the sunset. There are bars and cafes where you can have a drink and take in the golden views!

Verdict: Are Dubrovnik Walls Worth It?

The walls of Dubrovnik are the city’s main attraction, so they’re definitely worth a visit. That said, you would be missing out on a lot of useful tips and information if you go alone and unprepared, which is why you ought to join one of our city tours!

Do you want to get the most out of your trip to the walls of Dubrovnik?
Make sure to book our Half Day City Walls Tour Now!