Introduction
When people think of Dubrovnik, the famous city walls featured in my previous article are probably the first thing that comes to mind. However, Dubrovnik is called the “Pearl of the Adriatic” for good reason, and its incredibly clear beaches are another major attraction.
Before visiting Dubrovnik myself, I mainly imagined it as a destination for exploring historic streets and buildings. Once I actually arrived, however, I was just as impressed by the beauty of the sea.
This time, I would like to introduce the Old Town of Dubrovnik itself, as well as Lovrjenac Fortress, located just to the west of the Old Town. The views from the city walls are spectacular, but walking through the city itself allows you to experience its medieval atmosphere and unique location overlooking the Adriatic Sea.
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Lovrjenac Fortress
For Japanese visitors, the name Lovrjenac can be quite difficult to pronounce.
Lovrjenac Fortress is located just west of the Old Town, offering panoramic views of both the Adriatic Sea and Dubrovnik’s historic center. After leaving the Old Town through Pile Gate, simply head to the left and you will find the entrance to the fortress.
The fortress was built on a rocky hill, and the views are already spectacular as you make your way up. The contrast between the vivid blue of the Adriatic Sea and the orange rooftops of the Old Town is truly beautiful, making it hard to resist stopping for a few photos.
The ticket is shared with the city walls, so if you have already visited the walls, you can enter Lovrjenac Fortress without paying an additional fee. On the other hand, be careful not to throw away your ticket after visiting the walls, as you will need it to enter the fortress.
Once you pass the ticket checkpoint, you are greeted by a stone courtyard. It has a very imposing fortress-like atmosphere, and there is also a restroom here. As you continue farther up, you will find displays of cannons and cannonballs, giving you a real sense that this was once an important defensive stronghold.
But the biggest attraction is undoubtedly the view. Below you is the Old Town, while the Adriatic Sea stretches out endlessly beyond it. The views from the city walls are wonderful, but Lovrjenac offers a different perspective because you can see the entire Old Town from a little farther away. I highly recommend visiting the fortress together with the city walls.
Exploring Dubrovnik Old Town
The entire Old Town is paved with stone streets, and the moment you step inside, you feel as though you have wandered into a medieval city.
One thing I noticed while walking around was that the city somehow reminded me of Venice, Italy. Dubrovnik had deep historical connections with Italian maritime city-states through trade across the Adriatic, so it seems natural that there are some cultural similarities as well.
There are several fountains in the Old Town where you can refill your water bottle. One of the most famous is the Onofrio Fountain. Fortunately for travelers, tap water in Dubrovnik is safe to drink.
Bottled mineral water can cost more than €1, so if you are carrying a water bottle, it is convenient to refill it here. This is especially useful in summer, when temperatures can get quite high and staying hydrated is important.
There are many attractions inside the Old Town, including churches, monasteries, and palaces. However, to be honest, I did not visit the interiors. Before my trip, an Austrian friend had told me that they were “the kind of churches and palaces you can find all over Europe” and not necessarily something particularly unique.
Instead, I decided to simply walk around and enjoy the atmosphere of the city. Even without visiting the individual attractions, I found the experience more than satisfying.
Another thing that caught my attention was a Christmas shop that was open despite it being summer. You sometimes see stores like this in European tourist destinations, but this one was packed with Christmas tree decorations and ornaments. It was a little strange to be surrounded by Christmas decorations in the middle of summer, but it also felt very Dubrovnik-like, considering how many tourists from around the world visit the city.
A Game of Thrones Filming Location
One thing that surprised me while walking through the Old Town was the sheer number of shops related to Game of Thrones.
At the same time, behind the beautiful streets lies the history of the wars that Dubrovnik experienced. Today, the city has been extensively restored and has become a major tourist destination, so it is difficult to notice the scars of war simply by walking through the streets. However, around the Old Town, you can still find signs explaining that certain buildings were damaged during the Croatian War of Independence or that particular areas came under shelling.
During the Croatian War of Independence in the early 1990s, Dubrovnik’s Old Town, which is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was also shelled and many buildings were damaged. The beautiful cityscape we see today was brought back to life through subsequent restoration and reconstruction. From the city walls, you can even see differences in color between restored roof tiles and older ones in some places. Once you know the history, you begin to see the city from a different perspective.
I have never actually watched the series, but apparently it is a hugely popular fantasy drama around the world. Dubrovnik’s Old Town was reportedly used as a filming location for King’s Landing, and fans from all over the world visit the city as part of their Game of Thrones pilgrimage.
There are plenty of shops selling related merchandise and tours advertised throughout the city, so for Game of Thrones fans, Dubrovnik must be an incredible place to visit.
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Conclusion
When people talk about visiting Dubrovnik, the city walls tend to get most of the attention. However, Lovrjenac Fortress and the Old Town itself are just as fascinating.
The views of the Old Town and the Adriatic Sea from the fortress are spectacular, while simply walking through the stone-paved streets allows you to experience the atmosphere of a medieval maritime city. Since the fortress can be visited with the same ticket as the city walls, I highly recommend combining the two attractions.
Personally, I found the most satisfying way to explore Dubrovnik was to walk along the city walls and enjoy the panoramic views first, then visit Lovrjenac Fortress to see the Old Town from the outside, and finally take a leisurely stroll through the narrow streets of the Old Town.
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