Like something out of a picture-perfect fairy tale, the Old Town of Dubrovnik is a walled medieval city, with drawbridges and gates guarding the main entrances.

Like something out of a picture-perfect fairy tale, the Old Town of Dubrovnik is a walled medieval city, with drawbridges (used in the 1991-92 war) and 6m high gates guarding the main entrances. The entire city of Dubrovnik is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but it’s also very much a living, breathing city.

From the 2 km of crenulated ramparts and watchtowers there are some perfect views of the city and the sea. Also, because the Old Town of Dubrovnik is blissfully free of traffic after 10 am, the main streets (Placa or Stradun), squares and alleyways are perfect for exploring the city on foot.

Most of the inhabitants of Dubrovnik live outside of the Old Town’s city walls. However, inside those walls, the streets and alleyways are crammed with tiny shops, bars, cafes and restaurants that spill out onto the street at every conceivable point.

The serious damage of Dubrovnik from the Serbia-Croatian War has been completely repaired. Locals are still keen to point out the shrapnel and bullet damage that has been retained as a reminder of those dark days.

When to travel to Dubrovnik

With its tourist-friendly Mediterranean climate, summer is the most popular time to travel to Dubrovnik, although it can be very hot and humid during the day. Winters are mild, but wet. Spring and autumn are increasingly popular times to visit Dubrovnik due to the pleasant weather, fewer crowds and cheaper prices.