One of the best ways to explore this coastal city is by walking the Dubrovnik City Walls. They say that the best time to enjoy a wall walk in Dubrovnik is just before sunset.
True. True.
Plan Your Visit to the City Wall
The city walls of Dubrovnik are open every day throughout the year. We enjoyed walking the walls of Dubrovnik in the early morning, as we were able to avoid most of the crowds. Dubrovnik city walls are a great place to walk at any time. The ticket price is affordable, and you can purchase it at the entrance of the wall or online in advance. Find out more about the difference between City Wall Ticket and Dubrovnik Pass. You can purchase a city wall ticket from the official website.
About the City Wall
Stone walls were constructed mainly between the 12th and 17th centuries in order to defend the city against attack.
It is approximately 1 1/4 miles/1940 meters long (circumnavigating most of Old City). Some sections are up to 83 feet/25 meters high!
The walls on these high walls are also super thick. In some places, on the landward wall, they are nearly 20 feet/4 m thick. The walls on the landward side are between 5/1.5 m and 10/3 m feet thick.
You’ll notice that the wall isn’t completely flat. It’s “up and down.” The total number of steps along the city walls is 1080 (the whole city is about 5000 steps).
The Best Entrance
There are three different entrances to the Dubrovnik city walls. Pile Gate is the easiest and best way to enter the wall for those with limited mobility or baby strollers It makes the experience especially relaxing and accessible. You don’t need to follow the steps, just take a left turn and access the Stradun by taking the ramp.
Unfortunately, this popular entrance can get extremely busy. Many tour guides recommend this location because it is the filming site in Game of Thrones. To avoiding crowds before 8:30 am or sunset is recommended as the optimal time.
The Buža gate entrance is convenient if your parking lot is in Iza Grada, or if you’re coming from Ilijina Glavica and Kono. This is the hardest way to get into the Old Town because there are so many steps.
- Pile Gate, just to the left of the Church of the Holy Savior as you face it
- The Ploče Gate near St. Luke Fort on the eastern side of town
- The Buža gate (Buža meaning “hole”) is at the north side of the Dubrovnik land walls.
How Long It Takes to Walk the Wall
If it is your first visit to the city wall, allow two hours to walk the wall. You can complete it in one hour but you will be so amazed by the scenery that you may stop every few steps to snap photos. No doubt there will be people gathered at certain of the more specific photo spots, but be patient as people usually move on after a while. Set aside enough time in either morning or afternoon for strolling along its walls – don’t rush as this experience should be part of what defines your visit to town!
Lovrijenac Tower
Tower Lovrijenac (pronounced Lovr-ye-natz) is also known as St. Lawrence Fortress. It was constructed during the late 11th century as one of Croatia’s most impressive fortifications to protect Dubrovnik from Venetian fleet attacks. The 1,000-year-old Fortress has stood strong through centuries of wars, natural disasters, and other challenges thrown its way. The shows like Game of Thrones make Lovrijenac Tower even more popular. The single-use wall ticket also includes the entrance fee for Fort Lovrijenac.
What To Expect
If visiting during the summer months, make sure you bring along a bottle of water – it can get very hot on top of the wall! The city walls of Dubrovnik offer little shade. During the summer months, it can be scorching hot, and the sun can be very intense. Bringing a hat is also a good idea and don’t forget your sunscreen. Avoid Old Town in the rain as its paths can become slippy. Comfortable walking footwear is a must as there will be lots of walking and steps involved. Your feet will thank you when wearing comfortable footwear!
Don’t worry about finding a restroom while on your walk – there are plenty available. Make sure you stay hydrated, though – be sure to drink water regularly, There are no refreshment stores along the way, so it’s best to carry your refreshments.
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