Dubrovnik Old Town

We stepped back in time to a 13th-century walled city perched on the sea. There are no cars allowed inside and even though over a million tourists visit per year, if you go early enough, there’s still magic to be found. And maybe a dragon or two.

Okay, so after walking the walls, it was time to explore the city. The Stradun (the main thoroughfare) is capped on each end by a fountain. D’Onofrio’s big fountain is usually surrounded by people sitting around the edge taking photos or filling up water bottles from its many spouts. D’Onofrio’s little fountain sits on the opposite end near the cathedral and Rector’s palace.

This little guy is known as the Dubrovnik Maskeron and is only a foot off the ground. It is said that if you stand on his head facing the wall and take off your shirt without falling, you will be lucky in love.

The Maskeron is right next to the entrance to the Franciscan monastery (entrance fee included with the Dubrovnik pass) and holds an apothecary and some very peaceful cloisters..

Let me address the elephant in the room. Or, in this case, the dragon. Yes, Game of Thrones was filmed here (as well as many other places in Croatia). Dubrovnik was the film location for King’s Landing.

The side streets off the Stradun are filled with shops and restaurants. Signs are not allowed to be put on the front of buildings, so the lamps are used instead.

On the east end of the Stradun, there are several impressive buildings to explore. The Rector’s Palace (entry included with the Dubrovnik pass) sits across from the main cathedral. And this is Sponza Palace which was open that day for a free peek. It’s easy to see why this is a popular wedding venue…and also….

…where I fell quite in love with one of their door handles.

This little guy shared his doorstep with us while we got our bearings searching for the Jesuit Staircase.

This is not the Jesuit staircase (any photos we got were full of people attempting to do Cersei’s walk of shame). But never fear, there is no shortage of stairs branching up on the north side of the Stradun.

Okay, outside the city walls, there are also a few things to see. Fort Lovrijenac (a.k.a. St. Lawrence Fortress) is very close and included in the Dubrovnik pass which prompted us to seek it out.

A stark, but beautiful old fortress. We worked our way up towards the cannons for some great views of the old town and its walls.

On the way to Fort Lovrijenac is the beautiful West Harbour. The place where kayak tours take off, but also home to some impressive boulders towering out of the water..

And my favorite spot where small stone steps lead down the rockface to a small art gallery, and then a pebble beach.