Croatia has some gorgeous cities and cities, however none can match Dubrovnik for vacationer attraction.

The one drawback? Given the elevated demand for this Dalmatian port’s small and beautiful outdated city, funds vacationers can really feel squeezed out. By no means concern: whereas Dubrovnik may be costly, some of the most interesting things to do in the metropolis are utterly free. Certainly, a lot of Dubrovnik’s attraction comes down to the expertise of simply being there.

Stone partitions encompass green-shuttered homes and stylish church buildings. Throughout the day, the Adriatic sparkles with daylight, whereas at evening the paved streets – polished clean by hundreds of wandering ft – have a shimmer of their very own. Take a look at nice work and colourful markets, or take a swim off rocky coves – it needn’t value you a cent.

1. Get above the metropolis on the Method of the Cross path and the Petka hills

Inexperienced hills dot the metropolis’s outer rim, offering a beautiful likelihood to get pleasure from nature with out leaving Dubrovnik. For the best views, hike up the Method of the Cross path to the high of 413m-high (1355ft) Srđ hill to see the outdated city’s terracotta roofs unfold beneath you want the palm of a hand.

Throughout city, the climbing trails on the Petka hills lead by the cool shade of Mediterranean forests up to gorgeous views of the tiny Grebeni rocks and the mystical Elafiti Islands.

Planning tip: Timing is every little thing: keep away from the excessive solar and are available ready with water, sunscreen, snacks and a sunhat.

2. Discover the actual King’s Touchdown

Dubrovnik’s outdated city stood in for the nice metropolis of King’s Touchdown in the epic TV collection Sport of Thrones, offering the setting for intrigue, homicide and a few dagger-sharp one-liners. 

For a free self-guided strolling tour of the highlights, you could possibly begin at the Jesuit stairs (close to St Ignatius church), the place Cersei’s notorious “stroll of disgrace” scene was set, heading previous the Pile Gate (the place a crowd threw manure at Joffrey). Stroll down to the shore (King’s Touchdown’s harbor), and proceed west previous Fort Lawrence (the Pink Preserve) to serene Gradac Park (the place Joffrey had a foul marriage ceremony expertise).

3. Wander the open-air museum of Dubrovnik’s outdated city

Dubrovnik’s outdated city is the metropolis’s biggest sight. Its twin drawbridges and blend of medieval, Renaissance and Baroque structure give it a fairy-tale really feel, and as you discover it, each sq. turns into a stage and each view a postcard. This was as soon as the heart of a buying and selling community that stretched from the Adriatic to the Black Sea. Rebuilt after a 1667 earthquake, its promenades and palaces really feel like they’ve barely modified in centuries.

Planning tip: Whereas there’s a payment to climb the well-known partitions, the streets themselves are open to anybody for free of charge in any respect. You’ll be able to watch vacationers and locals from the stairs of St Blaise’s Church, sit on a bench in the picturesque harbor, or gaze down at swimmers at Porporela breakwater.

4. Take in a Titian at the Cathedral of the Assumption

Church buildings in Dubrovnik show artwork by native artists and worldwide greats. In the Baroque Cathedral, you possibly can admire the Assumption of Mary, a three-paneled 16th-century masterpiece by Titian above the foremost altar. The church, like most in the metropolis, is free, although there’s a small payment to enter the connected Treasury.

Different godly highlights embrace St Ignatius of Loyola Church, the place gorgeous Baroque frescoes fill the foremost apse, and St Blaise’s Church, with colourful stained glass home windows by famend native painter Ivo Dulčić.

5. Get your measurements proper at the Orlando Column

Many of the guests who mill round cafe-packed Luža Sq don’t give the carved column in the center a second look. However this 1418 statue of an armored knight was as soon as the metropolis’s point of interest. The Orlando Column exhibits the hero of the Track of Roland, a medieval poem that kicked off the entire concept of chivalry. Orlando was adopted by Dubrovnik as a heroic savior – and his 51.2cm (20.2in) proper forearm turned the city-state’s fundamental measurement of size, the “ell.”

6. Take pleasure in some free nibbles at Grad Market

The Grad Market provides a splash of vibrant coloration to the outdated city stone each morning. Many stalls inventory such conventional native sweets as dried figs, arancini (Croatian candied orange peel), and bruštulani mjenduli (candied almonds) and provide a free style before you purchase. Foodies also needs to enterprise to the metropolis’s foremost market in Gruž, which has its personal fish market.

7. Bear in mind the fallen at Sponza Palace

The 1991–92 struggle that adopted the breakup of Yugoslavia left Dubrovnik shattered. Spectacular restore work means the metropolis’s scars are onerous to spot, however should you look intently round the outdated city, you’ll see injury from shrapnel and bullets, in addition to plaques of remembrance. The ornate, 500-year-old Sponza Palace has a free Memorial Room that exhibits the portraits of the younger women and men who died defending Dubrovnik throughout its seven-month siege.

8. Sunbathe on the seashores and rocks with the locals

The seashores are almost unimaginable to privatize round Dubrovnik, so even the hottest ones, like Banje or Sveti Jakov, have room for beachgoers preferring to put down a towel as a substitute of renting a lounger. For sunbathing the manner locals do it, head to rugged Danče or scenic Šulić; for adrenaline, dive off the rocks on Buža. For household time, enterprise throughout city to Lapad Bay, which presents pebbly shores and dramatic sunsets.

9. Fall in love with Adriatic coral at Clara Stones Jewelry

Visiting the unique Clara Stones Jewelry will educate you all about luxurious crimson Adriatic coral. The area’s solely semiprecious materials is understood for its shiny scarlet coloration – but earlier than craftspeople have their manner with the materials, it’s neither shiny nor crimson. At the Clara Stones workshop, you possibly can witness the magical transformation first-hand.

10. Volunteer on a water tour with Inexperienced Sea Safari excursions

It’s onerous to imagine you possibly can take a day journey to the islands round Dubrovnik for free of charge – but with native NGO Inexperienced Sea Safari, you’ll pay for the expertise by serving to the group clear up distant bits of the coast. After about an hour’s work, it’s break time, as you swim in crystal-clear waters, island hop, discover watery caves and extra. The NGO depends on donations, so make one should you’re ready.

Planning tip: Inexperienced Sea Safaris run from June 1 to September 30, and locations should be reserved on-line in advance.

11. Take pleasure in a free guided tour in the low season

Every November and December (and typically by to March), the Dubrovnik Tourism Board throws in a freebie for the city’s low-season guests. On Saturday mornings, free guided strolling excursions of the outdated city are adopted by a folks singing and dancing efficiency on Luža Sq, offering perception into traditions which have nourished this gem of a metropolis for hundreds of years.