Old Town Dubrovnik attractions Map for Tourists
Dubrovnik Tourist Attractions Map showcases a protected ancient city surrounded by a wall system and the Adriatic Sea. The legend of Dubrovnik was made famous by famed playwright George Bernard Shaw who said, “Those who seek paradise on Earth should come to Dubrovnik.” Dubrovnik is known as the “Pearl of the Adriatic”. It is pedestrian-only Old Town has historic churches, monuments, sculptures as well as shops, gardens, markets and cafés.
Dubrovnik Tourist Attractions Map
Click on the arrow icon to the left of the title to display the legend. Click on the attractions map pins (purple pins) or on the legend (left icon on the title bar) or the PDF map that you download for additional information including images of the tourist attraction.
Dubrovnik Tourist Map
Accompanying Guide to Dubrovnik Self Guided Walking Tourist Map
When to follow the Dubrovnik tourist map of attractions
The attractions tourist map is best to follow in the morning or it can be broken up into segments during the stay. Keep in mind that the afternoon can get unpleasantly hot. Check the cruise ship arrivals as when the cruise ships arrive, the entire Old Town of Dubrovnik is unbelievable crowded with cruise ship tourists and cruise ship tours. This means long line ups to get into the attractions and the City Walls Walk is packed with people. Check the schedule at the Port Dubrovnik website for arrivals and departures. Keep in mind, like most tourist destinations, there are pickpocketers especially in the crowded areas.
Video of Dubrovnik attractions of the tourist map
What to wear on your self guided tour of Dubrovnik’s attractions using the tourist attractions map
In the heat of the day, it is advisable to have sunscreen, a hat, plenty of water and change for the public toilets; a good set of walking shoes are a must for a comfortable walk through Old Town Dubrovnik
Parking in Dubrovnik Old Town
Old Town Dubrovnik is vehicle free area; no vehicles are allowed and there is no parking. Park outside the walls at the Buze gate and walk in or take public transportation from your accommodation to the Old Town and enter from Pile gate
What to avoid in Dubrovnik on the tourist attractions map tour
Don’t overspend on airport transport. There are a few public buses per day that go in the direction of Old Town Dubrovnik. Bus lines 11, 27 and 38 run between the airport and Dubrovnik or the airport shuttle is also reasonable. Do not take a taxi unless it is from an official stand. An Uber will work out cheaper than a regular taxi.
Tourist information centers that are not official tourist information centers but are actually a sales center to get you to purchase tours. There is an official tourist information Office at Brsalje 5, outside the Pile gate. It is open daily 8AM to 9PM.
A great view at a restaurant does not equate to great food at the same restaurant. Check out reviews of local restaurants. Some restaurants have a cover charge per head, clarify this beforehand. Many businesses do not like to take credit card payments so have cash on hand. They may tell you that the terminal is not working. Pay in the local currency as the exchange rates are particularly unfavorable.
We stayed at an Airbnb close to old town and walked/drove to the open-air fish market in Gruz every morning and cooked fresh fish for dinner, just fish. The open market also has fresh baked bread, and fresh fruits. It was fantastic. It is about 2Km from Old Town Dubrovnik. Alternatively, you can take a 5 minute walk to Gundulićeva poljana market in Old Town Dubrovnik; attraction 30 in the Dubrovnik tourist attractions map.
Dubrovnik Legends
The Curse of Lokrum Island
Boat trips to Lokrum Island are available from the Old Port, Attractions 24/25 on the Dubrovnik tourist attractions map. Legend has it that the Benedictine monastery was built in Lokrum as a result of the great fire of Dubrovnik in 1023. The people of Dubrovnik made a vow to St Benedict that if the city was spared during the fire they would build a monastery in his name. The fire was extinguished immediately after the vow and the people built the St Benedictine Monastery and Church on Lokrum.
The curse originates from the days when a French army general ordered the closure of the church and expulsion of the Benedictines from Lokrum. On their last night Benedictines performed a ritual that included a procession in their hooded robes, chanting and turning their lighted candles upside down. The chanting, or curse: “Whosoever claims Lokrum for his own personal pleasure shall be damned!”
Three prominent families were said to have a claim on Lokrum:
- One jumped out of the window
- The other drowned on the way to Lokrum
- Another was killed by his servant
The last wealthy owner, Captain Tomaševic, declared bankruptcy soon after purchasing the island. Sold it to Archduke Maximillian, the navy commander of the Austri-Hungarian Monarchy. On one of his campaigns in Mexico, he was taken by General Benito Juarez and shot in Quereteri. Over the years, Lokrum was sold several times, and each time the family experience tragedy or financial ruin. The superstition of Lokrum spread far and wide and no one would live on Lokrum. Today, Lokrum is protected and explored by tourists.
Richard the Lion Heart
The English king, Richard the Lionheart, was caught is a fierce storm in the Adriatic Sea in 1192. The king vowed that if he were saved he would build two churches to the Blessed Virgin Mary. One would be built on the spot where he would land and the other one in England. The citizens asked that he build the Church in Dubrovnik, rather than Lokrum, where he landed. Their wish was granted and the Church in Dubrovnik was built, however the people of Dubrovnik built a smaller church in Lokrum to fulfil Richard the Lion Hearts original promise.
Stone Heads at Pile Gate
As you enter Pile gate at the western entrance of Dubrovnik, Attraction 2 on the Dubrovnik tourist attractions map, look up and notice the statue of St Blaise. Most tourists do not notice the 3 headed stone sculpture below St Blaise’s statue as they enter through Pile gate. The three heads are those of a bearded man and 2 women. The story centers on forbidden love between the Franciscans and the nuns of St. Clair. The sculpture is said to expose and shame them by publicly acknowledging an indecent connection between the two. However, everyone has their own twist on the story.
Legend of St Blaise
It is said that St Blaise appeared to the rector of the Church in a dream warning him of an impending attack by the Venetians. As a result, the inhabitants pulled by the draw bridge and secure the town. Having escaped an attack, St Blaise became the patron St of Dubrovnik. Another twist on this legend is that there was an old man in the Church of St. Blaise named Vlaho (Blaise) who warned the citizens of an impending attack by the Venetian. He was bestowed the title of St. Blaise and became the Patron St of Dubrovnik.
Gargoyle (with a pipe spout) at the base and in front of the Franciscan Monastery
In front of the Franciscan monastery (across from the large Onofrio fountain) is a gargoyle that many tourists stand on, or try to stand on. Legend has it that a man was desperately searching for a wifi and he prayed inside the monastery and heard a voice. The voice told him to balance on the monastery water spout outside and take his shirt off while balancing on the spout. If he could accomplish this task, he would find a wife and be happily married. He was successful and within days he was happily married. So try your luck!!
The gutters of Stradun
Locals believe that if a lady steps into the gutters, she will be a spinster. Like so many other places, Dubrovnik has many more legends and tales
