Exploring Off-the-Beaten Paths in Dubrovnik, Croatia's Old City

On our second visit to Dubrovnik, we decided to explore the lesser-trod alleys and paths of this great old city.

By John Roberts

When we returned to Dubrovnik, we faced one question to answer: Do we walk the city walls again or freelance our way through the Old Town?

The city walls, or ramparts, are truly impressive. From high above the town, you are afforded incredible views of the entire area and beautiful surrounding blue waters of the Adriatic Sea (check out our series of pics from our visit in 2006, below). The 1.25-mile limestone structure encircles the city and served to protect it for centuries. It features more than 1,000 steps to navigate as well as towers and turrets. The wall is remarkably intact and looks out over the city and its blanket of orange-roofed homes and buildings. During the Croatian War of Independence more than 20 years ago, the Yugoslav National Army shelled Dubrovnik for more than seven months, destroying many homes and buildings. But Croatians rebuilt the city amazingly quickly, and those buildings with bright orange roofs mark what has been restored. 

I'm kind of bummed that we didn't give it another go this time, but we decided to pass on walking the walls and instead set out to explore all the other nooks, alleys and staircases of the amazing Old Town. Our port stop for the day on our Princess Cruises sailing on Regal Princess marked our second time in Dubrovnik. If you are a first-time visitor to Dubrovnik, you must walk the walls (costs about $16) but you also can find so much more to do that will have you desiring to return again and again.

We wound our way around to find a plethora of restaurant lined rows, shops selling all manner of art, clothes, crafts and oodles of gelato. We finally settled our weary bones into a comfy corner trattoria that gave us a vantage point of others exploring the city, wandering about their activities and snapping pics. We also saw many people humping luggage up to the holiday apartment rentals and workers methodically hauling heavy construction materials up and down the steep marble walkways. Walk around for just a few hours and you'll appreciate what everyday life is like in Dubrovnik without any elevators. (Lean people with legs of steel.)

Next time we're in the city, I think we'll be trying the beaches and sea kayaking (that's the image at the bottom). Looks like so much fun; we can't wait!