The walls of Dubrovnik have not only served as a defensive structure but also as a symbol of the city’s resilience and pride. Today, they are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a must-visit attraction for any traveler to Dubrovnik and Croatia.
Having visited the City Walls of Dubrovnik multiple times, we created this guide with all the essential information you need to make the most of your day exploring Dubrovnik’s impressive walls.
This is a complete and only guide to City Walls in Dubrovnik you will need!
About Dubrovnik City Walls
Dubrovnik, the Pearl of the Adriatic, is known for its stunning city walls that have protected the Old Town for centuries.
As you would expect, the walls around Dubrovnik’s old town protect the city from attacks by land and sea. The high walls, reaching up to 25 meters (83 feet) in some places, provide a sense of the city’s strength and fortitude during turbulent times.
The Walls of Dubrovnik were mainly built between the 13th and 17th centuries, with some fortifications (forts, walls) constructed as early as the 7th century, not long after the founding of the city (then known as Ragusa).
We love that the City Walls of Dubrovnik are preserved to this day and that we can explore such an important part of our history.
The iconic medieval walls span roughly two kilometers and are hard to miss because they surround the whole Dubrovnik Old Town.
What to expect while walking Dubrovnik City Walls
The City Walls are a must-visit attraction in Dubrovnik, and as the city’s most famous site, knowing what to expect during your visit is important.
Walking along these ancient fortifications offers a unique perspective of the city’s rich history, medieval architecture, and breathtaking views of the Adriatic Sea and Old Town.
As you make your way along the city walls, you’ll pass strategically positioned forts, towers, and bastions used to defend the city in centuries past.
There aren’t many shaded parts of Dubrovnik’s City Walls. However, you can find a few cafes in the lower part. So you can grab some ice cream or a coffee. The cafes have fantastic views, but they can get swamped in the season, as the seating is limited. More on this later in the article.
Dubrovnik City Walls Quick Info
| Time needed | ⌚ 1 to 2 hours of walking (2 km) |
| Ticket price | 🎫 40 EUR on the official site or as part of the Dubrovnik Pass |
| When to visit | 🌅 Early morning or late afternoon |
| Best entrance | 🚪 Pile Gate (main entrance) |
| Best views | 🏰 Minčeta Tower |
| Best tour | ⭐ Walls & Old Town Walking Tour |
Best parts of Dubrovnik City Walls
The two-kilometer City Walls of Dubrovnik include five fortresses and sixteen towers, enclosing the whole of Old Town.
The best parts of Dubrovnik City Walls are the fortresses of Fort Bokar, Minčeta Tower, St. John’s Fortress, and Fort Lovrijenac. Plus, the northern wall between Buža Gate and Minčeta Tower has some of the best views of the whole Old Town.
We created an interactive Map of Dubrovnik City Walls, which you can use to familiarize yourself with the entrances, best stops and photo spots, cafes, and toilet locations.
Onofrio’s Fountain, Fort Bokar, Pile Bay
As you enter Dubrovnik’s City Walls near Pile Gate, you get a nice view of Stradun, the main street, and the Onofrio fountain right at the entrance after Pile Gate.
Soon after the start, you get to one of the best views at City Walls, the part overlooking Fort Bokar and the Pile Bay (also known as West Harbour or Blackwater Bay for Game of Thrones fans).
High defensive wall and Fort St. Peter
Moving away from the Pile area, you walk along some of the highest parts of the City Walls in Dubrovnik before reaching Fort St. Peter (Kula sv. Petra) and the first Cafe, conveniently called “Caffe on the Wall”.
This is where you can stop for a drink or some ice cream like we did. Prices here are quite high, but that’s kind of expected for such a location!
Note: Outside the summer months, the cafe might start serving ice cream at a later time. On our last visit in October, we had to wait a few minutes (until 9 am) to get it.
Lookout at Fort St. Margaret and Fort St. Stephen
Heading towards the lower part of the city walls, you walk past Fort St. Margaret (Kula sv. Margarita) and Fort St. Stephen (Kula sv. Stjepan), which have excellent views of Lokrum Island and the popular cliff jumping spot at Buža Bar.
You will likely also see lots of people kayaking along the high walls, as it’s a standard route for kayaking tours (many start and finish at Pile Bay).
St. John’s Fortress
As you move closer to the port of Old Town, you reach St. John’s Fortress and its spacious Bastion.
Inside St. John’s Fortress, you can visit the Maritime Museum, one of Dubrovnik’s best museums. It’s not a big collection, and there is limited information on what’s shown, but it’s worth a quick visit while walking the walls.
The entrance to the Maritime Museum costs 10 EUR, but if you get the Dubrovnik Pass (which you should), it’s included. Basically, for the same price as the City Walls ticket, the Dubrovnik Pass covers the City Walls ticket, Fort Lovrijenac, and museums like the Maritime Museum.
For more details, read our Full Review and guide to the Dubrovnik Pass.
Old Town Port area
Moving from St. John’s Fortress, you walk the lower part of the City Walls along the Kneza Damjana Jude Defensive Wall, with views of the Old Port, before walking above St. Dominic Street, the Dominican Monastery, and past Revelin Fortress.
North Wall of Dubrovnik
Once you’re past Revelin Fortress, you need to climb up some stairs to reach the north wall, which, in our opinion, is the best spot along the City Walls, especially between Buža Gate and Minčeta Tower.
It’s the best photo spot at City Walls, as you’re high above the Old Town, with views stretching to the other side.
Almost everyone walking the City Walls stops at this part, so expect it to be quite busy.
Minčeta Tower
There are many forts along the City Walls, but a definite highlight is the Minčeta Fortress (Minčeta Tower), the last attraction on the route if you enter through Pile Gate.
Located in the northwest corner and at the highest point of the walls, this circular fortress is one of the most visited attractions in Dubrovnik. In busy times, you must stand in line to climb the narrow stairs up the tower patiently, but once you get to the top, the view is absolutely worth it!
Hot tip: Before you reach the tower, grab a refreshing drink at the Minčeta bar. Again, the prices are high, but you get spectacular views of the Old Town from one of the highest points of the City Walls.
From Minčeta Tower, you also see the Dubrovnik Old Town Basketball Court, one of the world’s coolest basketball courts. It has stunning views of Old Town and is surrounded by city walls and the towering Minčeta.
Western Outer Wall
A true hidden gem in Dubrovnik is the Western Outer Wall, which has a separate entrance but is also included in the City Walls entrance price.
The entrance to the Outer Wall is located inside Minčeta Tower, but you need to walk up to it from within the Old Town, not from the city walls.
There are quite a few things to see there, and this part is more shaded and much less crowded.
Once inside, you walk beneath the basketball court to find tunnels, the outside wall overlooking Pile Gate, and Fort Bokar’s interior. You can also visit the top of Fort Bokar, which offers fantastic views.
It’s the only place in the City Walls where you can visit the tunnel-like hallways of the fortresses and fortifications and see first-hand how strong the defenses are (the walls are super thick).
Good to know: The Old Town Basketball Court is actually the roof of a museum below it, which houses the recently excavated parts of a gun foundry (metal casting factory).
Before the excavation between 2005 and 2008, countless locals played there for decades without anyone knowing what was hidden below. You can read more about it on the Dubrovnik Tourism Board site.
Fort Lovrijenac (Fort Lawrence)
Beyond the City Walls is another famous fortress, Fort Lovrijenac, one of Dubrovnik’s most crucial defensive structures.
Perched on a 37-meter-high cliff, the magnificent Fort Lovrijenac, also known as St. Lawrence Fortress, is a must-visit fortification in Dubrovnik.
Even though Fort Lovrijenac is located outside the Old Town walls, a 5-minute walk from Pile Gate, it’s included in the City Walls ticket.
With its thick stone walls and strategic position overlooking the Adriatic Sea, it is evident why Fort Lovrijenac served as a significant defensive structure in the past. It’s ideally situated.
While Fort Lovrijenac once protected Dubrovnik from potential invasions and Venetian enemy ships, it now serves as a stage for theatrical performances, concerts, and the annual Dubrovnik Summer Festival.
It also offers spectacular views of the Old Town, especially the Pile Bay area and Fort Bokar.
TRAVEL TIP: If you’re a fan of Game of Thrones, make sure to include Fort Lovrijenac in your itinerary, as it was the site of the Red Keep in King’s Landing. Find more information in our Dubrovnik Game of Thrones Filming Locations article.
Dubrovnik City Walls Tickets
As of 2025, the Dubrovnik City Walls ticket, including Fort Lovrijenac, costs 40 EUR for adults and 15 EUR for children (under 18).
In the winter, from November to the end of February, the City Walls ticket costs just 15 EUR for adults and 5 EUR for children under 18.
From the entry to City Walls, you have 3 days to enter Fort Lovrijenac or the Western Outer Wall with the same ticket. That’s great news if you don’t want to do everything on the same day.
Where to buy City Walls tickets
To buy tickets online, please visit the official website of the Society of Friends of Dubrovnik Antiquities (citywallsdubrovnik.hr).
You should buy your City Walls tickets online in advance to avoid waiting in line, especially in the high season and at busy entrances like Pile Gate.
Do not buy tickets on any other unofficial website! They are all more expensive (up to 50% more), and you might have issues redeeming the tickets.
Many travelers to Dubrovnik fall for the scam of buying tickets on Viator from unofficial vendors. Viator is a trusted site, and we also use it, but please do not buy City Walls tickets there.
Get a Dubrovnik Pass to save money
If you plan to visit multiple attractions in Dubrovnik, purchase the Dubrovnik Pass. This pass allows you to visit various museums, galleries, and fortresses in the city, including the City Walls and the Lovrijenac Fortress.
The Dubrovnik Pass offers great value for money and is a convenient option for exploring the city’s rich cultural heritage. And especially because it costs the same as the City Walls ticket.
For more information, read our review and guide to the Dubrovnik Pass, where we detail all the inclusions and essential things to know.
Opening Times of Dubrovnik City Walls
The Dubrovnik City Walls are open from 8 AM to 7:30 PM in the summer and from 9 AM to 3 PM in the winter.
While the City Walls are open year-round, they are only closed on Christmas Day (25th December). Otherwise, they’re open on all other holidays.
In the transitional periods from and into winter, the closing time slowly moves back, similar to Croatia’s sunset time. So, if you plan to visit during the off-season, go to the City Walls in the morning so you don’t run out of time.
For some reason, it isn’t easy to find the official opening times of City Walls on any government or the official website. However, we confirmed the exact opening times with the officials in Dubrovnik.
2025 Opening times of Dubrovnik City Walls:
- 09:00 – 15:00 (January 01 – March 31)
- 08:00 – 18:30 (April 01 – April 30)
- 08:00 – 19:00 (May 01 – May 31)
- 08:00 – 19:30 (June 01 – August 05)
- 08:00 – 19:00 (August 06 – August 31)
- 08:00 – 18:30 (September 01 – September 14)
- 08:00 – 18:00 (September 15 – September 30)
- 08:00 – 17:30 (October 01 – October 14)
- 08:00 – 17:00 * (October 15 – October 31)
- 09:00 – 15:00 (November 01 – December 31)
* On October 26th, as Croatia transitions to winter time, the City Walls’ closing time will change from 5 PM to 4 PM for the remaining days of the month.
City Walls Entrances in Dubrovnik
The City Walls of Dubrovnik have three entrances: the main entrance at Pile Gate, the entrance at the Chapel of St. Luke near Ploče Gate, and the one at St. John’s Fortress.
However, 90% of Dubrovnik visitors choose the main Pile Gate entrance because it’s the most convenient and offers the best views immediately. The main Pile Gate entrance is also our preferred entrance to the City Walls.
We always recommend entering at the Pile Gate entrance unless the queue is incredibly long. In that case, it’s better to use one of the two other entrances, preferably the one at the Chapel of St. Luke, since it’s the least crowded one.
Best time to visit Dubrovnik City Walls
To have the best experience, the early morning is the best time to visit Dubrovnik City Walls, with the second best time being the late afternoon. This way, you can avoid the most crowded parts of the day and the mid-day heat.
Tours arrive at Dubrovnik City Walls around 10 AM, so if you enter right at the opening, you have some time to walk the walls before that.
On our last visit, when we entered right at opening time, we had about 1 hour before it got crowded.
However, if you plan your visit in the late afternoon (in summer), you get the unique chance to see the Old Town glowing in the golden light before sunset.
TRAVEL TIP
Check the cruise ship schedule and plan your visit for a day when no cruise ships are in port. Click here to find the latest info on cruise ship arrivals in Dubrovnik.
Best Dubrovnik City Walls Tours
Since there is no written information along the walls, a guided tour is essentially the only way to learn more about the history and importance of the City Walls.
Many guided tours visit City Walls, but we recommend this early morning tour for the best experience with knowledgeable guides.
You can also book combo tours, which, in addition to City Walls, also visit other important places in Old Town. This top-rated combo tour is an excellent choice for that.
Practical City Walls Travel Tips
Walking directions and checkpoints
Please note that you must walk the City Walls counterclockwise. There are checkpoints at some points, and you can’t return once you pass them. This prevents congestion, as some parts of the City Walls are too narrow to support people traveling both ways.
Please also be careful not to exit the City Walls too early, as your ticket allows only one entry.
What to wear
We recommend wearing comfortable shoes as the full lap around the City Walls is 2 kilometers and includes some stairs.
Pack a hat and some sunscreen to protect yourself from the sun, as there is little to no shade, and bring at least one bottle of water per person. There are places to buy water along the walls, though.
Cafes along City Walls
Along the City Walls, there are four cafes where you can buy snacks, drinks, ice cream, and, of course, water. These are also some of the rare spots that offer shade.
City Walls cafes:
- Caffe on the Wall at Fort St. Peter
- Caffe at Fort St. Stephen
- Caffe Bar Salvatore at Tower of St. Saviour
- Bar at Minčeta
City Walls Toilets
You will be happy to know that there are toilets along the City Walls in Dubrovnik.
One of the free Walls Toilets are located at the Tower of St. Saviour, next to Caffe Bar Salvatore.
Photography tips
To avoid harsh shadows, visit during the softer light of early morning or late afternoon. Utilize the city walls as leading lines in your composition, framing the Adriatic Sea or the red roofs of the Old Town.
For more inspiration, check out our photos of each part of the City Walls and our Best Photo Spots in Dubrovnik article.
Frequently Asked Questions
The official site for buying Dubrovnik City Walls tickets is citywallsdubrovnik.hr. Do not buy tickets elsewhere.
The Dubrovnik Republic, then known as Ragusa, was a strong maritime power with a strategic position, and the walls successfully protected the city.
Entry to Dubrovnik City Walls is paid and costs 40 EUR for adults and 15 EUR for children (under 18) in the summer.
Yes, the discounted winter price for City Walls in Dubrovnik (November to the end of February) is just 15 EUR for adults and 5 EUR for children under 18.
On average, it takes 1 to 2 hours to walk the City Walls in Dubrovnik. If you’re short on time, 45 minutes is possible, but if you’re not rushing, it’s likely to be 2 hours.
The best time to walk the City Walls in Dubrovnik is the early morning, right after opening, as it’s the least crowded. However, in the late afternoon, when most tours leave, is also a good time.
Dubrovnik’s City Walls are unfortunately not wheelchair accessible, as there are many stairs on different parts of the walls. To see Dubrovnik from above as a wheelchair user, consider getting the cable car to Mount Srđ. It offers fantastic views.
The famous walk of shame in the Game of Thrones series was not filmed on the Dubrovnik Walls. Instead, the Old Town part within the walls was used, like the Jesuit Stairs and St. Dominic Street. Read our Game of Thrones Filming Locations article to learn more.
We always recommend Pile Gate as the best entrance to City Walls, as you get amazing views right away, and finish off with Minčeta Tower at the highest point of the walls.
The walls are not that high, and all the parts you walk have at least waist-high walls on each side, so there’s no immediate risk of falling anywhere, which helps immensely if you’re afraid of heights. So yes, walking the City Walls is no issue, even if you’re afraid of heights.
The last entry to City Walls is at the same time as the closing time. If, for example, the closing time is 6 p.m. on the day of your visit, you can visit until 6 p.m. However, we recommend entering at least 10 minutes before the closing time in case of a line.
Yes, absolutely. Arijana once visited the City Walls in Dubrovnik around New Year’s Eve, and it was still an okay time. Yes, it’s colder, but at least there are fewer people. Imagine walking the city walls almost by yourself!
Choosing the Dubrovnik Pass instead of the City Walls ticket is the best way to get some other attractions included at the same price. Plus, you get additional perks like free public transport and restaurant discounts. Click here to read all about it.
Final thoughts
Even with the steep price, we loved visiting the Dubrovnik City Walls. It’s a place like no other, and we managed to get some of the best views of Dubrovnik there.
Our personal favorite part of Dubrovnik Walls was the Western Outer Wall, a superb addition that was almost empty even at the busiest times of the day. We especially loved walking inside and on top of Fort Bokar, as only then could we see how well these fortifications were built.
So, overall, we think visiting the City Walls is absolutely worth it!
Inside the Walls – Exploring Dubrovnik’s Old Town
Once you’re done with the City Walls, which should be the first thing on your Dubrovnik itinerary, you should walk the streets of the Old Town, which you just observed from above, to find famous attractions like Rector’s Palace, many great museums, as well as the picturesque Franciscan Monastery.
And if you’re a Game of Thrones fan, read our Game of Thrones Filming Locations in Dubrovnik article to find them all.
Continue reading
- Dubrovnik Travel Guide (things to do)
- One Day Dubrovnik Itinerary (24 hours trip)
- Free Things To Do in Dubrovnik
- Travel to Dubrovnik on a Budget
- Guide to Dubrovnik Old Town
- Best Beaches in Dubrovnik
- Best Tours and Activities in Dubrovnik
- Dubrovnik Pass Review (must-have for saving money)
- Where to stay in Dubrovnik (best areas & hotels)
- Best Dubrovnik Bars & Beach Clubs
