We are sitting at Pile Gate, the main entrance to access the Old Town of Dubrovnik. Above the city gates you can see a statue of St. Blaise, the protector of Dubrovnik. The best place to water down, or to cool down is Onofrio's Fountain with its central dome, right at the entrance of the Old Town. There are 16 tabs around the central dome. The water doesn't taste too bad and best of all it's free. If there is only one thing to do in Dubrovnik, it is to walk the city walls. The city fortifications were built between the 8th and the 16th century. The whole walk is almost 2km long, going up steep steps and down steep steps, but it is well worth it! Every self-respecting tourist to Dubrovnik will walk the city walls, so you won't be on your own. And I recommend you do the same walk.
This walk will give you vantage views over the city which is classified as a UNESCO world heritage site and brilliant views over the Adriatic Sea. The walk will set you back 50 kunas, but it is well worth it. You can actually grasp the whole city just by walking around these city walls. The hike can become a bit of an ordeal especially if you go in the searing summer heat around midday. So I recommend you go early in the morning or in late afternoon when the sun is not so strong. Remember on the city walls there is almost no shade and very few watering holes. And if you haven't done enough walking I recommend you hike up Mount Srđ, 412 metres high which will give you even better vantage views of the city and the sea.
It's worth climbing up Mount Srđ. It's a gentle two-hour hike, zig-zagging up here to the top of the fortifications, 412 meters above the Old Town of Dubrovnik. You are rewarded with stunning views of the Old Town and the southern Dalmatian islands. The imperial fort here on the top of Mount Srđ was heavily damaged during the attack of the Serbian army in December 1991. Over 3000 artillery shells rained down on the city of Dubrovnik destroying many houses of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Today this fortress houses an interesting museum about the history of the war from 1991 to 1995 with vivid photos and videos of the destruction at the time.
I am standing in what is considered to be one of the main sights of Dubrovnik, the main street linking the city gates in the east to the gate in the west. Also referred to simply as 'Stradun', la Strada, the Street. And this 'Stradun' is lined with outdoor cafés and lots and lots of tourist shops. But if you really want to have the best experience of Dubrovnik and its restaurants you have to venture into the side streets just off 'Stradun'. At the eastern end of 'Stradun' is the city bell tower. On top you can see the 'zelenci' the green ones, as they are known or also as Maro and Baro. Maro and Baro toll the bell every hour on the hour. If you want to cool down in Dubrovnik, no need to go to the beaches. There is a beach right here at the foot of the old city walls. Come dusk 'Stradun' is absolutely heaving with locals and foreigners alike. This is the place to go.
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