Dubrovnik Walks, From Flat to Steep

The Old Town looks compact, but it hides a lot of stairs, and the city’s best views come at a price in effort. Sorting the walks by how hard they are makes it easier to match the day to your legs.

Flat and easy

Stradun. The polished limestone main street runs the length of the Old Town and is the one fully level walk. It is calmest around 06:30 to 07:30, before the delivery vans and tour groups arrive.

Old Port and Porporela. A short, flat stroll past the old shipyard arches and out along the breakwater. It suits any pace and any hour, and the evening light is best.

Lapad promenade. The Šetalište kralja Zvonimira follows the Lapad peninsula beneath pine trees, with cafes and small coves along the way. It is the quiet counterpart to the Old Town and a pleasant place to end a long day.

Moderate: stairs

The Old Town side lanes. Almost every lane off Stradun is a staircase. Wheeled bags are strongly discouraged on the cobbles, so travel light.

The Jesuit Stairs. The baroque staircase from 1738 leads up to the Jesuit church, and it is a popular film location.

The City Walls. The circuit is about 1.94 km, with steep climbs, no shade and drops on the sea side. The ticket costs about €40 in summer, less in winter, covers one circuit with no re-entry and includes Fort Lovrijenac. Start at opening or late in the day, and check hours at the official Walls shop . Children must be supervised.

Harder: the climb

The Srđ trail. A gravel zigzag of about 2 km climbs from the coast road to the summit cross. Stay on the marked path at all times, because unexploded mines remain in parts of the war-affected hinterland. In summer it is hot and exposed. Take water, and carry a torch if there is any chance of coming down in the dark. The cable car is an easy way back down when it is running, though it stops from December to March; see the cable car timetable .

Guided walks

A guided walk is worth paying for when you want context rather than exercise. Game of Thrones routes usually cost €25 to €38 and cover the Jesuit Stairs, Pile Gate, Fort Lovrijenac and Minčeta Tower. Compare Game of Thrones walks and read recent reviews first. Heritage routes cover the Sephardic synagogue on Žudioska street, dating from 1408, and the Franciscan cloister, and a fortifications walk passes Revelin Fortress and the Dominican complex. Licensed local guides are trained through the Dubrovnik Tourist Guides Association, and the Walls FAQ mentions this.

Dress and manners

Walking through the Old Town shirtless or in swimwear brings on-the-spot fines. Pack a light cover-up for the walk back from the rocks, and wear shoes with grip, because polished limestone can be slick. Cruise-ship surges fill Stradun between 10:00 and 16:00, with a cap of two ships and about 5,000 passengers a day, so walk the flat routes early or late.

Verdict

For a first morning, walk Stradun at dawn and then the Walls. Save the Srđ climb for a cool evening, and treat Lapad as the easy day. See the day trips page for walks that need a boat.

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