In Dubrovnik - the only city on the Adriatic Sea that could compete with Venice - having a well-organized and protected port was utterly important. Built in the 14th century, the Dubrovnik port was defended by Fort St. John, which was connected with chains to another point to prevent the entrance of enemy ships. The fort is still located in its old position and nowadays tourists can visit the aquarium and museum located within it.

In the 17th century, an earthquake of impressive power shook Dubrovnik and several buildings crumbled to pieces, including the old cathedral. The council of the city decided to have the cathedral rebuilt and for this purpose several famous architects of that time – especially Italians – were hired. Aside from the reliquaries important mainly for Christian visitors, the cathedral includes an impressive collection of paintings.

Built out of the city walls, this stunning fortress characterized by an unusual triangular layout boosts external walls as wide as 12 meters. The fort is usually used as theater during the summer.

Located on the Adriatic Sea, Dubrovnik is a well-known destination for its beaches and the quality of the sea, considered high for European standards. Most of the beaches have public access, with the exception of a few belonging to classy hotel.

Trsteno – a village located 20 minutes by car from Dubrovnik – is famous for housing a peaceful 600 years-old arboretum, which survived the Croatian war and more recently a severe fire. Relax among the vegetation and admire two 500 years old Oriental Planes.

Separated from Dubrovnik through a channel, Mljet is a gorgeous island reachable by ferry or catamaran. Most of the island is covered with vegetation; its westernmost tip is in fact a well-established national park that encompasses two salt lakes.

The city walls of Dubrovnik are considered one of the best medieval defenses in the whole world; famous for never being breached by enemies, the walls are still intact nowadays and have been inscribed under the UNESCO list in 1979.

The island of Lokum is located only 15 minutes from Dubrovnik by ferry, thus it can be considered a must-see attraction for everyone, included those who spend just a few days in the city. The island is uninhabited and houses a natural park; make sure to check out the abandoned Benedictine monastery, a castle in ruins, cozy beaches and a salt lake, whose high salinity level makes swimming easier for beginners.

Mount Srdj is well-connected to Dubrovnik via cable car but can also be accessed on foot for those who enjoy hiking. A museum and a fortress are located atop of the mount, from which visitors can enjoy beautiful views over the walled town.

The Stradun is the main street of the Old Town of Dubrovnik and it is characterized by historical buildings from the 17th century (previous buildings were mostly destroyed during the 1667 earthquake, as mentioned above). This typical layout was adopted to prevent further damage by possible disasters (other earthquakes or fires).