Be sure to have a look in the cathedral treasury – it contains over 180 relics from as far back as the 11th century.
You might find it hard to believe, but Dubrovnik Cathedral has a strong connection to medieval English history. When the great English king Richard the Lionheart was returning from the Crusades in 1192, his ship was caught in a severe storm and was wrecked off the island of Lokrum. Many of those on board drowned, but Richard himself was fortunate enough to survive. As a religious man returning from a holy war, he took this to be an act of divine intervention and decided to build a cathedral in nearby Dubrovnik as an offering of thanks.
Ancient Importance
For many years, Dubrovinik Cathedral was thought to be the first church built on the location, but during a series of renovations in 1981 experts were stunned to discover foundations of a previous cathedral dating from over 500 years before Richard, in the 7th century, thus demonstrating the longstanding importance of the city. Either way, the Lionheart’s cathedral was destroyed, along with most of Dubrovnik, in the great earthquake of 1667. A number of renowned Italian architects were commissioned to design a replacement, completed in 1713, and aside from a stray shell during the 1992 Siege of Dubrovnik, the building has remained untouched ever since.
Exquisite Iconography
Among the features of the new design were a set of large thermal windows on the upper level, which give the spacious nave a bright, open feel. Don’t miss the superb Altar of St. John of Nepomuk, carved from purple marble, or the large polyptych on the main altar, painted by the great Venetian artist Titian, of The Assumption of Mary.
The medieval Old Town of Dubrovnik is a UNESCO-protected and remarkably well-preserved area, featuring distinctive limestone streets lined with beautiful buildings that tell the stories of centuries past. From the city’s foundation in the 7th Century to its illustrious era as a city-state and major maritime trading hub known as the Ragusa Republic. Our private 3-hour history and heritage tour peels back the layers of Dubrovnik, revealing its most intriguing tales through a carefully curated selection of key landmarks.
On this private 3-hour tour, you will:
For those who want a deeper introduction to Dubrovnik, this immersive three-hour private tour offers a comprehensive look into the city's incredible history and its architectural masterpieces. Led by a knowledgeable local expert guide, the itinerary is designed for those seeking meaningful context behind the beauty of Dubrovnik’s Old Town.
The tour begins at the monumental Pile Gate, where stone walls and drawbridges hint at the military might that kept this small republic fiercely independent for centuries. From there, you will step into a city that seems untouched by time. You’ll take a moment to check out Onofrio’s Fountain, and learn about the man who gave it his name, a renowned architect who brought engineering ingenuity from Naples to serve the needs of a growing maritime power in the 15th Century. Your guide will then lead you through the peaceful cloisters of the Franciscan Monastery complex, home to a library of rare manuscripts, a Romanesque church, and one of the oldest continuously operating pharmacies in Europe, established in the early 14th century. More than a religious site, you’ll discover how the monastery is a living link to Dubrovnik’s humanitarian and intellectual roots.
As you stroll along Stradun, the gleaming central boulevard, your guide will explain the different stages of Dubrovnik’s development, from its early Slavic origins and Byzantine ties to its peak as the Republic of Ragusa, a sophisticated city-state whose diplomatic finesse and maritime trading networks rivalled those of Venice. You’ll soon find yourself in Luža Square, a major gathering place for centuries, framed by the harmonious facades of the Sponza Palace and the stately City Bell Tower. While many pass these landmarks with a glance, your guide will reveal Sponza's former lives as a customs house, mint, and now the city archives, as well as the specially built statues installed within the Bell Tower, which have become beloved local emblems.
You will also have the chance to visit the Rector’s Palace, once the seat of power for elected leaders of the Republic. You’ll walk through chambers that blend Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque styles, reflecting the city’s architectural evolution. Your guide can regale you with stories of justice, diplomacy, and scandal, all played out within these elegant walls. After leaving the palace, you’ll spend some time in the magnificent Dubrovnik Cathedral. Built on the ruins of earlier churches and adorned with precious relics, you’ll see how it can be seen as an enduring symbol of the city’s resilience, rebuilt in Baroque style after the devastating 1667 earthquake.
Your tour concludes in Gundulić Square, a charming enclave that hosts a daily morning market, named after Ragusa’s most renowned poet. Before bidding goodbye to your guide, you’ll get plenty of recommendations on where to eat, what to explore next, and how to make the most of your time in this extraordinary city. Thoughtfully paced and rich with historical insight, this experience is ideal for travellers eager to move beyond the postcard views and understand what truly made Dubrovnik one of the great cultural capitals of the Mediterranean.
Explore the beautifully historic Old Town of Dubrovnik, the Pearl of the Adriatic, with its golden architecture glowing in the sunshine, and enjoy a stroll around the city walls, built in the 16th century, stretching for two kilometres offering magnificent views of the shimmering sea and terracotta rooftops.
On your private tour, you will:
Your tour begins at Stradun, Dubrovnik's famous city square, boasting many beautiful old buildings, including the Rector’s Palace, a 14th-century Baroque masterpiece, which served not only as a residence but also as an armoury, powder magazine, watch house, and prison.
You will also have the pleasure of visiting Onofrio's Fountain, where you will be able to admire the magnificent Sponza Palace. From here you will head onwards to the Franciscan Monastery and Old Pharmacy - the third oldest in the world!
After walking across the main square you will come across the Baroque Cathedral of the Assumption, rebuilt in the 18th century following an earthquake, and now a popular venue for weddings and celebrations. Other highlights, not to be missed, include Dubrovnik Cathedral and the Church of St. Blaise.
Here you will learn all about the fascinating legend of Richard the Lionheart who, returning from the Crusades in 1192, was shipwrecked in a storm, and cast aground on Lokrum Island in front of Dubrovnik. When Richard tried to convince the leaders of Dubrovnik to build a church on the island, Richard was instead persuaded to build the cathedral in Dubrovnik proper.
You will also hear about the infamous medieval orphanage, communal granaries, and the scandals of the chequered lives of the local aristocrats.
After touring the idyllic Old Town, you will traverse the beautiful City Walls, a 2km stone wall that has protected the city for centuries, tickets included. During your walk along the city walls, you will be able to take in the panoramic views of the city below – as your guide points out landmarks of interest, including the locations where Game of Thrones was filmed!
End your tour on the walls, or at a bar back in the Old Town the choice is yours.
Please note: This tour includes tickets to access the city walls which are also valid for entering Fort Lovrijenac (St. Lawrence Fortress) which you are free to explore at your own leisure within 3 days of your tour.
Known as the "Pearl of the Adriatic," Dubrovnik is one of Croatia’s most beautiful and historic cities. Its spectacular coastal setting, combined with its well-preserved medieval Old Town, never fails to captivate visitors. Embarking on a private tour led by a local expert guide is a wonderful way to get a crash course in Dubrovnik’s history and culture, navigating the cobbled streets with ease and getting a feel for what makes the city special.
On your 2-hour private walking tour, you will:
Delve into the stories of Dubrovnik’s Old Town on a private walking tour designed for curious travellers eager to uncover the city's rich past and vibrant present. Your journey begins at the imposing Pile Gate, the historic western entrance that has welcomed visitors into the walled city since the 15th century. From there, you’ll step onto centuries-old limestone streets and immediately feel the atmosphere of a place where time seems to stand still.
Your guide will lead you to Onofrio's Fountain, a masterpiece of medieval engineering that once supplied the entire city with fresh water, before pausing outside the serene Franciscan Monastery. Here, nestled behind cloistered arcades, lies one of Europe’s oldest still-functioning pharmacies, dating back to 1317. As you continue along the gorgeous, gleaming stretch of Stradun, Dubrovnik’s most famous street, your guide will regale you with stories of merchants, nobles, and commoners who once crossed the same polished stones.
Once you make your way through Luža Square, the symbolic heart of the city, you’ll be surrounded by a cluster of architectural gems. You will admire the stately Sponza Palace and learn how this elegant building transitioned over the centuries from a customs house to a mint, and now, a city archive. You’ll take a moment to gaze up at the nearby City Bell Tower, where the beloved bronze “Green Men” still strike the bell each hour as they have for hundreds of years. Outside the Rector’s Palace, you'll hear about the powerful leaders who ruled the Republic of Ragusa, a thriving and independent maritime state located in present-day Dubrovnik that once rivalled Venice in influence and wealth. A short walk away, you can take in the grandeur of Dubrovnik Cathedral, where your guide can reveal its turbulent history and point out some of the intriguing Baroque details in the facade.
Your tour will conclude amid the lively and colourful Gundulić Square Market, where locals shop for seasonal fruits, herbs, olive oil, and lavender. It’s the perfect place to soak in the daily rhythm of Dubrovnik life, pick up some unique souvenirs, ask your guide for tailored recommendations, and plan how to spend the rest of your stay, whether it’s walking the mighty city walls, exploring hidden coves, or sampling seafood at a tucked-away konoba.
This rich introduction to Dubrovnik is ideal for first-time visitors looking to make the most of their time while gaining a deeper appreciation for one of Europe’s most enchanting coastal cities.
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