Dubrovnik’s City Walls are a continuous stone fortification that wraps around the Old Town for about 1,940 meters (just under 2 km). At points the walls are up to 25 meters tall, with landward sections 4–6 m thick and seaward sections 1.5–3 m—a testament to centuries of smart engineering. Walking the ramparts gives you open views over terracotta roofs, the Adriatic, Lokrum Island, and the forts that guarded the city.
Top Tickets & Tours
City Walls Ticket (includes Fort Lovrijenac): best if your focus is the ramparts and the sea-cliff fortress. Buy at official DPDS/City Walls ticket windows or the official webshop. Validity typically lets you visit each included site once within a defined window.
Dubrovnik Pass (1/3/7 days): includes City Walls, multiple museums/galleries, and city buses for the pass duration—great value if you want more than the walls. Buy online or at city sales points.
Guided Walls Walk: time-efficient commentary and pacing on the ramparts; ideal if you prefer expert interpretation.
Game of Thrones highlights: guides point out filming angles on the walls and nearby forts; great add-on for fans.
Tickets & Passes Explained
What includes what
- City Walls + Lovrijenac appears as a single option on the official DPDS webshop—your wall ticket covers one entry to the Walls and one entry to Fort Lovrijenac within the validity window. Prices vary by season; check live rates when you buy.
- Dubrovnik Pass includes free entrance to the City Walls, museums/galleries, and public transport for 1, 3, or 7 days. If you’ll visit a couple of museums or use buses, the pass often beats a standalone walls ticket.
Where to buy
- Official webshop (DPDS) for e-tickets, or on-site at wall entrances. The pass is sold on the Dubrovnik Pass site and at tourist information points.
Validity & fine print
- City Walls tickets are single-use per site (no re-entry after exit). Online wall tickets are final sales (no cancellations or refunds).
Opening Hours & Seasonal Schedule
The walls operate year-round and are closed on December 25 only. Hours change with daylight and season; in summer they typically open around 08:00 and close in the late afternoon/early evening, while winter hours are shorter (often 09:00–15:00). Always check the day’s schedule before you go.
Entrances & Starting Points
You can start your loop at three places:
- Pile Gate area (west): the most popular start, near Onofrio’s Fountain and St Saviour. Expect the most stairs right away.
- Ploče Gate side (east, near Dominican/St Luke): handy if you’re coming from the cable car/Old Port side; the initial approach here feels a bit gentler for many visitors.
- Maritime Museum/St John’s Fortress (Old Port, southeast): good if you’re already by the harbor or doing museums first.
Route Options & Direction
Movement on the ramparts is one-way—you’ll be directed counterclockwise from any entrance. You can exit early at the next gate if needed, but exiting ends your visit (no re-entry on the same ticket). Plan toilet and water stops accordingly.
Re-entry & Exit Rules
Staff will scan your ticket at the entrance (and sometimes at interior checkpoints). The DPDS code of conduct states: “The ticket is valid for one tour and re-entry is not possible.” Once you exit, the scan is consumed for that site. If you hold the Dubrovnik Pass, the same single-entry rule applies to the Walls.
How Much Time to Budget
- Express lap: 60–75 minutes if you keep moving and stop only a couple of times.
- Standard visit: 90–120 minutes with regular photo stops and a quick refreshment break.
- Photo-heavy/enthusiasts: 2–3 hours, including time on towers like Minčeta.
- Family pace with kids/grandparents: ~2 hours, with shade/water breaks and occasional sit-downs.
These estimates match the average range commonly reported by visitors and official tips.
Best Time to Visit
Go at opening or late afternoon to avoid heat and crowds. On heavy cruise days, lines build by mid-morning; either be at the gate before opening or postpone until late afternoon. Light is softer early/late, and rooftops glow near golden hour—great for photos. Winter has fewer crowds but shorter hours.
Accessibility & Step Count
The walkway includes many stair runs, narrow sections, and uneven stone. Wheelchair and stroller access is not feasible on the ramparts; bring a carrier for infants. If stairs are a concern, consider ground-level Old Town routes or views from Mount Srđ via the cable car instead. Handrails appear at the steeper spots, but go slowly, especially after rain when stone is slick. (General access guidance based on official and local resources.)
What You’ll See Along the Walls
- Minčeta Tower (NW): the highest point—superb rooftop views and a look at the inland defenses.
- Fort Bokar (SW): seaward curves with classic shots toward Fort Lovrijenac across Pile Bay.
- St John’s/Maritime Museum (SE): harbor scenes, boats, and Lokrum in the distance.
- Revelin (NE, by Ploče): a massive bastion anchoring the eastern approach.
Along the way you’ll notice cannon embrasures, bastions, turrets, and the changing wall thickness land-side vs sea-side—details that show how the city defended different threats.
Viewpoints & Photography Tips
Best rooftop grids: Minčeta and the north wall above Stradun.
Sea-facing drama: between Bokar and the SW stretches for blue-on-stone panoramas.
Old Port frames: the SE corner by St John’s for boats and Lokrum backdrops.
Tips: carry a lens cloth (salt spray), use a polarizer to cut glare, and secure straps on windy days. Aim for golden hour or early morning to avoid harsh shadows.
Safety & Practical Tips
Wear grippy footwear; polished limestone can be slick. In summer heat, bring at least 0.5–1 L of water per person, re-top at fountains after your loop. Keep kids close on narrow sections and avoid leaning over parapets. On windy days, hold hats and keep cameras strapped.
Facilities on or Near the Walls
There are public restrooms near the gates and a few toilets along the walls; still, plan to go before you start to avoid rushing your loop. Small cafés and kiosks appear on sections of the ramparts, but prices can be higher than inside town. Refill bottles at Onofrio’s Fountain and other public fountains—tap water is safe in Dubrovnik. Shade is limited; towers offer brief respite.
Rules & Visitor Etiquette
Follow the DPDS code of conduct: keep tickets handy for checks; no re-entry once you exit; do not climb, lean, or sit on edges; supervise children; and respect other visitors. Commercial filming/photography requires prior approval. Drone flights over the Old Town are forbidden for safety and heritage protection and may result in fines—don’t launch from or over the ramparts.
City Walls + Fort Lovrijenac Combo
Your walls ticket includes Fort Lovrijenac. Many travelers do Walls at opening, then Fort Lovrijenac late afternoon when the light is warm and the climb is shaded. On crowded cruise mornings, flip it: start with Lovrijenac, then do the Walls after 16:30. Check your ticket’s validity window and remember one entry per site.
Suggested Combos & Nearby Attractions
Add a ground-level Old Town loop before or after the walls for churches, cloisters, and fountains. Ride the cable car to Mount Srđ for a wide panorama that complements rooftop views. If the day is hot, catch the Lokrum ferry from the Old Port for shaded walks and swims, then return for an evening stroll.
Guided Tours & Experiences
Walls-focused tours keep you on pace, point out defensive features, and find quieter photo stops. GOT-angle walks string together wall viewpoints with Fort Bokar/Fort Lovrijenac exteriors. Some evening tours align your route with sunset from the seaward stretches—great light, cooler air.
Map: Entrances, Towers & Best Viewpoints
Orientation cheat-sheet you can follow on your phone:
- Starts: Pile (west), Ploče (east), Maritime Museum/St John’s (Old Port).
- Loop direction: counterclockwise only.
- Key towers: Minčeta (NW, highest) → Bokar (SW, seaward) → St John’s/Maritime (SE, harbor) → Revelin (NE, Ploče).
- Good photo stops: north wall above Stradun, Bokar curve to Lovrijenac, SE corner to Old Port/Lokrum.
