Dubrovnik, Croatia
Dubrovnik is a UNESCO world-heritage site, and an amazing sight to see.
The first thing you’ll want to understand is the difference between Dubrovnik Old Town and Dubrovnik Lapad, as this has confused many a tourists that we’ve talked to, with some unfortunately, and shockingly completely missing the Old Town, thinking the Lapad area of Dubrovnik was what everyone raves about. It’s crucial to distinguish between two main areas known as “Dubrovnik”:
Dubrovnik Old Town: This is the iconic walled city, reminiscent of scenes from "Game of Thrones." When searching, refer to it as “Old Town” on maps. (photo on right)
Dubrovnik (Lapad/Gruž): This area is more commercial, frequented by locals for everyday activities. Tourists might visit here for practical needs such as groceries or replacement clothing from lost luggage. However, keep in mind that most tourist-oriented shopping is concentrated in the Old Town and the city doesn't feature high-end luxury brands like Prada or Gucci, but rather local boutiques and shops. Lapad can be extremely busy and congested with traffic. It’s not typically where tourists imagine when they book tickets to Dubrovnik.
The good news is that if you take a water taxi from Cavtat to Dubrovnik, you'll be dropped off right near the entrance of Dubrovnik's Old Town, ensuring a smooth arrival. However, if you're traveling by car or bus, it's easy to see how some tourists might accidentally end up outside the Old Town.
Pictured below: Lapad (left) and Dubrovnik Old Town (right)
Old Town Entrances
There are three main gates to enter the Old Town, which will likely be central to your visit, and you can use these as a reference point when looking at accommodations in the old town, and how long it would take to walk to the old town:
East Gate (Ploče Gate): Ul. Vrata od Ploča, 20000, Dubrovnik, Croatia
West Gate (Pile Gate): Dubrovačke Gradske Zidine, 20000, Grad, Dubrovnik, Croatia
North Gate (Buza Gate): Ul. Iza Grada, 20000, Dubrovnik, Croatia
If you're taking a water taxi from Cavtat to Dubrovnik, the boat will drop you off in the port of the Old City, meaning you'll practically arrive inside the Old City itself. Although there are some great restaurants and attractions outside Dubrovnik's ancient walls, most tourists spend their time within the Old City and won't need to exit through the Pile, Buža, or Ploče gates.
That said, if you're catching a bus or getting a car/taxi, you'll need to leave the Old Town through one of these gates. Use them as convenient reference points for pickup:
Pile Gate: Located on the western side, it's the main entrance to the Old City.
Buža Gate: The northern exit, ideal if you're planning to ride the cable car.
Ploče Gate: The eastern gate, leading toward the harbor.
