Things to do in Dubrovnik & the South Coast

Walk the 1,940 m ring of the Dubrovnik City Walls, with sixteen towers and three fortresses, then come down to Stradun, the 298 m main street of the old town, with the Great Onofrio Fountain and its 16 carved masks at one end and Orlando's Column near the other. Along the way are the Gothic-Renaissance Rector's Palace, now a museum that hosts summer evening concerts by the Dubrovnik Symphony Orchestra, and the Franciscan Monastery, whose pharmacy, founded in 1317, is one of the oldest still working in the world. Fort Lovrijenac, the 'Gibraltar of Dubrovnik', stands on a 37 m sea cliff at Pile, the Dubrovnik Cable Car climbs Mount Srđ for views of up to 60 km on a clear day, and a 10-minute boat ride reaches Lokrum Island, with its botanical garden, medieval monastery, peacocks and 'Dead Sea' swimming spot, while Gruž Market sells the morning catch straight from the boats. Day trips lead to the island lakes of Mljet National Park, the 5.5 km Walls of Ston on the Pelješac peninsula and Korčula Old Town, whose herringbone lanes surround a cathedral with an altar painting by Tintoretto; in Advent, the winter festival brings Stradun LIVE, a children's programme and a carousel at Pile.

Good to knowA City Walls ticket allows one entry with no re-entry, so bring water and go early in the morning or late in the afternoon when it is cooler and quieter. The Dubrovnik Cable Car runs seasonally and is closed from December to March, the Lokrum ticket includes the return ferry from the Luža office (water shoes help on the slippery rocks), and Mljet's one-day tickets are cheaper after 4 pm. The Walls of Ston are open every day except Christmas Day, and Rector's Palace entry is included in the Dubrovnik Pass.