The moment you lay eyes on Dubrovnik, you'll be impressed. Dubrovnik was built to be impregnable; it is encircled by high stone walls and ringed by several fortresses, castles, and gatehouses. The ancient walls of the port city have also withstood the test of time. Although there has been a city here for many years, the majority of the current buildings originate from the late 1400s. Since that time, they have suffered from earthquakes, wildfires, besiegements, invasions, and most recently, the effects of the Balkan Wars after Yugoslavia disintegrated in the 1990s.

You can explore many of the gates and towers, including the St. John Fortress and the Lovrijenac Fortress, and walk a significant portion of the length of the walls. There are up to 2,000 meters worth of walls ready to be explored, so be sure to wear sturdy shoes! The earliest parts of the walls can be found beside the harbor in the center of Dubrovnik. Additionally, you'll get some of the nicest views of the Adriatic from here.

You’ll have spotted Mount Srd when you first arrive in Dubrovnik because this tall mountain top is one of the most prominent natural features in the area. Standing some 400 meters (1,640 feet) above sea level, we don’t need to explain that this is where you’re going to find the best views in Dubrovnik. One of the coolest things to do in Dubrovnik is to take a ride on the cable car. In just four minutes, you’ll be whisked from the bottom of Mount Srd right to the top. Enjoy the vistas from the summit as you take in iconic panoramas of those famous red roofs far below.

If it’s not too hot, or if you’re up for a challenge, then there’s also a short but steep hiking route that leads to the summit of Mount Srd. Take plenty of water because it’s a serious uphill slog. You can also take the cable car up and then walk down.

You can’t visit the “Pearl of the Adriatic” without taking a dip in the sea, even if it’s just a quick one! Wild swimming is definitely one of the top Dubrovnik bucket list items, and there are plenty of excellent spots for a refreshing ocean paddle. You’ll see the locals jumping off the cliffs and walls into the harbor. One of the top swimming spots is the stone breakwater known as Porporela, where you can swim right under the city walls. You can also save your sea swim for the beaches, of which Dubrovnik is blessed with many.

You might be wondering how cold it is in the Adriatic. In fact, you’ll be pleased to hear that the Adriatic Sea is quite warm all year round. Temperatures average around 20 degrees Celsius (75 degrees Fahrenheit), and they hit a peak of 25 degrees Celsius (77 degrees Fahrenheit) between July and September.

Don't overlook the beaches while choosing which Dubrovnik sights to see on your upcoming trip. Given the city's stunning architecture, it might be simple to overlook Dubrovnik's natural beauty, especially if you only have a short amount of time to spend there. But schedule a beach day if you can; you'll adore it, Banje Beach, where you may take a sea bath while admiring the harbor, is the nearest beach to the old town. Sveti Jakov Beach, one of the more tranquil pieces of shoreline, is accessible by taking a stroll a little further up the coast.

Some of the best beaches are found on the Lapad and Babin Kuk peninsulas, where you’ll also find Dubrovnik’s best beach hotels and resorts. Besides, there is also Lapad Beach, which is perhaps the most famous, the liveliest, and one of the most fun beaches in the area. Not far behind is Copacabana Beach, where you’ll find plenty of beach bars and resorts.

One of the best choices for creating an exciting program of Dubrovnik sightseeing is a sailing trip of the Elaphiti Islands. The Adriatic Sea, north of the city, is home to the Elaphites, a small but picturesque group of islands. Even while many tour companies provide quickie tours lasting only a few hours for those of you in a rush, you'll need a whole day to truly explore the Elaphiti Islands. The archipelago consists of a total of 14 islands, and trip itineraries differ. There is always the possibility of a personalized sailing tour if there is a particular island you do want to see!

Sipan, the largest island, is home to stunning yet mountainous scenery, historic forts and harbors, and dazzling blue lagoons. You can snorkel in a blue cave on Kolocep Island, where you may also find uninhabited beaches and breathtaking vistas. Spend the day exploring other islands, swimming, snorkeling, and sampling the native cuisine that you come across. There isn't a better way to spend the day in Croatia than this, we promise!

If you’re after something a little more unusual to do when you’re ticking off the top things to see in Dubrovnik, then why not take a tour of the Red History Museum! While many of the attractions in Dubrovnik showcase medieval and renaissance history, the Red History Museum takes you on an informative journey through a more recent era, when Croatia was part of Yugoslavia.

You'll learn everything you would have wanted to know about life in Dubrovnik during the communist dictatorship, which only ended in the 1990s, thanks to some of today's best storytelling. Additionally, you'll learn more about the Homeland War, which Dubrovnik faced as the city and its citizens were subjected to a protracted siege that left behind significant devastation.