Brilliant things to do in Dubrovnik's Old Town

One of the most popular tourist activities in Dubrovnik is strolling around the city's fortifications. It also should be the first, as it allows newcomers to get their bearings, gain an appreciation of the scale of this intricate city and see the skill it was built with. The City Walls are a panoramic promenade and history lesson all in one. Find their main entrance and ticket office right by the Pile gate. Once you've scaled the steps to the walls, take in the views at your own pace. 

On the location of the Dubrovnik Cathedral we know today, once stood a church allegedly funded by shipwrecked Richard the Lionheart in recognition of local hospitality in the 1190s. This original church was lost to the 1667 earthquake, and in its place was built a beautiful baroque structure. Inside, find a treasury which houses a collection of holy relics. It is said to contain the arm, skull and lower leg of patron St. Blaise, a piece of Jesus Christ's clothing, and wood from the Holy Cross.

This attractive, former 16th-century customs house and mint currently houses the city's extensive state archives including photocopies of treasured historical documents. A small room opposite the ticket office holds the Memorial Room of the Dubrovnik Defenders who perished in the Croatian War of Independence. Covering 12 months from October 1991, the exhibition contains portraits of the 300 defenders and civilians who passed away, as well as a tattered remnant of the Croatian flag that flew atop Mount Srđ. 

The Rector's palace is a must-see Dubrovnik attraction. On its ground floor, flanking the inner courtyard, are a Ragusan-era prison, multiple courtrooms and a glittering display of medieval church art. Upstairs, where each Rector resided for his month's stint, find interesting decor: sedan chairs, carriages, magistrates' robes and wigs, portraits of local nobles and a beautifully carved bookcase. With your Rector's palace ticket, you can also explore the Archeological Collection, a small but attractive collection of medieval carvings.

Located between the Sponza palace and the Ploče gate, this monastery is best known for its late Gothic cloisters and artworks. Standing out are masterpieces by 16th and 17th-century Croatian painter Nikola Božidarević, including his 'Our Lady with the Saints'. On the walls of the monastery church are a beautiful wooden crucifix by Venetian painter Paolo Veneziano from 1358 and renowned Cavtat-born artist Vlaho Bukovac's 'The Miracle of St. Dominic'.

Take a day trip from the Old Town to Copacabana beach, one of the best in Dubrovnik. Copacabana is perfect for those looking to sunbathe and swim in style. The onsite restaurant offers breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus cocktails - delivery to your sunlounger included. Copacabana's beach bars offer some of Croatia's best wines, which you can sip while enjoying a seaside massage. This family friendly beach also offers paddle boarding, watersports and inflatables. 

A fantastic place to pick up your beach picnic contents is Gundulićeva Poljana Market, a popular open-air marketplace located on Gundulić square in the heart of the Old Town. Its main stars are fresh, locally grown fruits and veggies, but you'll also find many other delicacies: nuts, olive oil, lavender, honey, traditional spirits and more. Don't miss the statue of Ivan Gundulić overlooking the square. A three-minute walk north of the market, continue your shopping in style at chic boutique Maria store.

Visitors to Dubrovnik make a beeline for the 18th-century Chuch of St. Blaise, with good reason - this baroque masterpiece is one of the city's most attractive sights. Its namesake is the patron saint of Dubrovnik, which gives an idea of how important it is to the city. Special events often take place just outside its doors in the elegant surrrounding square called Luža.  

One of the oldest pharmacies (possibly even the oldest) in Europe is, quite remarkably, still a working shop. It sits inside the complex of the Franciscan monastery where beautiful cloisters lead you to the Old Pharmacy Museum by way of a pretty courtyard. In the museum, you'll find historic grinders and implements used during the Ragusan era.

Marin Držić is remembered as one of the greatest Renaissance-era Croatian playrights. This theatrical museum dedicated to him was set up in the 1990s. It presents the life and works of Marin Držić through a series of models and mock-ups. Non-Croatian-speaking visitors can experience the museum with the help of an audio guide.