What to Wear in Dubrovnik
Two things decide what you pack for Dubrovnik: the stone and the rules.
The stone first. Stradun and the lanes around it are paved with limestone polished smooth by centuries of feet. It's slippery even when dry, and treacherous after rain. The side streets are staircases, some with a hundred steps or more, and the walls add several more climbs. Wear trainers or walking sandals with real grip. Leave the leather soles and heels at home, and flip-flops belong on the beach.
Now the rules. Walking around the Old Town in swimwear, or bare-chested, can get you fined under the city's public order rules, and it is enforced. The beaches at Banje and the rocks below the walls are only a few minutes from the gates, so the easy fix is a shirt or a light dress you can pull on over your swimsuit. Churches, including the cathedral and the Franciscan and Dominican monasteries, expect covered shoulders and no very short shorts.
Sun and heat
From June to September the walls are a two-kilometre walk on pale stone with almost no shade. A wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses and high-factor sunscreen aren't optional. Carry water and refill it at the public fountains.
Cooler months
Spring and autumn are warm by day and cool after dark, so layers work. In winter, a windproof jacket matters more than a heavy coat, because the bura wind cuts through wool.
Packing list
- Walking shoes or sandals with a rubber, grippy sole
- Swimwear, plus a shirt or cover-up for walking back through town
- Water shoes for the rocky and pebbly beaches
- A hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
- A refillable water bottle
- A scarf or light layer for churches
- A light jacket for evenings, windproof in winter
- A backpack or bag you can carry, not roll, through the Old Town
On that last point, the city asks visitors to carry wheeled suitcases rather than drag them over the stone. If your room is inside the walls, pack light, or ask your host about porters and luggage drop-off. More on the Old Town rules in our travel guide, and on the walls in our city walls guide.