A beginner’s guide to Dubrovnik, Croatia

Pile Gate is one of the two main entrances into Dubrovnik’s Old Town. It gets its name from the nearby pile (or pylon) of the old city walls. The gate was built in 1537 and has since been remodeled several times. Today, it still stands as a beautiful and imposing structure, flanked by two towers and guarded by a statue of Saint Blaise.

Just outside Pile Gate is Dubrovnik’s main square, Placa. This is a great place to start exploring the city, as it is home to many of Dubrovnik’s most important landmarks. To the north of the square is the Franciscan Monastery, which houses one of the oldest pharmacies in Europe. To the south is the Sponza Palace, which now houses the Dubrovnik Archives. And to the east is the imposing Church of Saint Blaise, the patron saint of Dubrovnik.

Pile Gate is also a great place to people watch. From here you can get a good sense of the city’s cosmopolitan atmosphere. You’ll see tourists from all over the world, as well as locals going about their daily business. It’s a great place to soak up the atmosphere of this historic city.

I’ve said this several times in the ports we visited, but for those that think the Mediterranean would be boring for kids, think again. Certainly, you need some well-mannered kids to begin with, but the history and beauty are nothing short of fantastic.

For our kids anyway, it was like looking at a picture book and playing in a giant playground (in the sense of climbing through buildings, walking down playful streets, playing with the local kids, and generally more than enough to suck the extra energy out of them). Not to be confused with the kids you see unattended wreaking havoc and annoying everyone around them.

Shopping

If you’re looking for some great shopping in Dubrovnik, Croatia, you’ll definitely want to check out the Old Town. This historic area is home to a number of shops selling everything from souvenirs to clothing to jewelry.

One of the best places to start your shopping spree is at the Stradun, the main street that runs through the Old Town. This pedestrian-only street is lined with shops of all kinds. We were greeted by a local shopkeeper who was kind enough to let us take his picture and was making handmade goods.

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