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There are three main areas where you will spend most of your time in Dubrovnik. All of the major historical sites lie in Stari Grad (Old Town) within the city walls, a compact, car-free area. Lapad is located on a peninsula about 4 km (2½ miles) west of the Old Town; it is a family-friendly neighborhood with the city's most accessible beach. Gruž Harbor is about 3½ km (2 miles) from the Old Town, and it's where you'll find the main bus and ferry stations, as well as a bustling morning market popular with locals.
When planning your days, keep in mind that the Old Town can get very busy in the morning and early afternoon when the cruise ships are in town. If you're an early bird, take a walk around the city and the walls first thing in the morning before the crowds arrive, then spend the afternoon relaxing at the beach or taking a boat trip to Lokrum Island. Alternatively, you can spend the morning and afternoon at the beach, and head into the city once the cruise ship crowds return to their ships, usually around sunset. Enjoy dinner in Old Town or take the cable car to the top of Mt. Sr? for incredible sunset views.
Shocking and impressive, this modern gallery run by New Zealand photojournalist Wade Goddard, who drove from London to Croatia in 1992 to document the war and never left, devotes two floors to war photojournalism. The permanent exhibition showcases photos and video from former Yugoslavia, while recent exhibitions have been dedicated to conflicts in Ukraine, Myanmar, and Vietnam. It's a sobering, illuminating, and extremely worthwhile gallery.
