6 Best Sights in Southern Dalmatia, Croatia

Dubrovnik's city walls define the Old Town and are one of the world's most stunning architectural achievements. A walk along the top is the ultimate Dubrovnik must-do for the magnificent views of the sea outside the walls and the terra-cotta rooftops and gleaming white streets within. Most of the original construction took place during the 13th century, though the walls were further reinforced with towers and bastions over the next 400 years. The walls completely encircle the Old Town as part of a fortification system that also includes the Pile Gate (still the main entrance into the Old Town) and Ploče Gate (the main entrance coming from the east); both have drawbridges that used to be raised each night so no one could come in or out—the keys were given to the Rector. There are also six fortresses, including freestanding Fort Lovrijenac to the west and Minčeta Tower to the north (the highest point in the Old Town). On average, the walls are 80 feet high and 2 km (1¼ miles) long, 10 feet thick on the seaward side, and 20 feet thick on the inland side. The inland walls are thicker because when they were constructed, the largest threat came from the Turks who might attack from that direction. (Ironically they got the direction right, but not the source: it was Napoléon, attacking from the inland fortress atop Mt. Srđ, who finally conquered the Republic.)

The entire circuit takes a couple of hours. Tickets can be purchased at the main entrance inside the Pile or Ploče Gate or at a quieter entrance beside the Maritime Museum. Note that the walk can be strenuous, especially in the heat, and involves many stairs with very little shade, so bring water and sunscreen; there are a couple of shops along the way if you need refreshments. In summer months it gets crowded from around 11 am to 3 pm, so it is best done first thing in the morning or later in the day.

In order to protect the enormously valuable Ston salt pans, in 1333 the Republic of Dubrovnik built a 7-km (4½-mile) fortified wall (purportedly second in length only to the Great Wall of China), effectively controlling land access to the peninsula. The stretch of wall that remains is 5½ km (3½ miles) long, and you can walk atop it from Ston to Mali Ston, which takes about 40 minutes and offers incredible views of the channel and the salt pans. It's a strenuous walk, so good shoes and a moderate level of fitness are recommended.

The only freestanding part of Dubrovnik's fortification system, this impressive tower stands on a 37-meter-high sheer rock overlooking the sea outside the Pile Gate. Construction began sometime in the 11th century; the story goes that the Venetians planned to build a fortress atop the rock from which to conquer Dubrovnik, but the Republic learned of their plans and beat them to it. The seaward walls are 12 meters thick while the walls facing Dubrovnik are only 60 centimeters thick, so that in the event the fortress was captured it could easily be destroyed from within the city walls. Above the entrance a Latin enscription reads: "Non bene pro toto libertas venditur auro"—"Freedom is not sold for all the gold in the world." The fortress makes a particularly memorable venue during the Dubrovnik Summer Festival, when it is the setting for Hamlet, and it is also recognizable to Game of Thrones fans as the Red Keep.

Built in 1317 in Romanesque-Gothic style, this solid-stone Franciscan monastery on the Stradun has a delightful cloistered garden; a 17th-century library that contains more than 20,000 books; a small museum; and its chief claim to fame, a pharmacy that was founded in 1318, making it one of the oldest in Europe. Much of the original church was destroyed in the earthquake of 1667; the striking Pietà, located atop the door on the Stradun and sculpted by local masters Petar and Leonard Andrijic, was one of the only things that survived. In the Treasury, a painting shows what Dubrovnik looked like before the disastrous earthquake. Ivan Gundulić, the Republic's most prominent poet, is buried in the monastery. Watch for locals and tourists jumping up on a small gargoyle's head attached to the outer wall of the monastery along the Stradun. Legend has it that if you can stand on the head facing the wall and take off your shirt without falling down, you will find love. Give it a shot, but it's harder than it looks.

Find this monumental Baroque staircase, Dubrovnik's very own version of the Spanish Steps, at the south side of Gundulićeva Poljana. At the top is the lovely Jesuit Church of St. Ignatius of Loyola, built between 1699 and 1725. This staircase will be particularly familiar to Game of Thrones fans as the steps from Cersei's walk of shame scene.

The original location where all trade goods coming into Dubrovnik went to be taxed, this 16th-century Gothic-Renaissance palace has served as the city's mint, an arsenal, and eventually a place for the Republic's most educated citizens to discuss cultural matters called the Academy of the Learned. It now contains the city's archives, as well as the occasional art exhibit; the shady arcaded interior is a lovely spot to escape the heat and crowds.

Turn left as you enter to find the Memorial Room for the Defenders of Dubrovnik, a heart-wrenching little gallery with photographs of those who died defending the city, along with remnants of the flag that once flew atop Mount Srđ.