Family-Friendly Adventures in Dubrovnik!

Dubrovnik Cruise Port

Why Visit?

Welcome to the enchanting city of Dubrovnik, a mesmerizing destination full of history, culture, and stunning vistas! Here’s a family-friendly itinerary to help you make the most of your visit from the Dubrovnik Cruise Port.

Morning: Start your day with a stroll along the famous Stradun, Dubrovnik"s main thoroughfare. Just a 20-minute walk or a quick taxi ride from the cruise port will get you to this lively street. Grab a pastry from a local bakery and absorb the bustling atmosphere.

Visit the City Walls: Next, head to the ancient city walls that date back to the 10th century. The entrance is near the Pile Gate. Walking along these historic ramparts allows for breathtaking views of the Adriatic Sea and the old city. It"s a moderate climb, but entirely doable with kids, taking about 1-2 hours to complete the entire loop.

Lunch Break: Enjoy a leisurely lunch at one of the family-friendly restaurants in the Old Town. Many offer traditional Croatian dishes like ‘Ćevapi’ – small grilled meat sausages – which are a hit with the kids.

Afternoon - Maritime Museum: After lunch, head to the Maritime Museum, located at Fort St. John"s, a short walk east from the main city harbor. Learn about Dubrovnik’s impressive naval history. Kids will love the ship models and maritime artifacts.

Cable Car Ride: Cap your day with a ride on the Dubrovnik Cable Car. The base station is a 15-minute walk from the Old Town. The cable car whisks you up Mount Srđ in just 4 minutes, offering spectacular panoramic views of the city and the Dalmatian Coast.

Evening: Return to the Old Town for dinner. Choose a seaside restaurant to enjoy the sunset while dining. Don’t miss trying Gelato from one of Dubrovnik"s famed gelaterias before heading back to the cruise port.

Enjoy your family adventure in Dubrovank, where history and beauty meet at every corner!

Family-Friendly Tips: Check for specific amenities and accessibility features relevant to family-friendly travelers.

Museum of Croatian War of Independence (Homeland War Museum)

Why Visit?

For families planning an insightful and educational visit to the Museum of Croatian War of Independence, located in the beautiful city of Dubrovnik, here"s an engaging itinerary to maximize your experience.

Morning Arrival

Start your day by arriving early at the Museum, ideally by 9 AM to avoid the larger crowds that gather later. The museum is accessible by public transport; take bus number 8 from Gruž harbour, which drops you directly outside the museum. If driving, there is parking available onsite.

Exploring the Museum

Dedicate the morning to exploring the museum’s rich collections. The Museum of Croatian War of Independence is housed in the Fort Imperial on Mount Srđ, which itself is a historic site dating back to the Napoleonic Wars. Engage with the exhibits that detail the struggle during the early 1990s, focusing on the siege of Dubrovnik and the resilience of its people. The displays include multimedia presentations, authentic artifacts, and poignant photographs.

Lunch Break

Around noon, head to the museum’s café. It offers light meals and snacks with a panoramic view of Dubrovnik - a perfect place to reflect on the morning’s learnings and enjoy the scenic beauty.

Interactive Afternoon

After lunch, participate in a scheduled family-friendly workshop (check the museum’s event calendar for timings and registration). These workshops are designed to help children understand the historical significance through engaging activities like storytelling sessions or guided scavenger hunts within the museum.

Evening Stroll and Departure

Wrap up your visit by taking a stroll around the Mount Srđ area before heading back. The mountaintop offers stunning views of the Adriatic Sea and the Old City, providing a peaceful end to an educational day.

Additional Tips

- Check the museum’s website for any special family discounts or tickets.

- Wear comfortable shoes as there’s a bit of walking involved, especially if you explore Mount Srđ.

This itinerary ensures a memorable and enriching experience for the whole family at the Museum of Croatian War of Independence. Enjoy your visit!

Family-Friendly Tips: Check for specific amenities and accessibility features relevant to family-friendly travelers.

Franciscan Church and Monastery

Why Visit?

Family-Friendly Itinerary to Franciscan Church and Monastery

Morning: Visit Franciscan Church and Monastery

- Starting Point: Begin your day with a leisurely breakfast at a nearby café. If you"re using public transport, many cities with Franciscan sites offer bus or tram services that will drop you close to the monastery. For those driving, look for designated parking areas.

- Touring the Franciscan Church and Monastery: Arrive at the Franciscan Church and Monastery by 9 AM to enjoy a quieter experience. Most of these complexes boast stunning architecture with roots in the Middle Ages, making them a captivating sight. Start with the church, where you can admire intricate frescoes and serene altars. Many Franciscan churches are known for their peaceful ambiance and beautiful choir music.

- Interesting Fact: The Franciscan Order was founded by St. Francis of Assisi in 1209 and is renowned for its commitment to simplicity and helping the poor.

Midday: Interactive Workshops

- Craft or Herb Gardening Workshop: Check if the monastery offers family-friendly workshops, which are quite common. These could range from manuscript making to herb gardening, linking back to the Franciscans" historical use of medicinal plants.

- Lunch: Enjoy a picnic on the monastery grounds or dine at the monastery’s café if available, where you might find dishes prepared with ingredients from their garden.

Afternoon: Explore the Monastery Gardens and Library

- Monastery Gardens: Post lunch, take a stroll through the monastery’s gardens. These gardens are not only a feast for the eyes but also serve an educational purpose with plants labeled for visitors.

- Library Visit: Conclude your visit by exploring the monastery library which often houses ancient manuscripts and texts. It’s a great way to dive deeper into the Franciscan history and teachings.

Departure

- Wrap up the day: Around 3 PM, begin to wind down your visit, perhaps stopping at the monastery gift shop where you can buy handcrafted souvenirs made by the monks.

This engaging and educational itinerary offers a memorable experience for the whole family, enriching your knowledge of Franciscan history while enjoying serene and beautiful surroundings.

Family-Friendly Tips: Check for specific amenities and accessibility features relevant to family-friendly travelers.

Church of St. Blaise (Crkva Sv. Vlaha)

Why Visit?

A visit to the Church of St. Blaise in Dubrovnik, Croatia, makes for a delightful day out for families exploring the rich history and stunning architecture of this ancient city. The church, dedicated to St. Blaise (Sv. Vlaho), the city"s patron saint, is centrally located at Luža Square in the heart of Dubrovnik’s Old Town, making it easily accessible on foot from any part of the historic center.

Morning: Visit to Church of St. Blaise

Start your day with a morning visit to the Church of St. Blaise, constructed in the 18th century in baroque style by Venetian architect Marino Gropelli on the site of a former Romanesque church. The church is famed for its richly detailed façade and a stunning statue of St. Blaise, holding a model of the city as it looked before the devastating earthquake of 1667. Inside, you can admire the beautifully decorated altars and the stained-glass windows that cast colorful patterns across the church interior. Don"t miss the relics of St. Blaise, especially his head, preserved in a beautifully adorned reliquary.

Lunch Break: Local Cuisine

After exploring the church, head to one of the nearby restaurants in the Old Town for a taste of local Croatian cuisine. Consider trying some seafood dishes, like grilled fish or squid, a staple in Dubrovnik’s diet.

Afternoon: City Walls and Old Town Exploration

Post-lunch, take a leisurely walk to the entrance of Dubrovnik"s city walls near Pile Gate. The walls offer panoramic views of the Adriatic Sea and the old city. Walking along the walls, you’ll see Fort Lovrijenac, often used as a filming location for popular TV series. The walk can take about 2 hours, so be sure to wear comfortable shoes.

Evening: Leisure at Stradun

Wrap up your day with a stroll down Stradun, Dubrovnik’s vibrant main street. Enjoy the lively atmosphere, browse through local shops, and perhaps enjoy some gelato as you soak in the ambience of this historic city.

This family-friendly itinerary ensures a memorable exploration of Dubrovnik’s cultural treasures, centered around the magnificent Church of St. Blaise.

Family-Friendly Tips: Check for specific amenities and accessibility features relevant to family-friendly travelers.

Onofrio"s Fountain

Why Visit?

Welcome to a delightful family day centered around the historic Onofrio"s Fountain, located in the heart of Dubrovnik, Croatia. This splendid attraction, not only offers a glimpse into medieval engineering but also serves as a perfect starting point for exploring the city"s rich history.

Morning: Visit Onofrio"s Fountain

Start your day at Onofrio"s Fountain, situated near the Pile Gate entrance of Dubrovnik’s Old Town. This 15th-century structure, designed by the Neapolitan architect Onofrio della Cava, provided fresh water to the town via an aqueduct system from a spring located 12 km away. The fountain’s unique circular design and detailed carvings make it a picturesque spot for family photos. Teach the kids about medieval technologies and how this fountain was a vital part of Dubrovnik’s public health system.

Midday: Explore the Rector’s Palace and Dubrovnik City Walls

A short walk from the fountain, visit the Rector"s Palace, a museum that showcases Dubrovnik"s cultural heritage and political history. Kids will enjoy seeing the old coats of arms and the knight"s armor. Later, grab some lunch at one of the nearby cafés offering delicious Croatian dishes.

Afternoon: Walk the City Walls

Post-lunch, head to the entrance of the Dubrovnik City Walls, which are just a stone"s throw away from the fountain. The 2 km walk around the ancient fortifications offers panoramic views of the Adriatic Sea and the old city. It’s a great way for the kids to burn off some energy and learn about the city"s defenses against historic sieges.

Evening: Relax at Banje Beach

Conclude your day with a relaxing sunset at Banje Beach, a short walk from the Old Town. It"s a lovely place for kids to play in the sand and for adults to unwind with a view of Lokrum Island.

This itinerary blends educational experiences with fun, ensuring a memorable day for the entire family in Dubrovnik.

Family-Friendly Tips: Check for specific amenities and accessibility features relevant to family-friendly travelers.