Dubrovnik is one of the best cities to visit along the Dalmatian coast, attracting huge numbers of visitors every year to the city. It is also a city that is very photogenic and below you will find my 15 top locations around the city that are perfect for Instagram and Photography.
Before I start I will just explain a little about what the city is like. The main attraction in Dubrovnik is the Old Town which is surrounded by a huge wall, ramparts, bastions and towers. Within the Old Town are also tons of restaurants, apartments, shops and churches. The architecture is old but well maintained and throughout the centre is a beautiful stone pavement.
Ready to learn some of the best locations for photos? Here are 15 of the best and must-visit Instagram and photography spots in Dubrovnik.
Here are some top activities that you may like.
1. Ul. od Puča
Starting along one of the most beautiful streets “Ul. od Puča, Croatia” in the lower part of the town, where you’ll find several long streets such as below. What I love about these streets is the lanterns sticking out with the names of the shops on them. These streets can get very busy during the day and in peak season, so I recommend coming early to get the best pictures.
Best time for pics: Morning
Cost: Free
Location on Google Maps
2. Along the north walls of Old Town – Peline Ulica
Head along the base of the north walls and then look down the alleys towards the centre of Old Town. This view is especially nice to photography at night when the colours from the street lights bounce off the old stone walls.
Best time for pics: Evening
Cost: Free
Location on Google Maps
3. Stradun from the City Walls
One of the highlights of visiting Dubrovnik is to head up the city walls, Where you’ll get awesome views in all directions around the city. When you first go up the walls from the west entrance you’ll be able to get a view such as below. I took this using an ND filter and long exposure so as to slightly blur the movement of the people.
Best time for pics: Day
Cost: Ticketed
Location on Google Maps
4. View from Minčeta Tower
On the top northwest part of the City Walls is the Minčeta Tower. Here you will get one of the highest views over the Old Town and in other directions. This is also a good spot to get pictures with Lokrum Island in the background.
Best time for pics: Day
Cost: Ticketed
Location on Google Maps
5. City Walls – Southwest Corner
Towards the southwest section of the walls you’ll get a view toward the Lovrijenac Fortress. Sometimes there are quite heavy waves, which when taken with a long exposure may create an awesome effect. I didn’t have good waves during my visit but have seen other peoples pictures where the waves have been much better.
Best time for pics: Day
Cost: Ticketed
Location on Google Maps
6. Lovrijenac Fortress
The Lovrijenac Fortress has been a filming location for the tv show “Game of Thrones” and is now a popular tourist attraction. If you are visiting the City Walls the ticket you get will also include this fortress. From the top you get high views over the city and even toward the entrance of the fortress you get some good perspectives such as below.
Best time for pics: Anytime
Cost: Ticketed for entry or stand near the entrance for free
Location on Google Maps
7. Ul. Bruna Bušića
Along the northeast streets outside of the Old Town you will be able to get some high perspectives. The best place I found was along “Ul. Bruna Bušića” and there were several openings allowing me to get some great pictures of the city. Also, consider using a tripod and long exposure to capture high-quality night photos.
Best time for pics: Sunset-night
Cost: Free
Location on Google Maps
8. Banje Beach
There are several beaches around the city with one of the most famous being Banje Beach. Here you can get beach shots with the Old Town in the background. While here you could take pictures from a low perspective such as near the rocks by the water, or you could take some pictures from the upper paths like below.
Best time for pics: Day
Cost: Free
Location on Google Maps
9. Pile Gate
At the west entrance to the Old Town is the Pile Gate. When taking pictures here consider using a human element.
Best time for pics: Morning
Cost: Free
Location on Google Maps
10. Ulica uz Jezuite
Towards the south side of the street “Ulica uz Jezuite” you’ll find some steps that lead up towards the Saint Ignatius Church. From the top of the steps you’ll get a good view over the street below and it’s a good spot to come at night or during the day.
Best time for pics: Evening
Cost: Free
Location on Google Maps
11. Porporela (lighthouse)
Near Dubrovnik, Old Port is small lighthouse and benches. Around here is a great place to relax and watch boats going in and out of the harbour and you may also see people swimming in the water. It makes for a nice spot for pictures towards the Old Town Port, houses on the hills, or out towards the sea.
Best time for pics: Day
Cost: Free
Location on Google Maps
12. Around the Old Town Port
This spot is quite nice for Instagram and photography and you could come here both at night or during the day. You may also get some sunset pictures from this spot as the sun sets behind the Old Town.
Best time for pics: Evening
Cost: Free
Location on Google Maps
13. Up the Cable Car
This isn’t a vantage point that I made it to, but is definitely one of the best. You take a Cable Car up the mountain to the north of the city and then will get some of the highest perspectives of the city and towards the Adriatic Sea. The picture below is from depositphotos rather than one I managed to take.
Best time for pics: Day
Cost: Ticketed
Location on Google Maps
14. Šulić beach
Near the entrance to Lovrijenac Fortress you can get some high views over Šulić beach. I think this cove almost seems hidden and shows a different perspective of the city.
Best time for pics: Day
Cost: Free
Location on Google Maps
15. Along Jadranska Cesta (Highway 8)
The image below was taken from the bus that I was on from Dubrovnik airport. If you are driving you should be able to find safe spots to stop along this road to get perspectives such as below. I expect these would also be good spots for sunset as the sun sets behind the city from this angle. If you are getting the bus and want to capture a similar photo, then sit on the left side of the bus going from the airport to the city, and on the right side when going towards the airport.
Best time for pics: Anytime
Cost: Free
Location on Google Maps
Photography Tips for Dubrovnik
- Take pictures around the city at night. For tips head to Photography Tips – Cities at Night.
- Explore the Old Town during the early morning when there are fewer people and it’s easier to get photographs.
- Use a Circular Polarizer
to enhance the blues and greens from the trees, sky and water. - When Capturing Streets use human elements to make images more interesting.
- Make or use travel photography presets to add a consistent look, to enhance your photographs, or to create cool effects.
to enhance the blues and greens from the trees, sky and water.Head to my page Travel Photography for lots more tips and techniques.
Summary
Dubrovnik is a great place to visit, both for photographs as well as to relax and enjoy the sun along the Adriatic sea. Throughout the city, and in particular the old town, you’ll find countless restaurants serving delicious seafood dishes along with a fantastic atmosphere. See our Quick Guide to Visiting Dubrovnik to help plan your trip.
You may also want to see some of our other Instagram and Photography Guides.
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Image credits
Photos via Canva, Dreamstime, depositphotos.com or other providers. Read more about where we source images.
