Start your tour at the Pile Gate, the main western entrance to Dubrovnik’s Old Town built in the 15th century with a stone bridge crossing the former moat and leading directly into the historic walled area.
From this gate, pass through to the Stradun, the long limestone-paved main street that runs east for about 300 metres through the centre of the Old Town with shops, cafes and baroque buildings on either side.
Continue along the Stradun to the Luža Square at the eastern end where the Clock Tower stands with its bell figures and the Sponza Palace nearby dating from the 16th century in Gothic-Renaissance style.
Turn to the Church of St Blaise opposite the palace, a baroque church from the 18th century dedicated to the city’s patron saint with a domed interior.
Proceed to the Rector’s Palace on the south side of the square, a Gothic structure from the 15th century that served as the seat of government in the Republic of Ragusa with an atrium and museum inside.
From the square, head west back along the Stradun or take side streets to reach the Franciscan Monastery near the western end with its 14th-century cloister and one of the oldest pharmacies in Europe established in 1317.
The route remains within the compact Old Town enclosed by the medieval walls and covers about one and a half kilometres in total with a duration of around one hour at a moderate pace.
End at the Large Onofrio’s Fountain just inside the Pile Gate, a circular stone fountain constructed in 1438 to supply water to residents and pilgrims with carved masks around its rim.
