To cut to the chase, Dubrovnik city wall's main entrance is right outside of Pile Gate, on Stradun main street. But you should know that there are two other entrances. Using any of these other two will greatly improve your enjoyment and experience walking the walls.
If you are ready to check out the walls, you got your hat on and sunscreen in hand, and you will wonder how to get on top. Where is the Dubrovnik City Walls entrance?
Three City Walls Entrances
Well, you should know that there are three entrances to the walls:
- at Pile Gate, just to the left of the Church of the Holy Savior as you face it
- at the Ploče Gate near St. Luke Fort
- at St. John’s Fortress, home to the Maritime Museum
Here is a map of the Old Town showing the walls and locations of the entrances that you will hopefully find helpful.
Pile Gate Entrance
The first is the main entrance, just outside the Pile Gate. When you arrive at Old Town, you walk through the Pile Gate and down the steps to Stradun (the main town street).
On your left-hand side, you will find the Church of Saint Savior opposite the Large Onofrio’s fountain. And just left of the church is the entrance with a steep climb of stairs going up to the top of the walls.
Ploče Gate Entrance
The easiest way to get to the eastern entrance is if you enter Old Town through the Ploče Gate. Then, you would walk down alongside the massive walls of Fort Revelin to reach a small bridge you need to cross.
You can continue walking down Od Sv. Dominika street with the striking Dominican church on your right. But you need to watch out to your left not to pass the tiny Gothic-style church of St Luke. Next to it is a stone archway you must go through to see the City Walls entrance ticket booth.
St. John Fort Entrance
The City Walls' third entrance is by St. John's Fort. Make your way to the Old Harbor in Old Town. At the end of the harbor, you will see the grandiose Saint John fortress on the right-hand side. The fort is part of the Walls of Dubrovnik and its rich history.
The fort houses the Maritime Museum inside. Walk towards the fort. You can also follow the signs to get to the Maritime Museum. The City Walls entrance is just next to it.
City Walls Entrance Tips
The entrance from the main gate Pile has the most stairs. It is a set of 100 and more steep steps that are a hard start to your walk but doable depending on your fitness level. Read our article on how many steps you can expect while walking the Walls.
Your other option to avoid them is to find other entrances with fewer steps to climb the Walls. But all involve steep stairs for access, and you will encounter even more steep climbs and drops as you go around the City Walls.
Tips: Keep your ticket handy as you have to pass other entrances/exits along the way, where you may have to show them again. The attendants can also check your tickets along the way, so make sure to have them handy.
The wall goes one way (counterclockwise), and follow the direction to avoid being turned back at the checkpoints. You will be turned back for going in the wrong direction.
The price of the tickets is the same at each entrance, and they all allow you to complete the walk. However, avoid accidentally exiting at one of the entrances, as you cannot get back in with the same ticket.
You can buy tickets just to the left of the main Pile gate and Large Onofrio's fountain in Old Town or at the entrances. Check out our tips on buying City Walls tickets.
If you cannot complete the circle around the whole wall, you can do a part of it and exit on other exits halfway. However, you should know there is no discount for only walking a partial way of the wall.
Taking prams, strollers, and buggies are permitted on the walls, but not practical considering the many steps. However, the City Walls staff will happily store them for you a the entrance. Ideally, you would like to take a carrier if you have decided to take your baby with you.
Tips: The entrance by the St.John fort in the harbor is the best place to join if the city is packed. I would use the access by the Maritime museum as it is much quieter. There is usually no queue there at all. This entrance allows you to avoid the crowds from cruise ships that go up to the Pile gate on the other side of Old Town.
Check the cruise ship arrivals schedule to Dubrovnik. Knowing the arrivals plan can help you decide the best time to visit the City Walls. Preferably on a day when no ships are in port. Or go later in the afternoon when visitors from cruise ships leave. Usually, they clear out of Old Town by 3 - 4 pm. You will have a much more enjoyable and memorable time strolling around Old Town and walking the walls without the crowd.
There is no denying that the entrance fee is a bit steep. The tickets may be even higher than for other world monuments of higher renown. However, whenever I talk to people who visited the Dubrovnik City Walls, they agree the price is well worth paying to see this attraction. There is a wonderful view of the entire city right before you.
