Dubrovnik Old Town Walk: Monastery Pharmacy & Local Tastings

Summary

Old Town tales, monastery secrets, and local flavors in Dubrovnik

You’ll wander Dubrovnik’s Old Town with a local guide who knows every shortcut and secret corner. Taste arancini and olive oil in Gundulic Square, step into a centuries-old pharmacy at the Franciscan Monastery, and hear stories that bring the city-state’s history to life. Expect laughter, surprises, and moments you’ll want to remember long after you leave.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Dubrovnik Old Town highlights

• Meet at Orlando's Column
• Learn about St. Blaise
• Walk along Stradun street
• Visit Franciscan Monastery pharmacy
• See centuries-old graffiti
• Discover Dubrovnik social system
• Explore Gundulic Square market
• Visit Dubrovnik Cathedral
• Tour Rector's Palace
• See Sponza Palace treasury
• Learn at Dominican Monastery
• Walk Revelin Fortress walls

Top questions

How long does the Dubrovnik Old Town tour last?

The tour is approximately 90 minutes long.

Is there food included on this Dubrovnik highlights tour?

Yes, you’ll taste local products like olive oil and arancini during the tour.

Are there any hidden spots visited on this tour?

You’ll visit one of the oldest pharmacies in the world inside the Franciscan Monastery and see centuries-old graffiti.

Does this tour include entry to major sites?

The walk includes stops at places like Rector’s Palace and Sponza Palace from outside; entry fees are not specified.

Is this Dubrovnik walking tour suitable for kids or strollers?

Yes, infants and small children can join in a pram or stroller.

Will we have a certified local guide?

Your guide is licensed with experience leading over 500 tours in Dubrovnik.

Where does the tour start?

The meeting point is at Orlando’s Column in Dubrovnik Old Town.

Are service animals allowed on this tour?

Yes, service animals are welcome on this walking tour.

What’s included

Your day includes guidance from a certified local expert who has led hundreds of tours through Dubrovnik’s Old Town. You’ll enjoy tastings of traditional products like arancini (candied orange peel) and locally produced olive oil as you explore iconic sites such as Stradun, Rector's Palace, Sponza Palace, Franciscan Monastery (with its historic pharmacy), Dominican Monastery, Revelin Fortress, Church of St. Blaise, plus lively Gundulic Square—all within an easy-paced walk starting from Orlando's Column.

What’s the experience like?

I nearly tripped over a cat right at Orlando’s Column — it darted between my feet as our guide, Ana, waved us in with that “let’s go!” energy. Dubrovnik Old Town was already humming at 9am, laundry flapping from windows above Stradun and the smell of coffee drifting out. I’d seen photos but somehow the stones felt more worn underfoot than I expected. Ana started off with a story about St. Blaise that had everyone grinning (I’m still not sure if she made up the bit about his hat).

We ducked into the Franciscan Monastery and it got quiet all of a sudden — cool air, incense, and this old pharmacy tucked behind arches. The jars looked ancient enough to crumble if you breathed on them. Ana let us peek at some centuries-old graffiti scratched into the stone by bored monks or maybe someone waiting for medicine? She had answers for everything, but not in that rehearsed way — more like she actually cared about these weird little details.

Gundulic Square was full of chatter and fruit stalls. Someone handed me a piece of candied orange peel (arancini) and I swear I tasted the sun in it — sweet, sharp, sticky fingers after. We tried olive oil too; Ana said her uncle grows olives nearby so maybe she was biased but honestly it was good. The Rector’s Palace loomed over us next and I remember thinking how strange it must’ve been to run an entire republic from inside those walls. The whole day trip around Dubrovnik Old Town felt less like checking off sights and more like wandering through someone else’s memories.