Things to do — Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik unfolds in three concentric circles: the walled Old Town, the immediate surroundings (Lokrum, Mount Srđ) and the day trips (Elafiti Islands, Mljet, Montenegro, Bosnia).

Walking the city walls is the unmissable experience — 1,940 metres of rampart to walk in 1.5 to 2 hours, in places 25 metres above the ground. The views over the red-tiled roofs, the crystalline Adriatic and the island of Lokrum are among the most iconic in Europe. Ticket: €35 adult. Go at opening (8am) to avoid the heat and crowds. The outer fortifications — Lovrijenac Fortress ("the Gibraltar of Ragusa"), Fort Bokar, Fort St John — complete the defensive tour.

The Old Town can be walked in a few hours. The Stradun (Placa), the marble-polished main artery, links the Pile Gate (west) to the Ploče Gate (east). Along the way: Onofrio's Big Fountain (1438, fed by a 12 km aqueduct), the Church of the Holy Saviour, the Franciscan Monastery (Romanesque cloister, 1317 pharmacy — one of Europe's oldest), the Church of St Blaise (the city's patron saint), the Rector's Palace (Gothic-Renaissance, seat of the Republic's government), the Assumption Cathedral (Baroque, rebuilt after the 1667 earthquake), the Dominican Monastery (sacred art museum with works by Titian and Lorenzo di Credi).

The cable car up Mount Srđ (departing near the Buža Gate, 4-minute ride, €27 return) climbs to 412 metres for an exceptional panoramic view of the Old Town, the port, Lokrum island, the Elafiti Islands and, on a clear day, the Italian coast. At the summit: the Napoleonic Imperial Fort (1810) houses a small museum on the 1991-1995 war, two panoramic restaurants and the chairlift to the Srđ Cross. Aim for late afternoon for the sunset.

Lokrum island (15-minute boat ride, departures every 30 minutes from the Old Port, €27 return) is a 72-hectare nature reserve 600 metres offshore. It holds an 11th-century Benedictine monastery, a botanical garden, rocky beaches (Lokrum is officially a nudist reserve on its southern tip), the "Dead Sea" (a small swimmable salt lake) and an Iron Throne replica for Game of Thrones fans. Plan a half-day.

The Elafiti Islands (Lopud, Šipan, Koločep) are reached by ferry from Gruž port (45 minutes — 1.5 hours). Lopud is the most visited: Šunj sandy beach (one of the few in the region), a restored Franciscan monastery, no cars. Šipan, the largest, offers olive groves, vineyards and perfect calm. Koločep, the closest, is ideal for half a day. Day boat trip (3 islands, lunch included): €50-70 per person.

Longer day trips: Mljet National Park (1.5 hours by ferry from Dubrovnik, inland salt lakes explored by kayak), the Bay of Kotor (Montenegro, 2 hours by bus, UNESCO-walled city), Mostar (Bosnia, 3 hours by bus, iconic Ottoman bridge). Agencies offer all-inclusive day tours for €50-80.