Buried in the greenery and vibrant colors of Bougainvillea, Croatia’s main jewel, the resort port city of Dubrovnik, lies on the shores of the azure Adriatic Sea. Surrounded by the medieval defensive walls, under massive stone fortresses’ gaze, the city preserves a rich heritage of the past: from ancient churches and temples to luxurious palaces and museums.

It is better to start exploring this ancient city with its oldest attraction, the picturesque Old Port. It is almost the same age as the city. Like many centuries ago, the “pulse of the city” still beats here: previously, its harbor welcomed giant merchant ships, today—Snow White liners and small fishing boats. An important trading center of the city has become its cultural heart, a popular walking place for locals and tourists. People come here to hide from the bright southern sun, breathe in the fresh salty sea air and enjoy the beautiful view of Dubrovnik’s Old Town. The air is saturated with aromas of traditional fish dishes of the national Croatian cuisine, like crispy squid, fresh catfish, and langoustines, dance music plays everywhere, and lovers walk with arms around each other.

The Old Port is a place where time seems to stand still. No one is in a hurry, and people enjoy every minute, every moment of a wonderful life. In the middle of the old harbor, an ancient pier was built in the Middle Ages to protect Dubrovnik from invaders, gusty winds, and storms. Today, there are city benches, where you can sit with a cup of coffee and enjoy the sunrises and sunsets while watching the young generation dive into the water at the foot of the stone walls, the former defensive fortifications. Besides, the road from the Old Port leads to the Old Town, the historical center of Dubrovnik with the majestic Cathedral of the Assumption, the colorful old Stradun Street, and many narrow stone stairways that went down in history thanks to the popular TV series “Game of Thrones