Navigating the Streets of Dubrovnik
Driving around Dubrovnik can be difficult for first time visitors. The roads are narrow and there are many 1-way streets. GPS is unreliable because many streets are not listed. Google maps certainly help, but many of the “streets” near the Old Town are actually staircases that are restricted to pedestrian access. The following are just a few tips to help you navigate the streets:
– When arriving by car from the main road (either from the direction of Split or from the airport) take the exit that says “Dubrovnik” and follow signs for “Grad”, which is Croatian for city (the Old Town in this case).
– On the way to the Old Town you will see a large “Parking” sign. This is the public parking garage. It is the best place to park when leaving your car overnight or for more than a couple of hours. For more information on the garage, please see the article: Parking Near Dubrovnik’s Old Town.
– If driving to the Pile Gate then pass the parking garage and take a right at the fork in the road; you will see the city walls directly in front of you after you take the right. – To reach the Ploce gate continue on straight instead of taking the right at the fork in the road. There are 2 main roads on which you can drive: Petra Kresimira IV (“the upper road”) and Frana Supila (“the lower road”). Traffic only goes in one direction so to reach the Ploce Gate entrance to Old Town you must follow the upper road to the end and then make a sharp right turn onto the lower road to return to the Old Town.
– Most other streets in this area are pedestrian-only staircases where many private apartments are located.
– To reach the streets high up on the hill in Ploce such as Ante Topica Mimare and Put Od Bosanke, take a sharp left at the intersection on Petra Kresimira IV, just past Biker’s Café.
– The Old Town itself is pedestrian-only so if arriving by car it is best to stop at the Pile, Ploce, or Buza Gate (depending on where your accommodation is) to unload your luggage and then one member of your group can take the car to the public parking garage (which is about 10 – 15 minutes walking distance away).
– There are also metered parking spots located around the Old Town, but these are best for short-term parking of just 2 or 3 hours.