Your enthralling Dubrovnik Old Town Walking Tour begins when you meet your guide at Pile Square, next to the fountain by Dubravka bar restaurant (just outside Pile gate, western entrance to old town).

Founded in the 7th century, Dubrovnik became an important Mediterranean sea power from the 13th century onwards, reaching its peak in the 15th and 16th centuries. At various times it has been under the control of the Byzantine Empire, the Venetian Republic and the Hungarian-Croatian Kingdom, all of which have left their mark on the city.

The finest features of the old city will unfold before your eyes as you follow your guide through the streets. You’ll see the massive stone ramparts for which the city is famous. These spectacular walls, topped with turrets and towers, run almost 2 km (1.24 mi) around the city. They are 4 to 6 meters thick on the landward side but much thinner on the seaward side.

You’ll also see the Town Hall (now the Rector's Palace), dating from the 11th century; the Franciscan Monastery (completed in the 14th century, but now largely Baroque in appearance) with its imposing church; the extensive Dominican Monastery; the Baroque Cathedral, rebuilt after the 1667 earthquake and housing an impressive Treasury; the Renaissance-style customs house (Sponza) and a number of other Baroque churches, such as that of St. Blaise (patron saint of the city).

You’ll venture into a labyrinth of short, narrow stone alleys, visit the marketplace, palaces, towers, monasteries and houses, each of which is over 300 years old.

As you walk around you will not only learn about the historic landmarks but you will also find out about the work being done by UNESCO to restore the parts of the city damaged by the armed conflict in the 1990s.

As well as introducing you to the finest features of Dubrovnik, this tour will give you an opportunity to see the city from above at a spectacular viewpoint.

The tour ends at Pile Gate, close to the starting point.