Onofrio's Great Fountain is the first sight your eyes are drawn when you enter the Old Town via Pile Gate. This fountain was constructed in 1438 to bring water from the River Dubrovacka, located some 12 km away. It was designed by architect Onofrio Giordano della Cava.
The domed fountain was originally decorated with many sculptures but they were lost in the 1667 earthquake. Nowadays there are 16 carved heads through which water flows into a drainage pool.
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Onofrio's Great Fountain - view from the city walls
Onofrio's Small Fountain is situated next to the Bell TowerToday this fountain is a popular meeting point for locals and tourists. The fountain water is safe for drinking, so it is an ideal spot to fill up your bottle. If you are walking along the city walls, you will find some good points to photograph this fountain from above.
Onofrio's Small Fountain is located at the end of the Stradun, next to the Bell Tower. It is decorated with dolphins reliefs and carved heads and its function was to supply the market on Luza Square with water.
You could spend weeks in Dubrovnik and find something new to do each day. Here is a list of the most popular activities in the city and surroundings.
✔ Walk the ancient city walls for stunning Adriatic views
✔ Explore the UNESCO-listed Old Town and Stradun street
✔ Take the cable car up Mount Srđ for sunset views
✔ Visit Fort Lovrijenac for Game of Thrones filming locations
✔ Swim or relax on Lokrum Island
✔ Enjoy boat trips along the Dalmatian coast
✔ Old Town – best for history and atmosphere (but expensive)
✔ Ploče – great views and close to Old Town
✔ Lapad – beaches, restaurants, and better value
✔ Babin Kuk – quieter resort-style area with good transport
✔ Gruž – best for ferry access, local vibe, and good transport connections
✔ Old Town is fully pedestrian-only
✔ Local buses connect beaches and outer districts
✔ Boats run to nearby islands like Lokrum
✔ Walking is the best way to explore central areas
✔ Airport buses connect to the city center
✔ Cavtat – quiet coastal town near the airport
✔ Lokrum Island – short boat ride, perfect for swimming
✔ Mljet National Park – forests, lakes, and nature escapes
✔ Ston – famous for walls and oysters
✔ Pelješac Peninsula – wine region and beaches
✔ Mostar (Bosnia & Herzegovina) – historic bridge and old town
✔ Elaphite Islands – island hopping by private boat, speedboat tours, or organised tourist boat excursions (Šipan, Lopud, Koločep)
✔ Visit early morning or late afternoon to avoid crowds
✔ Book city walls tickets in advance during peak season
✔ Bring water and sun protection in summer
✔ Expect higher prices inside the Old Town
✔ Wear comfortable shoes—lots of stairs and stone streets