Dubrovnik Now and Then

Dubrovnik: Now and Then – A 20th-Century History Tour

Escape the typical narratives and discover a different side of Dubrovnik on this unique small-group history tour! Tired of hearing only about Dubrovnik’s medieval past? We'll take you on a journey through the tumultuous 20th century, exploring how the city changed socially, urbanistically, and culturally. Imagine the city walls not as a tourist attraction, but as a closed military complex, or envision a tennis court nestled at their base!

We invite you to escape the conventional tourist experience and explore with us the dramatic transformations Dubrovnik underwent during the 20th century. While many focus on the city’s ancient history, this tour unveils the stories of the past 100 years, a period of significant change and upheaval.

You will see how the main street, Stradun, looked in the 1930s, lined with shops catering to everyday needs. We’ll show you lost monuments and demolished buildings that paved the way for modern Dubrovnik. You’ll hear about communist statues removed in the 1990s and learn about the construction of the road behind the Old Town, designed to modernize traffic. We'll even show you where the so-called "Russian House" once stood.

This unusual walking tour is for history enthusiasts, those interested in urban development, and anyone seeking a deeper understanding of Dubrovnik's recent past. This is a two-hour small-group tour led by a professional licensed tour guide and a local of Dubrovnik who will share with you intriguing facts and stories from this pivotal period.

Be different from other tourists and book this unusual small-group walking tour to discover the hidden stories of 20th-century Dubrovnik. There are only eight spots on this unique tour, so act fast – choose your preferred date on the calendar and book now!

Tour features & benefits:

• 20th-Century Focus: Explore a period of Dubrovnik's history often overlooked by traditional tours.
• Urban Transformation: Witness how the city changed physically and architecturally.
• Social and Cultural Shifts: Understand the social and cultural changes that shaped modern Dubrovnik.
• Rare Historical Images: View a photo album with rare historical images of Dubrovnik in the 20th century.
• Small Group Experience: Enjoy a more intimate and personalized tour with a maximum of eight guests.

Prices, duration, and schedule for 2025:

• 40 Euros per person 
• Departs Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at 4.30pm (April 1 - October 31, 2025)
• The tour takes two hours and is capped at a maximum of eight guests.
• This tour is available on request only, upon availability check. Use the calendar to check the dates and times and make a reservation request.

Important: We require a minimum of two participants for the tour! If you're a solo traveler, our booking system will show availability for one person only if we already have existing reservations. Otherwise, it will display the required minimum. 

How to book:

• Choose your preferred date on the booking calendar. A new window will open.
• Select the number of travelers.
• Choose from the available tour options.
• Choose payment options – you can pay 100% upfront by card, or you can reserve now and pay later in cash or by card before the tour.
• Please keep in mind that the tour is available on request only. When you submit the request, we will either confirm or deny the reservation request, depending on the availability.
• If you choose to pay upfront by card, you will receive a separate email with a secure payment link to complete your booking after we confirm your request.

Once you book, you'll receive a confirmation email with all the details — including where to meet and our contact info. You'll hear from us again two days before the tour when we'll send a little reminder with pre-tour information. Feel free to reply to that email if you have any last-minute questions.