The Dubrovnik Cable Car

The cable car runs from a station just above the old town to the ridge of Mount Srd at a little over four hundred metres, and the ride takes about four minutes. What you get at the top is the view that appears on every photograph of the city: the walled town below in plan, roofs and harbour and the island of Lokrum offshore, with the coast running away to the north and south. There is a terrace, a path along the ridge and a nineteenth century fort on the summit. You can also walk up the old serpentine path from the city, which takes about an hour with no shade at all.

What you actually see

• The ridge terrace - the viewing platform above the upper station looking straight down onto the old town.
• Lokrum from above - the wooded island offshore, with the whole harbour approach visible.
• The old serpentine path - the zigzag walking route up the hillside, an alternative to the ride in either direction.
• Fort Imperial - the nineteenth century fort on the summit, now housing a museum.

When to go

It runs all year but closes in strong bura wind, sometimes for days in winter. Sunset is the popular slot and queues build from an hour beforehand; morning is far quieter and the light on the old town is better anyway. Buy the ticket online in high season to avoid the queue at the lower station.

Honest expectations

It is expensive for four minutes each way, and the return ticket costs more than many full attractions in the city. Queues on cruise ship afternoons are long in both directions. The upper terrace is small and crowded at sunset. Wind closures are frequent and unannounced. Walking up in summer heat is genuinely punishing and not the cheap alternative it appears.

Nearby

The old town walls are a few minutes below the lower station, and boats to Lokrum leave from the old port.