What to Buy

Handicrafts

Dubrovnik is well known for its embroidery. The best comes from Konavle, the hilly countryside between Dubrovnik and Cavtat where women decorated their headdresses, aprons and skirts with geometrical patterns of red, black and green. The same patterns are now embroidered on table linen and scarves.

Local Products

From olive oil, wine, rakija, and lavender, to jellies, preserves and dried fruit, Dubrovnik locals know just what to do with the region's bounty. The products are first-rate and because Dubrovnik is Dubrovnik, the packaging is also attractive.

Fashion

As elsewhere in Croatia, many locals schedule shopping trips to Italy to stock up on the latest Italian fashions but there are some local designers opening boutiques in the Old Town. Prices are high but some items are unique and highly original.

Where to Shop

Markets

Shopping in a local market is the best way to get acquainted with the locals. The best market for buying interesting souvenirs is the morning market at Gunduliceva Square, in the centre of the Old Town (7am-1pm Mon-Sat). To pick up groceries and see what the locals are buying, head to the morning market at Gruz.

Shopping Malls

Lapad Shopping Center in Lapad is a modern shopping complex with the usual international chain stores. It's a good place to pick up essential supplies.

Boutiques

For English-language books, there's Algoritam on Stradun. Vinoteka Dubrovnik is a wine shop with an excellent selection and conveniently located in Dubrovnik's Clock Tower.

For the best in local spirits, handicrafts, olive oils, embroidered linen and the like, try Dubrovačka Kuća near the Dominican Monastery.

Fashionistas will want to check out the Croatian Designers Room (Od Puća 11) smack in the Old Town for the latest looks from, well, Croatian designers. High-end designer clothing is for sale at Maria Boutique at Ploce Gate. Tighter budgets are catered for in her new outpost in the Old Town, Outlet Maria (Cvijete Zuzorić 3). And then there's Ronchi (Lučarica 2) a hat shop that has become an institution in the Old Town, in business since 1858.

Souvenirs? The best are at Lega Lega (Dropćeva 3) in the Old Town. They're imaginatively designed by local creators.