Shopping in Dubrovnik

Our Dubrovnik Shopping Guide below tells you all about the great shopping to be had in Dubrovnik, as well as some recommended shopping places. Make sure you take a break from shopping in Dubrovnik, and relax and enjoy a delicious local meal at one of the great Dubrovnik restaurants. You should also check out our Croatia Shopping Guide for more shopping ideas throughout the country.

Dubrovnik Shopping Guide

The old city is the place to shop, though most shops cater to the tourist trade, with prices to match. Shops are usually open from around 9 am to 10pm but opening times vary and are limited during the off season (the winter months). The daily market on Gunduliceva Poljana mainly sells fresh fruit and vegetables, but handmade lace and other unique keepsakes such as gold and silver jewellery, homemade honey and wooden handicrafts can sometimes be found here.

Konavle Embroidery

The main decorative embroidery found on the breast and sleeves of female clothing is Konavle Embroidery. It was originally embroidered with silk thread that came from silk moths that were carefully reared in each Konavle home. The threads were painted in natural colours. Red, dark green or black motifs were given emphasis; these were divided by white borders and highlighted with golden-yellow fringes.

Dubrovnik Specialties - Interesting and Tasty Souvenirs

Interesting mementos you can take home with you are the local specialities of broštulani (sugared almonds) and arancini (candied orange rind) -the tastes and scents of Dubrovnik will be carried home with you.

Verižice - Konavle Earrings

"Verižice" or gold earrings are the customary pieces of jewellery worn by Konavle women. The earrings are circular in shape and decorated with either coral, real gems, small metal particles, enamel or different blends of these materials. Queen Rania, the famous Queen of Jordan was very fond of this kind of jewellery. These earrings stopped being just a component part of Konavle folk costume a long time ago.

Handmade Replicas of Dubrovnik Historical Parchment

These are copies of original Dubrovnik historical landscapes (dating from the 15th century to the late 18th) which are printed on paper. The paper is later worked on by hand to make it look like a historical leather parchment. Since these are authentic maps of the place they are great reminders of the past of the famous Republic of Dubrovnik and make excellent gifts for history and cartography lovers.

Handmade Konavle Folk Costumes

The exquisiteness, style and aesthetics of the Konavle folk costumes, especially those worn by women, personify the centuries of living folk culture. They are possibly the most beautiful symbols of Croatian tradition that are available in present times. These costumes, which are made of 100 per cent linen, are designed according to ethnological sources but are also shaped to match the needs of today.

Handmade Leather Products

Superior quality calf and pig leather is used for handmade leather diaries, book marks, leather tubes, leather bags and chests. Silver or gold embellishments are applied on the leather surface - the motifs used are taken from Konavle embroidery or the Croatian wattle. These are both practical and ideal souvenirs to take back.

There are several local craftsmen who specialise in domestic crafts. Handmade linens, tablecloths and napkins are standard purchases. The Croatian national souvenir is croata (necktie) which originates from Croatia; at least one good shop has pieces ranging from approximately US $60 to $450 each. Another nice gift is little dolls dressed in local costumes. These dolls are local specialities.