Private Shore Excursions

Dubrovnik's Old Jewish Quarter: A Private Walking Shore Excursion

About This Activity

Dubrovnik was built on trade, and trade brought the world to its gates. Among those who came and stayed — and who left a permanent mark on the Republic — were the Jewish merchants who arrived from Spain in the 15th century following the Reconquista, and later from other parts of Europe during subsequent periods of persecution. The Republic of Ragusa, pragmatic and commercially minded, offered them a protected space that few cities in the world provided at the time. What they built in the lanes above the Stradun is one of the oldest continuously inhabited Jewish communities in Europe.

This private walking shore excursion begins at the Great Onofrio's Fountain, where fresh water arrives from the springs at Šumet fifteen kilometres away through an aqueduct completed in 1438. From here the Stradun — the great limestone promenade of the old town — leads east. The paving stones are worn to a mirror polish by eight centuries of feet. On either side, the facades of the merchant houses and churches present the city's public face: contained, disciplined, prosperous.

At mid-point, your guide leads you north from the Stradun up a steep lane to Žudioska ulica — the Jewish Street. In the medieval organisation of Dubrovnik, each community had its quarter: the Stradun for the general populace, the area around Gundulićeva Poljana for the market traders, and this narrow lane for the Jewish community. The buildings date from the 16th and 17th centuries. The lane is quiet. It has the feeling of a place that has absorbed a great deal of history and held it without fuss.

At number 3 Žudioska ulica stands the Dubrovnik Synagogue — one of the oldest Sephardic synagogues in the world still in continuous use, and the second oldest in Europe. Its foundation dates to the 15th century, the current structure to a rebuilding in 1652 following an earthquake. The interior, accessed via a narrow staircase, preserves its original Baroque furnishings: red velvet Torah mantles, Rococo silver lamps, wooden galleries. The museum on the ground floor holds one of the few collections of Jewish artefacts in the Balkans — Torah scrolls, documents, textiles — and traces the history of the community through the Ottoman period, the Republic, the Habsburg era, and the survival of Dubrovnik's Jewish families through the Second World War.

Your guide will place the community in context: the Spanish expulsion of 1492, the routes that brought refugees eastward through the Ottoman Empire and across the Adriatic, the specific trade networks — textile, spice, credit — that the Jewish merchants developed within the Republic's commercial structure. Dubrovnik's position as a neutral trading state between the Christian west and the Ottoman east made it a uniquely tolerant environment. The community's contribution to the Republic's prosperity was recognised and formally protected.

The walk continues to the Cathedral of the Assumption, the Rector's Palace, and the Church of Saint Blaise — completing the old town circuit before your guide returns you safely to the port for embarkation.

Gallery

Frequently Asked Questions

Why choose Tendo luxury travel

Tendo luxury travel is a regional expert and leading specialist for holiday planning and provision of complete tourist services in southern Dalmatia, the Dubrovnik area, and wider. Our business is based on quality presentation and complete tourist offers, professional and individual service oriented to client wishes and needs.

We are an active member of UHPA ( ACTA /Association of Croatian Travel Agencies) which guarantee of the service quality and authenticity of products and services. We’re taking special care of our clients during their stay at their destination or use of our services and we are always at your disposal ready to help and share useful and helpful information.

Throughout the past, we had countless satisfied and returning clients which present our success and pride and we hope that you will become one of them in a near future. Our goal is satisfied clients and professional service which goes beyond your expectations!

You can count on our kind and knowledgeable staff to offer you the attention, care, and service necessary to have a trip that is both memorable and trouble-free.

Where can I learn more about your agency?

Our business is based on quality presentation and complete tourist offers, professional and individual service oriented to client wishes and needs. You can read reviews about our agency on our Reviews page or on official our TripAdvisor page.

What do you have in your offer?

We offer private luxury tours and transfers across Croatia and Montenegro — all fully private, no group join-ins.

Private Boat Tours

Day trips by speedboat or yacht to the islands around Dubrovnik, Hvar, Split and more. Swim in hidden coves, visit sea caves, and enjoy the Adriatic at your own pace.

Private cave tours & island excursions
Speedboats (25–40 ft) and sailing yachts (40 ft+)
Snorkelling stops, lunch recommendations, fully flexible itinerary

Private Excursions & Day Tours

Tailor-made day tours by land or sea — just your group, your guide, your schedule.

Cultural tours: Dubrovnik, Split, Korčula, Kotor
National parks: Krka, Mljet
Game of Thrones filming location tours
Wine & food tours in Dalmatia and Montenegro

Yacht & Speedboat Charter

Rent a private vessel with a professional skipper for a full day on the Adriatic. We offer everything from 25 ft speedboats to 50 ft sailing yachts — for 2 to 12 guests.

Private Transfers

By sea: Direct boat transfers between Croatian and Montenegrin ports — Dubrovnik, Hvar, Split, Korčula, Kotor, Budva. Skip the ferry, travel in style.

By car: Private vehicle transfers with a registered driver. Airport pickups, inter-city transfers, Croatia ↔ Montenegro ↔ Italy routes available.

Groups & Corporate Events

We plan complete programmes for groups, incentive trips, and corporate events — from logistics to on-site guides.

Get in touch for a custom quote

How do I pay for a confirmed reservation?

We accept three payment methods: credit/debit card, PayPal, and bank transfer.

Credit / Debit Card (Online)

Pay securely online via our payment gateway. Once your booking is confirmed, our team will send you an email with a secure payment link. All transactions are protected with SSL encryption and 3D Secure (Verified by Visa / MasterCard Secure Code).

PayPal

We accept PayPal payments. Please let us know at the time of booking if you prefer this method and we will send you a PayPal payment request.

Bank Transfer

For international customers, payment by bank transfer is also available.

Bank: Raiffeisenbank Austria d.d. / www.rba.hr Bank address: Petrinjska 59, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia Beneficiary: Tendo d.o.o., Andrije Hebranga 106A, 20000 Dubrovnik, Croatia IBAN: HR2524840081107216972 SWIFT: RZBHHR2X

Notes

Transaction fees are covered by the customer and are included in quoted prices.
After payment, you may be asked to send a confirmation of payment by email.
Payment confirmation or receipt of a signed credit card authorisation form constitutes confirmation of your reservation.

What is the current currency of payment in Croatia?

The euro

As of 01 January 2023, the currency of Croatia is the euro.

What is your cancellation policy?

For all our services mostly you can cancel up to 48-24 hours before the tour check-in. Always In case of client illness, physical condition, accident, or injury prior to service star agency will in good manners offer a full refund.

Do you offer any discounts?

Yes! Contact us to find out more about discounts.

Explore more:

Submit an Inquiry

Interested in Dubrovnik's Old Jewish Quarter: A Private Walking Shore? Share your preferred dates and our team will get back to you within 24 hours.