Grapes Festival

About

The Grapes Festival (Marunada) transforms Dubrovnik's historic Old Town into a vibrant celebration of harvest season, where families can experience Croatian wine culture through kid-friendly activities, traditional music, and local cuisine. Children love the festive atmosphere with costumed performers, grape stomping demonstrations, and sweet grape juice tastings that make them feel part of this authentic cultural tradition. It's a wonderful way to introduce kids to Croatian heritage while enjoying the stunning backdrop of Dubrovnik's ancient walls and squares.

What to Expect

Families will find town squares filled with market stalls offering grapes, local produce, and traditional crafts alongside live folk music and dance performances. While wine tasting is central for adults, children can participate in grape stomping, enjoy grape juice samples, watch traditional harvest demonstrations, and taste local sweets and pastries. The atmosphere is lively but family-oriented, with locals in traditional costumes creating a colorful, welcoming environment. Most activities are free and open-air, spread throughout the Old Town's picturesque streets and squares.

Highlights for Kids

• Grape stomping demonstrations where kids can often participate and feel the squishy grapes beneath their feet
• Fresh grape juice tastings and sampling sweet local grapes directly from harvest baskets
• Colorful traditional Croatian costumes and folk dancing performances in the squares
• Traditional pastries and local honey treats at market stalls
• Street musicians and festive atmosphere throughout the UNESCO World Heritage Old Town

Pro Tips for Families

1. Arrive early morning (9-10am) to avoid cruise ship crowds that typically flood the Old Town between 11am-4pm, giving your family more space to enjoy activities
2. Wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes for cobblestone streets and bring a change of clothes if kids will participate in grape stomping activities
3. Purchase a Dubrovnik Card in advance for discounted access to city walls and museums if you're combining the festival with sightseeing
4. Download offline maps of Old Town before visiting as WiFi can be spotty, and bring a refillable water bottle as fountains throughout the Old Town offer free drinking water

Best Time to Visit

Visit early morning (9am-11am) or late afternoon (after 4pm) to avoid peak cruise ship crowds and intense midday heat. The festival typically runs over a weekend, with Saturday offering the most activities and Sunday having a more relaxed, local atmosphere. Evening visits (5-7pm) provide cooler temperatures and beautiful lighting for photos, though some activities may wind down.

Food & Drinks

Market stalls offer kid-friendly options including fresh fruit, traditional pastries (krostule and fritule - similar to small donuts), grilled meats, local cheeses, and honey products. Fresh grape juice is abundant and free at many tasting stations. Surrounding restaurants offer full menus, though they can be pricey in Old Town - consider bringing snacks for young children. Look for local ice cream shops (sladoled) which kids universally enjoy after walking the cobblestones.

Parking & Access

The Old Town is pedestrian-only and strollers face significant challenges on cobblestones and stairs. Park at Ilijina Glavica parking garage or Zagrebačka street lot (both about 15-minute walk to Old Town), or use public buses that stop near Pile Gate. Baby carriers are strongly recommended over strollers. Taxis and Uber can drop off at Pile Gate (western entrance) or Ploče Gate (eastern entrance). Consider staying within Old Town or nearby Ploče area to walk to the festival.