Fodor's Expert Review Stradun

The Placa, commonly referred to as the Stradun, is the main street and the beating heart of Dubrovnik's Old Town. Stretching 300 meters from the Pile Gate to Luža Square and the Bell Tower, it was once the shallow sea channel separating the island of Laus from the mainland; although it was filled in during the 12th century, it continued to divide the city socially for several centuries, with the nobility living in the area to the south and commoners living on the hillside to the north. Today, the Stradun is the best people-watching promenade in town, with enough cafés, gelaterias, and boutiques to keep you busy for days.