The paper deals with the meaning of cosmopolitanism in the Mediterranean in the early modern period with special emphasis on the Republic of Dubrovnik. In illuminating Dubrovnik's cosmopolitanism, a view is brought to the emergence of Dubrovnik as a cosmopolitan environment. The political and economic factors that contributed to the need to create a cosmopolitan context are discussed, especially with regard to the geographic position of the Republic, its developed shipping and trade, which required the openness of the city to foreigners, but also developed diplomacy, which influenced the stability of trade and the overall economy. The paper also presents the nobility's attitude 'about himself and others', especially with regard to the large number of foreigners who temporarily or permanently resided in the city, as well as explanations of historical circumstances and the role played by Jews and Ottomans in the creation of the cosmopolitan spirit. It is concluded that cosmopolitanism was a natural way of developing a society dominated by aristocracy, seafaring, diplomacy and trade, but, at the same time, the need and the way in which the Republic of Dubrovnik ensured stability.