Amazing! You’re planning a trip to Dubrovnik Croatia! Dubrovnik is truly a wonderful city. To help you make the most of your trip, I’m sharing my ultimate guide to the best things to do in Dubrovnik Croatia including the best day trips from Dubrovnik and the most useful tips.
My appreciation for Dubrovnik turned to love during my most recent trip to the city last month. Perhaps this was due to Dubrovnik not being so overcrowded since the city is still recovering from the pandemic.
Dubrovnik seemed relaxed with a clear view of its Old Town which is undoubtedly one of the most remarkable places on Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast. See Things to do in Split.
Home to just over 40,000 people, Dubrovnik is small but steeped in history and truly an incredible place. Dubrovnik is very famous today thanks to Game of Thrones being filmed there, but the city has loads to do for all kinds of travellers.
First things first, here are some answers to Dubrovnik Croatia FAQs.
Is Dubrovnik worth visiting?
I think Dubrovnik is worth visiting particularly for its Old Town which is one of the most magnificent places on the wonderful Adriatic Coast. The UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town is home to well-preserved Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque palaces, monasteries, churches and fountains.
There are a lot of exciting things to do in Dubrovnik, the weather is perfect and the food is incredible.
How many days do you need in Dubrovnik?
Most people spend 2-3 nights in Dubrovnik which is enough to explore the sights around Dubrovnik’s Old Town. However, if you plan to include day trips in your visit to Dubrovnik, then add an extra day for each trip.
Is Dubrovnik expensive?
Dubrovnik is the most expensive place to visit in Croatia, especially during peak season (July-August). In fact, Croatia is not cheap in comparison with other popular summer destinations in Europe.
Top Tip – Dubrovnik Card is a good deal to consider when visiting Dubrovnik especially if you plan to use public buses, visit museums and tour Dubrovnik City Walls.
Let’s get started!
What to Do in Dubrovnik
1. Join a Walking Tour of Dubrovnik Old Town
Price: €18 Dubrovnik Walking Tour (90 minute walk tour)
Taking a walking tour of Dubrovnik Old Town is a good way to start your tour of Dubrovnik. A walking tour will help to orientate yourself and learn a little bit of history about the city and other useful tips.
Most walking tours in Dubrovnik start from Pile Gate, the main entrance to the Old Town or just inside the gate, in front of the Grand Onofrio’s Fountain.
Based on past experience, Dubrovnik can get overcrowded making it difficult to engage fully in a walking tour. Consider exploring the Old Town alone especially if you’re visiting during the summer.
The Old Town Dubrovnik is a place where you can lose yourself in the streets discovering endless things and I’ve found doing it solo much more enjoyable.
2. Take a Game of Thrones Walking Tour
Price: €25 – Dubrovnik Game of Thrones Tours
Taking a Game of Thrones Walking Tour is one of the top things to do in Dubrovnik, especially for fans of the TV show. Dubrovnik Old Town as well as other several places in the city were the filming location of King’s Landing and the capital of the Seven Kingdoms. The tour takes you around filming locations of some of the memorable scenes from the TV show.
Some highlights from the Game of Thrones Tour include a tour of Lovrijenac Fortress, the setting for Red Keep and a visit to the famous Jesuit Stairs, the place where the filming of Cersei Lannister’s Walk of Shame took place.
If you’ve watched the TV show and you’re passionate about it, then, a tour of all the Game of Thrones filming locations in the super cool medieval city will be worthwhile.
3. Walk Through Pile Gate
When exploring Dubrovnik Old Town alone, start with a stroll through Pile Gate, the Old Town’s main entrance. Built in 1537, Pile Gate, together with the imposing city walls encircling the Old Town, once formed part of a strong defence for the city of Dubrovnik or the capital of the Republic of Ragusa as it was known from 1358 to 1808.
A wooden drawbridge that could be pulled up to prevent enemies from getting into the city connected Pile Gate with the outside world.
Pile Gate is busy around the clock with tourists who come to admire the fascinating gate, adjacent harbour and Fort Lovrijenac, on the right.
A lot of the walking tours in Dubrovnik start from Pile Gate. It’s also where the tourist information centre, main bus and taxi station for the Old Town are located.
4. Walk the Dubrovnik City Walls
Price: €27 – Includes visit to Fort Lovrijenac
Taking a walk around Dubrovnik’s city walls is undoubtedly one of the most exciting things to do in Dubrovnik and one you should make an effort to do. The 1,940-meter-long walls encircling the Old Town are one of the features that make Dubrovnik the most charming place on the Adriatic Coast.
Dubrovnik Old Town walls remain solid from the time of construction which began around the 12th century, withstanding catastrophic earthquakes and numerous attacks the city endured over the centuries.
The ancient city walls include impressive forts and towers which are exciting to explore such as Fort Minčeta and Fort Bokar. I enjoyed the two hours I spent strolling around the city walls taking in a series of amazing views over the Old Town, the Adriatic Sea, nearby Lokrum Island and the stunning Fort Lovrijenac.
There are three entrances to the Dubrovnik walls – Pile Gate opposite the Grand Onofrio Fountain, through Fort St John (Maritime Museum and the Aquarium) and at Ploce Gate, the eastern Old Town entrance.
Bear in mind that paths around the city walls are unshaded with a lot of narrow and steep steps, so prepare well.
5. Explore Fort Lovrijenac
Price: €7
Fort Lovrijenac and the Dubrovnik city walls complement each other well and I recommend you visit both. Up until the 16th century, Dubrovnik was one of the wealthiest cities in the Mediterranean competing with the likes of Venice in maritime trading.
The magnitude of Fort Lovrijenac and the rest of the complex network of defence systems encircling the Old Town is indeed a testimony of Dubrovnik’s powerful and flourishing past.
Fort Lovrijenac is now one of the most favoured locations for theatre productions in Dubrovnik, especially for the popular Dubrovnik Summer Festival.
6. Stop by the Franciscan Monastery
Price: €5.40
The Franciscan Monastery, located next to St Saviour’s Church, at the top of the main street or Stradun in the Old Town, is a real hidden gem in Dubrovnik. The world’s third oldest working pharmacy, the Friars Minor Pharmacy, is found at the monastery. This pharmacy has existed since the construction of the monastery at the start of the 13th century serving both the monks and the public.
Although small, the museum at the monastery exhibits tools and medicines used in the pharmacy across the centuries, over 70,000 books, rare manuscripts, valuable religious paintings and artefacts.
The Cloister at the Franciscan Monastery is considered one of the best examples of Romanesque and Gothic monuments in Dubrovnik.
I loved the peace and tranquillity of the monastery. It’s a perfect place to briefly escape the Old Town’s bustling streets.
7. Take a stroll along Stradun
One of the most fun and free things to do in Dubrovnik is to take a stroll along Stradun or Placa, the main street in the Old Town, exploring all the exciting things on offer. Stradun is a picturesque street furnished with shiny limestone paving, neat stone buildings that are uniformly arranged and narrow streets and squares leading to other parts of the town.
Historically, Stradun is the centre of public life in Dubrovnik where all city festivities are held. The street is vibrant, often filled with locals who traditionally come to meet and socialise and tourists who come to soak up the atmosphere.
Entertainment along Stradun includes outdoor restaurants and bars which are perfect for people-watching, enticing ice cream shops, small chic shops, local bookshops and souvenir shops. Most historical buildings in the Old Town are also found along Stradun or close by.
8. Check out Sponza Palace
Sponza Palace, located at the end of Stradun, on the left side of Luza Square, is one the most important buildings in Dubrovnik Old Town. The 16th-century Renaissance and Gothic-style palace is the only building to have survived the catastrophic earthquake which levelled the city in 1667. It’s suggested that before the earthquake, public buildings in Dubrovnik resembled Sponza Palace.
Before the earthquake, Sponza Palace was in use as a mint, a custom house as well as a municipal warehouse. It’s said that because the palace survived the earthquake, valuable city information was saved enabling the rebuilding of Dubrovnik.
Sponza Palace is currently the city’s archive and cultural space. Various exhibitions by independent artists and a permanent exhibition dedicated to the Balkans War or Homeland War (1991-1995) as it’s referred to in Croatia are run from the palace’s ground floor.
During my visit to Sponza Palace, Bosnian Artist, Mirsada Baljić was showing her interesting work.
9. Drop by the Memorial Room of Defenders
Visiting the Memorial Room of Defenders, located in a side room on the ground floor of Sponza Palace, is worthwhile especially if you’re interested in learning a little bit about the Homeland War.
On show in the Memorial Room of Defenders, is information about the war, pictures and stories of Dubrovnik citizens who were killed defending the city. The exhibition is small but effective in raising awareness of the war’s impact on the city.
Tip – The War Photo Limited and the Red History Museum are other two museums in Dubrovnik worth checking out if you’re interested in learning about global conflicts including Croatia under Yugoslavia’s rule and the Homeland War (1991-1995).
10. Stop by St Blaise’s Church
St Blaise’s Church, located directly across from Sponza Palace and at the end of Stradun, is eye-catching and hard to miss. Built during the 18th century in Baroque style, the church is the city’s dedication to Dubrovnik’s patron saint, St Blaise. St Blaise is highly revered in the city.
A large dome decorates the church’s roof whilst the interior is stunningly furnished with a 15th-century Gothic gold-plated statue of St Blaise and beautiful marble altars.
Like many churches in Dubrovnik, St Blaise’s Church is a working church and a local’s favourite wedding venue.
11. Explore the Rector’s Palace
Price: €13.50
Rector’s Palace or Knežev Dvor (Croatian), located on Luza Square and between the Town Hall and Dubrovnik Cathedral, is another one of the most interesting Dubrovnik attractions worth checking out. The palace has had many reconstructions over the centuries serving many public purposes such as being a defence building, a prison, the seat of town authorities and a rector’s residence.
The palace’s Renaissance, Baroque and Romanesque look is attributed to a 15th-century architect, Onofrio della Cava, who also developed the water system for the city.
Rector’s Palace is currently in use as the Cultural History Museum. The museum has on display paintings, portraits, coats of arms and furniture of noble families from the area as well as coins minted during the period of the republic, original keys to the city gates and several valuable city documents.
12. Pop into Dubrovnik Cathedral
Dubrovnik Cathedral, located in Luza Square, beside the Rector’s Palace, is easily the most beautiful church in Dubrovnik both inside and out. The cathedral’s facade and interior which includes beautiful paintings and well-decorated altars, all look very contemporary despite being a 17th-century church.
Before the earthquake of 1667, Dubrovnik Cathedral’s Treasury was said to be the richest on the Adriatic Coast, however, it was almost destroyed. Today, the remains of the old Treasury include relics of Dubrovnik’s patron saint, St Blaise, valuable 13th-century Romanesque paintings and various other religious artefacts.
Luza Square and the area around Dubrovnik Cathedral are lit beautifully in the evenings, so don’t miss spending some time there.
13. Stop by Dubrovnik Market
If you’re someone like me who enjoys visiting markets, then make a point to check out the markets in Dubrovnik. The Old Town market is located on Gundulic Square, directly across the Rector’s Palace on Luza Square. It’s a small open-air market selling mostly dried local produce, souvenirs and local liquor.
Gundulic Square, where the market is located, is lovely to explore. Good-value cafes and restaurants which are popular with locals can be found there. One of my favourite places to eat in Dubrovnik, Konoba Koloseum, is also located in Gundulic Square.
Also worth checking out is the main fresh produce and fish market, located in Gruz, directly across from the new city port.
14. Visit the Jesuit Stairs
The Jesuit Stairs are impressive and difficult to miss when standing on Gundulic Square. The stairs are popular with Game of Thrones fans as they were the filming location for the infamous Cersei Lannister’s Walk of Shame. If you’ve watched the TV show, you will find climbing the staircase, obviously with your clothes on, to be a thrilling experience.
The Jesuit Stairs lead to the beautiful Jesuit complex where the stunning St Ignatius’ Church and College Ragusinum are located. Built around the 18th century, the whole complex is considered a fine example of Baroque architecture both in Dubrovnik and the whole Dalmatian Coast.
A notable feature of St Ignatius Church at the Jesuit Complex is the bell in its belfry which was cast in 1355. It’s believed to be the oldest in Dubrovnik, so it’s worth a quick peek. On top of that, the view of the Old Town from above the Jesuit Stairs is quite pretty and is a perfect backdrop for your awesome Dubrovnik photos.
15. Drop into the Serbian Orthodox Church
Visiting the Orthodox Church is one of the most intriguing and non-touristy things to do in Dubrovnik. Dubrovnik is dominated by Catholic churches which are all beautiful, but I warmed up to the Orthodox Church more.
The Orthodox Church exterior has a contemporary look whilst its interior, though small, is uncluttered and furnished with unique ornaments and paintings from the 15th century.
There is also a museum belonging to the Orthodox order next to the church which I didn’t get to visit but is said to exhibit valuable furniture, artefacts and icons from the 15th to 19th centuries.
16. Wander around the Old Port
The Old Port or Old City Port, located on the eastern side of the Old Town, is a must-see during your tour of Dubrovnik Old Town. The Old Port was once the centre for maritime trading for the powerful and wealthy Republic of Ragusa. A ring of forts protecting the port is a true testimony of the port’s value to the then-republic.
A lovely thing to do is to take a stroll down to the breakwater on the right side of the port, sit on the benches and enjoy views of the Old Town and the sea.
There are a few restaurants on the port that are really pretty but brutally expensive. I settled for something cheap and delicious, an ice cream at Peppino’s, located around the corner from the Old Port.
Boats to Lokrum Island and other private boat excursions to other Dubrovnik must-see places like the Elaphiti Islands or Cavtat leave from the Old Port.
17. Try the Ice Cream at Peppino’s
Peppino’s in the Old Town is the best place in Dubrovnik to indulge or maybe overindulge in delicious ice cream. I’ve tried a few ice cream bars in Dubrovnik, but Peppino’s is unbeatable. I returned a few times to Peppino’s during my stay because the ice cream was just amazing. There are so many ice cream varieties to try but, my go-to flavours are Ferrero Rocher, Pistachio, Toffee and Hazelnut.
Peppino’s Ice Cream shops are located beside the Dominican Monastery close to Ploče Gate and around the corner from Gundulic Square.
18. Take Dubrovnik Cable Car to Mount Srd
Price: €23 Return Ticket
Another great way to enjoy Dubrovnik worth adding to your list of things to do in Dubrovnik is to hop on the cable car to Mount Srd. Mt Srd is a 412-meter-high mountain that is part of the Dinaric Alps and is located just behind the Old Town. Dubrovnik cable car station is easily reached through a footbridge at the Old Town’s northern gate, Buža Gate, located above Boškovićeva Street.
A visit to Mt Srd is rewarded with breathtaking views of Dubrovnik, the Adriatic Sea, nearby islands as well the giant mountains separating Bosnia and Herzegovina from Croatia.
Some of the entertainment above Mount Srd includes a cafe-style restaurant overlooking the city, Buggy Safari Adventure Tours and a museum dedicated to the Homeland War.
You can choose to hike to Mount Srd’s peak from the Old Town but be mindful that the trail requires a good fitness level.
19. Join a Kayaking Tour
Price: €32 – Duration 2.5 to 3hrs
Going on a kayaking tour and exploring the Old Town from the sea is an excellent way to add a bit of adventure to your trip to Dubrovnik. The Adriatic Sea is ideal for kayaking because it has many sheltered natural bays, amazing sea caves and warm water.
Most kayaking tours in the Old Town start at the small port at Pile Gate in the mornings and sunset, with no prior booking required.
I joined World of Kayaks and enjoyed every minute of it. Highlights of the tour included friendly guides, incredible views of the stunning Dubrovnik landscape and swimming in sea caves.
Self-guided tours are also facilitated if you’d rather go alone. All necessary equipment including snacks is provided with wine offered only for the sunset tours.
Popular Dubrovnik Kayaking Tours
20. Relax at Banje Beach
Banje Beach is a popular beach in Dubrovnik and a great choice if you’re looking forward to spending some time at the beach either to swim, sunbathe or take a stroll. The beach itself is located a short walk from Ploce Gate, the Old Town’s eastern gate, right in front of the upmarket Hotel Excelsior and Hotel Argentina.
Although small and pebbly, the entertainment at Banje Beach is a big attraction for both locals and visitors to Dubrovnik. Entertainment at Banje Beach includes trendy cafes, highly-rated seafood restaurants, lively beach bars and an option to rent all sorts of accessories you need to have fun in the water.
Banje Beach is a popular spot in Dubrovnik to hang out in the evenings as the place transforms into an entertainment hub, so if you’re out to have a bit of night fun, then don’t miss it.
21. Attend the Dubrovnik Summer Festival
Dubrovnik Summer Festival is one of the most important art festivals in Croatia which sees theatre productions and classical and folk music shows staged in some of the fabulous buildings in the Old Town.
One of the most popular theatre productions during the festival, William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, is staged in the impressive Fort Lovrijenac. The grand opening of the festival is held in the stately Sponza Palace whilst other beautiful buildings like the Church of St Blaise, the Rector’s Palace and Minceta Tower provide indoor stages for some of the shows.
Bear in mind that the festival period is an expensive time to visit Dubrovnik.
2024 Dubrovnik Festival lineup.
22. Take a boat ride to Lokrum Island
Price: €9 Boat Return Ticket
Taking a boat ride to explore Lokrum Island, located in the Adriatic sea, right in front of the Old Town, is one of the most popular and easiest day trips from Dubrovnik. Lokrum Island is uninhabited and a protected nature reserve.
If you are attracted to the sea, enjoy spending time in nature and wildlife or just want to escape the hustle and bustle of the Old Town, then you will appreciate the island.
A few people were on Lokrum Island during my recent visit. A botanical garden, bars and restaurants on the island appeared abandoned probably due to the pandemic. Nevertheless, exploring the ruins of a former Benedictine monastery and the former palace of Maximilian Ferdinand of Habsburg, both of which were once established on the island many centuries ago, did feel like an adventure.
Bathing is one of the most popular things to do on Lokrum Island either in the small inland lake (Dead Sea) or in the many quiet coves around the island. A small permanent Game of Thrones exhibition is also shown in some parts of the monastery since the filming of the TV show took place here as well.
Lokrum Island ferry runs from May to Nov, leaving from the Old Port. Sailing times constantly change so check times at the ferry ticketing kiosk in advance of your trip.
Lokrum Island Game of Thrones Tour
23. Tour the Elaphiti Islands
Price: €8.50 Jadrolinija- Return Ticket (2 Islands Visit)
Dubrovnik is a great base for exploring the many beautiful islands that are within its vicinity such as the Elaphiti Islands. Visits are possible to only three of the permanently inhabited Elaphiti Islands namely, Sipan, Lopud and Kolocep. The Croatian ferry company, Jadrolinija, runs regular sailings throughout the day to the islands from the new port in Gruz.
There is a range of activities to keep you entertained on the islands. Sipan, the largest of the islands, is a great place to explore well-preserved 16th-century mansions and an evergreen countryside while one of few sandy beaches in Dubrovnik, Sunj Beach, can be found on Lopud.
Kolocep, the smallest of all the islands, provides many walking and cycling trails which are perfect for exploring the island’s hidden parts including tiny villages which are tucked away in the trees.
There are also a variety of private boat tours to the Elaphiti Islands available from both the Old Port and the new Port in Gruz. Prices range from €46 to €55.
Elafiti Islands Private Tour
24. Take a day trip to Ston and Mali Ston
Price: Walls of Ston Tour – €10
Around the 14th century, Ston produced a great deal of wealth through salt production and oyster farming for the Republic of Ragusa (Dubrovnik). During that time, a fortification system was built to protect the lucrative Ston and Ston Mali. This fortification system included over 5km of walls which encircled the two towns, several forts and towers.
Today, the Walls of Ston, are said to be the longest defence walls in Europe and 2nd in the world after The Great Walls of China.
Although small, Ston and Ston Mali are charming with plenty to offer all kinds of travellers. The town is located at the start of the Peljesac Peninsula, one of Croatia’s largest wine-producing regions, about 54 km northwest of Dubrovnik.
The tradition of oyster farming is still much alive in Ston. Ston restaurants are highly regarded in Croatia for their seafood and beautiful wine, so if this is your thing, then, plan to check them out too.
Popular Walls of Ston and Peljesac Tours
25. Take a day trip to Kotor
Setting aside one day to visit neighbouring Montenegro to explore incredible Kotor is one sure way that will make your trip to Dubrovnik an unforgettable experience. Kotor and the Bay of Kotor are easily the most beautiful spots on the Adriatic coast.
A series of stunning fjord-like mountains, crystal blue waters, well-preserved medieval architecture and friendly people are some of the attractions in Kotor and the Bay of Kotor. If you’re a fan of UNESCO World Heritage Sites you will be interested to know that the whole Bay of Kotor and Old Town of Kotor are protected sites.
One of the exciting, but tough things to do on a tour of Kotor Old Town is to climb the city walls or 1350 steps leading to St John’s Fortress to enjoy excellent views of the Old Town and bay.
Kotor is best visited by car because it gives you the flexibility to explore other fascinating places on the Bay of Kotor such as Perast and Tivat or drive further to Budva. Above all, the winding drive along the Bay of Kotor is quite spectacular.
Remember to check Montenegro Covid travel requirements beforehand and to bring along your passport for border control. It’s possible to join organised group tours to Kotor booked through travel agents in the Old Town.
Popular Montenegro Day Trip
26. Visit Mostar
A day visit to Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina is another popular day trip from Dubrovnik which offers a unique and fascinating cultural experience. The Old Town of Mostar was mostly built around the 15th century during the period the country was under Ottoman rule.
During that time, a huge number of Bosnians converted to Islam which is another reason why Mostar is so intriguing and unique in the whole of the Balkans region. With all the Ottoman architecture and Turkish-like street markets, Mostar does feel like Turkey.
If you’re someone like me who is interested in learning about the Balkans War, definitely give Mostar some of your time. Mostar was one of the most affected places during the Balkans War and the impact the war had on the city is quite visible.
Whilst in Mostar, don’t miss trying cevapi, a kebab-like dish considered a national dish of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The best cevapi you’ll ever eat is only found in Bosnia!
Remember to bring your passport to Mostar for border control and to check Covid-19 travel requirements for Bosnia beforehand. It’s possible to join organised group tours to Mostar booked through travel agents in the Old Town.
Popular Mostar & Kravica Tours
27. Visit Kravice Waterfalls
Price: 20km-€10 (Summer Rate)
A day trip to Mostar from Dubrovnik should include a visit to Kravice Waterfalls, located on the Trebizat River, about 40km south of Mostar. Although Kravice Waterfall is small in comparison with Plitvice Lakes National Park or Krka National Park in Croatia, it’s still worth visiting, especially as an add-on to a tour of Mostar.
Popular things to do at Kravice Waterfall include bathing, having picnics or drinking at some of the waterside bars. The area around the waterfall is lovely to walk around but steep in some parts.
Croatia Dubrovnik Travel Tips
Covid Testing Centres in Dubrovnik
Covid testing is available at Dubrovnik Airport and also close to Dubrovnik Old Town. Learn more here.
Re-Open EU is another great resource to learn COVID-related travel measures currently in place in all EU and Schengen-associated countries.
Booking your accommodation
Booking.com and Airbnb are my favourite choices for finding good value accommodation in Dubrovnik. I recommend choosing accommodation which is close to Dubrovnik Old Town like this lovely place where I recently stayed.
Money Cards
Revolut is my favourite money card to bring when I travel. It converts local currency at the best possible rates, charges no fees, offers easy tracking of your spending and also an option to buy travel insurance.
I hope you enjoy your trip to Dubrovnik!
Related Posts: The 12 Best Places to Visit in Croatia, Things to Do in Zagreb in 2 Days.
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