If you’re visiting Dubrovnik this year and searching for great things to do in Dubrovnik during your stay, this blog post is all you need!
Dubrovnik is an incredible destination with a lot to offer, so it will be quite a challenge to slim down your itinerary. If you need any help, here’s a 3-day Dubrovnik itinerary. However, if you’re doing well with planning, here’s a list of must-do things in Dubrovnik—be sure to include at least some of them in your itinerary!
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HERE ARE THE 16 BEST THINGS TO DO IN DUBROVNIK
Explore the Old Town
The first, and most important thing you must do when you come to Dubrovnik is thoroughly explore the Old Town. I’m sure you already know that, as the Old Town is one of the reasons you’re coming, but I’m here to tell you – don’t rush through it!
There are plenty of things to do in the Old Town. Firstly, make sure you wander through Stradun and the other lovely cobbled streets of Dubrovnik. There, you’ll find various shops, cafes, and restaurants, as well as squares, churches, and other landmarks.
Some of the most important landmarks in the Old Town are the Cathedral, Rector’s Palace, and the Dominican Monastery.
Walk the City Walls
The most breathtaking attraction in Dubrovnik is surely the city walls. The walls are an absolute must-visit, and they definitely won’t disappoint, especially if you enjoy a good view!
The city walls surround the entire Old Town of Dubrovnik and were once the main defense against the various threats the city faced. Today, they give you an incredible opportunity of seeing the Old Town and the Adriatic Sea from a different perspective.
You can visit the city walls from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and the entrance ticket is 40 euros per person. If you plan on exploring Dubrovnik in detail, I would highly recommend buying the Dubrovnik Pass. It will save you a significant amount of money.
If you have any additional questions, my guide to Dubrovnik city walls has all the answers you need!
Visit Fort Lovrijenac
Fort Lovrijenac is an outstanding fortress located near the Old Town. It’s situated on a high cliff, overlooking the Pile Gate. In the past, the Lovrijenac Fortress protected the Old Town from the sea. Today it’s an important city landmark and home to many festivals throughout the year.
You’ll have to climb a significant number of stairs to reach it, but trust me, you’ll get the best view of the city walls and the Old Town. The entrance is included in your city walls ticket, so you don’t have to pay any additional fees.
Take a Game of Thrones Tour
If you’re a Game of Thrones fan, you probably already know that Dubrovnik served as the famous King’s Landing in the show. Since they filmed the majority of the scenes in the Old Town, there are several filming locations you can visit, and learn more about the filming process.
There are many guided Game of Thrones tours which you can book online or in the Old Town. Make sure you book one of those if you prefer having a guide who’ll share the important facts with you. If you just want to see the famous filming locations, you can do it for free by using this self-guided tour of the GoT filming locations!
Relax on Lokrum Island
Lokrum is a popular island situated near Dubrovnik’s Old Town, and it’s a perfect place if you want to relax and escape the crowds of the Old Town.
You can reach Lokrum by a short boat ride from the port of Dubrovnik. It lasts around 15 minutes and the boats leave every 30 minutes. The boat ride and the entrance to the island are 27 euros per person. This could be a great option for a day trip if you don’t have time for a farther destination.
On the island you’ll find a botanic garden, the Dead Sea, historical landmarks, and lovely rocky beaches. There are also restaurants and cafes so you’ll have everything you need!
Experience the Beaches
While Dubrovnik doesn’t have as many breathtaking beaches as some other destinations in Croatia do, Dubrovnik still has a few beaches that are absolutely worth visiting.
First, there’s Banje Beach, located right outside the Old Town. This beach is perfect for a quick swim before exploring or grabbing dinner. It’s got a beautiful view of the Old Town and quite a few amenities, from sunbeds and umbrellas to restaurants. It gets quite crowded during summer, so if crowds are not your thing, this beach might not be for you.
Second, Sv. Jakov Beach is one of the prettiest beaches in Dubrovnik, and it’s not too far from the Old Town—you can reach it with a 20-minute walk. The beach is lovely, with a gorgeous view of the Old Town and a few amenities to make your visit easier.
Finally, although not close at all, I can’t not mention Pasjaca Beach. This stunning beach is in Konavle, so you’ll need to take a car/taxi there, but the experience is totally worth it. This beach is situated right under a cliff and it gives you incredible views while swimming. It does not have any amenities so you need to bring everything you need.
Here’s a guide to 10 best beaches in or near Dubrovnik if you want additional recommendations!
Visit Elaphiti Islands
If you’re searching for a great day trip from Dubrovnik, the Elaphiti Islands are the way to go. This archipelago is home to three very well-known islands – Lopud, Šipan, and Koločep. These islands will take you away from the crowds and noise, allowing you to enjoy a peaceful day at the beach.
You can visit the islands individually, by ferry from Gruž port in Dubrovnik. The tickets are not expensive, and you get to choose an island and spend the day however you want. If you don’t want to choose and want to experience all three islands, book one of the Elaphiti Islands tours. There are plenty of them, check out these below!
I love Lopud the most, it’s a stunning island with gorgeous sandy beaches and great restaurants. If you’re planning on visiting Lopud, here’s a guide on how to spend the best day on Lopud island!
Go Sea Kayaking
If you like an active vacation and enjoy water sports, kayaking might be the highlight of your Dubrovnik trip. Due to the incredible views you can get from the sea, kayaking is extremely popular in Dubrovnik.
Usually, there are two routes you can choose from – kayaking around the city walls or kayaking to Lokrum island. These tours usually last 2-3 hours and you get to see Dubrovnik and experience the Adriatic Sea in a whole new light. If you do this activity, make sure to do it in the morning or just before sunset. Otherwise, you’ll end up at sea when the temperatures and the sun are at their highest.
Explore Arboretum Trsteno
A perfect little half-day trip to escape the Old Town is a trip to Arboretum Trsteno. If you like nature, this botanic garden will definitely impress you.
Arboretum Trsteno is a beautiful Renaissance garden filled with exotic plants, fountains, and an incredible historic aqueduct. It’s one of the oldest arboretums in this part of the world, and it’s the perfect place for relaxation. Along with amazing plants, you’ll also get incredible views of the Adriatic Sea.
The tickets are 10 euros per person and you can only buy them on the spot. When we visited, they only accepted cash so make sure you have some on you. This location is only 20 minutes by car from Dubrovnik. You don’t have to go far for a great time! Here’s a complete guide to visiting Arboretum Trsteno.
Visit Cavtat
Cavtat is one of the loveliest towns you could visit near Dubrovnik. Due to its charm and peacefulness, many people prefer to stay in Cavtat rather than Dubrovnik. Even if you don’t stay, make sure to at least visit for a day.
Cavtat is about 20 kilometers away from Dubrovnik, and you can easily reach it by bus, car, or boat taxi. This little town has a lovely old town, excellent restaurants, and great beaches, so there’s plenty to do if you decide to visit it for a day.
I absolutely love the Rat Peninsula Trail, which takes you along the coast through trees and offers some of the prettiest views of the Adriatic Sea. If you decide to visit Cavtat, here’s a detailed guide on what to do and see in Cavtat!
Go on a Sunset Cruise
One of the most unforgettable activities we did in Dubrovnik was a sunset cruise. These boat rides offer some of the most stunning views of the sea and the Old Town during the most magical time of the day – sunset!
We chose a boat tour on the Galleon ship ‘Tirena,’ and I have a full review that you can check out here!
Along with ‘Tirena’, there’s another Galleon ship called ‘Karaka’ which offers the same experience, a 1–2-hour boat tour around Dubrovnik with a glass of champagne. It’s an incredibly romantic activity great for couples.
If you’d like another type of boat, or a more private experience, you can check out the activities offered below!
Visit Buža Bar
Buža Bar is one of the most visited bars in Dubrovnik because it offers an experience unlike any other. To get to this bar, you enter a hole in the wall in Dubrovnik’s Old Town and end up on the rocks outside the walls, with the most incredible views of the Adriatic Sea.
Not only can you enjoy a drink on the cliffs of the Old Town, there are also several ways into the sea from the bar, so you can jump off a cliff into the sea, go for a swim, and then go right back to your drink.
Buža Bar offers a truly unique experience that you need to have, so add it to your itinerary!
Explore Ston and Its Saltworks
Another great (half) day trip from Dubrovnik is Ston. This small town, about an hour’s drive from Dubrovnik, is famous for its saltworks, walls, and great seafood.
While Dubrovnik’s city walls might be prettier, Ston has the second longest defensive walls in the world, right after the Great Wall of China. They’re also much cheaper than those in Dubrovnik, 10 euros per person, so they’re definitely worth checking out.
You should also explore the saltworks, which have been active for the last 2000 years. If you’re interested in how they harvest salt, you can explore the saltworks for 7 euros per person.
Finally, don’t leave without trying the fresh oysters in Mali Ston. We usually visit the restaurant “Vila Koruna” where we enjoy oyster soup and fresh oysters with bread and butter. It’s one of the meals you must try in Dalmatia. To learn more about Ston, check out my guide on how to spend the best one day in Ston here!
Eat at Panorama restaurant
If you’ve done any research on Dubrovnik, Panorama has likely made it onto your list. If not, let me encourage you to add it. Panorama is a beautiful restaurant located at Dubrovnik’s most stunning viewpoint on Mount Srđ.
By booking a table at this restaurant, you’ll dine with stunning aerial views of Dubrovnik’s Old Town, and trust me, it will be absolutely unforgettable. The prices are more than fair for the incredible experience, so be sure to book a table as soon as possible—those with the best views fill up fast.
If you don’t feel like spending money on dinner in Panorama, you can just come throughout the day and grab a drink, on just visit the Srđ viewpoint for free and enjoy the views. Here’s a guide to best Dubrovnik restaurants!
Party at Club Revelin
If you like partying, Dubrovnik has a really unique place where you can enjoy yourself for the evening. Culture Club Revelin is situated inside the historic Revelin Fortress, which is part of the city’s old town and dates back to the 16th century. Not only is this one of the most unique nightclub settings you can experience, but there’s also a chance you’ll catch a popular DJ, as they frequently host huge names like Diplo, Shaq, or Afrojack.
Revelin is loved by both locals and tourists, and you’re surely going to have a great time if you decide to visit. If a big-name DJ is playing, you’ll need to buy a ticket. However, on regular evenings, you can usually enter for free before midnight and pay a small fee afterward. Check out my guide to best going out places in Dubrovnik right here!
Have Dinner in the Sky
One of the newer experiences in Dubrovnik is dining in the sky. If you’re not afraid of heights and enjoy stunning views of the Adriatic coast, you might want to try a three-course meal while suspended in the air.
The meeting point for this restaurant is in Babin Kuk, and from there, they’ll take you into the sky to enjoy views of the sea, Dubrovnik, and the Elaphiti Islands. You can choose between two options: a more affordable one with a 2-course meal or a pricier option with a 3-course meal. Both are incredible, and the choice depends on your budget.
Check out the attraction on the link below!
