More than 15 years ago was the first time I traveled across Croatia. We drove the whole coastline from north to south, up to the point where the 12-mile strip of Bosnia and Herzegovina cuts off Dubrovnik from the rest of the country. Dubrovnik is a city of worship, walls and endless stairs. There are endless things to see and do in Dubrovnik – but due to insane crowds, let me guide you through top sights and hidden gems of the city.
City walls are even from the 12th century. Dubrovnik was a capital of the Republic of Ragusa in the middle ages. I knew I wanted to book a place with panoramic view of historic city walls and seafront location of the Dalmatian Coast. It’s breathtaking at night!
Incredible things to see and do in Dubrovnik.
There are plenty of things that will catch your interest and fill your day, and most of them are located in the heart of Dubrovnik’s old town. But what’s more important, it’s a nice and visitor-friendly city with great residents.
Old town is a labyrinth of tiny cobblestone streets, the more you walk the more you get to discover… There are plenty of highlights! Worth checking every passing, as that may lead you to one of the cafes built on a steep rock with the sea landscape spreading around. Trust me, you can spend half a day sitting there enjoying the views and privacy. Apart the historic sights, there are stunning beaches, an old town and a nice port with tiny restaurants, where you can spend your afternoon chillin’.
What is worth seeing in Dubrovnik?
First thing you should do is buy a Dubrovnik 1, 3 or 7 day Card for guests and visitors. It gives you a free entrance to the best things to see and do in Dubrovnik – attractions like: Dubrovnik City Walls, several museums and galleries, and a bus card valid throughout the city of Dubrovnik. I got a 3-day card, so it gives you enough time to visit all the places and museums included in this offer.
Secondly Dubrovnik Card is available for purchase in Toursit office located near the old town after crossing Dubrovnik’s famous Pile Gate. Don’t forget to take city maps and folders from the tourist office. It will give an insight into which spots you like to visit, as I’m sure you won’t be visiting all of them.
What I consider the greatest is definitely the City Walls Tour. It may take up to an hour or two and make sure to take water and sun protection. This tour may be really hot in summer, because you are exposed to the sun for most of the time.
Prices in Dubrovnik and where to eat?
One thing you may not like about this place is damn.. that city is seriously overpriced!! I remember traveling across other parts of the country and the prices amazed me. It was hard to believe how cheap it was back in 2010. So I guess Dubrovnik was always way more expensive than other cities but sometimes the product is simply not worth the price.
Still best exmple is Michelin star restaurant in main area of the old town. Biggest surprise was port restaurant which turned to be the cheapest. The food was really nice! Beside, there’s plenty of shops where you can get something for your breakfast. And there’s one thing you can’t miss – local liqueurs (especially Rogac)!
Best historic landmarks in Dubrovnik Old Town
- The Franciscan Church and Monastery – this large monastery complex is situated at the very beginning of Placa, to the left of the inner Pile Gate, next to the Holy Savior Church
- Dubrovnik as Placa, is one of the most popular pedestrian paths in the middle of the Old Town. You might want to gather in the evening to watch nightlife
- Lots of people might like: Game of Thrones Tour
- City Walls Tour
- Art Gallery
- Cable car which offers panoramic view of the city
- The Large Fountain of Onofrio and St. Saviour Church
In case you get bored with historical spots, there’s plenty of stunning beaches to enjoy, just in the middle of the city. Some guides say Dubrovnik is famous for the most spectacular city beach in Europe.
One-day trip to Cavtat from Dubrovnik
Cavtat is a lovely small harbour town located 20 km south from Dubrovnik. The road to Cavtat leads along beautiful coastline. Cavtat is a quiet sailing town wich lots of great restaurants. This is a perfect destination to spend a day outside Dubrovnik. You can take a loop walk in small peninsula located in the north part of the town, which will amaze you with scenic costline views and sea lagoons.
Dubrovnik shifted to the top of its popularity thanks to Game of Thrones, which attracted masses of tourists, especially from the USA, and made it one of the busiest cities in Europe (often more than Venice or Barcelona). It has led to problems with overtourism and the introduction of restrictions. But Dubrovnik is still extremely interesting, it's a city of worship, walls and endless stairs, some from the 12th century. The most overwhelming sites, cave bars and viewpoints will leave you speechless! Since Dubrovnik is overpacked with tourists, let me guide you through the best things to see and do in Dubrovnik for unique experiences. Things to see and do in Dubrovnik.
Dubrovnik is known for its remarkably preserved Old Town and primary filming location for Game of Thrones.
A few years ago, I travelled across Croatia and its amazing coastline, but never got to reach Dubrovnik. Maybe because the 12-mile strip of Bosnia and Herzegovina cuts of Dubrovnik from the rest of the country, leaving the southern part of the land separated. Dubrovnik is a city of worship, walls and endless stairs. City walls are even from the 12th century. Dubrovnik was the capital of the Republic of Ragusa in the Middle Ages. I knew I wanted to book a place with a panoramic view of historic city walls and a seafront location on the Dalmatian Coast. It’s breathtaking at night!
The real magic happens when you decide to skip visiting the crowded spots and must-see attractions, but start to wander along hilly streets, letting the city reveal itself to you slowly, like a good story. If you’re a Game of Thrones fanatic – yes, this is King’s Landing. Let me take you through everything you need to know to experience Dubrovnik at its finest.
PRO TIP: Here is an epic top rated and low-lost Dubrovnik Game of Thrones Tour.
I’ve been traveling across Croatia before, taking road trips along the magnificent coast and visiting the islands by ferry. At that time, it was one of the most tourist-friendly countries in Europe with average prices and exceptional hospitality. But my last trip to Dubrovnik and several major cities left a bad taste. It was packed with tourists and overpriced restaurants.
However, the overwhelming view from our apartment washed away the bad impression every time I was looking outside, and at night time it was pure magic. The panoramic view of historic city walls and the seafront location of the Dalmatian Coast was on the cover of every travel guide.
Bus from Dubrovnik Airport to Dubrovnik.
There are several ways to travel from Dubrovnik Airport, but yes, there is a convenient bus from Dubrovnik Airport to Dubrovnik.
The bus operates 7 days a week and leaves 30 minutes after every flight arrival.
Bus ticket costs 10 euros per person each way – SECURE YOUR TICKET HERE.
The journey takes approximately 35 minutes.
Where to stay in Dubrovnik?
I stayed in Dubrovnik with my Mom for 9 days and we booked an apartment in the Old Town. Yes, it’s more expensive than other locations, but the walking distance to the nearest beach, City Port and the Old Town was 5 minutes and the apartment had the view from the travel guide covers!
Here are top recommendations for amazing stays in the Old Town (max 250 meters from the city beach):
- Top pick: 4*star La Vita e Bella IV, with Buza Beach a 3-minute walk away, and Ploce Gate a 2-minute walk.
- La Vita e Bella VI, Luxury Suites in Dubrovnik Old Town is located in the city center, offering easy access to key attractions.
- 3* star Rafo’s Old Town Hideaway Apartment with a fully equipped kitchen,
- 4* star Palacio Celeste, offering a unique apartment experience within a historic building.
Dubrovnik landmarks.
There are plenty of things that will catch your interest and fill your day, and most of them are located in the heart of Dubrovnik’s old town. But what’s more important is that it’s a nice and visitor-friendly city with great residents.
Dubrovnik Cave Cafes with sea view!
Old town is a labyrinth of tiny cobblestone streets, the more you walk, the more you get to discover… A majority of fascinating things to see and do in Dubrovnik are located in the Old Town, starting with the City Walls Walking Tour. In the least expected street of the Old Town, you’ll discover tiny cafes built on a steep rock with an unbelievable sea view spreading in front of your table.
Trust me, you will have no problem spending half a day chillin’ at the balcony, sipping coffee and quietly enjoying the views.
City Walls Walking Tour.
Dubrovnik City Walls tour is a must! The ancient city walls are not just the defining feature of Dubrovnik—they’re one of the most spectacular fortification systems in the world. Built and reinforced between the 13th and 16th centuries, these mighty walls stretch for nearly 2 kilometers and rise up to 25 meters in height.
The walk takes about 1.5 to 2 hours.
My TIP: Start your walk early—ideally when the gates open at 8 AM. Not only will you beat the cruise ship crowds, but the morning light on the limestone creates lovely glow.
The entrance fee is around 250 HRK (about €35), and yes, it’s worth every cent. Bring water, wear comfortable shoes, and don’t forget sunscreen. There’s minimal shade up there.
The western wall section offers the best sunset views, while the eastern side provides an iconic view over the Lokrum Island and the open sea.
Here is a highly recommended low-cost Dubrovnik Discovery Old Town Walking Tour.
And here is top picked Full-Day Dubrovnik Elaphite Islands Cruise with Lunch and Drinks.
Dubrovnik Old Town.
Best historic landmarks in Dubrovnik Old Town
- The Franciscan Church and Monastery – this large monastery complex is situated at the very beginning of Placa, to the left of the inner Pile Gate, next to the Holy Savior Church
- Dubrovnik as Placa, is one of the most popular pedestrian paths in the middle of the Old Town. You might want to gather in the evening to watch nightlife
- Lots of people might like: Game of Thrones Tour
- City Walls Tour
- Art Gallery
- Cable car which offers panoramic view of the city
- The Large Fountain of Onofrio and St. Saviour Church
A day in Dubrovnik.
If you only have a day in Dubrovnik, a good idea is organising an eco tuk-tuk tour, which covers most of the spectacular things to see and do in Dubrovnik.
You may also take the cable car to the top of Mount Srđ. The ride itself takes only 3-4 minutes, but the view from 412 meters above the city is stunning.
From this vantage point, you can see the perfect geometry of the Old Town, the Elaphiti Islands, the green peninsula of Lapad, and on clear days, you can see all the way to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The summit also houses a small Museum of the Homeland War.
Adventurous things to do in Dubrovnik.
Dubrovnik offers plenty of spectacular tours to nearby islands.
Exciting tours are priced $35-70 per person, most of them offer a very relaxing and pleasant trip with scenic views of the coastline, wine and snacks. The boats usually have a glass bottom so tourists can admire the diversity of sea life.
Day trip to Locrum Island.
A 10-minute ferry ride will transport you from Dubrovnik to Lokrum Island – the paradise. Lokrum Island is a nature reserve, an absolute sanctuary. The island is covered in lush Mediterranean vegetation, with multiple swimming spots along its rocky coastline.
The Dead Sea lake is one of Lokrum’s highlights—a small saltwater lake connected to the sea through underground channels. It’s deeper and calmer than the open water, making it perfect for a swim.
Practical note: Ferries run regularly from the Old Harbor (every 30 minutes in high season), the last one back is usually around 6 PM, and the island closes at sunset. There are no hotels on Lokrum—it’s a day trip only. Bring your swimsuit, snacks, and water. There’s a small café, but it’s pricey and options are limited.
Elaphiti Islands.
If you have an extra day (and you should make time for this), take a boat tour to the Elaphiti Islands. These car-free islands—Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan—showcase a traditional Dalmatian island life.
Lopud is my pick of the three. It has one of the rare sandy beaches in the region (Šunj Bay), a charming village with stone houses and churches, and wonderful walking trails.
Koločep is the smallest and quietest, perfect if you want to escape completely. The island has two villages connected by a walking path.
Šipan is the largest, with better dining options and more to explore—olive groves and vineyards.
Most island tours include lunch on board or at a local restaurant (fresh fish, naturally), swimming stops at secluded bays, and just enough time in each port to explore.
Dubrovnik Card.
I highly recommend buying a Dubrovnik 1, 3 or 7 day Card for guests and visitors.
It guarantees a free entrance to the best city attractions: Dubrovnik City Walls, number of museums and galleries, and a bus card valid throughout the city of Dubrovnik.
I got myself a 3-day Dubrovnik card, so it gives you enough time to visit all the places and museums included in this offer.
Dubrovnik Card is available for purchase in Toursit office located near the Old Town after crossing Dubrovnik’s famous Pile Gate. Don’t forget to take city maps and folders from the tourist office. It will provide an insight into all the spectacular things to see and do in Dubrovnik.
Restaurants in Dubrovnik.
One thing you might not like about Dubrovnik are prices….damn, the city is seriously overpriced!! I remember travelling across other parts of the country and the prices were very affordable and the food quality was great. Dubrovnik was always way more expensive than other cities but sometimes the product is simply not worth the price.
The Michelin-starred restaurant in the old town is twice as expensive as in other capital cities in Europe. The biggest surprise was the port restaurant, which turned out to be the cheapest with delicious food.
There’s one thing you can’t miss – local liqueurs (especially Rogac)!
Must-try dishes:
- Crni rižot (black risotto made with cuttlefish ink)
- Brudet (fish stew, typically served with polenta)
- Peka (meat or octopus cooked under a bell-like dome with coals on top—order ahead)
- Pasticada (slow-cooked beef in a sweet-sour sauce, usually with gnocchi)
- Buzara (mussels or prawns in white wine, garlic, and breadcrumbs)
Street food: Grab a burek (flaky pastry filled with cheese, meat, or spinach) from a local bakery for breakfast. Perfect with a strong Croatian coffee.
Day trip from Dubrovnik to Cavtat.
One of the best things to see and do in Dubrovnik is one day trip to Cavtat. Cavtat is a lovely small harbour town located 20 km south of Dubrovnik. The road to Cavtat leads along a beautiful coastline.
Cavtat was one of my favourite days in Dubrovnik. I really liked the town; it presents a totally different atmosphere and vibe.
When to visit Dubrovnik?
When to visit: May, June, September, and October offer the best balance—warm weather, swimmable sea, but fewer crowds than July and August. If you must visit in high summer, book everything in advance for best and most affordable offers.
Where to stay: Staying in the Old Town is magical but expensive and can be noisy. Lapad offers better value, nice beaches, and easy bus connections.
Gruž is where the locals live—practical, affordable, less atmospheric. Ploče is quiet and close to everything. Wherever you stay, book early.
Getting around: The Old Town is completely pedestrian. For other areas, Dubrovnik has a good bus system. Buses #1A, #1B, and #3 connect most areas you’ll want to visit. Buy tickets from kiosks (cheaper) rather than on board.
Money: Croatia uses the Euro (as of 2023). Credit cards are widely accepted, but carry some cash for small purchases, beach entry fees, and konobas.
The best beaches in Dubrovnik.
Banje Beach is the most famous and the closest to the Old Town—just a short walk from the Ploče Gate. We had 5 minutes walk from our apartment.
Sveti Jakov Beach is my personal favorite. It’s about a 20-minute walk south of the Old Town (or a short bus ride)
For a proper beach day, head to Copacabana Beach on the Lapad Peninsula.
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