Get your bucket list ready. In this guide, we’ll show you the best things to do in Dubrovnik and how to experience them. Need help planning your trip? Check out our tips for visiting Dubrovnik — you’ll find the best restaurants, where to stay, how to get around and more!
What to expect in Dubrovnik
Is there more to Dubrovnik than just Game of Thrones? Of course!
Dubrovnik is a city that has risen from the ashes to become the ‘pearl of the Adriatic sea’.
The famous red-roofed city has frequently appeared on our screens through the world-renowned TV show, Game of Thrones. As magical and exciting as it is to visit the locations of iconic scenes, Dubrovnik has so much more to offer.
Around 1.5 million people visit Dubrovnik every year to enjoy its delicious cuisine, sip Croatian wine by the turquoise Adriatic sea and learn about its history.
Dubrovnik has a special charm that sets it apart from all the other Croatian cities.
Top tours in and around Dubrovnik
- Game of Thrones tour including Lokrum Island for €35
- Kayaking Tour of City Walls and Lokrum Island for €30
- 8-hour cruise to the Elaphiti islands, including unlimited drinks and lunch for €60
#1 Join a free walking tour to explore the Old Town
One of the best ways to discover a new city is to join a walking tour. In particular, a free walking tour.
A bonus of picking a free walking tour is that the guides are usually exceptional. That’s because you decide how much the tour is worth!
The free walking tour we recommend is the Dubrovnik City Tour with Vlaho. It was the first and best-reviewed free city tour.
What do you see on the free walking tour?
The tour takes you around the Old Town. There you’ll get to take in the beautiful sights, plus listen to stories and remarkable facts about Dubrovnik’s dramatic history, including the recent past during the Homeland War.
The best thing about the tour is that the tour guide, Vlaho, is a local, so he can give you a local perspective of the city. It’s something you wouldn’t be able to gain by walking around by yourself.
The walking tour lasts for 2.5 hours and begins outside of Nautika restaurant.
#2 Walk along Dubrovnik’s famous city walls
One of the main attractions of Dubrovnik is its outstanding and impressive city walls encircling the entirety of the Old Town.
Measuring nearly 2 km long, the city walls are a complex system of towers, forts, bastions and casemates.
Considering that the walls were built in the 13th century, they’re in incredible condition today and help you to imagine life back then.
Walking along the walls with the spectacular Adriatic Sea on one side, and the iconic red roofs on the other is a pretty immense experience. One that you have to do whilst in Dubrovnik.
(And yes it was also a filming location for Game of Thrones).
How to visit Dubrovnik City Walls
If you wish to walk the city walls alone, a ticket costs around €27 ($29) per person.
Alternatively, you can join several tours if you want to learn about the history of the walls and the city itself.
You can beat the crowds and join an early bird tour of the city walls or experience it at its full glory during the sunset tour. The tour takes around 2 hours and costs €25 per person.
Up for something a little different? A kayaking tour gives you a completely different perspective of Dubrovnik’s city walls. As well as getting to see them from the ocean, you’ll get to visit Lokrum island and go snorkelling for €30.
Book your city walls tour here:
- Early Bird or Sunset Guided City Walls Tour for €25
- Kayaking Tour of City Walls and Lokrum Island for €30
#3 Get lost in the streets of Dubrovnik Old Town
Dubrovnik Old Town is an evocative collection of new and old. Despite the name, there have been several meticulous renovations in the city.
After an earthquake in 1667 and the civil war in the early 1990s, Dubrovnik had to be rebuilt. It’s fair to say they did a pretty good job!
A good enough job that Dubrovnik Old Town became a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The best way to explore the Old Town (apart from joining a free walking tour #1) is to have no plan at all.
Just get lost in its intertwining cobbled streets and houses, occasionally stumbling on one of its gleaming wide marble-paved squares.
What is there to see?
As well as taking the Croatian homes, restaurants and cafes, we’d recommend also checking out:
- Rector’s Palace (see #10)
- Dubrovnik Cathedral (free)
- Franciscan Monastery (€4)
- Dominican Monastery (€2)
- Sponza Palace (€3.30)
- Onofrio Fountain (free)
#4 Ride in the cable car and get panoramic views of Dubrovnik
You can’t get a better view of Dubrovnik than this!
The iconic orange cable car dates back to 1969, a time when it was enjoyed by around 2.5 million people per year. Don’t worry, it’s not still the same cable car. A new one was opened in 2010.
There’s a reason why so many people were eager to reach the top of Mount Srđ. At 450 metres above sea level, you’ll be treated to spectacular views of the crystal Adriatic sea, the islands beyond and of course a birds-eye view of Dubrovnik Old Town.
The contrast of the orange roofs against the turquoise ocean is really quite magical!
This journey takes only 5 minutes but opens up a whole other perspective of Dubrovnik. A return ticket costs just over €13.
This Dubrovnik Super Saver Package combines the cable car with a walking tour of the Old Town and exploring the city walls. Efficient, stress-free and fun, all with a local guide!
#5 Take a boat to Lokrum Island for a day of swimming, snorkelling and exploring
Just across the water from Dubrovnik, you’ll be able to see Lokrum Island. Only a 15-minute boat trip away, Lokrum Island is a popular day trip from the city.
It’s an island full of incredible viewpoints, perfect spots for swimming and interesting history.
You can visit Lokrum Island Visitor Centre to learn about the story of King Richard the Lion Heart or wander through the island’s botanical gardens.
How to visit Lokrum Island?
You can hop on a boat at Porporela, Dubrovnik’s Old Port. During the summer months, these boats tend to run every 30 minutes.
A return ticket costs around €5 and the journey takes 15 minutes.
This isn’t the only way to visit Lokrum Island, though. You can also join a guided tour and kayak to Lokrum Island. As well as kayaking, you get to visit the botanical gardens and go snorkelling too for €30.
Lokrum Island was also the location for the city ‘Qarth’ in Game of Thrones. As part of this Games of Thrones tour, you’ll get to visit a variety of film locations in the Old Town. Plus Benedictine Monastery, where you can take a picture on the Iron Throne!
Book your Lokrum Island tour here:
- 2.5-hour kayaking and snorkelling tour around Lokrum Island for €30
- Game of Thrones tour including Lokrum Island for €35
#6 Relax on one of Dubrovnik’s beaches
Dubrovnik’s Old Town understandably has a habit of stealing the show, meaning Dubrovnik’s beaches are often forgotten about.
They definitely couldn’t be! That crystal-clear Adriatic Sea is too good to be missed.
Here are our 3 favourite beaches in Dubrovnik, perfect for relaxing and going for swim:
- Banje Beach – one of Dubrovnik’s most popular beaches. It’s mainly a pebble beach with a large shallow area perfect for ball games or kids. The sea here has that incredible Maldive-blue colour.
- Sveti Jakov Beach – a secluded pebble bay to the east of the Old Town. It’s not as busy as Banje Beach which makes for a more relaxing day.
- Uvala Lapad Beach – a mixture of sand and pebbles, this beach has plenty of amenities around it to grab some food or a drink.
#7 See the famous film locations on a Game of Thrones Walking Tour
Dubrovnik probably would have become a star all by itself, but Game of Thrones certainly helped to catalyse that process.
The red-roofed city has graced our screens as the setting for Cersei Lannister’s ‘Walk of Shame’, Kings Landing, Quarth and the Red Keep.
For big fans, it’s like going to Game of Thrones heaven!
Which tour should you join?
The city has obviously utilised their newfound fame, so you’ll now find a number of Game of Thrones souvenir shops as well as tours.
If you’d like to retrace the steps of some of your favourite characters, then we’d recommend joining this highly-rated Game of Thrones tour for €25. You even get to take a picture on the Iron Throne itself!
For the avid fans out there, you can ask as many questions as you like to your private guide. This private Game of Thrones tour costs €180 per group (up to eight people).
#8 Go on a boat trip to the Elaphiti Islands
Not all tourists make a trip to the Elaphiti Islands, which means that you definitely should. It gives you a day to escape the hordes of tourists in the Old Town and enjoy some sunshine by the sea.
The Elaphiti Islands are an archipelago of 6 islands, plus a number of smaller islets. The three main ones to visit are Kolocep, Lopud and Sipan.
The 3 main islands have populations with less than 1000 people, making it feel like a hidden gem.
You can spend your day on one of the islands enjoying some of the freshest seafood, tasting incredible wines or finding hidden caves.
How to visit the Elaphiti Islands?
Kolocep, Lopud and Sipan are all well connected by boat to Dubrovnik. There are several Jadrolinija ferries each way every day.
Alternatively, we’d recommend joining an all-day boat tour that will take you to the Elaphiti islands, allowing you to sit back and relax.
For only €50, you can spend 8 hours cruising through the sea and visiting the 3 main islands. Whilst you’re onboard the boat, you’ll have unlimited drinks all day long and a delicious lunch.
Want a more private experience? You can hop on your own private speedboat tour for €330 (up to 5 people).
#9 Climb 200 steps to visit Lovrijenac Fort overlooking the Adriatic Sea
Perched upon a 37-metre-high sheer rock, it’s hard to miss the impressive Lovrijenac Fort. Its imposing size and light grey walls create a brilliant contrast against the ocean backdrop.
Lovrijenac Fort is believed to date back to 1018, while official documentation shows 1301.
Back then, the detached fortress was an integral part of Dubrovnik City. When the city was under attack, the fortress would provide defence of the western part of Dubrovnik, both from the sea and the land.
The fort is a wonderful place to wander around and admire some incredible views.
Entrance to Lovrijenac Fort costs around €7.
#10 Admire the architecture of Rector’s Palace
Rector’s Palace is one of Dubrovnik’s main tourist and historical attractions.
Damaged multiple times throughout history, the palace is now a remarkable combination of architecture – a basic Gothic palace remodelled by Renaissance with Baroque add-ons.
Originally built in the 13th century and once a government building, Rector’s Palace is now home to the Dubrovnik Museum.
Entrance costs €13. It’s a nice place to escape the sun for a bit and admire some excellent architecture and history.
#11 Discover Dubrovnik through its food and wine
A great way to understand a city and way of life is through its food and drink. It gives you an insight into where they socialise, how they prepare their food and what’s important to them.
For Croatians in coastal cities like Dubrovnik, it’s a predominantly Mediterranean diet with a lot of seafood. You’ll easily find lots of this food, but what you may miss out on are the local specialities.
Also, check out our ultimate Dubrovnik travel guide where we talk about our favourite places to eat in the city.
Join a food and wine tour
That’s why we recommend taking a food and wine tour!
Croatian wine is also some of the best in the world and it’s absolutely delicious. You also don’t tend to find as many Croatian wines in restaurants and bars around the world, which makes enjoying a glass of Croatian wine that little bit more special.
This fascinating 3-hour culinary journey takes you to a number of cosy restaurants and cafes that you might have otherwise missed. You’ll learn about the cuisine as well as try it!
Maybe not as sophisticated as the tour above, but you can finish off a beautiful sunset kayaking trip with a complimentary glass of wine for €40.
Book here: 3-hour Dubrovnik food and wine tour for €125
#12 Fly through the sky on a zipline
Ever wondered what it would be like to see those iconic red roofs from a bird’s point of view? Well, now is your chance to experience some of the best views of Dubrovnik Old Town and the Adriatic Islands, whilst flying through the sky.
Two ziplines have been set up on Mount Srđ, which offer an unforgettable experience. You can fly through the sky for €47, including pick-up and drop-off.
#13 Enjoy the nature of the botanical gardens at Trsteno Arboretum
Need to escape the city for a bit and just be surrounded by nature?
20 minutes up the coast from Dubrovnik is Trsteno Arboretum. An arboretum is a Latin word for botanical. It’s a botanical garden.
The botanical garden is home to over 300 species of trees and plants from all across the world. You’ll find Asian trees standing right next to American ones.
Trsteno Arboretum is a beautiful place to enjoy tranquillity and relax as you take in nature.
An added bonus is that it’s also the location for the Kings Landing garden scenes in Game of Thrones.
How to get to Trsteno Arboretum
If you don’t have a car then taking the bus is a great alternative. There are 7 departures from Dubrovnik to Trsteno Town every day from 7:15 am to 9 pm.
The bus ride takes 20-40 minutes and costs around €3 each way.
Entrance to the gardens costs just under €7.
#14 Explore another country and visit Kotor in Montenegro
Want to tick off another country during your trip to Croatia?
Well, one of the main towns in Montenegro, Kotor, is only a 2-hour drive from Dubrovnik.
Kotor is a small coastal town surrounded by impressive mountains and stunning waters. It’s also one full of heritage and history.
How to visit Montenegro
You could try to do a day trip to Montenegro by yourself if you have a car, but if not we’d recommend joining a group tour. This way your transportation and where to visit is arranged for you.
With this all-day tour to Montenegro, you visit both Kotor and the nearby town of Perast. Not only that, you’ll get to enjoy a boat trip around Kotor all whilst being accompanied by a knowledgeable guide.
Book here: All-day tour to Montenegro for €70.
#15 Take a day trip to Bosnia and Herzegovina – Mostar and Kravica Waterfalls
Montenegro isn’t the only country that you can tick off your list from Dubrovnik. To the left of Croatia, you’ll find Bosnia and Herzegovina.
It’s a country with a volatile history, but now full of stunning landscapes, interesting historical sights and the friendliest people.
How to visit Bosnia and Herzegovina
Again, we recommend joining a tour unless you have your own car. It’s way more efficient and you won’t have to worry about a thing!
On this tour to Bosnia and Herzegovina, you visit both Mostar and the stunning Kravica Waterfalls.
The waterfalls are similar to those found in Croatia, such as Krka and Plitvice. However, Kravica waterfalls tend to be much quieter and you’re able to swim in them. Perfect for a hot summer day!
You’ll also have time to enjoy a walking tour with your guide through the historical city of Mostar and visit the famous Old Bridge over the Neretva River.
Book here: Day tour to Mostar and Kravica Waterfalls for €45
Rounding it up
Now you’ve picked the best things to do in Dubrovnik, it’s time to start ticking off that bucket list. Not sure how to plan your trip? Our guide is here to help! You’ll find out how long to stay in Dubrovnik, where to eat, how to get around and more. Happy planning!
Best places to stay in Dubrovnik
Important: Tourism in Croatia is very seasonal. Much of the available accommodation in Croatia is fully booked in the summer, but many sites are closed in the winter months. With July and August being the peak season, rates can rise 3 times as high as compared the low season or shoulder months. We recommend booking your accommodation at least 1 month in advance to lock in better rates.
Rooms Franica - Budget Friendly
Rooms Franica is a great choice if you’re travelling on a budget. The rooms are surrounded by gardens flourishing with flowers, plus your own patio. The beach is within walking distance and the Old Town is only 10 minutes away by bus.
The bonus of staying in a guesthouse is that you’re instantly made to feel at home. The hosts are super helpful and the rooms are comfortable and clean, offering everything you need.
- Close to the beach and supermarket
- Only 10m by bus to the Old Town
- Beautiful gardens
- Friendly and helpful hosts
- Private patio
Guest House Tomasi - Mid Range
This guesthouse is a magical blend of the old and the new. It boasts a modern flare, whilst still celebrating its origins with its exposed stone walls.
The hotel is located within Dubrovnik’s UNESCO- listed Old Town. You can’t really get a better location than this. Plus, the beach is also only 130 meters away! The owners treat you like their own family offering you apples, coffee and other treats.
- Amazing and friendly hosts
- Within Dubrovnik Old Town
- Huge and comfy beds
- Close to the beach
Villa Four Winds - Treating Yourself
If your heart is set on staying here, make sure to book it straight away as this Villa gets booked up fast! And for good reason.
Everything is at your doorstep, as you’ll be situated within the Old Town. This means that any window you look out of, offers you stunning views of Dubrovnik. The star of the show has to be Villa Four’s host. She takes the hotel to another level!
- Amazing views of the city
- Perfect location
- Friendly and helpful host
- Modern and large rooms
Kate is a writer, (ex)Management Consultant and avid traveller. She recently returned from a 2-year career break exploring the world and decided corporate life wasn’t for her. She’ll soon be testing life as a digital nomad. She’s visited over 40 countries and fell in love with Latin America in particular. Her travelling has inspired a passion for yoga, salsa, hiking and Spanish.
