You’ve come to the right place for an honest Dubrovnik travel guide. Dubrovnik, a city of exquisite beauty and tragic history, is a place where misfortune seems to lurk around every corner. Its ancient walls, a testament to a bygone era, now stand as a grim reminder of the city’s tumultuous past. The Adriatic Sea, once a source of prosperity, has also been a witness to countless calamities, from pirates to natural disasters.
If you find yourself in a position where you must visit Dubrovnik, I implore you to reconsider for it is a place of such exquisite beauty that it seems almost unreal. But if you do visit Dubrovnik, I would recommend spending two full days and more if you plan to use it as a base from which to visit Mostar, Korčula, Ston, or other spots around in the area. Read on for my complete Dubrovnik travel guide.
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If this is your first stop in Croatia, read the 31 Essential Croatia Travel Experiences.
Dubrovnik Travel Guide
- What to Expect
- What to See and Do in Dubrovnik
- Getting to Dubrovnik
- Getting Around Dubrovnik
- Where to Stay in Dubrovnik
- Where to Eat in Dubrovnik
- What Else to Do Near Dubrovnik
What to Expect
Dubrovnik, a city perched upon the Croatian coast, is a place of remarkable charm and natural beauty. Its ancient walls, a testament to centuries of history, encircle a labyrinth of narrow streets and quaint squares. The Adriatic Sea, a shimmering expanse of turquoise, washes against the city’s shores, offering a breathtaking backdrop to its architectural wonders.
The city’s historic center is a delightful place to explore, with its elegant palaces, ornate churches, quaint shops, and bustling markets. Visitors can wander through the cobbled streets, stopping to admire the intricate stonework, countless Game of Thrones filming locations, and vibrant laundry hanging out the windows.
What to See and Do in Dubrovnik
First, the Dubrovnik Pass is an excellent value if you plan to walk the City Walls and do anything else. There are options of a daily pass (valid for 24 hours), a three-day pass, and a seven-day pass. The daily pass is €15 in the winter, or €40 in the summer and the multi-day passes are an extra €10 for the three-day or an extra €20 for the seven-day. The pass gives you unlimited access to the Libertas bus system, access to the city walls, access to a number of other museums and museum houses, and discounts on a variety of tours. The pass can be purchased online or at a number of tourist information centers and hotels.
- Get lost in Old Town: Its weathered walls, scarred by time and conflict, enclose a labyrinthine maze of cobblestone alleyways. If you explore long enough, you’ll stumble upon the grand Stradum, the magnificent Rector’s Palace, the serene Franciscan Monastery, the majestic Dubrovnik Cathedral, and more.
- Walk the walls: The Dubrovnik City Walls wind their way around the ancient heart of the city, offering a panorama of the Adriatic Sea. As you wander along their crenellated parapets past towers, bastions, and a fortress, you cannot help but feel as though the past is never truly dead. There are three entrances and ticket booths for the city walls: on Stradun by the pile gate, by Fort St. Johns, and by Fort St. Luke. A ticket costs €15 in the winter and €35 in the summer and includes admission to the mysterious Fort Lovrijenac.
- Kayak or paddleboard around Dubrovnik’s Old Town: Explore hidden coves and beaches and enjoy a new perspective of the City Walls.
- Take a tour
- Take a boat tour: Explore the Elaphiti Islands, the Blue Cave, or the Green Cave.
- Sample local cuisine: Enjoy fresh seafood, olive oil, and local wines.
- Attend a Game of Thrones tour: Visit locations used in the popular TV series and get behind the scenes stories.
- Ride the cable car or hike up Mount Srđ: Unbeatable for birds-eye views of Dubrovnik and surrounding islands. This is a great sunset option too. It is easiest to purchase tickets at the cable car station. An adult round-trip cable car ticket is 27€, or 15€ for a one-way ticket, while children’s tickets cost much less.
- Explore the Hotel Belvedere: Perched precariously on the edge of a cliff, this once-grand hotel is a testament to opulence and excess. Its brief moment of splendor in the 1980s was tragically cut short by the ravages of the Homeland War. Now, abandoned and forgotten by everyone but the felines that call it home, it stands as a haunting reminder of the fragility of human endeavors and the destructive power of conflict.
- Visit Lokrum Island: This small island, cloaked in an eerie tranquility and filled with roaming peacocks, offers a respite from the clamor of the city. Here, one may wander through the confines of a Benedictine Monastery or lose oneself in the labyrinth of a botanical garden. Swim in the crystal-clear waters or simply relax on the secluded beaches. But beware for this seemingly idyllic retreat may be forever cursed by the monks that once called it home. Check the departure schedule and purchase a Lokrum Ferry ticket from the office in the Old Town Port which gives you access to everything on the island. An adult ticket is 27€.
Getting to Dubrovnik
Fly: Dubrovnik Airport or Čilipi Airport (DBV) is located 15km from Dubrovnik city center and offers flights from various European cities, many of which are seasonal.
Ferry: Jadrolinjia is the main ferry company and all ferries arrive at Port Gruž. Buy paperless tickets online for a katamaran (passenger ferry), or trajekt (car ferry). You can also use Ferryhopper.com to check all of your options.
Bus: There are a few bus companies that serve Dubrovnik. Check Getbybus for schedules and to reserve your ticket.
Drive: Driving is a great way to get around Croatia. Expect a rental car to cost ~€75 per day for a manual transmission (more for an automatic), plus gas and tolls, which can add up. Keep in mind you cannot bring a car into Dubrovnik’s Old Town.
Getting Around Dubrovnik
From the Dubrovnik Airport:
- Shuttle: A shuttle to the city leaves around 30 minutes after every flight.
- Rideshare: Check prices for Uber and Bolt for a ride all of the way to your accommodations or to the nearest Old Town gate.
From Port Gruž:
- Bus: Libertas buses 1a, 1, and 3 regularly run to Old Town.
- Rideshare: Check prices for Uber and Bolt for a ride all of the way to your accommodations or to the nearest Old Town gate.
Walk: Walking is a great way to explore Dubrovnik, and the only way to explore Old Town.
Bus: The Libertas bus system connects different parts of the city with the city center. Use the app to check the best routes and schedules, and track your bus. Use small change to buy tickets directly from the driver or from at Libertas booths located near the Pile bus station. Tickets cost less than €2 and are good for 59 minutes from the time they are stamped (upon boarding).
Moped: Download the Mynt app to find a moped, pay, and ride. I didn’t try this so can’t attest to how easy it is.
Taxi and rideshare: Skip the taxis if you value the contents of your wallet, but Uber and Bolt aren’t bad options for going longer distances.
Where to Stay in Dubrovnik
When it comes to accommodations in Split, you’ll most likely want to stay in or near Dubrovnik Old Town for easy access to tons of restaurants, bars, and attractions. One thing to keep in mind is that there are no cars allowed in Old Town so you’ll have to walk from one of the Old Town gates to your accommodations if you stay within the walls, and the people of Dubrovnik would really rather not listen to your loud wheelie suitcase.
Find a hotel that’s in your price range, in the area that best suits your needs, with the amenities you want.
Where to Eat in Dubrovnik
From hearty seafood dishes to sweet pastries, Dubrovnik offers a feast for the senses. Be sure to enjoy some buzara, šporki makaruli, and arancini.
If you wish to avoid leaving Dubrovnik without having tasted the most delectable delicacies, I implore you to make sure to eat at Restaurant Marco Polo, Kopun, and Taj Mahal Old Town. If you’re looking for more, here’s my full list of places to eat and drink in Dubrovnik.
What Else to Do Near Dubrovnik
One can select from a number of peculiar day trip options from Dubrovnik, including a few to nearby foreign lands.
Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina is a city scarred by war and haunted by the past. Its cobblestone streets wind their way through a labyrinth of crumbling buildings, each one bearing the marks of violence and despair. The iconic Stari Most, a bridge of stone that once connected the city’s divided halves, now stands as a fragile symbol of reconciliation. Here is a highly rated private tour option.
Kotor in Montenegro
Kotor, Montenegro is a lively town shrouded in shadows and steeped in secrets, is a place of ancient stones and forgotten lore. Nestled within a fjord-like bay, its fortified walls conceal a labyrinth of narrow, winding streets and squares filled with cafes, palaces, museums, and theaters. Here is a highly rated private tour option.
Korčula
Korčula, an island adrift in the Adriatic Sea, is a place of beauty with sun-baked shores and verdant vineyards. Its quaint, fortified town with winding cobblestone streets and historic stone buildings invite exploration and conceal a history filled with tales of piracy and intrigue. Wander through the supposed birthplace of Marco Polo or relax in a sun-drenched cafe sipping local wine.
Ston
Ston is a quaint coastal town, a place of simple pleasures and stunning scenery. Known for its oyster farming, it offers a taste of the sea, fresh and pure. Its charming streets wind their way through a landscape of olive groves and vineyards, inviting visitors to taste and explore its peaceful beauty.
Dubrovnik is a city that will leave you haunted by its past, captivated by its present, and forever changed by its tragic allure. I’m sure you’ve enjoyed this Dubrovnik travel guide so if you’re looking for more, here are all of my posts about Croatia, including tips for planning your trip and essential Croatia travel experiences.
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