Dubrovnik is one of the most beautiful and best-preserved historic cities in the world. As soon as you enter the old center of Dubrovnik, it feels like you’re stepping back in time by hundreds of years. The picturesque limestone streets, the ancient churches, and the towering city walls rising straight out of the Adriatic Sea make you feel like you’re on a movie set. And that’s no surprise because, as you might already know, Dubrovnik served as the backdrop for King’s Landing in Game of Thrones.
How to get to Dubrovnik?
Most people travel to Dubrovnik from Split, or Hvar. If you’re traveling from a different location by bus or boat, make sure to check the departure times and book your tickets in advance.
From Split to Dubrovnik
By bus: This is the most affordable way to travel from Split to Dubrovnik. The direct bus takes about 5 hours. Check the departure times and book your tickets in advance.
By boat: Traveling by boat from Split to Dubrovnik is a very pleasant option. The high-speed ferry takes you to Dubrovnik in 4.5 hours. There’s air conditioning, comfortable seating, and an onboard restroom. Check the departure times and book tickets for this ferry.
By car: This is a drive of about 3.5 hours.
From Hvar to Dubrovnik
By boat: If you’re traveling without a car from Hvar to Dubrovnik, the best option is to take the high-speed ferry. This boat takes about 3 hours, which is much faster than the bus. Check the departure times and reserve your boat tickets.
By car: If you want to travel by car from Hvar to Dubrovnik, you’ll first need to take the car on the main ferry. Check the departure times for the ferries and select Stari Grad under the Departure port as this is where the ferry departs from. Once you arrive in Split, it’s about a 3-hour drive to Dubrovnik.
What to do in Dubrovnik?
Below, you’ll find information on the best attractions in Dubrovnik, our recommendations for great restaurants, and the best places to stay.
Wander through the old town
Dubrovnik consists of two parts: the old town, which is entirely surrounded by tall city walls, and the newer section outside these walls. The old town is an attraction in itself, with beautiful discoveries to be made at every turn. The main entrance to the old town is the Pile Gate, and from this point onward, no motorized vehicles are allowed. Once you enter through the gate, you’re immediately on the 300-meter (895-feet) long main street called ‘Stradun’. Step away from the bustling main street and wander through the narrow alleyways where something special can be found around every corner. Make sure to also visit these magnificent structures:
- Dubrovnik Cathedral
- Dominican Monastery
- St Blaise’s Church
Walk over the city walls in Dubrovnik
A visit to Dubrovnik isn’t complete without a walk along its centuries-old city walls. Dubrovnik is one of the few cities in the world that remains entirely walled, allowing you to walk the entire perimeter atop its walls. The wall stretches for 2 kilometers (1.2 miles), reaches up to 25 meters (82 feet) high in places, and boasts six fortresses. The initial walls were constructed in the 9th century, with the fortresses added by the mid-14th century. The threat from the Turks in the 15th century led the city to reinforce the walls to provide enhanced defense. If you’re keen to delve deeper into the city’s fascinating history, we highly recommend this city wall tour.
The best time to walk the city walls is during sunset. However, if you’re visiting Dubrovnik in July or August, it’s wise to start your walk early in the morning to avoid both the heat and the crowds. There are three entry gates to access the city walls. These are located next to St. Saviour’s Church, by the fortress of St. Ivan, and next to St. Luke’s Church. Your starting point doesn’t matter much since you’ll be making a full loop. The walk takes approximately 1.5 hours. Don’t forget to bring along enough water.
Recommendation: Not many people are aware that the entrance ticket for the city walls also grants access to Fort Lovrijenac. This is a stunning fort, and certainly, all Game of Thrones fans will recognize it from the series. Fort Lovrijenac is located just outside the city walls, behind Pile Gate.
Watch Dubrovnik from Mount Srđ
From the Mount Srđ viewpoint, you have an incredible view over the old center of Dubrovnik, the Adriatic Sea, and the island of Lokrum. You can visit Mount Srđ by car, but if you don’t have one, you can also take a cable car. The cable car is a fun but pricey option, as this ride will set you back about $22.
Go and search for the Game of Thrones spots
Whether you’ve watched the series or not, everyone has heard of Game of Thrones. After all, Game of Thrones is one of the highest-rated TV series ever made. The old city of Dubrovnik served as the backdrop for King’s Landing in Game of Thrones. If you’ve seen the series, you’ll recognize many spots as you walk through the city. You can choose to explore these spots on your own, or you can book the Game of Thrones tour. During this tour, you’ll visit all the important filming locations, and the guide will share stories about the filming and locations. The guide will also show you photos of the Game of Thrones sets to help you see the differences. If you’re a true fan of the series, a tour is definitely the most enjoyable option. If you prefer to explore the locations on your own, make sure to visit these Game of Thrones spots:
- Jesuit Staircase (Walk of shame)
- St. Dominic Street
- Ploče Gate
- Fort Lovrijenac
- Dubrovnik West Harbour
Watch sunset at Buza Bar
If you feel like enjoying a drink, then Buza Bar is the perfect place for that! You’ll find this bar on the rocks, just above the sea and under the city wall. It’s a stunning spot to escape the city’s crowds and enjoy the sunset. If you’ve gotten warm, just head down for a dip in the refreshing sea. So don’t forget to put on your swimwear.
Visit Rector’s Palace
Rector’s Palace is a beautiful palace located in the heart of the old city. The interior of the palace has also served as a filming location for Game of Thrones. We found the entrance fee of over $15 to be quite expensive for what it offers. If you’re not willing to pay this price, you can choose to admire the palace from the outside, which is also very impressive.
Visit Island Lokrum
Just a 15-minute boat ride from the port of Dubrovnik is Lokrum, a unique green island with graceful inhabitants. During your visit, you’ll come across peacocks everywhere on the island. Make sure to allocate a few hours to relax when you visit Lokrum. In the southern part, you’ll find rugged rock formations where you can go cliff jumping into the crystal-clear water. Other attractions include the botanical garden, Dead Sea, and the monastery. If you want to explore the island actively, you can also kayak around it with this tour. The guide will show you the most beautiful spots and you’ll learn about the history of Dubrovnik and the island at the same time.
Try the best icecream in Dubrovnik
Croatia is a country of… yes, you guessed it, ice cream! You’ll see so many people enjoying ice cream on the streets that you’ll be tempted all day to get one yourself. In the old center of Dubrovnik, the best ice cream can be found at Peppino’s. Delicious!
Visit the impressive War Photo Limited
And now for something completely different. War Photo Limited is a museum featuring incredibly impactful war photographs. The exhibition brings together photos by various renowned photojournalists, showcasing the chilling reality of war. You’ll encounter images from the Yugoslav Wars, as well as more recent conflicts like the one in Myanmar involving the Rohingya. It’s a poignant exhibition and definitely worth a visit when you’re in Dubrovnik.
Chill at Banje Beach
Banje Beach is the most famous and popular beach in Dubrovnik due to its location just outside the old town. It’s a beautiful beach with clear blue water and a view of the fort. Keep in mind that it can get quite crowded here, but it’s still a great spot to cool off.
Visit the beautiful Pasjača Beach
Alright, this beach isn’t exactly in Dubrovnik, but we can’t skip one of the most beautiful beaches in all of Croatia. In fact, it was even named the most beautiful beach in Europe in 2019! Well, a bit of a drive is definitely worth it, right? This stunning beach is located 30 kilometers (18.6 miles) from Dubrovnik and has an interesting history of formation. It was actually created through a collaboration between humans and nature. In 1955, locals dug a tunnel through the rocks to the sea to prevent certain areas from flooding repeatedly. The leftover stones remained along the coastline and transformed, through the force of the waves, into pebbles, thus forming a beach. Among the immense rocks, the beautiful Pasjača beach was born.
Recommendations to avoid crowds in Dubrovnik
Let’s not beat around the bush: Dubrovnik is a bustling city, and especially during the months of July and August, it gets incredibly crowded. Dubrovnik is a popular cruise destination, and on days when cruise ships dock, the city is even busier than usual. Fortunately, these visitors don’t stay in the city for long, but it can be quite frustrating when three cruise ships full of tourists arrive on the same day, and you have to stand in line for an hour just to enter the old town. Thursday is the most popular day for cruise ships to dock, so try to avoid that day if possible.
Furthermore, the best advice is to get an early start when you’re in Dubrovnik. By exploring the attractions early in the morning, you won’t have to share them with as many people, and you can relax on the beach in the afternoon. Grab your breakfast and coffee from the bakery Mlinar (opens from 6:30 AM) and head straight out for the best experience.
Best Restaurants in Dubrovnik
The old center of Dubrovnik is brimming with excellent restaurants, but if we had to recommend one, it would definitely be Mex Cantina Bona Fide. This Mexican restaurant is located in a charming alley and serves truly delicious food. The portions are generous, and the prices are reasonable compared to other restaurants in the old town. The restaurants along the main street tend to be the most expensive. Just outside the walls, you’ll find Bistro Revelin. It offers a beautiful waterfront setting with a view of the city walls. The best time to visit is before sunset. Craving some wine? At D’vino Wine Bar, you’ll have a wide selection of great wines to choose from. Pair them with some tapas, and your evening will be a success.
Where to stay in Dubrovnik?
As we mentioned earlier, Dubrovnik consists of two parts: the old center and the surrounding city. To fully experience Dubrovnik, it’s fantastic to stay within the old town. However, hotel prices within the old town can be significantly higher, especially during the high season. We found it to be well worth it, but it ultimately depends on your budget. Just outside the city walls, you often get more value for your money than within them. If you choose to stay within the city walls, be sure to book your hotel well in advance, as they tend to fill up quickly. Below, you’ll find our favorite hotels in Dubrovnik, both within and outside the city walls.
Our Favorite Places to Stay in Dubrovnik
Apartments and Room Lora is a delightful place to stay and comes at a very friendly price. It’s just 500 meters (1640 feet) from the old town. Each room has a balcony offering fantastic views of the sea and the old town of Dubrovnik. Looking for a bit more luxury? Villa Ankora is also located just outside the city walls and here too, you can enjoy a stunning view of the old town. You’ll stay in a comfortable apartment with a kitchen, balcony, and a cozy bed. A major plus of Villa Ankora is its lovely swimming pool. Taking a dip here is wonderful after a day of exploring Dubrovnik! Within the city walls, in a perfect location in the old town, you’ll find Villa Monte Santo. You’ll stay in a beautiful double room with a comfortable bed, modern bathroom, and good air conditioning. This is a recommended choice if you want to truly experience the old town!
We always aim to find beautiful and affordable hotels, but during the high season, prices can skyrocket and sometimes even triple. It’s possible that a hotel we recommend, which typically costs $88 per night, could go up to $318 on certain dates in the summer. Unfortunately, this is something we have no control over, but we want to mention that these aren’t the prices we focus on with our recommendations. Booking a bit in advance can help you save a lot.
  Apartments and Room Lora |
  Villa Ankora |
  Villa Monte Santo |
