A complete travel guide for Dubrovnik, Croatia, featuring must-see sights and tips for a memorable visit to this stunning Adriatic gem.

“Those who seek paradise on Earth should come to Dubrovnik and find it” ~ George Bernard Shaw.

And once you have been to Dubrovnik, you will agree with George :).

With some of the bluest waters we have ever seen and a long and storied history, this Mediterranean destination really is dreamlike.

This Dubrovnik city guide will help you have the best possible stay.

In a rush?

The Little Details

How to Get to Dubrovnik

Having started our Croatian adventures by flying into Zagreb, we eventually made our way down to the coastal town of Dubrovnik to end our vacation.

Our entire Croatia day to day itinerary is at the end of this post.

Knowing there is no need for a rental car in the cities of Croatia and not wanting to pay for parking at our hotels in Split and Dubrovnik, we decided to use the company DayTrip to take us from Split to Dubrovnik.

If you haven’t used the company DayTrip yet, they are a fantastic method for getting between two destinations most places in the world.

Our local driver made two lesser known stops between Split and Dubrovnik of Ston and Rizman Wineries before dropping us off at our hotel.

With Dubrovnik as our last destination in Croatia, we flew out of the Dubrovnik airport to London for a one night overnight on British Airways.

Dubrovnik Airport (DBV) is served by many international airlines, connecting it to key cities across Europe and even the U.S.

Major airlines flying into Dubrovnik include:

• Croatia Airlines: Connecting to domestic routes like Zagreb and several European destinations.
• British Airways: Offering flights from London.
• Lufthansa: Operating from Munich.
• Aer Lingus: Serving Dublin.
• Finnair: Connecting Helsinki to Dubrovnik.
• Turkish Airlines: Offering flights from Istanbul.
• Ryanair: With various routes from cities like Milan, Berlin, and more.
• United Airlines: Direct flights from New York.

For more detailed information, you can check each airline’s website or Google Flights.

How to Get Around Dubrovnik

Getting around Dubrovnik is easiest on foot, especially in the pedestrian-only Old Town.

For exploring farther, the city has a reliable bus system, or you can opt for taxis or Uber which is available in Dubrovnik.

Best Time of Year to Visit Dubrovnik

The best time to visit Dubrovnik is in the spring or early fall when the weather is pleasant and the crowds are smaller.

This allows for a more relaxed experience exploring the city’s stunning Old Town and coastline.

Our two days in Dubrovnik were April 27-28, 2024 and while the water was a tad chilly, my husband still enjoyed jumping in the Adriatic Sea to cool off.

From all the research I have done regarding visiting Croatia and especially Dubrovnik – you will want to avoid the peak months of June-September.

Between multiple cruise ships (Dubrovnik is a major cruise ship stop) and masses of tourists, Dubrovnik is just too small of a city to enjoy with tens of thousands of other visitors there at the same time as you…

How Many Days You Need in Dubrovnik

For most visitors, two days in Dubrovnik is ideal to explore the historic Old Town and take in the stunning coastal views.

If you would like to also visit any nearby islands, I would add a day or two onto this relaxed pace itinerary.

Money and Plug Details in Croatia

Croatia uses the Euro (€) as its official currency. We predominantly used Apple Pay from our Iphones or credit cards but occasionally wanted to pay with cash.

In this case, we had leftover Euros from our December trip to Germany (read that travel guide here).

However if you don’t have any leftover Euros lying around (because well really – who does?!), I would suggest using a BANK ATM in Croatia to get maybe between 100 to 200 Euros for your entire trip for instances when you will want to pay with cash instead of credit card.

In Croatia, including Zagreb, you’ll need Type C and F plugs for your electronics, with a standard voltage of 230V and a frequency of 50Hz.

I bring this extension cord with me everywhere I travel and these adapters when traveling to Europe.

Best Places to Stay in Dubrovnik

Hotel Excelsior

If you are looking to spoil yourself on your Croatian travels – look no further than Hotel Excelsior.

Not only will you have the most incredible views of the Adriatic Sea from your room, this hotel is just far enough away from the hectic crowds of the old walled city but close enough for a pleasant walk into the walls.

We stayed here for our 3 nights in Dubrovnik as our last stop in Croatia and found it to be the perfect place to relax and enjoy the last days of our vacation.

The Pucic Palace

If you would rather be right in the thick of it within the old city walls, The Pucic Palace is literally steps from the famous Jesuit Steps.

This property is located in an 18th Century Baroque palace and would be a wonderful home base for your time in Dubrovnik.

Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik

Located in the hills above the city walls and in a historic building, the views from Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik would be a wonderful sight to end each night.

Best Places to Eat in Dubrovnik

While there are a multitude of places to eat in Dubrovnik, I like to use TimeOut Magazine’s lists of best places to eat in the cities we travel to – you can find the Dubrovnik list here.

These are a few of the restaurants we enjoyed during our 3 nights in town.

Holy Burek

Having just had our first burek halfway through our trip during our day trip to Hvar Island, we knew we needed to eat more of this fantastic Croatian treat!!

And Holy Burek is internationally known as having the best in Dubrovnik.

Sensus Restaurant

Having arrived into Dubrovnik later in the evening on our first night in town, we decided to have dinner at our hotel, Hotel Excelsior.

And we were not disappointed with this delicious choice! As a fine dining establishment, this is a wonderful place to have an incredible meal with stunning views of the Adriatic Sea.

Taj Mahal

Located on one of the narrow cobblestone streets inside the walls of Dubrovnik, this restaurant came hightly recommended to us and the recommendation was spot on :).

Bura Bistro & Bar

Located in the shadows of the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, Bura Bistro is a fantastic choice for a meal and cocktails!

Top Things to See and Do in Dubrovnik

Fort Lovrjenac

Fort Lovrjenac, also known as “Dubrovnik’s Gibraltar,” is a stunning fortress perched on a cliff overlooking the Adriatic Sea with commanding views of the wall and sea below.

Stradun, Dubrovnik’s Ancient Main Street

Stradun, Dubrovnik’s main street, is a wide, limestone-paved pedestrian thoroughfare that runs through the heart of the Old Town connecting Pile Gate in the west to Ploce Gate in the east.

Lined with shops and cafés, it is the beating heart of Dubrovnik however it can get frustratingly crowded – even in the preseason of April when we were there.

It’s a great place to grab some gelato to cool down from the warm Mediterranean temps although truth be told – we loved Peppinos Gelato right off of Stradun On Dominika Street near Ploce Gate :).

We accidentally timed our trip to Dubrovnik to be the same weekend as their annual city marathon – however surprisingly the crowds for this event were not as bad as we were anticipating ;).

Dubrovnik Old Town Streets

Get lost in the winding stone streets and white-washed alleyways away from the crowds of Stradun Street!

Many locals live within the walls of the old town and wandering these streets will give you a feel for the real Dubrovnik.

Old Town Gates

Dubrovnik’s Old Town is entered through two grand gates, Pile Gate on the west and Ploče Gate on the east, both steeped in centuries of history.

These iconic entrances lead to the heart of the city, where the charm of its medieval past unfolds.

The Historic Dubrovnik Fort Walls

The UNESCO world heritage site of Dubrovnik’s Old Fort Walls offer breathtaking views of the Adriatic Sea and the city’s terracotta rooftops.

It’s easy to spend a few hours on this must-do experience, allowing yourself to be immersed in the rich history while enjoying an epic walk.

HELPFUL TIPS:

1. Enter on the eastern entrance near Ploce Gate – it will be much less crowded and keep you at a distance from the crowds entering at the western entrance.
2. Allow about 1.5 – 2 hours to stroll the walls.
3. During our end of April visit, the temperature was 66º while we walked the wall from 11:30a-1pm and IT WAS WARM! If you visit Dubrovnik when the temperatures are warmer than that – try to visit the walls as soon as they open or before sunset when the temperatures are cooler. I have read it can be VERY VERY warm on the walls during summer months so plan to bring water with you so you do not overheat. There was only one cafe open while we were there on the eastern side that you need cash to buy a drink at…
4. The walk is one way and you can exit at multiple places – but most people exit at the same place they entered to do a full circuit of the walls.
5. Buy the combined ticket for the fort and walls at either place to save a little money.

Mount Srd

If you can time it so see the sunset from Mount Srd, I have heard it is one of the most stunning views in Dubrovnik.

While we did not experience sunset from the viewpoint at the top of the mountain, we were in awe with the panoramic views of the whole coastline to the left of the cable car and thoroughly enjoyed our time there.

Buy your ticket in advance here to avoid the lines that can get lengthy…

Buza Bar and Small Buza

Climbing through the little hole (literally) in the ancient city walls, the first thing you will notice is the beautiful view of the Adriatic Sea.

While the bar was actually still closed for the season during our April visit, the hole door is unlocked allowing you to go through and take a breather while enjoying the views.

From what we have read, the drinks here are expensive and the bar can get crowded but enjoying it during slow season was quite pleasant.

Franciscan Monastery

The Franciscan Monastery offers a peaceful retreat from the bustling city, with its beautiful cloister and rich history.

Don’t miss the chance to visit the centuries-old pharmacy, one of the oldest in Europe, still in operation today.

Jesuit Stairs

The Jesuit Stairs offer a picturesque walk up to St. Ignatius Church but are also the iconic and ridiculously popular steps featured in Game of Thrones.

Even with the crowds, these historic stairs are a fun must-see.

Our Flytographer photo shoot at 7am allowed us to get some crowd free photos here :).

Church of St Ignacious

One of the many many churches in Dubrovnik, visiting the Church of St. Ignatius with its baroque architecture and beautifully painted ceilings is the perfect spot to soak in both history and serenity.

It is hard to miss at the top of the famous Jesuit Stairs too ;).

Dubrovnik Cathedral

Dubrovnik Cathedral with its stunning baroque architecture houses a collection of religious relics, perfect for history lovers but can also be a peaceful respite from the heat and crowds outside that allows for some quiet reflection.

Just be aware, this Catholic church requires covered shoulders and no mini dresses, skirts, or shorts…

As members of the Catholic church, my husband and I always take the time in every European city we visit to enter at least one church to say a prayer and light a candle for all the loved ones we have lost.

Sponza Palace and Rector’s Palace

Visiting Sponza Palace offers a glimpse into Dubrovnik’s rich history, with its elegant blend of Gothic and Renaissance architecture.

The Rector’s Palace, once the seat of power, is now a fascinating museum showcasing the city’s political past and cultural treasures.

Old Town Port

The Old Town Port offers a glimpse into the city’s maritime history, with its picturesque harbor lined by ancient stone walls.

It is where you will hop on a boat to any of the surrounding islands including Lokrum if you decide to add this activity to your itinerary.

West Harbour

Dubrovnik’s Old Harbour, dating back to the 13th century, was historically a bustling hub of maritime trade and naval activity.

If you time it right, it can be a beautiful place to enjoy the peaceful views of the bright blue Adriatic Sea and the surrounding ancient buildings.

However, since Dubrovnik is a cruise ship port, the harbour is one of the first sights the crowds are dropped off at and therefore it can have an overwhelming number of visitors there at the same time ;0.

Game of Thrones Filming Sights

If you are one of the millions of people that have watched the award winning show, Game of Thrones, then you likely may know that most of the filming involving Kings Landing was in Dubrovnik.

As I have already mentioned most of the sites inside the Old City Walls – here is a list of the most notable sites in Old Town:

1. City Walls – These iconic walls were featured in numerous scenes, including the famous walk of shame with Cersei Lannister on Dominika Street
2. Fort Lovrijenac – Known as the Red Keep in the series, this fortress offers panoramic views and was used for various scenes in King’s Landing.
3. Stradun (Placa) – The main street of Old Town, which doubled for King’s Landing’s central thoroughfare, seen in many scenes including the Walk of Shame.
4. Dubrovnik Cathedral – The exterior of this cathedral was used for scenes set in the Great Sept of Baelor.
5. Sponza Palace – The building’s stunning architecture made it an ideal stand-in for the various locations in King’s Landing.
6. Minčeta Tower – This tower was used as the exterior of the House of the Undying, where Daenerys confronts her visions.
7. Pile Gate – This main entrance to the Old Town appeared in scenes set in King’s Landing, including the battle scenes.
8. Rector’s Palace – The beautiful palace was used as a setting for several interior scenes in the series.
9. The Jesuit Staircase – Featured prominently in scenes involving Cersei’s walk of atonement.
10. Buža Bar – This cliffside bar was used as the location for the Iron Throne’s private terrace.

The Beaches and Lokrum Island

If you area visiting Dubrovnik during the warmer weather months, visiting a beach or relaxing by the blue waters will most likely be something you would want to do.

As I mentioned earlier, even though our temps were in the low 70’s for our visit, we were surprised at how warm those temperatures felt for us. So warm in fact, we spent a day on the “beach” of our hotel, Hotel Excelsior where my husband swam in the Adriatic Sea :0.

If you are looking for a popular beach club, Banje Beach offers stunning views of Dubrovnik’s Old Town and the crystal-clear Adriatic Sea.

Its pebbly shore and inviting waters make it a perfect spot for a relaxing day by the sea.

While we decided to not go to Lokrum Island, it is a very popular activity to do when visiting Dubrovnik. You can learn about the boat ride to Lokrum here.

A Flytographer Photo Shoot

I love this company! We found them back in 2018 when we were in Prague celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary and have used them every year since :).

You probably have noticed many of the “polished” photos in this travel guide – as always they are my favorite photos from the trip.

My husband, who was reluctant to do our first photo shoot back in 2018, now looks forward to this activity when we travel as he says it helps us be romantic and more loving to each other than we otherwise may have been ;0.

You can learn more about this fantastic company here.

What to Wear in Dubrovnik in Spring

As I have mentioned multiple times in this post, even with temps in the mid 60’s and low 70’s, the warm sun in this southern location of this Mediterranean city made wearing sundresses and light sweaters at night the perfect outfits.

This is my favorite light sweater and these are my favorite shoes to wear with my spring sundresses.

Our April 2024 Croatia Itinerary Day to Day Overview

DAY 1 | Fly from San Diego to Zagreb via London on British Airways

DAY 2 | Arrive in Zagreb 8pm

DAY 3 | Zagreb: wander streets, take Funicular to top, explore Saint Mark’s Square, lunch at Konoba Didov San, Museum of Broken Relationships, Stone Gate

DAY 4 | Zagreb: explore August Cesarec neighborhood, Tunel Gric, Gornjogradska Gimnazija viewpoint, Zagreb City Museum, dinner at Le Premier Boutique Hotel

DAY 5 | Get rental car and drive 2 hours to Plitvice Lakes National Park

DAY 6 | Plitvice Lakes National Park

DAY 7 | Drive 3 hours to Split (return car at airport), dinner at Portas Pizzeria

DAY 8 | Split: Diocletian’s Palace, Stari Pazar market, Split port, Marjan park and viewpoint, Varos neighborhood, dinner at Konoba Dujkin Dvor, sunset at People’s Square

DAY 9 | Split: Cathedral of St Domnius and belltower, Ethnographic Museum, Game of Thrones Museum, shop on Diocletian’s Street, Temple of Jupiter, Treasury, dinner at Chops Grill

DAY 10 | Day trip from Split to Hvar Island: Stari Grad and Hvar Town

DAY 11 | Used Daytrip company to drive us from Split to Dubrovnik with stops at Rizman Winery and Ston

DAY 12 | Dubrovnik: 7am Flytographer photo shoot, Fort Lovrijenac, shop on Placa and Ulica od Puca (Street of the Wells), Old Town and Wall, Franciscan Monastery, Dubrovnik Cable Car to Fort Imperial viewpoint, St Blaise’s Church, dinner at Bura Bistro

DAY 13 | Dubrovnik: day at the beach, Buza Bar, Jesuit Stairs, Dubrovnik Cathedral, snack at Holy Burek, dinner at Taj Mahal,

DAY 14 | Flight from Dubrovnik to London Gatwick (2.5 hour flight)

DAY 15 | Fly to San Diego from London on British Airways

I hope you found this complete travel guide for Dubrovnik, Croatia helpful to you when planning your own Croatian adventure :).

A vacation in Dubrovnik offers a perfect blend of history, stunning Adriatic views, and charming medieval streets to explore at your own pace.

Its relaxed atmosphere and cultural richness make it an ideal destination for anyone seeking to learn about life in Croatia.

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Life is short, the world is wide.

I want to make some memories.

~Mamma Mia

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