Dubrovnik 3-day itinerary
Croatia
Where to go and what to see in Dubrovnik – a 3-day itinerary from destination expert and travel writer Annabelle Thorpe.
Best things to do & places to stay:
Dubrovnik, Dalmatia, Croatia
Dubrovnik, often described as the ‘Pearl of the Adriatic’, has to be one of the world’s most glorious fortified towns.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Dubrovnik is probably Europe’s best example of a late medieval walled city, its architecture and fortifications remarkably well-preserved.
The pedestrian-only Old Town of the former independent Republic of Ragusa (1358-1808) is packed with proud aristocratic buildings, a testament to its past as a wealthy seafaring state.
Aside from outstanding architecture, it offers blissful seascapes, decent pebble beaches, excellent fish restaurants and some of Croatia’s most luxurious hotels.
Touted as the new Riviera, this picturesque and culture-rich hotspot manages to seduce and accommodate everyone from trendsetters and celebrities to honeymooners and cruise ship passengers.
Dubrovnik’s fortified Old Town is sandwiched between Mount Srd on one side and the glistening Adriatic on the other. Founded in the 7th century, it gained its present layout in the 12th century.
Stradun, the main thoroughfare and public meeting space, stretches 300m from Pile Gate to Ploce Gate (the two main entrances into the historic centre).
Lapad peninsula, which is home to many hotels, lies 2km west of the Old Town, opposite Gruz port.
Our writer’s recommended itineraries for this destination
Croatia
Where to go and what to see in Dubrovnik – a 3-day itinerary from destination expert and travel writer Annabelle Thorpe.
Croatia
Where to go and what to see in Dubrovnik – a 5-day itinerary from destination expert and travel writer Annabelle Thorpe.
The bucket list experiences our writer says you must do in this destination
Dubrovnik, Dalmatia, Croatia
A 2km walk along these 13th-century walls is a feast of dazzling views over Dubrovnik’s old town rooftops and the Adriatic.
Best for ages: 6+ | Free | 1 hour
Dubrovnik, Dalmatia, Croatia
Sample some of Croatia’s finest red wines at the vineyards on this mountainous peninsula. A one-hour drive up the coast from Dubrovnik.
Best for ages: 18+ | Free | 4
Dubrovnik, Dalmatia, Croatia
One of the world’s great kayak tours – around Dubrovnik’s magnificent medieval walls and along beautifully unspoiled coastline, away from the crowds.
Best for ages: 13+ | £30 | 5+ hours
Dubrovnik, Dalmatia, Croatia
Our summary of the typical foods, ingredients and flavours, cooking styles, dining scene and best foodie experiences in Dubrovnik.
Best for ages: 13+ | Free
Other worthwhile experiences in this destination if you have the time or the interest
Dubrovnik, Dalmatia, Croatia
Dubrovnik’s best-known beach, just a short walk from the Ploce Gate, Banje has spectacular views of the Old Town and is backed with a clutch of cafes and restaurants.
Best for ages: Any | Free
Dubrovnik, Dalmatia, Croatia
Rising 415m above the city, topped with a historic fortress and accessible by cable car, Mount Srd offers spectacular views across Dubrovnik and beyond – on a clear day, the vista stretches for up to 60kms. The lower station is just ‘above’ the Old Town on Ulica Petra Kresimira IV, and it’s 3 and a half minutes to the top.
Best for ages: 4+ | £17 | 3.5 minutes
Cavtat, Dalmatia, Croatia
A tranquil, pretty waterfront village with a restaurant-lined promenade, shaded by palms and picturesque old houses. Perfect to escape the crowds.
Best for ages: 6+ | Free
Dubrovnik, Dalmatia, Croatia
The city’s museum – showing how local aristocrats once lived – includes an armoury and dungeon. It’s all housed in a 15-century palace.
Best for ages: 18+ | £9
Our selection of the best Viator tours of this destination, plus helpful tickets and transfers
Dubrovnik
€45 | Rating 4.96 / 5 [29 ratings]
Tour supplied by:
Dubrovnik
€43 | Rating 4.75 / 5 [378 ratings]
Tour supplied by:
Dubrovnik
€25 | Rating 4.98 / 5 [56 ratings]
Tour supplied by:
Dubrovnik
€20 | Rating 4.85 / 5 [539 ratings]
Tour supplied by:
Our writer’s picks of the best places to stay in this destination
Dubrovnik, Dalmatia, Croatia
Homely B&B, in a peaceful walled garden (with a pool) where breakfast is served, near Dubrovnik’s Gruž port.
Official star rating:
Dubrovnik, Dalmatia, Croatia
Small boutique hotel in Dubrovnik’s old town, with a superb roof-terrace restaurant and a small spa.
Official star rating:
Dubrovnik, Dalmatia, Croatia
Luxury B&B in a renovated 16th-century building in Dubrovnik’s old town, offering a cosy heritage stay and an ideal base to explore the city.
Official star rating:
Dubrovnik, Dalamatia, Croatia
A stylish beachfront hotel that offers the perfect escape from the busy city, with a private beach, four restaurants and glorious sea views.
Official star rating:
High season (July and August) sees the city hot and crowded; on the plus side, the Dubrovnik Summer Festival creates a vibrant nightlife scene. Spring and autumn (May-June, September-October) are possibly the loveliest times to visit – the weather is dry and sunny, the sea is warm enough to swim in, and the Old Town is busy but not packed.
In winter (November-April), many hotels and restaurants are shut and the weather is unreliable, but the city is blissfully crowd-free.
Dubrovnik’s international airport, located near Čilipi, is 17km south east of the Old Town. An airport bus meets all incoming flights, dropping passengers at Pile Gate (the main entrance to the Old Town) and Dubrovnik bus station, next to Gruž port and close to Lapad peninsula. Taxis are also readily available at the terminal.
If you’re staying in Dubrovnik, you really don’t need a car – the Old Town is pedestrian-only, and there are regular, efficient bus services between the Old Town (Pile Gate entrance), Lapad peninsula and Gruz port. In any case, parking can be problematic. However, a car is a bonus for out-of-town excursions. The nearby Elafiti islands are served by a network of inexpensive ferries and catamarans, which depart from Dubrovnik’s Gruz port.
Dubrovnik is not a major shopping destination, but one don’t-miss experience is the morning open-air market in the Old Town. The Old Town is also home to an increasing number of designer boutiques, which are worth a browse.
Locally produced wines (notably red Dingac and Plavac from Peljesac, and white Posip from Korcula) and paintings of the Old Town by Dubrovnik-based artists.