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.
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Overview >Best things to do & places to stay:
Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik, Dalmatia, Croatia
Last updated: 30 May, 2023
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.
Orientation
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
Dubrovnik 5-day itinerary
Croatia
Where to go and what to see in Dubrovnik – a 5-day itinerary from destination expert and travel writer Annabelle Thorpe.
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Overview >The bucket list experiences our writer says you must do in this destination
Walk Dubrovnik’s City Walls
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
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Peljesac Wine Region
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
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Sea-kayaking around Dubrovnik’s city walls
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
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Dubrovnik’s best food & drink
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
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Overview >Other worthwhile experiences in this destination if you have the time or the interest
Experience
Banje Beach
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
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Experience
Cable car to Mount Srd
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
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Cavtat
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
Experience
Cultural Historical Museum
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
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Our selection of the best Viator tours of this destination, plus helpful tickets and transfers
City Walls of Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik
This is a small group tour, maximum 8 people in a group so it is very private experience. If you are a family or friends of more then 8 peop...
€45 | Rating 4.96 / 5 [29 ratings]
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Combo: Old Town & Ancient City Walls - 2 tours at a discount
Dubrovnik
2 tours at a discount!
Discover the best of Dubrovnik on a combined tour of Dubrovnik's Old Town and ancient city walls.
With your local ...
€43 | Rating 4.75 / 5 [378 ratings]
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Dark Tales of the Old Town
Dubrovnik
Haunted Dubrovnik decided to offer another treat for our guests who crave to hear many dark stories of the old town. This walking tour takes...
€25 | Rating 4.98 / 5 [56 ratings]
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Dubrovnik 1.5-Hours Discovery Walking Tour
Dubrovnik
Would you like to be introduced to the main sights of Dubrovnik? This unique tour gives you the opportunity to explore the stunning architec...
€20 | Rating 4.85 / 5 [539 ratings]
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Our writer’s picks of the best places to stay in this destination
Bokun Guesthouse
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:
Hotel Stari Grad
Dubrovnik, Dalmatia, Croatia
Small boutique hotel in Dubrovnik’s old town, with a superb roof-terrace restaurant and a small spa.
Official star rating:
St. Joseph’s
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:
Hotel Dubrovnik Palace
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:
When to go
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.
Getting there and away
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.
Getting around
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.
Where to shop
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.
What to buy
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.