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 >Bucket list experience:
Cavtat
Last updated: 09 May, 2022
The pretty waterfront village of Cavtat, founded by the Ancient Greeks in the 6th century BC, is even older than Dubrovnik.
Sitting compact on a small peninsular, Cavtat overlooks a tranquil bay, rimmed by cafes, restaurants and palms. Stroll the tree-lined path around the peninsular to the hilltop Račić Mausoleum, an Art Nouveau white stone monument by Croatia’s best-known sculptor Ivan Meštrović, then return to the rocky shore for a swim and a chilled beer at the Little Star beach bar.
Regular boats run from Dubrovnik’s old harbour to Cavtat’s quayside, offering a chance to escape the busy city and see a slower-paced, small-town version of Croatian life. Sailing back in the late afternoon, past the rocky cliffs, lush pinewoods and pebble coves of the mainland coast, is idyllic.
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Destination Guide >Recommended itineraries by our writers that include this experience
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 >Price: Free
Minimum age: Any
Age suitable: 6+
When: All year around
Getting there & doing it
From Dubrovnik’s old harbour, runs regular boats to Cavtat (journey time 60 minutes), with stops along the way at Srebreno bay and the village of Mlini.
When to do it
Make a day of it – take a mid-morning boat, giving you time for a stroll around the headland, a dip into the shops, lunch and a swim before heading back in the late afternoon.
Because this is basically a tourist service, weekends don’t tend to be any busier than week days.
Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity
Dubrovnik Shore Excursion: Private Tour of Dubrovnik and Cavtat
Dubrovnik
When your cruise ship docks in Dubrovnik, head out on a private shore excursion to explore the seaside resort town of Cavtat and the Old Tow...
€193 | Rating 4.5 / 5 [26 ratings]
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Our writer’s picks of the best places to stay near this experience, closest first
Villa Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik, Dalmatia, Croatia[9.6 miles]
Slick design, sublime sea views, privacy and discreet luxury at this contemporary hotel, lying within sight of Dubrovnik’s old town.
Official star rating:
Villa Orsula Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik, Dalmatia, Croatia[10.2 miles]
Small luxury hotel and restaurant, in a villa in gardens above the sea, a 10-minute walk from Dubrovnik’s old town.
Official star rating:
St. Joseph’s
Dubrovnik, Dalmatia, Croatia[11 miles]
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 Stari Grad
Dubrovnik, Dalmatia, Croatia[11.1 miles]
Small boutique hotel in Dubrovnik’s old town, with a superb roof-terrace restaurant and a small spa.
Official star rating:
Destination guides including or relevant to this experience
Dubrovnik
Dalmatia, Croatia
Dazzling Dubrovnik offers UNESCO-listed heritage set against the pure blue backdrop of the Adriatic.
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Overview >Our writer’s recommendations of other bucket list experiences our writer says you must do in this destination, closest first
Sea-kayaking around Dubrovnik’s city walls
Dubrovnik, Dalmatia, Croatia[9.3 miles]
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 Summer Festival
Dubrovnik, Dalmatia, Croatia[10.8 miles]
An annual celebration of world-class music, theatre and dance, performed beneath the stars in Dubrovnik’s magnificent Old Town.
Best for ages: 18+ | £20 | 6 weeks
Walk Dubrovnik’s City Walls
Dubrovnik, Dalmatia, Croatia[11 miles]
A 2km walk along these 13th-century walls is a feast of dazzling views over Dubrovnik’s old town rooftops and the Adriatic. 24m high and 6m wide, they’re are among the best-preserved city fortifications in the world.
Best for ages: 6+ | Free | 1 hour
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Overview >Other worthwhile experiences near this experience if you have time or interest..
Experience
Sveti Jakov Beach
Dubrovnik, Dalmatia, Croatia[9.2 miles]
Gorgeous secluded beach with a waterside terrace café, within walking distance of Dubrovnik’s Old Town.
Best for ages: Any | Free
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Experience
Banje Beach
Dubrovnik, Dalmatia, Croatia[10.6 miles]
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
Dubrovnik Maritime Museum
Dubrovnik, Dalmatia, Croatia[10.7 miles]
A museum documenting Dubrovnik’s past as a major seafaring city, through scale models of ships, engine room equipment, flags, maps and sailors’ uniforms.
Best for ages: 18+ | £2
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Experience
Dubrovnik Cathedral
Dubrovnik, Dalmatia, Croatia[10.8 miles]
A Roman-Baroque cathedral, with eye-catching cupola, home to the polyptych (panelled painting) of The Assumption of the Virgin (1522), attributed to Titian. The treasury displays more than 100 gold and silver relics, including the skull of St Blaise, Dubrovnik’s patron saint, encased in a bejewelled Byzantine crown.
Best for ages: 18+ | Free
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