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.
Bucket list experience:
Every year since 1950, from mid-July to late August, internationally renowned artists take part in music concerts, opera, theatre and dance performances at dozens of stunning open-air venues in Dubrovnik’s Old Town; these include the 16th-century Revelin Fortress and the atrium inside the Rector’s Palace.
Literally thousands of events are staged over the course of the festival, with world-renowned acts and performers. But it’s the atmospheric settings that really make this event special, and like no other.
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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 events are held at a range of open-air locations around Dubrovnik’s Old Town. See the programme on the festival website for advance details on locations for upcoming events.
For many events, you can simply buy tickets on the door. Some are free. However, for the bigger events it’s worth buying tickets in advance online (through the festival website). Book online early to snap up the best seats.
The festival runs from mid-July to late August. The opening night, usually on or around 10 July, sees the moonlit streets of the Old Town come alive for an opening ceremony, with a procession followed by a street party which sees in the dawn.
Our writer’s picks of the best places to stay near this experience, closest first
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.
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Dubrovnik, Dalmatia, Croatia
Small boutique hotel in Dubrovnik’s old town, with a superb roof-terrace restaurant and a small spa.
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Dubrovnik, Dalmatia, Croatia
Dignified 19th-century hotel, next to the old town’s main entrance, with a garden restaurant and spa with indoor pool.
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Dubrovnik, Dalmatia, Croatia
Small luxury hotel and restaurant, in a villa in gardens above the sea, a 10-minute walk from Dubrovnik’s old town.
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Destination guides including or relevant to this experience
Dalmatia, Croatia
Dazzling Dubrovnik offers UNESCO-listed heritage set against the pure blue backdrop of the Adriatic.
Our writer’s recommendations of other bucket list experiences our writer says you must do in this destination, closest first
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. 24m high and 6m wide, they’re are among the best-preserved city fortifications in the world.
Best for ages: 6+ | Free | 1 hour
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
A pristine archipelago, just off the coast of Dubrovnik, with pine-forested hills, quiet beaches with crystal-clear water, and lovely waterfront tavernas.
Best for ages: 4+ | Free | 3+ hours
Other worthwhile experiences near this experience if you have time or interest..
Dubrovnik, Dalmatia, Croatia
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
Dubrovnik, Dalmatia, Croatia
This daily market is the place to come to mingle with locals buying fresh fruit and vegetables, olive oil and locally-produced Grappa – come early in the morning for the best produce, it closes by lunchtime.
Best for ages: 13+ | Free
Dubrovnik, Dalmatia, Croatia
The administrative heart of the Republic of Dubrovnik in the 16th and 17th centuries, the palace is now a museum with furniture, artifacts and artworks dating back to the era of the Republic.
Best for ages: 18+ | £12
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