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:
Dubrovnik, Dalmatia, Croatia
Covered with pine forests and lush Mediterranean vegetation, and sprinkled with olive groves, vineyards and 16th-century villas, the pristine Elafiti Islands make for a fabulous day-trip from Dubrovnik. The water is crystal-clear waters and there are countless secluded coves to explore.
The three largest islands, Kolocep, Lopud and Sipan, are inhabited all year round, though it’s during the summer months that they come to life, offering a charming selection of laid-back cafés and seafood restaurants.
Beach-lovers should head to Sunj, on the lush green island of Lopud, one of the islands’ few sandy beaches, with warm, shallow waters ideal for children.
One of the best ways to explore the islands is by kayak; numerous tour operators offer guided kayaking day-trips or longer expeditions. If you prefer something a bit more relaxing, you can opt for one a sail- or speedboat, either on an organised tour or a private charter.
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Destination Guide >Recommended itineraries by our writers that include this experience
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.
If you want to go independently, Jadrolinja run daily ferries from Dubrovnik to Kolocep (35mins), Lopud (55mins) and Sudurad on Sipan (75mins). The high-speed Nona Ana catamaran connects Dubrovnik to Sipanska Luka on Sipan (40mins).
Organised tours will often take in several islands, take you to hidden coves and good swimming spots, and include lunch. They usually last all day. Private charters give you the greatest flexibility in locations and duration, and the chance to find blissful seclusion.
The best time to visit the islands is from June to September. In winter, the sleepy villages on these islands can be lonely and windswept and many venues close down.
Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity
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Our writer’s picks of the best places to stay near this experience, closest first
Dubrovnik, Dalmatia, Croatia
Homely B&B, in a peaceful walled garden (with a pool) where breakfast is served, near Dubrovnik’s Gruž port.
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Dubrovnik, Dalmatia, Croatia
A luxury hotel overlooking a magnificent cove with its own a pebble beach, a fine dining restaurant and excellent spa, an easy 15-minute walk from Dubrovnik’s old town.
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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.
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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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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
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
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
Other worthwhile experiences near this experience if you have time or interest..
Dubrovnik, Dalmatia, Croatia
Often referred to as Dubrovnik’s ‘Gibraltar’, the St Lawrence Fortress sits on an outcrop of rock just outside the City Walls, and took 600 years to complete. Originally built to protect against the Venetian fleet, its walls are between 4 and 12 metres thick.
Best for ages: 13+ | £6
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
Dubrovnik, Dalmatia, Croatia
A charming Romanesque monastery with a hidden garden of orange and palm trees, a religious museum and the world’s oldest pharmacy, still functioning today.
Best for ages: 18+ | Free
Dubrovnik, Dalmatia, Croatia
This small wine shop in the heart of the Old Town sells wines straight from the Peljesac peninsula, plus Croatian deli items including fruit spirits, preserves and sweets.
Best for ages: 18+ | Free