Your guide to Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik highlights
Walking the walls
Journey back in time on a walk around Dubrovnik’s fortified City Walls. Winding around the heart of the UNESCO-listed Old Town, the walls offer a panoramic view of Dubrovnik. Look down on terracotta rooftops, glimpse into hidden courtyards and enjoy stunning Adriatic Sea views. Avoid the crowds and skip lines by buying your tickets online in advance and set off for an early morning start.
Island hopping
Even if you’re planning a weekend break to Dubrovnik, squeeze in an island-hopping adventure. Set sail to the Elaphiti Islands, northwest of Dubrovnik. You’ll find sandy beaches, thick pine forests, olive groves and quaint villages at Sipan, Lopud and Kolocep (the last two islands are car-free). Explore on foot or by bike, taking in the ruins of Roman villas and monasteries on Sipan and enjoy the natural beauty of Lopud.
Stunning architecture
Discover impressive architecture in Dubrovnik. Drenched in history, the city boasts numerous buildings in renaissance, Gothic and baroque styles. Visit the Dominican Monastery and admire its gothic and renaissance beauty and spot the mix of architectural styles at Sponza Palace. Don’t miss the dominating Minceta Tower, one of the filming locations for the drama series ‘Game of Thrones’.
Dubrovnik: Know before you go
| Language | Croatian |
|---|---|
| Currency | Euro (€) |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) and UTC+2 (CEST) |
| High season | July - August |
| Low season | December - February |
Find the best time to go to Dubrovnik
Weather in Dubrovnik
March – May: Spring is known for the ‘sirocco’, a Mediterranean wind that’s often accompanied by rain. But generally mild temperatures make this a great time to explore the outdoors.
June – August: Dubrovnik’s hot, dry days are offset with coastal breezes and occasional summer thunderstorms. The sea is at its warmest in August, when it averages 25°C.
September – November: The weather stays sunny and warm well into October, and temperatures don’t tend to drop too far until November. Perfect time for sightseeing!
December – February: Winter is the wettest season in thecity, but it israrely ever truly cold. Cloudy days give way to clear, bright sunshine when the Bora winds blow.
Events in Dubrovnik
Festival of St Blaise (February): The build-up to Dubrovnik’s patron saint’s day lasts several days. Come for the street ceremonies and rituals — or stay for the carnival month that follows.
Dubrovnik Summer Festival (July to August): For six weeks, an epic programme fills the concert halls and theatres with great performances. Don’t miss the annual staging of Hamlet at the 11th-century Fort Lovrijenac.
Good Food Festival (October): This relatively recent addition to the city’s calendar has quickly become its greatest foodie celebration. Take your place at theDubrovnik Table— which runs the length of the Stradun — to sample all the best the city has to offer.
The best neighbourhoods in Dubrovnik
Old Town
Old Town’s fascinating history makes it one of the best areas to stay in Dubrovnik. Step through the 15th-century Pile Gate with its stone bridge and explore the maze of old streets (the paving stones in Stradun were laid in 1468). Pick up a traditional Croatian pastry for brunch at Mlinar and enjoy dinner as the sun goes down at Bura Bistro and Bar in Bunic Square.
Good for: Historic buildings, cobblestone streets, restaurants
Ploce
The residential area of Ploce slopes down towards Banje, the popular shingle beach. Located to the east of the historic centre, this is where to stay in Dubrovnik for luxury hotels and panoramic views. See the 15th-century Ploce Gate (featured in ‘Star Wars’ and ‘Game of Thrones’) then enjoy Mediterranean cuisine as the sun goes down at Above 5 Rooftop Restaurant (open during the tourist season).
Good for: Luxury hotels, panoramic views, film locations
Lapad
Located on the Lapad Peninsula to the west of the city centre, Lapad is a short bus ride from Old Town and close to Gruz Harbour. It has three main beaches – Copacabana, Cava and Uvala – and tree-lined streets with cafes. If you’re looking for a family-friendly area with a great choice of hotels and apartments then Lapad is a good option for where to stay in Dubrovnik.
Good for: Coastal living, family-friendly, beaches
Things to do in Dubrovnik
Shopping
For retail therapy, browse artisan stores and local boutiques within the ancient walls of Old Town and pick up hand-brewed wine or handmade scented lavender products to take back home. For a large selection of fresh local produce, go shopping in Dubrovnik at the morning food market at Gruz. It’s perfect for finding tasty nibbles for picnics.
Places to eat
Bring your appetite and work your way around the many restaurants in Dubrovnik. Feast on traditional Dalmatian and Croatian tapas dishes at Lucin Kantun, all made lovingly from fresh ingredients. Michelin-starred Restaurant 360 is a great place to indulge in a five-course tasting menu. It also offers a beautiful view of Old Town harbour.
Take in the culture
Delve into the past at the museums in Dubrovnik. Discover local history at the Cultural History Museum, housed in the 15th-century Rector’s Palace, or learn about modern Croatian history at the Red History Museum. On a romantic break? Head to the Love Stories Museum, which tells stories of love and romance from real couples.
Beaches
Enjoy relaxing on beaches in Dubrovnik. For views of the old town, head to the pebbled Banje Beach. It’s the main city beach and has sun-loungers available for rent. Locals favour the Sveti Jakov Beach, set below cliffs and accessed via steps from Sveti Jakov Church. For swimming and sunbathing, try the rocks at Buza below the city walls.
Nightlife
Sample Croatian wines at D’Vino Wine Bar in Old Town, but reserve a table in advance as seating is limited. Find the ‘hole in the wall’ and pop into Buza Bar for refreshing drinks and stunning views. For after-hours nightlife in Dubrovnik, head to the Revelin Culture Club and dance the night away in the 16th-century fortress.
Family friendly things to do
You’ll find plenty of things to do with family in Dubrovnik. See the city from above with a ride on the Dubrovnik cable car up to Mount Srd; the views are spectacular. Explore the lush green Trsteno Arboretum, where citrus trees perfume the air and bullfrogs and goldfish fill the pond. Enjoy ice cream as you watch the sun set over the Adriatic.
Get ready for Dubrovnik
Budget
If you avoid some of the pricier tourist hotspots in the Old Town, it’s perfectly possible to enjoy an inexpensive stay in Dubrovnik. A beer will cost around four euros (€), and a coffee is less than €3 if you head off the main drag. An inexpensive meal can come in under €15. Try the local pastries or the popular ‘blue fish’ (sardines).
Day trips from Dubrovnik
Just across the water from the Old Town is Lokrum island. A 15-minute boat trip will deliver you to its rocky beaches, salt lake and botanical gardens. You can travel by bus or boat to the art-filled seaside town of Cavtat in under an hour. Or drive further south to the Konavle Valley, rich with vineyards and olive groves.
Getting around Dubrovnik
There are plenty of options for getting around Dubrovnik. The city is well served by cheap and efficient buses (operated by Libertas). Buy a Dubrovnik Pass online for access to various attractions and other perks. Getting around by car can be tricky due to the one-way streets, but taxi drivers and rideshares will know the best routes. Ferries take you to nearby islands and private taxi boats are available too.
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