Planning a Trip to Dubrovnik
Just an hour-long flight from Croatia's capital, Zagreb, to Dubrovnik, the "Pearl of the Adriatic" as it is affectionately known. Once on the ground, head straight to the hotel to check in and drop off your luggage. Then head out for a tour of Old Town and the chance to walk the fortified city walls. Don't miss the opportunity to catch the sunset from Srd Hill, the walls, or even Buza Bar, which is located through the walls on a cliff edge overlooking the Adriatic.
You can easily fill a couple of days touring the city, nearby islands, and even wineries and oyster farms. The Konavle is a wonderful wine region that is easy to reach in a day and a fun yet accessible place for a bike tour too. For those who love adventure, there's also hiking, ziplining, and canyoning, and for those who want to take things at a slower pace, quiet beaches or swimming in the Adriatic make for great relaxation.
Learn more—and decide if you just might need to extend your vacation by a few days—with How Many Days to Spend in Croatia.
Dubrovnik in 24 Hours
If you only have one day in Dubrovnik, stick to the Old Town. You will not want to miss a chance to walk the city's fortified walls, which offer incredible views of the city, the Adriatic, and Srđ Hill behind the city. There are cafés in the parapet towers that sell refreshments like drinks, smoothies, and ice cream too. After walking the walls, take a historical walking tour of the city to see, experience, and learn about the most popular sights, such as Rector's Palace.
Maximize your time in the city by visiting some of the best bars and restaurants. Dine on traditional Croatian dishes like crni rižot or black squid ink risotto, and sample some of the country's best wines cultivated not far from the city. If there is still time at the end of the day, consider taking the cable car up Srđ Hill for a jaw-dropping panoramic sunset over the city. Read up on unique experiences to have in Dubrovnik before arriving to prepare for and make the most of a great day.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Dubrovnik in 2-3 Days
If you have a weekend in Dubrovnik, experience the city by land one day and by sea another. You'll find stunning architecture and historic charm within the city walls. The capital of the Dalmatian region, Dubrovnik is also a wonderful place to taste regional delicacies such as the squid ink risotto or the robust red wines from the nearby Pelješac Peninsula. Wander the shining white stone of old town and take the cable car up Srđ Hill for wonderful panoramic views of the city and Elefiti Islands below–especially at sunset. Drink at hole-in-the-wall bars, and walk the city walls around the fortification.
Take to the water on the second day. You can visit Lokrum Island by ferry, see the city from the water on a kayaking tour or simply relax on an isolated beach. You'll find ancient ruins and even a small saltwater lake on Lokrum too. It is also possible to hire a private sailboat and enjoy the day swimming and snorkeling in the blue Adriatic waters.
For more sightseeing by land, join a bike tour of Konavle, a local wine region. You will see row after row of vineyards and, of course, stop at a few award-winning wineries to sample the robust reds too. After a day of peddling, retreat to Banje Beach in Dubrovnik to soak up some sunshine and enjoy the water.
Dubrovnik in 4-5 Days
With four to five days in Dubrovnik, it is also possible to take a day trip from the city. Three days allow you to fully experience both the gleaming old town and the city by way of the Adriatic, with time to venture outside of the Dalmatian capital. The region is best known for its incredible seafood and complex red wines, and the best place to sample these delicacies is not far from the city itself.
Hire a car for the day and wave goodbye to the city. Drive an hour northwest of the city to the Pelješac Peninsula. You'll find award-winning wineries and fresh oysters and mussels at the farms in Ston. The 14th-century fortified city of Ston was built to protect the saltpans that are also there. Walk the city's parapets to catch a glimpse of the gleaming saltpans below that are still active today. Stop by a local restaurant for an incredible seafood lunch and polish off a bottle of famous Dingač red wine.
You can also plan to follow itineraries that vary from adventure travel and multi-sport activities like hiking, cycling, or ziplining to luxurious living or island hopping. While there are tons of things to do and see in Dubrovnik, such as Rector's Palace and walking the city's fortified walls, getting out on the Adriatic is very much a part of visiting Dalamatia too. Take a kayaking tour to Lokrum just off from the city, or sail farther to Korčula, Brac, and Vis for a more in-depth experience of Croatia's many islands.
Want to include Dubrovnik in your Croatia Itinerary?
Here are a few guides and itinerary ideas to get you started: