Dubrovnik: 10 tips on what to see and do
Dubrovnik is one of Croatia’s most beautiful cities, instantly captivating visitors with its majestic historic walls, stone streets, and its position overlooking the Adriatic. The historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and despite its huge popularity, the city still maintains the strong atmosphere of the former Republic of Ragusa. If you’re planning your first visit, I’ve put together an overview of places and experiences you shouldn’t miss, including tips on where to stay in Dubrovnik.
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Where to stay in Dubrovnik?
Find accommodation in Dubrovnik on the map:
Recommended accommodation in Dubrovnik:
1. Hotel Ivka / 4* city hotel with breakfast, best value for money
- In my opinion, this is a great choice for staying in Dubrovnik with breakfast included
- Hotel Ivka is located on the Lapad peninsula, close to a bus stop; the Old Town is about 2 km away and the seaside promenade is approximately a 10-minute walk.
- You’ll appreciate the rich buffet breakfast and excellent ratings
- It might not be a romantic spot right by the walls, but for a comfortable stay in the city without overpriced rates, it’s a great choice
2. Boutique Hotel Stari Grad / 4* hotel in the center with atmosphere and a beautiful view
- If you want to stay right in the historic heart and don’t mind paying a bit extra, this is my favorite
- It’s one of only two hotels located directly inside the Old Town walls
- What’s great is that breakfast is served on the rooftop terrace with panoramic views of the Old Town, the Adriatic, and the surrounding islands, while the hotel is just 50 meters from the center
- Ideal accommodation in Dubrovnik for romantic weekends for two
Boutique Hotel Stari Grad
3. Hotel Kompas / hotel on the edge of town near the beach
- If you want to explore Dubrovnik but also be close to the beach and have breakfast included, I’d choose this hotel
- Views of Lapad Beach, great ratings, and located about 15 minutes by bus from the Old Town
- For me, it’s the best compromise if you want to be near the beach and promenade, but also want to visit the city
Hotel Kompas Dubrovnik
What to see and do in Dubrovnik?
1. Walk through the Old Town
The Old Town is usually the main reason people visit Dubrovnik. You’ll find marble squares, narrow stone alleys, and many historic buildings that are worth exploring beyond just their facades. It’s not enough to just walk through; it’s better to take your time and enjoy the individual corners and smaller squares off the main tourist path.
2. Go up to Mount Srđ
Mount Srđ rises directly above the city and offers one of the best views of Dubrovnik, the walls, and the surrounding islands. You can get to the top by cable car or on foot, with the hike taking about two hours round trip in my experience. It’s most beautiful in the late afternoon when the historic center is bathed in warm hues and the sea below looks even more vibrant.
3. See Dubrovnik from the sea by boat or kayak
The view of Dubrovnik’s walls from the sea level has a completely different dimension than from land. A boat, or more affordably a kayak, allows you to see the city from the outside, paddle along the rocky coast, and reach places that aren’t easily accessible otherwise. Popular stops include Cave Beach or smaller caves and coves nearby. We easily rented kayaks right by the small beach where you set off. Otherwise, the rental office is in a small building just a few meters from this beach.
Dubrovnik/ kayak rental
4. Walk the famous city walls
The walls of Dubrovnik are the city’s symbol and one of the best places to see the entire center from. The circuit around the walls takes about one to two hours, and along the way, you’ll see towers, bastions, fortresses, and views of red roofs and the open sea. Entry isn’t cheap, so it’s worth checking in advance if a Dubrovnik Pass would be better for you.
5. Visit the Rector’s Palace / Dubrovnik
The Rector’s Palace recalls the time when Dubrovnik was an independent republic with its own political system. Today, it houses a cultural-historical museum where you can get an idea of the life of the local aristocracy and how the city administration functioned back then. The building itself is one of the finest examples of Dubrovnik architecture.
6. Dubrovnik – head to the beach
Dubrovnik isn’t a typical destination with long sandy beaches. However, you’ll enjoy beautiful pebble and rocky coves. The closest to the historic center is Banje Beach, which you can reach in a few minutes from the eastern gate. It gets crowded in high season, so if you want more peace, it’s worth heading further from the Old Town.
ACCOMMODATION IN DUBROVNIK NEAR THE BEACH
Dubrovnik beaches
7. Discover historic churches in the Old Town – Dubrovnik
Part of the atmosphere in Dubrovnik isn’t just the walls and palaces, but also the churches hidden among the houses and in smaller alleys. The Cathedral, St. Blaise’s Church, and the Church of the Annunciation are particularly worth noting. St. Ignatius Church is also very impressive, with its decoration and location at the top of one of the most picturesque staircases in the city.
8. Take a trip to Mostar
If you want to combine your stay in Dubrovnik with a day trip, Mostar is a very good choice. It’s about 125 kilometers from Dubrovnik and attracts visitors with its Ottoman architecture, famous bridge, and powerful historical story. Plus, compared to Dubrovnik, you can usually expect better prices for food and drinks.
Mostar – bus trip from Dubrovnik
9. Visit Lovrijenac Fortress / Dubrovnik
Lovrijenac Fortress stands outside the main walls, but it’s definitely one of Dubrovnik’s most prominent landmarks. It’s also famous for being a filming location for Game of Thrones, so it will interest film buffs as well as history lovers. But the main reason to visit is the view back toward the Old Town, which is among the best in the city.
Dubrovnik Croatia
10. Head to Lokrum Island / Dubrovnik
Lokrum is the perfect escape from the crowds of tourists that are almost omnipresent in Dubrovnik, especially from late spring to autumn. You can reach the island with a short boat ride, and pine forests, rocky shores, an old monastery, a botanical garden, and a salt lake await you. You can easily spend a few hours here, but you’ll enjoy a full day just as much.
You might also be interested in:
- Novigrad: the Croatian gem of Istria
- Rovinj: the pearl of Istria, the town and island accommodation
- Beaches in Trieste: 7 great tips for summer swimming
- 21 tips for the most beautiful lakes in Austria
Dubrovnik – practical tips before you go
It’s best to head to Dubrovnik outside the high season, as it gets very hot in the summer and the center is overcrowded. Pack comfortable shoes, as the Old Town is car-free and many streets involve stairs or hills. Accommodation in Dubrovnik is usually cheaper outside the historic center, from where you can walk or take a bus into town. On the other hand, if you don’t mind paying extra, you can enjoy a romantic weekend right in the center, by the walls.
Why fly to Dubrovnik?
Dubrovnik might be famous from the TV series and many Instagram photos, but it’s also a city with a strong history, a distinct character, and surprisingly diverse and interesting surroundings. Besides the center itself, the various viewpoints, fortresses, swimming spots, Lokrum Island, or even a trip across the border to Mostar are all worth your attention. If you plan your visit well, you can, like we did, combine history, the sea, and local trips over a few days.
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