Dubrovnik Travel Guide

A view overlooking the Old Town of Dubrovnik, Croatia and the old city walls

Located on the southern coast of Croatia, Dubrovnik is the most popular destination in the country.

On everyone’s radar these days, Dubrovnik is beautiful and everything you might want it to be. The city is one of the wonders of Europe, combining a fantastically preserved medieval town surrounded by thick, 24-meter (80-foot) high walls with a glimmering azure sea as its backdrop. It’s simply striking.

But Dubrovnik struggles with overtourism so just be prepared for crowds in the summer (though I would totally skip the summer and go in early spring or late fall). If you get out of the old walled city, you can find a ton of places in the new part of town and in the surrounding regions that are free from the hordes of tourists.

This travel guide to Dubrovnik can help you plan your trip and beat the crowds as you explore Croatia’s iconic destination.

Top 5 Things to See and Do in Dubrovnik

The Old Town of Dubrovnik, Croatia and the towering city walls
1. Walk the medieval city walls

Walking the walls, which were constructed in the 12th-17th centuries and are still incredibly well preserved, is an obligatory activity for first-timers in Dubrovnik. It’s not cheap (and the price seems to go up just about every year), but the 2-kilometer (1.2-mile) journey around Old Town, or Stari Grad, is worth the price. With parts of the walls reaching a maximum height of 25 meters (83 feet), this is the best way to view the city from above. Along the length of the walls, there are an impressive 4 gates, 2 round towers, 2 corner towers, 12 forts, and 5 bastions. Admission is 35 EUR.

2. Explore the beaches

Lapad Uvala is a lovely sandy beach (a rarity in Croatia) on which to plant yourself for a day of swimming and sun-worshipping. Its proximity to restaurants, as well as the long, café-flanked Lapad promenade, makes it popular with both locals and tourists. If you’re staying near Old Town, take bus #2 from Pile Gate.

If you don’t mind a pebbled beach, Banje is located just a five-minute walk from Old Town. There’s a public section as well as the private Banje Beach Club, where you can dance the night away once it turns into a nightclub in the evenings.

3. Take a boat trip

Taking a boat trip is the best way to explore all the islands, coves, caves, and beaches near Dubrovnik. The Elaphites is a nearby archipelago popular for day trips by boat. Take your pick from the variety of tours on offer, including glass-bottom boats, sailing trips, kayaking tours, and sunset and dinner cruises. Another popular boat trip is to the so-called Blue Cave, a phenomenon in which sunlight pouring through the top of a cave lights up the limestone seafloor with a radiant blue color. Boat tours start at 20 EUR for one hour while boat tours to the Blue Cave that also visit Sunj Beach and include drinks are around 67 EUR.

4. Spend time on Lokrum Island

Lokrum, just a 15-minute ferry ride away, is a peaceful, verdant island, ideal for swimming and sunbathing. It boasts hiking trails, viewpoints, a fortress built by Napoleonic soldiers, and a botanical garden. There’s even a mini “Dead Sea” on the island — a small, calm lake with very high salt content, in which one can float. Locals also swear that the restaurant Lacroma has the best fried calamari in Croatia. Ferries run every 30 minutes June to September and hourly during the low season ( 14 EUR round-trip). You can find the schedule here.

5. Visit the Cultural History Museum

A 14th-century Gothic-Renaissance palace hosts Dubrovnik’s Cultural History Museum, featuring over 20,000 objects related to the city’s history, as well as rooms decorated in period style. The collections include paintings, prints, furniture, textiles, ceramics, metals, icons, glass, photographs, and more, ranging from the 14th to the 20th centuries. The building was also a prominent Game of Thrones filming location (standing in for the Spice King’s mansion in Qarth). Admission is 15 EUR.

 

Other Things to See and Do in Dubrovnik

1. Take a free walking tour

The first thing I do in a new city is to take a free walking tour. It’s the best way to see the main sights, learn about local history and culture, and connect with an expert guide who can answer all your questions. Free Dubrovnik Tours offers regular free tours that cover all the highlights around town. The tours last around two hours and you’ll hear fascinating stories about the city’s past while walking by sights like the Pile Entrance, Jesuit Steps, Sponza Palace, and more. Just be sure to tip at the end!

2. Trek up to Fort Lovrijenac

Game of Thrones fans will recognize this imposing citadel as the Red Keep from King’s Landing. Nicknamed “the Gibraltar of Dubrovnik” (you’ll know why once you lay eyes on it), this 11th-century fort just outside the western walls of Old Town was built in an attempt to keep the dreaded Venetians from invading — and it succeeded. The walls facing the sea are 11-meters (39-feet) thick, allowing Dubrovnik — then called the Republic of Ragusa — to remain an antonymous city-state beyond the control of Venice (this lasted all the way up to 1808, before it succumbed to Napoleon and then the Austro-Hungarian Empire). With your ticket to the walls, you get entry to this fort and thus a very different angle and view of the city. And an excellent one at that.

3. Tour the Red History Museum

Dubrovnik is not really known for its museums. But this newish spot, located near the new port in the district of Gruž, is worth the trek from Old Town. The exhibits tell the story of Yugoslavia, a country that included Croatia that dissolved in 1992, making it an informative primer for anyone not familiar with the former country’s history. There are re-creations of a typical Yugoslav living room from the ‘60s and ‘70s, installations on the positive parts of socialism, and text-heavy explanations of the country’s darker side. Admission is 9 EUR.

4. Drink local craft beer

When the founders of the Dubrovnik Beer Company wanted to open a brewery in this 1,300-year-old city, they did some research in the archives to learn about past breweries in Dubrovnik — only to learn that there had never been one. It seems hard to believe, but, then again, this part of Croatia is all about wine. But you’ll want to switch from wine to beer once you sip the delicious sudsy stuff they’re brewing here, located in the Gruž neighborhood. Hop on a stool in the taproom and sip from a variety of beers, including the refreshingly crisp lager Maestral, named after the warm northwesterly winds that blow down the Adriatic coast in the summer. The brewery is just around the corner from the Red History Museum, so after taking in some Communist history, you may want a beer or three to digest everything.

5. Visit the War Photo Ltd. Museum/Gallery

When New Zealand-born Wade Goddard decided to retire from capturing combat zones on film, he started an incredible photo gallery dedicated to war photography. This Old Town museum is a must-see, especially for those who want to get a better understanding of the Balkan wars of the 1990s and the 1991-92 siege of Dubrovnik. The images are sometimes shocking and often saddening, but a visit here is important. Admission is about 10 EUR.

6. See the spot where quarantines were born

The denizens of Dubrovnik know a thing or two about quarantines. That’s because the practice was first put into regular use here. In 1377, authorities of the city (then known as Ragusa) instituted a 40-day quarantine for incoming visitors due to the Black Plague that was ravaging Europe at the time. The place they designated for this 40-day stay was just east of Ploce Gate, today the most well-preserved historical lazaretti (quarantine structures) in the northern Mediterranean. They are now used for concerts and art exhibitions and other public events.

7. Explore an abandoned Yugoslav-era hotel

A 25-minute walk from Old Town’s Ploce Gate is the Hotel Belvedere. Until 1991, when it was bombed during the war, it was a luxurious five-star resort; it even had a helipad for the super-rich. Today it sits unloved and abandoned, making it an intriguing place to visit. If you squint a bit, you can imagine what Yugoslavia may have been like. You may also recognize some parts of the ruined hotel from scenes in Game of Thrones. There’s long been talk that a Russian oligarch has purchased the property and plans to restore the hotel to its five-star glory. But until that happens, visitors can still stroll around the ruined grounds before the 1% retake the space.

8. Gawk at medieval art

On the eastern end of Stradun near the clocktower sits the Dominican Monastery, founded in the late 14th century. It’s a fun stroll through the complex and admire its Gothic architecture and design, and the cloisters are the most striking part. Make sure you see the art collection. “The Crucifix” is a one of Paolo Veneziano’s masterpieces and is in the nave of the main church high above the altar. Also, don’t miss “Mary Magdalene with SS Raphael, Blaise, and Tobias,” the amazing painting by Venetian master Titian (Blaise is the patron saint of Dubrovnik). Admission is 5 EUR.

9. Stroll on Stradun

In the early evening, when tourists and tour leaders retreat, locals descend upon Old Town to stroll the Stradun, its “wide” main street. Specifically, they do a dir — pronounced “dzeer,” derived from the Italian giro for doing a “tour” — a slow amble, while greeting old friends and neighbors to gossip. It’s a time-honored, centuries-old Dubrovnik tradition. The stone buildings glow golden in the sunset and the bell tower on the east end of the street is stunning against the hills in the distance.

10. Ride the cable car up to Mt. Srd

There’s no better view of town than from the cable car as it soars 1,361 feet up to the top of the mountain. The red-tiled roofs and old city walls are striking against the bright turquoise of the Adriatic Sea. You also get incredible views of the small island of Lokrum and the harbor. A Napoleonic-era fort at the summit has been turned into a museum dedicated to the siege of Dubrovnik and the wars that broke up Yugoslavia. If you’re looking for adventure, you can rent an ATV or go zip-lining at the top as well. A round-trip ticket is 27 EUR, available April to October. (Alternatively, you can get a one-way ticket for 15 EUR or hike up and down the mountain via a hiking trail.)

11. Explore the Homeland War Museum

While you’re at the top of Mt Srd, spend some time visiting this museum dedicated to the 1991–95 Croatian war of independence. Located in a historic fort that played a role in defending the city, the museum features a variety of military memorabilia as well as an English-language documentary. It’s a helpful place to understand more about this dark period of the country’s recent history. Admission is 5 EUR (cash only).

12. Go on a Game of Thrones tour

For an in-depth look at many filming locations for the famous HBO series, a tour is the way to go (most King’s Landing scenes were filmed here). There are countless to choose from, from walking tours to sailing tours, some complete with props so you can stage your own photos on location. You’ll see where the Red Keep was filmed and the place where Cersei took her walk of shame through the city streets. The Ultimate Game of Thrones Tour lasts two hours and costs 25 EUR.

If you’re on a budget, there’s also now a free Game of Thrones tour — just remember to tip your guide at the end!

13. View works by Croatian artists

Visit the Museum of Modern Art Dubrovnik (MoMAD) to gain a deeper understanding of Croatian culture through the eyes of Croatians themselves. The museum was founded in 1945 and is located in a former shipbuilder’s mansion. The collection features over 3,000 works by prominent Croatian modern artists like Vlaho Bukovac and Mato Celestin Medovi?. In addition to all the paintings, you’ll also see sculptures, photographs, video, and art installations. Free admission is available as part of the Dubrovnik Pass.

14. Enjoy a wine tour

Croatian winemaking dates back over 2,500 years to the ancient Greeks. Today, Croatia is one of the world’s top producers, mainly focusing on white wines due to the area’s particular climate. On a tour, you’ll explore the rolling hills covered in vineyards, learning about the country’s beloved winemaking traditions that haven’t changed in centuries. Dubrovnik Wine Tours offers full-day tours starting at 85 EUR.

15. Take a food tour

If you prefer to skip the wine and just focus on the food, there are plenty of tours that do just that. Sample traditional Croatian favorites like freshly caught seafood, prosciutto, black risotto, and traditional desserts, like rožata (caramel flan). Dubrovnik Food Tours offers a variety, including an Old Town tour, a culinary boat cruise, and even cooking classes. Tours last 3 to 4 hours and start at 110 EUR per person. They also offer day trips to local farms and wineries starting at 160 EUR.

16. Day-trip to another country

Dubrovnik’s location makes it ideal for popping into another country for a day. Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kotor in Montenegro are both picturesque historic cities that can easily be visited in a day. If you don’t want to go solo, Super Tours organizes full-day tours into Montenegro for just 40 EUR per person while full-day tours to Mostar are just 30 EUR.

17. Visit the Maritime History Museum

Visit this more off-beat museum for an in-depth look at this important port’s maritime history. It was founded in 1949 and is located in the first two floors of Fort St John. The fort used to be one of the city’s most important defenses, guarding the port’s entrance. The small but fascinating museum includes artifacts such as old maps, navigational instruments, objects uncovered from shipwrecks, models of historic ships, and more. Admission is 10 EUR, which also includes entry to all the Dubrovnik city museums.

 

How to Stay Safe in Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is a safe place to backpack — even if you’re traveling solo, and even as a solo female traveler. The city is relatively free of crime, even petty theft. There have been spurts of pickpocketing in the last couple of years, but the police have worked to stomp it out.

That said, always keep your valuables secure and out of sight when in crowded areas and when on public transportation, just to be safe. Also, never leave your things unattended when at the beach. Thefts are rare but they can occur.

Solo female travelers should generally feel safe here. However, be sure to follow standard safety precautions (never leave your drink unattended at the bar, never walk home alone intoxicated, etc.). For specific information about a place, check out one of the many incredible solo female travel blogs on the web. They’ll give you tips and advice that I can’t.
Luckily, save for the shady, dodgy restaurants on Prijeko Street in Old Town, there are very few scams in Dubrovnik. Still, here’s a list of common travel scams to avoid.

When hiking, always bring water and sunscreen. Be sure to check the weather before you depart, and dress accordingly.

If you experience an emergency, dial 112 for assistance.

Always trust your gut instinct. Make copies of your personal documents, including your passport and ID.

The most important piece of advice I can offer is to purchase quality travel insurance. It will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancelations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it, as I’ve had to use it many times in the past.

Where to Stay in Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik has plenty of fun, social, and affordable hostels as well as affordable hotels (during the off season). Here are some of my favorite places to stay there:

If you’re not sure which neighborhood is best for your stay, this article that I wrote can help you figure it out. Here’s an article with my top hostel recommendations and another with the best hotels in Dubrovnik.

Dubrovnik Travel Costs

The charming Old Town of Dubrovnik, Croatia as seen from the sea

Accommodation

  • Hostel dorms – 22–40 EUR per (40 EUR in summer)
  • Hostel private rooms – 50 EUR per night
  • Budget hotels – 75 EUR per night (125 EUR in summer)
  • Airbnb apartments – 75 EUR per night

Food

  • Pre-made sandwiches – 3-5 EUR
  • Casual take-out places – 13-20 EUR
  • Sit-down restaurants – 30-40 EUR
  • Fast food (think McDonald’s) – 10 EUR
  • Beer – 4 EUR
  • Cappuccino/latte- 3 EUR
  • Bottled water – 2.50 EUR
  • Groceries for a week – 30-45 EUR

Dubrovnik Suggested Budgets

Backpacker – 65 EUR Per Day

This budget assumes you’re staying in a hostel dorm, cooking all of your meals, limiting your drinking, doing free activities like hiking and walking tours, and using public transportation to get around. You’ll need to budget more if you’re visiting in the summer or if you plan on drinking.

Midrange – 125 EUR Per Day

On a mid-range budget, you can stay in a private Airbnb or private hostel room, eat out for most of your meals, enjoy a few drinks, take some guided tours, take the occasional taxi to get around, and visit more museums and attractions, like walking the walls and going to the Game of Thrones museum.

Upscale – 240 EUR Per Day

On a “luxury” budget, you can stay in a hotel, rent a car to get around, do private guided tours, eat and drink as much as you’d like, and visit as many museums and attractions as you want. This is just the ground floor for luxury though. The sky is the limit!

Dubrovnik Travel Guide: Money-Saving Tips

Dubrovnik is the most expensive city in Croatia, especially during the peak summer months. It’s best to visit in the shoulder seasons if you’re on a budget, as accommodation prices become much more affordable. Here are a few ways to save money no matter when you go though:

Pay in local currency – When paying with a credit card, if you’re asked whether you want to pay in the local currency rather than US dollars (or whatever currency your card is tied to), always choose the local currency. You always get a better rate with the local currency.

Buy a Dubrovnik Card – Purchase a Dubrovnik Card at the main tourist office at Pile Gate outside of Old Town and you’ll get free entry to the walls, the Franciscan Monastery, the Rupe Ethnography Museum, and the Museum of Modern Art, in addition to a handful of other sites. It also gives you free transportation on city buses and up to 30% discount on certain restaurants, shops, and excursions. There are three types of cards: 1 day for 35 EUR, 3 days for 45 EUR, and 7 days for 55 EUR.

Redeem hotel points – Signing up for hotel credit cards and using those points when you travel is an excellent way to save. You’ll get at least 1-2 nights free with most cards, which really helps your budget stretch. This post can help you get started with the basics so you can start earning points today and have plenty by the time you travel.

Walk everywhere – Dubrovnik’s outsized reputation and popularity belies its small size. It’s a very walkable city. You could trek from one side of town to the other in about an hour. But most of the sites you’ll want to visit are less than a 30-minute stroll.

Bring a reusable water bottle – The tap water in Dubrovnik is safe to drink when there’s not a rainstorm (for reasons that are too complicated to explain here). Bring a reusable water bottle to save money and reduce your reliance on single-use plastic. LifeStraw is my go-to choice, as it makes a bottle with a built-in filter that ensures that your water is always clean and safe.

Get a bus pass – If you want to go farther than is comfortable walking, getting a transit pass can help you save a bit. A 24-hour pass is 5.31 EUR and a 72-hour pass is 11.95 EUR.

Travel during off-season or shoulder season – To avoid the higher summer prices, visit during the shoulder season (see below for details). Additionally, stay outside the Old Town in the Gruz, Lapad, and Zupa areas. Prices are much lower there.

Cook your own meals – Dubrovnik is the most expensive city in Croatia, so avoid eating out here if you’re on a tight budget. Head to the market, grab some fresh food, and cook your own meals. You’ll save a fortune.

Stay with a local – The best way to save on accommodation is to Couchsurf. You’ll not only get a free place to crash but also connect with a local insider who can teach you about the city and its culture. If you don’t want to stay with a stranger, you can also use the app to meet people for coffee and other activities.

Take a free walking tour – Free tours are the best way to learn about a destination and see the highlights on a budget. Just be sure to tip your guide at the end!

Visit accessible destinations – Instead of going on tours, which can often be way more expensive, consider going to destinations that are fully accessible by public transportation. For example, instead of Lokrum Island (14 EUR return), consider Lopud (also one of the gorgeous Elafiti islands) on the Jadrolinija ferry for around 8.50 EUR return. Additional destinations that can be easily reached by public ferry include to Pomona (on Mljet) for as little as 20 EUR.

Eat at Milnar – The best way to eat on a budget besides cooking is to eat sandwiches and slices of pizza at shops like Milnar. These offer the cheapest foods in the city.

How to Get Around in Dubrovnik

The historic old buildings of Dubrovnik, Croatia

Public transportation – City buses are the way to go in Dubrovnik. There are nine lines, and nearly all of them end up at Old Town at some point. You can buy a ticket onboard or purchase one at any newspaper kiosk and validate it once you board. Tickets from kiosks cost 2 EUR; onboard they cost 2.50 EUR.

Taxis – Taxis start at 2 EUR and go up by 1 EUR per kilometer. Skip them if you can, as that adds up quickly and will blow your budget. A taxi from the bus station to Old Town is around 15 EUR. Prices are also set, so don’t try to negotiate a lower fare. You’ll get nowhere.

Ridesharing – Uber is available and cheaper than taxis. One thing to keep in mind is that drivers are notorious for canceling. If you’re planning to use a rideshare, budget some extra time for your trip just in case one cancels.

Bike rental – Dubrovnik isn’t well set up for biking, owing to its busy roads. Bike rentals aren’t super cheap either, costing around 30 EUR per day.

Car rental – You don’t need a car to get around town. However, if you plan to explore the region, a vehicle might come in handy. Rentals start around 15 EUR per day for a multi-day rental. Drivers need an international driving permit (IDP).

For the best car rental prices use Discover Cars.

When to Go to Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik changes dramatically from summer to winter and back to summer again. In summer, it is overwhelmed with tourists. In winter, it’s almost dead, and a lot of shops and restaurants close until March or April.

Fortunately, there’s always that happy medium: shoulder season. April-May and mid-September to the first week of November are excellent times to go. Prices are lower than in summer, the weather is still pleasant, and there are fewer tourists. Expect highs in the shoulder season to range between 16-25°C (60-78°F). It does cool off in the evening with lows between 8-18°C (47-65°F). You can also expect up to nine days every month rain, so pack layers and rain gear.

If you must choose between the spring and autumn shoulder seasons, go with April-May. In these months, high temperatures are between 18-22°C (65-72°C) so you can still enjoy the beaches without the blazing sun of summer. Locals are very happy to get back to work after a winter of doing nothing, so they welcome visitors with open arms. By September or October, though, they start to get tired and crabby from working hard during the long tourist season and are not as pleasant.

If you go in winter, time your visit to the annual Dubrovnik Winter Festival, a multiweek extravaganza that centers around Old Town. It’s the one time you’ll see only locals using the historic center the way it had been for centuries: a place for residents and not tourists. It usually runs from the last week of November until January 6. Weather is still decent during this time with high temperatures between 12-17°C (54-62°F) but it drops down to 6-10°C (43-50°F) at night. This is the rainiest time of year with up to ten days of rain every month, so bring layers that will keep you warm and dry.

Dubrovnik Travel Guide: The Best Booking Resources

These are my favorite companies to use when I travel. They consistently have the best deals, offer world-class customer service and great value, and overall, are better than their competitors. They are the companies I use the most and are always the starting point in my search for travel deals.

  • Skyscanner – Skyscanner is my favorite flight search engine. They search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites tend to miss. They are hands down the number one place to start.
  • Hostelworld – This is the best hostel accommodation site out there with the largest inventory, best search interface, and widest availability.
  • Booking.com – The best all around booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. In all my tests, they’ve always had the cheapest rates out of all the booking websites.
  • Get Your Guide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions. They have tons of tour options available in cities all around the world, including everything from cooking classes, walking tours, street art lessons, and more!
  • SafetyWing – Safety Wing offers convenient and affordable plans tailored to digital nomads and long-term travelers. They have cheap monthly plans, great customer service, and an easy-to-use claims process that makes it perfect for those on the road.
  • LifeStraw – My go-to company for reusable water bottles with built-in filters so you can ensure your drinking water is always clean and safe.
  • Unbound Merino – They make lightweight, durable, easy-to-clean travel clothing.
  • Top Travel Credit Cards – Points are the best way to cut down travel expenses. Here’s my favorite point earning credit cards so you can get free travel!
  • BlaBlaCar – BlaBlaCar is a ridesharing website that lets you share rides with vetted local drivers by pitching in for gas. You simply request a seat, they approve, and off you go! It’s a cheaper and more interesting way to travel than by bus or train!

GO DEEPER: Nomadic Matt’s In-Depth Budget Guide to Europe!

Nomadic Matt's Guide to Paris

There’s a lot of free information online but do you want to spend days searching for information? Prob not! That’s why guidebooks exist.

While I have a lot of free tips on Europe, I also wrote an entire book that goes into great detail on everything you need to plan a trip here on a budget! You’ll get suggested itineraries, budgets, even more ways to save money, my favorite restaurants, prices, practical information (i.e. phone numbers, websites, prices, safety advice, etc etc), and cultural tips.

I’ll give the insider view of Europe that I got from years of traveling and living here! The downloadable guide can be used on your Kindle, iPad, phone, or computer so you can have it with you when you go.
Click here to learn more about my book on Europe!

Dubrovnik Travel Guide: Related Articles

Want more tips for your trip? Check out all the articles I’ve written on Croatia travel and continue planning your trip: