Dubrovnik is a living UNESCO city wrapped in nearly 2 km of medieval walls, where marble streets meet turquoise Adriatic coves. This guide gathers the must‑see sights, crowd‑savvy timings, island day trips, neighborhood stay advice, and practical tips to plan a smooth, great‑value visit.
Quick planner
- Best months: May, early June and September, mid‑October for warm seas and lighter crowds.
- Must‑do combo: City Walls + Old Town, then sunset on Mount Srđ cable car.
- Smart saver: If you’ll walk the City Walls and visit a couple of museums, a Dubrovnik Pass (city sightseeing pass) often beats single tickets. Check live prices the week you travel.
- Easy island hop: Elaphiti Islands for a relaxed beach day; Mljet National Park (ferry timetable) for cycling around salt‑water lakes.
- Beaches: Banje (views), Sveti Jakov (cove), Danče (local vibe), Lapad Bay (family‑friendly).
Heads‑up: Prices and hours shift by season. Always confirm tickets (City Walls, Cable Car, ferries) here or on the official sources the week you travel.
Top things to do in Dubrovnik
- Walk the City Walls – the panoramic must-do. Start at opening or late afternoon for softer light and fewer crowds. The loop is one‑way and takes ~90-120 minutes with photo stops. Bring water and sun protection.
- Ride the Cable Car to Mount Srđ for sunset views over the Old Town and islands. On windy days operations may pause; have a backup plan to reach the viewpoint by road.
- Old Town highlights – Stradun, Rector’s Palace, Sponza, Franciscan Monastery (with the historic pharmacy), Fort Lovrijenac and Minčeta.
- Elaphiti Islands (Koločep, Lopud, Šipan) – harbor cafés, pine forests and calm bays. Lopud’s Šunj is one of the rare sandy beaches in Dalmatia.
- Mljet National Park – bike the lakes, visit the tiny monastery islet, and swim from forested shores.
- War Photo Limited – a world‑class photojournalism gallery that adds modern context to the region’s recent history.
- Sea kayaking – paddle under the ramparts and around sea caves (often beginner‑friendly sunset tours).
- Game of Thrones locations – DIY stops at Lovrijenac, Bokar, Minčeta and Pile Gate for King’s Landing angles.
Pass or pay? If you’ll walk the Walls and step into one or two museums, a city sightseeing pass called Dubrovnik Pass usually pays off. For cable car and boat tickets, buy direct from the operator the week you travel.
How to save (and skip the lines)
- Do the Walls at opening or after 16:00; pause on shaded bastions at midday.
- On heavy cruise days, visit indoor sights late morning and head to beaches or islands in the afternoon.
- Buy tickets online when available; keep a flexible slot for weather‑sensitive activities (cable car, kayaking).
Price box: Dubrovnik City Walls (official)
- Where to buy: Official shop (web) for City Walls + Lovrijenac tickets.
- Typical 2025 pricing: Adult regular-season ticket costs €40; discounted in winter. Always check the official shop for the current price before you go.
Pro tip: The Dubrovnik Pass (below) includes the City Walls and often beats buying a standalone ticket if you’re visiting even one or two more sights.
Price box: Dubrovnik Pass (official)
- What you get: Free City Walls, 6 museums & 2 galleries, public city bus rides, plus discounts. Read more about Dubrovnik Pass
- 2025 prices commonly advertised: 1-day €40, 3-day €50, 7-day €60. Verify live pricing on the official Pass channels.
- Transport included: 3-day = 6 city bus rides; 7-day = 10 rides (activate on first bus tap).
Neighborhoods & where to stay
- Mobility: Inside the Old Town, steps are unavoidable. For fewer stairs, look near Stradun.
- Noise: Summer brings evening buzz; choose north‑side lanes for quieter nights.
- Transport: From Lapad, buses run frequently to Pile Gate (check timetables).
Old Town (inside the walls)
Unbeatable location for walk-everywhere sightseeing but expect steps and lively lanes.
Pros
- Step‑out‑the‑door sightseeing
- Late‑night atmosphere
Cons
- Stairs, stairs, stairs
- Lively mornings on cruise days
Editor picks: St. Joseph’s, Miro Studios
Ploče (east of the Old Town)
Sea views and quick access to Banje and Sveti Jakov beaches.
Editor picks: Hotel Excelsior, Grand Villa Argentina
Pile & around Lovrijenac (west gate)
Steps from the walls without being inside them; great for kayaks and fort views.
Editor pick: Hilton Imperial
Lapad & Babin Kuk
Sunset promenade, family beaches, and frequent buses to the Old Town.
Editor picks: Hotel Bellevue, Hotel Kazbek
See all: Dubrovnik hotels · Best budget stays
Perfect 1–3 day itineraries
One day (classic)
- City Walls at opening (counter‑clockwise)
- Stradun coffee + Franciscan Monastery
- Rector’s Palace & Sponza
- Sunset on Mount Srđ
Two days (Old Town + Lokrum)
- Classic loop above
- Boat to Lokrum (10–15 min each way); swim platforms, botanical garden, Fort Royal
Three days (add islands)
- Classic loop
- Lokrum nature day
- Elaphiti hop (Koločep → Lopud → Šipan)
Timing islands? Use our Ferries & Timetables hub for seasonal schedules and operators.
Best day trips
- Elaphiti Islands – easy one‑day trio; sandy Šunj on Lopud. → How to get there
- Mljet National Park – lake loops by bike and forested swims. → Catamaran info
- Pelješac & Ston – salt pans, hill wines, and town walls; oyster tastings nearby. → Ploče–Trpanj ferry
- Korčula or Hvar/Split (seasonal) – fast catamarans via island chains: route 1 · route 2
- Bari, Italy (overnight) – classic Adriatic crossing. → Details
- Summer schedules differ from spring/fall; always double‑check the week of travel.
- For national parks, bring cash for small rentals and snacks on the islands.
- Overseas ferry (Bari) sells out around holidays-book ahead.
Getting in & around
From the airport
Use the Airport Shuttle Bus to reach Main Bus Station (Gruž), then connect by local bus or taxi. If you are traveling by bus to other parts of Croatia see intercity connections.
City buses (Libertas)
Frequent lines link Lapad/Babin Kuk with Pile Gate. See city bus timetables and our bus guide. If you’ll ride more than twice a day, day/3‑day tickets usually beat singles.
Ferries & catamarans
Check routes, operators and seasonal changes in the Ferries & Timetables hub. Different companies operate different lines; tickets are not interchangeable.
Driving & parking
Parking near the Old Town is limited and expensive. Use paid garages in Gruž or hotels and walk/bus to Pile Gate. The Old Town itself is pedestrian‑only.
- City Walls: Buy online or at Pile/Ploče entrances. One‑way loop; no re‑entry.
- Cable Car: Round‑trip or one‑way tickets available; check hours for wind closures.
- Islands: Different companies operate; tickets are not interchangeable.
Best time to visit
Shoulder seasons (May–early June, September–mid‑October) balance warm seas and lighter crowds. Summer (July–August) is hottest and busiest—start early (Walls at opening) or go late. Winter brings quiet streets and reduced hours, with fewer island sailings.
- Cruise‑heavy mornings: plan inland sights midday
- Heat: shade breaks on bastions + water top‑ups
- Sunset: time the cable car or Srđ hike for golden hour
Food & drink
Dalmatian cooking stars seafood and olive oil. Look for:
- Fresh oysters & mussels from nearby bays (raw or buzara‑style).
- Black risotto (cuttlefish ink) and grilled fish with blitva (Swiss chard & potato).
- Pelješac reds (Plavac Mali) and crisp local whites.
- Rozata (caramel custard) for dessert.
Practical tips
Money & payments
- Euro (€). Cards widely accepted; keep small cash for kiosks and island rentals.
- Use ATMs from major banks; decline “dynamic currency conversion” on card terminals for better rates.
Sample daily budget (pp)
| Category | Budget | Comfort | Upscale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Food & drink | €20–35 | €35–60 | €60+ |
| Local transport | €0–6 | €6–12 | €12+ |
| Sightseeing | €0–25 | €25–50 | €50+ |
Actual costs vary by season and choice of activities; check ticket prices before you go.
Connectivity
- eSIMs work well; cafés and hotels commonly offer free Wi‑Fi.
- Power: EU type C/F, 230V ~ 50Hz
Health & safety
- Tap water is safe; refill at public fountains (e.g., Onofrio’s).
- Sturdy shoes help on polished stone lanes; use swim ladders and mind sea urchins on rocky entries.
- Sun exposure on the Walls can be intense-hat, sunscreen and water are essential.
Accessibility
- The Old Town has many steps; outside the walls, Lapad’s seaside promenade is mostly level.
- City buses kneel and drivers at Pile/Gruž typically assist boarding.
Handy phrases
Dobar dan (hello) • Hvala (thank you) • Molim (please/you’re welcome) • Koliko košta? (How much is it?)
Quick “Pass vs single tickets” logic (no hardcoded prices)
- If you’ll do City Walls + 1–2 museums/galleries + a few bus rides in a day, the pass often pays for itself.
- If you’re only walking the Walls and otherwise roaming freely, single tickets can be cheaper.
- Always confirm official, current pricing the week you travel; seasonal adjustments are common.
FAQ
Official resources referenced in this guide
City Walls (official portal + shop): heritage info and ticket shop. City Walls Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik Pass (official city channels): inclusions and bus rides noted by TIC. Tic Dubrovnik
Cable Car (official): prices, how/where to buy. Dubrovnik Cable Car
Libertas (official): current ticket price list. Libertas
Lokrum (official): openings/boat info. lokrum.hr
UNESCO listing: Old City of Dubrovnik site record. UNESCO World Heritage Centre