The Complete Dubrovnik Travel Guide
Views from the Wall of Dubrovnik on film
Commonly referred to as the “Pearl of the Adriatic”, Dubrovnik is a city that should be at the top of every traveler’s destination bucket list. The Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage site — with a 16th century stone wall and matching limestone buildings — that stands strong against the blue sea. This city offers a fascinating history, water activities, endless photography opportunities, a walking path atop the wall, genuinely kind people, and much more.
This blog will guide you through what to expect, where to stay, and the best things to do to have a wonderful time in the gorgeous city of Dubrovnik.
What to Expect
How to get there: If you are flying, you can choose to land at the Dubrovnik airport (DBV) — from there you can take a bus to the Old Town. If you are visiting from a nearby country or city, I recommend using my favorite transportation app – Omio.
When to go: April to October. Late spring or early fall are the best times to visit if you are trying to avoid the dense crowds that the summer months bring.
Language: Croatian is the main language spoken in Croatia, however, many people know English. I found that many Croatians appreciated the effort I made to learn a few common phrases, though.
Currency: As of January 1, 2023, Croatia uses the Euro. Travelers will find Croatia to be quite affordable in all aspects including transportation, food, and accommodation. However, Dubrovnik is slightly more expensive than the rest of Croatia.
Safety: I always felt very safe in Croatia but I would exercise normal precautions, i.e. watching for pickpockets in crowded tourist places.
Packing: If you do visit Croatia in the shoulder seasons, you might find mornings and nights to be cool, and days to be hot, so bring layers. Summers are very hot so pack light clothing. Also, pack some bathing suits if you are staying along the coast!
Food: My veg friends will be happy to hear that there are lots of vegan and vegetarian food to be found in Croatia!
Transportation: There are a few ways to get around Croatia but the easiest and most affordable is by taking buses. You can book your buses online using Omio, or at the bus stations.
Where to Stay
I stayed within the walls of Dubrovnik where the main style of accommodation are apartments, like you find on Airbnb. Prices within the walls are more expensive, so if you are okay with staying outside of the walls to save some money, there are a few hostels to choose from on HostelWorld. Similarly, if you would prefer to stay in a hotel, you will likely need to stay outside of the walls, as there aren’t many options.
Extra tip: This is a good place to travel with a backpack (no rolling luggage) because there are many steep stairs to maneuver. Not sure how? Check out my blog, How to Pack for Long Trips (Carry-on only!).
How long should I stay?
If you are on a tight schedule, I would recommend at least 2 days in Dubrovnik to fully enjoy the city. If you want to do some tours, hike, or get out on the water, you might consider staying for 3-5 days.
Best things to do in Dubrovnik
Wander around the Old Town
The Old Town of Dubrovnik is addictively gorgeous. I spent hours simply walking around the narrow streets admiring the limestone architecture, churches and monasteries, the port, and everything in between. To start out a perfect day in Dubrovnik, grab a coffee and enjoy the views. Be warned that the city is very hilly (meaning lots of stairs!) so bring good shoes and be ready for a good leg workout.
Dubrovnik shouldn’t be taken at surface value only, this town has a fascinating history dating from the 7th century to current times. To learn more during your stay, I suggest taking a walking tour.
What to see & do in the Old Town of Dubrovnik
Stradun (Iconic street)
Dominikanski samostan (Monastery)
Sponza Palace
Port Dubrovnik (Port)
Jesuit Stairs
Church of St. Ignatius
Kino Jadran (Outdoor movie theatre)
War Photo Limited (Photography Exhibit)
Walk the Wall
A unique feature of the wall in Dubrovnik is the pathway they created that allows visitors to walk the entire length of the wall. I was concerned that it may be a tourist trap (especially considering it’s about $35), but I found the best views of the city were from the wall.
Kayak/Boat Tour
Being located on the Adriatic Sea, there are lots of options to get out on the water during your stay in Dubrovnik. If you are looking to get active, you might consider a kayaking tour that includes snorkeling, or if you want to relax you can take a boat cruise. Either way, you will have amazing views of Dubrovnik and the coast.
Venture out of the Old town
With so much to see within the walls of Dubrovnik, it’s easy to forget that there is more to do on the outside, too. Trade in the beauty of the Old Town for some natural beauty by taking a hike up to Mount Srđ, or relax at one of the local beaches.
Things to do outside of the walls of Dubrovnik
Lovrjenac Fortress
Dubrovnik West Harbour
Beach Šulić
Mount Srđ Hiking Trail
Danče Beach
Visit Kotor (Montenegro)
Located only 2 hours away from Dubrovnik, it would be a missed opportunity to skip a visit to Kotor, Montenegro. I spent six days exploring Kotor and northern Montenegro and completely fell in love with the country. If you have the time to spend a few days here, I would highly recommend it. You might consider booking a tour if you can only spare one day.
Where to Eat
Like other coastal cities in Croatia, Dubrovnik has a huge seafood scene. For those who are vegan (or vegetarian), there are lots of options for us, too. There are many places that serve veggie options, which you can find easily on the HappyCow app. Unfortunately, if you are on a tight budget, you will find the food in Dubrovnik to be expensive — think $10-20 for a meal —especially if you are comparing it to other Croatian cities. Personally, I only ate out a few times here and cooked most of my meals at my Airbnb to save money.
Vegan recommendations in Dubrovnik
Nishta
Urban & Veggie
Favorite Coffee Shop
I love starting out my days with an oat milk latte and Cogito Coffee was the perfect place for me in Dubrovnik. Just like in other Croatian cities, coffee was affordable and delicious. Plus, they have a cute, conveniently located shop in the Old Town of Dubrovnik — perfect for your morning stroll through the city.
Thinking of traveling around the rest of Croatia? Check out my Complete Croatia Travel Guide!
