Dubrovnik, Croatia: travel guide
The "Pearl of the Adriatic" — a walled medieval city of limestone streets, baroque churches and sea-bound ramparts on Croatia's southern Dalmatian coast, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Country
- Croatia
- Currency
- EUR
- Time zone
- Europe/Zagreb
- Nearest airport
- DBV
Top places to visit in Dubrovnik
Walls of Dubrovnik
Heritage · 4.5 rating · about 2 h
The 1,940 m circuit of medieval stone ramparts encircling the Old Town, with towers, forts and sweeping Adriatic views — Dubrovnik's signature walk.
Lokrum Island
Nature · 4.6 rating · about 3 h
A forested nature reserve a 15-minute boat hop from the Old Port, with a Benedictine monastery, botanical garden, peacocks and a saltwater lake.
Dubrovnik Cathedral
Church · 4.6 rating · about 0.5 h
The baroque Cathedral of the Assumption, rebuilt after the 1667 earthquake, with a treasury of reliquaries including the arm of St. Blaise.
Dubrovnik Cable Car
Viewpoint · 4.3 rating · about 1 h
A four-minute ride to the top of Mount Srđ (405 m) for the definitive panorama over the walled city, harbour and Adriatic islands.
Fort Lovrijenac
Fort · 4.6 rating · about 0.8 h
A dramatic fortress rising 37 m on a sea cliff outside the western walls — "Dubrovnik's Gibraltar" and a Game of Thrones filming location.
Rector's Palace
Museum · 4.3 rating · about 1 h
A Gothic-Renaissance palace that governed the Republic of Ragusa, now the Cultural History Museum with period rooms and an atmospheric atrium.
Mount Srđ & Fort Imperial
Viewpoint · 4.6 rating · about 0.8 h
The summit above Dubrovnik with a Napoleonic-era fort housing the Homeland War museum and the best sunset viewpoint over the coast.
Sponza Palace
Heritage · 4.5 rating · about 0.4 h
A graceful 16th-century Gothic-Renaissance palace on Luža Square, once the customs house and mint, now the State Archives.
Banje Beach
Beach · 4.4 rating · about 2 h
The Old Town's pebble beach just outside the Ploče Gate, with clear water and a classic view back to the city walls.
Onofrio's Fountain
Heritage · 4.7 rating · about 0.2 h
The large domed 1438 fountain by the Pile Gate — the terminus of Dubrovnik's 15th-century aqueduct, ringed with carved mascaron spouts.
Church of St. Blaise
Church · 4.7 rating · about 0.3 h
The baroque church dedicated to Dubrovnik's patron saint, with a gilded interior and a statue of St. Blaise holding a model of the pre-earthquake city.
Franciscan Monastery & Old Pharmacy
Monastery · 4.4 rating · about 0.7 h
A 14th-century monastery with a serene Romanesque-Gothic cloister and one of Europe's oldest working pharmacies, founded in 1317.
Things to do
- Dubrovnik City Walls Guided Walk Tour · 2 h · from EUR 45 per person
- Sea Kayaking Old Town & Lokrum Water Sports · 3 h · from EUR 45 per person
- Elaphiti Islands Full-Day Cruise Boat · 8 h · from EUR 65 per person
- Game of Thrones Walking Tour Tour · 2 h · from EUR 35 per person
- Mount Srđ Cable Car & Sunset Sightseeing · 1.5 h · from EUR 27 per person
- Old Town Food & Wine Tour Food · 3 h · from EUR 70 per person
Day trips and tours
- Elaphiti Islands Island-Hopping Cruise 8 h · from EUR 65
Where to stay in Dubrovnik
- Old Town (Stari Grad) about EUR 220 per night
Inside the city walls — steps from Stradun, all major sights on foot; atmospheric but pricey and car-free.
- Ploče about EUR 180 per night
Quiet residential slope just east of the walls with the best Old Town views and beach access at Banje.
- Lapad about EUR 140 per night
Leafy peninsula with resort hotels, a pedestrian promenade and family beaches, 15 min by bus from Old Town.
Hotels
- Hotel Stari Grad 4-star · EUR 250 to EUR 470 per night
- Karmen Apartments 3-star · EUR 90 to EUR 170 per night
- Old Town Hostel Dubrovnik 2-star · EUR 40 to EUR 120 per night
- Hotel Excelsior Dubrovnik 5-star · EUR 350 to EUR 950 per night
- Villa Dubrovnik 5-star · EUR 500 to EUR 1,300 per night
- Hotel Kompas 4-star · EUR 150 to EUR 340 per night
Where to eat
- Nautika Mediterranean, Seafood, Fine dining · about EUR 90 per person
- Restaurant 360 Mediterranean, Contemporary, Fine dining · about EUR 130 per person
- Proto Fish Restaurant Seafood, Dalmatian · about EUR 60 per person
- Lady Pi-Pi Grill, Dalmatian, Barbecue · about EUR 30 per person
- Kopun Dalmatian, Croatian, Mediterranean · about EUR 40 per person
- Pantarul Mediterranean, Croatian, Bistro · about EUR 35 per person
- Buffet Škola Sandwiches, Croatian, Snacks · about EUR 12 per person
- Dubravka 1836 Mediterranean, Pizza, Croatian · about EUR 28 per person
Getting around
- Bus main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Cable Car main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Ferry main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Taxi main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Walking main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
Safety and scams to avoid
Unmetered taxi overcharging
Dubrovnik Airport & Pile Gate ranks
Some taxis quote inflated flat fares or "forget" the meter for the airport-Old Town run.
How to avoid it: Agree the price first or use the official airport shuttle bus (~€10) or a Bolt; a metered airport transfer is roughly €35.
Fish priced by the kilo
Old Town seafood restaurants
Fresh fish is priced per kilogram; a "whole fish" can arrive far larger and pricier than expected.
How to avoid it: Ask the exact weight and total price before ordering fish sold by the kilo.