15 Best Things to do in Dubrovnik: Travel Guide

Dubrovnik is the best coastal town to visit in Croatia. Some people visit only for a day and some spend even more than a week. No matter how many days you plan for Dubrovnik, in this travel guide I am sharing with you my 15 best things to do in Dubrovnik to maximise your time in the Pearl of the Adriatic.

✅ If you’re looking for a custom travel plan, find out more about my personalised itinerary service here.

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📖 Read my The Perfect Dubrovnik 5 Days Itinerary: A Local’s Guide blog post.

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Explore the Old Town

The list of best things to do in Dubrovnik can’t start without mentioning the Old Town first!

The Old Town of Dubrovnik was inscribed as the UNESCO World Heritage Site. As soon as you enter through Pile or Ploce Gate, you’d feel like you went hundreds of years back in time!

✅ I recommend this Dubrovnik Old Town Walking Tour if you’d love to learn about Dubrovnik from a local guide.

📖 Read my Is Croatia Expensive to Visit? (+My Cost Breakdown) blog post.

Walk the City Walls

However, the best activity to do in Dubrovnik is to walk its medieval city walls!

The medieval walls of Dubrovnik were built in the 13th century and are one of the best preserved in the world. The walls run uninterruptedly for almost 2 km (6360 ft) and are encircling most of the Old Town. So, expect for the walk to take approximately 2 hours!

You can get the tickets at one of the 3 entrances (next to Pile Gate, Ploce Gate or St. John Fortress) or online (recommended).

✅ Alternatively, you can join this best rated early morning or sunset guided tour and explore the walls with a local guide.

P. S. With the ticket for the City Walls you also get entrance access to Fort Lovrijenac, so make sure you save the ticket and check the fort as well!

Go on a Game of Thrones Tour

If you’re a GOT fan, then you have to check all the Game of Thrones filming locations in Dubrovnik.

The best part is that the Iron Throne used for filming was gifted to Dubrovnik after the series ended. You can visit and sit on the chair, which is kept on the island of Lokrum nearby Dubrovnik.

✅ I recommend this highest rated Dubrovnik Game of Thrones Tour.

📖 Check my 16 Must-Visit Dubrovnik Game of Thrones Filming Locations blog post.

Eat with the View

Beautiful views in Dubrovnik are everywhere, so one of my favourite activities is eating delicious food while enjoying the view.

If you’re visiting in the high season, the best is to reserve a table because these are very popular spots among locals and tourists alike!

📖 Check my Top 10 Viewpoints in Dubrovnik with Best Views of Dubrovnik blog post.

Take a Sea Kayaking Tour

One of the best activities on the water in Dubrovnik is kayaking. You will see them all around Dubrovnik because it’s a very popular activity.

There are many different options to choose from, but the afternoon & sunset kayaking tour is the highest rated one. It’s truly a great way to finish your day in Dubrovnik.

📖 Check my Croatia Bucket List: 15 Best Things to Do in Croatia blog post.

Visit the Lokrum Island

Lokrum is a small island and nature reserve very close to Dubrovnik.

You can get to Lokrum from Dubrovnik’s Old Town Port. The ferry goes around every 30 minutes and the ride takes approximately 15 minutes. You can get the tickets at the port.

✅ Alternatively, consider booking this Epic Game of Thrones Tour & Lokrum Island Tour. Iron Throne from the GOT series is in Lokrum!

Go to the Mount Srd for the Best Views

The best panoramic views of Dubrovnik are from Mount Srd, which is the highest point in the city at 412 m (1,352 ft).

There are 3 ways to get to the top of Mount Srd: hiking (what we did), taking a Dubrovnik cable car or by car.

💡There’s a fenced viewing point, but if you’d love to take a photo like we did, please, be extra careful because it’s very steep!

P. S. Panorama Restaurant is there.

Take a Boat Trip to Elaphiti Islands

Personally, this is the best activity to do from Dubrovnik.

Elaphiti Islands are a collection of 3 islands: Lopud, Sipan and Kolocep next to Dubrovnik.

You can even stay on the islands, but if you’re short on time, then taking a boat tour is a better option.

✅ I booked this boat tour and I cannot recommend it more!

It’s a full day activity, so the lunch and drinks are included in the optional price (unless you want to eat on the islands, or pack your own food).

📖 For more, check my 3 Islands Boat Tour in Dubrovnik: Is it Worth it? review.

Spend a Day at the Beach

You cannot come to Dubrovnik, especially not in the summer time, and not spend at least a day at the beach.

My favourite is Banje Beach next to the Old Town.

Go on a Day Trip to Bosnia or Montenegro

Dubrovnik is at the very end of Croatia and its Dalmatian coast.

Which means that there are bordering countries nearby and some really cool day trips you can do. The easiest is to go to Bosnia or Montenegro (or both if you have enough time).

You can also rent a car (if you don’t have one) and visit independently, but bear in mind that rental car companies charge additional fees for crossing the border.

📖 You can also check my 8 Best Coastal Towns in Croatia You Have to Visit blog post.

Take a Food Tour

As a Croatian I will not so humbly say that we have one of the best cuisines in the world!

And in Dubrovnik you’re going to eat well. If you want to go the extra mile, I recommend taking a Dubrovnik Old Town Food Tour.

On this tour you will try at least 5 different starters alongside the main meal and dessert. Plus, you will learn more about our culinary heritage too.

Explore Mljet National Park

Mljet is one of Croatia’s 8 National Parks and the closest one to Dubrovnik.

Therefore, one of the top things you can do in Dubrovnik is to go on a day trip to Mljet and enjoy the beautiful nature there.

The easiest is to go on an organised full day boat tour that covers Mljet and the Elaphiti Islands, so you can combine them all in one day if you have limited time.

In Mljet you will do a lot of swimming and snorkeling, especially around the famous Odysseus Cave.

You can also visit independently, but you have to rent a car for that (if you don’t have yours).

Take a Traditional Cooking Class

Besides eating delicious Croatian food, you can also learn how to make some Croatian recipes yourself!

In this best rated traditional cooking class you will make a 4 meal course in the countryside near Dubrovnik. The transport to and from your hotel is included in the price.

Visit the Local Wineries

Croatia doesn’t only pride on the good food, but we make some really good wine too! Dalmatia region, especially Peljesac Peninsula produces amazing wine.

Luckily, Peljesac is very close to Dubrovnik, so if you love to have a glass of good wine (or two), I recommend joining this Wine Lover’s Tour of Peljesac Peninsula.

You will visit 2 rural wineries, as well as the historic town of Ston. Btw, Ston Walls are the second largest in the world, after the Great Wall in China!

Rent a Jet Ski

And the last one on this list of best things to do in Dubrovnik is to rent a jet ski.

It’s a fun way to enjoy the Adriatic Sea, especially in the peak season. Summer is definitely the best time to visit Dubrovnik, despite the crowds!

Where to Stay in Dubrovnik

📖 Additionally, check my Top 10 Dubrovnik Hotels with Pool for a Perfect Stay blog post.

✅ If you’re looking for a custom travel plan, find out more about my personalised itinerary service here.

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