Things to Do in Dubrovnik: Our 22 Top Highlights & Tips

All Dubrovnik Highlights on One Map

Before we walk you through the best things to do in Dubrovnik, here’s a map with all 22 highlights so you’ve got a great overview right from the start.

Palaces & Fortresses in Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik City Walls

The city walls are one of the top things to do in Dubrovnik — and for good reason, since they’re part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Dubrovnik City Walls are the best-preserved city walls in Europe: 2 kilometers long, up to 6 meters wide, and 25 meters high.

That makes them a fantastic vantage point too. Walk along the walls and soak up a perfect view of the Old Town, the harbor, and the sea.

There are even a few bars and cafés along the way.

The walls also incorporate three fortresses, which together with two other forts in the historic center make up Dubrovnik’s formidable defensive system.

Our tip: Unfortunately, admission isn’t free — it costs the equivalent of about $30. You can skip that expense with the Dubrovnik Card, which includes the city walls. A 3-day pass for Dubrovnik attractions costs around $45, so it’s definitely worth it.

If you want to learn more about the city walls and Dubrovnik’s fortifications, a guided tour is absolutely worth your time:

Book a sunset city walls tour

Lovrijenac Fortress

Lovrijenac Fortress is essentially the crown jewel of Dubrovnik, perched on a 37-meter-high rock jutting out into the sea.

Dubrovnik’s city walls were never breached, and that’s due in no small part to this exposed fortress, from which attackers could be spotted from a long way off.

Today Lovrijenac is Dubrovnik’s most iconic landmark, a seriously beautiful overlook, and above all a fantastic photo subject — this massive castle set against the deep blue ocean is simply stunning.

By the way: several scenes from Game of Thrones were filmed here too. On a tour you can learn even more about the filming locations of the famous series.

Book a Game of Thrones tour
Find even more cool Game of Thrones filming locations in Europe right here!

Minčeta Fortress

Minčeta Fortress is the circular, northernmost fortress within Dubrovnik’s city walls — and also the most imposing fortress in the city.

Thanks to its position on the slopes of Mount Srđ, Minčeta sits at the highest point and offers one of the best panoramas in Dubrovnik.

Our tip: Dubrovnik’s city walls and the Lovrijenac and Minčeta fortresses are three of the standout attractions in Dubrovnik. The Dubrovnik City Walls combo ticket gets you into all three in one go.

Book a ticket for the Dubrovnik City Walls

Rector's Palace

Dubrovnik is full of impressive buildings — but this time it’s not a fortress. The Rector’s Palace is a stunning example of a different kind of grandeur.

Columns and decorations from various architectural periods adorn the building, and the inner courtyard is especially beautiful when individual rays of sunlight filter through.

The Rector’s Palace was once the seat of government of the former Republic of Ragusa — so there’s real history baked into every stone.

Sponza Palace

The Sponza Palace is historically and culturally the heart of Dubrovnik.

Originally a customs house where all goods entering the city were taxed, it later added coin production to its role — and quickly became the economic hub of the city.

From an economic center it evolved into a cultural one too, attracting scholars, scientists, and intellectuals over the centuries.

That legacy lives on today — the Sponza Palace now houses Dubrovnik’s city archives. If you really want to dig into the city’s history, this is the place.

Dubrovnik Cathedral

Dubrovnik Cathedral houses one of the richest treasuries in Europe. Relics of as many as 132 saints rest inside, and the remains of Saint Blaise are encased in gold on top of that.

The church is simply beautiful from the outside too — the façade is adorned with ornaments and statues that reward a closer look.

At night it becomes a real eye-catcher, when the large dome with its bells is illuminated and towers over the city.

Church of St. Blaise

St. Blaise is probably the most important church in Dubrovnik. It’s not as grand as the Sagrada Família in Barcelona, but it has its own quiet beauty with white marble and understated ornamentation.

The church was actually designed by an architect from Venice — and a touch of that Italian lagoon city charm has found its way into Dubrovnik’s cityscape as a result.

Inside, there’s a silver statue of St. Blaise holding a miniature model of 15th-century Dubrovnik. There’s something almost mystical about it: the statue was the only thing that survived a fire in 1705, even though the church itself was completely destroyed.

Franciscan Monastery

The Franciscan monks in Dubrovnik have been through quite a lot. The monastery originally stood outside the city. Fearing war, it was rebuilt inside the city walls.

And that wasn’t the end of it: in the 17th century, the adjoining church was completely destroyed by an earthquake.

All the more remarkable, then, how beautiful the monastery is today. The real highlight is the courtyard, lined with 120 finely decorated columns — a genuinely peaceful spot to slow down and take it all in.

Squares & Streets in Dubrovnik

Stradun

The fastest way to cross Dubrovnik? Just follow the Stradun — Dubrovnik’s main street connects the two city wall gates of Pile and Ploče.

Of course you’ll get drawn into a shop or two along the way, because the Stradun is lined with lovely cafés and stores. There’s a lively buzz about it, and everyone seems to know everyone.

The street’s most characteristic feature is its uniform stone buildings — that’s because the whole street had to be completely rebuilt after an earthquake in the 17th century.

Stradun is simply the perfect street for a stroll, grabbing a bite to eat, or picking up souvenirs.

Old Harbor

The old harbor is one of the most popular spots in Dubrovnik — and it’s easy to see why.

Once primarily a trading hub, the harbor still has small fishing boats at anchor today, along with yachts and excursion boats.

It’s a great spot for a stroll along the waterfront promenade, or you can settle into one of the many restaurants and cafés and enjoy an iced coffee with a view of the boats.

From here it’s also just a short walk to the Rector’s Palace or the Revelin Fortress.

Onofrio's Fountain

Onofrio’s Fountain is the perfect spot for a sightseeing break.

It’s located right behind the Pile Gate of the city walls — and “fountain” is really an understatement, because Onofrio’s is roughly the size of a small house. Sixteen carved heads spout water into an old stone basin, topped with a beautiful dome.

The steps make a great little perch to enjoy an ice cream and watch street musicians and performers do their thing.

The Most Beautiful Beaches in Dubrovnik

Bellevue Beach

Just a short walk from Dubrovnik’s Old Town lies the secluded Bellevue Beach, tucked below the hotel of the same name.

The beach is framed by tall cliffs and offers a perfect shady spot on hot summer afternoons. The crystal-clear water is an open invitation for a swim.

You’ll need to navigate a few steps to get there, but it’s absolutely worth the effort. The cove is great for families too, and there’s usually a lifeguard on site.

If you get hungry, there’s a bakery and a pizzeria nearby.

Plaža Danče

Danče Beach is one of the most popular beaches near Dubrovnik and also one of the closest to the Old Town. There’s no sand here, but you’ll find flat rock platforms and some trees for shade.

The water in Croatia is always very clear, but at Plaža Danče it’s even clearer and cleaner than at other nearby beaches — perfect for snorkeling and watching fish.

Fun fact: the Croatian version of water polo, called Jug, was invented right here — and it’s still played here in summer.

Note: Inexperienced swimmers should be careful when it’s windy, as stronger currents can develop.

Plaža Banje

Want a beach you can reach quickly from the city? Plaža Banje is ideal — it’s just a few minutes’ walk from the Old Town.

The beach has solid infrastructure: you can rent sun loungers and umbrellas for a fee, and there are plenty of nice cafés and bars right on the sand.

Various water activities are also available, such as kayaking and jet boating.

In the evenings, the beach and its bars become a popular nightlife spot in Dubrovnik. If you’re in the mood for cocktails with your feet in the sand, this is your place.

Copacabana Beach

Croatia is great if you love secluded, quiet rocky beaches. But if you want a beach with a bit more going on, we’d point you toward Copacabana Beach.

It gives off that dreamy vacation feeling: white curtains flutter in a light breeze and the blue water sparkles in front of you. Various beach bars serve snacks and drinks, and for a fee you can rent a sun lounger with umbrella or even a full cabana.

Note: Renting two sun loungers and an umbrella costs around $55 per day. You’re welcome to bring your own towel or lounger instead. The pebbles on the beach are very fine, making it quite comfortable to lie on.

Great Day Trips from Dubrovnik

Lokrum Island

The small uninhabited island of Lokrum is just a stone’s throw from Dubrovnik and is a true oasis of tranquility. Lokrum is lush with greenery, and its Mediterranean vegetation is the reason the island has been placed under UNESCO nature protection.

You can visit an old Benedictine monastery, sunbathe on the beach, or swim in a saltwater lake. It’s also great for kids since it’s shallow and calm.

During the main season, boats run every 20 minutes to Lokrum. You can’t reserve a ticket — just buy one on the boat. Alternatively, you can do a kayak tour out there:

Book a kayak tour from Dubrovnik to Lokrum

Like so many other spots in Dubrovnik, scenes for Game of Thrones were also filmed on Lokrum — you can explore them on a guided tour:

Book a Game of Thrones tour on Lokrum

Blue Cave

The Blue Grotto on the island of Biševo is one of the most spectacular natural wonders in Croatia.

The grotto itself is already pretty impressive, but it gets even more stunning when sunlight streams through an opening underwater and bathes the entire cave in deep blue light.

You can’t visit the Blue Cave independently, but half-day excursions are available where you not only travel by boat to the cave but usually get to snorkel in other caves along the way too.

Book a boat tour to the Blue Cave & snorkeling experience
Also read our tips for more boat tours from Dubrovnik

Day Trip to Montenegro

Montenegro is less than half an hour from Dubrovnik, and there are some seriously cool things to see in Montenegro. That makes it perfect for a day trip.

With lush green forests, rugged mountain landscapes, and mirror-smooth lakes, the small country has become one of the trendiest travel destinations in Europe in recent years.

If you want to keep things easy, book a private tour from Dubrovnik. Your transportation is taken care of, and your local guide will fill you in with plenty of fascinating background. You’ll also visit several beautiful cities like Risan, Perast, and Kotor.

Don’t forget: You’ll need a valid ID document to enter Montenegro.

Book a private tour to Montenegro

Elaphiti Islands

The Elaphiti Islands are a group of 13 beautiful islands off the coast of Dubrovnik. Only three of them are inhabited: Šipan, Lopud, and Koločep — and those are the ones worth visiting.

There’s little more than a few villages here, but you’ll find incredibly lush pine forests, olive groves, lemon trees, secluded beaches, and rugged cliffs — in short, a true natural paradise.

Whether you’re into hiking, kayaking, or snorkeling, the Elaphiti Islands have plenty of great activities on offer.

By the way: from Dubrovnik, it takes just 30 minutes to reach Koločep.

Book an Elaphiti Islands tour with lunch

Day Trip to Kravica Waterfalls

Just across the border into Bosnia-Herzegovina, you’ll find a stunning natural spectacle: the Kravica Waterfalls. From Dubrovnik, you can reach them on a half-day trip.

The water plunges a full 30 meters into the depths — and not just one waterfall, but 20 of them.

You can even swim in the pool below, though that’s only for the brave. Because the water is constantly in motion, it never really warms up. Your best bet is to visit between May and August, when temperatures are at their warmest.

Our tip: On a guided tour, you won’t just visit the Kravica Waterfalls — you’ll also make a stop in the picturesque city of Mostar. Transportation is included and your guide will share all kinds of fascinating insights.

Book the Kravica Waterfalls & Mostar tour

Unique Attractions in Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik Cable Car

Without a doubt, the best view over Dubrovnik is from Mount Srđ.

From more than 400 meters up, you can take in so many of Dubrovnik’s top must-sees, including Lokrum and the Elaphiti Islands.

If you have time, you can of course hike up to Srđ. But if you’re only spending a few days in Dubrovnik, we’d strongly recommend a ride on the cable car. It whisks you to the top in just four minutes while you enjoy the views through the panoramic windows.

Our tip: In peak season, the cable car runs until midnight. We especially love a ride at sunset — with the golden hour light, you can take some truly stunning photos.

Book an Old Town walking tour with cable car ride

Love Stories Museum

On a city trip with your significant other, or just a passionate romantic? Then we’ve got the museum for you. The Love Stories Museum is honestly one of the most unique museums we’ve ever written about.

What’s on display are completely ordinary objects — a coffee cup, a toothbrush, that kind of thing. What gives these items meaning are the love stories told through them.

If you want, you can even share your own love story — it might be added to the collection. You can also leave your mark at the Love Wall with a signature or a selfie.

Book a Love Stories Museum ticket

General Tips for Your Dubrovnik Trip

To wrap things up, here are a few practical pointers to help you plan your visit to Dubrovnik.

Our Hotel Recommendations for Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik has a great selection of places to stay for every type of traveler and every budget. Here are our recommendations:

Save Money with the Dubrovnik Card

The Dubrovnik Card is a tourist pass that offers several great benefits. You get free admission to many of Dubrovnik’s top attractions, including the city walls — plus free use of public transportation.

The Dubrovnik Card is available for one (40 euros), three (50 euros), or seven (60 euros) days. You can buy it at the tourist information offices or simply purchase it online here.