Dubrovnik
Travel Guide
Welcome to our Dubrovnik travel guide, where we explore the pearl of the Adriatic… Yes, it’s been said many times but it’s a title well deserved. With a stunning Old Town encased in towering walls, crystal clear waters and small picturesque beaches, it’s clear to see why this is one of the most popular destinations in Croatia.
The Old Town of Dubrovnik is arguably the highlight and most popular attraction of the city, and it’s no wonder why, it’s truly breath-taking. The ancient walls and limestone streets of the Old Town are nothing less than awe inspiring and unlike anything else. But, dig a little deeper and you’ll also find spectacular viewpoints, superb swimming beaches and delicious food. Whether you’re a history fan, Game of Thrones fanatic or you just want to enjoy a holiday in a beautiful city then Dubrovnik can provide it.
Travel Guide Contents
Dubrovnik Travel Guide
How to get to Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik Airport (DBV) is the main airport for accessing Dubrovnik city. Being a key tourist destination city in Croatia, the airport mainly caters to seasonal flights, although some flights do operate year-round. The airport is reasonably small with a few cafes and duty-free shops. Let’s look at the best options for getting to Dubrovnik from the airport:
Taxi – Available from outside arrivals, taxi’s can be an expensive option for getting to Dubrovnik city centre unless you are in a larger group. The journey to the old town takes around 20 minutes and will cost around 200HRK ($31) to 230HRK ($36)
Uber – Uber is available in Dubrovnik but generally works out only slightly cheaper from the airport, so again, we only suggest using Uber if you are in a larger group or are in a hurry!
Public Bus – Bus no’s 11, 27 and 38 all take various routes into the city centre, costing 28HRK ($4.50) per person, one way. The departure times can be infrequent compared to flight arrivals so this is the least convenient option for getting to the city centre from the airport
Platanus Shuttle Bus – This is the best way of getting to the city centre from the airport and is our preferred option. The shuttle bus takes 30-40 minutes to get into the city centre and departs every 30 minutes, timed to coincide with every flight arrival. There is a small kiosk in the arrivals area where you can buy tickets, which cost 55HRK ($8.50) one way, per person or 80HRK ($12.50) return, per person. The bus stops at Pile Gate outside the Old Town and at the main bus station in Gruz Port
Areas to stay in Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik is well known for its impressive medieval Old Town, and rightly so, but there are many other areas in Dubrovnik city to explore. Choosing the best area to stay in is important and depends largely on your budget and what experience you are looking for. Here are the most popular areas to stay in Dubrovnik:
Old Town – This is the most picturesque and convenient area to stay in Dubrovnik, as well as being home to the majority of top attractions to see. There are plenty of restaurants, bars, cafes and shops and a good choice of hotels and apartments. Banje beach is only a short walk from outside the city walls as well. We recommend this area to stay in Dubrovnik, especially for first-time visitors but hostels and other budget accommodation may be harder to find here
Lapad – A quieter, more relaxing area around a mile outside of the Old Town and more suited to families or those wanting to escape the crowds of the tourist area. Near to the beach and populated with more local bars, restaurants and family-orientated hotels offering reasonable prices
Ploce – Located on the other side of the city, closer to the airport, many of the upscale luxury hotels reside along the coast here, alongside a few restaurants and cafes. A good area if you’re looking for a luxury stay or stunning views but not as much available here in terms of convenience
Babin Kuk – Reachable from the city by public transport, this area is one of the quietest neighbourhoods to stay in Dubrovnik. An array of higher-end hotels are located here, catering to families and couples mainly, as well as easy access to beaches and water sports
Gruz – Gruz is the best place to stay for budget and backpacker travellers as it is the most affordable area to stay in Dubrovnik, with several hostels and budget hotels. The area isn’t quite as pretty as some of the others, particularly the old town, but there are plenty of restaurants, shops and bars, as well as, easy access to boats for day trips or the bus station
Accommodation in Dubrovnik
There is a good range of accommodation options available in Dubrovnik including hotels from budget to luxury, apartments and hostels. You’ll likely need to head outside of the Old Town to find some of the least expensive accommodation options. In peak season, prices can go up quite considerably, so it’s worth booking well in advance or visiting the city in off-peak season. Here are our top picks of where to stay in Dubrovnik:
Budget Option | Hostel Angelina Old Town – Situated in Dubrovnik Old Town, this hostel is a great option for budget travellers as it has a great selection of simple, clean rooms, a shared kitchen for guest use, lockers and laundry facilities and is in an excellent location
Mid-range apartment option | Celenga Apartments – Also located in Dubrovnik Old Town, Celenga apartments offer guests a home away from home with well-equipped kitchens and comfortable rooms. The central location makes this a great option for any traveller and also families wanting extra facilities
Mid-range hotel option | Prijeko Palace – Located in the Old Town, where there are more apartments than hotels, Prijeko Palace is a charming hotel with ornate, modern rooms and a restaurant and bar
Luxury hotel option | Heritage Villa Nobile – If you’re looking for luxury, Heritage Villa Nobile is where to find it, alongside a great location too. Rooms are beautifully decorated, the service is exceptional and the stunning gardens make it feel like an oasis in the city
How to get around Dubrovnik
All the main sites in Dubrovnik are within walking distance, due to the compact size of the tourist areas. However, a limited number of transport options are available, if you need to get further a field or don’t feel like walking. Here’s a quick guide to the most useful types of transport available for getting around Dubrovnik:
Bus – There are around 13 bus lines that cover the extent of Dubrovnik city, which form the only public transport network available in Dubrovnik. You can view all the routes online and purchase tickets at the local newspaper stands. Tickets cost 15HRK ($2.50) per person, one way or 30HRK ($5) for a day ticket
Boat – Although not a form of transport for moving around the city of Dubrovnik, there are a handful of ferries which operate from either of the ports in the city. They offer services to nearby islands including Lokrum and Lopud. There are also a number of taxi boat services available to take people to different parts of the coast in Dubrovnik
Taxi – Taxi’s are available all over the city and they can prove to be a useful and reasonably priced option if you are in a group. The Old City is a pedestrian zone so no cars or taxi’s can operate in this area
Uber – Uber is available all over Dubrovnik and offers slightly cheaper rates than standard taxi’s
Things to do in Dubrovnik
The city of Dubrovnik is packed full of interesting things to see and do, both in the city and outside of it, so you definitely won’t get bored during your trip! We have a more extensive list of things to do in Dubrovnik if you need it, but in brief, here are our top 5 things to do in Dubrovnik:
Dubrovnik Old Town – Get lost in the small streets of the Old Town, admire the stunning architecture and walk through the large grand street of Stradun, see the many sights including the Cathedral, several churches and Rectors Palace, and gaze over the Adriatic from the port area
Banje Beach – Around a 5-minute walk from the Vrata od Ploca gate of the Old Town is Banje Beach, a small gravel beach that acts as the main beach for the Old Town. The water is crystal clear and ideal for swimming. There is also a bar and restaurant located on the beach
Explore the City Walls – The walls that enclose the UNESCO world heritage site of the Old Town are an attraction of their own. To explore and walk the walls buy a Walk The Walls ticket for 200HRK ($32) per person. The walk takes approx 1.5 – 2 hours
Dubrovnik Cable Car/Srd – A cable car runs up to Mount Srd, located behind Dubrovnik City. The views from the top, over the city and the Adriatic, are incredible. At the top of Srd, there is also a shop, restaurant and museum. You can walk up and down but we recommend a return cable car ticket as the route on foot is quite challenging terrain with lots of large rocks. Tickets for the cable car are 170HRK ($27) return for one adult or 90HRK ($15) one way for one adult
Fort Lovrijenac – Located outside the western walls of the Old Town, this Fort towers 37m above sea level and offers amazing views and an insight into the defence that the city needed. Tickets for the Fort only are 50HRK each, or entry is included in the City Walls ticket, if you purchase this
What to eat in Dubrovnik
The cuisine in Dubrovnik represents Dalmatian food, which is Croatian food from the Dalmatian Coast, with a focus on fish and seafood. With over 350 restaurants in the city, there are plenty of places to choose from including 9 Michelin guide restaurants and 1 Michelin Star restaurant. The food here is a little more pricey than in the capital city, Zagreb, but there are still budget options available. If you want to try some of the local dishes of the area, then here are the top foods to try in Dubrovnik:
Bruschetta with Anchovies – Fresh anchovies on top of juicy tomato with olive oil and soft toasted bread, perfect for a snack, starter or quick lunch
Dubrovnik Rozata – A famous Dubrovnik custard pudding with caramel
Mussels Buzara – A delicious seafood dish where the mussels (or other seafood) is cooked with white wine, tomato, parsley, garlic and breadcrumbs
Brodet – One of the most traditional Dalmatian dishes, this rich fish stew is often served with polenta to soak up all the sauce
Sporki Mararuli – A meaty pasta dish that is similar to a ragu
Money - Chania Travel Costs
The currency in Croatia is the Croatian Kuna (HRK). Credit & Debit cards are widely accepted throughout Croatia and there are plenty of ATM’s which accept foreign cards, although most ATM’s charge a fee in Dubrovnik. A service charge is generally not added to the bill so you can leave a tip if you are happy with the service. A tip of 5-10% is the norm and you can round up for taxi’s. Dubrovnik is more expensive than most other cities and towns in Croatia, due to its popularity as a tourist destination, however, it’s still quite reasonable compared to many other European tourist destinations and can be suitable for budget travellers, with some planning. Prices can be inflated in the Old Town, particularly on or nearby Stradun, so it’s best to stick to smaller streets or squares if you can. Here’s a guide for what you can expect to pay (per person) for:
A local draught beer – 25-45HRK ($4-$7)
A coffee – 15-35HRK ($2.50-$5.50)
A grab and go pastry or pizza slice – 10-15HRK ($1.50-$2.50)
Budget restaurant meal – 120-170HRK ($19-$27)
Mid-range restaurant meal – 200-270HRK ($32-$43)
High-end restaurant meal – 350HRK+ ($55+)
When to go to Dubrovnik and for how long
The best time to visit Dubrovnik is between May and June or September and October, when the weather is warm, but not at its summer peak and when the city is less busy. It is perfect for a long weekend trip or, if you want to relax a little more and have some time on the beach then 5 nights to a week would also work. Our 3-day Dubrovnik itinerary has a breakdown of how best to spend 3 days in Dubrovnik to make the most of a short trip.
Local language and phrases
Take a look at our Croatia travel tips on our Croatia page for more information about the language in Croatia and some of the most useful phrases
Dubrovnik travel tips
– Dubrovnik is a safe city and is safe for lone travellers, including lone females
– There are a range of places to eat including those specialising in vegetarian, vegan and gluten free diets
– The water is safe to drink, you can even drink from some of the fountains in the Old Town which are from spring water
– If you require a Covid-19 test during or at the end of your journey then PCR and Antigen tests are available at Dubrovnik airport. See the Dubrovnik airport website and be sure to check the test and entry requirements of where you are travelling to
Dubrovnik travel guide written in July 2021
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Dubrovnik Travel Articles
Dubrovnik Walking Tour Videos & Maps
Check out our Youtube Channel for more Chania walking tours, and tours for other destinations too.
Dubrovnik Old Town Route
A walking tour video highlighting the sights of the the Old Town and accompanying map showing the route we walked
Dubrovnik City Walls Route
A walking tour video highlighting the outer of the Old Town city walls and accompanying map showing the route we walked
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