Dubrovnik is an incredible city and, if it already isn’t, it should definitely be on your list of places to visit in Europe and Croatia. Not only does it have a beautifully preserved medieval city, which alone is worth going there for, it also has great beaches, an array of restaurants serving up fantastic food and lots of other activities to do inside and outside of the Old Town including viewpoints, water activities and day trips. We have explored the city including Dubrovnik attractions, landmarks and activities. Alongside visiting the beaches in Dubrovnik, we have a well rounded view of the city and area to help you plan your Dubrovnik sightseeing (check out our Dubrovnik 3 day itinerary here if you would like some more Dubrovnik tips!). So, here’s our handy list of the 15 best things to see and do in Dubrovnik, Croatia:
1. Explore The Old Town
If you only do one thing in Dubrovnik, then this should be it, and that’s getting lost in and exploring the beautiful Dubrovnik Old Town. The Old Town is widely known to be one of the worlds best preserved medieval towns and as a result, is a UNESCO World Heritage site, which means that any development in the town is now strictly controlled to ensure its historical features are preserved. After the earthquake of 1667, the town was reconstructed very carefully and this led to its eventual designation to a UNESCO World Heritage site. There is so much to see including the grand main street, Stradun, Dubrovnik Cathedral, several churches and the beautiful Dubrovnik Port, which offers stunning views over the Adriatic. Walk the Old Town with us with our Dubrovnik Old Town YouTube video, and follow our walking route to get the most out of your Dubrovnik sightseeing experience.
2. Cable Car up to Mount Srđ
Located just behind the Old walled city of Dubrovnik, Mount Srđ is a low level mountain with great view over the Old City and the blue waters of the Adriatic. To get up to the top you can either take the cable car, take a car or walk up. The walk up takes around 1 hour and can be a little challenging due to it being a rocky path, so is only advisable for those who have the time and are up for it. We would advise taking up the cable car, as not only is it much easier than the walk, but you also get the stunning views all the way up! The cable car runs every 10-15min from the station which is a few minutes walk from Buže gate. Once at the top, as well as taking in the amazing views, you can have a drink and even some food at the restaurant, do some souvenir shopping in the gift shop, visit the large stone cross or go to one of the museums. This is one of our favourite Dubrovnik attractions and is also one of the best things to do with kids in Dubrovnik.
- Opening Times: The cable car is open year round, except February and runs daily from 09:00 to 23:00 in June – August. Closing time varies depending on month.
- Entry/Tickets: 170HRK ($27)) return for adult, 90HRK ($15) one way for adult. 60HRK ($10) return for a child, 40HRK ($7) one way for a child.
- Where to Buy: Online from the Cable Car website or in person at the station
3. Walk the City Walls Of Dubrovnik
As well as exploring the main streets of the Old Town, you can also walk and explore it all from higher up, by walking around the city walls of Dubrovnik. This is one of the most popular things to do in Dubrovnik and is a great way to see the medieval city from another perspective, and to see the surrounding areas from a better viewpoint. Built between the 13th and 17th century, the walls are 1940 metres in length, or just under 2km and vary in thickness, according to where the greatest threats were when they were built. While the walls on the sea facing side are between 1.5 and 3m thick, the walls on the land facing side range between an impressive 4-6m thick! There are four fortresses located along the walls as well as smaller bastions and towers, which were all vital in defending the city. The walk takes anywhere between 1-2 hours and can be started or ended at Pile or Ploce Gate or St John’s Fort.
- Opening Times: Open daily from 09:00 to 19:00 in summer months, reducing the closing time down slowly to 15:00 in November to March
- Entry/Tickets: 200HRK ($32) per adults, 50HRK ($8) per child
- Where to Buy: Buy in person at the entrance, online or skip the queues and buy online at Viator
4. Dubrovnik Cathedral
Formerly known as the Cathedral of The assumption of virgin Mary, this Roman Catholic cathedral stands with prominence in Dubrovnik’s old town. Similar to many older buildings in Dubrovnik, and Europe, the cathedral has been rebuilt many times and in the 1980’s, works on the cathedral led to the discovery of older cathedral ruins from the 7th century. The architecture of the building is striking yet quite simple, to which the interior is similar, but notable for its fine altars. If you’re interested in architecture and history then this should be high on your list for Dubrovnik attractions and Dubrovnik sightseeing.
- Opening Times: Easter to October Mon – Sat 08:00 to 17:00, Sunday 11:00 to 17:00 / Nov- Easter Mon – Sat 09:00 to 12:00 & 16:00 to 17:00
- Entry/Tickets: Free to enter
5. Take A Boat Trip to Lokrum Island
Located just 600metres away from Dubrovnik, a 10min boat ride, is Lokrum island. It is a small uninhabited island and also a nature reserve. The island is home to an array of plant species, including some tropical imported varieties which were brought over in 1858 by Austrian archduke Maximilian, who at the time resided on the island. Things to see and do on the island include the Botanical Gardens, a monastery, small salt lake and relaxing by and swimming in the waters. A regular ferry service to the island departs daily from Dubrovnik Old Town Port.
- Opening Times: The ferry leaves Dubrovnik Port at 09:00 & every 30min from 10:00 to 19:00 daily from June-Sep. Daily every hour from 10:00 to 17:00 in May
- Entry/Tickets: 150HRK ($24) return per person
- Where to Buy: Buy in person at Dubrovnik City Port or as you get on the boat
6. Go Diving in the Adriatic
With crystal clear waters and favourable water conditions and temperature in the summer season, Dubrovnik makes for great diving. You can see a range of marine life including lobsters, scorpion fish, moray eels, tuna, octopus and Many smaller fish. Throughout the Adriatic and the coastline of Dubrovnik there are many coral reefs and a great variation of diving sites. There is also a great selection of shipwrecks to dive off the coast of Dubrovnik, for those that are interested in seeing some underwater history. The great water conditions during the summer months make Dubrovnik a fantastic destination to dive, for beginners and experienced divers. We went for a dive with Blue Planet Diving during our trip to Dubrovnik and can recommend them for anyone who is looking for a professional, fun and well organised dive centre.
- Opening Times: Blue Planet Diving Office open from 09:00 until 17:00 Mon – Sat
- Entry/Tickets: Diving packages vary depending on experience, location and amount of dives
7. Relax at the Beach
Dubrovnik is famous for its beautiful Old Town, so there are many tourists that are unaware the many beaches in Dubrovnik that are dotted all along the coastline of the city. All of the city’s beaches are pebble but have calming clear waters and often scenic views out onto islands and cliffs. Banje beach is the closest beach to the Old Town, at a mere 5min walk from Ploce Gate. The beach is popular with tourists so can get quite busy in peak season and has water sports activities and a restaurant and bar. Further out of the Old Town there are a number of other beaches including Šulić, Bellevue and Uvala Lapad. Each has their own unique features so check them out to see which suits your requirements best.
- Opening Times: 24 hours daily
- Entry/Tickets: Public beaches are all free for entry
8. Church of St Blaise
Completed in 1715, the Church of St Blaise is an important and popular Dubrovnik attraction in the Old Town. The church was built in a very defined Venetian baroque style of architecture and was built to replace a former church which was built on the same site in the 14th century, but destroyed during a fire in 1706. Inside the church are numerous statues, many of which hold high historical significance, as well as a model of the city. The church is also a centre point for local St Blaise Day, also know as Dubrovnik Day. St Blaise Day is on the 3rd February and brings festivities in the form of lots of food, a parade, procession and street celebrations.
- Opening Times: Unavailable
- Entry/Tickets: Free to enter
9. Rectors Palace
This gothic-renaissance palace is situated in the heart of the Old Town and was built in the 15th century for the elected rector who governed Dubrovnik. As well as housing the Rectors office, the palace also contains private chambers, public halls, administrative offices and a dungeon. Despite having been rebuilt a number of times, the building still has many impressive historically important features such as the atrium staircase. In addition to taking in the architecture, the palace is also a museum and is the home of the summer music festival in Dubrovnik.
- Opening Times: Daily from 09:00 until 19:00
- Entry/Tickets: 100HRK ($16) for Adults, 50HRK ($8) for Children
- Where to Buy: Buy in person at the palace
10. Take A Boat Trip to Lopud Island
Located an hour ferry ride from Dubrovnik, Lopud island is located in the Elafiti archipelago. The island is reasonably small and you can walk most of the main parts to see while you are there, which is good, as there are no cars on the island! With a sandy beach, the island is a popular place for tourists to stay outside of Dubrovnik, as well as a popular day trip. There is also a Franciscan Monastery, a handful of other beautiful churches, restaurants and bars and some small souvenir shops on the island. You can walk to the sandy Sunj Beach from the main village area, which is also where the ferry comes in, in around 30 minutes, or take a ride on a gold caddy there and back to have more time on the beach.
- Opening Times: The ferry runs year round and leaves Gruz Port in Dubrovnik at 10:00, 14:00, 16:30 and 20:00 Mon-Sat. 9:30, 20:00 on Sundays. Additional ferry times are added during the August peak season, check the times here
- Entry/Tickets: Ferry tickets cost 46HRK ($7.50) return per adult, 13HRK ($2) per child
- Where to Buy: Online or in person at the Jadrolinija office near the Gruz Port, Dubrovnik
11. Fort LovriJENAC
Located 37m above the sea level, on a sheer rocky cliff, Fort Lovrijenac is a great example of the immense efforts that Dubrovnik went to, to defend its city in medieval times. The forts walls facing the sea are up to an impressive 12m thick in some places, which was extra defence for enemies coming in from the sea. Split over three levels, the fort had 10 cannons to fight off enemies. As well as seeing the great historical features of the fort, a visit here also offers great views over the nearby surroundings, including the famous Dubrovnik West Harbour, known also as Kings Landing, which has been made a iconic landmark from the series, Game Of Thrones. The fort is located a short walk outside the Pile Gate to the Old Town and requires a climb up 200 steps to access it.
- Opening Times: Open daily, from 08:00 until 19:00
- Entry/Tickets: 50HRK ($8) per person or included in the City Walls ticket pass
- Where to buy: In person via the ticket office in the Old Town or skip the queues and by online at Viator and pick up the ticket
12. Take a Game Of Thrones Tour
If you didn’t already know, Dubrovnik was one of the key filming destinations for the popular fantasy series, Game Of Thrones. As a result, it is not suprising that there is a variety of Game of Thrones tours that are available in the city, which take visitors through various filming locations, explain the history and their connection with the series. Some of the most notable filming locations are Kings Landing, Lokrum island and Lovrijenac Fort, amongst others. There are many tours available, varying in length, sights to see and prices. If you’re a fan of the series and want to learn more about it’s connection with the city then this a great way to spend a few hours in Dubrovnik.
- Where to Buy: Check out Viator for an extensive variety of Game Of Thrones Tours to book
13. Franciscan Monastery
Sitting rather unassumingly on Stradun, near the Pile Gate, this Franciscan monastery was built in the 14th century. Like much of Dubrovnik, the monastery was affected by the 1667 earthquake and lost several original features but was rebuilt in sections. Inside it’s large, solid walls, it is home to a cloister, a historic pharmacy and a small museum. The museum holds many items including paintings, pharmacy items, relics, chalices and jewellery. With beautiful Romanesque details, the cloister is one of the major features with a small garden in the centre. Another highlight is the pharmacy, the third oldest functioning pharmacy in Europe, open since 1317.
- Opening Times: Open daily from 09:00 to 18:00 Apr-Oct, to 14:00 Nov-Mar
- Entry/Tickets: 30HRK ($5) per person
14. Go Sea Kayaking
What better way to see the sights of Dubrovnik’s coastline and some of beaches in Dubrovnik than by a relaxing and leisurely sea kayaking experience? There are many companies in Dubrovnik that offer kayaking, whether it be to rent one for a set period of time, via a kayaking tour or something a little more challenging, there is something for everyone. Most of the experiences available are suited to people of all levels, including beginners, so there is no need to worry about having to be a pro at kayaking, this could be the perfect opportunity for you to give it a first go. Some of the main areas in the city where there are kayaking companies are in the Dubrovnik city port, at Banje Beach or at Sulic Beach, as well as many others. See the link below to Viator to book one of the many sea kayaking tours and experiences available in the city.
- Where to Buy: Head to Viator to see the range of kayaking experiences and tours available to book
15. The Museum of Modern Art
Situated slightly further past Banje Beach, outside of the city walls, is the Museum of Modern Art in Dubrovnik. Often overlooked by visitors to the city for some of the more popular Dubrovnik attractions, the Museum is located in a beautifully designed building, similar to that of the many stunning buildings in the Old Town. The museum showcases artworks from Croatian artists, both well established and up and coming, and is a great opportunity to see some of the talent in the country in a great setting. The museum also features a large outdoor area which has artistic statues, amongst other works, on display. If you’re interested in art then this is definitely one to add to your list in the city.
- Opening Times: Open Tuesday – Sunday from 09:00 until 20:00
- Entry/Tickets: 15HRK ($2.50) per adult, free for children
- Where to Buy: In person on entry at the museum
One Last Tip For Dubrovnik Attractions…
As a handy tip, if you’re going to do some of the main Dubrovnik attractions, such as Walk the Walls of Dubrovnik and Rectors Palace, while you’re in the city, then it may be worth checking out the Dubrovnik city pass. You can buy the pass online or in many shops and outlets in the city. There is the option of a 1, 3 or 7 day pass, all which cover an array of different Dubrovnik attractions, free public transport and offer discounts on some restaurants and other activities. You can find more information about the pass, prices and what’s included here.
