Are you planning to spend 3 days in Croatia's most beautiful coastal city? How can you have the best time in Dubrovnik, and which sights and spots should you not miss? I will tell you all about it in this article.
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Dubrovnik is undoubtedly one of Croatia's top destinations. Everyone wants to go, everyone complains it's busy. And I won't lie to you: This is the touristic destination in Croatia. But that doesn't mean there are no ways to escape the crowds or have a good time.
If you only have three days to spend in Dubrovnik, you've got a lot of exploring to do! But fear not, this tried and tested itinerary will give you a perfect mix of seeing the city, beach lounging, awesome views and time on the water. Some local tips and restaurant recommendations thrown in as well.
The Dubrovnik Essentials
🎠 Dive right in | Discover Dubrovnik's past and history with a walking tour
📍 View Point | No better sunset view than from Mt. Srđ
🏊🏻♂️ Beach | Not in Dubrovnik directly but worth the drive: Pasjača Beach
🌮 Culinary delights | Discover the foods of Dalmatia with a Dubrovnik Food Tour –or visit Konoba Dubrava for local flair
🥃 Drinks | You pay for the view, but Mala buža is the place to go
🛥️ Tour | | Visit the Elaphiti islands for swimming and snorkeling
😴 Accommodation | The Byron Dubrovnik –a boutique hotel with cool interior design in the middle of the old town
Best time to visit Dubrovnik
If you ask me, shoulder season is the sweet spot in Dubrovnik. Trust me, you don't want to fight for a spot on the streets in August–plus, the height of summer in Dalmatia can be scorching hot. So think May or early June and or mid-September and October for fewer crowds but still good weather.
Make use of the morning hours if you want to experience the city before the cruise ships arrive. You can find the schedule here. And take a stroll during the cooler evening hours too, that's when you might meet some locals on Stradun.
Your travel guide for three days in Dubrovnik
Day 1 | The most important sights in Dubrovnik
Here we go: Your Dubrovnik travel guide for the perfect three days in the coastal city. If you follow this itinerary, I can promise you'll get a good mix of sightseeing, beach time and some activities. If you want to extend your stay in the region, check out my articles about Split, Kotor, or Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Mornings
Start your first day in Dubrovnik with a Dubrovnik Walking Tour to familiarize yourself with the city and history. I swear, there's much to learn about Croatia and especially Dubrovnik, an old city state, so a tour won't be dull.
If you really don't want to dive into history: How about a Game of Thrones Tour (and yes–I did one too, just so I can sit on the Iron Throne, none of us is immune).
👉 Tip | Skip walking the city walls. In my opinion, they are overpriced, and you have a more beautiful view of Dubrovnik and the islands from the top of Mount Srd.
Lunch | Try Girice , fried sardines, at a local spot, maybe even by the beach
Afternoon
I always like to relax a bit and soak up the vibe on my arrival day before I dive right into activities. So how about spending the afternoon on the beach? I like this one because it gives you nice views of the told town too, and you get to jump into the Adriatic Sea with locals.
Before dinner, take the cable car up Mount Srd to watch the sunset (make sure to buy your tickets in advanceto avoid the queue). The prices for drinks at the panoroma restaurant on top are quite high but the sunset views are worth it!
Wenn du im Frühling oder Herbst in Dubrovnik bist, kannst du auch nach oben wandern. Die AllTrails-Geodaten gibt’s hier.
Dinner | Stara Loza for Mediterranean cuisine
Sweet treats | After dinner, get Dubrovnik's best ice cream at aRoma
Day 2 | A day on the water
Today you have an active day–but fear not, there's still enough time to relax between all those cool activities that take you on the water around Dubrovnik.
Morning
Breakfast | Soul Kitchen Dubrovnik
After breakfast, get on a kayak tour along the city walls. The tour is medium paced and not too hard–trust me, I have the weakest little arms. The tour ends up at a cave you can only reach by water, where you have a brief break before paddling back to the city.
Lunch | The Restaurant & Café Dubravka 1836 is super close to the start and end point of your kayak tour
Afternoon
Zeit, die Fähre zur Insel Lokrum zu nehmen. Der perfekte Ort, um von der dalmatinischen Hitze zu flüchten. Hier kannst du unter den Pinien spazieren gehen, Pfauen beobachten oder mehr über die düstere Legende erfahren, die sich um die Insel rankt (ich bin irgendwie froh, dass ich erst nach unserer Rückkehr von Lokrum davon gelesen habe).
Make sure to also bring a swim suit as there is a lake in the middle of the island. The sea feeds it underground, so it is a saltwater lake.
Not interested in island life, but rather in culinary delights? With a Dubrovnik Food Tour , you can learn about Dalmatian cuisine and food culture and get a taste of Dalmatian coastal life.
Dinner | Marangun Food & Bar Room or Konoba Dubrava or if you really want to treat yourself: Restaurant 360
Drinks Grab sunset drinks at Mala Buza Bar, just outside the city walls
Day 3 | Take a day trip: Elaphiti Islands
Dubrovnik is the perfect starting point for exploring several of the Croatian islands or even the Pelješac peninsula but I think the Elaphiti islands are best for a day trip out on the Adriatic.
You can eat some fresh sea food, sail around the islands, discover beaches you can only reach from the water and go snorkling. It's like the best of both worlds–a sailing adventure but without having to stay on the boat overnight.
Not a fan of boat rides? A wine tasting tour and visit to Cavtat is a lot of fun as well! The Croatian wines aren't very well known internationally but worth being tasted!
The best of Dalmatia right in your pocket!
In my digital, interactive travel guide, you will find the best beaches, sights, restaurants, wineries, and activities in and around Dubrovnik—right on your phone and also available offline! The best of Dalmatia right in your pocket!
Where to stay in Dubrovnik
Hotels
- The Byron Dubrovnik | A boutique hotel with cool interior design in the middle of the old town
- | Nice modern hotel outside the old town on Lapad with pool | Schönes, modernes Hotel außerhalb der Altstadt in Lapad mit Pool
- | I mean who doesn't want to wake up in a real palazzo? | Ich meine, wer möchte nicht in einem echten Palazzo aufwachen?
Apartments & Airbnbs
- Apartments Mali Stradun | Nice and clean apartments with free parking
- Apartments Olaf | Just a few hundred meters from the gate to the old town in a typical stone house
- Apartments Kirigin | The view from the terrace and the location are a winner
How to get to Dubrovnik
If you are traveling to Dubrovnik by car, make sure you book accommodation with parking–finding parking in Dubrovnik really is a challenge. The easiest way to get to Dubrovnik is by plane—several international airlines fly to Dubrovnik International Airport. I always compare connections and prices via a flight search engine..
Uber and taxis are a good way to get around if you're not walking.
Extend your trip
Continue to Kotor, Split or to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
