Planning a trip to Dubrovnik, Croatia? Find out how to spend 3 days in Dalmatia's most popular city based on my personal experience on a trip to Dubrovnik.
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The first time I was in Dubrovnik was 2020 – which was, I think we can undoubtedly agree on that – the best year to visit any touristy hotspot around the world. My friend from Munich and I enjoyed empty streets, beaches we shared only with locals, and restaurant meals where we didn't have to queue or make a reservation.
Since then, I have been back two more times with my husband Nermin in the past six years, and have seen the other side of Dubrovnik too—the bustling, touristy, busy one.
Also: So here's what you might wonder: Is Dubrovnik worth visiting? Is it over-run and overpriced? Well, yes, yes, and yes. Although old town Dubrovnik was full already at the beginning of June, we had a great time. You just need to know how to avoid the crowds since most people like to walk only through the main streets of the old town.
Here's how we spent three days in Dubrovnik. This itinerary will mix sightseeing with water activities – and as always, I'll throw in my restaurant recommendations as well!
Dubrovnik at a glance
Dubrovnik is a Dalmatian city best known for its city walls and its role as King’s Landing in Game of Thrones. Yet it has been a popular destination in the region for decades – for its history, beaches and cuisine.
My top tip:Get up early one morning and stroll through the narrow streets before they get crowded. Avoid the heat of midday, when cruise ship passengers are also out and about, and dare to stray from the tourist trail to discover small, quiet alleyways. You’ll find plenty of activities for your stay on GetYourGuide or Viator .
Where to stay? I’d recommend staying in the city centre, but just outside the city walls themselves. The Heritage Hotel Lucia has excellent reviews and is within walking distance of all the main attractions.
Day 1 | Get settled in for your trip to Dubrovnik
Most travelers arrive to Dubrovnik by plane. From Dubrovnik Airport, it's around a 20-minute Uber or taxi ride to the Old City. If you're on a Dalmatia road trip and coming by car, make sure your accommodation offers parking.
Check into your hotel
If you only have three days, I suggest that Dubrovnik's old town is where you get your accommodation. But: Pick a place to stay just outside the old town walls—the difference in price is big, and you're still within walking distance to all the things to do in Dubrovnik.
If you want a quieter, more local and more affordable area, Lapad is where you wanna go. But be careful: It might look close to the old town but you might end up with a one hour bus journey to the old town every day–or have to account for a twenty-minute Uber ride. So make sure to check connections on Google Maps before you book.
Where to stay in Dubrovnik?
- Budget: Caleda Rooms is a modern accommodation just outside the Old Town
- Boutique: Heritage Hotel Lucia is located in an old Dalmatian building but has been renovated to the highest modern standards inside
- Luxus: Hotel Excelsior is located outside the Old Town and has its own beach access, perfect for the hot midday hours
Soak up Dubrovnik's best view
You know I love a good sunset spot. And Dubrovnik has plenty of them. The best view of Dubrovnik is from Mount Srd, the local mountain. Take the Dubrovnik cable car up, and make sure you buy your tickets online in advanceso you can skip the queue.
There's a restaurant up at the top. I haven't tried the food but I wouldn't recommend you eat there since you find a lot of nice restaurants in the city. We treated ourselves to an Aperol Spritz, and of course you pay for the view, but it was absolutely worth it. The sunset over the Adriatic from up here is gorgeous.
Afterwards, you can head to either Soul Kitchen or Konoba Sebastianfor dinner. For dessert, I recommend you grab ice cream at aRoma.
Day 2 | Explore Dubrovnik Old Town
Today you’ll get to know Croatia’s most famous city inside out. And hey, who am I to judge if you opt for a If you’re thinking of doing a Game of Thrones tour – I’ve done one myself. But perhaps you’d also like to delve a little deeper into the history and culture of this place, which has had a rather turbulent past. Either way: whether through the lens of HBO’s cult series or with a cultural walking tour – a few hours with a local
Morning
After your tour, I recommend you explore the winding little alleys of the old town further. Don't follow a strict path, you can always be surprised by turning a corner and finding yourself in a spot with barely any other tourists at all.
If you want to, you can of course walk the city walls, but I personally think that you don't get your value for money. The view you had last night from the mountain is much more beautiful, and especially in summer its scorching hot and busy on the walls with no shade at all.
Lunch | Try Girice, fried sardines, at a local spot, maybe even by the beach
Afternoon
Dalmatia is hot, hot, hot in the summer, so plan for a little siesta during the hottest hours of the day. If you want to dive into the Adriatic and don't want to walk far, I recommend Šulić Beach. It's less known than the popular city beach Banje, but you still have a nice view of Lovrijenac castle.
End your day with an evening kayaking tour along the city walls . We did it in the morning, which is also nice, but I can only imagine how beautiful the sunset must look from the water. And on that tour, you still get a great view of the city walls and an impression of how well protected Dubrovnik always was without paying huge buck to shove yourself through crowds on top of the walls.
Enjoy drinks in the evening
If you want to head out for drinks after dinner, I recommend you check out Buza Bar or Mala Buza bar. They are both hidden in the old town walls and once you pass through, you are sitting on cliffs outside Dubrovnik old town with a view of the Adriatic and Lokrum island. Sometimes, people are even jumping from the cliffs and one time, we had music. It's a great way to end your second day in Dubrovnik.
Day 3 | Head outside of the Old Town
This is already your last day in Dubrovnik. But I still recommend you take the time to explore the surrounding area a bit.
Maybe you wanna visit some sights you still missed yesterday in the morning or maybe you still want to check a museum off your list. Do that now before you check out of your accommodation (ask ahead if they can store your luggage for a little fee–many hotels are happy to).
Trip to Lokrum island
Take the ferry to Lokrum island. It's a short ferry ride from Dubrovnik but from here, you get a completely new view of the old city. The island is great to just walk around a little, count peacocks and learn about its monastery and dark legend. Bring swimwear so you can dive into the "dead sea", a little lake on the island that is fed with sea water.
Trip to the Elaphiti islands
If you want to spend an entire day out on the water, book a day tour to the Elaphiti Islands or a snorkeling tour. The Elaphiti islands are known for their super clear water and even though I didn't do a tour yet (because I get seasick) a friend of mine did and really recommends it.
Dive into the Dalmatian cuisine
Wherever I go, I really love learning more about the food and how it shaped cultures and people. Dalmatia is an intersting mix of the Balkans mainland, Italian influences and mediterranean flavors.
So why not learn more about it on a Dubrovnik Food Tour. Or even better? Take a wine tasting tour to the surrounding vineyards. I had no idea the region was a wine-growing region until I moved here and Nermin and I got more interested in wine, but Croatia has some varieties you can only taste there.
And here's what I don't recommend as a day trip from Dubrovnik:
Split is too far, even though you might be tempted, you will spend more time in the car than in the city itself. Here you can read up on my guide for 3 days in Splitwhich is the perfect amount of time.
Mostar is only two hours away, but the city gets so crowded during the day (and really hot in the summer) so even though it's pretty you won't have an enjoyable time. If you want to visit, stay overnight.
Enjoy one last dinner in Dubrovnik
For your last night, I recommend that you invest in a taxi or uber ride and head outside of the old town for a little bit to a traditional Croatian konoba. Those restaurants serve food like you would eat in a Dalmatian grandma's house, mostly local house wine, and you get a real glimpse of the Dalmatian lifestyle. Konoba Dubrava is a great choice, located on the hills outside of Dubrovnik.
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!
Dubrovnik travel tips
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 or you can get the Dubrovnik Passthat includes museums as well as public transportation.
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 or and mid-September and Octoberfor 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.
Extend your trip
Take a day trip to Kotor, head to Split for a couple of days or continue your journey to Bosnia and Herzegovina If you want to spend more time at the beach, read up here on my favorite beaches in Dalmatia and around Dubrovnik.
A perfect time in Dubrovnik
You’re ready for a great 3-day trip to Dubrovnik. You can easily extend this itinerary to fill up more days, there are plenty of things to do to choose from and you can easily stay in Dubrovnik for five days, too. But with this itinerary, you're covering the best Dubrovnik has to offer.
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