If you are thinking about heading to Dubrovnik, allow us to suggest some incredibly fun experiences that will elevate your trip and leave you with memories to last a lifetime. Many of these we’ve done ourselves, and we still talk about them all the time. If you have multiple days (which we highly recommend), we’d suggest hitting as many of these that interest you as possible! Dubrovnik offers no shortage of amazing experiences, and a 4-5 day stay in Old Town will still not feel like enough.
The 13 Top Things to do in Dubrovnik
Breathe Fresh Sea Air on a Catamaran Cruise
One of the most fun things you can do in Croatia is spend some time on the picturesque water. Croatia is known as a boater’s dream destination, and no trip to Croatia would be complete without engaging in a sail. There are many different options depending on what you are looking for. Whether you are looking for a small group cruise focused on learning to sail, an all inclusive cruise with swimming stops, or a sunset dinner cruise, this is a can’t miss activity. If you have a few days and love the water, try this very highly rated multi-day cruise for a true once in a lifetime experience!
Oysters, Wine, and Walls
Ston is a must see town less than an hour away from Dubrovnik! Ston is located on the Peljesac Peninsula, an area of Croatia famous for their delicious wines thanks to the geographical advantages of the region. Ston itself is known for 3 things – its traditional salt works, the second largest defensive wall system in the world, and their world-famous oysters! Combining all of these into a single day trip is an extraordinary experience and is sure to be one of your most memorable days of your trip. This is simply a must when visiting Dubrovnik.
Take a Cooking Class
One of the best things you can do in any country you visit is take a cooking class. Learning how to make local cuisine is a great way to connect with the culture and history of a location, and it is also a great opportunity to make friends with fellow travelers and your host! Dubrovnik offers several fantastic cooking classes, including this wonderful class in a local country home.
Go on a Walking Food Tour
Dubrovnik’s Old Town is an incredible place to explore, and one of the best ways to do that is through a walking food tour! Walking food tours expose you to restaurants and foods that you probably would not have tried on your own, and for that reason they are always at the top of our list of things to do in a new country or city. You won’t find the restaurants you visit on a walking food tour on any “top restaurants in ____” lists, which means they won’t be touristy at all. While the focus of the experience is the food, you’ll also be given a great tour of the Old Town as well. If this sounds good to you, try this extremely highly rated tour.
Take a Day Trip to Another Country
Because of it’s location in the narrow neck of Croatia, Dubrovnik makes the perfect base for day trips to either Montenegro or Bosnia and Herzegovina. Most day trips will center around either Kotor (Montenegro) or Mostar (Bosnia and Herzegovina). If you have enough time, we’d recommend doing both! These countries are very different from Croatia and are worth experiencing on your trip.
Walk the Walls of Dubrovnik
Probably the most unique feature of Dubrovnik is it’s immaculately well preserved fortification walls. Almost all pictures of Dubrovnik will feature these walls in some way, and no trip to Dubrovnik is complete without spending some time walking on them. The walls encompass the entire Old Town of Dubrovnik, reach a height of more than 75 feet in some areas, and measure nearly 1.2 miles long! You can buy your tickets ahead of time or at a ticket office in Dubrovnik, and you can either buy entry just to the walls or buy the Dubrovnik Pass which gives you access to several more sights around the city as well!
Hit the beaches!
While in Dubrovnik, you must spend some time at a beach! While in Old Town, there are several beaches within a 15 minute walk, including Banje, Sveti Jakov, Sulic, and Dance Beach. Our personal favorite is Banje, located just outside of Ploce Gate on the southern side of Old Town. During the summer there are cabanas, loungers, and a full service bar right on the beach! While touristy, we thoroughly enjoyed the day we spent at Banje. One tip – bring water shoes as the sand is more like small pebbles than soft, refined sand.
Transport Yourself to King’s Landing
If you are a big Game of Thrones fan, this is a must do tour in Dubrovnik! You’ll be transported to Westoros, specifically to King’s Landing where you can walk in the foot steps of all of your favorite characters. See some of the most iconic locations from the series, including the Red Keep, the Walk of Shame Steps, Blackwater Bay, the House of the Undying, and more! For major fans of the show this is sure to be a memorable activity.
Have Dinner With The Most Spectacular View
Not every destination will have a restaurant that you absolutely must visit, but Dubrovnik does! Panorama Restaurant and Bar is located at the top of Srd Hill, right next to the cable car station for easy access. The food is fantastic, but the real calling card for this restaurant is the stunning and unmatched view. You definitely need to make a reservation well in advance for the best views, and try to be there for sunset if at all possible! There are a ton of great restaurants in Dubrovnik with beautiful views, but Panorama sits comfortably alone at the top of best restaurants in Dubrovnik.
Have a Drink Outside the Walls
Many of the best things to do in Dubrovnik center around the famous fortification walls, and this next experience is no different. Dubrovnik has several bars right on the outside of the walls overlooking the Adriatic Sea. Two of the best are Buza Bar and Bard Dubrovnik, both of which you enter through literal holes in the wall. Bard Dubrovnik is best for relaxing and soaking in the relaxing views, while Buza Bar is a younger crowd and is a very popular spot for cliff jumping.
Visit Lokrum Island
Lokrum is located just off of Dubrovnik and makes for a really fun quick trip from Old Town. The island is full of different types of trees native to the region (think olive trees, pines, cypress, etc.) and numerous small trails to explore on your own. You can spend the day exploring the island, snorkeling or swimming, or visiting the botanical gardens located there. Getting there is relatively easy as well, as there are numerous ferries that take just 15 minutes. Alternatively, you can rent a kayak on your own and paddle over.
See Dubrovnik from a Different Perspective
We mentioned before that one of the absolute must dos in Dubrovnik is to spend some time on the Adriatic, and if boats aren’t your thing then consider a kayaking experience! The Adriatic water around Dubrovnik is relatively calm and should be easy to paddle around, and depending on what tour you book you might even stop on Lokrum Island or do some snorkeling or cave exploring! You’ll also see Dubrovnik’s famous walls from the water, which is sure to be an experience you won’t soon forget.
Wander Stradum
Wandering Stradum, the main street just inside Pile Gate in Old Town Dubrovnik, is a must do on your visit. There’s no way to visit Old Town without seeing Stradum, but we encourage you to really take your time and explore all the different alleys and shops percolating from the main street. One of our favorite memories from our time in Dubrovnik was walking down Stradum in the evening, taking in the atmosphere and the beauty of this remarkable city.
We believe those are the top 13 things to do in Dubrovnik. Dubrovnik is a magical city and should be at the top of your bucket list! For itinerary ideas, see our 15 day trip to Croatia, Slovenia, and Hungary!
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