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Croatia Dubrovnik travel guide
16 things to do in Dubrovnik, where to stay, airport transfers, 1 MICHELIN-starred restaurants. Pick places on the map and get a day-by-day walking route from your hotel with steps, kilometres and minutes.
Top things to do in Dubrovnik
- Walls of Dubrovnik — defensive wall (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Rector's Palace, Dubrovnik — building in Croatia (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Franciscan Church and Monastery — church building in Dubrovnik, Croatia (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Sponza Palace — palace in Dubrovnik, Croatia (visit ≈ 90 min)
- Lovrijenac — fortress and theater in Dubrovnik, Croatia (visit ≈ 60 min)
- St. Saviour Church — church in Dubrovnik, Croatia (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Dubrovnik Synagogue — Synagogue in Croatia (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Saint Ignatius Church — church (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Bokar Fortress — fortress in Dubrovnik, Croatia (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Fort Revelin — fortress in Dubrovnik, Croatia (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Minčeta — fortress in Dubrovnik, Croatia (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Saint John's Fortress — former fortification in Dubrovnik, Croatia (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Holy Annunciation Orthodox church — church in Dubrovnik, Croatia (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Dominican Church and Monastery in Dubrovnik — church building in Dubrovnik, Croatia (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Petka — group of hills in Croatia (visit ≈ 45 min)
- Fort Imperial (visit ≈ 60 min)
1-day Dubrovnik walking itinerary
Starting point: Old Town. The top 8 places at a normal pace (up to ~10 km of walking a day), in this order. Change places or your hotel on the map and the route is recalculated; distances are estimates with a street allowance.
- Day 1 (≈ 5.4 km · 7,230 steps · 1 h 11 min on the way): Sponza Palace → Rector's Palace, Dubrovnik → Saint Ignatius Church → Walls of Dubrovnik → Lovrijenac → Dubrovnik Synagogue → St. Saviour Church → Franciscan Church and Monastery
Hidden gems and overlooked spots in Dubrovnik
- Pile Gate — Western entrance with a drawbridge; the first step into the old town and the start of Stradun. (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Large Onofrio's Fountain — Domed 15th-century fountain just inside Pile Gate, with water flowing from carved masks. (visit ≈ 10 min)
- Lokrum Island — Short boat ride to an island of peacocks, a small 'Dead Sea' lake and monastery ruins. (visit ≈ 180 min)
- Old Port — Small harbour sheltered by the walls, where boats leave for the islands; lovely for an evening stroll. (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Lapad Peninsula — Escape from the old town with pine-wooded trails, quiet coves and a seaside promenade. (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Mljet National Park — Wooded island reached by ferry; an old monastery sits on an islet in its saltwater lakes. (visit ≈ 420 min)
- Lopud (Elaphiti Islands) — Car-free little island with Šunj sandy beach and old monasteries; a ferry day trip from Dubrovnik. (visit ≈ 300 min)
- Gradac Park — A quiet clifftop park in pine shade just west of Pile Gate, looking across to Lovrijenac and the walls. (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Rupe Ethnographic Museum — An old granary with huge grain pits cut into the rock, now showing the region's rural life and crafts. (visit ≈ 40 min)
- Trsteno Arboretum — Renaissance garden above the sea in a village to the north, with ancient plane trees, a fountain and terraces. (visit ≈ 90 min)
- Cavtat — A small harbour town to the south-east, also reached by boat, with a pine-covered peninsula walk and quiet coves. (visit ≈ 180 min)
Where to stay in Dubrovnik
- Old Town: Inside the walls, with everything on foot.
- Ploče: Just outside the east gate, with old town views.
- Lapad: Beaches and a promenade; 15 minutes to the centre by bus.
- Gruž: Near the ferry port and bus station, cheaper.
- Pile: The old town’s west gate, where buses stop.
Getting from the airport to Dubrovnik
- Dubrovnik (DBV): Airport shuttle bus ≈ 30 min
Getting around
The old town is car-free; Libertas buses run from Pile Gate to Lapad and Gruž. In summer go early in the morning.
Classic places to eat
- Proto: Seafood since 1886.
- Lokanda Peskarija: Mussels and squid in pots by the old harbour.
- Taj Mahal: Bosnian cooking in the old town.
- Buža Bar: A bar on the rocks outside the walls, facing the sea.
- Gradska Kavana Arsenal: The city’s historic café in the old arsenal.
- Kopun: Dubrovnik dishes on a quiet square.
- Dolce Vita: Ice cream in the old town.
MICHELIN-starred restaurants
Last known stars; check the MICHELIN Guide before you go.
- 360 — 1 MICHELIN star, Modern Mediterranean
Romantic views
- Mount Srđ (Sunset): The old town and islands from the cable-car hill.
- Fort Lovrijenac (Sunset): Views of the walls from the cliff-top fortress.
- Stradun (Evening): The shiny stone main street in the evening lights.
- Banje Beach (Daytime): A beach facing the old town walls.
Good to know before visiting Dubrovnik
- Fine: Dubrovnik, Split and Hvar fine walking around town in swimwear or shirtless.
- Fine: Street drinking is fined in places like Split and Hvar.
- Warning: Some rural areas still have marked wartime minefields; stay on marked paths.
- Warning: Drones need registration and permits; Dubrovnik's old town is restricted.
- Cover shoulders and knees in churches and monasteries.
- The currency is the euro; a per-night tourist tax is charged on stays.
- Emergency: 112 (police 192, ambulance 194, fire 193)
- Plugs: C/F, 230V
- Tap water: Tap water is safe to drink.
- Tipping: Tipping is optional; around 10% is common.
Sources: UK FCDO — Foreign travel advice: Croatia, Wikivoyage — Croatia, T.C. Dışişleri Bakanlığı — Türk vatandaşlarının tabi olduğu vize uygulamaları · For information only; rules change, check official sources before you go. Last checked: 2026-10
Dubrovnik travel FAQ
- How many days do you need in Dubrovnik?
- The top 8 places in the centre take about 1 day at a normal pace on a walking route from your hotel. Allow 2 days for the top 15 places within walking distance.
- What are the top things to do in Dubrovnik?
- Highlights: Walls of Dubrovnik, Rector's Palace, Dubrovnik, Franciscan Church and Monastery, Sponza Palace and Lovrijenac. The map has 16 things to do in total.
- Where to stay in Dubrovnik?
- Old Town: Inside the walls, with everything on foot. Other options: Ploče, Lapad, Gruž and Pile.
- How do you get from the airport to Dubrovnik city centre?
- Dubrovnik (DBV): Airport shuttle bus ≈ 30 min
- How do you get around Dubrovnik?
- The old town is car-free; Libertas buses run from Pile Gate to Lapad and Gruž. In summer go early in the morning.
- Which MICHELIN-starred restaurants are in Dubrovnik?
- According to the last known data there are 1 starred restaurants: 360 (1 star). Check the MICHELIN Guide before you go.
- What is the emergency number in Dubrovnik?
- Emergency: 112 (police 192, ambulance 194, fire 193).
- Do you tip in Dubrovnik?
- Tipping is optional; around 10% is common.
Nearby cities
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