Beautiful waterside Croatian city with medieval castle walls, looking up to mountains or looking down to the water. (Made even more popular by Game of Thrones series.)
Dubrovnik is somewhat of a mix of Paris, Porto, Amalfi coast. You’ve got a cute old town area within the castle walls, many small streets and corridors from of bars, restaurants, shops. Plenty of steps and hills to climb for better views of the city and looking out across the water. It’s posh and touristy, but also feels like a new destination at the same time. While Dubrovnik is massively becoming more popular, going here doesn’t feel like you’ve been where everybody else has been already. (NOTE: restaurant prices in Dubrovnik are generally expensive 25-30eur per plate.)
You could see enough of it in 2 days (enough to kill your camera space). But I’d recommend 3 or more so you can try more restaurants, do some boat trips, and see more of the castle walls and museums.
Where to stay:
- Old town – if it’s your first time, I’d definitely recommend staying within the castle walls. It’s beautiful and you feel like you get to relax and live inside, rather than feeling like a tourist that has to keep entering and leaving a park.
- Outside the castle walls – I haven’t tried it but I’ve had friends say anybody staying outside is going to regret it as it’s too much of a journey to walk in and out everyday. Having been here myself, I definitely agree.
I would avoid peak season (May to Sep). Because those months are hotter (really annoying for when you’re trying to walk and take pictures everywhere) and because all the available hotels and housing are filled up. I went Oct 11 and it was perfect, several nice options available at great pricing. I don’t care for hot beach-weather anyway since the old town is more beautiful at night IMO.
Hostels:
- I didn’t stay at hostels. I stayed at an AirBnB since they’re so cheap.
Neighborhoods & Walking areas:
- Everything within old town is easily walkable to anywhere else within old town.
Activities to do:
- Walk around old town – you can start from one main entrance and walk straight through the center to the other entrance. Walk around the marina areas for beautiful views of the city across water. Then explore the small corridors, and then finally up the steps and around the walls (both inside, outside, and on top) if you still got leg strength. I didn’t want to pay to get on top of the castle walls but if you’re interested, it’s like 30eur for 1-day pass or 40eur for 3-day pass and includes entry to museums and other stuff, too. By the way, you can do the free part of Fort Lovrijenac.
- Boat tours – there are tons of tours being sold. I didn’t try any but they do look nice. They go to islands, caves, also submarine stuff.
- Walk around outside of old town – probably some nice views of the city up the hills. Lots to explore. I wish there were e-scooter rentals. Maybe there were and I didn’t see.
- GoT tours (Game of Thrones) – I hear they’re really nice, and especially if you’re a fan of the series.
- Banje Beach – hangout there and walk around. Some really great views if you go up.
- Mount Srd – hike it 1hr up and 40mins down or take 28euro cable car. There’s a beautiful sunset view.
Restaurants & Cafes:
- Gradska Kavana Arsenal – there are many great restaurants in Dubrovnik but I recommend this first because of the beautiful views of the water. Great food as well and the price is reasonable considering what you get (great food and water views).
- Konoba Jezuite – restaurant up the stairs by the church with beautiful outdoor garden/courtyard with the castle wall right next to it. Highly recommended for daytime breakfast or lunch.
- Bard Mala Buza – considered most beautiful outdoor view over the water. Check it out for lunch or sunset hours. Great view, pricey drinks.
- Barba – nice lunch place for seafood burgers and other seafood stuff.
- Haven’t tried yet – Restaurant Dubrovnik, Heritage of Dubrovnik, 360, Forty Four, Arka, Taj Mahal Old Town.
The rest you can Google up or explore the town for yourself. There are many great food options! You can’t go wrong. Dubrovnik has great food, seafood, oysters, etc.
Bars & Clubs:
- There isn’t much of a nightlife in Dubrovnik. It feels like a destination for older mature folks with money so you won’t see much teenagers running around and hanging out. Everything gets really quiet by 23h.
- There are basically 2 main bar areas that stay open later than others. One is the area around the cathedral (behind it and next to it). The other are the corridors next to the main walkway. Just follow the noise and choose what you prefer. More like a chill house-music vibe, or rowdy Irish pub vibe.
- Fort Revelin – I only found out above this club after I left Dubrovnik. Check it out for yourself.
Miscellaneous tips:
- Airport shuttle – there’s a booth right next the exit that sells 8euro bus tickets. They take you directly from the airport to main gate of the old town. Much cheaper than paying for 30eur taxi. Also, I think the bus gets you better views of the city and water when it drives in since the seats are higher up above the guardrails.
- Currency – most places accept Croatian KUNA or EURO. Obviously, it’s probably a better price if you pay in the native KUNA.
Nearby towns:
- Split – 2nd biggest Croatian city (behind Zagreb). I haven’t been but I hear it’s nice. It’s bigger (and cheaper since more options), more of a proper beach town (more beaches), nice as nice of an old town like Dubrovnik, not as fancy/posh like Dubrovnik, and has more nightlife and party options. Dubruvnik is more of a nice weekend getaway and unique in its medieval castle walls and old town. Split is probably a better place to spend more time and live even though it’s not as unique.
- Bar (Montenegro) – I haven’t been but it looks nice.