Dubrovnik day trips: 5 stunning Dalmatian escapes

I've lived in Dubrovnik nearly my whole life, but I fell in love with the city all over again when I became a local tour guide. I saw the region with fresh eyes—and visited towns, islands, and national parks that I had never been to before. I'll admit, sometimes you miss the beauty in your own backyard.

Although you may be tempted to go to neighboring countries like Montenegro or Bosnia and Herzegovina, I suggest staying closer to home for a quick side jaunt. (The border crossing alone could take an hour or two.) Trust me, you'd rather use that time to explore Croatia's medieval towns, chill on a beach by the Adriatic Sea, or go wine-tasting. These are my favorite quick and easy day trips from the city.

Don’t overlook Lokrum just because it’s smack dab in front of Old Town. This car-free island, crisscrossed in walking trails, recharges me as soon as I step foot off the ferry. I love wandering around the botanical garden between the cacti and eucalyptus trees as well as hiking the steep Paradise Trail to a 19th-century Napoleonic fort on top of Lokrum’s highest peak. This is my favorite perch—the views of Old Town are unbeatable. Tip: Bring a good pair of walking shoes.

There's nothing better after a hike than a dip in the Adriatic Sea. There are a bunch of nooks where you can be all by yourself, as well as a designated nudist beach. I love sunbathing on the rocky plateau on the southeastern tip where I can plunge off the rocks into the water. Nearby is the Dead Sea, the lake-look alike that is connected to the sea via a channel. It’s a calmer option for families with little ones.

When I want to treat myself, I reserve a table at Lacroma Restaurant. You can’t go wrong with any of the creative salads, though I'm partial to the octopus salad with sea fennel sourced from Lokrum. (It's far beyond your boring Caesar, folks.) On low-key days, I pick up fresh-baked pastries and fruits from the city market and have a picnic lunch in the olive orchard by the botanical garden. Keep an eye out for the pretty peacocks, who have no shame in stealing a snack from you.

Don’t miss: Sit on the Iron Throne that is on exhibit in the Game of Thrones visitor center on Lokrum, which doubled for the gardens of Qarth in the mega-hit series.

On the Pelješac peninsula an hour’s drive from Dubrovnik, Mali Ston is the number one place I bring food and wine tours. This tiny town is the gateway to the namesake bay and is home to many oyster beds and mussel farms. See them for yourself by hopping on a boat with one of the local oyster farmers and shucking oysters straight from the sea (the briny taste is very unique).

Then, work off the meal with a brisk walk on the 14th-century walls in Ston, just a few minutes up the road. Prepare for the steep stairs, but rest assured, it’s worth the effort for the panoramic views of the salt pans below. Fleur de sel (flower of salt) from Ston salt works is a fun souvenir to bring home.

It’s one vineyard after another on the Pelješac peninsula, and the bold red wine from the Dingač region is famous. My go-to spots are Miloš in Ponikve, the eco-winery Križ in Prizdrina, and Grgić in Trstenik. If the latter sounds familiar, it’s because it’s the same as Grgich Hills in Napa Valley. Before heading back to Dubrovnik, pull over at Seosko Domaćinstvo Ficović for freshly caught fish and veggies grown in the on-site garden.

The Elaphiti archipelago is made up of a dozen islands. Only three are inhabited and these are the ones that draw the most day trippers. The first, Koločep, has the famous Blue Cave, shallow sandy beaches, rugged cliffs, and hiking trails dotted with tiny Romanesque churches.

The middle island of Lopud features a gorgeous historic settlement lined with monastery towers and palm trees as well as the region’s most famous sandy stretch, Šunj. Here, I always eat calamari at Rajski Kutak Bindo and after lunch, take a blissful nap in a hammock in the forest.

Šipan, the largest island, has two quaint harbor towns that are connected by a field with walking and cycling paths. In Suđurađ, taste local wines and carob delights (get the homemade muffins) at Goravica Vina. If you didn’t know, carob is a Mediterranean tree with fruit that’s used as a substitute for chocolate. In Luka Šipanska, savor a seafood feast at the iconic Konoba Kod Marka. Tip: Try the octopus patties.

If you're craving a nature break, check out Mljet island. It's covered in thick Aleppo pine forests and is the perfect place to disconnect. The island’s western tip is a national park, with two saltwater lakes. I recommend going for a swim as the water is calm and crystal-clear. If you’re more of an adrenaline junkie, you can go mountain biking or hiking in this protected area as well. Or, for those with kids in tow, there’s a train that chugs around the lakes as well as an electric boat that goes to the tiny islet of St. Mary (check out the pretty Benedictine monastery).

Mljet is a bit of an outing from Dubrovnik, and although it’s doable as a day trip, it’s worth spending a night to take everything in at a slower pace. When I visited with my kids in August last year, we hiked to the Odysseus Cave instead of going by boat (thanks, wind!) and spent a day on the sandy beaches of Saplunara, where we rented kayaks, SUPs, and snorkels, among other water toys.

Konavle Valley sits on the border of Montenegro and is home to some 30 tiny villages. This verdant area has tons of fun things to do, from browsing local embroidery and exploring majestic forts to horseback riding and taking an ATV safari. Note: Because the valley is quite spread out, it’s best to rent a car.

Cavtat is the only town in the area and is easy to reach from Dubrovnik. It takes an hour by boat or 30 minutes by bus. You’ll notice similarities with Dubrovnik (Cavtat is built on a hillside), but the vibe is much more laid-back. There’s some special treats here for art lovers, like the house of Vlaho Bukovac, a 20th-century painter, as well as the poignant Račić family mausoleum, sculpted by Ivan Meštrović. At the end of the day, watch the sunset from Kamen Mali (meaning the Little Rock).

When hunger strikes, Cavtat has a handful of restaurants to choose from. There’s imaginative seasonal dishes at Bugenvila; I love the Bluefin tuna tartar with kimchi. At the longstanding Leut, it’s all about the seafood; my favorite is the fish baked in salt. The menu changes frequently at the buzzy Ludo More because they only serve freshly caught fish. For vegetarians, I recommend the zucchini flowers.