Plan Your Trip to Dubrovnik: Best of Dubrovnik Tourism
Dubrovnik, Croatia
Essential Dubrovnik
Things to do
Food & drink


How to do Dubrovnik in 3 days

Dubrovnik for families
- Dubrovnik City Walls24,850Bring the little ones along for this adventure. Children can burn some energy by walking on the medieval walls that encircle Old Town, Dubrovnik’s historic centre. Go around 6 p.m. when the heat wanes and the tour groups and day trippers diminish. My daughter was thrilled to see “Elsa’s castle” from a bird’s-eye view, with panoramas of Old Town and the Adriatic Sea during golden hour.
- Bowa Dubrovnik549I might be biased, but BOWA beach club and restaurant really is the best. Take a fun speedboat ride to the island of Šipan, where you can eat fresh catch and lounge under a chic cabana. Our daughter frolicked in the crystal-clear Adriatic Sea, scarfed down shrimp scampi, and played with its pincers (of course). For us adults, there was plenty of Croatian wine to sip. Tip: Book a day pass in advance—space is limited.
- Dubrovnik Cable Car13,155Both parents and children will enjoy the cable car ride up to Mount Srđ. At the top of the hill, my family of three stopped for an afternoon snack at Panorama Restaurant, where my daughter sipped orange juice while we basked in the breathtaking view of Old Town and the harbour below. Tip: Venture up in the afternoon, between 1 and 5 p.m. to have the place all to yourself.
- Cafe Buža1,412This chic seaside bar is built into a cliff, meaning you have to literally walk through a hole in the wall to get here. Before we became parents, my husband and I would visit often. On a recent trip, we were pleasantly surprised to discover that it’s child-friendly in the daytime. Our daughter watched in awe as the local teenagers jumped into the Adriatic from staggering heights. (Don’t worry, there are railings.)
- Lokrum Island8,200If you have young children, you’re likely an early riser—which is good news for avoiding the crowds on Lokrum Island. Take a boat from Dubrovnik’s Old Town port (the 15-minute journey is quite scenic) and aim to arrive around 9 a.m. Explore the trails, especially the one leading to an 11th-century Benedictine monastery, the beach, and the salt lake, where we took a refreshing dip. Our daughter also loved chasing the peacocks in the botanical garden.
- Lapad Beach515While many people head to Banje Beach, a stretch of sand close to Old Town, Lapad Beach is worth the trek to see the western tip of the city. The water is shallow and calm, perfect for children to splash around. There’s even a playground along the tree-lined promenade—an added bonus for our energetic daughter. When hunger strikes, there are restaurants nearby that have extensive children’ menus.
- Game of Thrones & Dubrovnik Tour518Entering the Pile drawbridge and strolling down Old Town’s cobblestoned main street, Stradun, was pure magic for our daughter, who felt like she was in a fairytale. This family-friendly walking tour starts at Onofrio Fountain, a famous landmark built in 1438, and continues to Fort Lovrijenac, a Game of Thrones filming location. We appreciated the stop in the shade at the playground near the entrance to Pile Gate—a welcome break from the heat.
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Dubrovnik travel advice
Historical Attractions
According to forum posts, key historical attractions in Dubrovnik include walking the city walls, visiting the Rector's Palace, the Sponza Palace, and the Franciscan Monastery, which houses one of the world's oldest pharmacies. The Cathedral and St. Blasius Church are also highly recommended.
Outdoor Activities
For many users, outdoor activities are a must-do in Dubrovnik. Popular suggestions include kayaking around Lokrum Island, taking a cable car up to Mt. Srđ, and exploring local beaches such as Banje Beach. Additionally, boat trips to nearby islands like Lokrum, Cavtat, and the Elafiti Islands are highly praised.
Unique Experiences
Some travelers said unique experiences include visiting the Sokol Grad fortress and exploring the abandoned hotels in the bay of Kupari. Speedboat or yacht day trips to Korčula or Mljet also come highly recommended for a memorable experience.
Nightlife and Cultural Activities
Travelers have called out the vibrant nightlife in areas like the Old Town and Lapad, with recommendations for lively bars and music venues. Additionally, attending a concert by the Dubrovnik Symphony Orchestra offers a cultural evening out.
This summary was generated by AI from Tripadvisor forum posts.Was this helpful?Private Transfer Services
According to forum posts, private car transfers from Dubrovnik airport to the city center typically cost around 35 Euros. Some travelers recommended using websites like gettransfer.com to compare quotes for private transfers.
Shuttle Bus
For many users, the Platanus shuttle bus is a popular option, linking Dubrovnik airport to key points like Gruz Harbor and the main bus terminal. The endpoint near the old town allows easy access to local buses or taxis to reach final destinations like Dubrovnik Palace Hotel.
Local Taxis and Uber
Travelers have called out that local taxis generally charge around 30 Euros for a transfer to the city center from the airport. Uber is also available and is often considered a reasonable alternative to taxis and private transfer companies in terms of cost.
Car Rental
Some posts mention that car rental is an option for those comfortable with driving themselves, which allows for a flexible, scenic journey from the airport to various destinations around Dubrovnik.
This summary was generated by AI from Tripadvisor forum posts.Was this helpful?Currency Transition
According to forum posts, Croatia transitioned to using the Euro as its official currency starting January 1, 2023. Prior to this change, the Croatian Kuna was the accepted local currency.
Use of Foreign Currency
Some travelers mentioned that while the Kuna was the primary currency, Euros and other major currencies like the US Dollar were sometimes accepted in tourist areas but often at unfavorable exchange rates. After the transition to the Euro, the use of any currency other than the Euro is not officially recognized.
Credit Card Acceptance
It was noted in discussions that most places in Dubrovnik accept credit cards, which can be a convenient way to manage expenses without worrying about currency exchange.
This summary was generated by AI from Tripadvisor forum posts.Was this helpful?Recommended Tour Operators
According to forum posts, Explore Dubrovnik is highly recommended for private boat tours, noted for its professionalism and helpful guidance in selecting tours. Another suggested company is Regina Maris, praised for its comfortable seating and overall smooth experience on their Elaphite Islands day cruise.
Experience Details
Travelers have called out the Elaphite Islands tour for its relaxing nature, mostly spent at sea with brief stops on the islands like Koločep, Šipan, and Lopud. The tour typically includes lunch onboard and provides opportunities to enjoy the scenery and relax rather than extensive exploration on each island.
Additional Recommendations
For a more independent and flexible experience, some travelers suggested using foot passenger ferries from Gruz port to explore the Elaphite Islands at one’s own pace.
This summary was generated by AI from Tripadvisor forum posts.Was this helpful?Day Trip Options
According to forum posts, many travelers recommend day trips from Dubrovnik to various destinations in Montenegro, including Kotor, Budva, and Sveti Stefan. Some users have had positive experiences with private driver guides who can personalize the journey and manage the travel through less crowded border crossings.
Travel and Border Advice
Travelers have called out that the border crossings can be time-consuming during peak tourist seasons. It’s suggested to leave Dubrovnik early and use lesser-known border crossings like Vitaljina to avoid delays. Some travelers prefer hiring private drivers who are familiar with the routes and can access quicker crossings.
Recommendations from Travelers
For many users, exploring Kotor is a highlight, with options to extend the trip to include other picturesque towns like Perast. The journey is described as spectacular, and hiring a knowledgeable local driver is often recommended to enhance the experience and manage logistics efficiently.
This summary was generated by AI from Tripadvisor forum posts.Was this helpful?Pass Inclusions
According to forum posts, the Dubrovnik Pass includes entry to multiple museums, city walls, and public transportation. It also covers the entrance to Lovrijenac Fort if you purchase a city wall ticket separately. Some travelers mentioned that it provides a more economical option compared to buying individual tickets for each attraction.
Transportation Benefits
Travelers have called out that the Dubrovnik Pass includes coupons for public bus rides within the city. However, it does not cover suburban routes or transport from the airport to the city. The pass is especially beneficial if you plan to use city buses frequently during your stay.
Museum Access
For many users, the pass is valuable as it includes entry to several small museums, which are quick to explore. This can be an advantage on rainy days or for filling shorter periods of free time between other activities.
This summary was generated by AI from Tripadvisor forum posts.Was this helpful?Ferry Schedule and Availability
Some travelers mentioned that ferries to Lokrum Island operate frequently throughout the day. According to forum posts, the official Lokrum Reserve boat starts its service from March 31st, and the schedule can be viewed on the Lokrum official website. Travelers have noted that the service typically begins in April.
Price and Tickets
According to forum posts, the cost of a return ferry ticket including the entrance fee to Lokrum is approximately 150 HRK. Some users highlighted that other operators might require the entrance fee to be paid upon arrival at the island. It was noted by a traveler that previously the ferry price was included in the entrance fee, but this might have changed.
Additional Information
For many users, it was useful to know that there are no additional charges for exploring the island once the entrance fee is covered, except for food and drinks, which are reportedly quite expensive.
This summary was generated by AI from Tripadvisor forum posts.Was this helpful?Cable Car Operation
According to forum posts, the Dubrovnik cable car operates daily, and its schedule can be found on the official website. It typically starts at 9 AM as mentioned in one of the posts.
Cable Car Accessibility and Views
Travelers have noted that the cable car offers spectacular views of the surrounding area, making it a worthwhile experience despite the potential wait and cost. It has been recommended to take the cable car up the hill and then walk down via the stairs to enjoy different perspectives.
Reopening and Usage
The cable car had been closed but was reopened as announced on the forum on June 29th. Following the reopening, it has been busy with many guests daily, indicating its popularity among visitors to Dubrovnik.
This summary was generated by AI from Tripadvisor forum posts.Was this helpful?