35 Fun Things To Do in Dubrovnik, Croatia In 2024

The short ride aboard Dubrovnik Cable Car takes just a few minutes and will present you with the greatest view around from Srđ Hill. From the viewing point, you’ll be able to see the Old Town and out to the islands on the horizon. 

Admire the view from the main platform or go slightly off-piste and climb over a few rocks like I did. For Instagrammable places in Dubrovnik, this might just be the winner.

If cocktails and amazing views are your bag, head to Restaurant Panorama. As you can imagine, it’s a bit pricey but it’s worth it: the food and views are second to none.

Round-trip tickets to the top of Srđ Hill cost €27. Check Dubrovnik Cable Car times and tickets on the website.

Since it’s closed January to March, I took an alternate route to the top during my most recent visit…

Spectacular Lokrum is one of the most beautiful places in Dubrovnik, just a 15-minute ferry ride from the Harbour so it’s an easy day or half-day out. The ferry costs €27 return.

With over 1,000 years of captivating history, it’s not just the views that draw visitors to Lokrum. According to legend, Richard the Lion-Heart was shipwrecked here returning from the crusades.

It’s also thought that Benedictine monks forced to leave the island in the 15th century laid a curse on the island which allegedly remains to this day. Gulp!

Luckily, I witnessed no ghosts or curses during my trip, only blue seas and skies!

Remember the story about Richard the Lionheart getting stranded on Lokrum Island? Well, he vowed to build a church to repay the area for saving his life. The result was Dubrovnik Cathedral.

When experts were renovating the Cathedral in the 1980s, they were stunned to find another cathedral hidden beneath it. The discovery helped answer some questions about how the city grew so strong so fast. In fact, the city had been inhabited for centuries longer than anyone thought.

Entrance is free.

Take a break from Dubrovnik sightseeing to enjoy the city’s culinary offerings.

Typical Croatian dishes to try include:

• Blitva – fried potatoes with Swiss chard, sliced garlic, salt and pepper
• Crni Rizot – black squid ink risotto
• Buzara – seafood stew often made with shrimp, clams and mussels
• Rožata – dessert made with custard and rose liquor
• Ston Cake – chocolate, cinnamon and pasta (yes, really!) inside pastry.

Where to eat dinner: Pupica is a quality bistro with fresh seafood, truffle pasta and dark chocolate cake for dessert. Taj Mahal serves, as the name would not suggest, authentic Bosnian food. Try the cevapi (minced sausages in flatbread). Nishta is a highly-regarded vegan restaurant serving Middle Eastern, Indian and Mexican food. 

If you have the cash to splash, Nautika is a Michelin-starred restaurant curated by chef, Mario Baunda. Mains start from €30 although there’s a more affordable lunch menu on offer. Although I didn’t dine here myself, it has rave reviews. 

For a more affordable option, eat seafood street food at Barba. While many Dubrovnik restaurants are owned by overseas investors, this is a family-run cafe. The waitress told us the menu depends on the fish her dad has managed to catch that morning. Love it!

Where to eat ice cream: There are countless ice cream counters lining the streets of Dubrovnik Old Town but few have a better reputation than Peppino’s. As well as all the usual flavours, they serve deluxe options like Ferrero Rocher. Add toppings, sauces and waffles. Drool.

Where to drink coffee: Glam Café serves quality coffee as well as fresh juices and craft beers, while Cogito Coffee is a stylish little cafe with inside and outside seating. They serve some of the best speciality coffee in Croatia, as I discovered while visiting their sister cafe in Zagreb.

7. Take a free walking tour

I LOVE a free walking tour (and in fact, anything free!). Free Tour offer two different Dubrovnik tours for €0 and a couple of more specific ones at a surcharge. If you’re travelling solo and hoping to meet people, they’re a great way to get chatting to other newbies while exploring the tourist attractions in Dubrovnik.

A must! The City Walls surround the Old Town and offer breathtaking coastal views. You could make your way round in an hour if you don’t stop to take a million photos – but we all know that’s not possible!

Dubrovnik City Walls encompass bastions and towers, telling the tales of centuries gone by. You can either walk the walls for free or join a walking tour to learn about their history.

Don’t miss the Minčeta Tower, the highest point of defence with fantastic views.

Entry fee: €33. This is where it’s really worth having the Dubrovnik Pass: since a daily pass is only €12 more than the City Walls walk, you could combine a bunch of other attractions into the same day.

This enormous fountain is one of the most recognisable places in Dubrovnik Old Town, providing the city with fresh spring water since 1438. It’s also quite the work of art with 16 slides, all featuring a carved masked face.

Since it’s centrally located just off the Stradun, it’s worth a visit while exploring Dubrovnik Old Town.

Especially when the streets are crowded, one of the best things to do in Dubrovnik is relax on the beach. There are plenty to choose from! Banje Beach is the closest to the city (just a few minutes’ walk). From the shore, you’ll soak up the sun along with views of the Old Town and Lokrum Island.

In the summer, Banje gets busy. Your options are bringing a towel and arriving early to nab a spot on the sand, or hiring a sun lounger and umbrella. From kayaking to tube rides, every water activity imaginable can be experienced here.

Banje Beach restaurant is highly renowned (but expensive) and, after the sun goes down, the area becomes a hotspot for upscale nightlife.

For a better chance of a peaceful beach session, walk 20 minutes along the coast to Sveti Jakov beach. The bright blue sea turns turquoise as it laps the shores of this secluded cove, accessed by a flight of stairs in a quiet side street.

In the summer, a small beach cafe serves refreshments. The beach doesn’t offer the same range of water activities, but you can hire a kayak during peak season.

Getting to Sveti Javok: Walk in 20 minutes, take a taxi or jump on a local bus. The best option of all might be sailing from Dubrovnik harbour on a taxi boat.

For an unusual thing to do in Dubrovnik, walk 2 minutes from Sveti Javok beach to this abandoned hotel with a football-patterned stadium overlooking the ocean.

Once the height of luxury, the Belvedere had a helipad and private boat dock to transport affluent guests to their 5* dwellings. Sadly, during the Homeland War of the early 1990s, it was bombed by Serbia and became a shelter for civilians.

Although it was bought at auction for €12 million in 2014, it’s only been used since by the Game of Thrones filming crew. Like other abandoned places I’ve been – for example Bangkok Airplane Graveyard and Vietnam’s Abandoned Waterpark – it’s an eerie yet intriguing place to explore while trying to envisage its heydey.

The main street within the Old Town is made of shiny limestone which is beautiful at all times of the day and night. But if you HAD to pick a time, go for sunset when small birds flit between the turrets and rooftops.

The Stradun was severely damaged during the 1667 earthquake and the 1991-2 siege of Dubrovnik but you’d never know. It’s one of the busiest and best-preserved streets in the city.

Although overpriced, SNEK by Congo is a well-positioned bar with outdoor seating and a massive range of cocktails.

Another notable attraction in Dubrovnik Old Town can be found on the Stradun close to Orlando’s Column and the Clock Tower.

Once the commercial heart of the city, Sponza Palace was the regular meeting spot of the Academy of the Learned to discuss literature science and art.

The Gothic and Renaissance-style Palace is most famous for its archives dating back over 1,000 years. Entry is just €3 so pop inside and check out the architecture.

Dubrovnik’s two most famous gates are Pile and Ploce, found at opposite ends of the Old Town. Pile originally had a wooden drawbridge, retracted at night to prevent enemies from entering. A statue of St Blaise, the city’s patron saint, is carved into the stone. Cross it when heading from the Old Town to West Harbour.

At the opposite end of the walled city, heading towards Banje Beach, is Ploce Gate. The plainer of two, it features a carving of the patron saint and has been featured in numerous TV productions.

Rise early and visit atmospheric Gundulić Square. Gunduliceva Poljana Market is a vibey place to shop for honey, jam, meat, cheese and lavender.

Even if you don’t shop, Gundulić Square is still worth a visit. Sip coffee at one of the outdoor cafes and watch birds and cats bask in the sun.

There are few Dubrovnik attractions more famous than Fort Lovrijenac (St. Lawrence Fortress), perched 37 metres above the water upon a giant rock.

The primary purpose of the Fort was once protection. In fact, the external side is 12 metres thick! 

An inscription above the entrance reads ‘NON BENE PRO TOTO LIBERTAS VENDITUR AURO’ (Freedom is not sold for all the gold of the world). Perhaps ironically, it’s now a tourist hotspot and Game of Thrones filming location.

The Fort also acts as a theatre, hosting summer performances including Shakespeare’s Hamlet.

20. Views from Gradac Park

From West Harbour, follow the footpath (Ul. Skalini dr. Marka Foteza) along the side of the Fortress and you’ll soon emerge at Gradac Park. This small park with a pond was also used as a GOT filming location but the real reason to visit is the view of Fort Lovrijenac.

Having photographed it from many angles, I think this is the money shot! You can also take a shaded coastal walk to this point marked as viewpoint, overlooking the coast towards Lapad (more on this area to come). Walking back into town, you’ll pass Sesame restaurant, a lovely place to stop for coffee with outdoor seating.

Larger and more atmospheric than West Harbour, the main Harbour is the place to be for bars, restaurants, views and boat rides.

I’d recommend a boat trip. Plenty tour the harbour and nearby waters during a 45-minute return cruise. For a memorable evening, take a sunset boat cruise.

22. Sunset kayak trip

For a fun thing to do in Dubrovnik at sunset, jump in a kayak and explore the nooks and crannies you can’t reach otherwise. 

Several companies will organise this tour for you, providing you with a kayak and the necessary safety equipment and – depending on the tour you take – wine and snacks. I’d never say no.

• Taking a 3-hour sea kayaking tour
• Sunset kayaking tour with wine.

24. Spend a few hours in Lapad

If you have free time after exploring the Old Town, head over to Lapad. This scenic peninsular has beaches, stunning coastal views and walking trails in Forest Park Velika. Lapad Beach is popular for beach bathing, while Plaža Copacabana is the ultimate sunset beach.

Lapad is a 10-minute drive from the Old Town. Bus number 6 runs every 10 minutes, costing just €2. There’s parking on the peninsular or you can take a taxi.

25. Catch a killer sunset

One of the best things to see in Dubrovnik is the sunset. Each one seems to be more magical than the last – so make sure you have your eyes on the sky. A few best spots include:

Srd Hill: I captured the photo above from the top of the hill before taking the cable car back down to the city. Whether you visit Restaurant Panorama or walk around and enjoy the sunset for free, it’s a killer spot.

The City Walls: Catch sunset from the city walls walk before the closing time of 7.30pm.

From a bar: Hole-in-the-wall buza bars offer spectacular sunset views. Some are fancy, some are quirky, some are hidden gems… and some let you dive into the ocean and come back for more sundowners!

From kayak: What could be more memorable than sailing out to sea and watching the sun setting across the water?

Had your culture dose? Fans come flocking to Croatia to find the Game of Throne filming locations. If you can’t beat ’em, join em! 

Tours take fans to the top GOT spots and share stories about the production.

Things to do in Dubrovnik for GOT fans include visiting:

Once you’ve finished with the Dubrovnik top attractions, take some time to chill. The main avenues of the Stradun are packed in the summer months so dip into the side streets and discover Dubrovnik hidden gems.

There’s something wonderful down every backstreet whether it’s gelato, a new favourite restaurant or an Instagrammable staircase. 

Croatian craft beer has recently become popular, then there are the numerous rakija bars you’ll find while wandering around. Try plum brandy and homemade cake at Soul Caffe.

28. Befriend the street cats

Never have I been anywhere with as many friendly street cats as Croatia. They always want to be stroked, probably because they’re hungry.

Who knows where they’ve been so maybe carry some hand sani… I presume you’ve got some after the last 2 years!

29. Jump into the ocean from Buza Bar 

Admittedly no longer a hidden gem, Buza Bar is one of the city’s best-loved buza bars (literally meaning hole-in-the-wall). You can tell from the original name that it was one of the first.

It isn’t a fancy bar by any means. But who needs pretentious cocktails when you have cliffside views and the chance to dive into the ocean (if you’re a strong swimmer)?

There’s now a Buza Bar II to accommodate more sunset-loving guests. Make sure to arrive 2-3 hours before sunset to get a decent seat.

30. Go museum hopping

With its rich history, it’s little wonder Dubrovnik is awash with museums. A few worth visiting are…

• MOMAD – once a mansion, the Modern Art Museum is the place to learn about contemporary Croatian art and artists. Browse 3,000 works spread across three floors. It’s open from 10am-8pm, Tues-Sun. Entry is €17.
• Love Stories Museum – perhaps the antidote to Zagreb‘s Museum of Broken Relationships, this heartwarming museum tells the tale of local legends, great cinematic romances and the stories behind famous love songs. Whether you croon or cringe is up to you… Entry is €6.
• Dulčić Masle Pulitika Gallery – this small gallery across from the Cathedral is dedicated to the influential work of the three Croatian painters in its name. Open Tues-Sun, 10am-8pm. Entry is €18.
• Rupe Ethnographic Museum – to learn about Croatia in days gone by, visit this cultural museum dedicated to folk costumes and textile handiwork. Open from Tues-Sun, 9am-6pm. Entry is €15.
• Red History Museum – this is one of the best places to go in Dubrovnik to understand what life was life in communist Yugoslavia. Tour recreated apartments and learn how Croatia got its independence.

All these museums are free (aside from the Red Museum) with the Dubrovnik Card!

31. Let your hair down at night

As a touristic city, of course Dubrovnik has lively nightlife in peak season. D’Vino Wine Bar serves Croatian and Montenegrin wines accompanied with cheese and meat platters, while Beer Factory Dubrovnik is a friendly spot with outdoor seating and numerous IPAs to try.

For a drink in unusual settings, visit Lapad’s Cave Bar More which is, unsurprisingly, inside a cave! For a boujee night out, Banje Beach Club is where it’s at.

Take day trips from Dubrovnik

Ticked off the main places to visit in Dubrovnik? If you’ve got more than a few days in town, consider one of these day trips…

When fellow blogger, Alex from the Mindful Mermaid, invited me to visit her in the charming coastal village of Cavtat, of course I jumped at the chance.

With its palm tree-lined promenade, Cavtat resembles a little Split or perhaps its smaller neighbour, Trogir. Admire the historical buildings, sip coffee at one of the waterfront cafes and take a walk around Rat Peninsular. In peak season, don’t miss Beach Bar Little Star with ocean views.

Getting to Cavtat: It’s just 30 minutes by car, bus, taxi or river taxi. For a budget option, do what I did and catch bus 10 from Dubrovnik bus station or the stop beside the cable car station for €3 each way.

35. Visit Montenegro as a day trip

If you’re more about crystal-clear waters and idyllic seaside villages, visit Montenegro as a day trip from Dubrovnik rather than Bosnia & Herzegovina.

Visit historic towns Kotor, Budva and Perast before taking a boat ride across Kotor Bay. It’s a long 11 hour day trip but worthwhile for those wanting to squeeze in a new country.

Take an organised Montenegro day trip for €54… Or read my Montenegro itinerary to plan a trip independently!