Dubrovnik
Transportation and Accommodations
Getting There
Dubrovnik has a small airport, but accessible from many European cities. If you are visiting areas around Dubrovnik, arriving by car or bus is another option.
To travel from the airport to the Old Town, consider using the simple bus service. Atlas, Autotrans, and Elite all provide shuttle buses every 15 minutes from the airport to the Old Town. The trip takes 40 minutes and costs around 45 Croatian Kuna (about $6). The bus drops you off right at the Old Town gate as cars are not permitted inside the fortified area in the Old Town. You can also take a cab, likely to cost around $40, but the bus is easy, convenient, and cheap.
The shuttle back to the airport works similarly. There are a few different pick-up locations including the Old Town gate, the bottom of the cable car in Old Town, and the bus station, which is 2 km away from Old Town. The address of the bus station is Obala pape Ivana Pavla II. 44A, 20000 Dubrovnik. You can buy the tickets at the station and the station also has large luggage storage if needed.
When going to the airport, note that you cannot check-in to your flight until 2 hours before international flights and 1.5 hours before domestic flights so no reason to arrive excessively early.
Getting Around
The part of Dubrovnik that visitors will explore is very small, making it easily accessible on foot. In fact, it is often your only option as cars are not permitted in the main Old Town area.
Accommodations
Stay in Old Town as this will ensure you are centrally located and make it access the city on foot
Things to do and see
Old Town Pile Gate
Main entrance to the Old Town
Stradun
Stroll along the main street running through the Old Town
City Walls
Scenic mile long walk along the top of the city walls with great views over and around the city. In order to walk along the city walls, you must buy tickets. Avoid this when the cruise ship visitors (often in the morning) are walking the walls as it is a narrow path and will feel overcrowded and busy. St. Lawrence tower, which can be seen from the City Walls, is also included in your ticket. Make sure to check this out on the same day if you are interested in climbing the tower.
Mount Srd
3-minute cable car ride to the top of the mountain with great views over Dubrovnik and a nice place to watch the sunset
Lokrum Island
Island located about 600 meters from Dubrovnik, which can be accessed with a ferry or you can kayak over. There’s a botanical garden and a fortress here and the island is known for having lots of peacocks wandering around. For Game of Thrones fans, some Qarth scenes were recorded here.
Game of Thrones tour
Dubrovnik, also known for filming some of King’s Landing scenes, is known for shooting some Game of Thrones scenes. If you are a fan, consider looking into an organized tour or creating your own to track down some of the film spots
Kayaking
½ or full day tour options available departing from different locations. We did one with Adriatic Kayak Tours that started from Zaton Bay where we then saw two caves, went to a beach and went cliff jumping
Banje Beach
Beach just outside of Old Town where you can rent chairs and towels for
Catch a Sunset
Find a quiet spot to enjoy the sunset. To track down the spot we found, head outs of the main area through the Old Town gate and start walking up hill. Take a left on a road that veers up and ends with a small park and walking path. It was gorgeous and there were only locals up here. Walk by the St. Lawrence fort turn and then take a left (we actually were looking for the St. Lawrence turn and accidentally missed it, but found a better place to watch the sunset)
Other day trips
If you’re in Dubrovnik for more than 2 days, consider taking a day trip. Here are some possible day trips
Elaphiti Islands
Small group of islands (6 total) located off the NW coast of Dubrovnik. Kolocep, Lopud, and Sipan are the main three islands, two of which are car free.
Montenegro
The main city of Kotor in Montenegro is about a 2 hour drive from Dubrovnik
Bosnia and Herzegovina
The main city of Mostar is located about 2.5 – 3.5 hours from Dubrovnik making a possible, but long, day-trip
Korcula
Quaint Croatian island not far from Dubrovnik (2 – 3 hour trip by bus and ferry).
Mljet
Croatian island about 2 hours from Dubrovnik
Vineyards
Schedule a wine tour to visit some of Croatia’s local wineries
Food and Drinks
D’Vino Wine Bar
The oldest wine bar in Dubrovnik offering lots of local wines available for tasting, by the glass or by the bottle
Buza Bar
Cliff bar where you can grab a drink and watch people jump off the side of the cliff into the water
Tuttobene
Tasty Kebabs, great for a quick bite
Gunduliceva Polijana Market
Market located in the main square in Dubrovnik Old Town providing a good spot to buy fruit or quick snack in the morning
Sladoledarna
Gelato
Lokanda Peskerija
Offers many seafood options
Other Notes
Timing
Peak tourism season for Croatia is July and August. If possible, avoid this at all costs as the city will feel overrun by visitors among the large crowds. We visited at the beginning of June and it was already quite busy. It will be more peaceful and cheaper to visit outside of high season.
Duration
The city is quite small so you do not need more than 48 hours here unless you plan on doing day trips to places like Montenegro or Bosnia
Luggage Storage
Laus is located just outside of the Old Town and offers an easy place to drop luggage on travel days where you may arrive or have to checkout before your travel plans require. The bus station (Obala pape Ivana Pavla II. 44A, 20000 Dubrovnik) also has luggage storage available, but is about 2 km outside the Old Town area.
Other
You WILL get ripped off somewhere and you may not even know it. Dubrovnik is more expensive because they know so many tourists are there. Unfortunately, there’s not much you can do about it but if something seems absurd, do be aware
Navigation
Transportation and Accommodations
Things to do and see
Food and Drinks