The Local’s Dubrovnik Travel Guide | Dubrovnik Blog

The first time I came to visit Dubrovnik was when I decided to spend six months studying abroad on a whim. I knew no one. I barely knew the language. I had never been so far from my comfort zone. And yet, I had a strange feeling I was coming home.

Five years later, I’m one of the lucky few foreigners that calls this place home. Yet even after spending an extended amount of time here, now as a local, I still keep busy with all of the things to do in Dubrovnik.

The “pearl of the Adriatic” is popular for a reason: it’s packed with culture, ancient history, nature, beautiful beaches and fresh cuisine. As your local insider (and Croatia travel consultant!) here’s my ultimate Dubrovnik travel guide.

Local Dubrovnik travel guide

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*Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. At no extra cost to you, I receive a small percentage of any of the tours you may book that are mentioned below. This helps me support myself and continue to provide free resources on my blog like this guide. 

Dubrovnik quick facts

Region: Croatia/Balkan

Population: Around 50,000

Language: Croatian, but almost everyone speaks English

Currency: Kuna

Dubrovnik, also known as the Pearl of the Adriatic, is a small coastal town with big character. It’s nested at the Southern tip of Croatia between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro. Dubrovnik’s tumultuous history, breathtaking architecture and seaside landscape make it the most popular destination in the Balkan region, and one of the most popular in Europe.

Dubrovnik was first established around 7^th century, and was an independent republic for 450 years (1358-1808). The city remained independent throughout the rule of the Roman, Napoleon, and Turkish empires as a seaport with open trade.

Dubrovnik then became a part of the Austro-Hungarian empire, and then finally Yugoslavia. The secession of Croatia from former communist Yugoslavia in 1991 is a sensitive subject for many Dubrovnik locals.

The area was attacked during the war by the Serb-backed Yugoslavian army, and people here had to either stay and fight in the war or flee as refugees. Even the famed Old Town, a UNESCO heritage site, was completely destroyed.

Today most of the area is restored, and is one of the safest places in the world.

Dubrovnik locals take pride in their identity and are very much a product of their past. Many will consider Dubrovnik separate from the rest of Croatia, as if it still is a republic. The local economy depends heavily on tourism, and has tactfully marketed Dubrovnik’s unique features. Dubrovnik is very welcoming towards foreigners, but locals share a special bond that is harder to explain than it is to break.

The best time to visit Dubrovnik

Shoulder season: April, May, September, October

High season: June, July, August

Off season: November-March

I recommend: May or September

There’s really no bad time to visit Dubrovnik, but it depends on what you want most. If you can tolerate massive crowds of tourists for perfect beach weather, then visiting in the summer during high season is for you. If you’re looking to experience more of the authentic Dubrovnik without all the tourism, or maybe even want to visit the Christmas festival, then going in the off season is a good option.

I’ve been in Dubrovnik for all three tourism seasons, and I would recommend visiting in the shoulder season. May and September are my favorite, because it is still warm enough to swim and enjoy everything Dubrovnik has to offer, without being trampled by tourists.

How many days to spend in Dubrovnik?

Isn’t this the million dollar question? I can tell you that you surely cannot see what Dubrovnik has to offer in only a day. Not even two. The thing is, many people don’t understand that Dubrovnik is NOT just the Old Town. Going to Dubrovnik and only seeing the Old Town is like going to Paris and only seeing the Eiffel Tower.

I truly think you need at least 4 days in Dubrovnik, 5 if you want to explore the surrounding area. The reason is because you should give yourself one or two days to explore the Old Town, another day for the surrounding area, and ideally two day trips. Dubrovnik is conveniently located right next to Bosnia and Herzegovina as well as Montenegro, and several neighboring islands.

Where to stay in Dubrovnik

There are truly SO many accommodation options in Dubrovnik, that it can seem overwhelming. Not only do you have a ton of different hotels and apartment options, you also have a TON of equally gorgeous areas to choose from.

Which brings me to my next point. The biggest mistake I see tourists make is confining their accommodation search to the Old Town exclusively. There are a ton of other areas that are within 10-15 walking of the Old Town, or even a short bus-ride away that are much cheaper and just as scenic.

I suggest definitely taking the time to do research about the area, especially if you are coming June-September in the peak season. You’ll definitely save yourself some stress and money if you find the right area and accommodation option that is best for

The best way to get to Dubrovnik

Getting to Dubrovnik depends on if you want to visit other parts of Croatia before or after (you totally should if you have time). You can easily fly into Dubrovnik, but the only direct flights are from Europe.

Sometimes flights can be expensive, since Dubrovnik is more isolated from the rest of Europe. If traveling from the U.S, I would recommend finding a flight into London or Amsterdam first, and then buy a separate ticket into Dubrovnik (use Google Flights). You may have to go out and get your bags in between connecting flights, but this is the secret that has saved me hundreds of dollars.

Otherwise if you are traveling elsewhere in Croatia, you can take a bus to Dubrovnik. You can also take a ferry from various other Croatian cities, and even a few places in Italy.

What to do in Dubrovnik

Though the area may seem small in size, there are seemingly infinite things to do in Dubrovnik and the surrounding area. Staying any less than three days would truly not do Dubrovnik any justice. Not only is the city itself beautiful, it is conveniently located in close proximity to Bosnia, Montenegro, other coastal towns, and various Croatian islands. So ideally, you should spend at least a few other days visiting the neighboring attractions.

I wrote an in-depth guide to the best things to do in Dubrovnik, if you’re looking for activities to book online ahead of time!

Visit Dubrovnik’s city walls (morning is best)

Of course, the most popular tourist attraction in Dubrovnik is the City Walls, for good reason. Believe me when I say it may be the best views of Old Town and the Adriatic you’ll get. The City Walls are open year round, and take about an hour and a half to complete the full circle.

I would recommend visiting in the morning or the late afternoon, but be aware that the walls will be packed in high season. You don’t necessarily need a guide to visit the city walls. However, if you’re interested in learning more about the history it may be a good idea.

Get lost in the side streets of the Stari Grad (Dubrovnik Old Town)

Sure, doing a tour of the Old Town would help give some historical context of this city’s complex and fascinating history. However, I do recommend you carve out time to simple just get lost in its’ vastness. Climb the cobblestone steps and discover the quieter areas of town. I seem to always find new nooks and crannies along the quaint side streets, and there’s never a shortage of stray cats.Just make sure you are respectful since yes, people actually live here.

People watch along the Stradun

Do as the locals do in Dubrovnik and have a coffee and people watch along the famed Stradun Street, which goes through the Old Town. You’ll spot locals dressed like they’re coming off a runway, and some interesting tourists from all over the world. The photo above was taken at a friend’s wedding, the parents of the couple dancing to traditional Dalmatian music.

Hike to the top of Mount Srd

Seeing Dubrovnik from the top of Srd is a must. You can only hike this season, as the cable car is not working. Something about the owners not paying up on taxes? Yep, welcome to Croatia!

The top of Srd overlooks Dubrovnik and the Adriatic, and there is often horses and goats roaming around. There’s also the Panorama restaurant on the very top, which is perfect for dinner or a drink.

I do recommend visiting the war museum at the top if you are particularly interested in the history of the Homeland war.

Visit the local beaches

There are too many beaches in Dubrovnik to count, and some are more touristy than others. Banje Beach is the most popular, but there are so many others that many tourists don’t even know about. You don’t have to worry about any sharks or dangerous fish in the sea, other than sea urchins, which is why I recommend wearing water shoes or jelly sandals while swimming in rocky areas.

Also, make sure to be careful going cliff jumping. Many areas appear safe but tourists end up injuring themselves with rocks under the surface (especially near Buze Bar).

My favorite beaches are  Pasjaca Beach, Dance, and Sveti Javoc beach.

Kayak or Snorkel on the Adriatic

Kayaking is one of my favorite activities to do in Dubrovnik. I think it is one of the best ways to experience what the seaside landscape has to offer and uncover the hidden areas of Dubrovnik.

Stroll through Uvala in Lapad

Lapad is actually one of my favorite areas in Dubrovnik, and is often more of a mix between locals and tourists. The Uvala Street is a popular place to walk, which has restaurants, shops, live music, and beaches. It is about a 20-minute walk outside the Old Town.

Take a boat ride over to Cavtat

Cavtat is another one of my favorite places, which is just as beautiful as Dubrovnik, but is more quaint and serene. It is about a 30-minute bus ride from the Old Town. You can also take a boat from the Old Town, or many other ports in the Zupa region, like Srebeno, Mlini, and Plat.

The best Dubrovnik day trips

Dubrovnik is an ideal location for taking multiple day trips to neighboring islands and countries. Actually, I often tell people you could literally spend a week here just taking day trips.

That’s why I wrote an extensive Dubrovnik day trips guide to help you book the best excursions. Below are just a few ideas.

Visit the peacocks and beaches on the mysterious Lokrum island

Lokrum is the island directly across from the Old Town, and is full of gorgeous gardens, exotic animals, and nude beaches. The island itself has a unique history, and it is supposedly cursed for anyone who stays overnight on the island.

Explore the walls of Ston and delicious wine and oysters in Peljesac

If you love wine, oysters, or BOTH, you need to make sure you take a tour of the Peljesac peninsula. Much less crowded than the Dubrovnik area and only about an hour away, the Peljesac area is home to some of Croatia’s best wines, seafood, and beaches. Oh, and you can climb the Great Wall of Europe in Ston, which is an absolute must.

I truly think that this area is going to be the next Tuscany ( I think it’s even better), so this is one of my favorite trips to take from Dubrovnik myself.

Border-hop to Montenegro for the day

You can’t come to Dubrovnik and not visit Montenegro. It’s definitely one of the best things to do in Dubrovnik! Only about an hour away, the popular towns of Kotor and Budva are right across the border. Some tours offer the possibility of seeing both towns since they are so close, which is a full day tour. If you’d like to spend a little more time, I recommend going to just Budva. The photo above is in the Sveti Stefan area outside Budva, which you can get to if you have a car or take a small private tour.

Experience the colors and culture of Mostar

On the other side of the border is the country of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which is significantly different than Dubrovnik. You’ll immediately notice the Turkish and Muslim influences in the culture and cuisine. Mostar is a popular day trip from Dubrovnik, which is under three hours away. The town itself has a very ripe history after being destroyed during the Homeland war. Not to mention, you’ll find cheap food and trinkets all throughout the town.

These are only a brief overview of what you accomplish in the region in a day! Check out my guide below for other day trips to take.

The best restaurants in Dubrovnik

There are so many wonderful restaurants in Dubrovnik, but I wouldn’t suggest eating out for every meal. I would recommend buying some food at Konzum, DM, Tommy or Pemo for your stay, especially for breakfast (since they don’t do breakfast so much in Dubrovnik).

Here are a few of my favorite restaurants.

Note that I am gluten free and don’t eat meat, except fish. These restaurants below are very accommodating. Please make sure you tell your server about any dietary restrictions beforehand in Dubrovnik.

Quick bites

Nishta (gluten free, vegan, vegetarian) 

Presa (fast-food style)

Tutto Bene (fast-food style)

Lunch/dinner recommendations

Horizont (Seafood, local cuisine) *my favorite restaurant!

Ludo More (Seafood prepared by fisherman from Cavtat) *another favorite restaurant

Ragusa 2 (seafood, various items)*highly recommended

Restaurant Dubrovnik (upscale Mediterranean cuisine) *highly recommended

Above 5 (upscale local cuisine)*highly recommended

Poklisar (Mediterranean cuisine)

Sesame (Croatian and Mediterranean, also has brunch)

Here are also a few restaurants with an epic view of Dubrovnik.

Best Bars in Dubrovnik

Whether it’s the Christmas festival or summer along the Stradun, there are always some evening happenings in Dubrovnik. Most bars turn into café bars at night, so don’t be surprised if where you sipped coffee by day is now a club by night.

Here are my favorite café bars and clubs:

Dubrovnik Beer Garden (rock and roll vibe)

Karaka (Irish style pub)

La Bodega (hip and one of the most popular)

Revelin (The legendary Castle club)

Lazareti (Funky dance music)

Banje Beach (club on the beach)

Depending on the time of year, you can always ask around to see if there are any types of beach parties or student nights in other local bars.

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