10 Things to Do in Dubrovnik, Croatia
Shortlisting Dubrovnik for your next escape? Great choice! Within its UNESCO-listed Old Town you’ll wander marble lanes free of traffic, scale a near-2km circuit of medieval ramparts for matchless roof-and-sea views, and—when you’re ready for the big panorama—glide up to Mount Srđ by cable car in about four minutes. It’s compact, largely on foot inside the walls, and easy to time your day around light and crowds.
If you’re starting to map out a trip, you’re in the right place. We’ll spotlight the essential things to do in Dubrovnik and give a gentle nudge on where to base yourself—near the gates for instant access or by the sea for slower evenings. Keep reading to explore your options and piece together a trip that fits how you like to travel!
1) Walk the City Walls (90–120 mins)
Start with Dubrovnik’s showstopper: a full loop of the medieval ramparts. The circuit is roughly 1.94 km and climbs to 25 m in places, with constant cutaway views—terracotta roofs to one side, the Adriatic to the other. It’s popular for a reason, so go at opening or late afternoon for softer light and fewer bodies on the narrow stretches. Game of Thrones fans will recognise parts of the circuit, especially Minčeta Tower and stretches around Fort Bokar, as backdrops for King’s Landing in the series.
How to do it well:
- Entrances: The walls are accessed from several points around the Old Town, most commonly near Pile Gate, with additional entries by Ploče Gate and St John/Maritime Museum.
- Tickets: Buy direct from the official City Walls site or at the gate. A City Walls ticket also gets you into Fort Lovrijenac (handy if you want the classic “walls from the fortress” photo).
- Dubrovnik Pass option: If you’re planning a couple of museums or using the bus, the Dubrovnik Pass includes the City Walls and public transport, which is often the best-value route for short stays.
Editor’s tip: Pace yourself—there are plenty of steps, little shade, and no re-entry once you’ve started, so bring water and a hat. Official guidance recommends sensible footwear and sun protection, a simple fix that makes the walk far more enjoyable.
2) Fort Lovrijenac (St Lawrence Fortress) — 30–45 mins
Clinging to a 37-metre cliff just outside Pile Gate, Fort Lovrijenac is Dubrovnik’s defiant outpost and best vantage for the “walls with the sea” shot. Over the entrance you’ll see the city’s famous motto Non bene pro toto libertas venditur auro (“Liberty is not sold for all the world’s gold”). The fortress still hosts open-air theatre during the Dubrovnik Summer Festival.
Best vantage & timing:
- Go mid-morning or late afternoon for softer light back towards the Old Town ramparts.
- Tickets are handled by the same heritage body that runs the Walls, so check the official Lovrijenac page for current hours and pricing.
- Photography tip: from the upper terrace, frame the Minčeta–Bokar line of walls over the water.
3) Rector’s Palace (Cultural History Museum) — ~60 mins
Part palace, part time capsule of the Republic of Ragusa, this Gothic-Renaissance masterpiece was the Rector’s official residence and the seat of government, and shouldn’t miss from any list of things to do in Dubrovnik. Today it houses the Cultural History Museum, with rooms staged from the 15th–19th centuries that include council chambers, coats of arms, weapons and fine furniture, plus rotating exhibitions.
Visitor info:
- Start in the arcaded courtyard, then follow the period rooms to get a feel for how the city-state ran itself.
- You’ll find up-to-date details and tickets on the museums’ official site, and seasonal opening hours are listed by the local tourist board.
4) Mount Srđ by cable car — 45–90 mins
For that signature view of the Old Town framed by the islands, take the cable car up to Mount Srđ. The ride itself is only about 3½–4 minutes, and hours vary by month with the last departure from the lower station 30 minutes before closing—worth checking on the day if winds pick up. At the summit you’ll find viewing terraces, a restaurant, and Fort Imperial, which houses the Museum of the Croatian War of Independence.
How to do it well:
- Aim for golden hour (before sunset) or a clear morning after rain for the sharpest views.
- Build in 30–45 minutes for the exhibits in Fort Imperial. They trace the 1991–95 siege with photos, artefacts and maps.
- If queues look long, consider walking down the zig-zag path to the city (sturdy shoes), then nabbing a bus or taxi back to your hotel.
5) Lokrum Island nature reserve — half-day
Ten minutes by boat from the Old Port, Lokrum is Dubrovnik’s green escape: a Special Reserve of Forest Vegetation with shaded paths, monastery ruins and the small salt-water lagoon locals call the Dead Sea—calm, sheltered and great for a dip. Boats run frequently in season; shoulder-season timetables change, so check the official notices before you go.
How to do it well:
- Boats depart the Old Port (inside the walls). Verify same-day sailing times and any weather tweaks on the official Lokrum site.
- Pack water, a hat and reef-safe sunscreen; much of the shoreline is rocky, so water shoes will come in handy.
- Give yourself time to wander the Benedictine monastery gardens and swim the Dead Sea; showers and signposted trails make it easy to navigate.
6) Sea-kayak under the Walls to Betina Cave — 2–3 hrs
One of the things to do in Dubrovnik is paddle out from Pile Bay beneath Fort Lovrijenac, skim along the ramparts and cliffs, then land on the pebbles of Betina Cave, a sheltered cove that’s only reachable from the sea, perfect for a swim and a snorkel. Most guided outings include a safety briefing, kit, and an easy pace suitable for first-timers. Sunset departures are especially memorable.
How to do it well:
- Meet point: Tours typically start below Pile Gate/West Harbour.
- What to bring: Water, hat, reef-safe sunscreen, dry-bag for your phone. (Operators usually provide buoyancy aids; fitness level: moderate.)
- Swim stop: Betina Cave has no facilities, so plan a quick picnic and water for the break.
7) Swim with a view: Banje or Sveti Jakov — 1–3 hrs
If you want to combine the old town charm with nature in a single frame, Banje Beach is the easy win right by the Ploče Gate end of town—pebble/shoreline access, water sports and a beach club. For a quieter cove with the same knockout view, walk or taxi-boat east to Sveti Jakov (St James). It’s a bit of a stair workout down, but that’s why it stays calmer.
How to choose:
- Banje: Central, serviced (loungers, bar/restaurant, watersports), instant postcard backdrop.
- Sveti Jakov: Smaller, further from the crowds, with views back to the walls and Lokrum, as well as pebbles and steps.
8) War Photo Limited — 45–60 mins
A sharp, moving window into conflict photojournalism from around the world, set over two floors inside the Old Town. It features rotating exhibitions plus a permanent section on the siege of Dubrovnik—powerful context for everything you’ve been seeing on the streets outside. Check the official hours (Apr & Oct 10:00–17:00; May–Sept 10:00–22:00; Nov–Mar closed).
Before you go:
- Go late afternoon to decompress from the midday rush on the walls.
- Buy tickets at the door; the museum lists current prices and last-entry times.
- If you’re visiting during the Summer Festival period, pair this with an evening performance at Fort Lovrjenac nearby.
9) Red History Museum (Gruž) — 60–90 mins
An engaging, hands-on look at everyday life in socialist Yugoslavia (1945–1991), housed in the old TUP factory near the port. Rooms are staged with retro furnishings, multimedia and interactives. It’s a smart way to understand recent history before or after a ferry ride/day trip. The museum posts seasonal hours (daily Apr–Oct; reduced hours Nov–Mar).
Before you go:
- Combine with a wander around Gruž market or a ferry to the Elafiti—everything’s within a few minutes’ walk.
- Check the museum’s visitor-info page for up-to-date opening times, last entry and ticket prices.
10) Elafiti Islands hop (Koločep–Lopud–Šipan) — half or full day
When you’ve ticked off the Old Town, trade stone for pine and hop across to the Elafiti Islands—a (mostly) car-free trio close to Dubrovnik with easy ferries and a slower rhythm. The year-round Jadrolinija passenger line 807 links Dubrovnik with Koločep (Donje Čelo), Lopud, and Šipan (Suđurađ) multiple times daily. Sailings depart from the city’s Gruž ferry port rather than the Old Town.
Why go:
- Lopud is famously laid-back and car-free, with woodland paths to Šunj Beach, a rare sandy cove that’s shallow and brilliant for a long swim.
- Koločep (Kalamota) is the closest hop, all pines and coves around Donje Čelo, also car-free.
- Šipan is the largest, dotted with stone villages and olive groves, and—unlike Koločep and Lopud—it isn’t car-free. There’s even a local bus linking Suđurađ with Šipanska Luka.
How to do it well:
- Check the official timetable for line 807 and pick an early departure if you want to visit two islands (Lopud + Šipan is a classic pairing). Journey time is about 1 hour to Lopud and ~1 hr 20 to Suđurađ.
- Bring water shoes (pebble shores are common) and plan lunch in a village konoba, as most harbours have a couple right on the quay.
- If you’re leaning beach-first, make Šunj your anchor stop; it’s a short walk or buggy ride from Lopud harbour.
Need-to-know
Ferries leave from Gruž (3 km from the Old Town; bus or taxi in 10–15 minutes). Tickets are sold on the Jadrolinija site and at the port; services are more frequent in peak season but run all year.
Where to stay in Dubrovnik
Pick your base to match your plans: Ploče/Pile by the gates if you want to be on the walls minutes after breakfast, Lapad/Babin Kuk for calmer swims and sunset promenades, or inside the Old Town if you’re happy to trade space for atmosphere. Below, we recommend four hotels that pair neatly with the essential things to do in Dubrovnik, so you can choose views, vibe and convenience to suit your trip.
Hotel Excelsior (5★, Ploče)
A classic for a reason: the Excelsior blends the historic Villa Odak (1913) with a modern wing, so you can choose old-world character or big-window contemporary rooms—either way, the views to the Old Town and Lokrum steal the show. Sea access, terraces and an indoor spa make it an easy base in any season, and you’re about a five-minute stroll from Ploče Gate for evening wanders. If a wake-up-to-the-views moment matters, book a sea-facing category.
Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik (5★, by Pile Gate)
If you like historic hotels with city-hotel convenience, this 1897 grand dame sits just outside the western gate, close to Fort Lovrijenac and Šulić Beach, with the walls a few minutes’ walk away. Rooms mix period bones with modern comforts, and there’s an indoor pool, small spa and a terrace restaurant for lazy starts before sightseeing. It’s ideal for first-timers who want quick in-and-out access to the Old Town without staying inside it.
Hotel More (5★, Lapad Bay)
For a quieter seaside vibe, base yourself in Lapad at boutique-y Hotel More. Its calling card is Cave Bar More, a three-level natural cave bar with a seafront terrace that’s tailor-made for sunset cocktails, plus a location near the beach and a promenade just below for evening strolls. Getting into town is an easy bus or taxi hop, so you can do beaches by day and Old Town by night.
Sun Gardens Dubrovnik (5★ resort, Orašac)
When you want a family-friendly hotel with plenty of space, Sun Gardens delivers: pools, sports courts and a Marco Polo Kids Club, plus hotel rooms or apartment-style Residences if you need extra room. It sits in Orašac, about 11 km from the Old Town, so plan taxis or buses for sightseeing, and enjoy the calm when you’re back by the sea. A good pick if your Dubrovnik plans mix day trips with lazy pool days.
How to get to Dubrovnik from the UK
By air (fastest): Dubrovnik (DBV) has plentiful non-stops from the UK in season. You’ll find direct flights with British Airways (London Heathrow/Gatwick), easyJet (Gatwick, Bristol, Manchester, Edinburgh), and Jet2 from several regional airports. Flight time is roughly 2½–3 hours from London.
From the airport to town: Dubrovnik Airport sits about 22.5 km from the Old Town (around 30–35 minutes by road). The official Platanus shuttle runs after arrivals to Ploče Gate and then the main bus station in Gruž. Public buses (11/27/38) and taxis/ride-hail are alternatives.
By ferry via Italy (seasonal): Take trains via France/Italy to Bari, then the Jadrolinija Line 54 overnight ferry Bari ↔ Dubrovnik (cars allowed). Sailings run seasonally, so check the current timetable before booking.
By train & bus: UK → Paris/Brussels → Munich/Vienna → Zagreb/Split by rail, then coach to Dubrovnik (the city has no rail station; Split–Dubrovnik buses are frequent, ~3½–4½ hrs).
By long-distance coach: Pan-European operators (e.g., FlixBus) run services to Dubrovnik from major hubs (Zagreb, Split, Kotor, etc.), with easy connections from Western Europe.
By car: Drive via France/Italy/Slovenia into Croatia; since July 2022 the Pelješac Bridge lets you reach Dubrovnik without crossing Bosnia & Herzegovina at Neum.
Entry basics for UK travellers: Croatia is in Schengen and uses the euro. UK passport-holders can visit visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Make sure to check the FCDO page for the latest specifics. Starting 12 October 2025, the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) replaces passport stamping with a one-time biometric check on first entry. ETIAS (a pre-travel authorisation) is planned for the last quarter of 2026.
If you’re travelling outside peak months, there are still easy one-stop connections via European hubs (e.g., Vienna) on legacy carriers—use airline timetables for the latest seasonal schedules.
Conclusion
A city this small shouldn’t have so many big moments, but Dubrovnik does—sunlit ramparts, island-dotted horizons, swims between sightseeing, and a historic core that’s carefully protected for future visitors. If you’re planning your trip, pace yourselves and use the official tools: the Dubrovnik Pass bundles the City Walls, museums and buses, while the cable car timetable helps you time that Mount Srđ sunset just right.
Whether you’re locking in dates or still weighing up the essential things to do in Dubrovnik, the joy is in mixing headline sights with easy wins—an island hop one day, War Photo Limited the next—and letting the Old Town’s rhythm do the rest. When you’re ready to sort your stay, you can tailor-make accommodation in Dubrovnik (or anywhere in the world) using Travelmyth’s 60 hotel categories, from beachfront and family-friendly to historic gems and spa breaks.
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