After three weeks of island hopping around Croatia, Dubrovnik was our last stop before heading further south to Montenegro. Also known as the Pearl of the Adriatic, this city by the sea continues to break their own record of visiting tourists year after year. So much so, that UNESCO has asked authorities to limit the amount of people allowed to visit Dubrovnik to 8,000 per day. From strolling through Dubrovnik old town and walking the ancient walls to cooling off at of the nearby Dubrovnik beaches, there’s no shortage of activities to keep you busy. Hopefully our Dubrovnik travel guide can be useful during your next visit!

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Dubrovnik Travel Guide General Information

Location: Dubrovnik Croatia

Official Language: Croatian

Currency: Croatian Kuna

How Long to Visit: 2+ Days

Airport: Dubrovnik Airport (DBV)

Best Time to Visit: May & June/September & October

Honest First Impression: When first arriving in Dubrovnik we were hit with a harsh reality. There is sooo many tourists! We had read the warning before and expected it, but it was shocking seeing it in person. Still coming down from our relaxing trip through the islands in northern Croatia, things were now moving at a completely different pace. The already packed city mixed with a few cruise ships in town almost turned us off completely. However, once we looked past the crowds and onto the architecture and history of the city it was easy to see why it’s referred to as the Pearl of the Adriatic!

Stay… Inside the City Walls

Although it may be a little pricier, staying inside the walls is so unique when you visit Dubrovnik. It’s honestly priceless to be able to walk out of your door and into the Dubrovnik old town. Spend the extra cash to stay inside the walls, you won’t regret it! The one word of warning that we didn’t read in any Dubrovnik travel guides is to pack light. Depending on where in Dubrovnik old town your accommodation is you’ll have to carry your luggage up the steep steps of the Dubrovnik back streets.

Explore By… Walking

Inside the city walls of Dubrovnik there are no cars allowed. This makes it incredibly simple to walk the streets and explore the Pearl of the Adriatic. Your walks will take you through the winding streets where you’ll see stunning medieval architecture from all angles. How cool is it to be able to stroll through one of the most historical places in the world?

Book a 1.5-Hour Old Town Guided Walking Tour of Dubrovnik

Get Around The City… By Public Bus

There are multiple ways to get around when you visit Dubrovnik. You’ll find plenty to do and see inside the city walls, but if you want to venture out to the Dubrovnik beaches or other places then buses and trains are readily available.

All the buses pick up right outside of the world famous Pile Gate which makes it easy to get around. There is also a well place tourist center that can help with information, day trip tips, and maps for your visit to the Pearl of the Adriatic.

Eat… Local Fresh Seafood

Like everywhere else in Croatia seafood is a way of life here. There are plenty of fancy restaurants throughout the city, and with that comes a hefty price tag. For us there was no better place to chow down than at Barba. We ordered the calamari and the octopus sandwich which were out of this world delicious.

Drink… Red Wine

Nothing goes better with a Croatian sunset than a glass of wine, and you’ll get the very best of that when you visit Dubrovnik. Local wineries bring the godly drink to both the city and Dubrovnik beaches so they’ll be no shortage for you to enjoy. No Dubrovnik travel guide would be complete without Plavic Mali. This is the most popular red wine in this region with the magical grapes growing up and down the coast of Dalmatia.

Find Nature… At the Dubrovnik Beaches

Clearly there isn’t much nature inside Dubrovnik old town, but it’s not far away! Croatia is world famous for its beaches, so it’s no surprise that there’s nice places to swim near the Pearl of the Adriatic.

Banje is the city beach and closest to the center of town. If you’re up for an adventure then you’ll find beautiful Sveti Jakov also only a 20 minute walk away. We discovered Sveti to be a local favorite, and was rarely crowded even in the peak of summer.

→ Sveti Jakov Beach Location

Spend Money On… Walking The City Walls

If there’s one thing that’s a must do on your visit to Dubrovnik it’s walking the city walls. The tremendous walls that surround Dubrovnik old town are absolutely mind blowing to set foot on. For just 20 Euros you’ll get to explore the ancient area, and see Dubrovnik from above as people have for centuries.

While you’re up there you might as well get some incredible photos! Around every turn you will get once in a lifetime views of the city and ocean in the distance. Here you can see why the “Pearl of the Adriatic” continues to be one of the most visited places in the world. Honestly, it will be hard to put down your camera!

Read our Full Guide to Walking the City Walls of Dubrovnik Croatia

Take in History… At the Maritime Museum

As you can imagine, finding history in Dubrovnik is a piece of cake. Simply walking around Dubrovnik old town is enough, but there are many museums to enjoy as well. One of the most interesting to see when you visit Dubrovnik is the Maritime museum. Located inside St. John’s Fortress, you’ll learn about Croatia’s world famous seafarers and explorers who dominated the oceans for hundreds of years.

→ Maritime Museum Location

Take in the View From… The Dubrovnik Cable Car

Walking the wall is a must, but to truly get the best view of the city you may need to get higher up! The Dubrovnik cable car will take you to the top of Srd Hill for sweeping views of Croatia’s national treasure.

→ Dubrovnik Cable Car Location

Watch the Sunset… From Hole in the Wall Bar

One of the coolest parts when you visit Dubrovnik will be the bars and restaurants in and around the wall. At some of these you will even find rocks to cliff jump off into the water. If you’re looking for a unique experience literally just outside of Dubrovnik old town, this is it! So walk through the famous walls, out near the ocean, and enjoy a drink with a view of the Adriatic Sea.

→ Buža Bar Location

Don’t Miss Out On… Seeing the City at Night

You may be exhausted after exploring so much during the day, but save some energy for nighttime when you visit Dubrovnik! The city comes alive at night, and seeing all the restaurants and streets light up is a sight to see. Also, you’ll find this is a nice opportunity to escape the heat during the summer months.

Be a Tourist… And Embrace Game of Thrones

Shame Shame Shame!! Yes, that’s all we could think of as we walked down the now infamous Jesuit stairs that descend into Gundulic Square. As much as we wanted to stay out of the tourist scene on our visit, it’s hard when you’re constantly passing through scenes from the best show on television. Many tours are available for GOT lovers, and you’ll see people taking photos at all the popular spots from “King’s Landing.”

Book a 2-Hour Game of Thrones Walking Tour

Avoid… The Crowds

On that note, do your best to avoid the crowds when you visit Dubrovnik. Although it may be unavoidable in such a touristic city, you can time your day in such a manner to make it more tolerable. For example, don’t walk the wall in the middle of the day. Maybe instead hit the Dubrovnik beaches, and save the wall tour for sunset.

Day Trip… To Mostar

Interestingly enough, one of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s most famous towns is just a day trip away. Many tours are available for a great price out of Dubrovnik old town to this cultural center. What makes this Mostar so appealing is that you have so such different food, culture and history right at your fingertips. So hopefully our Dubrovnik travel guide can lead you to other amazing world heritage sites like this one!

Book a Mostar Full-Day Trip from Dubrovnik

Continue On… To the Croatian Islands or Montenegro

Due to its location and high tourist traffic, Dubrovnik is a great jumping off point to other European countries. The airport is only 20 minutes from Dubrovnik old town. Additionally, places like Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina are also just a bus ride away. You can even catch a boat out to one of the many beautiful Croatian Islands from here if you didn’t get enough of the Dubrovnik beaches!

Have any questions about our Dubrovnik travel guide, how to get around, visiting Dubrovnik Old Town, or your own Croatia tips? Leave us a comment at the bottom of this post!

Safe Travels,

Brigitte & Jake

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Where To Stay In Dubrovnik Croatia

Ultra Luxury (High End) – Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik – Get the luxury you’re used and all the amenities right on the doorstep of Dubrovnik old town. This Hilton branch has whatever you need for a relaxing time in Croatia, while still being close to all the action.

Fun Vacation (Mid Range) – Scalini Palace – Set right in the heart of Dubrovnik, Scalini Palace is the perfect spot for couples and travelers alike. Take in the view of the city from your balcony with a glass of wine, and enjoy every aspect the Pearl of the Adriatic has to offer.

Hostel Life (Budget) – Hostel Angelina Old Town – As one of the only hostels within the city walls, you won’t find a better deal for this area when you visit Dubrovnik. It’s also located only 600 meters from Banje as well as other Dubrovnik beaches.

For more places to stay in Dubrovnik Croatia you can explore the latest prices here!

*By booking through our website we receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. This allows us continue our travels and keep providing great content to our readers! You can also bookmark this link for all your future stays*

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