Thanks to the HBO hit series, Game of Thrones, that put the beautiful coastal town of Dubrovnik on everyone's radar due to its breathtaking medieval architecture and imposing fortress walls that lend themselves well to the show's medieval fantasy setting.
Nowadays, Dubrovnik is probably one of Europe's most popular travel destinations, attracting over a million visitors per year. For such a small medieval town, that number is pretty impressive and speaks volumes about the allure of this medieval town, with its picturesque architecture, stunning scenery, and rich cultural heritage.
If you are planning to visit Dubrovnik, you are going to need this travel guide. From exploring the beautiful medieval walls to watching the sunset over the Adriatic Sea atop a mountain, you will find everything you need to plan an epic trip to Dubrovnik here. Without further ado, here are the 10 best things to do in Dubrovnik for solo travelers:
- Dubrovnik Itinerary Map
- Where to Stay in Dubrovnik?
-
10 Best Things to Do in Dubrovnik
- Walk the entire circuit of the city walls
- Stroll Along Stradun
- Watch the Sunrise from Porporela
- Visit Franciscan Church and Monastery
- Drop By Sponza Palace
- Check Out the Church of St. Ignatius
- Watch the Sunset at the Top of Mount Srđ
- Explore Lovrijenac
- Get Lost in the Streets of Dubrovnik
- Take Day Trips to Neighboring Countries
- More Dubrovnik Activities
- What to Eat and Drink in Dubrovnik?
- Further Reading for Croatia
Dubrovnik Itinerary Map
10 Best Things to Do in Dubrovnik
1. Walk the entire circuit of the city walls
One of my favorite things to do in Dubrovnik is to walk the entire circuit of Dubrovnik's City Walls, a historic fortification, one of the most well-preserved medieval structures of its kind, that surrounds the entire old town of Dubrovnik.
The history of Dubrovnik's City Walls can be traced back to the 13th century when they were constructed as a defensive fortification to protect the city from invaders, and it helped the city withstand numerous sieges and attacks throughout its existence.
The walls are incredibly well-preserved, with impressive defensive features still intact, including towers, bastions, and gates scattered along the walls, which provide us with a ton of things to do as we explore the city walls and walk the entire circuit of around 1.9 km (1.8 miles) in length.
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Since it is almost 2 km long, expect to spend at least 2 hours walking the entire length of the city walls. That said, there are so many things you can do along the walls that you won't even notice how long it took you to walk, and you will be right back at the entrance in no time.
Some of the notable stops along the walls you should check out are Fort Puncjela, a small fort providing an incredible view of Lovrijenac and its coastline which we will be visiting later, Fort St. Peter, a great stop to take in the view of the Adriatic Sea, and Tvrđava Minčeta, a fortress with a tower you can climb for an even better view of Dubrovnik from the top.
You enter the walls through this staircase right at the entrance of Dubrovnik's old town where you will have to buy a ticket to get access to the city's walls. From there, you are going to have to climb the steep staircase to the top, and then you can start your walk.
You are only allowed to walk in one direction to prevent traffic jams during peak season, so you will have to start exploring the southern part of the walls first. Once you get up to the top of the walls, the trail will mostly be flat with only a few ups and downs, which makes for a nice stroll. Active or not, anyone should be able to walk the entire length without problems.
To avoid the crowds, I highly recommend you start the city walls walk as early as possible to avoid being stuck behind large tour groups. You can avoid even more tourists and visit Dubrovnik in early October, and you should have the whole place to yourself as I did.
The city walls are open from 8 AM to 6:30 PM daily, and the ticket price is 35 EUR per person. The ticket includes access to the city walls as well as Lovrijenac, another fortress nearby that we will eventually visit. You can buy the ticket at the entrance or online here.
Where to Stay in Dubrovnik?
2. Stroll Along Stradun
Stradun is the main street and a historic thoroughfare in Dubrovnik's Old Town. It is a limestone-paved pedestrian street that runs through the heart of the city, stretching from Pile Gate to Ploče Gate, with many side streets splitting out all across the town, which makes for a great beginning point to start exploring Dubrovnik's old town.
The history of Stradun dates back to the 13th century when it was created as a part of the city's urban plan during the reconstruction period after a devastating fire. Over the centuries, it had developed into the center of Dubrovnik's social, cultural, and economic life, with the street lined up with all kinds of stores, from restaurants to souvenir shops.
The street is also known for its stunning architecture, lined with beautiful buildings and palaces that are steeped in history like the Orlando's Column, a stone pillar with a statue of the legendary knight Orlando, which symbolizes the city's freedom and independence.
You will also find other notable attractions along Stradun, such as St. Blaise's Church, a beautiful Baroque-style 18th-century church that is often used for weddings, Large Onofrio's Fountain, a 15th-century circular springwater fountain decorated with ornate, carved-stone masks, a great meeting point in the old town, and so much more.
If you have just arrived in Dubrovnik but are feeling overwhelmed and not sure where to begin, check out Stradun. Start your exploration from there, making your way along the main street as well as the side streets, and you will eventually stumble upon most of the tourist attractions I mentioned here.
3. Watch the Sunrise from Porporela
Porporela is a 19th-century pier located on the eastern side of Dubrovnik's Old Town just outside of the fortified walls, and it is, hands down, one of my favorite places to watch the sunrise in the city.
Due to its location, facing east towards the sea, the area is a great place to stroll along, and enjoy the refreshing sea breeze as you look out into the sea while the sun rises above the horizon.
And since it is early in the morning and most tourists don't start their days until a few hours after sunrise, you will have the whole place to yourself and enjoy the true beauty of Dubrovnik, when the place is not overcrowded with people.
There are several park benches along the pier where you can find a nice quiet spot and enjoy the sunrise, or you can go further and walk along the foot of the fortified walls and find a remote area to enjoy Dubrovnik in solitude.
I went for a stroll here every morning, and it was incredibly quiet and peaceful, a vibe that is hard to come by in a place like Dubrovnik, which is often overrun by tourists most of the time. If you want to experience Dubrovnik properly, this is the way to do it.
Tours & Tickets You Might Like
Looking to save some costs on your travel? Why not join a shared group tour from Dubrovnik? Here are some activities you might be interested in:
4. Visit Franciscan Church and Monastery
Located in Dubrovnik's Old Town, along the Stradun, you will find the Franciscan Church and Monastery, one of the oldest functioning Franciscan monasteries in the world, dating back to the 14th century.
The monastery complex is known for its exquisite Gothic-Renaissance architecture, intricate stone carvings, rose windows, and slender columns. The interior of the church is also adorned with stunning frescoes, altars, and religious artifacts, including a famous Pieta sculpture by Italian sculptor Pietro Cantera.
You will also find one of the oldest pharmacies in the adjacent building that houses an incredible collection of manuscripts, old prints, and ancient pharmacy tools, which makes for a great place to visit while you explore Stradun.
You can enter the Church of St. Salvation, which is part of the complex for free but to get inside Franciscan Church and Monastery, you are going to have to pay the entrance of around 5 EUR per person when you enter the premise. Only cash is accepted, so be sure to prepare accordingly. The monastery is open from 9 AM to 6 PM every day.
5. Drop By Sponza Palace
Sponza Palace is another impressive tourist attraction you should check out as you explore Stradun in Dubrovnik. It is an elegant palace originally built as a customs house and a trading center in the 16th century before it was turned into a state archive housing documents that are more than 1,000 years old.
The palace is one of the few buildings in Dubrovnik that survived the catastrophic earthquake of 1667, and it is renowned for its beautiful stone facade, adorned with intricate carvings and decorative elements featuring a large central courtyard, vaulted ceilings, marble columns, and beautiful ornate details worth checking out.
It is a beautiful piece of architecture and a great time capsule of what an old building actually looked like in Dubrovnik before it was almost all destroyed by the earthquake. The palace is open from 8 AM to 7 PM every day. While the inner courtyard is free to enter, you are going to have to pay 2 EUR to enter the treasury if you wish to see what's inside.
6. Check Out the Church of St. Ignatius
The Church of St. Ignatius is a prominent Baroque-style church built in the 17th Century located on an elevated area of Dubrovnik's Old Town. You can access it via the beautiful grand staircase that overlooks the streets below.
The church was popularized by Game of Thrones as it was used to shoot one of the most famous scenes in the series, the "Walk of Shame" so expect many people to be occupying the staircase taking photos.
If you wish to have the staircase to yourself, I highly recommend you come and visit the church early in the morning when no one is around. The church is open from 7 AM to 8 PM every day, and you can enter the church for free.
7. Watch the Sunset at the Top of Mount Srđ
One of the best spots to watch the sunset over Dubrovnik is from the top of Mount Srđ, a towering mountain peak that overlooks the entire area, providing a perfect vantage point to witness the golden hour over the picturesque city, the Adriatic Sea, and the surrounding islands.
Up at the top, you will find an old fortress that was constructed to serve as a strategic point for defense during Dubrovnik's tumultuous past, a restaurant where you can dine as you watch the sun go down, and an observation deck at the Cross stone monument where you can sit and enjoy the magic hour.
Since the mountain is around 412 meters (1,352 feet) above sea level, you have a few options to get to the observational deck. The most convenient way is to ride the cable car from Dubrovnik Cable Car Station and it will take you all the way to the top in just 4 minutes.
The cable car operates from 9 AM to midnight in the summer and with reduced hours in other months. The cable car is not operational in January and February, so be sure to plan accordingly.
Since the ride is not very long, you probably expect the price to be reasonable, right? Unfortunately, no. For some reason, they decided that a 4-minute ride is worth charging more than 27 EUR for a roundtrip ticket per person, which I think is way WAY too expensive.
If you want to save some money, you can also opt for a hike that begins from the trailhead here and it will zigzag its way up the mountain until you arrive at the top in about 40 minutes to an hour. Best of all, it is free!
If you are looking for a great place to watch the sunset, be sure to check out the observational deck at the top of Mount Srđ. There are also other activities you can partake up there as well like zip-lining, buggy safari rides, and so much more.
8. Explore Lovrijenac
Another awesome fortress you should visit in Dubrovnik is Lovrijenac, the fortress you saw from the city walls that are located on a rocky outcrop outside the western walls of Dubrovnik's Old Town.
The fortress is known as the "Gibraltar of Dubrovnik" due to its strategic location and impressive fortifications. The fortress's history dates back to the 11th century, when it was used as a key defense point during Dubrovnik's turbulent past, protecting the city from invasions and attacks.
The fortress provides a great view over the Adriatic Sea, Dubrovnik's Old Town, and its magnificent fortification, which will allow you to really appreciate the true scale of Dubrovnik's city walls from afar.
The place is also made famous by the popular HBO TV series, Game of Thrones, as it served as the filming location for the fictional fortress called "Red Keep" in the show, adding an even more reason to visit this place while you are in Dubrovnik.
The fortress is open at 9 AM and closes from 3 PM to 7:30 PM, depending on the season, and the entrance fee is around 26 EUR, including access to Dubrovnik's city's walls. If you have bought the ticket for the wall already, you can use that ticket to enter Lovrijenac for free.
9. Get Lost in the Streets of Dubrovnik
One of the greatest beauties of Dubrovnik is its charming little streets that you can explore. There are so many side streets and narrow alleyways that it is only a matter of time before you get distracted by all the beautiful corners of the picturesque city and get lost in it.
These streets are lovely at night as the cobblestones on the streets glitter with reflections created by the artificial lights that dimly illuminate the streets.
I had a great time exploring these side streets at night, discovering small bars and restaurants that I might not have noticed during the day. It is a great way to explore the city and really see what the old town is really like outside of the main strip of Stradun.
You can also explore the area during the day with walking tours that will allow you to learn a bit more about Dubrovnik from a local guide who can point out small details that you might have missed if you were to explore the town alone.
If you are a Game of Thrones fan, be sure to go on one of the Game-of-Thrones-themed walking tours which will take you to all the filming locations around the city. Highly recommended if you are a fan of the show.
10. Take Day Trips to Neighboring Countries
Last but not least, if you have a few days to spare in Dubrovnik, you can even go across the border and explore its awesome neighboring countries like the mountainous region of Kotor in Montenegro or the picturesque stone bridge of Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
To visit these 2 places as a day trip from Dubrovnik, you are going to have to rely on an organized tour to take you there and back in one day. There are so many things to do in these 2 countries it is impossible to do it in a day, but for those who have limited time, you will be able to get a glimpse of what it is like in these 2 Balkans countries and hopefully inspire you to visit them later on.
If you like mountains and beautiful coastlines, I highly recommend you visit Kotor in Montenegro with this organized tour. The tour will take you to Perast, to see a church on an artificial island located in the middle of the bay called Our Lady of the Rocks, explore the beautiful old town of Kotor, and the coastal resort towns of Budva, one of the largest towns in the Kotor Bay area.
Kotor, in particular, is an incredible place to visit with its beautiful old stone houses, narrow streets, and beautiful coastline. It is like Dubrovnik but on a smaller scale but is surrounded by way more epic mountains. It is one of my favorite towns in Montenegro, and if you have a chance to see it during your trip to Dubrovnik, go for it. You are going to love the vibe of the place.
The tour should take around 11 hours, starting and ending from Dubrovnik, which is perfect for those looking for a day trip to make from here. You can book the tour here.
If you prefer beautiful structures, rich in history, a place with diverse cultures, and friendly people, and a place that feels different from what you have experienced in Croatia, I highly recommend you go on a day trip and visit Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The tour will take you across the border and visit Kravica Waterfall, a beautiful waterfall tucked away in the mountainous region of Bosnia. Then they will take you to Mostar to see its iconic arch stone bridge over the Neretva River as well as explore the old town.
If you spent a large amount of time in Croatia, you will find Mostar and its diverse architectural styles like a breath of fresh air as instead of Catholic churches, you will find mosques, carpets with symmetrical Islamic pattern designs, and a culture that reminds me more of Albania or Turkey which goes to show just how diverse the Balkans are.
The tour will take about 10 hours and you can book the tour from here. Bosnia is one of my favorite countries in the Balkans, and if you have a chance to see it on this trip, I highly recommend you go for it.
What to Eat and Drink in Dubrovnik?
1. Eat Street Food at Barba
If you are looking for a relatively affordable place to try some street food, I highly recommend you check out Barba, a small street food restaurant located along the stairs going down to Dubrovnik's old town.
The restaurant serves all kinds of street food dishes, mostly seafood, with dishes like Octopus Burger and fried squid costing around 10 EUR per dish, which is pretty cheap for a place like Dubrovnik.
Fun fact: the restaurant was also featured on Netflix's Somebody Feed Phil documentary during his Croatia episode and his favorite dish, the staff working there told me, was the Octopus Burger which I also happened to order when I was there.
If you are in for a quick street food bite in Dubrovnik, be sure to check out Barba. The restaurant is open from 11 AM to 7 PM daily, perfect for lunch and dinner.
Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to start planning your trip! Here are some resources to help you get going:
Are you planning to travel independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.
Further Reading for Croatia
I hope you found this Croatia travel guide useful. If you want to read more about Croatia, here is a selection of articles you might like:
- Want to plan a trip to the Balkans, but not sure where to go? Here is the 31 Most Beautiful Places to Visit in the Balkans.
- For a complete itinerary to the Balkans, check out: 2 Months Backpacking Balkans Itinerary.
- For a complete Croatia backpacking itinerary, check out: 2 Weeks Backpacking Croatia Itinerary.
- Zagreb may not be on everyone's radar, but the city does have its charm, and it is a great place to see what life is really like in Croatia outside of touristy towns. Here are the 14 Best Things to Do in Zagreb.
- If you want to hike around Plitvice Lakes National Park, one of the best national parks in Croatia, be sure to check out: A Complete Hiking Guide to Plitvice Lakes National Park.
- Pula is a charming city in the beautiful region of Istria, home to some of the most well-preserved Roman ruins outside of Italy. If you are planning to visit Pula, be sure to check out: 10 Best Things to Do in Pula.
- One of the most charming coastal towns that doesn't get as many tourists as other places in Croatia, Rovinj is one of the best places to visit in Croatia. Here are the 10 best things to do in Rovinj.
- Krka National Park is home to some of the most beautiful waterfalls in Croatia. If you want to visit the park, make sure to check out: A Complete Travel Guide to Krka National Park.
- Home to the stunning Diocletian's Palace, Split is one of the best places to visit in Croatia. For those who are planning to visit the town, here are the 12 Best Things to Do in Split.
- From swimming in the crystal clear waters to walking around the quaint town, Hvar is a great island to visit to escape the typical touristy towns in Croatia. Wondering what you can do there? Here are the 8 Best Things to Do in Hvar.
- Not convinced by my words? Here are 125 photos that will inspire you to visit Europe.
- To see all the articles about Croatia, visit the Croatia Travel Guide page.
- Traveling in Europe can be cheap, really cheap. These are the 12 Cheap European Countries to Visit.
- Looking for more travel guides for Europe? You can find more on my Europe Travel Guide page.
- Or if you want something more specific to the region, visit our Balkans Travel Guide, Eastern Europe Travel Guide, Western Europe Travel Guide, Southern Europe Travel Guide, or Central Europe Travel Guide pages.
- For more of my travel guides like this, visit my Destinations page.
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