Dubrovnik sits at the southern tip of Croatia’s coastline and has become one of the most recognisable destinations on the Adriatic. Surrounded by medieval stone walls and the sea, it blends history with a lively modern energy. For many travellers it is the first or last stop on a sailing trip, but it is also a city worth exploring on its own. With its mix of culture, food, beaches and easy access to nearby islands, Dubrovnik feels like a complete Croatian experience in one compact place.
Where is Dubrovnik?
Dubrovnik is in the far south of Croatia, sitting on the Adriatic Sea close to the borders of both Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina. It belongs to the Dubrovnik-Neretva region, a stretch of coast known for its islands, vineyards and steep cliffs. The old town is built on a rocky peninsula that juts into the sea, enclosed by medieval walls that still shape the city today.
To the west and south, the shoreline is dotted with small bays and inlets, while the Elaphiti Islands are scattered just offshore. Inland, the land rises quickly into the Dinaric Alps, giving the city a dramatic backdrop and a sense of being enclosed between mountains and sea. This combination of islands, cliffs and clear water makes Dubrovnik one of the most striking cities on the Adriatic.
Things to Do in Dubrovnik Croatia
If you are planning things to do in Dubrovnik, start with the city walls. They stretch for nearly two kilometres and give the best perspective over the old town and the sea. A full walk takes about two hours with stops, but you can also do shorter sections. It is the most famous of all Dubrovnik attractions and something every visitor should do at least once.
Inside the old town, the Stradun is the main street connecting the main entrance to the city, Pile Gate, with the harbour. It is lined with cafés, shops and old stone houses, and from here you can branch off into smaller lanes that reveal squares, churches, galleries and bars. Rector’s Palace and Sponza Palace each show different sides of the city’s history, while Fort Lovrijenac, set high on a rock outside the walls, gives another view back across the rooftops.
For a sweeping outlook, take the cable car to Mount Srđ. The ride takes only a few minutes, and from the top you can see the entirety of Dubrovnik, the islands offshore and the mountains that stretch toward Montenegro. Sunset is the most popular time, and Panorama restaurant at the summit is one of the most memorable places to dine, with tables that look straight across the old town and the Adriatic.
Another stop that deserves more attention is War Photo Limited. This museum focuses on photojournalism and documents conflicts around the world, including the 1990s war in the former Yugoslavia. The section on Dubrovnik is especially moving, showing how the city and its people were affected during the siege. It is a sobering contrast to the beauty outside and adds depth and context to any visit.
If you want to see several of these attractions in one day, the Dubrovnik City Pass is the easiest option. The one day pass costs around 40 euros and covers the city walls, Rector’s Palace, Fort Lovrijenac and a range of museums. It saves money compared with paying for each site separately and makes it simple to tick off the main highlights without thinking about tickets at every stop.
For a quieter escape, Lokrum Island is only a short boat ride from the harbour. The island is a nature reserve with pine forests, shaded walking trails, a monastery and plenty of spots to swim straight off the rocks. Renting a kayak is another option for exploring, letting you paddle along the walls and into nearby caves that are only reachable from the water.
Where to Stay in Dubrovnik
When deciding where to stay in Dubrovnik, you can choose between staying inside the walls or just outside them. Inside the old town are boutique hotels and apartments set in centuries-old stone houses.
Outside the walls are larger hotels and resorts, many of them built on cliffs overlooking the sea. These properties often have pools, private beach access and wide terraces with views back toward the old town.
Outside of the old town, Babin Kuk is one of the most popular neighbourhoods for those who want to combine Dubrovnik beaches with beach clubs. Located a short drive from the centre, it has seaside promenades, long stretches of coastline and places to spend the day by the water. Coral Beach Club, Copacabana Beach Club and Sunset Beach are all here, offering loungers, cocktails, DJs and lively afternoons that often stretch into the evening.
Lapad, right next to Babin Kuk, is another good area with a calmer feel. Its seafront promenade is lined with cafés and restaurants, and pebble beaches are easy to access. Villas perched on the cliffs in this part of town are popular for groups or longer stays, often with infinity pools and private terraces.
Where to Eat in Dubrovnik
Food is central to the Dubrovnik experience, and the variety means you will never run out of options. Searching where to eat in Dubrovnik Croatia brings up everything from Michelin star restaurants to konobas and wine bars.
Restaurant 360, set into the city walls, is the most famous. It has a Michelin star and serves tasting menus built around local produce and paired with Croatian wines. Nautika, just outside Pile Gate, is another standout with views across the fortresses and the sea. Both should be booked well in advance during summer.
Konobas offer a more relaxed experience. These traditional taverns serve grilled fish, black squid ink risotto, octopus salad and lamb cooked slowly under a peka dome. They are family run, full of character and usually excellent value compared to fine dining.
Seafood is everywhere and always fresh. Oysters from Ston are a local highlight, and wines from the Pelješac Peninsula appear on most menus. Small wine bars tucked into side streets are a good way to try Croatian varieties by the glass. Spending an evening in one of these bars is a simple but memorable way to experience Dubrovnik.
Bars and Dubrovnik Nightlife
Dubrovnik is not known as a party city, but it has a lively bar scene and a few clubs that stand out. Buža Bar is the most famous, built into the cliffs outside the walls with tables that look directly out to sea and where you’ll always find a crowd congregating for sunset.
The old town has a growing number of wine bars and cocktail lounges, many tucked into stone alleys where you might not expect to find them. They are laid-back places to sit, often with only a handful of tables, where you can relax with a glass of Croatian wine or a well-made drink.
If you are looking for a late night, Culture Club Revelin is the main venue and often ranked inside the top 100 best nightclubs in the world. Built inside a 16th century fortress, it hosts DJs and events through the summer. Even if you are not here to party every night, it is worth seeing once to understand why it is considered one of the most unique clubs in Europe.
Dubrovnik Beaches
While Dubrovnik is better known for its walls and history, there are still plenty of Dubrovnik beaches for swimming. Most are pebbled or rocky rather than sandy, but the water is clear and calm.
Banje Beach is the most central, just outside the old town, with loungers, restaurants and views back toward the walls. It gets busy in summer but remains one of the city’s best known swimming spots. Sveti Jakov, further along the coast, is quieter and has fewer people, though it involves a steep walk down steps to reach.
Lokrum Island is another good choice if you want to swim straight off the rocks, and many sailing trips stop here or anchor nearby for a dip. Out in Babin Kuk, Coral, Copacabana and Sunset Beach clubs combine swimming with cocktails and music, offering a different kind of beach experience.
Must Visit in Dubrovnik
Some must visit places in Dubrovnik are essential for any itinerary:
- The City Walls, the most iconic experience in the city
- Stradun, the polished limestone main street
- Rector’s Palace, housing the cultural museum
- Fort Lovrijenac, overlooking the sea and the old town
- Mount Srđ, with its panoramic views and Panorama restaurant
- Lokrum Island, a quick escape with gardens and swimming
- War Photo Limited, telling the story of Dubrovnik’s role in the Yugoslav conflict
These highlights combine history, culture, food and nature and show why Dubrovnik has become such a popular destination.
Is Dubrovnik Expensive?
It is fair to say that Dubrovnik is the most expensive city in Croatia. With the continued rise in tourism and the switch to the euro, prices for food, drinks and accommodation are high. A coffee on the Stradun costs more than elsewhere in the country, and staying inside the walls is significantly pricier than Lapad or Babin Kuk.
Still, Dubrovnik compares well with other European cities such as Venice or Paris. Costs can be managed by eating in konobas, staying outside the old town and buying a City Pass to cover the main attractions.
Day Trips and Short Breaks
Dubrovnik also works as a base for day trips and short getaways. The Elaphiti Islands are easy to access, with Lopud offering a sandy beach at Šunj, and Šipan and Koločep providing quieter coves and walking trails.
On land, Cavtat is a coastal town south of Dubrovnik with a long promenade and excellent seafood restaurants. If you have more time, head south across the border to visit the Bay of Kotor in Montenegro or east to Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Both are possible to visit as full day trips from Dubrovnik. These add variety and show how well-connected Dubrovnik is within the region.
Why Dubrovnik is Worth Visiting
Dubrovnik combines history, culture, food and beaches in a way that few cities can. You can walk the walls in the morning, have seafood for lunch, swim in the clear Adriatic in the afternoon and end the day with a drink at a cliffside bar. At night, you can wander into a backstreet wine bar or step into a fortress turned nightclub.
For many, Dubrovnik is also the gateway to sailing the Dalmatian coast. Whether you are here for a short city break or as part of a week of island hopping, the city leaves a strong impression. The mix of old and new, history and culture, beaches and nightlife makes it one of the most rewarding destinations in Croatia.
