Things to Do in Dubrovnik: What Not to Miss on Your Trip

Despite its compact size and small population, you would be surprised to find out how many things to do in Dubrovnik exist. The town is punching above its weight when it comes to history, museums, nature, scenic views and food and drinks. There is something there for everyone, and how could there not be? It used to be the capital of the Seven Kingdoms after all! A little Game of Thrones reference, for the show fans.

So, in this article we will explore the vast range of things to do in Dubrovnik. Whether you travel to learn about history and cultures, explore beaches and landscapes, take in scenic views, have adventures or taste original and local dishes, Dubrovnik will live up to its fame!

Let’s dive into it.

Often considered a highlight of any Croatian vacation, Dubrovnik combines history, beaches, nature, and gastronomy in one compact destination. It’s a small town with a population of around 50,000 people. It’s called the Pearl of the Adriatic and for a good reason. Its location provides it with amazing views and sceneries, beautiful beaches with sparkling blue waters and access to nearby islands. 

Today, it’s a UNESCO World Heritage and the town absolutely deserves that honor, thanks to its grand history. Also, like most major destinations in the country, Dubrovnik consistently ranks as a safe place to visit, which reassures travelers whose main question is “is Croatia safe?”.

Dubrovnik is old, with a legacy ranging back to ancient times. What began as an Illyrian settlement thousands of years ago, turned into a Roman city and then an independent republic under Byzantine protection. 

Its tumultuous history saw the city become a part of the Kingdom of Hungary, the Ottoman Empire, Napoleon’s Empire of France and finally the Austro-Hungarian Empire. After the end of the First World War, Dubrovnik was incorporated into the newly founded Kingdom of Yugoslavia, which evolved into the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, when the Second World War ended. It remained a part of it, until Croatia gained its independence in 1991 and since then remains the country’s premier Mediterranean spot.

All these cultures, empires and nations left their mark on Dubrovnik and you can still witness them today in the city’s architecture, monuments and landmarks. Thanks to its compact size, walkable Old Town, and rich cultural heritage, Dubrovnik is also an excellent destination for senior travel plans that you can book through Tailored by Locals. 

Now, we will take a look at the top things to do in Dubrovnik, starting with the aforementioned rich history.

Planning a Croatia getaway? Get a tailor-made itinerary designed by locals. See all of our Croatia Vacation & Tours!

A must do for everyone visiting Dubrovnik! It takes an hour to slowly walk the 2 kilometers-long medieval walls that surround the Old Town. Two or three if you stop every 10 meters to take a picture, but it’s totally worth it! You will be rewarded with amazing views of the town, harbor and sea every step of the way. If you walk them in the summer, the sea breeze will cool you down, but you will be fully exposed to the sun, so be prepared and hold down your hat at all times! 

The tickets start at 40€ for adults and are half price for kids. The walls are perhaps the one thing Dubrovnik is most famous for, so it’s definitely worth the price. Walking the walls is one of the best things to do in October. Generally, iIf you’re planning your trip and researching the best time to visit Croatia, spring and early autumn offer ideal weather for walking the city walls without intense heat.

The original Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary was built in the 6th century AD, but a series of earthquakes destroyed it. A new cathedral took its place, designed in baroque style with an impressive interior, filled with paintings from the 16th to 18th centuries. If you visit the Cathedral, make sure to visit the Treasury as well, which holds a part of the cross on which Jesus was crucified. There are also plenty of other holy relics you can admire.

The Fransiscan friary and church is actually a large complex that was built in the 13th century and also includes a library and pharmacy. Its construction lasted centuries and some parts of it were rebuilt several times. It was destroyed in the 1667 earthquake and rebuilt again. You can take walking tours inside it and visit the pharmacy, which is the oldest in the world and even buy creams and other boutique items as well!

Orlando’s column was erected in 1418 and today stands as a symbol of freedom, right in front of St.Blaise’s Church in Luza Square. Orlando or Roland was a legendary medieval knight and helped locals fight against invaders and remain free. 

The column also commemorates Dubrovnik’s alliance with the Holy Roman Empire, acted as a spot for public announcements and its forearm’s length was used as the city’s official unit of measurement. If you are curious, one Dubrovnik cubit equals 51.2cm. Today, it’s a popular meeting point. Almost all private guided tours in Dubrovnik include a visit to the column.

This fort lies outside the Old Town and was part of the Game of Thrones filming locations. Climbing it might look a little bit like a hike, but reaching the top will leave you with breathless views of the city. The fort was built in the early 11th century AD and is referred to as Dubrovnik’s Gibraltar. Its original purpose was to protect the city from the Venetians. While the outside holds the amazing views we mentioned, the inside is also impressive and definitely worth spending a few minutes in.

Today, the Rector’s Palace serves as an atrium for performing arts and shows. But, centuries ago, it was exactly what its name implies. The residence of Dubrovnik’s rectors, the highest ranking officials of the former Republic of Ragusa. Surprisingly, even though the rectors were the city’s aristocracy and governors, they weren’t allowed to leave the palace without permission for as long as their term lasted. Luckily, it was only one month with no chance for re-election. Honestly, one month in such a beautiful palace doesn’t sound so bad.

Dubrovnik’s communist past lasted around 7 decades and left a profound mark on its personality. Its ending was brutal, what with the breakup of Yugoslavia and war it entailed. The Red History Museum contains insights into how this period affected not just Dubrovnik, but Croatia as a whole. What’s more surprising though is the fact that the Red History Museum is not a government project, but begun thanks to the efforts of a group of friends who created it.

Dubrovnik used to be a thalassocracy, meaning it was a state whose power and wealth came from maritime trade, naval strength and control of important sea routes. Unlike Venice, the Republic of Ragusa didn’t seek territorial expansion, but there was an intense rivalry between them. The Maritime Museum explores this period and more of Dubrovnik’s history. It consists of two floors, but it still manages to highlight how important the sea was to the city’s development and character.

If you want to learn more about the day-to-day lives of ordinary people from ye olde times, then the Ethnographic Museum will reward you. Once a granary, today this 16th century building holds displays of farming tools, replicas of homes, traditional clothing and much more. It’s one of the best things to do in Dubrovnik with kids and families in general, as it allows you a glimpse into how common people lived back then.

The Siege of Dubrovnik during the Yugoslavian Civil War was a traumatic period for the city. The Homeland War Museum captures this feeling perfectly with its large exposition of maps, weapons, artefacts and plethora of pictures and displays. It’s been less than four decades since those dark days for Dubrovnik and learning about it is certainly a very interesting experience. 

Planning a Croatia getaway? Get a tailor-made itinerary designed by locals. See all of our Croatia Vacation & Tours!

Only 15-minutes away by ferry, Lokrum Island is just too close to not pay a visit! You can explore the whole city of Dubrovnik in only two days, so Lokrum would fit most itineraries. On Lokrum, you can find an abandoned monastery, gardens and peacocks going about their lives. The island offers amazing views and charming restaurants and cafes. You can easily be carried away by its serenity and beauty and spend more time than you were planning to.

Going to Lokrum island is one of the best things to do in May, since the weather will be warm and crowds low. Lokrum is a great destination if you are looking for a family trip through Tailored by Locals, thanks to its open spaces, peacocks, and short ferry ride.

Mount Srd might be tough to pronounce for most people, but you don’t need to be a linguistic expert to take the 5-minute cable car ride to its top. The sunsets are beautiful and full of color, an experience ideal for romantic trips. If you are planning a honeymoon, then check out itineraries and plans that include Mount Srd on Tailored by Locals.

Dubrovnik is mostly famous for its beaches and history, but it's also widely popular among Game of Thrones fans, since it was an important filming location. You can even find walking tours that take you through all the places where scenes were filmed! One of them is the Trsteno Arboretum. You might recognize it as the Red Keep, if you watched the show. 

Still, even if you aren’t a fan of dragons and knights but enjoy lush gardens instead, the Trsteno Arboretum should be included in your itinerary. It’s actually the oldest arboretum in the world and the first plants were whatever exotic thing caught the eye of adventurous captains of the 15th century and beyond.

The Elafiti are a group of six small islands off the coast of Dubrovnik. Visiting them should be a full day trip and a perfect escape from the city. Popular destinations include the Lopud settlement with its fort ruins, exotic gardens, narrow streets and ancient monasteries. You can also walk into the Kolocep pine forests and the orange and olive groves in Sipan. The Elafiti Islands are an ideal location for those who believe that nature and wildlife should be an integral part of their trip.

Although you can book plenty of cruise trips from Split and Dubrovnik, another great option is going kayaking along the coast. This way, you can explore coves like the Betina cove and its secluded beach in a more fun and personal way, since you will be with a small group of people at most, instead of a shipload of them. There are also beautiful blue caves to see up close! What’s more, you can combine kayaking with plenty of more activities like cliff jumping, snorkeling and sunset watching. A true adventure travel experience!

Perhaps, one of the best things to do in Dubrovnik in August, is spending an afternoon at Banja Beach. You can bring your own towels and relax on the sand or rent a lounging chair and umbrella for a more relaxed and luxurious experience. Then, it’s up to you if you will swim or just bask in the sun. There are bars and cafes nearby to provide you with a steady supply of drinks and coffee. If you are planning for a beach holiday in Croatia, then Banja should be on your itinerary.

Dubrovnik has a deep culinary history and it's reflected in every local restaurant. Famous for dishes like black risotto with its black hue from squid ink, Dubrovnik will not disappoint the foodies. Book a food and wine tour to enjoy traditional seafood plates, paired with tasty local wines at atmospheric restaurants and bars. 

So as you can see, even when it comes to food, Dubrovnik offers an incredible variety of experiences. But don’t forget that it’s only one part of the many unforgettable things to do in Croatia.

Well, that was a long list, wasn’t it? Certainly, you must have found plenty of things to do in Dubrovnik that you will enjoy! We saw so many options for different types of travellers. For those seeking culture and history, those who love getting lost in museums, those who want to relax in nature and beaches and for those who never want to leave a place unless they have tasted what it has to offer.

Planning a Croatia getaway? Get a tailor-made itinerary designed by locals. See all of our Croatia Vacation & Tours!