Dubrovnik is a lovely city offering a perfect mix of Baroque architecture, ancient town, red-roofed buildings, and turquoise waters. Every year, millions of tourists visit this charming Dalmatian City to stroll through the Old City Walls, explore its surrounding islands, and more!
Here are some of the best things to do in Dubrovnik.
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1. Walk Around the Old Town
Regardless of how long you will spend in Dubrovnik, walking around the Old Town should be one of the first things to do in the city. The Old Town may be small, but it packs a punch. It’s home to several historical sites with beautiful views, rich culture and history.
The Old Town of Dubrovnik is surrounded by walls built to keep invaders away back in the day. They also serve as protection from powerful waves from the sea. Nowadays, the Old Town is one of Dubrovnik’s main tourist sites. Explore the entirety of the walls, which should take around two hours. Or you can walk only some parts of it and stop at some interesting sites along the way.
Walking around the walled Old Town is guaranteed fun. There are beautiful viewpoints on various spots of the walls, from where you can marvel at the panoramic views of the Old Town. Consider booking a guided walking tour of the Old Town to see Dubrovnik’s most significant sites and listen to interesting stories from your guide.
2. Visit Dubrovnik Brewery
Everyone knows that Europeans love beers, and Croatians are no exception. In fact, beer is a popular beverage in the country, and about half of the adult population are beer consumers. Thus, one of the best things to do while in Dubrovnik is to visit a brewery and learn more about Croatia’s beer culture.
Outside the Old Town, you’ll find the Dubrovnik Brewing Company, a popular place for brewery tours in the country. Visitors joining the tour will be taken to the site on a quick 10-min bus ride from the centre of Dubrovnik. Filled with locals and tourists, the brewery has a lively vibe. After the tour, you will have the opportunity to sample a handful of beers on drought.
On your guided tour of the brewery, you will learn about the process of beer production and what it takes to produce one of the world’s most beloved beverages – craft beer. The drink enthusiasts at Beer Snobs share that the highlight of the tour is the beer tasting at the end. You’ll enjoy the beer with a serving of some tacos.
3. Hit the Beach
Dubrovnik is home to several beautiful beaches. The crystal-clear Adriatic Sea beckons from various angles on your visit to Dubrovnik, especially during the hot summer months. However, these beaches are not like the typical sandy beach since they are rocky. Even those beaches hidden in the caves are rocky. Nevertheless, you can guarantee that the water of these beaches is clear and beautiful.
One of the most popular beaches in Dubrovnik is Banje Beach, surrounded by the beautiful views of the Old Town and Lokrum Island. It’s just across the eastern entrance of the Old Town called the Ploce Gate. Here, you’ll find a few waterfront restaurants and cafes where you can indulge in delicious snacks and refreshing beverages. You can also rent a deck chair, parasol, and other amenities for water sports, such as a jet ski and speed boat.
If you want to visit another beach, catch a ferry from Dubrovnik’s Gruž port to Lopud, a small island off the coast of Dalmatia. The island has a glorious swathe of sand and a sheltered bay with warm shallow seas. You will also find several seasonal bars at the beach serving snacks and drinks. If you’re visiting Dubrovnik mainly for the beach, it may be worth staying in a villa near the beach. Some of the special holiday villas in the Dubrovnik region are located close to the sea, which makes for a truly relaxing stay.
4. Explore Konavle
If you want to escape the tourist crowds in Dubrovnik, Konavle Valley is a great alternative. This southernmost region stretches from Cavtat to Croatia’s border with Montenegro. Its distinct landscape consists of rocky coast in the south and tall mountains in the north with a green valley in the middle.
Dubbed the “Golden Valley of Dubrovnik” since its most fertile ground is close to Dubrovnik town, Konavle is the land of waterfalls with small canals throughout the region. It’s about 15 to 20 minutes from the Old Town of Dubrovnik and is best reached by car. You can also take a public bus going to the region. Exuding a very laidback vibe, it has no hotels, with only a few houses offering private accommodation.
Konavle is a small region with only a small number of residents, but it’s one of Dubrovnik’s most visited places. In the peak season, it attracts many tourists, especially those who prefer a much slower pace than the bustling Dubrovnik.
5. Taking a Small Ship Tour
Taking a small ship tour is another popular activity in Dubrovnik since it’s not ideal that you sail into Dubrovnik on a big cruise. The city struggles with over-tourism, especially during the peak tourist season, from May to September. A lot of this is a result of big ships. Thus, the local government is trying to address this by limiting the big ships.
When you book for Dubrovnik vacation, one of the options that will come up is the small ship tour. The cruise will start in Dubrovnik, taking you to explore the many beautiful islands along the Dalmatian Coast. Since you’ll be aboard a small ship, you can guarantee a comfortable journey since a small number of people will be sharing the ship with you.
One of the most popular routes for a small ship cruise is the journey from Dubrovnik to Split. You can stop at some spectacular sites along the way, such as the spectacular Mljet Island, home to the Mljet National Park.
