Top 10 Things to do in Dubrovnik, Croatia

In the past several years, tourism in Dubrovnik has shot up to unprecedented heights. Whether that’s due to the Game of Thrones frenzy, or its inclusion on many Top Destinations lists in the past few years, one thing is clear: it’s easy to fall in love with Dubrovnik. From excellent food to beautiful museums to ancient architecture, here are the best 10 things to do during in Dubrovnik, Croatia.

There’s a reason behind all the Dubrovnik hype: this city is absolutely filled with things to do that will keep any kind of traveler entertained. World class cuisine, the beautiful Adriatic Sea, UNESCO sites, charming streets to wander, fun souvenir shopping, and amazing museums are just some of the amazing things to do on your Dubrovnik trip. Find my top 10 favorite things to do in Dubrovnik below!

1) Eat Everything

If you don’t leave Dubrovnik at least five pounds heavier than when you arrived, then you’ve done something wrong. This city has some of the tastiest seafood, gelato, pizza, pasta, and more, and you shouldn’t miss any of it!

Some of my favorite restaurants were Azur (Asia-Mediterranean fusion), Taj Mahal (surprisingly not Indian food, but actually Bosnian food that even Bosnian people claim “tastes like my grandmother’s cooking”), and Stara Loza (Michelin starred and beautiful, perfect for a lighter meal).

For a light bite and tasty coffee, or if you need to escape the crowded streets, stop into Soul Caffe for a reasonably priced prosciutto baguette and some of the tastiest cakes and desserts on earth (the orange almond cake was divine).

And of course you’ll need to get your fair share of gelato, so head to Peppino’s for really beautiful displays and interesting flavors (the jaffa and chocolate-rum are amazing!).

2) Walk the city walls

To get some of the best views of Old Town Dubrovnik, you’ll of course want to see it from above. The ancient walls surrounding the Old Town, built between the 12th and 17th centuries, are open to the public and are one of the top things to do in Dubrovnik.

But not only are these city walls scenic, they also are partially protected by UNESCO along with the entire Old Town, and are considered some of the greatest fortification systems of the Middle Ages. In fact, the walls of Dubrovnik were never breached by a hostile army during that time period, allowing the fairly free and prosperous city to flourish for centuries.

The old stone walls surrounding the town open at 8am during the summer and 9am during the winter months (from November 1-March 31), and for 200 kn (about 30 USD) you can spend a few hours strolling along the walls and getting some of the best views of the city, Dubrovnik outskirt, and turquoise sea.

It’s pricey, but you can spend a couple of hours walking the entire city if you’d like (the walls stretch a total of 1,940 meters). And in additional to the amazing views and history, you’ll also get the opportunity to burn off some of that gelato and pasta you’ve been eating. Win-win.

3) Get lost on the side streets

Yes, Old Town Dubrovnik can be painfully crowded, especially if you’re visiting during peak season. But it’s not that difficult to get away from the masses by wandering aimlessly through the tiny side streets.

I spent my entire first day in Dubrovnik exploring the mazes of cobblestone streets, taking a left here and a right there until not another person was in sight, other than a local resident stretching putting out his laundry or school kids skipping home for lunch.

It’s a great way to get oriented to where things are in the city, to find some hidden shops, cafes, historic sites, and squares that you wouldn’t see otherwise, and to get a glimpse of what life might have looked like here well before anyone had heard of Arya Stark or cruise ships.

4) Visit the morning market in Gundulić Square

Until around noon, Old Town’s Gundulic Square transforms into an open-air market, where vendors will sell fruits, candies, lavender, grappa, handicrafts, and more. This market has a long-standing history, and was once the primary spot for locals to purchase produce.

Now, it’s more of a tourist stop, but it’s still really lovely and the fruits and candies are delicious (I highly recommend getting some candied almonds and dried figs!).

The square itself is also beautiful, surrounded by pretty buildings and leading to the famous Jesuit Staircase. You can also find old stone drinking fountains (you can still drink the water from these) and a statue of Ivan Gundulić, the 17th century poet after whom the square is named.

And, if you’re lucky, around noon you’ll be able to see giant groups of pigeons crowd the roofs, awaiting the ringing church bells before congregating at the statue to be fed by a local. Have your camera ready!

5) Catch sunset at a cliffside bar

There’s nothing quite like watching the sunset behind the horizon of the turquoise Adriatic Sea. Thankfully, Old Town Dubrovnik has some excellent little cliffside bars that will set you up to have the best sunset views on the coast.

Arrive early to snag a seat at Buza Bar or Bard Mala Buza (“buza” meaning “hole in the wall”) for some drinks, sunshine, and, ultimately, the perfect orange and pink ocean sunset. If you’re feeling adventurous, bring a swim suit and join others for cliff jumping into the ocean. Or, you can always enjoy your beer and merely watch the cliff-jumpers while you stay dry… the decision is yours.

6) Swim and soak up the sun at Fort St. Ivana

Along the outskirts of the city walls, you’ll find this large 16th century fort complex which now houses an aquarium and maritime museum. But what I loved about this area was the views of the sea and port, the inviting benches, and the stairs leading into the sea for swimming.

When the tide is high, the waves crash against the walkway which is fun to watch, but when it’s calm, this area is perfect for people-watching, reading a book on the benches, or cooling off in the water. You could also rent a kayak and explore this area of Dubrovnik’s Adriatic Coast by sea!

7) Take a day trip to the Elaphiti Islands

When you decide you need a break from bustling Old Town, escape the crowds by taking a day trip to the Elaphitii Islands, an archipelago of six main islands just off the coast of Dubrovnik.

I had a tour with Explore Dubrovnik on one of their luxury speed boats (which was impressively comfortable) and it was one of the highlights of my entire trip! This is one of my top recommendations for things to do in Dubrovnik.

Doing a smaller or private tour such as this is the best way to get away from the tourist crowds, and to visit some off-the-beaten-track destinations in the Dubrovnik area, from beautiful seafood restaurants only accessible by boat, to tiny village wine cellars, to hidden caves, and more.

Plus, you’ll learn so much about Dubrovnik history and culture from the wonderful skippers who are filled with interested factoids, anecdotes, and historical insights.

8) Shop for local souvenirs

Although generally a bit pricier, Dubrovnik is a wonderful place to pick up some unique souvenirs to bring home with you. You’ll find tons of lace-workers and embroidery-workers with small tables set up around the town, even on very quiet side streets. You’ll be able to watch them work for a bit and pick out some really unique pieces that you know are handmade by locals.

You’ll also find lots of unique foodstuffs in little stands or shops around town, including olive oils, wines, figs, candied almonds, sweet-bitter arancini (candied bitter orange peel), liquors and brandies, and spices. Lavender is also really common in this area, and you definitely won’t regret throwing a sachet of dried lavender in your suitcase to take home.

9) Taste local wines

Croatian wine is some of the best in the world, thanks to its dry Mediterranean climate, rocky soil, and near-constant sunshine. Dubrovnik is a great place to try tons of different wines from vineyards all over Croatia, including the islands and the Istrian north.

Most restaurants will have an extensive wine list, but I recommend visiting a wine bar like D’VINO Wine Bar, where you can do a tasting hosted by experts in Croatian wines. There are many others around town, but this one was my favorite.

If you want to get out of the city, Vinarija Milos and Malvasija Winery are only a short drive outside of Dubrovnik city and you can organize a tour of their vineyard and wine production facilities!

10) Learn about Dubrovnik history in a museum

Even if you’re not typically a fan of museums, there are several really beautiful museums in Old Town that I’d recommend everyone visit, especially if you’re looking for a way to escape the rain or heat.

My favorite was Rector’s Palace, a 14th century Gothic-Renaissance palace that has been turned into a museum filled with antique furniture, clocks, coats of arms, intricate locking chests, and so on. As you walk through, you’ll also be able to see the old courtroom, connected to the old prison, and read a bit about legislative and judicial history in the ancient city.

Another museum I loved was the Franciscan Church and Monastery, which also houses the Friar’s Pharmacy (the third oldest functioning pharmacy in the world, originally run by the monks) and a beautiful open courtyard. The monastery complex was targeted during the 1991-92 war, and you can still see missile holes in the walls. In addition to information on war history, you’ll also find some beautiful ancient church relics and pharmacy books.

Let’s Go.

This list of the best things to do in Dubrovnik certainly doesn’t exhaust all the incredible sights, activities, and foods that await you on your visit. But be sure to add at least some (or all!) of these stops to your Dubrovnik itinerary.

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