Suppose you are asked to produce a list of your dream destinations – surely, places like New York City, Paris, and Hong Kong would be on that list, but maybe not Dubrovnik, a city in Croatia. Dubrovnik may not be as popular as the other dreamy cities of the world, as tourists who visit here may have lots of money, willing to invest in touring cities like this Croatian city. This city may also not be the capital of Croatia, but Dubrovnik is so beautiful that it leads the list of the best cities to travel to in the country. There are many things to do in Dubrovnik. 

When you search for the best places to visit in Dubrovnik, you’ll see travelers and bloggers tell you one of the best is its old town. You’ll be stunned with its old town’s beauty, treating you to sceneries of its ancient walls, Baroque buildings, and the shimmer of the Adriatic Sea.

Dubrovnik is a top destination in Croatia. Its main attraction, its old town, is situated within sturdy Medieval walls that overlook the deep blue Adriatic Sea. In this things to do in Dubrovnik guide, we take you to this old town, along the coast as you discover the city’s best beaches and nearby islands, and where you can eat, drink, and shop. Hop on!

10 Of The Best Things To Do In Dubrovnik

Planning to travel to the dazzling Croatian city of Dubrovnik? Before you go, you must be guided with the best things to do in Dubrovnik, which we are going to present right now.

1. Discover The Complete Circuit Of Dubrovnik’s City Walls And Forts, Where ‘Game Of Thrones’ Was Shot

The first thing you are going to see when you arrive at Dubrovnik either by air or by sea is its city walls. So, visiting these walls is one of the first things to do in Dubrovnik. 

These ancient walls were constantly built and rebuilt between the 13th and 15th centuries because of Turkish invaders. These walls enclose Dubrovnik’s Old Town, which is further protected by forts and towers. 

Since those ages of invasions have long gone, these walls have become a favorite of tourists from all over the world, and did you know they also provided the setting for the TV adaptation of “Games of Thrones?” That’s right. 

As you climb atop these walls, you’ll enjoy the best views of the city’s tiled-roof buildings set with the blue sea. And during the summer season, Shakespeare plays and other performances are held in some areas of the fort along the walls. How come England’s Shakespeare reached Croatia? Well, to give you some insight, scholars believe that his “Twelfth Night” play is set in Dubrovnik. Quite interesting!

2. Learn How Dubrovnik’s Aristocrats And Elite Once Lived At The Rector’s Palace

As you end your tour around the city’s fortifications, you’ll end up wanting to explore the old town that the walls enclose. One of the best features of this old town is the Rector’s Palace, a place where Dubrovnik’s aristocrats once lived. Here’s the story.

Until 1808, Dubrovnik was a self-governing republic known as Ragusa. Here in Ragusa each month, local councilors would elect a different citizen to assume the role of Rector, or somewhat the leader of the republic. This system of short-term office went on to prevent anybody from abusing their power. During their term in office, the Rector would live on the upper floor of the Rector’s Palace, a 15th-century Gothic-Renaissance structure. 

Today, with this system long gone, tourists can visit Rector’s Palace and tour its museum. Here, you can see how Dubrovnik’s aristocrats lived amid Baroque furniture, gilt-framed oil paintings, sedan chairs, lavish costumes, and weapons. 

You can also visit the former meeting rooms of the Great Council and the Senate, its chapel, and even a prison cell within this building. And if you are an avid “Games of Thrones” fan, its grand atrium is the shooting location of the series’ Qarth. Amazing, right? Visiting the Rector’s Palace is one of the best things to do in Dubrovnik. 

In this “things to do in Dubrovnik” guide, you’ll learn about the beauty of this Croatian city. Is your camera with you? Get to know the best photography spots in Croatia in this story on our blog.

3. Have The Best Morning With Coffee At The Stradun

The locals in Croatia always love to greet their morning with a cup of the best coffee. In fact, Croatia ranks as one of the world’s biggest coffee drinkers. The country is so famous for coffee drinking that people here spend hours, afternoons, and even the entire day sipping frothy kava, the Croatian term for “coffee.”

One of the best places to sip a good Croatian coffee is at the Stradun. The Stradun is a white limestone-paved promenade at 300 meters long, and the main thoroughfare through Dubrovnik’s old town. This promenade’s 17th-century Baroque stone buildings are home to small shops and open-air coffee shops at street level. There are various things to do in Dubrovnik while you’re here. You may want to do as the locals do: meeting for coffee, reading the morning newspapers, and people-watch.

4. Reflect On The Horrors Of Conflict That Plagued Croatia At War Photo Limited

Croatia’s history does not go without tumultuous, challenging times. During the start of the 1990s, the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia was among the largest, most developed, and diverse countries in the Balkan region. It comprised six republics then: Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Macedonia, Serbia, and Slovenia. Until conflicts caused Yugoslavia to break apart.

Should you want to understand this part of the history of Croatia on a deeper level, visiting War Photo Limited is one of the things to do in Dubrovnik. A reverberating and powerful experience, this gallery features compelling displays of photographs curated by a photojournalist who hails all the way from New Zealand, Wade Goddard. Goddard worked in the Balkan region during the 1990s. The aim of his exhibit is to expose the everyday, horrific, and unjust realities that war can bring. 

On War Photo Limited’s upper floor, there’s a permanent exhibit that depicts the wars in Yugoslavia. The gallery also hosts changing exhibitions that cover various other conflicts. If you want to be moved by Croatia’s history, you should visit this place.

Aside from enjoying the things to do in Dubrovnik, you might also want to discover the rest of the country. Croatia is one of the best places to visit this September.

5. Are You A ‘Game Of Thrones’ Fan? Go On This Tour That Will Take You To The Filming Locations Of The Beloved Series Here In Dubrovnik

You’ve learned a while ago that a section in Rector’s Palace was used as a shooting location for the phenomenal HBO series, “Game of Thrones.” Actually, it is better to say that generally, Dubrovnik was a setting for “Games of Thrones,” and you can visit these filming locations in this tour. 

In this must-try tour, you’ll discover the areas where the popular series was shot. There are a lot of things to do in Dubrovnik on this tour. Follow your guide as you explore the Old Town on foot, passing by the city’s top landmarks such as the Pile Gate and Lovrijenac Fort. The guide will also share stories and gossip from “GoT’s” behind-the-scenes. This is one of the things to do in Dubrovnik that you shouldn’t miss. 

6. Take Things To The Next Level With This ATV Tour

Though exploring the city and losing track of time are seemingly enough on foot, know that you can still take things further. Why don’t you go beyond the orange-tiled roofs of Dubrovnik’s Old Town and discover more of the place on this thrilling ATV tour? 

This tour will have you riding a quad bike, and zooming around both country roads and off-road tracks. You’ll be able to see Dubrovnik’s diverse landscape and the city surrounded by walls from above Srđ Hill. If you are looking for things to do in Dubrovnik that will give you the rush, this is a must-try.

7. Paddle A Kayak To The Beautiful Lokrum Island

The beaches at Dubrovnik’s city proper can get very crowded, so if you are looking for things to do in Dubrovnik where you can enjoy the beach without too many people around, the perfect choice would be traveling to the nearby Lokrum Island. Traveling to the island only takes around 15 minutes by ferry. Plus, the island also has a tiny saltwater lake for those who want to dip and swim.

Aside from Lokrum’s beaches, it also has something historic and stunning to offer. At the 19th-century Napoleonic Fort Royale, you can catch gorgeous views of the Old Town. Then, you can also head over to the remains of a Medieval Benedictine monastery, which now houses a restaurant that serves sumptuous treats. 

The island almost offers the complete experience for your well-being. If you want to take a break from the sun, wander through its botanical garden and woods, and keep your eyes ready for peacocks and rabbits roaming the island.

Things to do in Dubrovnik, Croatia are amazing. How about exploring one of its neighbors, too, like Slovenia?

8. Do Some Shopping, Quirky-Style, At KAWA

Dubrovnik makes sure tourists will have fun shopping. Fun here means quirky, and one of the best places for shopping here is KAWA. KAWA is a concept store located just outside Ploče Gate. Things get quirky here as among the most frequently sold items here are one-off clothing items created by young Croatian designers. But wait, there’s more.

KAWA also sells jewelry, ceramics, tote bags, cosmetics, olive oil, and rakija, which is a potent spirit. It is also the best place to find authentic items you want to give as gifts for your loved ones. Plus, you’ll also support local. This is one of the greatest things to do in Dubrovnik if you are looking for a unique way to shop. 

9. Swim And Sunbathe On Lopud Island’s Šunj Beach

Your beach adventure does not end at Lokrum Island. For more of your water adventures, take it to Šunj Beach at Lopud Island. 

Reaching Šunj Beach from Dubrovnik via a ferry. And as you sail into the bay, feast your eyes upon the fortified Franciscan monastery that juts out high above the sea along the way. It was recently renovated and now houses a luxurious retreat known as Lopud 1483. This name pays tribute to the monastery’s origins in 1483. 

Then, from the seafront promenade you’ll distinguish with its palm trees, simply follow a two-kilometer track through lush Mediterranean vegetation to reach Šunj Beach itself. The walk will be worth it all because glorious swathes of sand, a sheltered bay, and warm shallow seas will welcome you.

10. Hike Up Mount Srđ And Have A Picnic Overlooking The City

If you are looking for things to do in Dubrovnik where you’ll see picturesque views of the city, you better do it from Mount Srđ. Sure, there are a lot of vantage points around Dubrovnik that will provide you with good views of the city, but nothing beats them from Mount Srđ, which directly rises from behind the old town. 

Yes, the picnic. To get this experience, be sure to coordinate with Piknik Dubrovnik at least a day in advance and ask them to prepare your lunch, packed in an easy-to-carry insulated backpack, together with a map and blanket. You’ll have your picnic at Mount Srđ. 

To reach the mountain’s peak, you’ll need to hike a zig-zagging hillside path at two kilometers, following the Stations of the Cross. Once you reach the top, you’ll find a 19th-century fortress, a bar-restaurant, and a viewing deck that will give you the most astonishing vistas down onto town and out across the Adriatic Sea. If you think the hike is too steep for you, you can instead ride the cable car up the mountain, then simply hike back down. Dubrovnik is beautiful, right?

Thank you for reading our “things to do in Dubrovnik” guide. The city is wonderful, isn’t it? For more guides to Europe’s most well-loved destinations, click this link. 

Know These Tips Before You Go Enjoy Those Things To Do In Dubrovnik

Exploring Dubrovnik, just like how you do for other destinations around the world, is not just about booking your flight ticket, packing your bags, and riding the plane. You must also be able to know the essential travel tips as you visit the place, so you won’t be missing out on the things to do in Dubrovnik, for instance. So, here are some travel tips to know before you visit this beautiful city in Croatia.

• Do your city sightseeing later in the day if you don’t want too much of the crowd.
• Be sure to wander around Dubrovnik’s charming narrow lanes, and sip a glass of wine. The restaurants and bars in these narrower lanes also tend to be cheaper than those in the main ones.
• There are a lot of steep steps in the areas surrounding the Old Town. 
• If you want to save money from the airport to the Old Town, take the airport shuttle bus instead of the taxi.
• You will also save money if you choose to stay in an apartment rather than a hotel.

As Long As There Is Heart, There Will Be Croatia

The Croatian city of Dubrovnik is located by the Adriatic Sea, so travelers visiting this place are treated to pristine beaches, beautiful islands, and gorgeous blue waters. But there is more to Dubrovnik than just its waters. Visiting a gallery that tells about Croatia’s past, hiking a mountain and seeing vistas of the town, and sipping a morning coffee at the Old Town are also some of the best things to do in Dubrovnik.

Dubrovnik unravels wondrous enchantments. It is a place where ancient stone walls are weaved as part of its story. This extraordinary city is where time slows down, offering a symphony of pleasures for every traveler’s heart.