Dubrovnik, Croatia Itinerary: 48 Hours in a Dalmatian Paradise

Heading to Dubrovnik, Croatia soon?

Dubrovnik is a marvelous city on the Dalmatian Coast where the pace of life is slower and steadier. Unlike a lot of cities where everything is go, go, go, Dubrovnik is tranquil and embodies the Mediterranean spirit. Dubrovnik’s Old Town is known as one of the most well-preserved medieval cities in the entire world, making it a history-lovers paradise.

In this Dubrovnik, Croatia itinerary, we will explore things to do in 48 hours in the city to get a good taste of everything that Dubrovnik has to offer. We will get a little sample of everything and enjoy the city from its old medieval walls to its relaxing beaches.

Happy sampling!

Table of Contents

Day One – Old Town Exploration & Kayaking

 

On the first day of our tour of Dubrovnik, we are going to explore the Old Town within the city walls, walk atop the walls, pet some wonderful street cats, and take a kayaking tour on the beautiful Adriatic sea.

(1) Dubrovnik Old Town

Start your tour of Dubrovnik in the Old Town center. Dubrovnik is known as the ‘Pearl of the Adriatic’ for a good reason – situated along the Dalmatian Coast, it is absolutely stunning, with churches, monasteries, palaces, fountains, and cobblestoned streets. Now a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Old Town was damaged by an earthquake in 1667 and again in the 1990s due to armed conflict. Over the years, it has been pretty well-preserved and is still an incredibly walkable part of town.

In the Old Town, check out:

• Palaces (Palace Knezev Dvor, Palace Sponza)
• Churches (Dubrovnik Cathedral, Church of Saint Saviour)
• Monasteries (Dominican Monastery, Franciscan Monastery, The Cloisters, Monastery Museum)
• Bell Tower Monument
• Luza Square
• Pile Gate

Explore the Old Town by foot, as there is no driving or cycling allowed. There are a lot of steep steps which makes driving nearly impossible. My friend and I rented a car because we were doing a tour of Croatia and found that parking in the area was either incredibly difficult or worth an arm and a leg. Therefore, leave your car as far away as possible from the Old Town so you won’t have to pay exorbitant parking fees or wait in the tremendous traffic of the narrow one-way streets.

(2) Walk Along The Old Town Walls

Surrounding the Old City of Dubrovnik are impressive walls to protect the town from pirates and other intruders. Built between the 12^th and 17^th centuries, the walls span about 2 kilometers long including 16 small towers. They offer fantastic views of the Adriatic Sea as well as the red-roofed houses and port down below.

It costs €15 (or 113 Croatian Kroner) to walk along the walls, taking about two hours to complete. On a particularly hot or crowded day, the walk might take longer thanks to the one-way nature of the path. Do note that there is no sun cover, and if it’s a hot day, you may start to feel queasy pretty quickly. Take note every time you pass a point where you can exit the walls because they are few and far between.  

(3) Visit the Street Cats

You will quickly notice the sheer number of stray cats wandering the streets of Dubrovnik. The cats are well taken care of, with locals feeding them and providing them with shelters. The weather in Croatia is beautiful year-round, so I highly doubt they are suffering!

If you have a soft spot for strays (like me), leave behind a few euros to take care of them. There are sections in the Old Town where locals have set up sanctuaries for the kitties and collect money for their upkeep. While fridge magnets and souvenirs may be a bit tacky, leaving behind a few bucks is sure to make a precious kitty’s day. Giving them a few pets should be at the top of your Dubrovnik, Croatia itinerary!

(4) Take a Kayaking Tour

There’s no better way to admire the walls than from the water, where you can see them as opposed to standing on top of them. The two most popular kayaking options are the daytime and the sunset trip. We personally took the morning trip and greatly enjoyed it, but of course, there are fantastic reasons to choose either one. All travelers are encouraged regardless of fitness level and kayaking experience.

• Morning Tour – We loved our 2.5-hour and €40 tour by Adventure Dubrovnik (no affiliate links included). We chose the morning slot to avoid the hot afternoon sun and had a great time kayaking outside of the Old City to view the walls and get a good look from Lokrum Island. The tour leaders guided us to a secluded beach to enjoy lunch, snacks, and the opportunity to snorkel. However – and I cannot stress this enough – the water was freezing. Yes, we went in June, when the water should have been slightly pleasant. Even though we were given the option to snorkel, we dipped one toe in the water and decided to stay on the warm sand.

• Sunset Tour – Adventure Dubrovnik also offers a fantastic sunset tour for €45. Departing 2.5 hours before sunset, stop at a secluded beach cave to enjoy the views and a snack. The best part? Upon your return to the beach, you can enjoy a glass of Croatian wine.

Day Two – Panoramic Views, Cultural Walks, & Museums

 

On day two of our Dubrovnik, Croatia itinerary, the nerds among us will geek out over Game of Thrones, we’ll take a cable car to get amazing views of the city, we will learn about Croatia’s dark and divided history, and we will relax on the beach to watch a gorgeous sunset.

(5) Games of Thrones Walking Tour

Games of Thrones fans have been patiently waiting at the edge of their seats for a mention of their beloved TV series – the wait is finally over. I might know nothing about the TV show, but I do know that Dubrovnik gets excited about being one of the filming locations of Game of Thrones. There are a ton of tours that are perfect for fans of the series, where you can follow the footsteps of the cast and see iconic locations. The guides are knowledgeable and will share behind-the-scenes stories. Some were even extras on the show!

There are quite a few available tour options, with most being 2 hours long with multiple time slots available throughout the day. While I cannot offer first-hand suggestions, this one on TripAdvisor has a whopping 1,800+ five-star reviews and is recommended by 98% of travelers. It doesn’t take a Game of Thrones lover to know that those are very good reviews!

(6) Ride the Cable Car

Looking for amazing views of the OId Town to add to your Dubrovnik, Croatia itinerary? Take a cable car up to the top of Srd Hill. Built in 1969, millions of visitors have enjoyed the Dubrovnik cable car thanks to the panoramic views that the top offers. Srd Hill is also the site of an imperial fortress from the early 19^th century, as well as restaurants, snack bars, and other attractions.

For budget travelers, please note that cable car tickets are a bit pricer (€27 for a round-trip ticket), but there is also the option to hike up to Srd Hill to save a few bucks. Hiking is a great activity for fit and budget travelers alike. It takes approximately 1 hour to hike to the top and a further 40 minutes to descend. The total one-way distance is 2.1 kilometers, but the trail is relatively easy. As with most activities in Dubrovnik, there is no sun coverage, so on a particularly hot day, make sure to pack many liters of water. For more information on hiking, check out this article called Mount Srd Hike: Dubrovnik’s Most Scenic Viewpoint.

Most of the time, the cable car runs from 9:00 AM to Midnight, but it is seasonal, with closures occurring between November and February.

(7) Visit the Red History Museum

Croatian history, like much of Europe and its neighbors, is quite dark. The Red History Museum is the country’s first museum to address its socialist history which was previously shut down by a divided society that could not come to a consensus about how to speak to this history.

A small but powerful exhibit collection, the Red History Museum is a great place to learn about how Croatia’s past impacted its previous society and shaped today’s politics. The museum’s mission is to bring attention to Dubrovnik outside of the Old Town Walls, teaching visitors about the greater social impact of Croatia’s history.  

Entrance to the museum only costs €9. You certainly won’t need more than an hour in this exhibition, but it is fantastic to take a walk through.

(8) Watch the Sunset at Banje Beach

Located a 5-minute walk away from Dubrovnik’s Old Town, you’ll find Banje Beach. While often crowded, Banje Beach offers great views of the Old Town and the sea. Find restaurants, cafes, and jet skis available for rent. On a hot day, locals and tourists flock to this spot of warm sand to soak up the sun, but at night, it has one of the most underrated sunset views in the city. Banje Beach gets quieter in the evening, where you can sit on the rocks and enjoy a pink sunset.

Bonus: Island Exploration & Day Trips

 

Have a bit of extra time and want to add more to your Dubrovnik, Croatia itinerary? Venture outside of the city and check out some of the gorgeous islands floating in the Adriatic Sea.

• Lokrum Island

Visit Lokrum Island, a quick 15-minute boat ride from the center of Dubrovnik. The ticket fee of around 200 Croatian Kroners includes entrance into the nature reserve island. Top attractions include secret gardens, free-roaming peacocks, a tree-lined path called the Path of Paradise, and rocky swimming holes.

If you choose to take a kayaking tour, Lokrum Island will be one of the stops, but if you want to explore the nature reserve even further, we suggest taking the ferry and spending a half-day on the island.

• Mljet National Park

Another fantastic island on the Dalmatian archipelago is Mljet National Park. Located 27 kilometers from Dubrovnik, the ferry takes about one hour, dropping you off in a beautiful national park considered to be one of the last paradises of the Mediterranean.

The park is covered by a dense pine forest, making it a great place to explore as a hiker, cyclist, or nature enjoyer. The island offers canoeing and kayaking as well as visiting historical sites such as a church and medieval monastery. For more information on how to get there and what ferry to take, check out this comprehensive guide from Mljet Travel.

• Elaphiti Islands

Last but certainly not least, if you are interested in an island-hopping tour, look no further than the Elaphiti Islands. This archipelago is comprised of 6 main islands and a total of 13 islets. Island-hopping tours allow you to relax in the ocean, eat fresh seafood, and do a wine tasting.

The Wayfaress wrote a great guide on 6 Reasons to Explore the Elaphiti Islands.

• Day Trip to Montenegro

Another country! If you are guilty of being a country scratcher like me, you’ll want to take a day trip to Montenegro. Renting a car and crossing the border between the two countries is incredibly easy, and two favorite cities are:

• Kotor: Located two hours from Dubrovnik, Kotor is a fortified town tucked into the Bay of Kotor and offers visitors the opportunity to explore its cathedral, winding streets, and medieval squares.
• Herceg Novi: Just a bit over an hour away from Dubrovnik, Herceg Novi is a beach town with jaw-dropping hotels, wineries, and a quaint old town.

Croatian Food to Try in Dubrovnik

 

What is traveling without trying the local food? There is no shortage of fresh seafood and hearty stews in Croatia’s cuisine. Check out these five must-eat items when you’re in Dubrovnik. One of the most well-known and visited restaurants in Dubrovnik is the Panorama Restaurant which offers 360-degree views of the sea and city.

1. Seafood

It’s not a trip to Croatia without trying the seafood. Dubrovnik’s location along the Adriatic Sea means that the seafood dishes are fantastic no matter the type. Fish, octopus, and everything in between is mouth-watering. Croatians are proud of their Buzara, a simple mussel dish with wine broth, garlic, and bread crumbs. Along the same lines, you must try Croatian oysters that have a characteristically intense flavor.  

2. Istrian Yota

If you’re fancying a hearty and warm meal, try the national dish of Croatia called Istrian yota. This soup is made of beans, sauerkraut, potatoes, and bacon. More popular in the Northwestern part of Croatia, you will still be able to find the dish on a menu in Dubrovnik.

3. Ćevapi

Ćevapi is a dish made of grilled minced meat formed into long nuggets. They are frequently enjoyed with an ice-cold beer and are the national dish of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

4. Black Risotto

It’s hard to find a restaurant in Croatia that does not serve black risotto or crni rižot. This risotto is made with squid ink which gives it its iconic black color and is usually accompanied by squid meat and other seafood chunks to add “umph” to your meal. This dish is incredibly enjoyable and is sure to turn your teeth black.

5. Olive Oil

We’ve all had olive oil, but Croatian olive oil is next level. In ancient Roman times, the production of oil prioritized quantity over quality, but in more recent times, there has been an outcropping of independent small-batch, family-run places that are a great addition to your Dubrovnik, Croatia itinerary.

Where to Stay in Dubrovnik

 

1. Old Town: a great neighborhood for first-time visitors as it’s right in the heart of the city and the major attractions. Conveniently located, you will be a 10-minute walk away from most central sites.
   Pros: Walkable; central location; great for travelers who are in Dubrovnik for a short amount of time
   Cons: Hostels and Airbnbs in the area are more pricey; crowded

2. Ploče: the neighborhood for lovers of luxury and the beach. Located on the Eastern edge of Old Town, Ploče is the home of exclusive hotels with fantastic views of the Adriatic Sea. While not a great option for cheaper travelers, those with a higher budget should check out this tranquil neighborhood.
   Pros: Quieter; great beach options
   Cons: Expensive

3. Gruž: an underrated neighborhood that brings down-to-earth and casual vibes. Gruž is the site of the main ferry port and bus terminal (this is where you’ll come if you’re traveling from Split). Gruž Market is an open-air venue that is worth a visit if you’re staying in this area.
   Pros: Authentic; great for travelers arriving/departing via ferry or bus; cheaper
   Cons: Farther from Old Town and major attractions

The Dubrovnik Pass

 

The Dubrovnik Pass is a sightseeing access card that allows visitors to use the card instead of cash for admission tickets to individual sites as well as public transportation. The benefits of the Dubrovnik Pass are that you receive free public transportation, discounts on attractions, and save time waiting in line at ticket booths.

The Dubrovnik Pass is a good option for you if you are interested in going into cathedrals, museums, and monasteries. They offer three options: a daily pass for €15, a three-day pass for €25, and a seven-day pass for €35. Therefore, visitors who are staying in Dubrovnik for longer than a couple of days should consider getting the pass.

The Dubrovnik Pass is not a great option for you if you only see historical buildings from the exterior, aren’t interested in museums, aren’t planning on taking the bus, or are only staying in Dubrovnik for 48 hours (the length of this itinerary!). The Dubrovnik Pass is an option for all travelers but history-lovers would benefit the most.

 

Frequently Asked Questions About Dubrovnik, Croatia

 

Is Dubrovnik worth visiting?

Absolutely! Dubrovnik, Croatia is a beautiful town along the Adriatic Sea that you cannot miss. While you don’t need to spend a considerable amount of time in the city, it is worth a visit to marvel at the medieval buildings and gawk at the locations of Game of Thrones filming.

How many days do you need in Dubrovnik, Croatia?

Dubrovnik, Croatia is a small but mighty city, where you can see most major attractions in one day. However, to make room for more adventures such as kayaking and venturing out of the Old Town walls, we suggest spending at least a full 48 hours in the city. This itinerary is perfect to follow to get a good taste of the historical district as well as the locals’ neighborhoods.

What is the best time of year to visit?

The best time of year to visit Dubrovnik is during the shoulder seasons of spring and fall, between April and June, and September to October. During the summer months, temperatures in Dubrovnik can rise rapidly, and there is a noticeable lack of cloud coverage in the city. If you are planning on walking the Old Town walls and engaging in other physical activities, the summer is not the best time to visit. Winter in Croatia isn’t terribly chilly as it never will drop below 45°F, but most of Dubrovnik’s activities are outdoors. If you are interested in taking a ferry ride to a neighboring island, the ferries do not run between November and April.

Is 3 days too long in Dubrovnik?

If you are a fast traveler who likes to see a lot in one day, you certainly don’t need to spend three days in Dubrovnik and may find yourself getting bored. However, if are a slower traveler and want to spend time at the beach or explore nearby islands, three days is perfect. If you plan on spending three days in Dubrovnik, venture outside of the Old Town and take a day trip to any Dalmatian island, Bosnia and Herzegovina, or Montenegro.

Is it better to stay in Split or Dubrovnik?

There is a very different pace of life in Split than in Dubrovnik. Split is perfect for travelers who want an upbeat and cosmopolitan experience, as the city is known for its nightlife, vibrant waterfront, and trendy restaurants. Dubrovnik, on the other hand, is quieter, more historical, and embodies a slower pace of life. We highly suggest visiting both cities and skipping Zagreb during your tour of Croatia.

That is all for today’s Dubrovnik, Croatia itinerary! We hope you enjoyed this fast-paced and walkable itinerary so you could get a little sample of everything in Croatia’s amazing historical city. There is so much to drool over and enjoy in this beautiful town. Heading to another city in Croatia? Check out our guide on 36 Hours in Split, Croatia, or our general European guides.

Happy sampling!