Dubrovnik Travel Guide: 10 Things You Must Do Before Leaving

In 2018 I backpacked down the coast of Croatia all the way from the Slovenian border to Montenegro. While on this trip, I spent nearly a week staying in an old town hostel within the city walls of Dubrovnik. Dubrovnik is a vibrant city in one of my favorite nations to take a vacation. I constructed this Dubrovnik travel guide based on some of my favorite activities within (and outside of) the ancient city walls. All attractions are pedestrian friendly from Pile Gate – the city’s main entrance.

1. Take a Film Tour

Dubrovnik is a famous filming location for a handful of pop culture instances. It is the scene of King’s Landing in Game of Thrones and parts of the new Star Wars film were also shot here. You can join a guided tour or take yourself on a self paced walking tour. I was on an intense budget while in Croatia, so I chose the DIY version. I listed the sites I wanted to hit and went off on my own.

Star Wars sites:

Stradun (Main Street), City walls

Game of Thrones sites:

Jesuit staircase, St. Dominic street, Ethnographic museum rupe , Ploce gate, Rector’s palace

2. Walk the City Walls

The Old Town of Dubrovnik is outlined by City Walls that were once used as a defense mechanism. Today, they are an excellent way to admire the architecture and sea from a few stories above everything else. Admission price for adults is 200 Kuna (about $30 USD) but student and child prices are only about 50 Kuna ($7). I was a student when I visited and my American university ID worked for discounted admission. Especially if you are reading this Dubrovnik travel guide in the summer, I recommend going early in the morning to beat both crowds and heat.

3. Go for a Swim

Dubrovnik is located on the coast and is home to crystal clear waters. I visited a beach perched just outside the old town at least three times to swim called Banje Beach. Banje is arguably the most tourist friendly beach in Dubrovnik, but it’s absolutely gorgeous and great for those like me who don’t want to rely on public transport to get to the beach. Water shoes are a must here, like many Mediterranean beaches it is pebbly.

4. Explore By Kayak

Dubrovnik has a handful of kayak trip starting points, but most last 1-3 hours and all will allow you to see the city from a brand new perspective. Gaze up at the walls from the start of the tour, and continue on to unique caves and even the nearby Lokrum island. Bonus: some tours also include a snorkeling component to see the marine life located around city waters.

5. Get Lost Wandering the City

Much like the narrow streets of Venice, Italy, the entire city of Dubrovnik is entirely pedestrian inside the barrier walls. I spent many days (and nights) just wandering the city checking out the sites. Most tourists make Dubrovnik a day trip and leave before dark, so I enjoyed seeing the city fairly quiet. I visited as a solo woman when I was 20 and never felt unsafe no matter how lost I ended up. My hostel was also located at the top of the city, so whenever I truly had no idea where I was I needed only to walk uphill to get back. Dubrovnik is also home to unique street vendors selling ornaments, candy and other trinkets.

6. Climb the Jesuit Stairs

The Jesuit stairs became famous due to Game of Thrones. I was never a major fan of the show but I could still appreciate the beauty of the stairs and enjoyed the walk up. At the peak of the stairs is a beautiful Jesuit Church (hence the name of the stairs) where local vendors gathered.

7. Ride the Cable Car Up Mount Srd

The cable car up Mount Srd is an easy walk from the walls of Dubrovnik. It only takes 3 minutes to go up the mountain via cable car, but much like some instances in Switzerland I felt mild elevation sickness on the way up. That being said, I’d do the cable car again in a heartbeat! The city is beautiful from above, as are the mountains and sea. There is a restaurant with panoramic views of the city up top. I grabbed a table and had a glass of wine before heading down the mountain.

8. Climb Down Mount Srd

The walk up Mount Srd is brutal, especially if you visit in the summer like I did. However, going down is a fairly easy walk. I’d recommend taking the cable car up and enjoying the views and nature on the walk down. The walk is only about a mile long and shouldn’t take more than 30 minutes to complete. I went slowly and enjoyed the stunning views on the way down.

9. Sunbathe at the Beach

My favorite place to sunbathe in Dubrovnik is Sulici. Like all of my recommendations, it is only a short walk from the city’s main gate. I gave myself a day off while in Dubrovnik after months of heavy traveling and just sat by the water here reading for hours. When it got too hot I dipped in the sea. As a solo traveller, a waterproof bag was a must have for me. Although I would leave my towel and book on the beach I always brought my phone and wallet into the water with me. I’d highly recommend doing the same, if anything for your own peace of mind while enjoying a dip.

10. Try Out Local Cuisine

Coastal Croatian cuisine has plenty of Greek and Roman influence. My go to whenever I travel to a coast is seafood, and Dubrovnik did not fall short of this. Some of my favorites here included squid ink pasta, grilled oysters, and Buzara with mussels. Some other specialties of Dubrovnik and the surrounding region include candied oranges, green olives, white Posip wine, beef carpaccio, and cevapi (grilled Serbian sausages without the casing).

I hope that you love Beautiful Dubrovnik as much as I do. Planning a trip through Croatia? Check out some other places I’ve been and my recommendations! Until then, I hope you enjoy my Dubrovnik travel guide.

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Dubrovnik Travel Guide: 10 Things You Must Do Before Leaving