2 Days in Dubrovnik | Itinerary + Extension Options • Abroad with Ash

Discover the perfect Dubrovnik itinerary! I'll show you what to see and do, where to eat, and tips for beating the crowds. Have more than 2 days in Dubrovnik? Choose from some of the TOP day trips and tours.

Dubrovnik is the most popular and well-known tourist destination in Croatia. And for good reason. The moment you step foot in Old Town you'll be transported to another world.

It almost doesn't feel real with it's traffic-free streets lined with cafes and shops, laundry strung alleys, ancient stone buildings topped with tiles made from every shade of red and orange. Old Town oozes Medieval charm. The walls surrounding the city are still intact and are the top attraction in Dubrovnik.

Tourism has exploded due to Game of Thrones and cruise ships. While the hoards of crowds may be frustrating, Dubrovnik is still a must on any Croatia itinerary.

As long as you time your sightseeing priorities right, you'll have a memorable experience. Better yet, visit during the shoulder seasons to have a better chance of fewer crowds.

Before we get started on this Dubrovnik 2 day itinerary, let's first discuss how many days in Dubrovnik are ideal.

table of contents

How many days in Dubrovnik do you need?

Dubrovnik Itinerary - Day 1

Dubrovnik Itinerary - Day 2

Dubrovnik Itinerary - Extension Options

In Summary

This map shows everything listed in this 2 days in Dubrovnik itinerary. Click the icon in the very top left to see a list view of each pinned location. Click the top right button to enlarge the map. Click the star to save to your own Google Maps account. To access this map once saved (after clicking the star), open Google Maps (on your phone/computer/tablet), click the menu button, go to "your places", select "maps", and you will see this map listed.

Blue - day 1 in Dubrovnik sights
Purple - day 2 in Dubrovnik sights
Black - restaurants/gelato/bars

Dubrovnik rooftops and Lokrum in the distance - 2 Days in Dubrovnik Itinerary

How many days in Dubrovnik do you need?

SHORT AND SWEET - TWO DAYS IN DUBROVNIK IS ENOUGH TIME TO EXPLORE OLD TOWN AND SEE THE TOP SIGHTS. FOUR DAYS IS IDEAL IF YOU WANT TIME TO RELAX BY THE BEACH/POOL AND ADD ONE OR TWO DAY TRIPS.

2 days in Dubrovnik is just enough time to explore Old Town and the surrounding areas. You could technically see all the main sights with just 1 day in Dubrovnik, but it will feel rushed and you'll regret not having a second evening to soak in the atmosphere.

Plus, with current crowd levels, it's best to use mornings and evenings to see the sights and save the afternoons for relaxing on the beach, escaping to neighboring islands, or sipping an espresso while admiring the views.

If you have just 1 day in Dubrovnik, you'll be forced to fit in a lot of sights and activities in the afternoon, when it's extremely crowded.

If you're able to extend your itinerary for Dubrovnik, I highly recommend 4 days so you can add a few day trips (more on that below).

Spend 2 days focusing on Dubrovnik itself and then 2 days to explore neighboring countries like Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro.

Dubrovnik City Walls

Walking the city walls with Lovrijenac Fortress in the background - 2 Days in Dubrovnik Itinerary

Dubrovnik Itinerary - Day 1

Day one of your itinerary for Dubrovnik will focus on Old Town (within the city walls).

Walk the city walls

Read my detailed post about walking the walls of Dubrovnik

The Dubrovnik walls are an iconic symbol of the city and a must on any Dubrovnik itinerary. This is, after all, the #1 attraction.

They are about a mile in length and will take 1.5 - 2 hours to walk while enjoying breathtaking views.

Strolling the perimeter of Old Town, you'll see the glistening Adriatic Sea, iconic red rooftops, quiet courtyards, squares filled with people, the lush Island of Lokrum, and the Stradun (the promenade that runs down the center of Old Town) from above.

Tickets can be purchased with credit card or Croatian kunas. Entrance is 265 kunas (about €35/$39).

Yes, the price is steep and has gone up substantially over the years, but I still recommend it. Children and students are 115 kunas (about $16).

Tickets also include entrance to Lovrijenac Fortress.

Start your walk at the Pile Gate entrance. The moment you enter the Stradun through Pile Gate, turn left and you'll find the entrance to the city walls and the office to buy tickets.

Check what time they open and arrive at least 10 minutes early.

Dubrovnik city walls - 2 Days in Dubrovnik Itinerary

Consider joining a tour: the Dubrovnik walls are a great place to join a tour and learn the history and stories of this city while viewing the sights from above.

Stradun - 2 Days in Dubrovnik Itinerary

Walking tour

After you've gotten your fill of spectacular views from above, now is the perfect time to join a tour at ground level.

Game of Thrones tours are the most popular and a must for anyone who has seen the show.

I did this 2-hour Dubrovnik Game of Thrones walking tour in May and loved it! The guide was fantastic and had a lot of inside scoop on the filming/cast as well as information about Dubrovnik and some history tidbits.

This a great option for a private tour (3 hours) as it combines the city walls with Game of Thrones filming sites.

Pro Tip: it's best to do a Game of Thrones walking tour the same day you walk the walls. Your ticket to the city walls includes entrance to the Lovrijenac Fortress.

This will most likely be on your GOT walking tour as it's a major filming site. Otherwise, you'll have to pay an extra 50 kunas to enter the fortress.

Check out these tours if you're not into Game of Thrones:

Get a quick taste of the history of Dubrovnik with this 1-Hour Discovery Walking Tour
Learn the secrets and hidden gems of Dubrovnik with a local on this 2 hour private tour.
Eat and drink your way through Croatian cuisine with this 3 hour food walking tour.

Stradun - 2 Days in Dubrovnik Itinerary

Stroll the Stradun and wander Old Town

Spend at least two to three hours to wander the Stradun and around Old Town. Depending on when your walking tour is, do this before or after your tour.

Stop in a few shops, sip an espresso while enjoying ocean views, order a scoop (or three) of the best gelato in Dubrovnik at Peppino's, and have a relaxed lunch.

I highly recommend Dubravka 1836. It's just outside Pile Gate and offers incredible views. The food is good and it's reasonably priced considering the location and view.

Lovrijenac Fortress and Gradac Park

If you didn't already visit Lovrijenac Fortress and Gradac Park on your earlier walking tour, now is time to make a quick stop. Your ticket to the city walls includes entrance to the Lovrijenac Fortress.

Wander the fortress, be sure to go to the very top for views of Old Town across the bay.

After you leave the fortress, enjoy a quick escape at Gradac park. This small forested area is a nice break from Old Town where it can get quite hot with all the stone.

Dubrovnik restaurants - 2 Days in Dubrovnik Itinerary

Dinner and drinks in Old Town

Enjoy Old Town once all the day trippers have departed. Grab a cocktail at one of the many bars lining the Stradun. I like SNEK and Gradska Kavana Arsenal. Both offer ideal locations for people watching and soaking in the Old Town atmosphere.

For dinner I recommend Trattoria Carmen. There are also several adorable sidewalk cafes on Prijeko street. Take a look at Lucin Kantun and Restaurant Lanaii.

Cable car to Mount Srd - 2 Days in Dubrovnik Itinerary

Dubrovnik Itinerary - Day 2

ride the cable car up to Mount Srd

Buy an absurdly overpriced ticket to whisk you up to the top of Mount Srd. The cable car ride takes no more than 3-minutes and is 205 kunas roundtrip ($30) or 115 kunas one way ($17). Even though it's expensive, it's worth it for the views of Dubrovnik below.

Most people recommend going at sunset. I recommend the opposite because I prefer to take the cable car up and walk down. The cable car ride is so fast you'll barely have time to take pictures, plus, it will be crowded.

You'll have plenty of time to stop, enjoy the views, and snap a million photos by walking back down to Old Town. If you go at sunset, you'll need to take the cable car down since it'll be dark.

Just be sure to wear walking shoes (the path is rocky) and don't wander off the path. Though the area has been cleared of landmines, this was once a war zone, so it's best not to venture off the path.

Enjoying Peppino's - 2 Days in Dubrovnik Itinerary

Alleyways of Dubrovnik - 2 Days in Dubrovnik Itinerary

Wander Old Town a second time before the crowds descend

If you're like me, I'm sure you'll be itching to return to take another wander (and coffee/gelato break) around Old Town before the cruise ship crowds descend upon the city.

Kayak tour (or boat trip) to Lokrum Island

Escape the crowds and visit the cursed island of Lokrum. Ferries depart from Old Port in Dubrovnik. Tickets are $30 roundtrip (this includes entrance to Lokrum), depart every 30 minutes in the summer (less often other seasons), and whisk you to Lokrum in 15 minutes.

Hike among the cypress, pine, and olive trees (you can cover the entire island in two hours), sunbath, swim, and visit the botanical gardens. Don't forget comfortable walking shoes and a bathing suit/towel.

This makes for a great half day excursion during your 2 days in Dubrovnik.

Another option is to join a kayak tour that combines Lokrum island with a few other beaches for snorkeling and swimming.

Dubrovnik Kayak Tour + Gourmet Snack + Wine Tasting (Small-Group) - kayak around Lokrum and visit some of the saves in a small group with a maximum of 8 guests.
Adventure Dalmatia - Sea Kayaking and Snorkeling Tour Dubrovnik - kayak around Lokrum and visit a few beaches with the option to snorkel.

While this tour doesn't visit Lokrum, it's a fantastic boat tour: Blue Cave 4-Hour Small Group Boat Tour Experience from Dubrovnik

Buza bar

Entrance to Buza Bar - 2 Days in Dubrovnik Itinerary

Cliff diving - 2 Days in Dubrovnik Itinerary from Buza Bar

Buza Bar - 2 Days in Dubrovnik Itinerary

Drinks and Cliff Jumping at Buza Bar

No Dubrovnik itinerary is complete without a visit to Buza Bar. If the weather is warm and the water is calm, jump off the city walls and into the sea below. It's a popular activity during the summer months.

Otherwise, grab a seat at one of the tables (or among the rocks) and nurse a drink while taking in the views.

Dinner and drinks in Old Town

Stop at D'Vino Wine Bar to sample Croatian wine before heading to dinner. Either stay within the city walls for your second night in Dubrovnik, or go just outside the walls and try Sesame. It has the most adorable outside seating and delicious Mediterranean cuisine.

Sunset kayak - 2 Days in Dubrovnik Itinerary

Oysters in Ston - 2 Days in Dubrovnik Itinerary

Mostar - 2 Days in Dubrovnik Itinerary

Dubrovnik Itinerary - Extension Options

As noted earlier, I highly recommend spending 4 days in Dubrovnik. This allows time to fit in two day trips. Use additional time on your Dubrovnik itinerary to explore neighboring countries (Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro), tour the Peljesac Peninsula wine region, or boat around the islands.

If you're visiting Croatia during the warmer months, you may want to use your additional days taking advantage of your hotel pool/nearby beaches and soaking up Dubrovnik's old world atmosphere.

Below are some of the most popular tours and day trips from Dubrovnik.

Top food and wine tours from Dubrovnik

8 hour Ston, Oysters, and Wine tour from Dubrovnik - read about my firsthand experience
Peljesac and Ston Small-Group Food & Wine Experience from Dubrovnik - 8 hour tour with a max of 8 guests
Oysters and Wine Tour from Dubrovnik - 6 hours with a max of 8 guests

Top day trips from Dubrovnik

Not a fan of group tours? Consider a private tour for your day trip

There are pros and cons to group tours, especially ones crossing the border into Bosnia and Hergezovina and Montenegro. You spend a lot of time on the bus and you're on a schedule.

There is always the option to rent a car and do day trips on your own. Just make sure you are allowed to cross the border with your rental car and have the required permits/paperwork.

Also, keep in mind that passing the border can vary in experience. Sometimes it's quick, easy, and under five minutes. Other times there is a long line and it can take an hour or longer. Whether you go on a tour or rent a car, this is something you can't control.

Personally, I would not feel comfortable renting a car and attempting the borders on my own. If you're travel funds allow, booking a private tour is the best alternative.

Banje Beach - 2 Days in Dubrovnik Itinerary

In Summary

I hope this 2 days in Dubrovnik itinerary helps with planning your upcoming trip. Dubrovnik has a lot to offer and is sure to leave an impression (crowds and all).

Be sure to leave time to slow down and relax on your Dubrovnik itinerary. This is not a city to be rushed!

Plan on heavy afternoon crowds and learn to embrace it. Explore Old Town in the morning and at night and save afternoons for activities outside the city walls or to soak up some sun.