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 two 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.
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How many days in Dubrovnik do you need?
Two 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 one 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 one 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 two days focusing on Dubrovnik itself and then two days to explore neighboring countries like Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro.
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're 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 200 kunas (about $32). Yes, the price is steep and has gone up substantially over the years, but I still recommend it. Children and students are 50 kunas (about $8). 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.
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.
Dubrovnik Walks - Ancient City Walls & Wars 2h Walking Tour
Dubrovnik Walks Combo: Old Town & Ancient City Walls - 2 tours at a discount
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 GOT 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.
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.
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.
Dinner and drinks in Old Town
Dubrovnik Itinerary - Day 2
ride the cable car up to Mount Srd
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 150 kunas 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 on your own using the ferry.
Another option is to join a kayak tour that combines Lokrum island with a few other beaches for snorkeling and swimming. This tour kayaks to the island and allows time to explore Lokrum. This tour kayaks around Lokrum and focuses on visiting other beaches.
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.
Mostar
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 half-day trips from Dubrovnik
- 4 hour Ston, Oysters, and Wine tour from Dubrovnik - read about my firsthand experience
- 4 hour Blue Cave Small-Group Boat Tour from Dubrovnik - includes Sunj Beach, Kolocep Island, and the Blue Cave
In Summary
I hope this Dubrovnik 2 day 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.
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Dubrovnik 2 Day Itinerary + EXTENSION OPTIONS
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