Dubrovnik: The Pearl of the Adriatic 🇭🇷
If your looking for the ideal long weekend getaway in Europe, offering (almost guaranteed) sun, amazing architecture, great food & cocktails all set in a stunning coastal location, Dubrovnik should be right at the top of your list. The old town, set inside fortified city walls and iconic terracotta rooftops, contains a myriad of buildings blending Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque styles dating back as early as the 11th century. Get lost down the cobble streets hunting for fresh seafood, book onto a boat tour to explore the local islands, walk the historic walls - read on to learn how to make the most of this epic city.
I have been lucky enough to visit Dubrovnik twice! First, as part of a girls trip and later as a day trip with family as part of our European summer road trip. Although the boys had fun exploring the city I wouldn’t necessarily say that Dubrovnik is the most child friendly of places to visit, and it certainly struck me as having a more sophisticated, grown up vibe!
WHERE IS DUBROVNIK?
Dubrovnik is in the extreme southern part of Croatia on the Adriatic Sea. Known as the "Pearl of the Adriatic” - one of Dubrovnik’s biggest advantages is its proximity to neighbouring countries, making it an excellent base for day trips. Only a short drive away, you can explore:
🇧🇦 Bosnia & Herzegovina (specifically Mostar) – reach in around 2.5 hours by car. Mostar is famous for its stunning Stari Most (Old Bridge) - where you may see guys jumping into the river below, exquisite ottoman architecture, and the bustling bazaar. A day trip here offers a fascinating mix of East and West, and you’ll find great cuisine, at much lower prices.
🇲🇪 Montenegro – less than 2 hours away, Montenegro is a popular day trip for visitors to Dubrovnik. With charming coastal towns like Kotor with its bay set in the valley and ancient medieval fortress. Perast, known for its scenic waterfront and island churches, and Tivat - with Porto Montenegro for yatch watching and high end shopping!
Its strategic location makes Dubrovnik not only a destination— but a gateway to exploring the Balkans! 🌍✨
HOW TO GET TO DUBROVNIK?
Most major UK airports offer a direct service to Dubrovnik with the flight time being around 2hr 45minutes, check with your preferred operator as some services can be seasonal between the spring and autumn months. Carriers including British Airways, and budget operators like Jet2, Ryanair and Easyjet all offer services with off peak tickets being available for as little as £20 oneway!
Within the rest of Europe, Dubrovnik is well connected - we found multiple direct services from Vienna, Brussels, Amsterdam, Munich, Rome, Paris and others.
While for our US friends, there appears to be seasonal options for direct flights out of Newark Liberty (EWR).
HOW DO I GET FROM THE AIRPORT TO DUBROVNIK OLD TOWN?
The airport is around 30 minutes away by car from the old town. Taxis and services like Uber are available, but in our case (since we were a larger group) our Airbnb host organised this for us! It’s always worth asking your host for help with transfers, or other local help you may need, to take the stress away on arrival. Our transfer was around £50 one way for a party of 5.
WHERE TO STAY IN DUBROVNIK?
Hotels in the old town can be pretty expensive especially in peak season. The average nightly rate we found for a mid-tier hotel stay was in the £150-£200/night range (based on 2 people), with family rooms demanding a £350-£450/night rate (based on 2-adults, 2-kids). We found much better value only a short walk from the old town and stayed in and Airbnb with a pool only a 15 minutes walk from the city walls, for a more economical £40pp/night. There’s a taxi rank, and public transport options directly outside the entrance to the old town, uber is also available - so getting around without your own transport is a breeze.
🌟TIP: Dubrovnik is not flat and the walk to the old town is downhill and therefore a much easier, if your considering walking one way and taxing the way back - I recommend getting a taxi back up on your way home!🌟
WHAT ARE THE BEST ACTIVITIES TO DO IN DUBROVNIK?
#1 BOAT TOUR OF THE ELAPHITI ISLANDS: A highlight of our trip was a boat tour of the Elaphiti islands, a small archipelago consisting of several islands stretching northwest of Dubrovnik. We decided to take a private tour which lasted around three hours, it included the opportunity to island hop and explore multiple islands as well as taking a dip in the sea to swim into the famous blue caves. The cost of this was around £50pp (shoulder season) - slightly more than the group tours we’d seen offered, but worth the extra in my opinion. Other tours are available to suit different budgets - these are our top 3 recommendations for Dubrovnik boat tours:
#2 TAKE THE CABLE CAR UP MOUNT SRD: the cable cars are easily reachable from the old town, only a five minute walk from the main square. Tickets can be bought in advance or on the day. Be mindful that there maybe a queues - especially if you have a reservation at the restaurant at the top (which I’d highly recommend!). The views on the way up and at the top are breathtaking and offer a unique perspective that many visitors do not experience. A popular option is to buy a one way ticket to the top and enjoying the 45-minute walk back down. At the time of writing, a one way ticket is €15, with the return €27. Check out this - cable car, walking tour and city walls combo
#3 WALK THE CITY WALLS: Walking the walls is a must! Although after the price hike seen in recent years, it is less of a recommendation than it perhaps once was! Tickets are €35 per adult - which is expensive! You will need to book your tickets online ahead of turning up, this makes the process a lot smoother. We’d recommend getting there early, to avoid the heat - and the crowds and to wear comfy shoes. We steadily walked the walls in just under an hour, and grabbed a fresh squeezed orange juice (for €6 euros) and sat down to take in the views. Check these city walls tours:
#4 AFTERNOON AT A BEACH CLUB: That’s right Dubrovnik has it all, a city break with the option to head to the beach club to refresh and chill after a morning of exploring! We headed to Banje Beach Club for a sunset of dinner and drinks! The perfect end to a girls day exploring if I do say so myself, what a treat to watch the sunset and listen to the waves. Banje Beach Club is only a short walk from the centre and they also offer sunbed rental during the day.
#5 GAME OF THRONES TOUR: Although this is not something we took part in (as we didn’t watch the series) we witnessed many who did - Game of Thrones is a huge draw for many who visit Dubrovnik, with parts of the series being filmed here. Walking tours are very popular and a great way to learn all about the city from a local expert - here the ones that made our shortlist:
#6 CLIFF JUMPING AT BUZA BAR: I know what you must be thinking, cliff jumping - WHAT THE…?! Even if you are not up for jumping into the ocean yourself, watching others do it is just as fun! The Buza bar is located in the old town, and the entrance - just off Od Kastela, near the Church of St. Margaret - is fairly inconspicuous. Head down to the bar (in our experience you may need cash) grab a cold drink and watch others jump into the water, or have a go yourself. check opening time, the bar is only open in peak season.
OUR RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PLACES TO EAT IN DUBROVNIK
Lets not beat around the bush, Dubrovnik is expensive, however there are some ‘hacks’ you can employ to avoid things getting out of hand…
💰 CHEAP EATS:
HOLY BUREK - situated within the old town this is a great grab and go option for an easy lunch on the move. They have meat and veggie options, generous portion and was our go to go when having a busy itinerary.
BURGER TIGER - a fast food option that is open late and located in the old town. If you fancy a late bite after a few drinks, this is the spot for you.
😮 RESTAURANTS WITH A VIEW:
RESTAURANT PANARAMA: Located at the top of the mountain, there is no better view of the city. With the cable car to get up there this is a whole experience. They offer casual lunch options as well as fancier, aesthetic dishes, they also have a great cocktail menu. Enjoy!
BANJI BEACH CLUB: Eat lunch or dinner sat beside the ocean, enjoying a trendy vibe and great music.
👏 CROWD PLEASERS:
SESAME: located just outside the old town walls, Sesame is a super cute, warm and inviting restaurant with a beautiful dinning terrace. It has a relaxed atmosphere, elegant yet laid back brasserie-style interior and serves a range of seafood, steak and great food options to suit all!
GRADSKA KAVANA ARSENAL: A beautiful spot next to the harbour! We had breakfast before the island hopping boat tour. This spot has an indoor, outdoor vibe with great traditional options and offers something a little different! Their iced latte on a sunny morning was just the ticket!
🌟TIP: Most restaurants offer child or smaller options but be aware that these can be as much as €16pp, with adult mains typically €30-40 per dish. We found most restaurants offer “warm starters” which are small mains for around €20. 🌟
DUBROVNIK FAQ’s
💡 WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT DUBROVNIK?
We highly recommend visiting during the shoulder season (spring and autumn)! While the weather can be a bit unpredictable, it’s usually worth the gamble. The first time I visited Dubrovnik was in early May, just before peak holiday season, and we enjoyed pleasant mid-20s°C temperatures with sunshine—perfect for exploring. On my second visit in August, the temperature soared to the high 30s°C, making midday almost unbearable.
Visiting in the off-season is also a great way to avoid the crowds and experience Dubrovnik at a more relaxed pace while still enjoying mild weather.
💡 IS DUBROVNIK EXPENSIVE?
Yes, Dubrovnik is undeniably touristy, and prices—especially for food and drink in the Old Town—can be quite high. Dining out can add up quickly, so we recommend having breakfast at your Airbnb or hotel (if included), grabbing a quick lunch on the go (Holy Burek is a great option!), and saving your budget for a nice dinner and cocktails.
While Dubrovnik isn’t the cheapest destination, don’t let that put you off—it’s a stunning city, and with a little planning, you can make the most of your visit without overspending!
Here’s a selection of prices for typical items in and around Dubrovnik:
Coffee (Latte) - €4.50 – €6.50 / £3.50 – £5.50
Coca-Cola (0.3L) - €4.00 – €5.50 / £3.00 – £4.50
Pizza (Margherita) - €12.00 – €15.00 / £10.00 – £13.00
Sandwich - €7.00 – €9.00/ £5.20 – £7.00
Ice Cream (1 scoop) - €3.00 – €4.00/ £2.50 – £3.50
Meal (Mid-range restaurant) - €20.00 – €35.00 / £17.30 – £30.30
💡 DOES DUBROVNIK HAVE GOOD BEACHES?
Dubrovnik is situated on the coast and the water is beautifully blue and clear! The beaches we found however were pebbly and access was generally quite poor near the old town. The best option close to the town would be a beach club (such as Banje) in our opinion.