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With its well-preserved medieval architecture and fascinating history, Dubrovnik, Venice’s rival in the Adriatic sea, is truly a unique Mediterranean destination. This UNESCO World Heritage Site houses one of the most impressive medieval fortifications in the world. Dwell into its Roman foundations including the rule of the Byzantine empire over the city. Visit its ornate churches, monasteries and monuments to explore the city’s religious history before going island hopping in the Adriatic sea.
There’s much to explore in the Pearl of the Adriatic, through this three-day Dubrovnik itinerary.
Dubrovnik 3-day itinerary at a glance
Day 1
You can spend your first day in the Old Town of Dubrovnik, soaking up the history of the city. Alternatively, if you are a Game of Thrones fan, you can sign up for a Game of Thrones walking tour, which covers the same locations in the Old Town but through the lens of the popular fantasy series. Start at the Pile Gate in Stradun and stroll through the street, visiting important structures on the way. You’ll come across the Sponza Palace at the end of Stradun, where you can find the impressive armoury and treasury of the city. Proceed to St. Blaise’s Church and Rector’s Palace, after which you’ll come across the beautiful cathedral of Dubrovnik. Spend your evening roaming around the magnificent city walls.
- Stradun
- Sponza Palace
- St. Blaise’s Church
- Rector’s Palace
- Dubrovnik Cathedral
- City Walls
Day 2
Begin your day at the historic forts of the Dubrovnik city walls – Fort Lovrijenac and Minčeta Tower. In the afternoon, you can paddle your way to the pretty Lokrum islands on a kayak sea tour. Spend the evening relaxing and partying at Banje Beach and catch a picturesque sunset on Srđ Hill.
- Fort Lovrijenac
- Minčeta Tower
- Sea Kayaking Tour to Lokrum Island
- Banje Beach
- Cable Car ride to Srđ Hill
Day 3
Spend your last day in Dubrovnik exploring its tranquil islands. The three most popular islands of the Elafiti islands – Koločep, Šipan and Lopud – offer sandy beaches, exquisite gardens and towering fortresses where you can spend your day away from the bustling crowds of Dubrovnik. You can book an Elafiti Islands tour package (private tours, group cruises with lunch and drinks, sail yacht cruises along with swimming and snorkelling, sea kayaking and snorkelling tours and more) to ensure transportation, but if you want, you can catch a water taxi or take the daily ferries of Jadrolinija to the islands to explore the place (and discover off-beat paths) on your own time.
- Koločep
- Šipan
- Lopud
Detailed 3 day Dubrovnik itinerary
Day 1
Enter the Old Town through the Stradun street
Stretched between the Pile and the Ploče, the two town gates of Dubrovnik, Stradun is the main street of the city and houses some important historic monuments. In the middle of Stradun lies the bustling promenade, filled with restaurants and quaint cafes from where you can indulge in people-watching while enjoying your morning coffee.
If you’re interested in spending more of your time outside in the sun, check out our 9 ways to soak in the outdoors of Dubrovnik.
Things to do:
- Enter through the 15th century Pile Gate (Old Town entrance), inside which you can find the Onofrio Fountain
- Visit the Franciscan Church and Monastery, a beautiful church of the Order of the Friars, which also houses a pharmacy and library
- Pay your respects at the 14th-century Dubrovnik Synagogue decorated in the Baroque style with beautiful Jewish artefacts throughout the ages
- Stroll around Orlando’s Column or Orlandov Stup, erected after the famous knight Orlando who is said to have fought for the city against invaders
- At the end of Stradun stands Luza Square, where you can find the Clock Tower and Sponza Palace.
Useful information:
- Location: Stradun
- Timings: Always open.
- Cost: Free entry.
- How to reach: Bus: Pile.
Explore the Sponza Palace
This 16th-century palace in Dubrovnik was built in a mix of Gothic and Renaissance styles. The Sponza Palace serves a variety of public functions, including the mint, treasury, armoury, school and literary academy.
Useful information:
- Location: Stradun 2
- Timings: Daily, 8:00 am – 6:00 pm.
- How to reach: Bus, Pile.
Experience the miracles of St. Blaise’s Church
Built by Marino Gropelli in the Venetian Baroque style, St. Blaise’s church replaced the old church of Dubrovnik that fell victim to the fire of 1706. The church has stood there since 1715, protecting the silver statue of St Blaise, hailed as the patron saint of Dubrovnik, (that apparently needs no protection, since it did not succumb to the fire in 1706).
Useful information:
- Location: Rkt. crkva sv. Vlaha.
- How to reach: Bus, Pile.
Browse the historic Rector’s Palace
Built in the 15th century by Onofrio di Giordano de la Cava who was also responsible for the construction of Dubrovnik’s water supply system and the famous Onofrio fountains, the Rector’s Palace was the centre of governance in Old Dubrovnik. This tranquil Gothic and Renaissance palace with Baroque additions is now home to the Cultural History Museum of Dubrovnik.
Things to do: Explore the different scenes of the early Renaissance and preserved artefacts of Old Dubrovnik such as the aristocratic coats of arms, paintings of old masters like Carracci, Tintoretto, Giorgione and Bordone, coins, the original keys of the city, and important state documents.
Useful information:
- Location: Knežev dvor
- Timings: Thursday – Tuesday 9:00 am – 6:00 pm.
- Cost:
-
- Regular rate: 100 KN
- Reduced rate (for schoolchildren and students): 50 KN
- Free entry for children aged 0-11.
- How to reach: Bus, Pile.
Visit the Dubrovnik Cathedral
The Dubrovnik Cathedral, formally known as the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, was built in the 17th century after the former Romanesque cathedral that stood in the same spot, perished in the great earthquake of 1667. This Baroque structure houses many religious paintings and sculptures of the saints of Dubrovnik.
Things to do: Spot the Polyptych by Titian which portrays the Assumption of the Virgin, a reliquary of items from the 11th-18th century (including the True Cross), the altar of St. John of Nepomuk, and the statue of St. Blaise.
Useful information:
- Location: Ul. kneza Damjana Jude 1
- Timings: 8:00 am- 8:00 pm.
- How to reach: Bus, Pile.
Stroll around the City Walls
Considered to be one of the greatest fortification feats of medieval times, the city walls of Dubrovnik offer amazing views along with an insight into the history of the city. As you walk around, you’ll get picturesque views of the Adriatic sea on one side and the old town of Dubrovnik on the other. If you spend enough time here, you can also watch the panoramic sunset from the walls.
Useful information:
- Location: Walls of Dubrovnik
- Timings: Varies depending on the season. For more information, check out the official website.
- Cost: 200 KN.
- Website: https://www.wallsofdubrovnik.com/
Day 2
Learn about the city’s defence history at Fort Lovrijenac
Overlooking the Adriatic sea, Fort Lovrijenac, also known as the St. Lawrence Fortress or “Dubrovnik’s Gibraltar”, was an integral part of Dubrovnik’s defence, both against land and sea attacks. Standing 37 metres above sea level, this impressive fortress had successfully withstood attacks from the Venetians in the 11th century. Fort Lovrijenac is also famous for being the location of the Red Keep in Game of Thrones.
Relive epic scenes from one of the most epic television shows in human history through our list of Game of Thrones filming spots in Dubrovnik.
Unravelog tip: As you enter the Fort, notice the inscription carved above the entrance: “Non Bene Pro Toto Libertas Venditur Auro” (“Freedom is not to be sold for all the treasures in the world”). The meaning of this phrase for the people of Dubrovnik hits harder when you keep in mind that Dubrovnik did not participate in slavery and was one of the first countries in the world to ban slavery by law, in 1416.
Useful information:
- Location: Lovrijenac
- Timings: Daily, 8:00 pm – 7:00 pm.
- Cost: Entrance included with entrance to City Walls.
- Website: https://www.wallsofdubrovnik.com/
- How to reach: Bus, Pile.
Visit Minčeta Tower
Built in 1319 by a local builder and further renovated in the 15th century, Tvrđava Minčeta is the highest point of the defence system of Dubrovnik. Watch the Croatian flag flying atop the gargantuan tower and climb it to find some of the best panoramas of Dubrovnik and the Adriatic sea.
Useful information:
- Location: Tvrđava Minčeta
- Timings: Daily, 10:00 am – 7:00 pm.
- Cost: Entrance included with entrance to City Walls.
- Website: https://www.wallsofdubrovnik.com/
- How to reach: Bus, Pile.
Go on a sea kayaking tour to Lokrum Island
Sea Kayaking is a popular water activity in Dubrovnik, especially to explore the islands that lie near the city, such as Lokrum island, which Game of Thrones fans will remember as the City of Qarth. Spend your afternoon exploring the well-preserved Lokrum island with rented kayaks (offered by X Adventures and Adventure Dubrovnik) or on a guided 3-hour sea kayak tour (like those by X Adventures, Adventure Dubrovnik, Dubrovnik Walks and Viator).
If you’re interested in visiting more Game of Thrones locations, read our list of Game of Thrones filming spots in Dubrovnik.
Unravelog tip: If you’re not sure about paddling your way to Lokrum island, you can catch a ferry from the Old Harbour or sail there on a Catamaran tour instead!
Spend the evening at Banje Beach
The Banje Beach is an ideal way to relax and bask under the Dubrovnik sun. Spend your time enjoying the waves on the beach, sunbathe, grab a few feel-good drinks or head for the Banje nightclub at the hippest beach in town.
Things to do:
- Splash around the clear waters of the beach or try adrenaline-boosting water sports such as flyboarding and parasailing.
- Rest on a bamboo chair and soak in the sun while sipping a few cocktails
Unravelog Tip: If you’re free after sunset, be sure to come back and party the night away at Banje Beach!
Useful information:
- Location: Ul. Frana Supila 10/B
- Website: http://www.banjebeach.com/
- How to reach: Bus, Pile.
Ride the Dubrovnik Cable Car and watch the sunset atop Srđ Hill
Ride the cable car to the magnificent Srđ Hill, where you can view the astounding panorama of Dubrovnik during sunset. Visit the Imperial Fortress or grab dinner from the Panorama restaurant.
Useful information:
- Location: Srđ Hill
- Cost: 40 KN onwards.
- Website: https://www.dubrovnikcablecar.com/
- How to reach: Bus, Pile.
Day 3
Explore the natural beauty of Koločep
Koločep Island is the smallest and closest island to Dubrovnik among the three major Elafiti Islands. Its sandy beaches, hundred-year-old pine forests, olive groves and orange and lemon orchards, stand ready to meet you and draw you into their serenity at the Elafiti Islands.
Useful information:
- Location: Koločep
- How to reach: You can book an Elafiti Islands tour package to ensure transportation, but if you want, you can catch a water taxi or take the daily ferries of Jadrolinija to Koločep to explore the place (and discover off-beat paths) on your own time.
Walk around the breathtaking neighbourhoods in Šipan
Covered with aristocratic houses of Dubrovnik locals, the largest island of the Elafiti islands is adored for its historic and stunning buildings. Visit the island’s harbour, Suđurađ, explore the village of Šipanska Luka complete with Roman ruins and a 15th-century Gothic palace, pay a visit to St Peter’s Church and the Church of the Holy Spirit and try some Croatian seafood specialities at Kod Marka.
Useful information:
- Location: Šipan
- How to reach: You can book an Elafiti Islands tour package to ensure transportation, but if you want, you can catch a water taxi or take the daily ferries of Jadrolinija to Šipan to explore the place (and discover off-beat paths) on your own time.
Catch the sunset at Lopud
Considered to be the most developed island of the Elafiti islands, Lopud island has a single village of the same name and lots of stone houses and magnificent fortresses. Visit the different churches of the island, walk along the sandy Šunj bay and observe the botanical diversity of the seaside Ɖorđić-Mayneri Park. Make sure not to miss the sunset from Lopud’s coast!
Useful information:
- Location: Lopud
- How to reach: You can book an Elafiti Islands tour package to ensure transportation, but if you want, you can catch a water taxi or take the daily ferries of Jadrolinija to Lopud to explore the place (and discover off-beat paths) on your own time.
If you’re interested in diving deeper into the history, activities and legacy of Dubrovnik, check out our top things to do and see in Dubrovnik.
