Dubrovnik Itinerary: What to See and Do in 3 Days

A glimpse at the enchanting historic center of Dubrovnik (Ragusa) makes it easy to understand why this Croatian city is so popular. With its mighty walls and the sparkling blue water surrounding it, the city is sure to captivate any traveler visiting while completing their itinerary in Croatia.

So, where to start a trip to Dubrovnik? Let’s dive right into how you can make the most out of your time there. To do so, you’ll want a detailed Dubrovnik itinerary like this one, which will show you all the best spots to visit in Dubrovnik and how you can fit them into just a few days. Keep reading for our guide on what to do in Dubrovnik in 3 days to ensure a truly memorable experience.

The Perfect 3-Day Dubrovnik Itinerary

Visitors might be surprised at how much they can do with 72 hours in Dubrovnik. You’ll probably be able to see the city’s attractions and even join a day trip to one of the many islands along the Croatian coast. While in Dubrovnik, you’ll spend most of your time inside and around the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town.

However, before we get to our Dubrovnik itinerary, we just want to remind you to purchase travel insurance. You never know what might happen, and trust us, you don’t want to be stuck with thousands of dollars in medical bills. As a wise man once said: “If you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel.” So don’t leave home without it.

We have also created a Croatia itinerary for 10+ days if you want to extend your stay.

Dubrovnik (Ragusa) Itinerary: Day 1

To start your visit, head straight to the famous Dubrovnik Old Town, where you’ll understand why this city is so popular.

Stradun

Entering Dubrovnik’s Old Town through the main Pile Gate, you will find the city’s main street, Stradun, right in front of you. Since the 13th century, this limestone street stretching across the Old Town has been Dubrovnik’s main artery. Along it, you’ll see countless elegant Venetian buildings that will make you feel as if you’ve traveled back in time. The street is so picturesque it has been used as a filming location not only for Game of Thrones, but also for Star Wars. Before walking down the street, take a moment to admire the 15th-century Onofrio’s Large Fountain, just inside Pile Gate.

Clock Tower

At the end of Stradun lies Luza Square, surrounded by some of Dubrovnik’s most cherished monuments. One of these landmarks, dating back to 1444, is the Dubrovnik Clock Tower. Next to the clock tower’s bell are two green bronze figures wielding clubs that ring the bell every day at noon. Interestingly, besides its traditional clock, the tower also features an old digital clock that looks quite odd on an ancient stone tower. Elsewhere in the square, you’ll find other magnificent monuments, including the beautiful 16th-century Sponza Palace. It’s one of the few buildings to survive the devastating 1667 earthquake.

Rector’s Palace

Continuing on, you encounter one of the city’s most important buildings, the Rector’s Palace. Here from the 14th century until 1808 ruled the head of state, known as the rector. The palace also served as an armory and prison. During a visit to this majestic Gothic building, you’ll get a chance to see its chambers and halls and learn about the history of Dubrovnik and the Republic of Ragusa, of which it was once the capital.

Dubrovnik Cathedral

Just above the Rector’s Palace sits the city’s most important place of worship, the Dubrovnik Cathedral. This Baroque giant was built in 1713 to replace the city’s original cathedral, destroyed by the earthquake. While the cathedral’s exterior blends in with the other stone buildings of Dubrovnik, inside you’ll find something that makes it stand out. The cathedral features a triptych on the altar with works by the acclaimed Venetian artist Titian. There are also artworks by renowned Croatian and Italian artists in many of the side chapels.

Dubrovnik City Walls

There’s really no way to miss the massive city walls that encircle Dubrovnik’s Old Town. These tall walls rise above the city rooftops and connect the impenetrable massive stone towers. Dubrovnik’s Old Town was widely regarded as having some of the best defenses of any place during the Middle Ages. Now, as impressive as the walls are from the outside, they are nothing compared to the views you get walking along the tops of these intact city walls.

The continuous path along the walls is just under two kilometers and offers breathtaking views of the Old Town throughout the loop. From up there, you can admire Dubrovnik’s orange rooftops, spot the peaks of landmarks like the cathedral, and enjoy the city’s sparkling coastline.

Old Town Stairs Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik’s Old Town is fairly flat, while the northern end of the city runs up quite a steep slope. There you’re more likely to find large and long staircases running between houses rather than streets. While exploring this part of Dubrovnik might be a bit of a head-turner, these narrow stairs are exceptionally photogenic and well worth it.

Buža Café

End your long day of walking in the Old Town with a drink at Cafe Buža, a bar with a perfect view. Nestled between the city walls and the Adriatic Sea, this bar is the ideal spot to grab a glass of wine or beer and relax as the sun dips below the horizon. You can even take a cliff jump here and swim to cool off.

Dubrovnik (Ragusa) Itinerary: Day 2

Now it’s time to explore beyond the Old Town walls and see what else the city has to offer.

Fort Lovrijenac

The walls and towers surrounding the Old Town are not the only defenses that once protected Dubrovnik. The imposing fortress of Fort Lovrijenac stands on rocky cliffs opposite Dubrovnik’s western harbor. This makes it incredibly scenic but also a place offering superb views of the Old Town peeking out from its formidable walls.

Sea Kayaking

Head down to Dubrovnik’s western harbor, where you’ll regularly see a number of kayakers setting off from the small stone pier. Kayaking from here is not only a fun way to get out on the water and exercise; it also gives you the chance to see the city from a completely new perspective. The city walls look even more intimidating when you paddle beneath them. All kinds of kayak tours are available, from a ride along the edge of the walls to tours that take you to Lokrum Island off the city coast. We recommend the following kayak tour.

Game of Thrones Walking Tour

Dubrovnik must be one of the most famous locations in the many filming sites of Game of Thrones. The Old Town was used to portray King’s Landing throughout all seasons of the show. There are a number of spots you might recognize in the city. Of course, you can try to hunt them down on your own, but a quicker option is to take a Game of Thrones-themed walking tour and have someone show you places like the Jesuit stairs, where Cersei’s walk of shame was filmed. You can book a GoT tour here.

The success of the TV series “Game of Thrones” seems unstoppable; the fan base keeps growing, and consequently, many are enchanted by the unique natural sets chosen by the screenwriters. Here on FullTravel.it, we’ve already talked about Game of Thrones locations in Ireland, but it’s not only the Emerald Isle that hosted filming over the different seasons of the show.

There are other European countries that lent their landscapes to creating unforgettable scenes of Game of Thrones. One is a country very close to Italy and chosen by many Italians for summer vacations; combining passions, one could consider organizing a Game of Thrones tour in Croatia.

You could start from Dubrovnik, heading first towards Minceta Fortress: many important scenes were filmed here over the years. The same goes for Lovrijenac and Bokar forts, similarly used to recreate the atmosphere of the Lannister castle.
Then you only need to take a walk around Dubrovnik to recognize many familiar places for fans of the series.
Moving out of the city, you can stop at Lokrum Island, known as the set for scenes involving Qarth.
Finally, it is also recommended to visit the Trsteno Arboretum botanical garden.

Mount Srd

It’s finally time for the ultimate view of Dubrovnik, which you can get only by taking a cable car up to the summit of Mount Srd. This 412-meter high mountain overlooks Dubrovnik directly and offers a perfect view over the Old Town. However, you don’t only get sublime views of Dubrovnik; you can also see along the coast to the many nearby islands. Standing next to the giant cross and the remains of Fort Imperial, you’ll have a fantastic spot to admire the sunset, making it the ideal way to end your second day in Dubrovnik.

Dubrovnik Beaches

As interesting as sightseeing may be, it’s perfectly fine to spend part of your trip simply relaxing, and what better place to relax in Croatia than on a beach! Dubrovnik boasts a handful of different beaches, but Banje and Lapad Beach are two of the most popular. Banje Beach lies just east of the Old Town, meaning you can be sure you’ll find lots of tourists there. Lapad Beach, meanwhile, is a few kilometers away but is also a fairly busy sandy beach. Another option you might consider is Bellevue Beach, a smaller pebble beach near Lapad Beach.

Dubrovnik Surroundings Itinerary: Day 3

After experiencing the best of Dubrovnik on your first two days there, now you can take a look at all the fantastic places surrounding the city. There are plenty of day trips from Dubrovnik to choose from, but the following are some of the most popular.

Lokrum (Lacroma)

The simplest place to go if you’re looking for a day away from Dubrovnik is Lokrum Island, located just off the Dubrovnik coast and home to beaches and forests, not to mention some interesting landmarks. Its main swimming spots are the main beach on the southwest coast and the saltwater lake known as the Dead Sea.

With trails running through it, the forest is pleasant if you want to take a walk in nature. As for Lokrum’s landmarks, there is the Benedictine Monastery of St. Mary and its enchanting botanical gardens, and there’s also Fort Royal, from which you can enjoy the water view all the way to the Old Town.

Korcula (Curzola)

One of the most beautiful islands along the Croatian coast is Korcula, which explains why it’s such a popular day trip destination. Start by exploring the town of Korcula and its charming historic character. You can visit its main attractions such as St. Mark’s Cathedral with its Venetian architecture and the House of Marco Polo, where the famous traveler was born.

Korcula is equally famous for its natural attractions, including several wonderful beaches. The Pržina beach in Lombarda is perhaps the easiest to reach, but there are many around the island suitable for sunbathing and swimming. Winemaking is another dominant industry in Korcula, so you could also spend the day tasting some of the local creations.

Elaphiti Islands

If you’re interested in seeing several islands in one day, then island hopping in the Elaphiti Islands is the way to go. There are 14 islands in this archipelago northwest of Dubrovnik, and tours usually stop at the larger islands like Koločep, Šipan, and Lopud.

Each island has something different to offer visitors, meaning you can see some varied sides of island life hopping from one to another. Koločep is known for its orange groves, lemon groves, and a secluded medieval chapel hidden among them. On Šipan you’ll find a classic example of a historic Croatian marina. Lastly, Lopud is the perfect stop for swimming and sunbathing thanks to the white sand of Sunj Beach.

There’s a lot you can experience around Dubrovnik in three days . After visiting, you shouldn’t have trouble understanding why this Adriatic city is so popular.

Best Time to Visit Dubrovnik

To get the most out of any trip, it’s important to consider timing when you plan your visit. This is especially true with an extremely popular tourist destination like Dubrovnik. That means finding the best time to visit Dubrovnik doesn’t depend just on the weather, but also on how crowded the city will be with tourists.

Dubrovnik, like the rest of Croatia, is most popular during summer when the city struggles with overtourism. High season in Dubrovnik means accommodation is limited and at its most expensive, lines are longest, and tours or activities may be fully booked.

To avoid these issues, consider instead planning your visit in May, September, or October. During these months, the weather is still good for visiting the city, going to the beach, and island hopping, but you won’t be hit with high-season rates.

If you’re looking to save money, consider scheduling your Dubrovnik trip in the low season. December through March is when Dubrovnik is quietest, and you can expect cheaper accommodation. However, many of the best things to do in Dubrovnik are seasonal, so you might find some attractions closed and activities like swimming or visiting islands not possible.

Getting Around Dubrovnik

You shouldn’t have trouble getting around while visiting Dubrovnik. When visiting the Old Town and surroundings, you have no choice but to walk everywhere since the Old Town is a pedestrian zone. The Old Town isn’t huge, so you won’t cover big distances. Keep in mind, however, that there are lots of stairs.

When heading to places outside the Old Town, you might find public transport a useful and handy alternative. Buses are the only form of public transport in Dubrovnik but will take you where you need to go. Tickets, valid for one hour, start at 12 HRK if bought at a newsstand or a Libertas kiosk and 15 HRK if bought from the driver.

You’ll likely arrive at Dubrovnik by plane or ferry. To get from the ferry terminal at Port Gruz, take buses 1A, 1B, or 3 and get off at Pile Gate, the last stop. To travel from the airport to the city, it’s best to take a dedicated airport bus. The bus costs 50 HRK one way or 80 HRK round-trip and takes about 30 minutes to reach the Old Town.

Where to Stay in Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik’s popularity means there is no shortage of accommodation choices. The challenge is finding a place that fits your budget and travel style and still has available rooms. For these reasons, we strongly recommend booking your accommodation well in advance.

As for where to stay in Dubrovnik, this is where things get interesting. While the Old Town is obviously one of the best places to stay in Dubrovnik, you’ll pay for the convenience. Travelers on a tight budget will likely need to look beyond the Old Town walls toward nearby neighborhoods like Pile, Ploče, or Lapad. One thing to keep in mind is the higher you stay on the hill, the more steps you’ll need to climb each time you return to your accommodation.

You won’t find a more grand place to stay in Dubrovnik than the Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik. This five-star hotel sits just outside the Old Town walls and treats guests to classic and elegant rooms and suites, plus an indoor pool and spa.

There are plenty of mid-range accommodations and apartments, with Villa Four Winds II a great example of the value you can find. This cozy guesthouse, located in the Old Town, will make you feel right at home. The apartments feature handy amenities like a fridge, kettle, and air conditioning.

For more accommodation options in Dubrovnik, check Booking.com. This platform, a FullTravel partner, continuously offers the best rates and their customer service is prompt.