A look at the enchanting historic center of Dubrovnik (Ragusa) and it's easy to see why this Croatian city is so popular. With mighty walls and sparkling blue water surrounding it, the city is sure to captivate any tourist who visits as they complete their itinerary in Croatia.
So, where to start a trip to Dubrovnik? Let's get right into how you can make the most of your time there. To do this, you'll want a detailed Dubrovnik itinerary, like this one, which will show you all the best places to visit in Dubrovnik and how you can fit them into just a few days. Read on for our guide to what to do in Dubrovnik in 3 days to ensure a truly memorable experience.
The perfect 3 day itinerary in Dubrovnik
Visitors may be surprised by how much they can do with 72 hours in Dubrovnik. You'll likely be able to see the city's sights and even take a day trip to one of the many islands along the Croatian coast. While in Dubrovnik, you will spend most of your time in and around the city's historic center, declared a World Heritage Site byUNESCO.
However, before we get to our Dubrovnik itinerary, we just wanted to remind you to purchase travel insurance. You never know what will 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 also created a Croatia itinerary in 10 or more days, if you want to extend your stay.
To start your visit, head straight to Dubrovnik's famous Old Town, where you'll understand why this city is so popular.
Entering the Old Town of Dubrovnik via the main road Pile holder, you will find the main street of the city, Stradun, in front of you. Since the XNUMXth century, this limestone street spanning the breadth of the Old Town has been Dubrovnik's main thoroughfare. Along it you will see countless elegant Venetian buildings that will make you feel like you have traveled back in time. The street is so scenic that it has been used as a filming location for more than just Game of Thrones , but also of Star Wars. Before heading down the street, take a moment to admire the XNUMXth-century Great Fountain of Onofrio, just inside the Pile Gate.
At the end of the Stradun is Luza Square, surrounded by some of Dubrovnik's most treasured monuments. One such landmark, dating back to 1444, is the Dubrovnik Clock Tower. Next to the clock tower bell are two green bronze figures with mallets who ring the bell every day at noon. Interestingly, in addition to its traditional clock, the tower also features an old digital clock which looks rather strange in an old stone tower. Elsewhere on the square, you'll find other magnificent monuments, including the beautiful 1667th-century Sponza Palace. It is one of the few buildings that survived the brutal earthquake of XNUMX.
Continuing, we come across one of the most important buildings in the city, the Rector's Palace. The head of state, known as the rector, reigned here from the 1808th century to XNUMX. as an armory and prison. During a visit to the majestic Gothic building, you will have the chance to see its chambers and halls, as well as learn about the history of Dubrovnik and the Republic of Ragusa, of which it was once the capital.
Just above the Rector's Palace the most important place of worship in the city is located, the Dubrovnik Cathedral. This baroque behemoth was built in 1713 to replace the city's original cathedral, which was destroyed by the earthquake. While the exterior of the cathedral blends in with the rest of Dubrovnik's stone buildings, inside you'll find one thing that makes it stand out. The cathedral has a triptych on the altar with works by the acclaimed Venetian artist Titian. There are also works of art by famous Croatian and Italian artists in many of the side chapels.
There's really no way to miss the huge city walls that surround the old town of Dubrovnik. These high walls rise above the roofs of the city and unite the impenetrable gigantic stone towers. Dubrovnik's Old Town was widely regarded as having some of the best defenses of anywhere during the Middle Ages. Now, as impressive as the walls are from the outside, they are nothing compared to the views you get from walking along the top of these intact city walls.
The uninterrupted route along the walls is just under two kilometers and offers breathtaking views of the historic center throughout the entire tour. From up there, you can admire Dubrovnik's orange rooftops, spot the tops of monuments like the cathedral, and admire the city's glittering coastline.
The old town of Dubrovnik is quite flat, while the northern end of the city runs up a rather steep slope. There you are more likely to find large, long stairways running between houses rather than between streets. While exploring this part of Dubrovnik will probably blow your mind, these narrow stairways are exceptionally photogenic and well worth the effort.
End your long day of walking in the historic center by treating yourself to a drink at Cafe Buža, a bar with a perfect view. Wedged between the city walls and the Adriatic Sea, this bar is the ideal place to grab a glass of wine or beer and relax as the sun dips below the horizon. You can even go cliff jumping here and go for a swim to cool off.
Now it's time to explore beyond the walls of Dubrovnik's Old Town and see what else the city has to offer.
The walls and towers surrounding the Old Town are not the only defenses that once protected Dubrovnik. The impressive fortress of Fort Lovrijenac sits on rocky cliffs opposite Dubrovnik's western port. This makes it incredibly scenic but also a place that offers superb views of the historic center peeking out from its formidable walls.
Head down to Dubrovnik's western port, where you'll regularly see a succession of kayakers setting off from the small stone pier. Kayaking from here isn't just a fun way to get out on the water and get exercise; it also gives you the chance to see the city from a completely new perspective. The city walls seem even more daunting when you paddle beneath them. All types of kayak tours are available, from a ride along the edge of the walls to tours that take you to Lokrum Island off the coast of the city. We suggest the following kayak tour.
Dubrovnik has to be one of the most famous locations of the many filming of Game of Thrones. 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. Sure, you can try to hunt them down yourself, but a quicker option is to do a themed walking tours Game of Thrones and asking someone to show you places like the Jesuit Stairs, where Cersei's walk of shame was filmed. You can book a tour GoT here
The success of the TV series “Game of Thrones” does not seem to know any crisis; Indeed, there are more and more screenwriters who have become passionate about the events of the series and who, consequently, are enchanted by the particularity of the natural sets chosen by the screenwriters. It has already been discussed here on the pages of FullTravel.it of the Game of Thrones locations in Ireland but it is not only the Emerald Isle that has hosted filming in the various seasons of the drama.
There are also other countries in Europe that have lent the beauty of their lands to create unforgettable scenes of Game of Thrones.
This is the case, for example, of a town very close to Italy and chosen by many compatriots to spend their summer holidays there; by combining both passions, you could think about organizing a Game of Thrones tour in Croatia.You can start from Dubrovnik, heading first towards the Minceta Fortress: many important scenes have been filmed here over the years. The same goes for the Lovrijenac and Bokar Fortress, used in the same way to recreate the atmosphere of the Lannister castle.
It will then be enough to organize a walk around Dubrovnik to recognize many places familiar to fans of the series.
Moving instead outside the city, you can at this point stop at the Island of Lokrum, recognizable for being the set of the scenes concerning Qarth.
Finally, a visit to the Trsteno Arboretum botanical garden is also recommended.
It's finally time for the definitive view of Dubrovnik, which you can only get by taking a cable car to the top of the Mount Srd. This 412 meter high mountain directly overlooks Dubrovnik and offers a perfect view of the Old Town. However, you don't just get sublime views of Dubrovnik; you can also see along the coast to the numerous nearby islands. Standing next to the giant cross and the remains of Fort Imperial, you'll also have a great place to watch the sunset, making it the ideal way to end your second day in Dubrovnik.
As interesting as sightseeing can be, it's okay to spend part of your trip just relaxing, and what better place to relax in Croatia than on the beach! Dubrovnik boasts a handful of different beaches, but Banje e Lapad Beach are two of the most popular. Banje Beach is located just east of the Old Town, which means you can be sure that you will find many tourists there. Lapad Beach, on the other hand, is a few kilometers away, but it is also a fairly popular sandy beach. Another option you may want to consider is Bellevue Beach, a smaller pebble beach near Lapad Beach.
After experiencing the best of Dubrovnik in your first two days there, you can now check out all the amazing places surrounding the city. There are plenty of day trips from Dubrovnik that you can choose from, but the following are some of the most popular.
The easiest place to go if you're looking for a day away from Dubrovnik isialone of Lokrum, which sits just off the coast of Dubrovnik and is home to beaches and forests, not to mention some interesting landmarks. Its main bathing spots are the main beach on the southwestern coast and the salt lake known as the Dead Sea.
With paths running through it, the forest is pleasant if you want to take a nature walk. As for the landmarks of Lokrum, there is the Benedictine monastery of Santa Maria and its lovely botanical gardens, and there is also Fort Royal, from which you can enjoy views across the water to the historic center.
One of the most beautiful islands along the coast of Croatia is Korcula, which explains why it's such a popular destination for day trips. Start exploring the city of Korcula and its captivating historical character. You will be able to visit main attractions such as the Cathedral of San Marco with its Venetian architecture and the House of Marco Polo, where the famous traveler was born.
Korcula it is equally famous for its natural attractions, including several stunning beaches. There 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 of Korcula's dominant industries, so you could also spend the day sampling some of the local creations.
If you are interested in seeing several islands in a single day, then island hopping in the Elaphiti Islands It's the way to go. There are 14 islands in this archipelago northwest of Dubrovnik, and tours typically stop at the larger islands such as Kolocep, Sipan e Lopud.
Each island has something different to offer visitors, meaning you can see some different sides of island life by island hopping. Koločep is known for its orange groves, lemon groves and a secluded medieval chapel hidden between them. In Sipan you will find a classic example of a historic Croatian marina. The last one is Lopud, the perfect stop for swimming and sunbathing thanks to the white sand of Sunj Beach.
There is a lot you can experience around Dubrovnik in three days . After your visit you should have no problem 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 take this into account when planning to visit. This is especially true with an extremely popular tourist destination like Dubrovnik. This means that finding the best time to visit Dubrovnik depends not only on the weather, but also on how crowded the city will be with tourists.
Dubrovnik, like the rest of Croatia, is most popular during the summer when the city struggles with overtourism. High season in Dubrovnik means accommodation is limited and at its most expensive, lines are the longest and tours or activities may be sold out.
To avoid these issues, consider scheduling your visit in May, September, or October instead. During these months, the weather is still good for sightseeing, beach-hopping, and island hopping, but you won't be hit with high-season rates.
If you're looking to save money, consider planning your trip to Dubrovnik for the off-season. December to March is when Dubrovnik is quietest and you can expect accommodation to be cheapest. However, many of the best things to do in Dubrovnik are seasonal, so there may be some attractions closed and activities such as swimming or island-hopping that won't be possible.
How to get around Dubrovnik
You shouldn't have any difficulty getting around while visiting Dubrovnik. When visiting the Old City and its surroundings, you have no choice but to walk everywhere as the Old City is a pedestrian area. The historic center isn't huge, so you won't cover large distances. Keep in mind, however, that there are a lot of stairs.
When heading to places outside the historic center, you may find public transportation a convenient and useful alternative. Buses are the only public transport in Dubrovnik, but they will get you where you need to go. Tickets, valid for one hour, start from HRK 12 if purchased at a newsstand or Libertas kiosk and from HRK 15 if purchased from the driver.
It is likely to arrive at Dubrovnik by plane or by ferry. To get there from the ferry terminal Port Gruz, take buses 1A, 1B or 3 and get off at Pile Gate, the last stop. To go from the airport to the city, it is best to take a dedicated airport bus. The bus costs HRK 50 one way or HRK 80 return and takes approximately 30 minutes to reach the Old Town.
Where to stay in Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik's popularity means there is no shortage of accommodation to choose from. The challenge is finding a place that fits your budget and travel style and still has rooms available. It is for these reasons that 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 budget will likely have to look beyond the Old City walls to nearby neighborhoods like Pile, Ploce or Lapad. One thing to keep in mind is that the higher up the hill you stay, the more steps you have to climb each time you return to your accommodation.
You won't find a grander place to stay in Dubrovnik than the Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik . This five-star hotel sits just outside the Old City walls and treats guests to classic, 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 for money you can find. This welcoming guesthouse, located in the historic centre, will make you feel right at home. The apartments have useful amenities such as a fridge, kettle and air conditioning.
For more accommodation options in Dubrovnik, check Booking.com. This platform, a partner of FullTravel, continually offers the best rates and its customer service is punctual.
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