Dubrovnik Itinerary: What to See and Do in 3 Days

A glimpse at the enchanting historic center of Dubrovnik (Ragusa) and it’s easy to see why this Croatian city is so popular. With its mighty walls and the sparkling blue water surrounding it, the city will surely captivate any tourist who visits 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 of your time there. To do this, you’ll want a detailed itinerary of Dubrovnik, like this one, which will show you all the best places to visit in Dubrovnik and how you can fit them in a few days. Keep reading for our guide on what to do in Dubrovnik in 3 days to ensure you have a truly memorable experience.

The perfect 3-day itinerary in Dubrovnik

Visitors may be surprised at how much they can do with 72 hours in Dubrovnik. You will likely be able to see the city’s attractions 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, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

However, before we get to our Dubrovnik itinerary, we just wanted to remind you to purchase travel insurance. You never know what might happen and, trust us, you do not want to be stuck with thousands of dollars in medical expenses. 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 10 or more days Croatia itinerary if you want to extend your stay.

Dubrovnik Itinerary (Ragusa): Day 1

To start your visit, head straight to the famous historic center of Dubrovnik, where you will understand why this city is so popular.

Stradun

Entering the historic center of Dubrovnik through the main Pile Gate, you will find the city’s main street, Stradun, before you. Since the 13th century, this limestone street running the width of the historic center has been Dubrovnik’s main artery. 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 not only for Game of Thrones but also Star Wars. Before heading down the street, take a moment to admire the 15th-century Large Onofrio Fountain just inside Pile Gate.

Clock Tower

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

Rector’s Palace

Continuing on, we come to 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, as well 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.

Dubrovnik Cathedral

Just above the Rector’s Palace is the city’s most important place of worship, the Dubrovnik Cathedral. This baroque colossus was built in 1713 to replace the city’s original cathedral, destroyed by the earthquake. While the cathedral’s exterior blends with the rest of Dubrovnik’s stone buildings, inside you will 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 artworks by famous Croatian and Italian artists in many of the side chapels.

Dubrovnik City Walls

There is really no way to miss the enormous city walls surrounding Dubrovnik’s historic center. These tall walls stand above the city’s rooftops and connect the impenetrable huge stone towers. The historic center of Dubrovnik was widely considered to have some of the best defenses of any place during the Middle Ages. Now, impressive as the walls are from the outside, they are nothing compared to the views you get walking along the top of these intact city walls.

The continuous path along the walls is just under two kilometers and offers breathtaking views of the historic center throughout the walk. From up there, you can admire the orange roofs of Dubrovnik, spot the tops of monuments like the cathedral, and enjoy the sparkling coastline of the city.

Old Town Dubrovnik Steps

Dubrovnik’s historic center is rather flat, while the northern end of the city runs on a rather steep slope. There you are more likely to find large and long staircases running between houses rather than streets. While exploring this part of Dubrovnik will likely take your breath away, these narrow steps are exceptionally photogenic and worth it.

Cafe Buža

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. Nestled between the city walls and the Adriatic Sea, this bar is the ideal place to have a glass of wine or beer and relax as the sun sets below the horizon. You can even take a cliff jump here and swim to cool off.

Dubrovnik Itinerary (Ragusa): Day 2

Now it’s time to explore beyond the walls of Dubrovnik’s historic center and see what else the city has to offer.

Fort Lovrijenac

The walls and towers surrounding the historic center are not the only defenses that once protected Dubrovnik. The imposing fortress of Fort Lovrijenac sits on rocky cliffs opposite Dubrovnik’s western harbor. This makes it incredibly scenic but also a place that offers superb views of the historic center poking through its formidable walls.

Sea Kayaking

Head down to Dubrovnik’s western harbor, where you will regularly see a number of kayakers setting off from the small stone pier. Kayaking from here is not just 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 daunting when you paddle underneath them. All kinds of kayaking tours are available, from a ride along the edge of the walls to tours that take you to the island of Lokrum off the city’s coast. We recommend the following kayak tour.

Game of Thrones Walking Tour

Dubrovnik must be one of the most famous places for many of the Game of Thrones filming scenes. The Old Town was used to portray King’s Landing throughout all the show’s seasons. There are a number of spots that you might recognize in the city. Sure, you can try to hunt them down on your own, but a quicker option is to take a themed walking tour and ask someone to 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” shows no signs of fading; there are increasingly many viewers who have become passionate about the series’ events and who, consequently, are fascinated by the particularity of the natural sets chosen by the screenwriters. We have already talked here on the pages of FullTravel.it about the Game of Thrones filming locations in Ireland but the Emerald Isle is not the only place to have hosted filming in different seasons of the series.

There are also other countries in Europe that have lent the beauty of their lands to create unforgettable Game of Thrones scenes.
A case in point is a country very close to Italy and chosen by many compatriots to spend their summer holidays; combining one passion with the other, one could think of organizing a Game of Thrones tour in Croatia.

You can start from Dubrovnik, firstly heading to Minceta Fortress: here many important scenes over the years were filmed. The same goes for Lovrijenac and Bokar Fortresses, which were similarly used to recreate the atmosphere of the Lannister castle.
Then just organize a walk around Dubrovnik to recognize many familiar places for series fans.
Moving outside the city, you can then stop at Lokrum Island, recognizable as the set of the scenes concerning Qarth.
Finally, a visit to the Trsteno Arboretum botanical garden is also recommended.

Mount Srd

The time has finally come for the ultimate view of Dubrovnik, which you can only get by taking a cable car to the top of Mount Srd. This 412-meter high mountain overlooks Dubrovnik directly and offers a perfect view of the historic center. 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 also 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 the beach! Dubrovnik boasts a handful of different beaches, but Banje and Lapad Beach are two of the most popular. Banje Beach is located just east of the historic center, meaning you can be sure you will find plenty of tourists there. Lapad Beach, on the other hand, 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 Itinerary, Surroundings: Day 3

After experiencing the best of Dubrovnik in 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 easiest place to go if you’re looking for a day away from Dubrovnik is Lokrum Island, located just off Dubrovnik’s 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 salt lake known as the Dead Sea.

With trails running through it, the forest is pleasant if you want to take a nature walk. As for Lokrum’s landmarks, there is the Benedictine monastery of St. Mary and its charming botanical gardens, and there is also Fort Royal, from which you can enjoy the view of the water to the historic center.

Korcula (Curzola)

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

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

Elaphiti Islands

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

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

There is much you can experience around Dubrovnik in three days. After the visit, you shouldn’t have any 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 when you plan to visit it. 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. The high season in Dubrovnik means accommodations are limited and at their most expensive, lines are longest, and tours or activities may be sold out.

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

If you’re looking to save money, consider scheduling your trip to Dubrovnik in the low season. From December to March is when Dubrovnik is quieter and you can expect accommodations to be cheaper. However, many of the best things to do in Dubrovnik are seasonal, so some attractions may be closed and activities like swimming or visiting the islands won’t be possible.

How to get around Dubrovnik

You should not have any trouble getting around while visiting Dubrovnik. When you visit the Old Town and surrounding areas, you have no choice but to walk everywhere since the Old Town is a pedestrian zone. The historic center is not huge, so you won’t cover long distances. Keep in mind, however, that there are many stairs.

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

You will 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 go from the airport to the city, it is 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

The popularity of Dubrovnik means there is no shortage of accommodation options 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 highly recommend booking your accommodation well in advance.

When it comes to 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 will pay for the convenience. Budget travelers will likely need to look beyond the Old Town walls, towards 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 more magnificent place to stay in Dubrovnik than the Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik. This five-star hotel is located just outside the Old Town walls and treats guests to classic and elegant rooms and suites, as well as an indoor pool and a spa center.

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 at home. The apartments offer useful amenities such as a refrigerator, kettle, and air conditioning.

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