Dubrovnik Itinerary: What to See and Do in 3 Days

A look at the enchanting old town of Dubrovnik (Ragusa) and it’s easy to see why this Croatian city is so popular. With its mighty walls and 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 Dubrovnik itinerary, like this one, which will show you all the best places to visit in Dubrovnik and how you can fit them into 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 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 attractions and even take 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 city’s historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

However, before getting 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 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 Croatia itinerary for 10 days and more, 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’ll understand why this city is so popular.

Stradun

Entering Dubrovnik’s historic center through the main Pile Gate, you will find Stradun, the city’s main street, right in front of you. Since the 13th century, this limestone street that runs the length of the historic center has been Dubrovnik’s main artery. Along it, you will see countless elegant Venetian buildings that will make you feel as if 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 for Star Wars. Before heading down the street, take a moment to admire the 15th-century Great Onofrio Fountain, right inside the Pile Gate.

Clock Tower

At the end of Stradun lies Luza Square, surrounded by some of Dubrovnik’s most treasured landmarks. One such landmark, dating back to 1444, is the Dubrovnik Clock Tower. Next to the clock tower bell are two green bronze figures with maces that strike the bell every day at noon. Interestingly, besides its traditional clock, the tower also features an old digital clock that looks quite strange on an old 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 survive the brutal 1667 earthquake.

Rector’s Palace

Continuing on, we 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. It also served 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 giant was built in 1713 to replace the city’s original cathedral, destroyed by the earthquake. While the cathedral’s exterior blends with the other stone buildings of Dubrovnik, inside you will find something that makes it stand out. The cathedral has a triptych on the altar featuring 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 is really no missing the enormous city walls that surround Dubrovnik’s historic center. These tall walls rise above the city’s rooftops and connect the impenetrable giant stone towers. Dubrovnik’s historic center was widely considered to have 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 uninterrupted 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 Dubrovnik’s orange rooftops, spot the peaks of monuments like the cathedral, and take in the city’s sparkling coastline.

Old Town Dubrovnik Stairs

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

Buža Café

End your long day of walking in the historic center by treating yourself to a drink at the Café Buža, a bar with a perfect view. Wedged between the city walls and the Adriatic Sea, this bar is the ideal place to have a glass of wine or beer and relax while the sun sets below the horizon. You can even take a jump from the cliff 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.

Lovrijenac Fortress

The walls and towers surrounding the historic center are not the only defenses that once protected Dubrovnik. The imposing Fort Lovrijenac fortress 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 rising from its formidable walls.

Sea Kayaking

Head down to Dubrovnik’s western harbor, where you will regularly see a number of kayakers leaving from the small stone pier. Kayaking from here is not only 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 look even more daunting when you paddle under them. All kinds of kayaking 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 kayaking tour.

Game of Thrones Walking Tour

Dubrovnik must be one of the most famous locations of the many Game of Thrones filmings. 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. Sure, you can try to hunt them down on your own, but a quicker option is to take a themed walking tourGame of Thrones and have someone show you places like the Jesuit Staircase, 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 number of fans passionate about the series’ events keeps growing, and consequently, many are enchanted by the uniqueness of the natural sets chosen by the screenwriters. We have already talked here on the pages of FullTravel.it about the Game of Thrones locations in Ireland, but it’s not only the Emerald Isle that hosted filming during the different seasons of the show.

There are 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 country very close to Italy and chosen by many compatriots to spend their summer holidays; combining both passions, one might think of organizing a Game of Thrones tour in Croatia.

You can start from Dubrovnik, heading first towards Minceta Fortress: many important scenes have been filmed here over the years. The same goes for Lovrijenac and Bokar Fortresses, used in the same way to recreate the atmosphere of the Lannister castle.
Then you just need to take a walk around Dubrovnik to recognize many familiar locations for fans of the series.
Moving outside the city, you can then visit Lokrum Island, recognizable as the set of scenes concerning Qarth.
Finally, a visit to the Trsteno Arboretum botanical garden is also recommended.

Mount Srd

It’s finally time 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 mountain overlooks Dubrovnik directly and offers a perfect view of the historic center. However, it’s not only sublime views of Dubrovnik you get; 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 will also find a fantastic place to admire the sunset, making it the ideal way to end your second day in Dubrovnik.

Dubrovnik Beaches

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 and Lapad Beach are two of the most popular. Banje beach is just east of the historic center, which means you can be sure to find many 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, you can now take a look at all the fantastic places surrounding the city. There are lots 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, which lies just offshore from Dubrovnik and features beaches and forests, not to mention some interesting landmarks. Its main bathing 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 a walk in nature. Regarding 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 views across the water to the historic center.

Korcula (Curzola)

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

Korcula is just as 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 of Korcula, so you might 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 generally stop at the larger islands such as Koločep, Sipan, and Lopud.

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

There is 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 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. High season in Dubrovnik means accommodations are limited and at their most expensive, lines are the longest, and tours or activities may be sold out.

To avoid these problems, consider instead scheduling your visit in May, September, or October. During these months, the weather is still good for exploring 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 planning your trip to Dubrovnik in the low season. From December to March is when Dubrovnik is quietest and you can expect accommodations to be cheaper. However, many of the best things to do in Dubrovnik are seasonal, so some attractions might be closed and activities like swimming or visiting the islands may not be possible.

How to get around Dubrovnik

You should not have difficulty getting around while visiting Dubrovnik. When you visit the Old Town and surroundings, you have no choice but to walk everywhere since the Old Town is a pedestrian zone. The historic center is not huge, so you will not cover large distances. Keep in mind, however, that there are many stairs.

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

You are likely to arrive at Dubrovnik by plane or by ferry. To get from the Port Gruz ferry terminal, 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. For these reasons, 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 center 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 you stay on the hill, the more steps you have 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 is located just outside the Old Town walls and treats guests to classic and elegant rooms and suites, along with 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 for money 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 timely.