Dubrovnik

Understand

The city of Dubrovnik (Latin: Ragusa) was built on maritime trade. In the Middle Ages it became the only city-state in the Adriatic to rival Venice. Supported by its wealth and skilled diplomacy, the city achieved a remarkable level of development during the 15th and 16th centuries. Furthermore, Dubrovnik was one of the centres of the development of the Croatian language and literature, home to many notable poets, playwrights, painters, mathematicians, physicists and other scholars. Today Dubrovnik is the proudest feather in Croatia's tourist cap, an elite destination, and one of the most beautiful towns in the Mediterranean, much more expensive and tourism-centered than other places in Croatia. It has managed to survive many centuries, with constant threats to its territory, particularly from the mighty Ottoman Empire and Venice. As early as the 19th century, it was discovered by celebrities as a place to be seen. George Bernard Shaw once said that "those who seek paradise on Earth should come to Dubrovnik and find it". Royalty, presidents and diplomats have all favoured the city. The late Pope John Paul II was a fan of Dubrovnik and was even made an honorary citizen. Of the 23 top luxury hotels in Croatia in 2010, 13 were in Dubrovnik. The city became famous to a new audience in the 2010s as one of the sets of the Game of Thrones television series. Dubrovnik was heavily bombed in late 1991 during the Croatian War of Independence (part of a series of wars in the region). Almost all of the damage has been repaired; however, if you look closely around the old town, mortar damage in the cobblestone streets and shrapnel marks in the stone houses are visible.

Since its independence from Yugoslavia, Dubrovnik has parted from socialism and fully embraced consumerism. The old town (stari grad) draws tourists from around the world to its countless restaurants, bars, and souvenir shops. It is the most expensive city in Croatia and the most expensive city in the Balkans that is not a capital city. Expect to pay on average twice as much for food in restaurants as you pay in Herceg Novi across the southern border with Montenegro.

Getting there

By plane

1 Dubrovnik Airport (DBV IATA) (is about 20 km (12 mi) to the south of the city.). The following airlines operate flights to/from Dubrovnik Airport: Aer Lingus (Dublin-seasonal), Aeroflot (Moscow - seasonal), Air Serbia (Belgrade-seasonal), Austrian Airlines (Vienna), Bmibaby (East Midlands-seasonal), British Airways (London-Gatwick-seasonal), Croatia Airlines (Amsterdam, Athens, Belgrade-seasonal, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, London-Gatwick, Munich, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Pula, Rome-Fiumicino, Split, Tel Aviv, Vienna, Zagreb, Zürich), DanubeWings (Bratislava), EasyJet (Berlin-Schönefeld-seasonal, London Gatwick-seasonal, Geneva-seasonal, Liverpool-seasonal, London Gatwick-seasonal, Milan-Malpensa-seasonal, Paris-Orly-seasonal), Finnair (Helsinki), Eurowings (Berlin-Schönefeld, Cologne/Bonn, Hamburg), Iberia Airlines (Madrid-seasonal), Iberia operated by Air Nostrum (Valencia-seasonal), Israir (Tel Aviv - seasonal), TUIfly Belgium (Brussels-seasonal), Jet2.com (Belfast-seasonal, Edinburgh-seasonal, Leeds-seasonal, Manchester-seasonal), Lufthansa (Munich), Luxair (Luxembourg), Norwegian Air Shuttle (Bergen, Oslo-Gardermoen, Stavanger, Stockholm-Arlanda, Trondheim, Warsaw), Tarom (Bucharest - Henri Coanda, seasonal), Thomson Airways (London Gatwick, London-Luton, Manchester-seasonal), Turkish Airlines (Istanbul-seasonal), United (Newark-seasonal), Vueling (Barcelona-seasonal), Wizzair (London-Luton-seasonal) The exact list of destinations and airlines, especially the low-cost ones, changes each year, but there is always a year-round service to/from Zagreb and seasonal scheduled and charter flights to/from many other airports in Europe.

Airport bus transfers

Croatia Airlines operates shuttle buses between the airport and several bus stations in Dubrovnik via Platanus Travel Agency. Tickets can be bought for example at the airport, the main bus station in Gruž, at the bus station at the lower cable car station or online at the Platanus website. Going to the airport a bus aims to leave the main bus station 2 hr before each international flight, and costs €10 one-way or €15 return, as of June 2025. Departure times are also displayed in the tourist information office at Pile Gate and available online. The bus passes close to the Old Town en route to the airport and you can board this bus at the bus stop on Petra Kresimira 4 just above the Old Town, by the lower cable car station. Make sure you wave furiously otherwise the driver may not stop. Taxis from the airport to the centre will cost €43. Using the public bus network to get to or from the airport is quite difficult as there are not many buses passing through and you might have to change lines. Theoretically you can use bus lines 11, 27 or 38. Try this webpage to get information about departure times if you are up for the challenge. The price is €4,90 as of Sep 2025.

By car

The trip from Split along the coastal road (Jadranska magistrala or D8) is a beautiful scenic journey passing small, quaint villages and other tourist destinations. Just know that in the summer months the trip is likely to take several hours longer than anticipated. What looks like a short trip on a map can take six hours. A much faster way of simply getting from Split to Dubrovnik by car is to take the A1 highway to Ploče and then continue via Opuzen towards Dubrovnik. Traditionally, both routes to Dubrovnik required you to briefly cross into Bosnia and Herzegovina. However, the Pelješac Bridge bypassing B&H opened in July 2022. It spans from Komarna to the Pelješac peninsula and is slated to cut an hour off the drive time to Dubrovnik. Unusually for an expensive new megaproject, there are no plans to levy a toll on the bridge. The temporary downside of this option is the connecting roadworks on the peninsula haven't all finished, and so you'll partly be using narrower, older roads until you rejoin the D8 after Ston. If you choose to stay on the old D8 road (called M2 in Neum), you will need to cross two border checkpoints: from Croatia to B&H, and back into Croatia. B&H is outside the EU, so full customs and immigration checks are carried out and delays are common in summer.

Getting around

The Old Town is completely pedestrianized. It consists of a main street that runs East-West. North and South of that street, it is usually impossible to avoid stairs. There are signs at the entrances to many of these streets advertising what businesses, shops, restaurants and accommodation are to be found in that direction. Some of these signs appear to be either intentionally misleading or woefully out of date. For example, there is no office of any bus company within the Old Town, despite what the signs may say. Visitors are asked to carry wheeled suitcases rather than rolling them in the Old Town to reduce noise pollution for residents.

By sea taxi

The sea taxis (like a motorboat) operate from the bay area, and go to the castle, they accommodate about 3-4 people and are a generally good option. Not expensive, but not cheap either. Still, it's a worthwhile choice for families.

By bus

If you are not staying in Old Town, it's relatively simple to get there by bus, as just about every one leads to the Old Town. However, it might be advisable to get a timetable [1] from the operator Libertas just in case. Schedules are available at the information counter of the Main Bus Station. It costs €1.73 (valid for one hour, unlimited rides) for tickets bought at any kiosk, or €2.50 (valid for one ride) bought on the bus, cards accepted (Sep 2025). At selected kiosks (including the international bus station) you can purchase a day pass for €5.31 (Sep 2025). This pass is valid for 24 hr of unlimited travel on the city bus network, starting from the first validation. Other ticket options can be found here. The Dubrovnik Pass also includes city bus travel. If you want to venture further out of the city, be aware of the limits of these tickets. Basically you can use them to get to all stations that you can find on the official city bus network map, which is displayed at every station or online, but no further. The easiest way to get from the Main Bus Station to the Old Town is by using the (mostly modern and air-con equipped) buses number 1, 1A and 1B, which circulate almost constantly. These buses can be boarded from the bus stop on the main road just outside the Main Bus Station. Apart from this, there is another bus service which comes inside the bus station and drops you directly at the Old Town.

See

The Dubrovnik Pass (Summer: €40 one day, €50 three days, €60 seven days/ Winter: €15 one day, €25 three days, €35 seven days) is worth considering, as it is only €5 more than the entry to the City Walls, and includes most of the museums in the Old Town, in addition to unlimited bus rides within the town for the duration of the pass. Entry to the Old Town is free, a pass is only required to walk the walls.

Old Town

The Placa Stradun is the central east-west street, where the old city comes to life. The uniform Baroque architecture of the houses in Placa, with shops on the street level and their 'knee-like' entrances, got its present-day form in the restoration of the City taking place after the disastrous earthquake in 1667, when a large number of luxurious Gothic and Renaissance palaces had been destroyed. The architectural design of Placa reveals effective solutions and the business sense of the Dubrovnik Republic in those difficult times. Today, Placa is still the shopping centre and venue of major events. Explore streets and alleys on its sides, or stroll up and down the thoroughfare with an ice-cream in hand.

1 Pile Gate (Vrata od Pila), at the western end of the Placa Stradun (Old town). A convenient starting place for a stroll through the Old Town. 2 Big Onofrio's Fountain. In the western (Pile) entrance of the old town, The fountain stairs are nowadays a favourite meeting place for local youth and where both the tourists and pigeons take rest and refresh themselves with cool water. 3 Roland's Column (in front of the Bell Tower). A slender stone flag staff of the legendary knight. Also known as Orlando's Column. Ever since its foundation in 1950, the Dubrovnik Summer Festival is opened by raising a flag carrying the city's motto Libertus on Orlando's staff. 4 Bell Tower (after the Ploče entrance to the city). On top of the tower are the famous 'Zelenci' (The Green Ones), bronze statues which strike the gigantic bell every hour. They have been replaced with copies and the originals are in the atrium of the Sponza Palace. 5 Sponza Palace (West of the Bell Tower). Daily 10:00-22:00. Gothic Renaissance palace, one of the few buildings that has maintained its form from before the catastrophic 1667 earthquake. Hosts historic archives. Memorial room of defenders. €5. 6 Rector's Palace, Pred dvorom 1, ☏ +385 20 321 437. The former palace of the Major Council houses a museum dedicated to the city's history. €15.

Do

Cliff Jumping @ Cafe Buža. See listing for Cafe Buža in the Drinks section. Lazareti, Frana Supila 8 (Ploce, just outside of the east entrance to the Old town), ☏ +385 20 324 633, arl@du.htnet.hr. Old quarantine hospital serves as a cultural centre for concerts, exhibitions, workshops, theater, film, night clubs and literature. The concert hall/bar is a very cozy place with a decent sound system. Gallery Galeriya Tutunplok is open daily 12:00-21:00. Films and theater showings range from €2.70-5.40 Concerts cost €5.40-13. A nightclub is open here from 10:00-16:00 and will cost you about €4. Gathers a mostly alternative crowd. 1 imad hotel, Za Karmenom 1. for free. Swim in the Adriatic Sea below the old wall. In the harbour of the old town, go all around (right) along the wall, beyond the aquarium and there is a pier and some rocks where you can cool down on a hot summer day. Avoid stepping on sea urchins, which are commonly found on rocks in the sea water around Dubrovnik, especially if you are wearing no shoes. These are mostly found in clear water and are easy to spot.

Sailing and boat trips

Dubrovnik is an excellent starting point for exploring southern Adriatic coast primarily Elaphite islands, Korčula, Pelješac and Mljet. There are many charter agencies where you can charter a sailing or motor yacht which are based in Dubrovnik. Majority of them operate from ACI marina Dubrovnik (42°40,3’ N 18°07,6’ E) which is based in Komolac about 2 nautical miles away from the entrance to the port Gruz, and 6 km away from the old town. It is open throughout the whole year.

Dubrovnik is characterized by Mediterranean climate and generally light NW winds, making a yacht charter holiday very popular with couples with younger children and less experienced skippers and crews. A strong north wind known as the Bora is more usual during autumn and winter. When you charter a yacht through charter agency and arrive to designated marina there are a few things that need to be done. The most important thing is the yacht check-in (usually Saturday around 16:00). Take your time doing yacht check in. Familiarise yourself with the chartered yacht and with the yacht equipment. The rule of thumb is the more time you take for the yacht check in, the less time you will need for the yacht check out. After that you have to do the shopping for the charter vacation. Don't neglect the grocery shopping because the sea is unpredictable and you don't want to get stuck on the boat without anything to eat or drink. You can do the shopping in a marina however the prices are usually much higher there, or you can order from yacht provisioning services who usually deliver the products to the marina at no extra fee.

Shopping

Money and ATMs

There are few ATMs outside the Old Town. Avoid Euronet cash machines located in touristy areas since they may charge random extra fees depending on your card. OTP Banka doesn't charge any extra if you choose charging in the local currency.

Shopping

There are many local artisans who specialize in domestic crafts. Popular purchases include: handmade tablecloths, linens and napkins. Many merchants claim that the necktie was invented in Croatia. Another local speciality is little dolls dressed in local garb. The Pharmacy, at the Franciscan Monastery creates hand creams and other toiletries based on ancient recipes. The pharmacy is one of the oldest in this part of Europe. It has been operating from the time of its foundation to the present day. While wandering around the Old Town, you will come across many shops that sell Croatian goods such as wine and textiles. If you have transport there is a Lidl (German discount supermarket) 5 km east of the Old Town near the village of Čibača; this is where the locals shop to avoid steep Dubrovnik prices.

Clara Stones Jewellery Store, Naljeskoviceva 8 (5th street to the left of Stradun if you go from Pile Gate), ☏ +385 20 321706. Unique handmade Adriatic coral, pearl and gems jewellery with certificates of authenticity. You're probably aware of the 2011-2019 TV fantasy series called Game of Thrones. GOT is everywhere in Dubrovnik, and is believed to have added significantly to tourist congestion.

Eat

There is a wide range of restaurants in the Old Town. Most offer a very similar menu of local seafood and some meat dishes, although there is more variety than in other coastal Croatian towns. The cuisine may not be very imaginative, but it is usually of good quality and very fresh. Restaurants can be crudely separated into (slightly) cheaper tourist-trap places, and more expensive but first class gastronomic restaurants. There are a few pizzerias, mostly wood-fired and quite acceptable. The Kraš chocolate sold at stores is delicious. Dubrovnik, more so than the rest of Croatia, is well aware of its status as a tourist hot-spot. Rents for restaurant premises are high and consequently the prices on the menus reflect this. Note that in the off peak season of November–March nearly all the top-end restaurants close, leaving only a handful of desperate tourist trap enterprises operating and still charging high prices. You can however still eat well and discounts can be negotiated. Dubrovnik cuisine is characteristically not very spicy and is famous for traditionalism. Many popular meals are characteristic of Dubrovnik such as zelena menestra (it is the name for many sorts of cabbages and other vegetables with meat), the meat dish pašticada and the famous caramel-based dessert dubrovačka rozata. Since Dubrovnik restaurants are quite popular, many mid-range and high-end establishments provide the option of online reservation. English-language menus are found everywhere.

In the Old Town

1 Buffet Škola, Antuninska ul. 1. Quaint, quick dinner! Delicious prosciutto, cheese, and salad. Excellent sandwiches. Freshly produced and the bread is a reminiscent of focaccia. (updated May 2022) 2 Barba, Boškovićeva ul. 5. Great sea street food, big portions, nice and friendly staff. Even it is full inside, you can order for take away, sit on the steps in front of the restaurant and eat, while looking at the streets of Kings Landing. (updated May 2022)

Near the Old Town

3 Pizzeria Tabasco, Hvarska ul. 48. Decent and hearty pizza. Service is excellent and very sincere. Situated underneath the cable car system boarding point just near the walls of the old town. (updated May 2022)

Drink

The most popular spirit in Croatia is home made rakija. This is a very strong distilled drink made from a variety of fruits. Examples include šljivovica, made from plums, loza, made from grapes, and orahovica, made with walnuts. All are quite strong. There are many excellent local wines from both the Pelješac Peninsula and Konavle and it is often less expensive than soft drinks like Coca Cola. However, be careful when purchasing wine from unlicensed dealers. Though the price is very attractive, with some being as low as €1.50 per litre, it can sometimes be of low quality. Croatian beer is also good and popular, though none is made in the Dubrovnik region.

Cafes

There are numerous cafes throughout the Old Town and the entire city with prices varying according to the location (particularly, those located on the Stradun are by far the most expensive but you are paying for the ambiance and people-watching as well). Most cafes serve a wide variety of drinks all day.

Bars

Walk towards the sea from Stradun near the Ploce gate, and you'll hit a tiny square with outdoor seating by 4 or 5 different pubs, with live music playing, and large cocktail pitchers with very low alcohol content.

Sleep

Private rooms are a good option for those on a budget, starting from around €10 per person for comfort and privacy exceeding those of hostels. The downside is that they may be far from the Old Town, so make sure you check the location. Owners letting out these rooms accost buses at the bus station, so you can ask around and even bargain a little.

Budget

1 Camping Solitudo (Catch bus #7 from the main bus station (every hour) directly or take bus #1 to the Old Town Pile station and change to bus 6 (6 and 7, direction: 'Babin Kuk')). A large site with one large amenity block in the middle, so if you are on the edge there is a reasonable walk to the toilets. 400 m walk to two beaches. Most of the pitches are dirt or gravel so not great on lightweight groundsheets. Bar and food on site. 2 people in a tent: €47. 2 Guesthouse Villa Micika Dubrovnik, Mata Vodopica 10 (in Lapad, 200 m walk to the beach; take Bus #6 from Pile or the bus station to Lapad post office), ☏ +385 20 437 332, +385 98 243 717, toll-free: +385 98 243 717 (Whatsapp and Viber too), info@vilamicika.hr. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 11:00. A small cozy guesthouse in Lapad, 300 m from the Lapad beach and another 200 from the pine forest. Funky, clean, character rooms with a large shared terrace and BBQ. Free Internet with Wi-Fi. All rooms have TV with local and international channels, air-con and bathrooms with shower cabin and WC. €18 low season, €48 high season. (updated Sep 2018) 3 Guest House Letizia, Ul. pod Polje (in Gruz above the main city port. Go to the Barcelys Hotel and then after hotel 20 m turn on uphill street on left. A few steps above you will find the guest house), ☏ +385 20 638 194, guest.house.petrusic@gmail.com. Check-in: 13:00, check-out: 10:00. Free WiFi, a garden and a shared terrace looking out to Gruž Bay. Bright rooms with wooden floors, some have a private balcony. Stone barbecue on the terrace. Guests can also cook in a shared open-plan kitchen, a dining table for 6 is provided, no extra charge is levied for those services. €35-40 per room. Dubrovnik Backpacker's Club, Mostarska 2d, ☏ +385 20 435 375, caravanica@gmail.com. Home turned into a backpackers hot spot. Family run with location on Lapad, popular after its beaches and green parks, and a 10-min ride from old town and crowds. No booking fee for booking through their website. Youth Hostel Dubrovnik, Vinka Sagrestana 3 (20 min walk from the Old Town), ☏ +385 20 423 241. Check-in: 13:00, check-out: 10:00. 82 beds. The atmosphere leaves something to be desired, but it's usually filled with interesting people up for a chat on the balcony. Dorm bed: €16.70. 4 Hostel & Rooms Ana, Kovacka 4. A great hostel in the heart of the old town. Small and pokey, as all options in the old town are, but this only adds to the atmosphere. Guests gather in the tiny common area each evening with Ana distributing free locally-made grapa to kindle the social atmosphere. (updated Aug 2017)

Mid-range

Hotel Adriatic Dubrovnik, Masarykov put 5 (at the foot of Petka Hill, by the Adriatic Sea), ☏ +385 20 433 609, fax: +385 20 437 333, reservations_adriatic@hotelimaestral.com. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 11:00. Park and sea view rooms. The city centre is reachable by bus. (updated May 2019) Hotel Komodor, Masarykov put 3E, Lapad Bay, ☏ +385 20 433 673, fax: +385 20 437 333, sales_komodor@hotelimaestral.com. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 11:00. Swimming pool, complimentary breakfast, free parking for hotel guests and free Wifi in public spaces. (updated May 2019) Hotel Neptun Dubrovnik, Kardinala Stepinca 31, ☏ +385 20 440 100, fax: +385 20 440 200, sales@importanneresort.com. Renovated in 2008. 9-story tower with 79 rooms and 12 family suites, all have air-con, a balcony with sea-view and free WiFi. Hotel Lero, Iva Vojnovica 14 (15 min walk from Old Town), ☏ +385 20 341 333, fax: +385 20 332 123, sales@hotel-lero.hr. Check-in: noon, check-out: noon. Renovated city hotel with 155 contemporary designed rooms. Sea views and equipped with regular three-star amenities with air-con. Free parking, free WiFi. Hotel Petka, Obala Stjepana Radica 38 (in the Port of Gruz), ☏ +385 20 410 500. Convenient for island-hopping. Clean air-con rooms, restaurant. Hotel Splendid, Masarykov put 6, ☏ +385 20 433 633, sales_splendid@hotelimaestral.com. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 11:00. In a Mediterranean garden on a pebble beach in Lapad Bay.It offers free parking for hotel guests, complimentary breakfast, free Wi-Fi in public spaces. (updated May 2019) Hotel Vis, Masarykov put 2, ☏ +385 20 433 605, sales_vis@hotelimaestral.com. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 11:00. On a pebble beach in Lapad Bay. It offers parking for hotel guests, complimentary breakfast, Wi-Fi in public spaces. (updated May 2019) Pension Stankovich, Matije Gubca 15 (at the entrance of Old Town), ☏ +385 98 182 7338. Dubrovnik b&b, Frana Supila 1 (by east entrance of Old Town), ☏ +385 91 201 55 91. Simple accommodation in great central spot. B&B double from €75. (updated Sep 2019)

Local customs

Since the summer of 2023, using suitcases with wheels in the old city can lead to a fine of at least €250.

Stay safe

Dubrovnik is a very safe city, though the usual precautions should be taken to protect yourself from pick-pocketing. The streets in the old town can be quite slippery as they've been smoothed down for centuries by people walking over them. At night, avoid the smaller old town streets and stick to the more modern ones with street-lighting (Victorian gaslamps on brackets).

Go next

Nearby towns:

Cavtat and the Konavle Valley, immediately to the south Trsteno has a 15th-century summer residence and renaissance garden. Ston is known for oysters and old salt ponds still in use and a 5 km old stone wall. Nearby islands:

Mljet is a green island with national park, lakes and monasteries. The rest of Croatia, across the Pelješac Bridge:

More pictures of Dubrovnik

From this destination's category on Wikimedia Commons. Each photograph is credited to its own author under its own licence.