Things to Do in Dubrovnik: 17 Best Activities in the Old Town

Need some inspiration for things to do in Dubrovnik? Look no further!

We recently spent some time in Dubrovnik and we can honestly say that you won’t have any issues finding amazing activities to fill your time. The trick will be finding enough time for all the activities.

While there are an endless number of available activities, there are some that many consider to be essential in order to fully experience Dubrovnik.

Best Things to See & Do in Old Town Dubrovnik

There is an abundance of available activities in Dubrovnik. The challenge is deciding which ones are right for you. Only you have the answer to that question!

With that in mind, we’ve curated this list of activities to cater to a wide range of interests.

If you’re only spending a few nights, maybe you’d like to focus on activities that are centered in and around the city.

For those of you that want to spend a week or more, Dubrovnik is a great base location if you want to plan day trips.

Whether you enjoy adventure, food or just relaxing, there’s an activity for you. So grab a cup of coffee and let’s get to it!

1. Walk the Old Town City Walls

No trip to Old Town would be complete without walking the city walls, especially if you’re a Game of Thrones fan.

Old Town, including the walls, are a UNESCO World Heritage site and appeared in many scenes throughout the series and although some of it may have been enhanced through CGI, it’s still fun to see what they look like in real-life.

Unfortunately, you cannot walk the city walls for free. The entrance fee is approximately 40,00 EUR per adult and 15,00 EUR for children under 18, less during the low season. 

The fee goes towards preserving the city walls and the Old Town. When you purchase your ticket, it’s valid for the day, meaning you don’t purchase it for a specific time. However, you do need to use it the same day you purchase it. 

2. Attend A Classical Music Concert

The Dubrovnik Symphony Orchestra performs several concerts throughout the spring and summer each year.

Even if you don’t typically listen to classical music, hearing it against the backdrop of some of Dubrovnik’s most historical landmarks, such as Rector’s Palace and Saint Blaise’s Church, is almost other-worldly. 

In addition, Dubrovnik hosts the International Late Summer Music Festival which takes place in late August through mid-September.

The festival includes symphonies as well as chamber concerts, recitals and other performances.

The festival took place during our recent visit and, I have to say, hearing the music echo throughout the streets of Old Town was magical.

If you’re looking for a unique activity, this is a great choice.

If you want more information about the Dubrovnik Symphony Orchestra or would like to purchase tickets, check out their website.

3. Visit Lokrum Island

Lokrum Island is located just off the coast of Dubrovnik and you can get there in just 15 minutes via ferry.

The former Benedictine monastery and botanical gardens were used as filming locations for Game of Thrones.

The monastery is now a visitor’s center that has an exhibit dedicated to the filming of the show.

You’ll also find a replica of the Iron Throne here which makes for a great photo opportunity for any diehard fan of the show.

4. Enjoy Local Street Performers

One of the many things we loved about visiting Dubrovnik was that we would occasionally come upon a street performer in Old Town. These types of things make the experience all the more memorable.

You’ll typically see street performers in Old Town during the peak summer months from June through August however, we visited in early September and they were still performing.

Street performances can include anything from music to acrobats and more. We only saw musicians when we were there and they were absolutely incredible so this is definitely worth a few minutes of your time.

5. Take a Walking Tour of Old Town

You may be wondering if Dubrovnik’s Old Town is walkable. The answer is yes, it’s very walkable. At only 0.247 square kilometers (0.095 square miles), it’s an ideal city to walk around.

It’s also completely pedestrianized making it easy to navigate the streets without having to worry about traffic.

There are two ways to do this. You can either explore on your own or sign up for one of the many guided walking tours that are available.

If you choose to explore on your own, we suggest entering Old Town via Pile Gate, the western entrance, and beginning your tour on Stradun, the main street of Old Town. It’s dotted with quaint cafes, galleries, coffee shops and gelaterias. From there, you can veer off to the right or left down one of the many side streets. 

If you’re visiting Dubrovnik during the peak tourist season and you’d prefer to avoid crowds, the best time to visit  is either earlier in the morning or late afternoon. By mid to late morning, you’ll start to see cruise passengers and bus tour groups arrive. They start to dwindle by late afternoon. 

We highly suggest that you spend at least a few hours exploring the streets. That will allow you plenty of time to meander the streets and visit the many unique shops and perhaps stop for a drink or some lunch. There are so many charming restaurants and cafes around every corner. Find your favorite and spend some time just taking it all in.

6. Kayak Along the Historic Walls of Dubrovnik’s Old Town

A must-do activity for anyone who loves being out on the water is a kayak tour around the base of the Old Town city walls.

There are numerous tours available from sunset kayaking to combination kayaking and snorkeling.

Many of these tours will take you along the base of the city walls, around the island of Lokrum and to Betina Cave. Some may even include a visit to the island but you should confirm this prior to booking.

Though kayaking may seem like a nice way to spend an afternoon, this activity can be very strenuous due to weather and water conditions. You will also be navigating through an active harbor where boats and ferries arrive and depart from. It’s important to consider your own fitness level prior to committing to this activity.

You can also rent a kayak without a guide. If you go this route and you plan to visit Lokrum, you’ll need to pay an entrance fee on arrival since this is not included with the rental. The entrance fee is approximately 30,00 EUR per person.

7. Gelateria Hopping

One thing you’ll find an abundance of in Croatia is gelaterias and Dubrovnik is no exception. You’ll find one around almost every corner, usually with a line out the door.

One of the things we love about European gelaterias compared to ice cream shops in the U.S is the portion size. At home, ice cream is much more of an indulgence. In Europe, it’s almost a necessity.

We can grab a gelato, walk a couple of hours, grab another one and we don’t feel the least bit guilty about it.

So if you’re in need of a respite from the crowds and heat, we suggest grabbing a cup or cone at the nearest one, finding a quiet corner to gather your thoughts and do some people-watching.

Here are a couple of our favorite ones.

aRoma

There are several locations of aRoma throughout Croatia, mainly in tourist hotspots. We tried the locations in Hvar Town as well as Old Town Dubrovnik. You’ll find unique offerings such as dark chocolate with orange or some of the more classic flavors like vanilla or stracciatella.

Gelateria Dubrovnik

Located along Stradun, the main street through Old Town, Gelateria Dubrovnik is another great choice for your gelato fix.

This gelateria has the benefit of being located on the main street close to Pile Gate. Because of this, they are usually very busy but completely worth the wait. One thing to note is that they only accept cash so be sure to visit an ATM prior to visiting if needed.

8. Spend a Day at the Beach

It goes without saying that with Dubrovnik’s location on the Adriatic, one of the first things people want to know when visiting is if there are nice beaches nearby.

The short answer is yes, there are. Much of Dubrovnik’s coastline is rocky but there are beaches around if you’d like to spend the day lounging by the water.

There are some located close to Old Town such as Bellevue Beach or Dance Beach or you can travel a bit further to Lokrum Island or Šunj Beach on Lopud Island.

Some beaches such as Bellevue and Šunj Beach offer services such as sunbeds and umbrellas for a fee but Lokrum and Dance are more limited with their offerings.

Regardless of which one you choose, a day at the beach is a great way to spend some time in Dubrovnik. 

9. Visit Buza Bar

We stumbled upon Buza Bar completely by accident. As we were navigating the sidestreets of Old Town, we saw others passing through a literal hole in the wall. 

Normally, I like to think of us as a don’t-follow-the-crowd kind of travelers. In this case, for fear of missing something amazing, we did what any normal tourist would do. We followed. 

We found ourselves on a narrow staircase built into the side of a cliff staring out at the Adriatic Sea. 

It was both stunning and jarring at the same time. Jarring mostly because you’re trying to share and navigate the limited available space with other interested spectators.

Once you get your bearings, following the staircase down will lead you to Buza Bar, one of the most popular bars in Old Town, with good reason. 

It offers one of the best views of Lokrum Island and the surrounding area. 

It’s popularity means that tables may be hard to come by especially around sunset. However, if a table isn’t available, grab a spot on one of the rocks and relax with a drink.

The offerings and facilities are very simple so it may not be for everyone but for others it will be

10. Take The Cable Car Up Mount Srd

The Dubrovnik Cable Car is located just outside the city walls just a few minutes walk from Buza Gate. The ride to the top of Mount Srd offers spectacular panoramic views of Old Town, the Adriatic and Elafiti Islands. 

Once you arrive at the top, you’ll have your choice of available activities.

Whether you opt for renting a UTV, hiking or just grabbing a bite to eat at the Panorama Restaurant, the views around you are undeniably breathtaking.

One thing to keep in mind is that they do close the cable car for inclement weather or if they expect wind or lightning. It’s best to check the forecast in advance before planning your visit. If you get there and it is closed, check back later. They may reopen when the weather improves.

11. Visit An Art Gallery

If you’re an art or photography lover, Dubrovnik has a few small galleries that may be of interest to you.

Of note is Carmel which features photography by local artists. Here you’re able to purchase prints as well as jewelry.

Other galleries of interest include the Modern Art Gallery Dubrovnik located in the former Banac Mansion and the War Photo Limited featuring works by leading conflict photographers.

How Long It Takes

This will depend on how many galleries you visit and how long you spend in each but you can probably count on spending an hour or two in each.

When To Book

There’s no need to book this in advance. You can purchase tickets on arrival.

Cost

Each gallery will have it’s own entrance fee. For example, the Museum Of Modern Art is 10,00 EUR per adult. However, you do have other options.

You can also purchase a combined ticket that gives you entry to 10 museums and galleries in a 7-day period for 20,00 EUR per adult. You can get more information on the museum’s website.

Another option is to purchase a Dubrovnik Pass. This allows you access to not only several museums and galleries throughout the city, but it also includes entrance to the city walls.

The pass is available in 1-day, 3-day and 7-day options starting at 40,00 EUR per person. This is a great value if you plan to visit multiple attractions that are included with the ticket. You can purchase your pass in advance through this website.

12. Visit a Museum

If you’d like to learn more about the history of Dubrovnik, a good place to start is by visiting some of the museums. 

Of note is the Maritime Museum located in Fort St. John. This museum offers insight into Dubrovnik’s history of sailing and navigation. Inside, you’ll find exhibits that showcase over 11,000 objects ranging from ship models to maritime objects.

If sailing isn’t your thing, there are other museums that may peak your interest including the Ethnographic Museum, the Rector’s Palace and the Franciscan Monastery Museum. 

If you plan to visit multiple museums, we suggest purchasing a Dubrovnik Pass. It includes entry to several museums throughout the city in addition to other sights including the city walls as well as public transportation. It’s a huge cost savings.

13. Do a Wine Tasting

14. Take a Food Tour

15. Eat at a Restaurant With a View

16. Take a Sunset Cruise

17. Take a Game of Thrones Walking Tour

18. Cable Car Summer Nights

19.

Where To Stay In Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik has no shortage of accommodation options. Whether you’re looking for budget or luxury options, there’s a place for you. If you want more info about areas to stay, check out this post.

FAQs

As you can see, there are so many great things to do in Dubrovnik that you won’t have any problem filling your days.

From museums and art galleries to simply strolling through the alleys of Old Town, the possibilities are endless. You may have additional questions so we’re going to provide answers to some of the most common ones.

Things to do in Dubrovnik Old Town

There are some great things to do in Old Town including walking tours, walking on top of the city walls, sunbathing on the rocks or visiting Buza Bar.

You can also wander around the many small sidestreets or visit some of the many cafes and gelaterias.

How Many Days Do You Need In Dubrovnik

How many days you spend in Dubrovnik will depend on what you plan to do while there. If you don’t plan to venture beyond Dubrovnik, 3 to 4 days will be enough time to fully experience the city. You can easily spend a week or more if you want to add day trips into the mix.

What is Dubrovnik known for?

Dubrovnik is known for its medieval Old Town and the city walls that surround it. It’s also known for being the filming location for many famous scenes in the Game of Thrones series.

In a Nutshell: Best Things To Do In Dubrovnik

Deciding the best things to do in Dubrovnik really depends on your own interests. 

However, if you’re spending multiple days in the city, we highly recommend spending some time exploring the main historical sites of the city. Then you can fill in the rest of your free time with activities that appeal to your personal tastes.

That being said, what it really comes down to when traveling is that you need to do you.

Unless you’re spending multiple weeks at a destination, you should be choosing the activities that will make you feel fulfilled at the end of your trip. 

Dubrovnik is an amazing place with so many exciting things to see and do. We hope these suggestions have inspired you to start planning your trip today!