Sitting on the southern Croatia coast, Dubrovnik blends history, culture, and architecture with a rugged Adriatic setting of traditional fishing villages, beaches, and green islands. Most Dubrovnik travel guides send travelers head first to the heart of the city—a stone-built Old Town dating from the 10th century, perched on a headland and ringed by thick, medieval walls. Guided tours explore the area’s churches, fountains, and squares, or walk the battlement walls to admire the sea views and fairy tale towers. (It’s no wonder Dubrovnik’s was a main Game of Thrones filming location.) Beyond the city, popular day-trip destinations include nearby Elafiti Islands and the ancient town of Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Old Town and Ancient City Walls

With its walls running over a mile (two kilometers) around its perimeter, Dubrovnik Old Town offers limestone-clad streets and squares flanked by red-roofed mansions, palaces, churches, shops and restaurants. In addition to strolls atop the wall, popular walking tours include the main Stradun promenade, Rector’s Palace, and the Franciscan Monastery. Although this Dubrovnik travel guide is a great start, exploring with a local guide ensures visitors see the best of the Old Town without getting lost.

Dubrovnik City Walls Walking Tour

This tour combines a guided excursion of the Old Town with a full circuit of the walls, an ideal choice for first-time visitors who want to cover all Dubrovnik’s highlights in one go.

Dubrovnik Super Saver: Mt. Srd Cable Car Ride Plus Old Town and City Walls Walking Tour

This combo pairs Old Town and a wall tour with a round-trip cable car ride up the slopes of nearby Mt. Srd, so your clients get the bonus of panoramic views over Dubrovnik’s red roofs, with the blue Adriatic as a backdrop.

Dubrovnik Old Town Walking Tour

Perfect for clients who are short on time or who don’t fancy negotiating the walls’ steps and gates, this tour focuses exclusively on Old Town and its big-ticket sights.

Viator Exclusive: “Game of Thrones” Walking Tour of Dubrovnik

This Viator Exclusive is an ideal choice for Game of Thrones fans interested in seeing real-life King’s Landing locations in and around Old Town.

Elafiti Islands

Basking just off Dubrovnik, the 14 Elafiti Islands are popular with travelers wanting a break from the bustle of Dubrovnik. The three biggest islands—Kolocep, Sipan, and Lopud—are traffic-free, and filled with villages, beaches, forests, and walking trails. Cruises on modern boats or replica galleons are easy, affordable day-trip options. As an alternative, private speedboat and yacht tours offer customizable itineraries that allow visits to other islands.

Full-Day Dubrovnik Elafiti Islands Cruise with Lunch

This quintessential island-hopping cruise features a modern, open-sided boat, and visits the three main isles, with time to stroll and swim at each, plus a choice of lunch menus.

Elafiti Islands Full-Day Karaka Cruise from Dubrovnik

A fun alternative to traveling by conventional boat, this cruise takes clients aboard a replica, white-sailed karakagalleon, adding a historical dimension to the experience.

Private Elafiti Islands Cruise from Dubrovnik

Ideal for clients traveling in a group or those looking for an off-the-beaten-path experience of the Elafiti Islands, this private cruise visits smaller islands and hidden bays to snorkel and swim.

Mostar

Situated close to the southern Croatian border and easily accessible from Dubrovnik, the ancient town of Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina is a popular day-trip destination thanks to its 16th-century Stari Most (Old Bridge) and East-meets-West atmosphere. Full-day tours cover a range of attractions, but most include explorations of the town’s Ottoman-European architecture, mosques, and bazaars, as well as its UNESCO-listed arched bridge. Many tours in this Dubrovnik travel guide combine time in Mostar with nearby highlights, such as Kravice Waterfalls.

Traces of Orient in Mostar from Dubrovnik

Ideal for clients who mainly want to see Mostar, this trip offers a guided tour of the town’s Ottoman-era must-sees, including Stari Most and the bazaar.

Mostar and Kravice Waterfalls Tour from Dubrovnik

For clients more interested in scenery than history, this tour balances a walk in Mostar with a visit to Kravice Waterfalls, leaving ample time to swim in the blue-green pools.

Mostar, Pocitelj, Kravice Waterfalls, and Village Ravno Wine Tasting Private Tour From Dubrovnik

Mostar is just one of several stops on this private tour, which is a great option for clients who want a wider experience of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Bonus: A guided white wine tasting in the village of Ravno is included.

Food, Wine & Nightlife

Peljesac Wine and Oysters Tasting Private Tour from Dubrovnik by Vidokrug

On this tour, travel in the comfort of a private vehicle and enjoy the undivided attention of your guide as you explore the historic towns of Ston and Orebić and admire the impressive Walls of Ston.

Traditional Cooking Class in Dubrovnik Countryside

Dalmatia boasts a unique culinary culture, but knowing where to go for insight into traditional tastes and recipes can be difficult. Take a break from the city with round-trip transfer into the countryside, and attend a cooking class delivered by a local chef.

Flavours of Dubrovnik Private Tour: Wine & Bites with a Local

Your local wine expert has combined a variety of rich traditional local wines with authentic bites and Old Town highlights. Take in the local vibes and feel free to ask the local host of your choice any burning questions along the way.

Most Popular Things to Do in Dubrovnik

Day Trips & Excursions

Sightseeing Tickets & Passess

Cultural & Theme Tours

Cruises, Sailing & Water Tours

Dubrovnik Travel Guide: Things to Know

When to Visit

High summer brings big crowds and hot weather. As a result, many prefer the relative quiet and cool that comes with visiting May through June or September through October.

Getting Around

Old Dubrovnik is traffic-free, so walking is the only way to get around. Clients staying outside the Old Town can take taxis and buses to the main gates.

Things to Bring

Travelers should stick to flip-flops or comfy flats, as high heels don’t mix with the cobbled lanes or steps. Bring lightweight clothes, sunhats, and sunblock if visiting in July or August.

Local Customs

In Croatian culture, it’s considered rude to have one’s hands below the table when dining. Rather, Croatians keep their hands visible on the table’s surface. Table manners are relatively casual but it’s always best to match what others are doing.

When meeting people, a handshake and direct eye contact are customary.

Tipping

Tipping is typical in hotels or more expensive restaurants, but generally tipping is not expected, but are appreciated if given. Consider a 10% tip for nicer restaurants and a small tip for housekeeping.

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