6 incredible things to go and see in Dubrovnik, Croatia, and the surrounding areas beyond "Game of Thrones"
- Dubrovnik, Croatia, offers a scenic coastline with activities like kayaking and boating.
- Plan your visit with day trips to nearby islands and towns, boating or kayak tours, and wineries.
"Game of Thrones" famously filming in Dubrovnik may have made this Mediterranean city recognizable for many, but as an American living here for over four years, I can tell you that real-life Dubrovnik has so much more to offer than just the fictional "King's Landing."
Although the picturesque Old Town holds a special place in my heart, I usually prefer to instead explore the surrounding regions and islands that showcase this country's cultural heritage and vast natural landscape. I like to explore areas like Elafiti Island by speed boat, join wine tastings on the Pelješac peninsula, or take seaside walks around Cavtat.
Today, my fiancé — a Dubrovnik native — and I work as Croatia travel advisors based in Dubrovnik to share these experiences with travelers. I always encourage them to explore the Old Town, but to also save time for day trips throughout the region.
These are my top tips for activities and places that will make the most of your time in Dubrovnik.
Most travelers come to Dubrovnik to experience the iconic Old Town, a UNESCO world heritage site known for its terracotta vistas overlooking the Adriatic Sea. However, the town itself can get quite crowded during summer. If you'd like to see the Old Town without the crowds during this time, then I recommend waking up early to explore the city around 6 or 7 a.m. It's one of my favorite times when the sun is rising and the entire town is peaceful.
Even when Stradun, the main street in the Old Town, is packed, you can find refuge in hidden nooks around town. One of my favorite hidden gems is a basketball court, tucked along the city walls under the Minčeta tower. On the opposite end of the city, I think you'll spot the best sunsets from the hole-in-the-wall cliff-side Buza Bar. In the middle of town, I also suggest a visit to the Beer Factory Dubrovnik, where you can sip on local brews and sit outside in the courtyard surrounded by orange trees.
Walk along the city walls and climb Fort Lovrijenac
If there's one attraction you should pay for in Dubrovnik, it's the Dubrovnik city walls. I always tell travelers that the views are absolutely worth the hype, as is the 200 Kuna ($30) entrance fee.
Originally built as defense walls, this landmark takes you around the perimeter of Dubrovnik's Old Town and along the cliffs of the Adriatic Sea. Plan on spending around an hour and a half to four hours to walk the entire walls, but you might take a little longer if you stop for photos. My favorite views are near the Ploce Gate entrance that overlooks the harbor, and also on top of the Minčeta Tower. When I take visiting friends and family here, I always try to go early in the morning or late afternoon to avoid the crowds.
Included in your ticket to the city walls is the entrance to Fort Lovrijenac, another line of defense in the days of Dubrovnik's Republic. I recommend this spot if you want to snap some quick shots of the Old Town jutting out into the sea from afar. I also like to catch a play or concert here each year during the Dubrovnik Summer Festival.
Although the fortress doesn't require nearly as much walking, be prepared to climb steep stairs to get up to the fortress. On the way down, stop for a drink at Dodo Beach Bar with its whimsical swings overlooking Sulić Beach.
Check out the views from Mount Srd
While I've been up to Mount Srd dozens of times, the birds-eye-view of Dubrovnik and the Adriatic Sea from here still blows me away. Atop Mount Srd you'll also find the popular Panorama restaurant, which is usually crowded at lunchtime and sunset. However, I prefer to pack a gourmet picnic to enjoy on top of Srd instead.
After taking in the panoramic views, visit the Homeland War Museum to learn about how civilians protected Dubrovnik on Srd during the war in the 1990s.
The most popular way to get to Srd is via cable car, which runs from April through October, and costs 200 Kuna round trip. Alternatively, some people take a taxi up as well, but I wouldn't recommend it as there can be a lot of traffic along the narrow, steep road.
My preferred way to the top of Srd is by hiking, which takes about 45 minutes to one hour. Finding the starting point on the side of the highway can be tricky, but the hike itself is relatively easy to intermediate. I find that the best time to hike is either early in the morning or around sunset when the sun isn't as strong.
Explore the region by sea
One of my favorite ways to immerse myself in Dubrovnik's dramatic, coastal landscape is to explore the region by sea. There are a couple of different ways I recommend doing this, depending on what activities you enjoy.
I always recommend kayaking, because it is the best way to explore the coastline at a slower pace. You'll see several hidden beaches and coves along the coast that are only accessible by sea, such as the Betina Cave and the Blue Cave on Lokrum.
There are several kayaking tours offered in Dubrovnik. I've used Kayak Dubrovnik, which is one of the top-rated companies and each kayak tour comes with a professional guide that can explain more about the history and the landscape. You can also rent kayaks on your own for the day either with the same company, or by visiting kayak stands near the Pile Gate entrance to the Old Town.
Alternatively, jet skiing offers more of an adrenaline rush and will allow you to go beyond the coastline and take in the Adriatic Sea at a faster pace. Usually, the rental period for this is between 30 minutes to one hour, or you can take a jet-skiing tour with Water Sports Dubrovnik.
Visit the surrounding Dubrovnik regions
Many travelers make the mistake of restricting themselves to the Old Town area and miss out on experiencing the entire region to its fullest. Plan to explore at least one to two other areas within Dubrovnik county during your trip.
If you have limited time, Cavtat is at the top of my list of places to go. It has postcard-perfect charm and a historic Old Town, walking trails, and spotless beaches with plenty of cafes and restaurants. I love to come here and walk around the lush peninsula along the seaside promenade and stop for a drink and swim at Little Star beach bar in the summer. You can easily get to Cavtat from Dubrovnik via bus 10 or by taking a boat from Dubrovnik's Old Town.
Just beyond Cavtat and the Dubrovnik airport is Konavle, which is where I send those who want to go off the beaten path. While here, visit the local wineries, eat at authentic family-run restaurants, take a buggy safari, or go horseback riding. Because much of Konavle is rural, it is best to explore this region by car or private tour.
Between Konavle and Dubrovnik, you'll find Župa, the region that I call home in Dubrovnik. I may be biased, but I think it's where you'll find Croatia's most pristine beaches in areas such as Kupari, Srbreno, and Mlini, where you can walk through and stop at various seaside cafes along the way. In summer, you can find many of us locals hanging out at Gusar to watch a water polo match or live music, or relaxing on the beach at Coco Beach Bar. To get to Župa, you can take bus 10 from Dubrovnik, or a boat from Dubrovnik's Old Town port.
For a day trip that combines seafood, nature, and wine, I recommend Peljesac, about an hour outside of Dubrovnik. This peninsula is known for domestic wine and fresh oysters. There are various wineries throughout the peninsula offering native varieties like Plavac Mali (red) and Pošip (white). Try the fresh oysters pulled straight from the sea at the oyster farms in Mali Ston.
In the town of Ston, you can also find the Ston Fortress Walls, which were part of the defense system during the Dubrovnik republic, and today are considered the longest fortress walls in Europe. Surrounded by the dramatic landscape of the Pelješac peninsula, the walls are one of my favorite scenic places to hike around Dubrovnik.
Visit nearby idyllic islands for hidden beaches and untouched nature
When I want peace and quiet away from the summer crowds, I head to nearby islands. There are several off the coast of Dubrovnik that are accessible by public ferry, tour groups, or private boat rental.
Located directly across from Dubrovnik's Old Town, Lokrum is my favorite place to come in the summer for a beach picnic. This small island is a UNESCO-protected forestry reserve known for turquoise waters, peacocks, and botanic gardens. As it is only a 15-minute boat ride from Dubrovnik's Old Town Harbor, Lokrum is the easiest island to visit. On the south side of the island, you'll find the nude beach, a salt lake that connects to the sea by tunnel, and the Lokrum rocks for cliff jumping.
Though I adore Lokrum, when I have more time, I prefer to explore the Elafiti Islands. The island trio of Koločep, Šipan, and Lopud are known for hidden beaches, untouched nature, and the authentic coastal atmosphere. Lopud is my favorite among them for the sandy Sunj beach, fresh seafood at restaurant Dubrovnik, and coastal promenade dotted with palm trees. I've visited all three of these islands on a group tour with Adriana previously, but you can also take the public ferry. However, I would instead book a private boat in Dubrovnik to explore the islands at your leisure.
A bit further beyond Dubrovnik's coast are my two favorite Croatian islands: Korčula and Mljet. Although you can visit either via the passenger ferry from Dubrovnik, I usually take the car ferry to either Korcula or Mljet via the Peljesac peninsula and stay for two nights so I have the flexibility to drive around and explore in-depth.
For a classic Dalmatian island experience that combines history, wine, and spotless beaches, go to Korčula. Nicknamed "little Dubrovnik," Korčula town is another medieval walled city where locals claim the explorer Marco Polo was actually born. I like to relax on the sandy beaches of the Lombarda region while sipping on the native Pošip wines from the area wineries.
When I need to truly unplug and recharge in nature, I go to the island of Mljet. It is considered to be the greenest island in Croatia due to the dense forest and is also home to the Mljet National Park. I bike around this park and then take the ferry across the lake to visit an island within the island housing a monastery. There is also Prožura, a quaint, seaside village where my fiance's father grew up.