Cheap things to do in Dubrovnik
Old Town canteens, cliff bars, free hikes, and zero regrets on the wallet.
This is Dubrovnik for people who want the real thing without the resort price tag: strong coffee at the counter, sardines at a canteen, panoramas earned on foot. The days move from the compact Old Town out to the headlands and back, and every evening ends somewhere genuinely worth staying for.
Day 1: Old Town, top to bottom
Siege photography, a classic canteen lunch, a free hike to the best view in the city, and octopus burgers eaten standing at the counter before a beer on a cliff.
- 9:30 AM
GreenGo Juices Smoothies & Coffee to go
Cheap grab-and-go coffee to kick off the morning in the Old Town.
Map - 10:15 AM
War Photo Limited
Small gallery of war photography with a room on the 1991 siege; open spring to late October only.
Map - 12:30 PM
Buffet Škola
Old Town canteen classic, marinated sardines and hot dishes, no fuss, no bill shock.
Map - 2:00 PM
Mount Srđ hike
Free 45 to 60 min hike up to Fort Imperial, best panorama in Dubrovnik and costs nothing.
Map - 7:30 PM
Barba
Octopus burgers and fried Adriatic snacks at the counter, the cheap seafood spot everyone swears by.
Map - 9:00 PM
Buža Bar
Cliff-side terrace cut into the sea wall, cold drink, cliff-jumping locals, unforgettable view for the price of a beer.
Map
Day 2: Mostar day trip, then Gruž
Breakfast by Pile Gate, the Gruž market while it is running, an easy lunch, a late swim off Bellevue beach, cheap burgers at Otto and cocktails back in the Old Town.
- 9:30 AM
Dubravka 1836 Restaurant & Cafe
Coffee on the terrace by Pile Gate with Fort Lovrijenac across the water; skip the food, it costs more.
Map - 11:00 AM
Placa Gruž
Browse the Gruž morning market for figs, dried lavender and local honey at local prices.
Map - 12:30 PM
- 4:30 PM
Bellevue Beach
Free pebble cove under the cliffs of Miramare Bay; a late swim, then walk up the road to Otto for dinner.
Map - 7:30 PM
Otto street food
Cheap, casual burgers at Otto street food, perfect budget dinner after a full day.
Map - 9:30 PM
Day 3: Babin Kuk headland and Cave Bar
A free coastal walk out to Babin Kuk, a picnic lunch at Mala Petka with views over the Elaphiti Islands, crepes in the Old Town, and a nightcap inside a cave lit by candlelight.
- 10:30 AM
Babin kuk
Free summit walk on the Babin Kuk headland, sweeping views over the Elaphiti Islands, no entrance fee.
Map - 12:30 PM
Mala Petka
Lunch break at Mala Petka summit, pack a cheap bite from a nearby bakery and eat with panoramic views over the bay.
Map - 7:30 PM
Dolce Vita
Crepes and gelato off Stradun for a cheap, light supper before the bus back to Lapad.
Map - 9:00 PM
Cave Bar More
Nightcap in a lit natural cave under Hotel More, with a terrace right on the water.
Map
Where to stay
Hostel Angelina
A dollar-sign hostel right inside the Old Town walls, two minutes from Barba, Buža Bar, and every Day 1 stop.
Hotel Lero
Solid mid-range value just west of the Old Town, well-placed for the Gruž market and the Babin Kuk walks without blowing the budget.
Make Dubrovnik your trip
Swearby drafts the days from places people swear by. Swap any stop, then invite the crew by text, even friends without the app. Vote on dates, track costs as you go, and everyone gets one number at the end.
Get Swearby on the App StoreBefore you go
Book ahead
- Dubrovnik City Walls: weeks ahead
- Game of Thrones Walking Tour: a few days ahead
- Sea Kayaking Dubrovnik: a few days ahead
- Elaphiti Islands: a few days ahead
- Konavle: a few days ahead
- Mostar: a few days ahead
Skip these
- Game of Thrones screenshot tours, Iron Throne photo charges and themed Stradun menus at double the lane-behind price.
- Stradun-front restaurants with touts and photo menus: walk 50 metres into a side lane for better food at lower prices.
- Banje Beach lounger and beach-club packages are among the most inflated in Croatia: swim and go, or use Sveti Jakov.
- Walls at midday in summer: heat, glare, no shade and the slowest crowds at full price.
The full Dubrovnik travel guide: when to go, safety, getting around