Things to do in Dubrovnik, splurging
Old Town rooftops, island escapes and the best table you'll book all year.
This is Dubrovnik for people who want the walls walked before the crowds arrive, an acclaimed lunch followed by a destination dinner, and a cocktail perched above the Adriatic. Three days covers the Old Town properly, gets you out to the Elaphiti Islands, and winds down in Lapad with cliff-bar nightcaps. It suits anyone who eats well, shops deliberately and has no interest in queueing.
Day 1: Old Town, walls to rooftop
A full day inside the walls: the ramparts, a serious lunch at Zuzori, siege photography at War Photo, dinner on the Above 5 rooftop and a last drink on the cliffs at Buža.
- 9:30 AM
GreenGo Juices Smoothies & Coffee to go
Fresh juice or a flat white to go from this tiny Old Town counter before you climb the walls.
Map - 10:30 AM
City Walls
Walk the full 2 km loop of the walls for red roofs, Minčeta Tower and open sea; bring water and a hat.
Map - 12:30 PM
Zuzori
Acclaimed Mediterranean kitchen in the heart of Old Town, the go-to for a serious, unhurried lunch.
Map - 2:30 PM
War Photo Limited
Conflict photojournalism with a permanent room on the 1990s Yugoslav wars; open April to October only.
Map - 7:30 PM
Above 5
Rooftop on a 16th-century Old Town house: shared plates and a long wine list over the walls and roofs.
Map - 9:30 PM
Buža Bar
Terraces cut into sea wall cliffs south of Old Town with cliff-jumping locals, cold drinks and sunset views.
Map
Day 2: Islands, market and sunset ridge
Breakfast by Pile Gate, the Gruž market while it is running, Pantarul's homemade pasta in Lapad, a late climb to Fort Imperial, then dinner near Pile and cocktails in the Old Town.
- 9:30 AM
Dubravka 1836 Restaurant & Cafe
Breakfast on the terrace by Pile Gate, looking straight across at Fort Lovrijenac and the sea.
Map - 11:00 AM
Placa Gruž
Browse the working Gruž morning market stalls, produce, spices and local honey right on the port square.
Map - 12:30 PM
Pantarul
Seasonal modern Croatian with homemade pasta and Konavle produce, the locals' own birthday-dinner pick, worth the short ride from Gruž.
Map - 4:30 PM
Mount Srđ hike
Free, steep zigzag trail of 45 to 60 minutes up to Fort Imperial past the Stations of the Cross; take water.
Map - 7:30 PM
Restaurant Sesame
Croatian Mediterranean cooking in a cosy stone room just outside Pile Gate; ask what fish came in today.
Map - 9:30 PM
Day 3: Lapad: harbour konoba to cave bar
The peninsula at its most local: a Babin Kuk morning walk, octopus and scallops at El Pulpo, a swim in Miramare Bay, a long dinner at Restaurant Vapor, then a nightcap in the cliff cave at Cave Bar More.
- 10:30 AM
Babin kuk
Short hike to the Babin Kuk summit for panoramic views over the Elafiti Islands, a great morning leg-stretch.
Map - 12:30 PM
Fish Bar El Pulpo
Order the octopus and scallops at this beloved Lapad harbour konoba, outside the tourist crush.
Map - 3:00 PM
Bellevue Beach
Pebble cove under the cliffs of Miramare Bay; swim in clear water before dinner upstairs at the hotel.
Map - 7:30 PM
Restaurant Vapor, Dubrovnik
Hotel Bellevue's dining room over Miramare Bay; book a terrace table for sunset and go for the tasting menu.
Map - 9:30 PM
Cave Bar More
Nightcap at Cave Bar More, a dramatic bar carved into the cliffs above the sea, perfect for a late cocktail.
Map
Where to stay
The Pučić Palace
A 16th-century baroque palace on the Pjaca square: Old Town address, design interiors and walking distance to every Day 1 and Day 2 stop.
Hotel Excelsior
Sea-facing $$$$ property just east of the walls with a serious spa and a terrace that earns its room rate on its own.
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