Dubrovnik’s Old Town, ancient city walls, and breathtaking sea views make it a popular tourist destination. Whether you’re interested in exploring the local culture or simply admiring the stunning architecture, Dubrovnik has something for everyone. If you’re planning a trip to Croatia, Dubrovnik is definitely worth visiting.

When we tell others we are full-time travelers, one of the most popular questions people ask is: “Where should I go?” The honest answer is: “It depends.” The best destination depends on what you want to do on your trip.

Every city is different and has its pros and cons. We can’t say which city is best or our favorite because we like them all (or, at least, most of them) for very different reasons.

We consider several factors when thinking about where we’ll go next. Some are given more weight than others, but we want to ensure the destination has what we’re looking for and that there are no disqualifying issues (like weather or crowds).

To help you decide if Dubrovnik is a good choice, we’ve analyzed a list of factors we consider when choosing a destination and answered the frequently asked questions.

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We spent the whole month of June in the stunning old city of Dubrovnik. Based on our experience, we assigned each factor a score from 1 to 5, with one being the worst and five being the best.  If the attribute is unavailable or does not apply, we give it a 0.

If you’re asking yourself, “Is Dubrovnik worth visiting?” hopefully, this information will help you make a more informed decision.

Some factors may sway you in one direction or another, depending on your circumstances and interests—for example, the weather. If you like to go to the beach, you may be looking for hot weather in the summer. If you like winter sports, you may be looking for cold weather in the winter. On the other hand, if you want to explore the old town (like us), you may be looking for milder weather in the summer and winter. For this reason, you may need to take your situation into account.

While there are some exceptions, we assume the weather will be good in the Spring and Fall everywhere we consider visiting.  So, we focus primarily on the Summer and Winter weather. What is Dubrovnik weather like?

Hot in the Summer – 1

We were in Dubrovnik for the entire month of June. It was very hot and sunny the whole time. It wasn’t just too hot for Gus, our Frenchie, but too hot for us. The streets in the Old Town run East to West, so from early sunrise to late sunset, there is a direct sun with very little shade. Also, the Old Town is surrounded by high walls. The walls are a significant part of Dubrovnik’s beauty, but they also block the air and wind from the sea.

We regret spending June in Dubrovnik and wish we had gone any time of the year other than summer. The average highs for June, July, and August are 80℉, 85℉, and 85℉, respectively.

Cold in the Winter – 4

We were not in Dubrovnik during the winter, but the average highs for December, January, and February are 55℉, 54℉, and 54℉, respectively. If we were to go back to Dubrovnik, it would be during the winter.

Few Tourists in Large Groups – 1

Dubrovnik’s Old Town is crazy crowded. Many tourists in large groups are dropped off via tour bus at the Pile Gate and slowly make their way through the Old Town as one large unit. They do impact enjoyment. If crowds are important to you, you should consider visiting during the shoulder season.

Few Cruise Ship Passengers – 1

Dubrovnik has a huge cruise ship port and many cruise ship tourists. Our first vacation to Dubrovnik was in 2012. At that time, there were cruise ships, but they all anchored in the bay, and small boats shuttled passengers in and out of the Old Port. This did create waves of tourists in the Old Town, but it wasn’t that bad.

Today, the cruise ships dock at a huge port two miles from Old Town near the Gruz Market. The passengers disembark on foot and take tour bus shuttles to the Old Town. This allows for more and larger cruise ships to stop in Dubrovnik. Unfortunately, it has negatively impacted the experience with the crazy crowds.

Few Tourists in Couples or Small Families – 1

There are lots of tourists in couples and small families. In addition to many cruise ship passengers, many people stay overnight in the Old Town.

Pedestrian-Only Areas – 5

Except for a few early morning delivery trucks, there are no cars in the Old Town. So you don’t have to worry about vehicles while strolling around.

Lines at Attractions – 3

There can be a line to walk the remarkable Old Town walls, a top attraction in Dubrovnik. It is not bad and moves. The other attractions have little to no lines.

Beaches with Calm Water (Kid-Friendly) – 5

There are beaches within walking distance of Old Town that offer calm water. The closest beach is Banje Beach.

If beach exploration is your thing, you can take the buses to the surrounding beaches. The bus stop outside the Pile Gate will take you all over Dubrovnik.

Beaches with Rough Water – 3

Depending on the weather, the calm beaches can have rough water but nothing that would allow surfing or other rough water activities.

Boating Activities/Kayaking – 5

Sea kayaking is king in Dubrovnik and one of the top activities. The rock formations, protective bays, and islands make for excellent sea kayaking.

Lokrum Island is an easy kayaking journey from Dubrovnik and offers a beautiful place to safely explore by kayak.

Rocky Swim Spots – 5

Dubrovnik offers unique rocky swim spots with roped-off swim areas. If you don’t want to walk to the beaches, there are several public rocky spots with ladders to jump into the sea right in the Old Town.

Sunbathing – 5

Dubrovnik is a sunbathing destination. In addition to sunbathing on the beaches, people will lie on the rocks around Old Town and soak up the sun.

Experiences

These highly-rated water experiences are a great way to cool off during the summer heat in Dubrovnik. Book now to enjoy Dubrovnik’s popular water activities during your stay!

Wine – 4

Dubrovnik is near two wine-producing regions. To the north there is Peljesac, and to the south there is Konavle. Peljesac is known for producing red wine from Plavic Mali grapes, which is a grape that descended from Zinfandel grapes. Konavle is known for producing white wine called Malvasia.

Beer – 3

Croatia produces several light, easy-to-drink beers that are sold nationwide. They are perfect for the hot summers and can be purchased everywhere. That said, I would not describe Dubrovnik as a beer destination with unique, local beer producers.

Specialty Liquor – 2

Croatia produces wonderful specialty liquor but none of it is made in Dubrovnik.

Specialty Food – 3

Dubrovnik food is strongly influenced by past Venetian rule. Many dishes combine local products with familiar pasta to make unique and delicious foods. The best examples of traditional dishes in Dubrovnik are Crni Rizot and Musule na Buzaru.

Seafood – 4

Even though Dubrovnik appears to have more non-seafood than seafood restaurants, it is still a seafood destination. After all, it is located on the Adriatic Sea and Mali Ston Bay (one of the best places in the world for oysters) is less than an hour away.

The grocery stores outside the Old Town offer a variety of seafood. If you’re looking for other fresh catch, the Gruz Market is worth a visit. Seeking out seafood restaurants and making them the focus of your trip is the best way to experience the freshest food that Dubrovnik offers.

Meat – 2

Since Dubrovnik caters to all tastes, you can get a burger or a steak. But it’s not a meat destination. Instead, I would focus on enjoying the fresh fish in Dubrovnik and save the desire to eat meat for your time in Mostar, Bosnia.

Street Food – 2

Dubrovnik could be a better street food destination. It offers ice cream, pizza, and French fries but doesn’t offer lots of fantastic street food.

For a unique and authentic Balkan street food item, check out the small stores that sell Burek. You can also find them in the bakery section of grocery stores.

Large Food Market with Restaurants – 3

Old Town has a small daily market, the Gunduliceva Pojana Market. It is more for tourists than serious food shopping. There is a medium size market, Graz Market, about two miles from Old Town near the cruise ship port.

Experiences

Want to learn about Dubrovnik’s local food and wine during your stay? Book now a highly-rated food and wine experience!

History – 4

Dubrovnik has a great history that you can learn in addition to taking a Game of Thrones tour.

Architecture – 4

The architecture will not disappoint. Old Town of Dubrovnik is a Unesco World Heritage Site and the beautiful limestone buildings and stunning main street known as Stradun make it easy to see why. It is incredible. The Old Town churches, monasteries, palaces, and towering walls combine to create an unforgettable experience.

Art – 2

There are art shops in the Old Town but no art museums.

Museums – 3

Dubrovnik does not have large museums but the ones it has are beautiful and worth a visit. One way to reduce your museum cost is to purchase the Dubrovnik Pass, which includes admission to the popular City Walls and museums. They offer a 1-day, 3-day, and 7-day card. You can buy them at tourism offices and many other locations.

Castles – 3

There is not exactly a traditional castle in Dubrovnik, but a Fort Lovrijenac (aka St. Lawrence Fortress) offers excellent views of the Adriatic Sea.

Walled-City – 5

Old Town Dubrovnik is one of the best-walled cities in the world! Walking the wall is expensive but still a must-do activity. There are two bars located on the wall that you can only access with your wall walk ticket. Your wall walk ticket allows only one-time access. So, if you would like to have a drink at the wall bars, plan accordingly. We walked the wall when it first opened in the morning to beat the heat and it was too early for a cocktail. But, this was only based on our preference since the bars were open and people were drinking.

Palaces – 3

Old Town has the incredible Rector’s Palace. In addition to being beautiful, Game of Thrones fans might recognize it from the show.

Hiking – 4

You can get to the Srd Observation Point with the cable car, but if you enjoy hiking, there is an excellent hike up via the Mount Srd Hiking Trail. We went for an early morning hike since it was hot during the day. The hike is beautiful and a great way to burn some calories and earn that glass of wine or cocktail at the bar that overlooks the Adriatic located through the door in the wall.

For more information on Dubrovnik hiking, check out AllTrails.

Running – 3

We did run while in Dubrovnik and encountered a few other runners. It would be best if you went early due to the crowds and heat. We ran through the Pile Gate and up the Ul. Branitelja Dubrovnika towards the Luka Gruz, where all the cruise ships are docked. It is a steep upward incline at the beginning of the run.

For more information on running routes, check out Map My Run.

High – Fashion Stores/Shopping – 3

There are many fun clothing stores in Dubrovnik but no high fashion brands.

Nightlife – 5

Dubrovnik is a destination for nightlife. Restaurants and bars are open late, and dance clubs are adjacent to the Old Town. A popular nightclub area is Banje Beach.

Ryan woke before dawn to capture “Magic Hour Light” for photographs and encountered lots of beautifully dressed twenty-somethings strolling home from the club at 5 a.m.

Dog Friendly – 3

Dubrovnik is dog friendly in that many Airbnbs allow dogs, dogs are allowed in the outdoor restaurant seating areas, and the locals are friendly towards dogs. But dogs are prohibited on buses, inside restaurants, and in grocery stores.

We had to take Gus to the vet on the local bus and were required to put him in his pet carrier. The bus driver first said Gus couldn’t ride and we asked if he could ride in his carrier. The driver then agreed.

Kid Friendly – 4

We don’t have kids, but Dubrovnik appears to have activities that I think kids enjoy, like kayaking, swimming, beaches, a vast wall to walk around, a fortress to explore, boating excursions, and an aquarium.

Experiences

Want to learn about Dubrovnik’s history during your stay? Book now a highly-rated history tour for your Dubrovnik trip!

Great Grocery Stores – 4

The small grocery store inside Old Town has an excellent selection for its tiny size. The line to check out is crazy long, though, with all the tourists buying water and soda. The line does move fast. Just say to yourself that patience is a virtue.

We walked to the grocery stores on Vukovarska ul. We especially enjoyed the Pemo Hypermarket with its fresh fish section. The fishmonger spoke excellent English and was incredibly helpful and explained how locals prepare each type of fish and then cleaned the fish to meet our needs.

English Widely Spoken – 5

English is widely spoken. Knowing a handful of Croatian words is endearing and makes an excellent first impression on everyone, but learning Croatian is optional to have a great time in Dubrovnik.

Outwardly Friendly Locals – 5

The locals are very outwardly friendly and wonderful people.

American Tourists – 5

American tourists in Dubrovnik are everywhere. That said, there are still tons of tourists from other countries. There are just tons of tourists. The dominant common language is English, so even though you will encounter groups from all over the world, you will most likely be able to communicate with all of them in English.

Accessible by Train – 0

Dubrovnik has no train station, and you cannot go anywhere by train. It does have a very active ferry port during the summer months.

Car rentals and private transfers are very popular ways to get around Croatia. For private transfers, we recommend GetTransfer. For rental cars and price comparisons of international and local brands, we recommend Discover Cars.

Day Trips by Train – 0

Day trips by train are not an option from Dubrovnik.

But day trips by ferry and rental car are an option. A great and easy day trip is to take the quick ferry journey to Lokrum island.

Clean Streets – 4

The crazy number of tourists in Dubrovnik work hard to dirty the streets, but the city works harder with workers power washing the Old Town streets every morning while hauling off garbage. Go for an early morning walk or run to see how Dubrovnik keeps everything shiny and clean. It’s incredible.

Noise – 3

Dubrovnik is a late-night party scene but surprisingly not a noisy location. We could go out on our balcony to enjoy the piano bar below and sleep at night. That is a nod to good, insulated doors and windows in our Airbnb. So, if you are a light sleeper, you should confirm with your hotel or Airbnb that the doors and windows are insulated.

Experiences – Day Trips

Want to take a day trip during your Dubrovnik stay? Book now a highly-rated day trip from Dubrovnik!

Food Cost – 2

Dubrovnik is a costly destination for food. There are high-end restaurants offering excellent food at high-end prices. The mid to low-range restaurants are not what I would consider a great value.

Accommodation Cost – 1

Dubrovnik is a costly destination for accommodation. It was not our most expensive Airbnb stay (Cinque Terre gets that honor), but it was the second most expensive. And, we did not get a lot for the high cost.

Activities Cost – 1

The activities in Dubrovnik are excellent and but they are costly. It is a supply-and-demand thing. There are many activities to enjoy while staying in Dubrovnik, but there are many tourists.

Transportation Cost – 1

Transportation cost in Dubrovnik is very expensive because it is not accessible by train. We rented a car for our first trip to Croatia in 2012. It was great since our journey started in Ljubljana, Slovenia, went all over Croatia and Bosnia, and ended in Dubrovnik.

We now use private transfers and rental cars when moving around Croatia and Bosnia. For private transfers, we recommend GetTransfer. For rental cars and price comparisons of international and local brands, we recommend Discover Cars.

If you are traveling during the summer months, ferries are an additional option.

Transfers

Check out the below transfer options to get you to Dubrovnik or your next destination.

Dubrovnik is famous for its dramatic walls and rocky cliffs which were used extensively as filming locations in HBO’s Game of Thrones.

Yes, Dubrovnik is a beautiful city and well deserving of the label “Pearl of the Adriatic.” The entire city is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, making it an ideal destination for architecture and history lovers. The medieval walls surrounding the old town are still standing and offer a glimpse into the city’s rich history.

Yes, Dubrovnik is very safe. We spent a month in Dubrovnik and felt extremely safe.

Yes, it is extremely safe to rent a car and drive in Croatia. The roads are very nice and easy to drive on. Be prepared to pay tolls, but they all take credit cards and are very easy to use. The major highways have high fences to keep the animals from crossing the highway and getting hit by cars. Every few miles, you will see land bridges for the animals to cross the roads safely on over-passes. 

For rental cars and price comparisons of international and local brands, we recommend Discover Cars.

There are many great places to stay in Dubrovnik. For the best experience, we recommend staying near or in the Old Town (the castle marker on the map below is inside the Old Town Walls). The best bars and restaurants are located inside the Old Town as well as the best sites. The area outside the Old Town is hilly and has lots of steps up and down, which you might want to consider if selecting accommodation outside Old Town.

Here’s an interactive map with hotel and apartment options that can be filtered to meet your needs. Select your travel dates to get specific availability and prices.

Book your stay now!

You can explore Dubrovnik’s Old Town, walk the walls, and enjoy a glass of wine at one of the wall bars in one very busy day. If you’re interested in exploring the Old Town, visiting museums, and taking day trips to one of the nearby islands (like Lokrum Island), a few days may be enough. However, if you want to take your time to stroll all the narrow streets and really soak up the atmosphere of this beautiful city and the surrounding area, you might want to consider staying for a week or more.

We recommend staying two to three days to fully explore the Old Town at a leisurely pace, taste Croatian wines at the wine bar, and enjoy some of the outdoor activities like kayaking, taking the ferry to enjoy the natural beauty and stunning views on Lokrum Island, and cool off with a swim at one or more of the best beaches on the Dalmatian Coast.

It’s worth noting that Dubrovnik can get quite crowded during the peak season, so you may want to plan your visit accordingly if you prefer a less hectic experience. When you’re ready to create your itinerary, check out our suggested walking tour of the best attractions in the Old Town.

Dubrovnik has an airport with connecting flights all over Europe. You can get from Dubrovnik Airport to the Old Town by shuttle or taxi. To book a taxi or private transfer in advance, we recommend GetTransfer.

Yes, Dubrovnik is very expensive. Since Game of Thrones used Dubrovnik as the backdrop for King’s Landing, the word is out, and Dubrovnik is a very popular destination for cruise ships and overnight tourists. Old Town Dubrovnik has a limited number of accommodations and restaurants, and everything is very expensive.

The time of the year with good weather and fewer crowds is often referred to as the shoulder season. The shoulder season in Dubrovnik is March, April, October, and November. For many, this is the best time of the year to visit.

We spent the month of June in Dubrovnik and thought the weather was uncomfortably hot. The Old Town was extremely crowded, and the two combined made us regret our decision to visit Dubrovnik during the summer.

No, speaking the local Croatian language is not needed to visit Dubrovnik. A very large percentage of locals speak English.

Your Dubrovnik packing list should include breathable clothing for the heat, lots of sunscreen for the sun, and non-slip shoes for the slick cobblestones when they get wet.

Do you need wifi during your trip and don’t want to pay for roaming? We use eSIMs from Airalo during our travel and highly recommend them. They are cheap, easy to set up, and allow you to leave your primary sim card in your phone (so you don’t loose it). Click below for more info.

Dubrovnik is located in the Dalmatia region of Croatia on the Adriatic coast.

Dubrovnik is a port town on the Adriatic Sea. It is a 3 hr drive southeast along the coast from Split, Croatia, a 1 hr 47 min drive northwest along the coast from Kotor, Montenegro, a 2 hr 30 min drive south of Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and a 8 hr 30 min drive southeast from Zagreb.