The walled “Pearl of the Adriatic” is a postcard come to life, with marble streets, sea views and Game of Thrones fame. Here are the best things to do.
The 8 best things to do in Dubrovnik
The unmissable 2 km circuit atop the medieval walls, with views over terracotta roofs and sea.
Stradun’s polished limestone, baroque churches and hidden stair-streets.
Ride up for the classic panorama over the walled city and islands.
King’s Landing locations — the Iron Throne steps, the walk of shame and Fort Lovrijenac.
A short boat ride to a forested island with a monastery, peacocks and swimming spots.
Paddle beneath the ramparts at sunset to a hidden beach cave.
The pebbly beach just outside the walls with the best Old Town view.
Cross to Montenegro’s dramatic fjord and walled town (about 2 hours).
Suggested itinerary
Day 1: City Walls early, Old Town, sunset cable car. Day 2: Lokrum or kayaking, plus a Kotor or island day trip.
Tips for visiting Dubrovnik
- Walk the walls at opening or late afternoon to dodge heat and cruise crowds
- Dubrovnik is pricey — eat a street away from Stradun for better value
- Visit in May, June or September to avoid peak-summer crush
The wall walk isn’t worth 40 euros at noon, and the cliff bar isn’t a secret if you know the door
The City Walls are genuinely good, but at €35-40 a ticket they’re only worth it if you time it right. Most people walk the 2 km circuit at midday in full sun behind cruise crowds, which is the worst possible version. Either go at the 8 a.m. opening or skip the walls entirely and hike Mount Srd from the trailhead above the Old Town. It’s free, unticketed, takes about an hour up the switchbacks, and the view over the terracotta roofs and Lokrum is the same shot everyone pays for on the walls.
The local move most visitors miss is Buza Bar. There’s no sign. Walk up the Jesuit stairs near St Ignatius Church, turn left past Konoba Jezuite, and look for a literal hole cut in the sea wall marked “cold drinks.” You come out on the cliffs facing the open Adriatic for a beer and a sunset.
Cost reality: eating on Stradun is a trap, where a coffee is €6-9 and a single main €18-30. Buy peaches, figs and cheese at the Gundulic green market (mornings only, on Gunduliceva Poljana) for a few euros, or take bus 6 out to Lapad, three km west, for normal-priced konoba dinners and a beach locals actually use.
Dubrovnik FAQ
How many days do you need in Dubrovnik?
Two — one for the walls and Old Town, one for islands or a Kotor day trip.
Is the city walls walk worth the price?
Absolutely — it is the single best thing to do in Dubrovnik.
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Written by
John Morrison is the founder and lead travel writer at Packzup. Over the past decade he has explored destinations across Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Oceania — always self-funded, never on a press trip.