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The moment we stepped through Pile Gate and saw those gleaming white stone streets stretch out before us, we understood immediately why people call Dubrovnik the most beautiful city in Europe. We also understood, within about ten minutes, why it gets so overwhelmed with visitors in summer — and why timing your trip carefully is the single most important decision you’ll make.
We’ve been to Dubrovnik twice: once in peak July, once in late October. The difference was staggering. This guide reflects both experiences so you can plan the version that’s right for you.
Why Dubrovnik is Worth the Hype
Dubrovnik sits on a narrow peninsula jutting into the Adriatic Sea on Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast. The Old Town — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — is entirely encircled by medieval walls that you can walk along for panoramic views of terracotta rooftops, the impossibly blue sea, and limestone streets below.
It’s also, undeniably, a Game of Thrones filming location (King’s Landing), which has added an entire layer of pop culture pilgrimage to the visitor experience. If you’re a fan, you’ll find plaques marking filming spots throughout the city, and there are organized GoT walking tours that are genuinely fun even if you’ve only casually watched the show.
But Dubrovnik would be extraordinary even without the HBO association. The food is outstanding, the swimming is spectacular, the light at golden hour makes everything look painted, and the Old Town is small enough that you can walk everywhere but never feel like you’ve seen it all.
Best Time to Visit Dubrovnik
May and early June — our top recommendation. Crowds are manageable, the sea is warm enough to swim (particularly by early June), restaurant tables are available without waits, and the city is at its most photogenic. Prices are still a touch below peak.
Late September and October — a close second. The heat softens, cruise ship traffic drops dramatically, and there’s a lovely melancholy to the city in shoulder season that we find deeply appealing. Accommodation prices fall noticeably.
July and August — the most beautiful weather, but the Old Town gets genuinely overwhelming. Dubrovnik has implemented a tourist cap (no more than 4,000 visitors in the Old Town at once), but in practice, summer mornings are very crowded. If you must go in summer, arrive at the City Walls when they open at 8 AM and you’ll have them largely to yourself.
November through March — many restaurants and smaller hotels close. The city is quiet and authentically local, but some of what makes Dubrovnik special (swimming, terrace dining, boat trips) isn’t available.
Getting to Dubrovnik
By air: Dubrovnik Airport (DBV) is a small international hub with direct flights from most major European cities and seasonal connections from New York and other long-haul destinations. It’s about 20 minutes from the Old Town by taxi or shuttle.
By ferry: Croatia’s ferry network connects Dubrovnik to the Dalmatian islands (Hvar, Brač, Korčula) and to Split, making it easy to build a broader Croatian itinerary. We highly recommend adding a few days on Hvar — it’s only about two hours by catamaran from Dubrovnik.
From Split: The drive along the Dalmatian coast (roughly 2.5–3 hours) is one of the most scenic road trips in Europe. Alternatively, the coastal bus runs frequently and is reliable and affordable.
Study the route between Split and Dubrovnik carefully before you go — you’ll briefly enter Bosnia and Herzegovina (Neum) along the way, which means crossing two international borders. Passports are checked. The process is typically fast, but budget extra time.
Before you go, make sure you have solid travel insurance — medical costs can be significant in Croatia for non-EU visitors. We always use World Nomads for trips like this. For more detail, see our guide to best travel insurance for international trips.
Where to Stay in Dubrovnik
Accommodation in Dubrovnik broadly breaks into three zones, each with a different personality.
Old Town (Inside the Walls)
Staying inside the walls means you’re steps from everything — you can walk to the City Walls, the Rector’s Palace, and the best restaurants in minutes. The tradeoff is price (expensive), noise (other tourists in summer), and logistics (no cars; your luggage gets carried by hand or on a trolley through narrow streets).
We stayed at a small apartment rental inside the walls on our October trip and it was extraordinary. Look for options on Booking.com filtering for Old Town location.
Ploče (East of Old Town)
This quiet, residential-feeling neighborhood sits just outside the eastern walls and has some of Dubrovnik’s best boutique hotels. Villa Orsula and Hotel Excelsior are both stunning — upscale properties with sea-view terraces and easy walking access to the gates.
Lapad Peninsula
A more relaxed, resort-focused neighborhood about 3 km from the Old Town, connected by frequent buses. Better for families or longer stays; you’ll get more space and lower prices in exchange for a slightly longer commute to the Old Town.
Top Things to Do in Dubrovnik
Walk the City Walls
Walking the 2km circuit of Dubrovnik’s medieval walls is the single best activity in the city — full stop. The views of the Old Town rooftops on one side and the Adriatic on the other are extraordinary. Go when the walls open at 8 AM to beat the crowds and the midday heat. Budget about 90 minutes to do the full circuit comfortably.
Tickets are purchased at the main gates; book skip-the-line wall access through Viator to avoid the queue.
Swim at Banje Beach and Buza Bar
Banje Beach sits just outside the Old Town’s eastern gate — a pebble beach with chairs for rent and one of the most dramatic swimming backdrops in the world (the City Walls rising behind you, the Adriatic in front).
Our favorite Dubrovnik experience, though, is a drink at Buza Bar — a small, cliff-side bar literally built into a hole in the city walls. You access it through a tiny door in the Old Town labeled “cold drinks.” Descend the steps to find a terrace of chairs and tables perched over the sea, where locals and travelers alike sip Croatian beer and watch the sunset. It’s magical.
Take a Boat to Lokrum Island
Lokrum is a small, forested island just a 15-minute boat ride from the Old Town. It’s car-free, peacock-populated (seriously), has a ruined Benedictine monastery, a salt lake perfect for swimming, and a rocky shoreline for jumping into the Adriatic. Ferries run frequently from the Old Town harbor. Spend half a day here and you’ll love it.
Day Trip to the Elaphiti Islands
The Elaphiti archipelago — three small islands northwest of Dubrovnik — offers one of the best full-day escapes in the region. Boats call at Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan; each island is different in character. Viator’s island-hopping tours include lunch and swimming stops and are excellent value.
Game of Thrones Locations
If you watched the show, walking through King’s Landing is surreal in the best way. The Fort Lovrijenac (the Red Keep exterior), Jesuit Staircase (famous Cersei scene), Minčeta Tower (House of the Undying), and Trsteno Arboretum (the Tyrell gardens) are all worth visiting. Organized GoT walking tours via Viator are typically 2–3 hours and led by enthusiastic locals.
Where to Eat in Dubrovnik
Croatian food is outstanding — fresh seafood, excellent olive oil, and local wines (particularly from the Pelješac peninsula nearby) that rarely make it outside the country.
Restaurant 360° — Michelin-starred, built into the city walls with views over the harbor. Splurge on the tasting menu if it’s a special occasion.
Nishta — the city’s best vegetarian restaurant, and popular with non-vegetarians too. Creative, flavourful dishes that showcase local produce.
Konoba Dubrava (Lapad) — away from the tourist epicenter, this is where locals eat. Simple grilled fish, house wine, and honest prices.
Proto Fish Restaurant (Old Town) — reliable, well-prepared seafood in a great Old Town location. The grilled sea bass is excellent.
For the best experience, walk one or two streets off the main Stradun promenade and prices drop noticeably while quality stays high.
Where to Book
- Hotels and apartments: Booking.com Dubrovnik — best selection for both Old Town apartments and the hotel corridor east of the walls
- City Walls, boat tours, and GoT experiences: Viator Dubrovnik
- Travel insurance (essential for Croatia): World Nomads
Practical Travel Tips
Dubrovnik is not cheap by Balkan standards. The city knows its appeal and prices accordingly, especially inside the walls. Budget at least €150–200/night for accommodation in Old Town, and plan for €60–80/day per person on food and activities.
Wear comfortable shoes. The limestone streets look beautiful and are absolutely brutal on anything without grip. Flat-soled leather shoes or sandals will have you slipping — bring good walking shoes.
The Pile Gate area gets chaotic. When cruise ships are in port (typically 10 AM–6 PM), the western entrance to the Old Town turns into a scrum. Time your entries and exits accordingly — early morning and evenings are dramatically more pleasant.
Pack smart for the Adriatic. We learned a lot about what to pack for European trips on our earlier travels — check out our packing list for Europe for detailed recommendations on what to bring.
Book flights early. Dubrovnik’s airport has limited capacity and flights book out months in advance in summer. See our guide on how to find cheap flights for strategies on locking in the best fares.
Final Thoughts
Dubrovnik lives up to every bit of its reputation — and the people who dismiss it as “too touristy” are the ones who went in July and didn’t plan well. Go in May or October. Get up early. Swim in the Adriatic. Drink local wine on a cliff at sunset.
This city will make you feel something. We guarantee it.
For more European inspiration, check out our guides to Rome, Barcelona, and the Amalfi Coast.