Planning to spend one day in Dubrovnik and not sure where to start? Our easy-to-follow Dubrovnik Itinerary is here to your rescue.
This itinerary for Dubrovnik will guide you in exploring the best of Dubrovnik in one day. It’s also packed with insider tips and suggestions to help you plan a perfect trip to Dubrovnik.
So without wasting any more time, let’s begin this exclusive guide to Dubrovnik in 1 day.
Planning Your One Day Trip to Dubrovnik: Quick Tips
Visa for Craotia: Know if you need a visa for Croatia. The holders of uniform visa (C) for two or multiple entries, valid for all Schengen Area Member States don’t need to apply for a separate visa for Croatia. Read our complete guide to Schengen Visa. Get your visa for Croatia fastly and effortlessly through iVisa.
Travel Insurance: Travel insurance is vital for peace of mind while traveling. No two ways about it. Get reliable travel insurance from Heymondo. They offer wider and more flexible coverage at good value for money and dependable 24/7 customer service.
How to Get to Dubrovnik: You can fly directly into Dubrovnik Airport or might fly into Zagreb and then drive to or take a bus or train to Dubrovnik. Check out Skyscanner or Kiwi.com for the best and most affordable flights to Dubrovnik, Omio or 12Go for trains and buses, and Rentalcars.com or Discover Cars for rental cars. Read our complete guide to renting a car in Europe.
Airport Transfer: You can travel between airport and the city through public transport (bus lines 11, 27, 31 and 38) or airport shuttle (scheduled around flight arrival times) or taxi. For a truly hassle free experience, prebook the fast and reliable private transfer from the Čilipi Airport to your hotel or a vacation rental in Dubrovnik city with Viator.
Getting Around Dubrovnik: You’ll concentrate on the Old Town or Stari Grad for your one day in Dubrovnik that can easily be done on foot. If at all you get time to wander beyond, the extensive public transport delivers. Make sure to have a guidebook before you set foot in Dubrovnik that makes getting around the city easy.
Guided Tours: A tour with a local guide is the perfect choice if you’ve limited time on hands or if you are interested indiving deep into the history and culture of the city. We use and recommend Viator, Get Your Guide, or Klook to book guided tours.
Where to Stay in Dubrovnik: Old Town, is unquestionably, the best area to stay in Dubrovnik. Ploče, Lapad, Babin Kuk, Gruž, and Cavtat are other areas to stay in Dubrovnik depending upon your travel style. We use and recommend Booking.com to find the best accommodation at great prices. It not only gives you a price match guarantee but allows you to cancel anytime without a fee. Bed and breakfast to the apartment, villas, and guesthouses to hostels, resorts, and homestays, it also offers lots of variety.
Essential Tips: As Dubrovnik is designed for strolling, you need comfortable and super light walking shoes. I wear Skechers while hubby loves Adidas and mini-me has got Adidas too. Read our guides to the best shoes for women and the best shoes for kids for your European family vacation. Also, there is no shade on the city walls, so make sure to bring sunscreen, a sun hat, and sunglasses. Last but not the least, consider buying the Dubrovnik Pass which lets you skip the lines and use public transportation for free which saves a lot of time, money, and exertion.
Top Accommodation Options in Dubrovnik
In the Heart of the City: Palacio Celeste, Cinema View House, The Pucić Palace, Stari Grad, and St. Joseph’s.
Ultra-Luxury: Villa Dubrovnik and Hotel Excelsior.
Luxury: Rixos Premium Dubrovnik
Mid-Range: Royal Ariston Hotel
Budget: King’s Landing Esma’ House
Kid-Friendly: Dubrovnik Style Luxury Apartment
Top Dubrovnik City Tours and Experiences
Best Game of Thrones Tour
Best Old Town Walking Tour
Best Sunset City Walls Tour
Best City Walls Tour for Early Birds
Best Kayaking Tour
Best Sunset Cruise Tour
Best Dubrovnik Private Tour
Related Read: How to Plan a Trip to Europe
Dubrovnik for One Day: The Ultimate One Day in Dubrovnik Itinerary
The Pearl of the Adriatic or the Game of Thrones Location – whatever way you know it, Dubrovnik seriously lives up to the hype. Your itinerary for Croatia is incomplete without adding Dubrovnik to it.
There’s so much beauty and history that you’d be lost for words.
As you stroll the well-preserved fairytale like Old Town and drink in the panoramic views of the Adriatic sea, you’ll fall for it After all, you are in one of the most beautiful cities in Croatia.
7 am: Early Breakfast @ Snek by Congo
Start your 1 day in Dubrovnik bright and early with a delicious breakfast at Snek by Congo.
Located at Stradun, it’s a perfect place to enjoy a tasty and healthy breakfast before you start your sightseeing tour of Dubrovnik.
8 am: Tour Old City Walls
Walking the city walls is one of the best things to do in Dubrovnik. If you’ve time to do just one thing in Dubrovnik, it has to be a walk around the picturesque city walls surrounding the Old Town.
So, naturally, you’ll start your day with a tour of the city walls.
Make sure to be there right at the time walls open to avoid the tourist rush (it’s horrible during the peak season and that’s obvious owing to the popularity of the city walls).
The opening times vary with the season.
The ancient city walls walk not only brings you face to face with the history of the city once called Ragusa but also lets you revel in the spectacular views of the port, the Old Town, and the shimmering turquoise waters of the Adriatic Sea.
There are many vantage points along the city walls, but the best views come from Minčeta Fortress. It’s the highest point on the city walls.
It usually takes around 1 to 2 hours to walk around the walls depending on your pace and how busy the walls are at the time you are visiting.
We strongly recommend booking a walking tour of the city walls with a local guide as it gives you an insight into the history of Dubrovnik and covers all the must-dos. It’s the perfect choice for first-time visitors to the city.
Your city walls ticket also includes entry to the 11th-century Fortress Lovrijenac aka St. Lawrence Fortress.
A prominent Game of Thrones location, the cliff-top fort offers some mind-blowing views of the walled city of Dubrovnik if you are ready to climb over 200 flights of steps to the top.
10 am: Explore Dubrovnik Old Town
Dubrovnik Old Town is absolutely gorgeous and jaw-dropping!
It can be easily explored on foot owing to its compact size.
You’d love to get lost forever (not literally though) in its white limestone paved streets and charming alleyways.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the old town is brimming with attractions. From palaces, and churches, to towers, monasteries, and charming streets – you’ll discover the architectural wonders at every corner.
Filled with history and culture, strolling the old town feels like stepping back in time.
The entrance to the old town was via two gates – the Pile Gate (main entrance) to the west and the Ploče Gate to the east. The third entrance i.e. Buža Gate was added to the north much later.
A guided walking tour is a great way to see the major sights as well as the hidden gems around Old Town that you’d easily miss without a local’s guidance. This walking tour gives you an excellent overview of the historic heart of the city.
As you know, the town has been the iconic King’s Landing location and many of the tourists visit the city to experience the locations they have seen in the HBO drama series. If you are one of them, a die-hard GOT fan, book this Game of Thrones Tour with a local tour guide (who might have been a GOT extra or stand-in) who not only takes you to the filming locations but also narrates interesting behind-the-scenes stories.
Must-See Attractions in the Old Town
If you want to explore on your own, here are some of the not-to-be-missed sights around the Old Town.
1. Stradun
Paved in 1468, Stradun or Placa is a charming pedestrian street lined with equally charming cafes, restaurants, and shops that connects Pile Gate to the Ploče Gate.
There’s no chance that you miss this street because almost all the streets in the Old Town lead to Stradun.
If you are entering through Pile Gate, you’ll witness the impressive Onofrio’s Fountain. You’ll find tourists filling their water bottles from one of its many taps.
2. Franciscan Church and Monastery
Franciscan Church and Monastery with its gorgeous late-Romanesque cloister, an ancient pharmacy that has been in operation since 1317 and is the third-oldest functioning pharmacy in Europe, a small museum that holds historic artifacts, and a beautiful Baroque church.
3. Jesuit Staircase
The beautiful Baroque staircase is said to closely resemble the Spanish Steps in Rome.
If you are a Game of Thrones fan, you’d at once recognize the location. It’s featured in the “Walk of Shame” aka Cersei’s walk of atonement scene in Season 5.
The stairs lead to the Jesuit Church of St. Ignatius of Loyola and Jesuit College.
4. St. Blaise’s Church and Orlando’s Column
A fine example of Baroque architecture, the Church of St. Blaise was designed by a Venetian architect named Marino Gropelli in 1715 and named after the patron saint of the city.
The church you see now is replaced by the original Romanesque church destroyed during a fire in 1706.
Located in a bustling Luža Square aka Loggia Square, admission to the church is free. With an impressive dome and a flight of stairs ornated with angel statues, the church looks exceptionally beautiful.
The interiors are as extravagant as the exteriors. The notable feature is a 15th-century gothic gold-plated silver statue of St. Blaise on the main altar.
All lit-up stained-glass windows at night add to the beauty of the church.
Built and designed by sculptor Antonio Ragusino in 1418, Orlando’s Column is located right in front of St. Blaise’s Church.
The column is dedicated to the armored knight, Orlando. The legend has it that he helped the people of Ragusa in conquering the invaders during the medieval period. Thus, it’s considered the symbol of freedom.
5. Sponza Palace
Constructed in gothic and renaissance styles in 1522, Sponza Palace aka Divona is one of the few structures that almost remained intact during the 1667 earthquake.
The building has been used as a mint, armory, treasury, school, bank, customs office, and warehouse since its inception.
Today, it serves as an important cultural center. Home to the city archives, the palace retains manuscripts dating back to the 12th century.
The arch in the atrium of the palace is inscribed with Latin words that translate to “Our weights do not permit cheating. When I measure goods, God measures with me.” Isn’t it beautiful!
6. Clock Tower
Dating back to 1444, the Clock Tower displays four bells (Loggia of the Bell) that were used as an early warning system in times of danger and a clock with a golden ball that shows the time and the phases of the moon.
7. Marin Držić Statue
As you walk from the Clock Tower towards this unique statue, you’ll witness a small fountain of Onofrio, a replica of the large Onofrio’s Fountain.
A few steps away is a bronze statue of Marin Držić, a famous Croatian writer from Renaissance Dubrovnik. He’s fondly known as the Shakespeare of Dubrovnik.
Sculpted by Croatia’s well-known sculptor, Ivan Meštrović, the statue garners a lot of attention from visitors because of its nose.
Yes, it is believed that if you touch its nose you’ll be blessed with happiness and good luck No wonder, its nose is completely worn out and stands out because of all that rubbing.
8. Rector’s Palace
A fine blend of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architectural styles, Rector’s Palace aka Duke’s Palace is a sight to behold.
Originally built in the 13th century and rebuilt many times after being destroyed by explosions, fires, or earthquakes, the palace still stands tall and ever beautiful. It’s regarded as one of the most valuable heritage buildings in Dubrovnik.
The building once served as a seat of the most important government institutions of the Ragusan Republic and the Rector’s apartment.
Today, it’s home to the cultural history museum holds the pieces that walk you through the rich history, culture, and heritage of Dubrovnik.
The courtyard with finely carved columns and the ornate stone staircase, private chambers, prison cells, arched terraces, richly painted and gilded ceiling, and whatnot – there’s a lot to admire here!
A scene from Game of Thrones where Daenerys Targaryen meets the Spice King of Qarth to ask if he can give her ships for her army to sail through the Narrow Sea was filmed in the palace’s gorgeous courtyard.
9. Dubrovnik Cathedral
Dubrovnik Cathedral or the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary dominates the skyline of Dubrovnik. It, in fact, is one of the most impressive buildings in the Old Town.
The Roman Baroque-style cathedral that you see today actually replaces the 12th-century Romanesque-style cathedral that was destroyed during the 1667 earthquake.
Legend has it that King Richard the Lionheart of England contributed to the reconstruction of the church in gratitude for saving his life when his ship crashed into Lokrum Island while coming back from the crusade.
The interiors boast many paintings, the most notable being the painting, The Assumption of Mary by Venetian Renaissance artist, Titian, impressive altars, and a treasury that was one of the richest on the Adriatic coast before being devastated by the Great earthquake of 1667.
10. Dominican Monastery
Built in Gothic, Romanesque, and Renaissance architectural styles in 1348 and rebuilt after the 1667 earthquake, Dominican Monastery looks more like a fortress than a religious structure.
Its exterior forms the outer walls leading to the Ploce Gate of the city.
The Gothic cloister of the monastery with its arches, columns, well, and lush green trees, undoubtedly, is the most beautiful part of the complex. It was designed by the Florentine architect Maso di Bartolomeo.
The cloister leads to a small museum that houses invaluable pieces of art and history.
A beautiful staircase with a stone balustrade leads to the church of the monastery.
The bell tower of the monastery is Dubrovnik’s major landmark. It can be spotted from miles away.
2 pm: Lunch @ Gradska Kavana Arsenal
A perfect place to enjoy hearty food and the beautiful scenery Dubrovnik is known for, Gradska Kavana Arsenal is sure to add to your experience.
4 pm: Ride to the top of Dubrovnik’s Mt. Srd Via Cable Car
Board the Dubrovnik Cable Car up to Mt. Srd to soak up the breathtaking sunset views of the Dalmatian Coast from the mountain summit.
Panorama Restaurant at the top of Mt. Srd is a perfect place to enjoy your evening dose of caffeine with epic views.
You can choose to hike up Mount Srd if you have time. And you can even take a cab to the top.
Whatever way you choose to reach the summit, make sure you reach there well before the sky bursts into sunset colors.
8 pm: Dinner @ Restaurant 360
One of the top Michelin-star restaurants, Restaurant 360 is known for its modern experiments with traditional Dalmatian cuisine. The food is uniquely delicious and the service is exceptional.
Not to mention the view over Dubrovnik Old Town from here are amazing.
Essential Tips for a Perfect Trip to Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik is super famous and thus, super crowded! Overtourism is real.
Apart from its strategic location on the Dalmatian coast, the dramatic views of the terracotta rooftops, and the stunning Adriatic sea, and its fantabulous Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque architecture, the other element that makes Dubrovnik crowd puller is its being used as a capital of the seven kingdoms, King’s Landing in the fantasy show on HBO – Game of Thrones.
There’s no way you can do anything about it. It is what it is.
You, as a traveler, would also want to see what Dubrovnik looks and feels like no matter what.
You just can’t avoid visiting a beautiful destination because it’s unduly touristic.
There’s a reason it is popular. So you’ll have to find ways to avoid tourist crowds.
Tips to Avoid the Tourist Crowds
➼ Start exploration as early as possible.
➼ Ditch Pile Gate and choose to enter the Old Town through Ploče Gate. Pile Gate, the main entrance to the town is almost always busy because it’s a natural entry point for tourists. All the city buses stop here, most walking tours start from here, and it’s the nearest starting point for the cruise passengers from the ships docked at Gruž Port so crowds of people pile in through Pile Gate.
➼ Dubrovnik has become one of the top cruise destinations in the world. Make sure to check the cruise calendar. It’s suggested you not plan your trip to Dubrovnik on a no-cruise day. It’s vital if you are planning to spend just 24 hours in Dubrovnik!
➼ If you can’t avoid the crusie day then i’d advice you to tour the Old Town in the evening when the cruise crowds go back to the ship.
➼ Avoid visiting during the peak season that’s the summer months of June, July, and August. I know, Dubrovnik is a coastal town and is known for its stunning beaches, islands, and water sports, and they are best experienced during sunny and warm days. But what if the beaches and islands are packed with tourists to the brim, the soaring temperatures (as high as 30°C) make it challenging to stroll the otherwise charming streets of the ancient town or go hiking, and the flights and hotel prices skyrocket? May, September, and October are, undoubtedly, the best months to visit Dubrovnik – it’s when the weather is perfect for you to take a dip in azure waters or go kayaking or relax on a beach or take on other outdoor activities, the crowds begin to fade, the cruise ships almost abandon the port, and the prices drop.
Tips to Save Time, Money, and Hassle
➼ A well-laid itinerary helps a great deal to make the most of your time, however, short in the city.
➼ Skip the lines and get free public transportation with Dubrovnik Card. It allows entry into some of the top attractions of Dubrovnik including the iconic city walls and provides you with a transportation card so you can use public transport for free until its validity.
➼ Book your flights, hotels, tours, and tickets to attractions well in advance.
Final Thoughts
If you’re planning a trip to Croatia, be sure to spend at least one day in Dubrovnik. The city is seriusly out of this world! No wonder GOT has chosen it for their fantasy show.
Hopefully this Dubrovnik itinerary will help you best prepare for your next trip!
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