The 15 top activities in Dubrovnik

Croatia’s premier destination, Dubrovnik’s charming old town is nestled within robust medieval fortifications, offering stunning views of the deep blue Adriatic. Within the old town, you’ll find elegant Baroque buildings, museums, and galleries, while outside the walls, a wealth of beaches, islands, and breathtaking coastline awaits your exploration.

1. Complete the walk around the City Walls

Among all the experiences in Dubrovnik, a walk along the medieval city walls is simply unmissable. This 2km (1.25 mile) circuit offers breathtaking views of the old town’s terracotta roofs and the shimmering sea. Originally constructed in the 13th century, these walls safeguarded the city—then known as Ragusa—from outside threats. At night, the entrances, Pile Gate and Ploče Gate, were secured, with wooden drawbridges raised to keep intruders at bay.

When the Ottoman Turks posed a threat to the Balkan peninsula in the 15th century, the walls were reinforced with robust towers and bastions, along with around 120 cannons. The main entrance to the battlements is a flight of stone steps on your left as you enter through Pile Gate. During the summer months, visitor numbers are capped to avoid overcrowding, so it’s advisable to book online in advance. If you visit in winter, you might find the walls nearly empty, providing a serene experience.

Local tip: Dubrovnik endured the turmoil of the war following Croatia's independence declaration in 1991. Today, the town walls are restored, the marble streets gleam, and iconic monuments have been carefully revitalized, all thanks to an international team of skilled stonemasons.

2. Savor your morning coffee on the Stradun

In Dalmatia, sipping coffee is a cherished morning tradition. In Dubrovnik, the ideal spot for this is the Stradun (also known as Placa). This 300m-long (984ft) promenade, paved with white limestone, serves as the main artery through the old town, connecting Pile Gate and Ploče Gate. Lined with 17th-century Baroque stone buildings, the Stradun is home to quaint shops and inviting open-air cafes. Here, locals gather to enjoy coffee, peruse the morning newspapers, and watch life unfold. One of the prime locations is Gradska Kavana, perched on a raised terrace at the promenade’s end. Interestingly, the Stradun was once a shallow sea channel, filled in during the 12th century to form the city we see today.

Local tip: The entire old town is pedestrian-friendly, public transport is reliable, and parking is costly, so it's best to avoid renting a car until you're ready to leave the city.

3. Explore the lifestyle of local aristocrats at the Rector’s Palace

Up until 1808, Dubrovnik was a small yet refined self-governing republic known as Ragusa. Each month, local councilors would select a different citizen to serve as Rector, a brief appointment aimed at preventing any individual from gaining too much power. During their tenure, Rectors resided on the upper floor of the 15th-century Gothic-Renaissance Rector's Palace.

These living quarters now host the Cultural History Museum, where visitors can explore how local aristocrats once lived, surrounded by Baroque furnishings, gilded oil paintings, opulent costumes, weapons, and even a sedan chair.

On the ground floor, near the internal courtyard, you’ll find the entrance to the former meeting spaces of the Great Council and the Senate. Above the door hangs a plaque that reads Obliti privatorum publica curate (Forget private matters, and focus on public affairs). The area also includes a prison cell and a chapel.

Local tip: Game of Thrones enthusiasts may feel as if they’ve stepped into Qarth when they enter the grand atrium.

4. Discover Adriatic marine life at the aquarium

Located beneath the Maritime Museum, within St John's Fortress, you'll discover the aquarium. This serene, dimly-lit space provides a cool escape from the summer heat—especially helpful if you're accompanying weary children. It features an impressive range of Adriatic marine life across 31 seawater tanks. Keep an eye out for delicate seahorses, peculiar scorpionfish, fearsome conger eels, adorable starfish, and mesmerizing octopuses. After your visit, treat yourself to homemade ice cream or traditional Dubrovnik pastries at Gianni, just outside in the narrow alley.

5. Savor raw oysters at Bota Oyster & Sushi Bar

For generations, seafood lovers in Dubrovnik have enjoyed oysters sourced from Mali Ston Bay on the Pelješac peninsula, once part of the Republic of Ragusa. If you haven't tasted them yet, you can find them in the old town. The owner of Bota Oyster & Sushi Bar cultivates his own oysters in Ston, bringing in fresh supplies each morning. Believed to be a potent aphrodisiac, they’re served on crushed ice, still in their shells, accompanied by a wedge of lemon. If you find their slippery texture off-putting, you can opt for oyster tempura, lightly battered and fried instead.

6. Discover medieval golden reliquaries at the treasury

It might sound macabre, but during the Middle Ages, people believed that relics—body parts of long-deceased saints—could invoke divine intervention. Considered sacred, these remains were encased in gold and adorned with intricate filigree and precious jewels. The treasury next to Dubrovnik Cathedral showcases a collection of 138 gold and silver reliquaries, with the highlight being the skull of St Blaise, Dubrovnik's patron saint, crowned in gold. Many of these relics come from the Byzantine Empire, brought back by local seafarers returning from Eastern voyages.

7. Find unique designer gifts at KAWA

Located just outside Ploče Gate, KAWA is a concept store featuring exclusive clothing by emerging Croatian designers, alongside jewelry, tote bags, ceramics, beautifully packaged cosmetics, olive oil, and rakija (a strong spirit). It’s an excellent spot for picking up authentic souvenirs and supporting local artists.

8. Enjoy the sunset with a drink at Buža bar

Perched high on the rocks overlooking the sea beneath Dubrovnik's south-facing walls, you'll find two open-air bars, both called Buža: Buža I and Buža II. Either choice is excellent, so why not visit both? With a casual vibe, they feature rock-and-concrete terraces shaded by large white umbrellas.

The drink selection is simple—just beer or wine (cash only)—but the breathtaking views of the open Adriatic make it worthwhile. Arrive in the morning for a swim or come in the evening to savor the sunset, followed by the magic of a starlit sky.

9. Explore 20th-century Yugoslav design at the Red History Museum

Inaugurated in 2019, the vibrant Red History Museum offers a glimpse into life in Croatia during the era of Socialist Yugoslavia (1945-1991). The exhibits feature a series of rooms that recreate a typical 1970s apartment, complete with period furniture. The retro aesthetic is undeniably stylish, complemented by ceramics, posters, and the graphic design of magazines and record covers. The museum also touches on darker topics, including the Yugoslav secret police and the Goli Otok political prison.

10. Purchase natural cosmetics at the Franciscan Monastery pharmacy

Accessed from the Stradun, the Franciscan Monastery features a 14th-century Romanesque cloister surrounded by a garden filled with palms and citrus trees. Here, one of Europe’s earliest pharmacies was established by monks in 1317. A small museum showcases antique laboratory equipment and storage jars. Today, the Franciscan Pharmacy is just inside the monastery’s arched entrance, stocked with well-known international medications.

On the marble counter, you’ll find several jars of natural hydrating face creams made with rose, lavender, and rosemary, each marked 'Mala Braca 1317 AD.' These creams are still crafted in the pharmacy using secret recipes that have been passed down through the centuries and are known only to the monks.

11. Discover Dubrovnik's maritime heritage at the Maritime Museum

Dubrovnik experienced its Golden Age in the 16th century, a period marked by immense wealth derived from shipping and trade. At that time, the small republic of Ragusa boasted one of the largest fleets in the world, comprising around 180 ships and 4,000 sailors. The Maritime Museum, located in St John's Fortress, offers insights into Dubrovnik's historical naval dominance. Its exhibits include model ships, paintings, maps, navigational tools, and sailors’ uniforms.

12. Contemplate the tragedy of war at War Photo Ltd

Having endured a devastating siege lasting eight months from 1991 to 1992, Dubrovnik is acutely aware of the horrors of conflict. At War Photo Ltd, you can explore the human suffering stemming from the disintegration of Yugoslavia. The upper floor showcases scenes from daily life during the tumultuous conflicts in Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Kosovo, as captured by photojournalists. Meanwhile, the ground floor features rotating exhibitions of photojournalism from various war zones worldwide, including past shows on Syria, Sudan, Congo, and Northern Ireland.

13. Kayak to Lokrum Island

The small island of Lokrum is just a 10-minute boat ride from Dubrovnik's old harbor. For a more adventurous experience, consider joining a sea kayaking tour that departs from a nearby beach close to Pile Gate. You'll navigate around Dubrovnik's fortifications before heading to Lokrum for swimming, snorkeling, hiking, and cliff jumping.

Lush and verdant, Lokrum is home to a deserted 11th-century Benedictine Monastery, a botanical garden inhabited by peacocks, and a hilltop fort constructed by Napoleon in 1806. According to local legend, the monks, upset by Napoleon's closure of their monastery, cursed anyone who attempted to claim the island. Whether true or not, it remains a fact that overnight stays on Lokrum are forbidden to this day.

Local tip: To access the nudist beach (often hailed as the best nudist beach in the world), turn left from the ferry and follow the FKK signs; the rocky area at the far end has become Dubrovnik's unofficial gay beach.

14. Hike to the summit of Mt Srđ for a panoramic picnic overlooking Dubrovnik

Arguably one of the most stunning views of Dubrovnik can be enjoyed from Mt Srđ, which looms directly behind the old town. A day in advance, reach out to Piknik Dubrovnik to prepare a lunch packed in a convenient insulated backpack, complete with a map and a blanket. To ascend Srđ, follow a two-kilometer zig-zagging path that traces the Stations of the Cross. At the summit, you'll find a 19th-century fortress, a bar-restaurant, and a viewing deck offering breathtaking sights of the town and the Adriatic. If the hike seems too daunting, you can take the modern cable car up and enjoy a leisurely walk back down.

15. Relax and soak up the sun at Šunj beach on Lopud island

Sandy beaches are a rarity in Dalmatia, but one can be found near Dubrovnik at Šunj on Lopud. Board a white-and-blue Jadrolinija ferry from Gruž port to Lopud. As you approach the bay, admire the fortified Franciscan monastery perched above the sea—recently restored, it now serves as the luxurious retreat Lopud 1483.

From the palm-lined waterfront promenade, take a two-kilometer path through lush Mediterranean flora to reach Šunj (golf-buggy rides are also an option). This beautiful stretch of sand leads to a sheltered bay with warm, shallow waters and features several seasonal bars offering drinks and snacks, along with sun-bed rentals.

Local tip: Every June, Lopud hosts the Ponta Lopud film festival.