Introduction

The ancient city of Dubrovnik in Croatia is often referred to as the ‘Pearl of the Adriatic’. It is one of the most picturesque towns on the Dalmatian coast. As of 1979, Dubrovnik was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its wonderful medieval architecture and historic Old Town. Spend 2 days in Dubrovnik, you won’t regret it!

With its famous terracotta rooftops, medieval architecture and quaint little streets, it’s no wonder visitors are mesmerised by the city.

Quick History of Dubrovnik

The history of the city likely dates back to the 7th century when the town was founded by refugees under the name ‘Ragusa’. This remained the official name of the city until 1808. While Dubrovnik was first recorded in the late 12th century and was widely used by the 17th century. The name Dubrovnik comes from the Croatian word ‘Dubrava’, meaning oak woods. In the past, forests of oak trees encompassed the city. 

Dubrovnik has a colourful history, it was an important strategic position from the 13th century onwards. In 1667 a devastating earthquake almost destroyed the entire city. In 1991, during the Croatian War of Independence, Dubrovnik suffered significant damage from shelling. The city was restored in the 1990s and early 2000s and has now become one of the Mediterranean’s top tourist destinations. 

I spent just 2 days in Dubrovnik and it was plenty of time to see and do everything that I wanted to and more! Below I have mapped out a two-day itinerary for you, giving suggestions and recommendations of where to go, what to see and budget options to make your trip less expensive! Dubrovnik is known for being a tourist trap so can be a bit pricey depending on where you choose to eat and drink. Always ask your host for their local recommendations to make sure that you go for quality and good value.

Day 1: Morning

Old Town

Spend some time exploring the Old Town, it’s super small so you’ll be able to walk around in no time. Game of Thrones fans: Revel in the filming locations around the city and pop into some of the cute little souvenir shops and museums on your way.

Stroll the City Walls

Walk around the top of the City Walls! This is hands down the best way to see the city as a whole. Gaze over the terracotta rooftops and see the glittering Adriatic sea, surrounding mountains and fortresses nearby. 

The walls run an uninterrupted course around the ancient city, totalling approximately 1,940 metres in length and reaching a maximum height of about 25 metres. The walk will take around 1.5 – 2 hours, depending on the time of day that you go and how many other visitors are there. I highly recommend walking around the walls in the morning – the earlier the better! You’ll find fewer people there at this time, as well as a cooler air temperature which is more comfortable for walking.

Once you get to the sea-facing side of the walls, there are some restaurants and cafes where you can stop for light refreshments before continuing your walk. Along with small pop-up stalls selling handmade local products and colourful artwork depicting Dubrovnik in it’s most beautiful form.

Tickets for the city walls do not come cheap, expect to pay 250 Kuna per adult (about £28!). You can pay by cash or card at the ticket booth at the entrance to the walls.

Day 1: Afternoon

Banje Beach

If it’s sunny in the afternoon, take the chance to visit the lovely Banje Beach. Located just a 5-minute walk from the Old Town, Banje is the perfect place to catch some rays and take a dip in the azure waters of the Adriatic.

Day 1: Evening

Srđ at Sunset

In the evening, you can marvel at the beautiful sunset from the top of the mountain just behind Dubrovnik Old Town. Named Srđ, the peak of the mountain is reachable via cable car or by road. If you are travelling on a budget, I suggest taking an Uber both up and down the mountain. I did this and it cost a grand total of £11.

If you’re feeling boujee and have some cash to splash, I recommend taking the cable car. A one-way ticket costs approximately £12 per adult, or a return ticket is £22. The ride lasts around 5-10 minutes, but you may have to wait in line for a while as it can get busy – especially in peak season!

At the peak of the mountain, there is a lovely restaurant called ‘Panorama’. It’s more on the expensive side but it’s a fantastic spot to watch the sunset from. If you decide to take an Uber up and down the mountain, ask your driver to stop at the viewpoint before the peak. This is the perfect spot to get photos of the sunset as you don’t have the cable car or restaurant impeding your view!

I decided on the budget option and didn’t visit the restaurant. Instead, I spent nearly an hour at the viewpoint enjoying some wine and getting totally windswept watching the sun go down. My advice to you – bring a jacket, even if it’s warm and you don’t think you’ll need one! I waited just 10 minutes for an Uber back down the mountain. 

Day 2: Breakfast recommendation

Enjoy a hearty breakfast at Gradska Kavana Arsenal Restaurant, located in the Old Town. Breakfast here is very pleasant, well-priced and delicious! This breakfast option was recommended by my hostess at Villa Four Winds. If you are headed to Dubrovnik I highly recommend this hotel. Ivana was extremely helpful with her recommendations and so welcoming.

Day 2: Midday

Lokrum Island

When your stomachs are full, head to the Old Town port and purchase return boat tickets for Lokrum Island. Take the ferry which leaves every 30 minutes to the island, the journey is 15 minutes long and you have beautiful views of the island and the coastline. 

Have you ever heard of Lokrum Island before? Well, I certainly hadn’t! 

Lokrum has so much to offer, including a Benedictine Monastery, 19th-century Botanical Gardens, a ‘Dead Sea’, Fort Royal and the original GoT Iron Throne! The entire island is a nature reserve, it is very well looked after by rangers that work there and all visitors are encouraged to treat the island with the care and respect it deserves.

Lokrum is a little slice of paradise, get away from the hustle and bustle of the crowds in the Old Town and immerse yourself in nature. 

The Island of Lokrum was a major highlight of my trip to Dubrovnik, I wrote a whole blog dedicated to making your Lokrum Island experience the best it can be. Read more about Lokrum Island here!

Day 2: Evening

Cliff-side Bar

Once returning from your day trip to Lokrum Island, enjoy a relaxing evening in the small city. Visit the famous Buza Bar, a cliffside bar where you can sit and enjoy the beautiful sunset with an ice-cold beer. There are no bathrooms here, however, so maybe just stop for one or two drinks before moving on!

Cafe Bar Fontana

Fontana bar was another local recommendation from my lovely host Ivana. The drinks prices are very reasonable and cheaper than most other places in the city. It has a great vibe with funky music and fills up with punters pretty quickly. Stay here for a few drinks before heading to Revelin nightclub…

Revelin Nightclub

Culture Club Revelin is located in Revelin Fortress in the Old Town. It is a unique blend of old and new. The location is fantastic, dance the night away in a colourfully lit fortress that was built in 1463. The drinks are very expensive though, this is Dubrovnik, remember? So, make sure that you get tipsy at a different venue before entering. Although the drinks are expensive, entry to the club is FREE before midnight! After midnight the fee is a whopping 250 Kuna, around £28 per person.

So, Why Spend 2 days in Dubrovnik?

Dubrovnik really has that wow factor that many tourists are looking for. It is a charming city, teeming with life and history. There is something for everyone, interesting history, delicious food, shopping, nature and beaches. I hope that this 2-day itinerary gives you some ideas of things to see and do in Dubrovnik to make your time there as amazing as possible! I absolutely loved this city and will definitely be returning in the future. Add Dubrovnik to your Croatia bucket list, you won’t be disappointed!

If you enjoyed this blog, be sure to check out more destination guides here!