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Dubrovnik is one of those cities that feels like a film set, but not in a way that’s artificial. It’s dramatic, historic, and impossibly beautiful. It’s also a little bit different and full of interesting history to learn about.

Yes, it’s popular and it can be crowded but for good reason. That doesn’t need to get in the way of having an amazing time, but it’s one of those places where it’s all in the planning. My guide is going to talk you through how to spend 3 nights in this beautiful city.

Dubrovnik is perfect for a city break if:

  • You want a city that’s steeped in history and cinematic charm
  • You enjoy coastal views, medieval architecture, and a touch of glamour
  • You’re happy to walk, climb steps, and explore at your own pace
  • You want a break that’s relaxing, romantic, and full of character

Day 1 in Dubrovnik

Arriving in Dubrovnik is like landing in a fairy-tale. You will probably want to explore a little once you have checked in, but the old town is small so you will not need too much time to orient yourself a little.

This afternoon, I’m going to suggest taking the cable car for the opportunity to get a panoramic view of Dubrovnik. This is an absolute must do.

Some of the Dubrovnik blog posts will recommend that you take the cable car at sunset and have dinner Panorama restaurant at the top. I am not going to suggest this, partly because the restaurant is expensive, and partly because if you follow my itinerary you’ll be back up on that hill at sunset on a different night. Instead, to take in the great views I’d suggest that you have a drink at the restaurant (their Aperol spritz is very nice) and head back down for some dinner in town.

For dinner, I’m going to recommend Lady Pi-Pi which is good value (for Dubrovnik). This is a down to earth, family run restaurant that serves barbequed meat and fish. You can’t book a table so you will need to queue outside until one becomes available. When we visited in May this took around half an hour, which was fine as service was quick once we got inside.

One thing to note if you like white wine; Croatia produces the most delicious variety called Pošip which you will see on many restaurant menus. It’s what the locals bring out if they are having a celebration or just want a nice wine. If you like Sauvignon Blanc you will probably enjoy it.

Day 2

Your first full day in Croatia is going to be a great one! You will need to wake up early to be ready to walk the city walls at when they open at 8am. This way you will beat the crowds and have some uninterrupted wall-time to yourself. Don’t fear though, there are several coffee stops along the way so you don’t have to walk the entire distance without refuelling your caffeine levels.

The full walk takes around 2 hours which includes a coffee stop, time to take pictures and a short stop at the Maritime Museum along the way. It is worth getting the Dubrovnik Pass for 24 hours, which includes entry to the walls and other attractions. It also gives you 10% off in some restaurants.

Your pass will also give you access to the Lovrijenac Fortress, which is well worth a visit. It has spectacular views over the city and was a filming location for Game of Thrones. I personally haven’t watched the show but if you have, you may want to consider a Game of Thrones Tour.

This afternoon you can spend the time exploring the city further or having a little siesta after your early start.

For your evening entertainment I’m going to suggest this sunset ziplining experience. I absolutely LOVED this experience and I can’t describe how amazing it was to have that view while ziplining. I’ve never ziplined before, and they fully walk you through everything you need to know. So you can zip away knowing that you’re in very safe hands!

As well as being fun and a bit different, the experience was also interesting because our guides took the time to tell us a little about the history of the city.

At the end of the ziplining, they took us to the most beautiful spot to watch the sunset. They even provided a small bottle of wine to enjoy, which was a nice touch. I will remember this experience much more vividly than a posh dinner watching the sunset. Hopefully now you’ll understand my recommendation from yesterday.

Day 3

For your second full day I’m going to suggest the following two options

Option 1: The Red History Museum

Start the day with a brunch at Soul Kitchen, which has a great menu and is frankly a cool place. It was also right outside my apartment so is also very handy if you stay there too (I’ll say more about this later).

After brunch, take a relaxed walk to the port, which takes around 40 minutes from the Old Town. Here you will find the Red History Museum which walks you through Croatia’s history within Yugoslavia. I found this museum fascinating and thoughtfully presented. I liked how it offered information about that time without any judgement. More in a kind of ‘this is what happened’ way, which I appreciated.

On the way back from the museum I would recommend a stop at the Wine Museum, although just for a tasting. We paid for the tour of the museum and in my opinion it wasn’t really worth it unless you are super interested in the history of Croatia’s wine. The tasting itself was fantastic though, and our waiter was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic. What’s more the tastings take place on a terrace overlooking the Pile gate, so it’s a beautiful spot.

Option 2: Lokrum Island

A short boat ride from the Old Port, Lokrum is a peaceful escape with botanical gardens,  swimming spots, and wild peacocks. It’s ideal for a half-day trip, especially in warmer months. Pack water and snacks, as options on the island are limited.

It’s probably worth me saying that I didn’t take the option of Lokrum island when I visited Dubrovnik, purely because I travelled on to Hvar. This gave me plenty of opportunities for swimming, and so I chose the Red History Museum over this. If I was just visiting Dubrovnik for a city break, I would have definitely gone to Lokrum island. If you are considering travelling on to other parts of Croatia, check out my Croatia 10-day itinerary

Dinner on day 3

For your final dinner, I’m recommending Restaurant Rudjer which is a gorgeous garden restaurant within the old town. The food and service were really top notch here and worth the price tag, which was certainly not the priceist in Dubrovnik. We shared the Croatian plate, and I had chicken for main (which was plentiful) and tiramisu for dessert. It was a fantastic way to end our stay in this beautiful city.

Where to stay in Dubrovnik

If you’re going to stay in Dubrovnik, it’s worth staying in the old town. That means everything is on your doorstep and you can pop back to the apartment whenever you need to. We stayed at the Festa apartments and I can’t recommend it highly enough. As well as the fantastic location, it was clean, comfortable and surprisingly quiet. Each room comes with it’s own kitchenette so you can make yourself a coffee in the morning before you head out exploring. It is also possible to prepare simple meals if you want to save some money in a very expensive city.

At this point it’s worth saying that the tap water is safe to drink in Croatia so ensure you take your re-usable water bottle. This will save you money as well as saving the planet!

When is the best time to visit Dubrovnik?

Croatia is a popular destination and gets very busy in the summer months. So, there is a balance to be struck between having good weather and visiting when it is relatively quiet (unless you like big crowds that is!).

We found that May was a great time to visit and I hear from locals that September is similar. The weather was great 90% of the time, and it was quiet enough to enjoy exploring without it feeling overly busy.

Last but not least

If you’re feeling hedonistic: You will find delicious ice cream options all over Dubrovnik. My favourite was Aroma gelato which offers a delicious pistachio option as well as interesting flavours such as lemon and basil.

If you want a sense of accomplishment: Track your steps on your city break because you’re going to be doing a lot of walking. It won’t feel like exercise when you’re taking in all of those beautiful views and pretty streets.

Reasons to be optimistic: In 1991, during the Siege of Dubrovnik, British journalist Paul Davies and his team were the only international television crew inside the city as it was bombarded by the Yugoslav army.

The team documented the shelling, including footage of wire-guided missiles striking the Old Town. Their reports, titled Diary of a Siege, were smuggled out of the city via speedboats and later a ferry during a ceasefire.

The impact was profound: the bombardment largely ceased, and Davies was later credited with helping to “save the city.” In 2019, he returned to Dubrovnik and was awarded the title Defender of Dubrovnik by the mayor. His reports are now taught in local schools as trusted historical sources and were used as evidence in war crimes trials at The Hague. It’s a great example of the power of frontline journalism.

When you visit the city, you may be able to notice slight differences in the terracotta rooftops according to whether the are original or not. This story made me feel humbled and I was so glad to be able to visit the city intact and full of pride.