10 Best Things to do in Dubrovnik, Croatia
/I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, Dubrovnik is one of my favourite places on the planet. The combination of the dramatic coastline, turquoise waters, orange-roofed buildings, the mountainous backdrop and the European summer feels, are the best.
Dubrovnik has become quite the hotspot in recent years, due to the accessibility of surrounding countries and, of course, Game of Thrones fans. Walking around the Old Town, swimming in the Adriatic sea and the view from Mount Srd are all my highlights.
I’ve listed 10 things to do in Dubrovnik below that you must do! If Dubrovnik isn’t on your bucket list yet, then add it now - enjoy!
1. Cable Car to Mount Srd.
Honestly one of the most incredible views you’ll ever witness. The way the car glides up and down the mountain, will make you think ‘is this even real?’ I always love seeing cities from above, so this is the perfect way to see Dubrovnik. It’s my favourite thing to do in the city! Once you arrive at the top, you’ll find the Panorama restaurant which boasts the best views.
Adult return-trip tickets are 200,00 kn (around £22) and for children aged 4-12 years 50, 00 kn (around £5.) Unfortunately, the cable car isn’t open all year round. It runs from April through to October.
2. Kayak trip.
Another incredible way to see Dubrovnik. It wouldn’t be a complete trip without experiencing the city by kayak. You can rent individual kayaks or there are many organised tour groups that you can join. One that I recommend is X-Adventure Sea Kayaking Tours. They are located just in front of the Beach Bar Dodo - the perfect place to relax and enjoy a cocktail after being out on the water.
Prices range from 150 kn to 300 kn, (£17 - £34) for 1-3 hours hire.
3. Snorkelling/Diving.
With the Adriatic Sea having some of the clearest water in the world, snorkelling and diving are a must when visiting. The turquoise waters are calm and home to an abundance of marine life. There are also submerged ancient ruins to be discovered. The underwater world that surrounds Dubrovnik, are some of the best in Europe.
I recommend Diving Center Blue Planet, located at the Hotel Dubrovnik Palace.
4. Walk around Dubrovnik’s Old Town.
There’s nothing better than getting ‘lost’ when visiting historical cities. I had the same feeling when I first visited Venice, however Dubrovnik brings the drama. Steep, narrow walkways, cliff edges, mountains and sea views to die for. You can walk the Old Town in less than a day, but it will take you a lifetime to leave.
5. Try a local Croatian beer.
After hours of marveling at the gorgeous scenery, don’t forget to relax at a traditional Croatian café or restaurant. There are plenty to choose from and of course don’t forget to try the local beer, Ožujsko. Best enjoyed when England v Croatia are playing in the World Cup.
6. Walk the Old Town city walls.
Game of Thrones fans assemble! This is a paid experience, where you can walk around the 1,940 meter long walls. There are 6 fortresses along the way - Lovrijenac, Revelin, Minčeta, Bokar, St John and St Lucas. The tours last around 2-3 hours.
Prices per adult are 250 kn (around £28.) I recommend booking online before your trip as the queues for tickets can be lengthy!
7. Day trip to Mostar, Bosnia.
If you’re up for adventuring out of the city for a day, then I recommend hiring a car and driving to Mostar. A scenic, historical city, only 2.5 hours away in the bordering country of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Markets, bridges, cobble stones and some of the best ice-cream I’ve ever tasted. Mostar is recently famous for hosting the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series competition. Throughout the year you can witness competitors practice-diving, 20m from the top of the Stari Most Old Bridge. Totally thrilling!
8. Day trip to Krka National Park.
Need I mention Krka? At the top of everyone’s bucket list, right? You can’t visit Croatia without experiencing mother nature at its best. Krka National Park is home to some of THE most magical waterfalls on the planet. The three hour drive from Dubrovnik to the falls is worth it - I promise!
Entry price to the National Park varies throughout the year, from £3 - £22 per visit.
9. Boat trip to the surrounding islands.
Croatia has more than 1,200 islands and islets, so there’s plenty of adventure to be had off the mainland. Some of the most popular islands to mention are Krk, Hvar, Brač, Mljet, Korčula, Vis and Lopud. They are all famous for different reasons, however they all have one thing in common - untouched beaches and crystal clear waters. Basically… paradise, that must be explored! Maldives who?
10. Cliff jumping & swimming the in Adriatic Sea.
I’ve come to realise that this post is mainly about swimming, water and sea. That’s because Croatia has the 15th longest coastline in the world. You can’t travel too far without seeing the blue horizon. Most of the hotels in Croatia have private beaches or direct access to the sea. Also, when walking around Dubrovnik’s Old Town, you’ll see cliffside beach bars, with hundreds of people jumping into the water… for fun! Yes it’s kind of dangerous, of course, however it’s become the number one ‘YOLO’ experience in the country. Buža Beach Bar is the place to go!
