Dubrovnik is considered one of Europe’s most beautiful cities, offering visitors a journey through history, remarkable landscape, and world–class food selection.
With all these options, planning your trip to Dubrovnik can be a little tricky. However, we have created a recommended 3-day Dubrovnik itinerary that will help you experience most of the city’s attractions.
TIP: Also, keep in mind that Dubrovnik is a very popular tourist destination and summer months can become very crowded, so booking ahead where possible is highly recommended. Be sure to check on the opening and closing hours for sites you wish to visit.
So, without further ado let’s get started with our idea of perfect 3 days in Dubrovnik.
We recommend starting your trip in the Old City of Dubrovnik, as it is one of the world’s finest and best-preserved medieval cities. Dive into history and explore the Rector’s palace, Sponza, City Walls, Dominican monastery, Jesuit Steps, St Blaise church, the city’s museums, and other iconic buildings. Many people enjoy walking and exploring these sights by themselves but putting these landmarks in a broader historic context and choosing the best ones with limited time can be challenging. That’s where a guided tour is an excellent option – what better way to learn about the city, than with a guided tour led by a local?
Our suggested Day 1 Dubrovnik itinerary continues with a visit to Lokrum Island. Your Lokrum trip starts in the Old City’s port and is a ferry ride that is only 15 minutes long. Once you reach the island you can find a Benedictine abbey, monastery, beautiful botanical garden, peacocks, the Dead Sea, restaurants, bars, and beaches. Lokrum truly amazes me with its nature and beauty. For those feeling a little more adventurous – we suggest you visit the museum on the island and find out about the famous Lokrum Curse.
So now you’ve seen some of the BIG Dubrovnik highlights like City Walls, Old City, and Lokrum Island. For your second day in Dubrovnik, we would suggest going up the Srđ Hill in the morning hours and then hitting the beach & sea kayaking.
You can reach Srđ by using the cable car, car, or hiking. We would argue that Srđ is the best place to enjoy the view of Dubrovnik Old City and the coastline. When you reach the top, you will understand and see the historical significance of Srđ for Dubrovnik. The hill was a critical point for defending the city of Dubrovnik during the Independence War. You can find a war museum exhibit that showcases documents, photographs, weapons, war maps, and other items. On the top, you can also have a drink in a bar or have a meal in a restaurant with the most amazing view.
After your trip to Srđ, we suggest spending your time at one of the local beaches and then renting or going for a kayaking tour at sunset. Sea kayaking can be done by people of all ages and requires no previous experience. That’s why this is a great activity for anyone who wishes to experience the Adriatic Sea and also have some fun. With that, your second day in Dubrovnik will be completed with amazing sunset views from the seaside.
Dubrovnik is a coastal city with beautiful beaches and miles of clear & clean sea. Dubrovnik’s coastline comprises a series of islands – one of the most popular is the Elaphiti Islands. For this reason, we suggest you spend your third day on the sea waves and see this beautiful part of Dubrovnik at close quarters.
When you only have 3 days in Dubrovnik, squeezing some sea sightseeing into a limited amount of time into a boat tour is a perfect solution. This tour gives you a chance to combine relaxation, fun, education, and sightseeing in one trip.
TIP: Wondering where to eat while following the itinerary? We got you covered. We have created a list of casual dining, fine dining, street food, and sweets & coffee stops.
If you’ve never been to Dubrovnik, feeling a bit lost – we suggest you follow our 3 days in Dubrovnik itinerary. By doing so – you will dedicate your time to particular sights and end up with the most efficient use of your limited time in Dubrovnik.
Enjoy!