Top Things to Do in Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is easily one of my favorite towns I’ve ever visited. A medieval city surrounded by crystal-clear blue water, it almost doesn’t feel real.

We spent 3 full days here, and while it’s not huge, there’s plenty to do and see if you plan it right.

Kayaking Tour (Must Do)

This was by far the best thing we did in Dubrovnik.

We booked a private kayaking tour through Airbnb Experiences, and it ended up being one of the highlights of our entire Croatia trip. We kayaked to Lokrum Island, Betina Cave, and along the Dubrovnik walls. Our guide was amazing, super fun, down to earth, and full of great stories.

We met at Sveti Jakov Beach, which is worth visiting on its own. It’s a bit of a walk down (a lot of stairs), but the views from the top are stunning.

Our first stop was Lokrum Island, where we got to cliff jump, one of my favorite parts of the day. There are a few different jump spots depending on your comfort level. I ended up doing the highest one (around 20 meters!), but even if you’re nervous, there are lower options. My sister, who’s afraid of heights and had never cliff jumped before, did the medium one!

Lokrum itself is also really cool, it’s a nature reserve with hiking trails, Game of Thrones filming locations, free-roaming peacocks, and some interesting “cursed island” history our guide told us about.

After that, we kayaked along the Dubrovnik walls while our guide shared more about the city’s history, including the war in the 90s. It was really eye-opening seeing some of the buildings that are still damaged.

Our last stop was Betina Cave, crystal clear water, surrounded by cliffs. We swam, snorkeled, and just enjoyed the views before heading back (with lunch included at the end).

If you only do one excursion in Dubrovnik, make it this.

Cliff Jumping at Buza Beach Bar

If you’re even a little adventurous, you have to go here.

Put Buža Beach Bar into your maps, then walk through Old Town until you find what literally looks like a hole in the wall. Go through it, walk past the bar, and you’ll find the cliff jumping spot.

Walk through this hole in the Dubrovnik wall ^^^

This is the place to cliff jump in Dubrovnik. People hang out here for hours jumping, swimming, and just having a good time. There are different heights to jump from, and the energy is so fun.

If you’re not into cliff jumping, it’s still worth coming for the sunset. The views from the cliffs are unreal.

Just a heads up, this isn’t a “lay out and relax” kind of beach. It’s all rocks, so you’re either in the water or hanging out on them.

Walk the Dubrovnik Walls

This is the classic Dubrovnik activity, and it’s worth it.

It took us about an hour and a half to walk the full loop, and the views are incredible the entire way. You get a mix of sea views and those iconic orange rooftops, plus you’ll pass watchtowers, cannons, and parts of the old fortress.

You do have to pay to enter, but I don’t think you need a guided tour unless you really want a deep dive into the history. We felt like we got a lot of that from our kayaking tour already.

Wander Old Town

Old Town Dubrovnik is so charming. It’s clean, well-kept, and honestly just really fun to explore.

Spend an evening walking around, popping into shops, grabbing gelato, and just taking it all in. There are also a bunch of Game of Thrones filming spots scattered throughout if you want to check those out.

Game of Thrones Tour

Don’t hate me, but I’ve never actually watched Game of Thrones LOL.

That said, Dubrovnik is a huge filming location, so if you’re a fan, this is definitely something you should do. There are tons of tours available, and it seems like a big reason why a lot of people visit in the first place.

We didn’t do one, but if you love the show, I’d absolutely add it to your itinerary.

Elaphiti Islands

The Elaphiti Islands (Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan) are a group of islands just northwest of Dubrovnik, known for their clear water, beaches, and laid-back vibe.

We booked a day trip that took us to all three. Each island had something a little different, Lopud felt the most relaxing with nice beaches, Šipan had a cute small village feel, and Koločep had a nice sandy beach with beautiful views.

The only downside was that we didn’t get a ton of time on each island. We did a larger group tour, and it felt a bit rushed trying to stay on schedule.

If I did it again, I’d either book a smaller tour or take the ferry to one island and spend more time there, especially if you’re looking for more of a beach day.

One thing that we did pick up in Šipan that was super unique was this 2015 bottle of red wine that was aged 2 years under the sea. It had tons of crustations growing on it and it was only 90 Euros! For such a unique bottle that felt like a steal. Plus it was a really good smooth red wine. Definitely recommend popping into the wine store in Šipan.

These islands are definitely not as beautiful as the ones off of Split, so set your expectations right! I was imagining something similar to the islands off of Split and was somewhat let down. However the Elaphiti Islands are still beautiful.

Banje Beach

If you’re looking for an easy beach day in Dubrovnik, this is probably where you’ll end up.

There aren’t a ton of accessible beaches close to Old Town, and many of the really beautiful spots are only reachable by boat (like Betina Cave).

Banje Beach is the most popular and easiest to get to. It’s rocky, so definitely bring water shoes. It’s not the most stunning beach you’ll ever see, but it’s convenient and has a really good restaurant nearby.

Final Thoughts

Dubrovnik is such a special place. Between the history, the views, and the water, it really stands out.

If I had to narrow it down, my top recommendations would be the kayaking tour, exploring Old Town, and spending time at Buža Beach Bar, whether that’s for cliff jumping or just catching the sunset.

It’s the kind of place that’s easy to fall in love with.