Nestled on the sun-kissed shores of the Adriatic Sea, Dubrovnik stands as a testament to the rich tapestry of history, culture, and natural beauty that Croatia has to offer. Known as the “Pearl of the Adriatic”, this ancient coastal city is a place where time seems to stand still, and every cobblestone street tells a story of centuries past.
In this travel blog, we invite you to embark on a journey through the storied streets of Dubrovnik, a destination that has captured the hearts of travelers of generations. From its well-preserved medieval walls to its stunning Old Town, from the azure waters of the Adriatic to the warm hospitality of its people, Dubrovnik offers an unparalleled blend of history, architecture, and coastal charm.
Join us as we walk down the enchanting streets, delve into the city’s fascinating past, and explore the areas they filmed Game of Thrones. So, pack your bags, and let’s embark on an unforgettable journey to Dubrovnik, where every corner holds a piece of history and every vista is a masterpiece.
When I am researching activities and things to see in a new city, I wish I found more itineraries that ranked the list of activities they recommend. Everyone’s time is different in a new city and it’s important to be able to prioritize activities that are a MUST versus activities that are nice, but could possibly be skipped. I like to schedule my days and build an itinerary with one MUST item, one TRY TO DO item, and one SKIP item a day in case something happens or we are too tired, we can always hit the MUST item and SKIP the item that’s not as important.
★★★ MUST SEE
★★ TRY TO DO
★ SKIP (BUT WORTH IF YOU HAVE TIME)
★★★ City Walls
★★★ Bellevue Beach
★★★ Old Town
★★★ Banje Beach
Use these jumps to navigate to a specific day or just keep scrolling to read the full itinerary!
When: August 2019
Who: My Best Friend and I (just 2 adults) ~ we did more of a budget trip as we just had graduated college and hadn’t started full time work yet
Where we stayed: Just north of Old Town
Day 1 Information ~
Airbnb ~ where we booked our accommodation
Arrive in Dubrovnik: We traveled from Zagreb to Dubrovnik via plane. We used Croatia Airlines and the flight was only 55 minutes. It was about $110 per person for the one way flight. It was a good experience and I would use Croatia Airlines again.
Check into Airbnb: We stayed in an Airbnb a little northwest of Old Town near the highway at the foot of the mountain. It was a more budget friendly place to stay; the hostess was wonderful and did our laundry for us for no additional cost. It cost ~$90 per night.
Be aware Dubrovnik is very hilly and we were near the top of the hill so going down to town was easy, but it was a hike to get back up the hill to our Airbnb. There might be transportation, but Dubrovnik is very walkable and we only walked.
★★★Banje Beach: One of the best parts of Dubrovnik is the beaches! Be aware that the beaches though are pebbles and NOT sand. But it’s so worth to swim and relax in the Adriatic Sea. We went to Banje Beach around 6 PM before dinner to get a quick dip in the sea. It was free to visit; however if you want to rent a chair, there’s a fee.
Dinner: Around 7 PM, we ventured over to one of the many restaurants near the harbor to eat at a restaurant named Poklisar.
Day 2 Information ~
City Walls ~ purchase upon arrival or ahead of time online
Breakfast: We slept in and got a quick breakfast on our way to the beach.
★★★Bellevue Beach: Our first stop of the day around 11 AM was Bellevue Beach. It is quite a few steep steps down to the beach so that means a long way back up. The beach is pebblestone, but we did bring our microfiber towels to sit around and hang out. It was $$ to rent a chair. It was hot, but the Adriatic Sea was cool and peaceful to swim in. After we were done, we walked back to our Airbnb to change.
Lunch: We ate a late lunch (around 1:30 PM) at a restaurant near the harbor named Magnolia that served pasta.
★★★City Walls: We headed to Dubrovnik’s City Walls next. The City Walls are one of the most iconic and well-preserved fortification systems in the world, offering visitors a chance to step back in time and explore the rich history of this coastal gem. The walls encircle the historic Old Town that’s about 1.2 miles long. It is a popular activity to walk along the city walls. You get panoramic views of the Old Town and the shimmering Adriatic Sea. You explore the walls at your own pace, pausing to take pictures or purchase souvenirs from the stands set up on the wall. I got the best pair of pearl earrings here. To access the walls, visitors need to purchase a ticket upon arrival at any of the entrances. It costs ~35 euros per adult and they are open from sun up to sun down. It took us about 1.25 hours to walk around the walls.
★★★Old Town: After walking around the city walls, we ventured down into Old Town to walk around and explore. We walked down the main street called Stradun. We stopped in some shops and took some pictures at some famous Game of Thrones filming areas. The best part of Old Town is the smooth pavement you walk along, it’s very regal. You can also explore Rector’s Palace, Onofrio’s Fountain, and some museums.
Dinner: We went to dinner in Old Town at a restaurant named Segreto pasta and grill. It was delicious. There are so many restaurants on every corner to choose from! And for dessert, we stopped at a crepe stand.
Game Of Thrones in Dubrovnik!!
This city served as one of the prominent filming locations for the popular TV series “Game of Thrones”. The city’s stunning medieval architecture and historic ambiance made it an ideal backdrop for the fictional city of King’s Landing. Here are some of the key filming locations:
We traveled to Dublin, Ireland next via an airplane.
We flew with Aer Lingus and it was an okay experience; the flight was delayed. It was a 2 hour flight and cost $161 per person.
Dubrovnik, located on the southern coast of Croatia along the Adriatic Sea, experiences a Mediterraneanclimate with distinct seasons. Here’s an overview of the weather:
Spring: Highs will be around 72℉
Spring: Lows will be around 59℉
Summer: Highs will be around 90℉
Summer: Lows will be around 86℉
Autumn: Highs will be around 73℉
Autumn: Lows will be around 64℉
Winter: Highs will be around 57℉
Winter: Lows will be around 52℉
Dubrovnik, Croatia, offers a range of accommodation options to suit different preferences and budgets. When choosing where to stay in Dubrovnik, consider factors like budget, type of experience, and locations that align with your interests. Here are some popular areas to consider:
Transportation in Dubrovnik is well-organized and efficient, making it easy for visitors to explore the city. Here are some key options:
