Dubrovnik is the most visited place in Croatia and among the most famous such destinations in the whole world. Once the main town of the Dubrovnik Republic, today a UNESCO-protected historical site with a lot of well-preserved buildings dating back to the medieval ages. If you’re visiting Dubrovnik, but you’re also short on time, here’s our guide on what to see in Dubrovnik in one day.
We have already written a detailed itinerary on what one day in Dubrovnik might look like, but in this article, we’re going to list all the attractions we believe you have to visit when in Dubrovnik. You don’t need to follow any itinerary, we’re going to describe each of these attractions so you can choose whether it’s something you would like to visit or not.
Best tours and activities for Dubrovnik in one day
1. Dubrovnik City Walls We’re starting this list with the most famous of all attractions in Dubrovnik – its walls. Dubrovnik City Walls offer stunning views of the Old Town, its rooftops, and the Adriatic Sea. This walk usually takes about 1.5 to 2 hours , and some of the highlights include:
Minčeta Fortress – The highest point of the walls with great panoramic views.Bokar Fortress – Overlooking the sea and a great photo spot.Lovrijenac Fortress – located just outside the walls but entrance to it is included in the ticket price for the Dubrovnik Walls.
2. Stradun (Main Street in Old Town) Stradun is the main street in Dubrovnik’s Old Town and the most famous street in Croatia. It’s full of shops, cafes, and historical buildings. Walking down the Stradun is inevitable if you’re visiting Dubrovnik’s Old Town and it won’t take you much time. Expect it to cost you around 20-30 minutes of your life and the highlights along Stradun include:
Onofrio’s Fountain – A famous landmark and a place where you can fill your water bottle.Rector’s Palace – A historic building showcasing Dubrovnik’s rich history.Sponza Palace – A beautiful Gothic-Renaissance palace that now houses the State Archives and one of the most popular wedding venues in Dubrovnik.
3. Dubrovnik Cathedral This Baroque-style cathedral is home to beautiful artworks and relics. A visit will take around 20 to 30 minutes and once inside, you can admire its impressive gold and silver treasury and works by various Italian and Croatian artists.
4. Jesuit Stairs Famous Walk of Shame from the Game of Thrones series. These grand Baroque stairs lead up to St. Ignatius Church and are one of the most photographed locations in Dubrovnik. Expect a lot of people here, especially if you’re visiting from 10 AM to 6 PM. We recommend visiting as early in the morning as possible. A quick stop for photos and exploration of Jesuit Stairs in Dubrovnik will take you about 15 minutes .
5. Fort Lovrijenac We already mentioned this fort entrance which is included in the ticket for Dubrovnik Walls. If you’re walking the walls, you’ll easily spot this fortress standing on top of the high cliffs and overlooking Dubrovnik. Located just outside the Old Town, this fortress provides great views of the Adriatic and the Old Town . It also served as a filming location for Game of Thrones . A visit to Lovrijenac takes approximately 30 to 45 minutes . You’ll need to climb some stairs to reach it, but take it slowly and enjoy the views along the way.
6. Mount Srđ & Cable Car If you’re looking to enjoy the best panoramic view of Dubrovnik , take the cable car to Mount Srđ . From the top of this hill above Dubrovnik, you can enjoy stunning views of the city, Lokrum Island, and this part of the Adriatic coastline. The round-trip journey, including time spent at the viewpoint, will take you about 45 minutes to 1 hour . Additionally, you can time your visit around the sunset hours and enjoy the magical sunset above Dubrovnik. We recommend this option.
7. Lokrum Island (Optional) If the time allows, take a 15-minute boat ride from Old Port to Lokrum Island . This small island is a peaceful nature retreat full of great places to explore and experience. Lokrum is famous for:
Botanical gardens and peacocks roam freely on the island.Monastery with old ruins around it.
The Dead Sea Lake is a saltwater lake located within the island and perfect for swimming.Game of Thrones Iron Throne exhibit .
A visit to Lokrum usually lasts for 2 to 3 hours , and if you have enough time, we recommend you visit it.
8. Komarda or Banje beach In the end, we have left these 2 places which have great views of the Dubrovnik Old Port and the surrounding fortresses and other buildings. If you’re visiting Dubrovnik in the summer months, we suggest taking a swim here too. Banje Beach is the most famous beach in Dubrovnik and Komarda is located just by it, underneath the Lazareti – an old quarantine building.
9. Buža Bar When it comes to what to see in Dubrovnik in one day, we’re ending this list with one of our favorite places in Dubrovnik. Buža bar is a secluded cliffside bar where you can relax, drink something, and enjoy stunning sunset views over the Adriatic . A perfect way to escape the crowds in Dubrovnik and unwind for about 30 to 45 minutes after a day of exploring.
Best tours and activities for Dubrovnik in one day
Before You venture to Dubrovnik Although it might seem like very little time, there are a lot of things you can see in Dubrovnik in one day. Yes, it might feel a bit rushed at moments, but we believe you’ll end your visit to Dubrovnik happy and content. If there is any possibility, we suggest staying in Dubrovnik for at least 2 days to explore and experience the most famous city in Croatia more thoroughly.
Enjoy Dubrovnik and your vacation in Croatia.
