Last updated on October 28th, 2025 at 08:18 pm
Dubrovnik is amazing, but it’s also the perfect base for exploring further afield – there are so many incredible day trips from Dubrovnik just a short journey away!
You only need a couple of days to explore Dubrovnik’s historic walled city, but its prime Adriatic location also makes it the perfect jumping-off point for unforgettable day trips to nearby islands, landscapes, and even neighbouring countries.
I have visited Dubrovnik several times, it’s one of my favourite places in Europe! I know first-hand it has a lot to offer those looking for exciting, well-rounded trips. The region is just full of surprises!
In this guide, I will cover only the very best day trips from Dubrovnik that I have personally experienced, including my favourite Elaphiti Island boat trip with travel tips and insights you’ll love!
Here’s how to make your trip to Dubrovnik stand out!
7 BEST DAY TRIPS FROM DUBROVNIK CROATIA
1. Elafiti Islands (Sipan, Lopud, Kolocep)
Island-hopping around the Elafiti islands is one of the best day trips from Dubrovnik to escape the crowds. This little trio of islands, Sipan, Lopud and Kolocep offers everything from car-free villages to remote beaches and crystal-clear waters – and among them are lovely landscapes and the type of restaurants you swoon over!
A private boat trip from Dubrovnik town harbour is the best way to explore and uncover the island’s secrets, away from the tourist trail! You can plan the perfect itinerary to match your interests with the skipper, which is exactly what we did for a super chill day – with many ‘wow’ moments!
We spent the day surrounded by nature, with highlights that include walking around an authentic village and swimming in a magical Blue Cave. We also opted for wine tasting and organised a stop for lunch and relaxation at the gorgeous BOWA, a dreamy boho-chic over-water restaurant with cabanas, which was a top experience!
After years of travelling to Dubrovnik, I still think about this incredible boat trip and recommend it to everyone, it’s seriously worth it!
Elaphiti Island Tips
- Go for drinks or lunch in stunning BOWA
- Pack all your beach things – especially a hat and cover-up
How To Get There
You can book a small group yacht tour with a fixed schedule or a flexible full/half-day private tour. I recommend our full-day private tour to include BOWA, the Blue Cave and wine-tasting in your boat excursion; we had a blast!
Book our private Elaphiti Island boat trip!
Want to see more island escapes? Check out my guide to the best Dubrovnik boat tours
2. Mljet National Park
If you are a nature lover, Mljet National Park is pretty unbeatable. It’s Croatia’s greenest island, famous for its lush turquoise water lakes and serene atmosphere. Even in the height of summer, this place is still lovely and quiet!
I took the early ferry from Gruz Port, which allowed around 5 hours at the park, more than enough time to walk along the scenic pebbled shoreline of the park’s biggest attractions – the two enormous saltwater lakes. It makes you feel like you’re a million miles away from Dubrovnik old town!
At nearly 5,400 hectares of land, you can’t hope to see it all, but you can discover the best bits on your own, including hopping on the little boat that takes you across to the Monastery in the centre of the largest lake. It’s part of your national park ticket (which you buy at the entrance), I stopped for an ice cream, but you can have lunch here as well!
Other places to see around Mljet are beach coves like Saplunara Beach and the Odysseus Cave, set amongst a stunning rocky landscape, where you can stop for a swim or go kayaking! We didn’t stray beyond the main lakes, as the other spots require solid navigation and climbing skills; we found out the hard way (my getting lost among the tall trees and sharp shrubbery).
If you book a boat tour, your trip will cover these off-the-beaten-path locations seamlessly; in hindsight, an organised tour to this remote island would have been more ideal, especially if you only have 3 days in Dubrovnik!
Mljet National Park Tips
- Wear comfortable trainers for the rocky paths
- Bring cash and cards, there are no faciities inside the park
- Charge your phone, you don’t want to miss your transport!
- Bring a rucksack for your belongings and beach items
How To Get There
Take the ferry from Port Gruz to Mljet or a speedboat tour like this one – it covers more spots on Mljet, such as Odysseus Cave and Saplunara Beach and a couple of the Elaphiti islands!
Book this: Mljet National Park boat tour!
3. Cavtat Bay
Cavtat is a lovely day trip from Dubrovnik, a coastal village just 25 minutes from the old town harbour, it truly captivates with its Adriatic heritage charm and relaxed vibe! I have visited many times, I love the pretty harbour and the mountainous landscape that surrounds the village is just stunning!
The waterfront is lined with palm trees, yachts and classy restaurants for a laid-back lunch by the water, which is perfect if you’re stopping here for the afternoon. We had a great experience at La Boheme Restaurant, it offers tasty Dalmatian dishes, fresh tuna salads and Croatian wine overlooking the glittering sea!
A coastal walk from the harbour takes you around the bay to small rock and pebble beaches for clear water swimming and relaxing, along the way, you can head up to the Mausoleum for a cracking view over the whole of Cavtat!
Cavtat Tips
- Pack your beach things!
- Lunch at Boheme along the beautiful water’s edge
- Stay for drinks before your Cavat to Dubrovnik water taxi
How To Get There
Take bus number 10 from Pile Gate bus stop or a taxi boat between 9 -7pm from Dubrovnik’s old town harbour.
I have detailed all my Cavtat tips in this full guide to Cavtat from Dubrovnik
4. Korčula Island
Korcula is a beautiful Island and one of my top places to visit in Croatia, while I usually recommend spending 2-3 days to fully explore the vineyards, beaches and old town, day trips from Dubrovnik to Korcula are totally doable!
You can start by wandering the maze of cobbled lanes of the old town, it’s so charming and uncrowded, then head to the Marko Polo museum, central square and St. Mark’s Cathedral, which are the main points of interest. It really doesn’t take long to zip through!
While in the town, I recommend stopping for lunch along the beautiful water’s edge. This is the most scenic spot with Venetian buildings and a mountainous backdrop – I even think it’s better than Dubrovnik’s old town wall! My top choice is Aurora or Pensatore Kitchen & Wine, if you’re looking for something more refined, I would definitely linger here!
Other top things to do in Korcula include wine tasting in the scenic Lumbarda village. The vineyards are only a short drive from the town, you can hop in a taxi and head to popular Vitis and Popic vineyards! I recommend booking a table ahead of time on the terrace of Vitis! For something more organised, check out this private 3 hour wine tour to more exclusive locations!)
Korcula Tips
- Wear comfy shoes for waling around the old town
- Stop for wine tasting in the Lumbarda vineyards
- Enjoy lunch or dinner next to the water
How To Get There
The easiest way to get there is this Korcula day tour from Dubrovnik stopping in the old town and vineyards. Hire a car and drive 2hrs to Pelješac Peninsula and take the 15-minute car ferry or take the 2-hour passenger ferry from Gruz.
Book this Dubrovnik tour: Korcula and wine tasting
5. LOKRUM ISLAND & GAME OF THRONES
Lokrum is the green island you can see from Dubrovnik old town’s ancient walls, it’s an island full of mystery and intrigue! Visitors flock here for a quiet respite, nature and history – and because it’s the nearest island to Dubrovnik – just 10 minutes from the harbour!
At the island, there are some rocky areas to sunbathe and swim (to the left as you approach by boat) and further inland, you’ll find a cactus garden to wander, walking trails, the ancient ruins of the Benedictine Monastery and you can even sit on the Iron Throne (from the Game of Thrones, obviously).
We stopped for lunch at Eden Garden restaurant, it’s very good for a light bite (we shared a pizza) or a glass of wine; the terrace is like an oasis and now and then a peacock walks past! I do recommend it if you’re going to the island, whether you end up there independently or on the Game of Thrones Tour.
Lokrum is one of the shorter Dubrovnik day trips, perfect if you can only spare half a day you will be able to see all the attractions on this small island within a couple of hours, depending on whether you stop to swim or sunbathe! (Other half-day tours include Cavtat or an afternoon Elphati island boat tour as mentioned above!).
Lokrum Tips
- Pack water shoes – the beaches here are rocky
- Plan for drinks or lunch at restaurant Eden
How To Get There
The Lokrum Dubrovnik Croatia ferry runs regularly from the old town harbour as well as private boats that are less crowded. If you are a Game of Thrones fan, this tour takes you through the filming locations around the old town and finishes on Lokrum – it’s interesting and fun!
6. Montenegro (Kotor, Perast & Bay of Kotor)
Take a day trip to Montenegro! Just two hours south of Dubrovnik, Montenegro is a fantastic day of adventure and jaw-dropping scenery – I can’t recommend it enough, the coastal drive from Dubrovnik is spectacular!
We took this Montenegro tour to see more of the country’s top sights like the iconic Sveti Stefan in Budva, the postcard-perfect UNESCO Bay of Kotor and Perast, which is a charming coastal village with more spectacular scenery – honestly, this country is so underrated!
One of the things I loved the most was walking around Kotor old town, it feels like you’ve stepped back in time, we stopped for a coffee in the square to soak up the atmosphere! While in Kotor, I recommend hiking up the Kotor Fortress above the town, it was our favourite experience and well worth it for the panoramic views!
Other highlights include Perast, a stunning village full of charm and churches, just a short drive from Kotor Bay where we took a leisurely stroll along the shoreline and a boat out to Our Lady of the Rocks, another world heritage site.
You might wonder is a day trip from Dubrovnik to Montenegro worth it? The short answer is Yes! We loved this tour, it was well organised and one of our favourite trips for heritage and scenery – just take a look at the picture below!
Montenegro Tips
- Bring your passport – border queues can be long in summer.
- Wear good trainers or shoes the avements are uneven and the hike to Kotor Fortress is gravel
How To Get There
You can rent a car from Dubrovnik and drive or take a group bus tour, but my recommended way to get Montenegro and the top sights is via private tour!
Book our epic Montenegro tour from Dubrovnik!
7. Bosnia & Herzegovina (Mostar + Kravice Waterfalls)
A two-hour drive inland brings you to the historic Mostar Bridge in Bosnia, where you can immerse yourself in the rich culture, heritage, food, and natural beauty this country is known for – including waterfalls!
A Mostar and Kravice waterfall day trip from Dubrovnik is perfect for history lovers, there is a huge amount of it here from the 15th and 16th centuries, you can see it in every ancient stone and details of the buildings, including the most recent turbulence in the 90’s. Mostar Bridge is the most famous historic landmark and one of the most popular places to visit from Dubrovnik.
We took a small group tour that brought us to the bridge and other highlights of the area, including a stop to try the traditional Bosnian coffee ritual at Café de Alma, which comes with a rose-flavoured Turkish Delight; there are a few spots in town that offer it.
Mostar town is best visited alongside Kravice waterfalls, which consist of 20 separate falls. It is an amazing sight and you can swim there too!
Bosnia Tips
- Bring your passport for the border
- Weat strurdy shoes as paths can be slippery near the falls
- Try traditional ćevapi or baklava while in Mostar.
- Tours usually combine the waterfalls and Mostar – worth doing both.
How To Get There
Join a Mostar and Kravice Waterfalls day trip or hire car, it’s about 3 hours drive, with a border crossing on the way. Self-driving is doable, but tours are easier!
Book this Mostar & Kravice day trip from Dubrovnik!
TIPS FOR PLANNING DAY TRIPS FROM DUBROVNIK
WHEN TO VISIT
For the best experience, great weather and fewer crowds, May to early June and September to early October are the best months to visit Dubrovnik, which are the shoulder season months. Note, July and August are the hottest and busiest months.
BOOK IN ADVANCE
Popular trips like Montenegro, Mostar, and island-hopping tours sell out quickly in July and August. Pre-booking saves hassle – at least 1-2 weeks in advance. Book your day trip today!
BOOKING TOURS VS DIY
Organised tours are the easiest (no parking, no stress, guides included) and are essential for the islands, but a rental car gives you flexibility for wine tasting or stopping at viewpoints along Dubrovnik’s peninsula. Check the best rates with Discover Cars.
HIRE CAR DUBROVNIK CROATIA
If you need car hire in Dubrovnik, I recommend Discover Cars, I use them for all my road trips; they are reliable and compare rates for the best price! Car hire is economical in Croatia; however, parking near heritage towns needs some advance planning!
ALLOW A FULL DAY
Most of these trips are 8 -12 hours, especially cross-border ones. If you’re short on time, Cavtat, Lokrum or the Elafiti Islands are the easiest half-day options.
PACK THE ESSENTIALS
- Swimsuit, towel, water shoes (for rocky beaches),
- Sunscreen and water bottles.
- Passport – for Bosnia and Montenegro
- Cash & local currency (euros/marks)
DAY TRIPS FROM DUBROVNIK CROATIA FAQ’s
Can you do day trips from Dubrovnik?
Yes! Dubrovnik is an amazing base to do day trips from, it’s surrounded by islands and history including those of neighbouring countries! I recommend doing a day trip if you have 3-5 days in Dubrovnik!
What are the best day trips from Dubrovnik Croatia?
The best day trips from Dubrovnik, Croatia, include the Elaphiti Islands, Bosnia, and Montenegro. If you are looking for a full-day tour with plenty of activity and things to see, these destinations are ideal!
Can you do a day trip from Dubrovnik to Montenegro?
Absolutely! In fact, day trips from Dubrovnik to Montenegro is one of the most popular excursions from Dubrovnik.
Can you do a day trip from Dubrovnik to Bosnia?
Yes, it’s definitely possible to do day trips from Dubrovnik to Bosnia; the most popular spots are UNESCO Mostar Bridge and Kravice Waterfalls.
Can you do a day trip from Dubrovnik to Korcula?
Yes, day trips from Dubrovnik to Korcula are very popular with the best locations being the walled old town and vineyards; they are a must-visit on this beautiful island. If you can, I recommend staying 1-2 nights on Korcula. Check out all the things to do in Korcula here!
Can you do a day trip from Dubrovnik to Hvar?
No, a day trip from Dubrovnik to Hvar would not be worthwhile, as the journey takes around four hours one way, you will not see much at all given the timings. Hvar is a stunning island and is best explored over a few days!
FINAL THOUGHTS – DAY TRIPS FROM DUBROVNIK CROATIA!
So that wraps up my guide to the best day trips from Dubrovnik Croatia! If you’re staying in Dubrovnik for three days or more, I highly recommend adding one of these top day trips to your itinerary! I loved our day out on the water with this boat trip to all the scenic spots and Kotor in Montenegro is just breathtaking and a must-visit!
Day trips are the perfect way to make the most of your time, especially if you have 3 days in Dubrovnik or more. Whether you’re island hopping through the Elafiti islands, tasting wine on Korcula Island, or venturing into Montenegro and Bosnia for a cultural change of scene, each trip adds something unforgettable to your Croatia trip!
Browse the best day tours here!
or check out my favourite boat tours from Dubrovnik here!
Whichever day tours from Dubrovnik you choose, you are going to have an amazing time!
Planning to stay in Dubrovnik old town? Don’t miss my guide to the Best Things to Do in Dubrovnik Old Town
Plan your Dubrovnik itinerary!
Here’s my go-to list of resources for transport, accommodation, and tours for travel in Dubrovnik old town!
- Booking.com for the best boutique rates
- Get Your Guide for unique day excursions
- Viator for incredible day tours
- Discover Cars reliable and best rates on rental cars
- Omio for booking ferries to the islands
Read Next:
- Ultimate Guide To Dubrovnik: Things To See And Do In Dubrovnik
- 15 Best Things To Do In Dubrovnik Old Town 2026 Guide
- Top Things To Do In Dubrovnik Croatia (Beyond The City Walls)
- How To Spend 3 Days In Dubrovnik: The BEST Dubrovnik Itinerary!
- 7 Best Day Trips From Dubrovnik Croatia, You’ll love!
- 7 Top Dubrovnik Boat Tours (From Elafiti Islands & Beyond!)
- Dubrovnik Game Of Thrones Tour: Is It Worth It? (2026 Guide!)
- Dubrovnik Travel Guide: Where To Eat, Drink & Relax
- Where To Stay In Dubrovnik: Best Areas & Hotels!
- A Guide To The Best Restaurants In Old Town Dubrovnik
- Cavtat: A Scenic Day Trip From Dubrovnik
- How To Get From Split To Dubrovnik – A Complete Guide!
- Best Things To Do In Korcula, Croatia 2026: What To See, Eat & Explore!
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Michelle Trudie, is the founder of Little Wanderblog, a luxury boutique travel site. She has travelled to over 30 countries in the last 15 years. Michelle share’s her passion for stylish and affordable luxury travel experiences in Europe and beyond! Her goal is to make travel planning easier to hidden gem places!