Last updated on April 5th, 2026 at 01:18 am
If you’re visiting Croatia for the first time, spending three days in Dubrovnik is the perfect way to see the iconic sights and hidden gems of this magical historic city!
Dubrovnik is one of those places that is just brimming with attractions, from the ancient landmarks to secret wine bars and scenic bays, there’s a lot to explore and it’s somewhere I always find myself returning to either before or after island-hopping!
With so many things to do in Dubrovnik, I’ve put together this perfect, well-rounded itinerary full of incredible landscapes, history, and adventure for anyone looking to make the most of their time! Here’s your three day Dubrovnik itinerary!
WHERE TO STAY FOR 3 DAYS IN DUBROVNIK
For your stay in Dubrovnik, I recommend booking accommodation in the Old Town or within walking distance, such as Ploče, and Pile, which are unmatched for beautiful coastal settings, boutique hotels and convenience – you’ll literally be able to wander to the city’s main sights and see everything I’ve mentioned in this Dubrovnik itinerary!
Top Hotel Picks In Dubrovnik:
Planning your three day Dubrovnik itinerary? Here’s my top hotel picks!
- Boutique Hotel Stari Grad – best overall boutique & rooftop in old town!
- Palace Natalie – Mediterranean boutique, pool & sea views!
- Hotel Excelsior – best 5-star hotel in Dubrovnik’s Riviera!
Read my full guide on where to stay in Dubrovnik
3 DAY DUBROVNIK ITINERARY: DAY 1
Wander Dubrovnik Old Town Lanes
Start your first morning in Dubrovnik by wandering the beautiful pedestrianised old town, and for the best experience, I recommend setting off early, around 9.30am, to beat the crowds and the hottest part of the day!
You can enter through either main gate, Ploce or Pile, if you’re staying outside the old town walls, then take your time strolling down the main shiny limestone street, Stradun and wander the narrow cobbled lanes with their charming stone houses and green shutters!
There are lots of nooks to get lost in, stairs to climb, squares to discover, and if you fancy a coffee, head to historic Cafe Festival right on Stradun, it’s authentic and fantastic for people watching!
Check Out The Cliffside Bars Buza I & II
Mid-morning is a great time to visit the cliffside bars with their dazzling sea-facing terraces and spectacular views over Lokrum Island and the Adriatic!
Buza one and two are located next to each other along the back wall of the old town, just look out for the yellow signs ‘cold drinks with the most beautiful view’, the entrance is through a small opening in the stone wall, which is definitely a ‘wow’ moment!
As well as the view, there are plenty of seats, bottle-only drinks (try the lemon beer) and local crazy cliff jumpers to watch, while sipping your drink!
Explore Dubrovnik Old Town Historic Sites!
After finding your bearings and refreshing, I recommend exploring some of the top historic sites and gorgeous heritage buildings, such as the magnificent Cathedral (see below) and the Baroque Jesuit Staircase, modelled on the Spanish Steps in Rome!
Game of Thrones fans will know these famous spots well and you can even go on a GOT tour to discover more filming locations or hire a local guide who will walk you through the city’s rich history, but as Dubrovnik Old Town is small, you’ll have no problems exploring by yourself, just don’t miss the Franciscan Monastery or the 13th-century Rector’s Palace!
A beautiful Gothic Renaissance building and hidden gem in Dubrovnik Old Town, with arched courtyards, carved staircases and preserved rooms – the backdrop is so perfect it attracts wedding photographers, Saturday mornings in particular!
You can read more about the Game Of Thrones Walking Tour and filming locations in my Game of Thrones tour review, and find out if it’s worth it!
Stop For A Fantastic Lunch At Lucin Kantun Or Proto
By now you’ll have earned a fabulous lunch and a glass of local Croatian wine in the heart of town, and I know a few great spots with fantastic food and ambience!
Proto or Lucin Kantun are perfect if you want to dive straight into Croatian cuisine. Proto offers the best fish and seafood in town, two stylish terraces and a boutique feel, while family-run Lucin Kantun is situated on a charming cobbled lane and specialises in small plates for sharing (try the black ink risotto)!
If you’re visiting in the height of summer, it’s worth booking an outdoor table in advance as both are likely to be busy over lunchtime, especially as you’re aiming for the perfect 3 day Dubrovnik itinerary!!
Mid-Afternoon Relaxing At The Pool Or Beach
After a nice lunch, it would be a great time to relax by the shoreline and check out the most iconic beach in Dubrovnik, Banje Beach, located just outside the old town walls next to Ploce Gate. It is a stunning beach and a great place to cool off in the hot summer months!
(Or relax by your own hotel pool if you have booked one of the Riviera hotels outside of the old town walls!).
Part of the appeal of Dubrovnik is its wonderful coastal location, and Banje Beach really shows it off, with its super-clear turquoise water and views across to Lokrum Island. You can hire sunbeds from the beach club, but it’s also nice just to see this beach for yourself and walk along the shoreline!
Top Tip! If you are looking for a hotel with a pool and scenic coastal views, check out my full list of places to stay in Dubrovnik here, some of the best hotels are located right along this Riviera!
Ride The Cable Car & Dine At Panorama Restaurant
For the first evening of your 3 days in Dubrovnik, I recommend taking the cable car to Mount Srd for amazing sunset views over the entire town and a meal to remember, in my opinion, one of the top experiences in Dubrovnik Old Town!
The cable car journey only lasts a few minutes and takes you to the city’s most impressive panorama, and dinner here is incredible, especially as the sun begins to set, you’ll get to see a magical golden glow across the orange rooftops!
Restaurant Panorama is situated in a prime spot, and the food here is surprisingly very good (mostly Mediterranean) and extremely popular, so you’ll need to reserve at least 2 weeks in advance – aim for an hour and a half before sunset!
Hot Tip! Be cheeky and ASK for a corner table, you’re only there once!
Walk Around The Old Town At Night
When you return from the cable car, don’t rush back to your hotel, the old town is absolutely magical after dark and it’s worth re-tracing some of your steps from earlier to see it all lit up with charming lanterns and a romantic atmosphere!
Strolling around the cobbled lanes when the day trippers have left is one of my favourite things to do in Dubrovnik at night, you really get to know the town better and find those cosy wine bars!
3 DAY DUBROVNIK ITINERARY: DAY 2
Enjoy Breakfast At Gradska Kavana Arsenal
For your second morning, head over to the best breakfast spot in town, Gradska Kavana Arsenal, an institution in Dubrovnik, loved by locals and tourists alike and a place everyone should visit at least once, even if it’s just for coffee!
Sitting in this lovely spot, surrounded by gorgeous architecture, is like a dream and as well as the terrace shown below in the historic centre, there is also another much bigger, elegant terrace on the harbour side of the building facing the boats and Adriatic!
Both offer the same breakfast menu, and one of the best things to order is the fancy tiered option, if you want to share and stay a little longer, but not too long, as today is full of adventure!
Taxi Boat To Beautiful Cavtat Bay
For the rest of the morning and early afternoon, you’ll see Cavtat, the most beautiful bay and small heritage town along Dubrovnik’s peninsula and a must-visit if you have three days in Dubrovnik
After breakfast, walk to the old town harbour where you’ll take a 30-minute taxi boat to scenic Cavtat, arriving directly on the stunning waterfront (reminiscent of Trogir and Hvar Town) with its palm-tree-lined waterfront, old town and attractive restaurant terraces!
As Cavtat is only a small town, you can see it all in a couple of hours, but don’t miss the Mausoleum viewpoint, coastal trail and La Bohemia for a delicious and picturesque lunch by the sea, my all-time favourite spot!
If you want the full day trip details, take a peek at my day trip guide from Dubrovnik to Cavtat – for inspiration and tips!!
Walk Dubrovnik’s Old Town Walls
After spending a couple of hours in Cavtat, head straight back to the Old Town, where you’ll begin the UNESCO walk along the walls, one of the absolute best things to do in Dubrovnik Old Town, and this is the perfect time to head up there!
By late afternoon, most day trippers will have left, and the sun is less intense, making the experience even better as the sea appears bluer, and you’ll fully be able to enjoy unobstructed views from one of the most unique walks in Croatia, without being elbow to elbow with fellow tourists!
I recommend starting at Ploce Gate, which takes you anti-clockwise around the walls and finishes at bar Sv.Petar, a nice stop for refreshment, it should only take you an hour or two if you pose for a lot of pictures!
Visit Fort Lovrijenac On The Hill
If you end up finishing your walk around the walls earlier in the afternoon – and it’s still light out, you can visit the final landmark of the day, which is Fort Lovrijenac at the top of the Hill in Pile, just a 15-minute walk right outside of the entrance to Pile Gate!
Fort Lovrijenac is another wonderful viewpoint, and the entry fee is included with your Dubrovnik walls ticket. To be honest, there isn’t much to see at the Fort itself, but it is worth doing if you have the time, as the stroll through Pile’s shoreline gives you another area to explore!
As well as Ploce, Pile also offers a quieter ambience with picturesque bays and some of the most stunning places to stay in Dubrovnik, like the hidden gem Palace Natalie, it’s a lovely area!
Enjoy Croatian Wine & Tapas At M’arden
At the end of this busy sightseeing day, I recommend wine and tapas at M’arden, a rooftop terrace and one of the best-kept secrets in the heart of the Old Town!
M’arden is unbeatable for atmosphere and sampling Croatian wine, there is a huge variety on the wine list and the food, especially the sharing boards, are all well presented and delicious!
The terrace is a great spot to spend the evening, it has a romantic air and a relaxed atmosphere, the service is also fantastic, and if you’re as lucky as I was, you might get an acoustic guitarist, which really ramps up the romance!
3 DAY DUBROVNIK ITINERARY: DAY 3
Island-Hopping Boat Trip To The Elaphiti Islands!
After spending the first two days in Dubrovnik ticking off all the major attractions of the old town, it will be the perfect time for a boat trip to the Elaphiti Islands, a fantastic addition to your Dubrovnik itinerary and my favourite experience on the water!
You’ll hop around the best coastal scenery in the area, peaceful islands with natural beach coves and swimming spots, pretty heritage villages, and the magical Blue Cave on Kolocep Island, a must-see phenomenon in the region!
And this excursion is perfectly timed, so you can enjoy your own private bays away from other boats and the main tourist trail, and on our trip, we included BOWA, a secluded boho-chic over-water restaurant with cabanas – a fantastic place only reachable by small boat!
I highly recommend booking a private boat tour for flexibility, it feels a lot more elevated and special away from the crowds and you can choose a full day or a half-day tour, whichever suits your schedule best. Check out the full details and of this Elaphiti Islands boat tour!
A boat trip is a must-do during 3 days in Dubrovnik – see all my top boat tours from Dubrovnik picks!
Early Evening Drinks At Fratellos Prosecco Bar
Fratellos is a unique prosecco bar built into the rock face just 10-minutes outside of Pile Gate, boasting incredible sea views with bags of style and ambience, and it’s one of my favourite spots in Dubrovnik for an early pre-dinner drink!
I recommend strolling over, around an hour before your last evening meal (see the restaurant venue below) or if you’ve already eaten a substantial waterside lunch, stay here for a while longer, as they do delicious light bites too!
Fratellos is a beautiful venue with three terraces, soft jazz music and a fantastic cocktail menu, the vibe is stylish and cool and a must-visit for your three day Dubrovnik stay!
Last Dinner With A Seaview
After pre-dinner cocktails, head back towards Pile Gate to finish your trip with a stunning dinner by the sea, at the sought-after Nautika restaurant near the landmark Lovrijenac Fortress!
Nautika is housed within a stunning chateau-style building known for its unique terraces and one-of-a-kind view. I’ve eaten here twice before, and the food has been consistently great, even the steak and risotto, which was presented immaculately!
You definitely need to reserve ahead for tables with a view, especially as it’s a Michelin-starred restaurant and one of the best-loved in town for a quiet, romantic evening, the perfect venue for your last day of three days in Dubrovnik!
If you’re looking for more ideas, I’ve shared all my favourite spots in this guide to the best restaurants in Dubrovnik old town!
WHERE TO STAY IN DUBROVNIK
Staying inside Dubrovnik Old Town is super convenient for three days, you’ll be having breakfast in a beautiful square surrounded by history, wine on the rooftop and can walk to every attraction. I’ve personally stayed here more than anywhere else in Dubrovnik and there are some beautiful boutique hotel options to choose from! Here’s my favourites:
Boutique Hotel Stari Grad – A stylish boutique hotel with beautiful rooms and a lovely rooftop terrace overlooking the most gorgeous part of the old town – book the room with a private balcony!
The Pucic Palace – One of the most iconic Dubrovnik Old Town hotels, set on a gorgeous square just steps from the main street, blending historic charm with luxury.
St. Joseph’s Boutique Hotel – A beautifully restored 16th-century townhouse tucked away in the Old Town. Rooms are elegant, perfect if you love history with modern comfort.
For a full breakdown of luxury hotels, beach resorts and best areas, see my complete Where to Stay in Dubrovnik guide.
Is 3 days in Dubrovnik enough?
Yes! Three days in Dubrovnik is enough time to see the main highlights without feeling completely rushed – it’s the sweet spot between sightseeing and relaxation, but if you can stay longer, even better! You’ll have time for extra island-hopping and lazy afternoons by the sea or hotel pool, especially if you’re after a nice holiday vibe. Here’s my pick of the best places to stay in Dubrovnik!
To help you plan your trip, you might also find these guides useful:
- The best day trips from Dubrovnik – islands, heritage towns & gems!
- Top boat tours from Dubrovnik – Blue Cave, Eleaphiti Islands & more!
- The perfect day trip from Dubrovnik to Cavtat – explore a pretty coastal heritage town!
3 DAYS IN DUBROVNIK- USEFUL TRAVEL TIPS
When to visit Dubrovnik Old Town
Dubrovnik is best explored from May to early October, avoiding the peak season where possible (July and August) and crowds. If you’re visiting the old town in Dubrovnik for the day, early morning or late afternoon is ideal – you’ll miss the cruise ship hours.
Personally, I prefer the beginning of summer, when the evenings are lighter, beaches are opening up, and you can visit the Croatian Islands!
Book your boutique hotel in advance
Dubrovnik is Croatia’s most popular destination, and the best boutique hotels sell out months in advance, so I highly recommend booking early for the best choice and rates, and to stay close to the old town for your 3 days in Dubrovnik. See my full guide to where to stay in Dubrovnik.
Book boat tours and restaurants ahead in summer
From June to September, the best boat tours and popular restaurants book out quickly. If island hopping or sunset cruises are part of your plan, it’s worth securing in advance (I share my favourites in my Dubrovnik boat tours guide).
Dubrovnik Old Town Dress Codes
Be respectful of Dubrovnik’s Old Town; walking shirtless or in swimwear through it can earn you a fine and some strange looks! Cover up when you’re not on the beach or a boat!
Dubrovnik Old Town Is Compact And Walkable
Dubrovnik Old Town is compact and very walkable and entirely pedestrianised (helped by the old town walls) making it a hassle-free, easy-to-get-around, charming area to stay, just like Split Old Town, Korcula Town and Hvar Town in the Dalmatian Region!
How To Get Around Dubrovnik Old Town
Dubrovnik Old Town and neighbouring Pile and Ploce are easily walkable. Taxis, local buses, and cheap Ubers are available from Pile Gate for visiting Lapad beaches, and if you’re exploring further afield, there are easy taxi boats and excursions from Dubrovnik harbour.
For more Dubrovnik travel tips, check out my complete guide to Dubrovnik for first visits!
3 DAYS IN DUBROVNIK – FAQ
Is Dubrovnik worth visiting?
Yes absolutely! Dubrovnik is worth visiting, especially for first-time visitors to Croatia. Dubrovnik combines dramatic coastal scenery, beautifully preserved history, and an atmosphere that’s hard to beat anywhere in Europe, as this Dubrovnik itinerary shows!
Can you spend a week in Dubrovnik?
Yes, you can definitely spend a week in Dubrovnik, it makes a wonderful base for sightseeing, beach days and day trips to nearby gems, there are lots of things to do in Dubrovnik!
Is it better to stay in Old Town, Dubrovnik?
For three days, the most convenient place to stay in Dubrovnik is the Old Town, where you will be within walking distance from the main sightseeing spots, including beaches and the harbour for water taxis and boat trips!
Still planning your Dubrovnik itinerary?
If you’re looking for more inspiration before you go, here are a few helpful guides on where to stay, where to eat and first-time visitor tips to keep you planning with confidence:
- Complete Guide To Dubrovnik – top tips & need to know for first time visitors!
- Where To Stay In Dubrovnik – the best areas, boutique hotels & luxury stays!
- Things To Do In Dubrovnik Old Town – best things to do, highlights & hidden gems!
- Day Trips From Dubrovnik – islands, bays & heritage towns worth visiting!
- Top Boat Tours From Dubrovnik – Elaphiti Islands, Mljet Island & Hidden Gems!
- Top Restaurants In Dubrovnik – where to eat & drink in old town Dubrovnik!
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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!