Last updated on May 31st, 2026 at 10:19 pm
If you’re staying in Dubrovnik for a few days and are wondering how to make the most of your time, I highly recommend exploring the scenic islands, heritage towns, or even crossing the borders – you are totally spoilt for choice when it comes to day trips from Dubrovnik!
Croatia’s popular coastal city is not only stunning in it’s own right but it’s also situated in the most spectacular location, it really is the sort of place you can visit multiple times and never be bored, from the Elaphiti islands just off shore to the stunning Kotor Bay in Montenegro, it’s has a lot to offer!
I’ve taken several unforgettable excursions, the places to visit from Dubrovnik are just incredible, including one of my personal favourite days out – a private boat trip to the Elaphiti Islands, so I know first-hand how much a day trip from Dubrovnik can really skyrocket your visit!
So whether you have a full-day or even half a day spare, I encourage you to get out of the Dubrovnik old town bubble and explore the region’s nearby gems – here’s my pick of the best day trips from Dubrovnik, the ones that are worthy of your time!
Best Day Trips From Dubrovnik (My Top Picks)!
Short on time? These are the day trips from Dubrovnik I’d personally recommend booking first!
- Elaphiti Islands – best overall Dubrovnik boat trip!
- Mljet National Park – best adventurous island escape!
- Kotor Bay – best scenery & coastal views!
- Mostar – best culture experience!
Visiting Dubrovnik between June and September? The best boat tours often sell out several days ahead – especially private tours and Elaphiti Islands.
1. ELAPHITI ISLANDS (Sipan, Lopud, Kolocep & Blue Cave)
An Elaphiti island-hopping boat trip is the most popular day trip from Dubrovnik, there are 8 islands in total and a further 5 smaller islets peppered with authentic villages, swim spots, clear turquoise waters, seaside konobas and beautiful bays – all just 30 minutes from the coastline, a must when visiting Dubrovnik for the first time!
Typically you’ll visit the main islands Kolocep, Sipan and Lopud by speedboat, personally I opted for a private boat for more flexibility and options, which is by far the best way to explore the island’s secluded bays and enjoy beach stops without another tourist in sight, which makes the whole experience feel a lot more elevated and calm!
It’s easily one of the most scenic boat trips in Dubrovnik – a stylish, relaxed alternative to crowded group tours you’ll have the chance to visit places only accessible by private boat (around 6 or 7 spots), including perfect beach coves on unspoilt Kolocep Island! Check availability for this private Elaphiti Islands boat trip.
Blue Cave, Kolocep and beautiful Sipan Island with its gorgeous olive groves and stone houses are real highlights of this small group of Islands, I enjoyed swimming and lunching at dreamy BOWA, a secluded boho-chic over-water restaurant so much I returned the following year!
How To Get There
For the best experience, I recommend a private boat tour, which allows you to visit multiple islands, swim in hidden coves away from the tourist trail and explore the Blue Cave in one day at a relaxed pace (with no waiting around!). We chose a full-day private speedboat tour including Šipan and Lopud, and added BOWA – a special over-water restaurant for lunch – and it was one of the highlights of our boat trip!
View prices & dates for the Elaphiti Island private boat trip from Dubrovnik!
My favourite day trip from Dubrovnik: If I could only recommend one experience, it would be the stylish private Elaphiti Islands boat trip. It felt far more relaxed and exclusive than the larger speedboat tours, and swimming in the quiet coves around Sipan was honestly one of my favourite experiences in Croatia.
2. Mljet National Park
Mljet National Park is one of the best places to visit from Dubrovnik for nature lovers with lush turquoise lakes, a serene atmosphere, island scenery and walking trails, it’s a beautiful area and the only place like it in Croatia!
I love this day trip from Dubrovnik, Mljet is just a totally different vibe altogether, the island is 75% parkland and sort of flies under the tourist radar in Dalmatia, which makes it even more desirable for those looking to get off the beaten path – it doesn’t feel overcrowded at all!
At nearly 5,400 hectares of land, you can’t hope to see it all, but with this small-group guided boat trip, you’ll visit the main highlights of the lakes and most gorgeous bays and landscapes only accessible by boat, it’s one of the more adventurous days out on the water and scenic boat tours from Dubrovnik!!
I recommend Mljet if you’re looking for more activities, once at the lakes you can hire a bike or kayak, even the lovely walks along the chalky turquoise shoreline are worth it alone in my opinion – just see the panorama above!
How To Get There
To make the most of vast Mljet National Park, I recommend booking a guided full-day boat tour from Dubrovnik, which includes return transport, entrance to Mljet National Park and time to explore the beaches, salt lakes and St. Mary’s Island. It’s the easiest and relaxed way to see the highlights in one day – and ideal if you’re short on time.
Secure your place on this small group Mljet Island day tour here!
Tip! If you’re planning several boat trips during your stay, I highly recommend basing yourself in Dubrovnik Old Town for easy access to the marina and excursions. You can read my full guide on where to stay in Dubrovnik here!
3. Cavtat Bay
Cavtat is one of the loveliest nearby destinations from Dubrovnik, a coastal village just 35 minutes from the old town harbour, you’ll get to see a totally different side to the Dubrovnik peninsula, it truly captivates with its Adriatic heritage charm, picturesque bay, cobble-stone lanes and relaxed vibe – away from the throngs of tourists!
I’ve taken a Cavtat day trip many times, it’s one of my favourite places to escape to, I love the pretty Riva – similar to Hvar Town and Trogir, with a scenic palm-tree lined promenade and beautiful waterfront restaurants for lunch – La Boheme is a great spot!
A coastal walk from the Riva 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 (see the above picture)!
Cavtat is perfect if you want something relaxed, easy to get to and half-day friendly, especially if you have morning plans in Dubrovnik Old Town, it will only take up around 4-5 hours of your time!
How To Get There
Take the taxi boat from the Old Town harbour – it’s the most special way to arrive, cruising along the coastline with views of the city walls fading into the distance. The journey takes around 40 minutes and drops you right in Cavtat’s pretty harbour, just steps from the waterfront terraces.
I have detailed all my Cavtat tips in this full Dubrovnik to Cavtat day trip guide!
4. Korčula Island
Korcula is a beautiful Island and one of my top three Croatian Islands, that I visit on rotation, the vineyards, mountains, heritage town and little offshore islands are an irresistible combination, this island is very ‘grown up’ and sophisticated!
While I always recommend three or four days in Korcula, if you’re really pushed for time and want to explore the top things to do in Korcula, including wine-tasting in Vitis Vineyard, day trips from Dubrovnik to Korcula can be organised and you’ll see more coastal scenery along the way!
The journey is around two hours each way, so it is one of the furthest day trips from Dubrovnik, but it will be worth it when you see the charming cobbled town and stop for lunch along the gorgeous water’s edge, surrounded by Venetian buildings and mountain scenery – I was blown away when I first saw this scene!
How To Get There
For a seamless day trip, I recommend booking a full-day small group guided tour to Korčula from Dubrovnik, which includes transport, a walking tour of the Old Town and free time to explore or enjoy lunch by the harbour. It’s the easiest way to experience the island in one day – without worrying about ferry schedules or logistics.
Check full tour details & dates for this popular small group Korčula day tour here!
5. LOKRUM ISLAND
Lokrum is one of the easiest places to visit from Dubrovnik, you can see this dazzling green island from the old town’s ancient walls – and almost every sea-facing terrace, it’s incredibly striking and part of Dubrovnik’s epic landscape!
Visiting the island is super simple with regular shuttle boats taking only ten minutes from Dubrovnik’s old Town harbour and as it’s tiny, you only need a couple of hours to see it all. You’ll spend your time walking along the rocky shoreline and further inland exploring the cactus garden and Benedictine monastery!
My favourite part is in the middle of the Island, where there’s an oasis-like terrace at the restaurant Eden Garden to sip wine and watch the roaming peacocks and occasional rabbit!
Most visitors will include a visit to Lokrum in their Dubrovnik itinerary as well as another day trip and if you’re short on time or want something flexible, it also works!
How To Get There
Take the regular shuttle ferry from the Old Town harbour, which runs frequently in season and reaches Lokrum in just 10–15 minutes. It’s quick, affordable and drops you right at the island’s main entrance – perfect for a relaxed half-day escape.
Tip! If you only have a half-day spare, check out my complete list of fantastic boat trips from Dubrovnik, which includes 4-hr island-hopping, beautiful sunset sailing and more!
6. MONTENEGRO (Kotor, Perast & Bay of Kotor)
Kotor is the best thing to see in Montenegro and on this day trip from Dubrovnik you get the chance to visit and be amongst jaw-dropping scenery – I can’t recommend it enough, the coastal drive from Dubrovnik old town is spectacular!
When I first set foot into Montenegro, I couldn’t believe my eyes, the mountains and lakes are incredible (see above image!) and while I stopped for three nights and recommend a longer stay, if you really want to visit Kotor and the surrounds in a day, it’s possible – with a private Montenegro tour!
A tour will typically take you to the best spots, including Kotor Bay, where you can walk up to the viewpoint – a real highlight, stroll through the ancient town, visit the picturesque village of Perast and take a short boat ride to the Lady of the Rocks!
Even though this day trip from Dubrovnik is one of the longest, I think it’s worth it for the scenic landscapes alone. If you liked Dubrovnik – you will love Kotor!
How To Get There
For the best experience, I suggest booking a full-day guided tour to Montenegro from Dubrovnik. If you’re travelling as a group of three or more, a private tour offers the best value and flexibility, with a custom pace and hotel pickup, ultimately you’ll see a lot more than anything you can plan yourself. This small group tour is a great option for solo travellers!
See availability for the Montenegro private day tour from Dubrovnik here!
7. BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA (Mostar + Kravice Waterfalls)
Historic Mostar Bridge in Bosnia is one of the best excursions from Dubrovnik for history lovers, where you can immerse yourself in the rich culture, heritage, food, and natural beauty this country is known for – including waterfalls!
Visiting Mostar Bridge takes you two hours inland from Dubrovnik, it’s Bosnia’s most famous historic landmark and one of the most popular places to visit from Dubrovnik by tour, which often includes a stop by Kravice waterfalls, consisting of 20 separate falls – and you can swim there too!
It’s one of those spots where a guided tour comes in incredibly useful for accessing bustling Mostar, navigating the border crossing and pointing out the best places to eat, drink potent coffee, take photos and learn a bit about the turbulent past of the area!
If you love history and want to tick off a must-see in another country, then a day trip from Dubrovnik to Mostar Bridge is well worth looking into – if you can spare the 10+ hours!
How To Get There
The easiest and most rewarding way to visit is by booking a guided tour to Mostar and Kravice Waterfalls, which includes transport, border assistance and time to explore both the iconic Old Bridge and the waterfalls in one seamless day. It’s perfect if you want to experience Bosnia & Herzegovina’s highlights without the hassle of planning logistics!
Reserve your spot on the Mostar & Kravice Falls day tour here!
Best Day Trips From Dubrovnik Summary:
- Best overall: Elaphiti Islands Private boat trip
- Best scenery: Private Montenegro tour
- Best adventure: Mljet Island day tour
- Best cultural: Mostar & Kravice Falls
- Best half-day: Cavtat Bay
TIPS FOR PLANNING DAY TRIPS FROM DUBROVNIK
When To Visit
For the best experience, great weather and fewer crowds, mid-May to early June or late-September are the best months to visit Dubrovnik, especially for boat tours from Dubrovnik. July and August are the hottest and busiest months – if you’re visiting in these months a private boat trip will be a wonderful escape!
Best Time To Book
Popular trips like Mostar Bridge and island-hopping tours sell out quickly in summer. If you’ve got your eye on a top-rated tour, it’s best to lock it in early – at least 1-2 weeks in advance, check availability for your dates today!
Hiring A Car In Dubrovnik
If you need car hire in Dubrovnik, I recommend Discover Cars; 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!
Check Tour Timings
Most of these day trips from Dubrovnik are 8-12 hours, especially cross-border ones. If you’re short on time, Cavtat, Lokrum or the Elaphiti Islands are the easiest half-day options.
Pack The Essentials!
- Swimsuit, towel, water shoes (for rocky beaches)
- Waterproof phone case for boat trips
- Sunscreen and water bottles.
- Passport – for Bosnia and Montenegro
- Cash & local currency (euros/marks)
- Phone charger for the longer days!
- Trainers for National Parks
If you’re looking for more incredible island-hopping ideas? Check out my guide to the Best Private Boat Tours from Dubrovnik – a full review, plus my top experiences and tips!
DAY TRIPS FROM DUBROVNIK CROATIA: FAQ
Can you do day trips from Dubrovnik?
Yes! There’s plenty of places to visit from Dubrovnik. It’s an amazing base, surrounded by islands and history, including those of neighbouring countries! I recommend doing a day trip from Dubrovnik if you’re staying for 3-5 days, especially if it’s your first visit to Dubrovnik!
What are the best places to visit from Dubrovnik?
The best places to visit from Dubrovnik, Croatia, include the Elaphiti Islands (Kolocep and Sipan in particular), Mljet National Park and Cavtat. If you are looking for a mix of adventure, scenery and things to see, these destinations are ideal!
Can you do a day trip from Dubrovnik to Montenegro?
Absolutely! Day trips from Dubrovnik to Montenegro are popular if you are short on time and really want to see Kotor, the village of Perast and scenery- that’s all you’ll really have time for! I normally recommend three days to explore Kotor Bay and the surrounding area!
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 for a few nights, there’s lots of things to do in Korcula!
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!
Ready to explore Hvar by sea?
Don’t miss the island’s most unforgettable experience! Discover the best Dubrovnik boat tours for 2026
Still planning your Dubrovnik itinerary?
Planning your trip to Dubrovnik? I’ve also shared a complete what to do travel guide for first-time visitors, my favourite things to do, that pairs perfectly with the day trips from Dubrovnik!
- 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!
- Best Things To Do In Dubrovnik Old Town – heritage sites, attractions & experiences!
- How To Spend 3 Days In Dubrovnik – top itinerary planning tips for Dubrovnik!
- Boat Trips From Dubrovnik – islands, bays & coastal towns worth visiting!
- Cavtat From Dubrovnik – things to do, how to get there & tips!
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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!