Last updated on February 24th, 2026 at 06:08 pm
Dubrovnik old town is the most popular destination in all of Croatia, famed for its historic sites, orange rooftops and striking views over the Adriatic – it’s one of those special places that actually lives up to the hype!
It’s no secret that Croatia is my favourite country in Europe, and I’ve had the good fortune to visit the old town of Dubrovnik many times; it really is one of the most jaw-dropping cities, packed with incredible sights to explore and viewpoints to lose yourself in!
And the attractions aren’t limited to walking the old town walls and dropping by for lunch, although that is one of the best things to do in Dubrovnik. In this city, I’ve spent days fully getting to know the wine tasting spots, scenic bays, waterfront restaurants, beautiful buildings and soaking in the views at various landmarks – including those from historic hotels!
If all of this sounds like a great way to see Dubrovnik, you’ll want to bookmark this list, as I’m sharing my personal discoveries along with the highlights of Dubrovnik old town, for you to plan your own perfect trip!
Top Hotel Picks In Dubrovnik Old Town:
Planning your trip? Here’s my top hotel picks!
- Hotel Stari Grad – best overall boutique & rooftop in old town!
- Pucic Palace – historic & romantic 5-star hotel!
- Palace Natalie – elegant terraces, pool & sea views!
Read my full guide on where to stay in Dubrovnik
BEST THINGS TO DO IN DUBROVNIK OLD TOWN
1. WALK THE FAMOUS CITY WALLS (Top things to do in Dubrovnik Old Town)
If you’ve done even the tiniest bit of research, I’m sure you know about walking the walls, and honestly, this activity should definitely be high up on your list; it’s one of the best things to do in Dubrovnik Old Town, the walls offer stunning views of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, coastline and crumbly walls!
It’s so good, I’ve actually walked it on two occasions and my favourite experience was in the late afternoon to early evening, at this time you get the most beautiful light over the rooftops and there’s hardly any crowds, plus you’ll be avoiding the intense sun and ugly shadows! See my people-free shots below for evidence, which were taken with my tripod in September!
Personally, I would enter through the Ploce Gate rather than Pile and reserve a couple of hours, as I know you will not be able to stop yourself from taking pictures! Your phone will be full of orange and blue, and you may also want to stop for a drink in Sv.Petar bar the end of the circuit during the golden hour!
P.S Fort Lovrijenac, is included in the price of the ticket – see no 13 on this list!
2. WANDER DUBROVNIK OLD TOWN LANES
One of the first things you should do in Dubrovnik when you arrive is head out and explore the old town’s cobbled lanes and squares. It’s not so big that you can get lost, but it is incredibly beautiful and maze-like; everywhere you look, there’s an ancient stone wall, and my favourite thing about it is the fact that it’s pedestrianised!
The old town is laid out like a theatre, with almost vertical side streets sprouting from the main shiny limestone thoroughfare called Stradun, which you’re going to get to know really well as it leads to and from the gates to the city! Stradun is always bustling and an excellent place to stop for a coffee and people watch, I love to sit on the outdoor terrace of Cafe Festival (the oldest in town)!
But the most fun can be found in the labyrinth of narrow lanes and walking up and down the flower-filled steep stairs, you’ll certainly get a workout and discover hidden gems, charming restaurants and even boutique hotels housed in former palaces!
Tip! Mornings are often quiet, but in contrast, the evenings bring out a livelier atmosphere!
3. EXPLORE DUBROVNIK OLD TOWN’S HISTORIC BUILDINGS
Dubrovnik Old Town is a total treasure trove of historic landmarks, and walking around only just scratches the surface of this interesting Roman city; there’s a lot more to discover beneath the surface than simply wandering past the Cathedral or sitting in a square with a coffee!
If you want to split your time between wandering the cobbles and soaking up the city’s real history, I can’t recommend this short guided tour by a true Dubrovcan enough. I felt like I could uncover the secrets of the city without wasting any precious time!
I would never have entered the Monastery or known about Rector’s Palace, a beautiful Gothic-Renaissance building with arched courtyards, carved staircases and preserved rooms – the backdrop is so perfect it attracts wedding photographers, which is what I witnessed when I was there, I bet the results were magazine-like!
4. TAKE THE CABLE CAR FOR STUNNING VIEWS (Cool things to do in Dubrovnik Old Town)
During your visit, you must take a ride on the 5-minute cable car to the top of Mount Srd for the most spectacular panoramic view over Dubrovnik Old Town, including the outline of the walls and Lokrum Island beyond – I cannot get enough of any view that Dubrovnik offers!
To make your visit even more worthwhile, I recommend making a reservation at the restaurant Panorama at the top in advance, either for lunch or sunset – it could easily serve up basic food, given it’s isolated location, but no, this restaurant offers a nice people-pleasing Mediterranean menu along with one of the best seating arrangements in Dubrovnik.
You definitely pay for the view, but this one-off experience is 100% worth it, just time your visit well so you don’t miss the sunset or cable car, you may live to regret it if you don’t reserve a table!
From March to October the Cable Car costs €27 for a round trip.
5. STAY IN A BEAUTIFUL DUBROVNIK OLD TOWN BOUTIQUE HOTEL
‘When in Dubrovnik’, as they say, I highly encourage you to stay within the atmospheric old town walls, this is where the majority of beautiful boutique hotels are situated, the settings are magical, once there, you will agree with me!
I’ve stopped in the stunning old town more than anywhere else, the location is super convenient for shorter trips as everything is within walking distance from the restaurants to beaches, must-do activities and boat excursions that leave directly from the old town harbour!
For me, the standouts are St Josephs Boutique Hotel with elegant rooms and a beautiful breakfast terrace area right in the heart of the old town and Boutique Hotel Stari Grad known for its spectacular rooftop restaurant and beautiful rooms, including one with its own private rooftop terrace – this is where I last stayed, it’s a super place!
If you want to explore the best hotels in Dubrovnik Old Town, here’s my full guide on where to stay in Dubrovnik, perfect if you want to be located in or walking distance to the Old Town!
6. GO ON A GAME OF THRONES WALKING TOUR (If you’re a fan)
If you’re a fan of the Game of Thrones show, you will love this location walking tour. It’s one of the most popular things to do in Dubrovnik Old Town – even in 2026, years after the show exploded onto our screens, the legacy is still going strong!
Dubrovnik Old Town holds a lot of the famous scenes and filming locations, such as Cersei’s walk of shame down the stone staircase, which is actually the Jesuit Stairs near the cathedral – this one’s easy to spot, but others are not, and you’ll need a guide!
Taking a Game of Thrones tour will ensure you visit all the key filming locations, plus it’s a fun thing to do and you get to see some unique and scenic areas! Read about the locations and more in my Game of Thrones Tour review!
If you’re a GOT fan and are looking to spot the locations – easily, reserve your place in the Game of Thrones Tour here!
7. HAVE LUNCH AT GRADSKA KAVANA ARSENAL
Now, I don’t know about you, but I always want to find a few good restaurant places before I arrive in any country and the old town in Dubrovnik is blessed with fantastic restaurants that offer inviting terraces with a view for lunch and Grandska Kavana Arsenal is definitely one of them!
This well-known restaurant in Dubrovnik Old Town sits right along the bustling old town harbour front, housed within a beautiful historic building, which boasts an eye-catching, elegant terrace for a truly memorable lunch, foodies are going to especially love it!
The setting is lovely, and I’ve even enjoyed a super posh breakfast here, on there menu there’s a fabulous tiered option for two that’s just the best thing, and you can order it until 11.30am and stay for as long as you like!
8. SAMPLE THE LOCAL WINE IN DUBROVNIK OLD TOWN
Sipping homegrown Croatian wine on a secret rooftop terrace is one of the best things to do in Dubrovnik Old Town in the early evening, and wine lovers will be happy as I’ve located the top places for local wine tasting hidden in the oldest part of town!
M’arden is easily my number one wine bar, a wonderful romantic venue situated on a rooftop terrace of an attractive building. I found this spot by chance and immediately fell in love, it has atmosphere in spades, all helped with a live acoustic guitarist!
The sommelier was truly excellent here if you’re a proper wine lover and the pairings are tasty and well presented too (although these days it’s verging on a restaurant, so I advise getting there quick before it changes!).
For something more cosy, you can check out wine bar Skar or D’vino, both of which have a few tall tables and chairs right on the cobbles, perfect for sipping wine and relaxing!
9. SWIM THE DUBROVNIK OLD TOWN BANJE BEACH
Have a relaxing beach day by the shimmering turquoise sea! I’ve spent many mornings at Banje Beach, which is just a few minutes’ walk from Ploce Gate, and honestly, it’s iconic. You’ll be blown away by your beach bed view!
I recommend arriving unfashionably early, just before 10am, to snag a spot on the front row for uninterrupted sea views, before the crowds descend – and they do come – May and September are more tranquil times! (See the pic below, taken at 9.30am in September with barely any people!)
At Banje Beach Club, there’s also a restaurant terrace right on the sand, which is quite decent for snacks and drinks, but sunbed service is ‘elusive’ at best, so don’t expect much there!
Hot travel tip! If you want to experience another sunbathing area, try Coral Beach Club near Lapad – a ten minute drive away!
10. DISCOVER CLIFF TOP BARS IN DUBROVNIK OLD TOWN
One of the most unique things to do in Dubrovnik Old Town is go find the hole-in-the-wall bars clinging to the outside cliffs called Buza Bars – there’s two and until recent years were hidden gems but now you can find signs leading the way to the openings!
You can now locate the Buza Bars by following the path from the top of the Jesuit Staircase along the back wall, where there’s a small opening to the most dazzling view of the Adriatic. It will make your jaw drop! For the best experience, I recommend arriving a good hour before sunset to nab a seat!
For a more elevated experience, try Fratellos Processco Bar – it’s Dubrovnik’s best kept secret with three levels, sweeping sea views and a lovely ambience! Instead of bottle-only service and fish net decor, you’ll get jazz and a selection of great cocktails! I found this gem just 10-minutes outside of Pile Gate. Do not miss it!
11. TRY KAYAKING IN DUBROVNIK CROATIA! (Cool things to do in Dubrovnik Old Town)
Kayaking is a popular thing to do in Dubrovnik Old Town, a fun adventure on the open water and a unique experience, which only takes up a couple of hours of your time if you are keen to include a sea-based activity in your itinerary!
All tours leave from a small bay at Pile Gate and typically travel in convoy towards Lokrum Island before stopping at Batina Cave for a swim and rest – many moons ago, I challenged myself and booked the morning kayak tour, unsure of what to expect, but I did enjoy the experience. It’s a nice and fun way to begin your day and fairly easy going – depending on whether you have a partner or not!
Just remember to wear a long-sleeved top under your life jacket to be more comfortable and sunblock, trust me, the Croatian sun is the most intense out on the water! You are equipped with a dry bag so you can stash your phone and SPF!
If you fancy kayaking around the old town walls, check out the morning, afternoon or sunset tours on the Kayak tour here!
12. PAY A VISIT TO TINY LOKRUM ISLAND
Lokrum is the closest island to Dubrovnik Old Town, it’s the one that you see in all those postcard images that probably lured you here in the first place, and if you’re curious enough to visit, you can get there easily via regular boat shuttles leaving from the old town harbour.
With a journey time of only 10-minutes visiting the island is really flexible and as it’s tiny, you only need a couple of hours to see it all – and that’s including stopping for lunch or going for a swim on the rocky shoreline, there are some nude spots, so don’t walk too far!
You’ll also find a cactus garden to wander, roaming peacocks and a lovely, tranquil terrace at the restaurant Eden Garden, next to the Benedictine Monastery, to sip a glass of wine, which was probably my favourite part!
13. WALK TO LOVRIJENAC FORTRESS VIEWPOINT
Fort Lovrijenac is one of the main and iconic landmarks just outside of the Dubrovnik old town walls and it’s another famous Game of Thrones location and stunning viewpoint!
I know there seems to be many viewpoints, but with this one there’s a Fortress and another perspective, for a start it sits on a huge rock at the end of Pile Gate towards the West Harbour and offers sweeping views of the city’s sloping walls (see below).
If you walk along the coastline, you’ll see another area of Dubrovnik with seafront restaurants, pastel houses and rocky beaches and bonus – if you have booked the Game of Thrones tour, the entry fee is included – and you’ll learn a bit more about the location!
P.S Lovrijenac Fortress is also free with your ticket from the wall walk – remember to keep hold of it!
14. DISCOVER THE HIDDEN COASTAL GEM CAVTAT BAY! (Top things to see in Dubrovnik Old Town)
You may not have heard of Cavtat Bay, but let me tell you, Cavtat is the most idyllic spot along the Dubrovnik coast to spend a few hours! I only discovered this place on my third trip to Dubrovnik and immediately fell in love with it.
Cavtat is only 25 minutes away from Dubrovnik old town harbour by taxi boat, which arrives right on the beautiful waterfront, where you are greeted with palm trees, classy restaurant terraces, gleaming yachts and a cute heritage town, can I say I much prefer it to Lokrum Island, oh well – I did!
Definitely plan to stop here for lunch, it’s one of the main reasons for going on a day trip from Dubrovnik to Cavtat, I’ve enjoyed wonderful meals at the restaurant La Bohemia on the pretty palm-tree lined riviera, and afterwards take a walk along the lovely coastal path!
15. TAKE A WONDERFUL ELAPHITI ISLANDS PRIVATE BOAT TRIP (A highlight from Dubrovnik Old Town!)
If you’re staying in the old town in Dubrovnik for three days or longer, I 100% recommend exploring the group of Islands just off the shore, known as the Elaphiti Islands. I had a fantastic experience on this scenic Island-hopping boat trip, not only do you get to see the highlights, but also a few hidden gems as well – and it’s totally private, so the tour is fully flexible and uncrowded!
You’ll be whisked away from the Old Town Harbour to scenic bays, islands and villages, that are only accessible by boat, including dreamy overwater restaurants like Bowa (see below right) and not to mention the mesmerising Blue Cave – I know it’s easy to get sucked into the Old Town and spend all of your time there, but a boat trip is well worth going on!
This is the exact excursion I always recommend when asked about the best boat trips as the feedback is always great, and you don’t have to commit to the full day, there are morning and afternoon options to suit your schedule!
Take a look at the full details and availability of this private Elaphiti Islands boat trip here!
Browse my hand-picked boat tours from Dubrovnik for a relaxed, stylish day on the water!
TIPS FOR VISITING DUBROVNIK OLD TOWN
When To Visit Dubrovnik Old Town
Dubrovnik is best explored from May to early June or mid-September, avoiding the peak season (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 peak cruise ship hours.
(Most of the best things to do in Dubrovnik Old Town are available over the summer months!)
How Long To Stay In Dubrovnik
I recommend staying for a minimum of 3 days in Dubrovnik, longer if you include a day trip to the nearby islands, bays, or even national parks – or linger at your beautiful hotel!
Dubrovnik City Pass
Grab the Dubrovnik City Pass, which includes the city walls walk, Fort Lovrijenac, transport, galleries and museums. It’s well worth purchasing if you plan on visiting all of these attractions independently, the city walls alone is €40 and the pass is €48!
Dubrovnik Old Town Dress Codes
The old town in Dubrovnik is a classy place! Walking shirtless or in swimwear through the old town is disrespectful and can even earn you a fine and some strange looks! Cover up when you’re not on the beach or a boat!
Parking In Dubrovnik Old Town
Dubrovnik Centre Parking is €24 per day or €3 per hour and is a 25-minute walk to Dubrovnik old town, this is the best and least costly option. Near Dubrovnik old town there are park and display bays at Ploce or Pile Gate from €10 per hour.
For more practical tips, check out my complete travel guide to Dubrovnik for first-time visitors here!
WHERE TO STAY IN DUBROVNIK OLD TOWN
Staying inside Dubrovnik Old Town is super convenient, 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!
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.
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.
For a full breakdown of luxury hotels, beach resorts and best areas, see my complete Where to Stay in Dubrovnik guide.
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 restaurants, and the best day trips – perfect for pulling together your ideal itinerary!
- Complete Guide To Dubrovnik – top tips & need to know for first time visitors!
- How To Spend 3 Days In Dubrovnik – top itinerary planning tips for Dubrovnik!
- Where To Stay In Dubrovnik – the best areas, boutique hotels & luxury stays!
- Day Trips From Dubrovnik – islands, bays & heritage towns worth visiting!
- The Best Boat Tours from Dubrovnik – island hopping, national parks & more!
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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!