Where to actually go in Dubrovnik

Barba

Restaurant · Old Town

Seafood street food: octopus burgers and fried fish.

Best for: a cheap seafood lunch

Best time: lunch

Taj Mahal

Restaurant · Old Town

Bosnian food (despite the name): ćevapi and slow-cooked meats.

Best for: a hearty, good-value dinner

Best time: dinner

Gradska Kavana Arsenal

Cafe · Luža Square

The historic town café with a terrace over the old harbour.

Best for: coffee with a view

Best time: morning

Dubrovnik City Walls

Sight · Old Town

A 2 km walk around the top of the medieval walls, over red roofs and sea on both sides.

Best for: the essential Dubrovnik experience

Price: $$ — roughly $46 in season (March–October), about half that in winter

Best time: at opening, or the last hour

Stradun and the Old Town

Walk · Old Town

The polished limestone main street and stepped lanes of the walled town. Free, and calmer once the cruise groups leave.

Best for: a free wander

Best time: early morning or evening

Lokrum Island

Beach · Lokrum (15 minutes by boat)

A wooded island nature reserve with rocky swimming spots, peacocks and a small salt lake.

Best for: a swim and a slow afternoon

Best time: afternoon (boats seasonal)

Mount Srđ

Viewpoint · above the Old Town

The hill behind the city: take the cable car or hike up the switchback path for the view over the walls and islands.

Best for: the sunset view

Best time: sunset

Banje Beach

Beach · Ploče (just outside the Old Town)

The pebble beach right by the walls, with the classic view of the Old Town.

Best for: a quick swim near the centre

Best time: afternoon

Fort Lovrijenac

Sight · outside Pile Gate

A fortress on a sea cliff with a view back to the walls.

Best for: the walls view from outside

Best time: late afternoon

Rector's Palace

Museum · Old Town

The Gothic-Renaissance palace of the old republic's ruler.

Best for: a short history stop

Best time: midday

Sea kayaking around the walls

Activity · from Pile or Ploče

Guided kayak tours around the walls and to Lokrum, with a swim stop.

Best for: an active morning

Booking: Book a licensed tour.

Best time: morning (season)

Lapad Bay

Beach · Lapad

A sandier, calmer beach area with a seaside promenade.

Best for: a local beach day

Best time: afternoon

Elafiti Islands boat trip

Activity · from Gruž harbour

Day boats to three small islands with swimming stops.

Best for: a day at sea

Best time: full day (season)

Cavtat

Activity · by boat from the old harbour

A small seaside town reached by a scenic boat ride.

Best for: a calm half-day

Best time: afternoon

Buža Bar

Bar · Old Town (outside the sea walls)

A cliffside bar reached through a hole in the walls, with tables on the rocks over the sea.

Best for: the sunset drink

Best time: sunset

Culture Club Revelin

Club · Revelin Fortress (Ploče Gate)

A club inside a 16th-century fortress with international DJs.

Best for: the big night out

Price: $$ — roughly $17–29 most nights, more for headliners

Booking: Buy ahead for Friday and Saturday in summer.

Best time: after midnight (season)

Banje Beach Club

Club · Banje Beach

Beach lounge and restaurant by day, club at night, facing the Old Town walls.

Best for: a beach day into a night out

Best time: day lounge, late club

Club Lazareti

Live music · Ploče (old quarantine buildings)

An alternative venue for gigs, cinema nights and club nights.

Best for: a more local night

Best time: late

Buzz Bar

Bar · Old Town

A local favourite with live music at weekends and coffee all night.

Best for: a relaxed bar

Best time: evening

D'Vino Wine Bar

Bar · Old Town

A wine bar with dozens of Croatian and imported wines and tasting flights.

Best for: trying Croatian wine

Best time: evening

Cave Bar More

Bar · Lapad

A bar built inside a natural cave over three levels, by the sea.

Best for: a unique drink

Best time: sunset