Dubrovnik Visitor Guide 2024: Everything you need to know

For years now, Croatia — especially its coast —  has seen a steady increase in tourism. That’s not surprising. With stunning scenery, great weather, fascinating culture, and great cities like Dubrovnik, Croatia is a place not to be missed. And although it’s not the bargain it once was, Dubrovnik is still well worth visiting for both its scenery and its fascinating history.

Dubrovnik looks almost unchanged since the sixteenth century when this was an important port ruled by Venice. The massive city walls and intricate baroque buildings look just as they did back then. That's why Dubrovnik was often used as a filming location for fantasy TV series Game of Thrones. The city really does look like a fantasy castle. And with a deep-sea port that can handle large cruise ships, Dubrovnik receives millions of foreign visitors every year. Visit for yourself, and you'll soon see why. Drop off your bags with a Dubrovnik luggage storage service and immerse yourself in this Adriatic treasure.

10 Best Ways to Experience Dubrovnik in 2024

Dubrovnik is a picturesque Croatian city nestling behind ancient ramparts and overlooking the Adriatic Sea. It contains a wealth of history intertwined by narrow cobbled streets where you will find the people welcoming and the climate almost perfect for outdoor adventure.

Although this is not a large city, and much of it can be reached on foot, you’re going to find your stay seriously inhibited if you’re carrying large or heavy bags. Bounce luggage storage services had this in mind when they teamed up with local partners to create safe and convenient luggage storage facilities in cities all over the world. Free yourself of those bags and enjoy some of the adventures below.

Best adventure tours - Dubrovnik Active Holidays

This is a company that opened their business around the unusual approach of combining sport and sightseeing. Originally aimed at runners, they provided well informed local guides who would accompany their clients on sightseeing jogs through the city and its surrounds. They have now expanded their operations to include walking tours, kayaking, biking and speedboat adventures.

Although this won't appeal to every tourist, if you're fond of combining action and adventure, then this is surely a company you need to speak to. You can email them at info@dubrovnikactiveadventures.com or call them on 385 – 99 – 806– 3277

Best food  tour - Dubrovnik Food Story

This little tour company is run by two sisters, Marija and Ana. Both have a passion for food and for exposing visitors to their beautiful city. Their tours are a melange of delicious cuisine, local ingredients, history, and culture. They like to take small intimate groups to some of the best and most authentic food venues that Dubrovnik has to offer.

Not only will you get to taste an array of different dishes, you'll also come away knowing much more about the culture and tradition that went into creating each distinctive plate. You can call them on 385 – 98 – 945 – 2128 or you can email them at info@dubrovnikfoodstory.com

Best Game of Thrones tour - Dubrovnik Walk of Fame

This is a company that offers a wide variety of different ways to discover Dubrovnik and its delightful surroundings. They can provide tours that include walking, driving, sailing, or hiking. Whichever method of transport you opt for, you will come away having learned a great deal and having been enthralled along the way.

Some of the tours include guided walks through the old town and along the historic ramparts, visiting some of the local islands, or learning about the process of wine and olive oil making which has taken place in this area for centuries. Much of Game of Thrones was shot here and if you are a fan of the series, you can learn all about that as well. Email them at info@dubrovnikwalkoffame.com or call them on the link from that site.

Best ghost tour – Haunted Dubrovnik

In many ways, it is probably natural for a city that has more than one thousand years of history to have acquired some dark and mysterious aspects to it. Marija Milovak is an author who is passionate about researching her city's less explored, and murky past. She shares her discoveries in a series of fascinating walking tours.

At one stage, Dubrovnik rivaled Venice in terms of both commercial and political power, but in the process, many unsettling events took place and you will get to explore the most startling of them under her guidance. You can contact her at contact@haunteddubrovnik.com or call her on 385 – 95 – 372 – 4942 and she will tell you about the four walking tours she offers. Be aware, however, that they all take place after dark.

Best hiking tour — Hiking Dubrovnik

Croatia is a country that lends itself to outdoor adventures, and Dubrovnik and its environs are no exception to this rule. Mare and Zeljka have created a business that specializes in outdoor tourism. They offer hiking, climbing, and Nordic walking tours all under the careful guidance of these two professional guides.

The pair concentrate on small groups and in addition to their guided hiking tours,  they can take you on climbing adventures according to your own ability and comfort level. One of the most unusual tours they offer is their full moon night hikes which are proving extremely popular. You can contact them at hikingdubrovnik@gmail.com  or by calling 385 – 98 – 758 – 879

Best kayaking tour — X – Adventure Sea Kayaking

All of X – Adventure’s guides are professionals and local to the region. This means that they can come with a degree of expertise that is hard to match. By exploring the city walls and the Old Town by kayak, you will have the privilege of seeing it from a totally unique perspective. In addition, the rugged coastline in the vicinity of the city just begs to be explored from the water.

The company offers island tours, half-day tours, and sunset tours, all under the guidance of their experienced team. If you would prefer to hire a kayak and do your own thing, you can talk to them about that as well by calling 385 – 91 – 786 – 0755 or emailing at info@kayak–dubrovnik.com

Best shore excursion – Dubrovnik Shore Tours

If you are arriving in this wonderful city by cruise ship, it can be a little overwhelming deciding what to do and how to get there. Dubrovnik Shore Tours is owned by locals who are licensed guides and have years of experience, so they can take that worry off your mind.

Dubrovnik Shore Tours offers a range of fascinating packages which include the Old Town, Dubrovnik, and neighboring Peljesac, as well as the opportunity to take in a bird’s eye view of the city from Srdj hill. To book a tour or get further information call them on 385 – 98 – 966 – 0040 or email them on dubrovniktours@outlook.com 

Best island tour —Dubrovnik Coastal Beauty

This is a city that borders onto what may arguably be one of the most attractive coastlines in the world. The Adriatic is dotted with numerous mouth-wateringly beautiful islands and many of them lie close to Dubrovnik. Dubrovnik Coastal Beauty offers transfers both to and from local islands, and to destinations further afield.

This company can also provide a range of tours which will enable you to see attractions that you might not otherwise be able to get to. Their experienced skippers will not only carry you safely across the waters, but they will also be able to advise you on what sites to take in when you reach the island of your choice. Contact them on 385 – 98 – 992 – 8099 or email them at info@boattours.com to learn more about their full range of services and the boats they have available.

Best walking tour — Walk With Vesna

Vesna was born and bred in Dubrovnik and it is a city that she is still in love with. There is not an inch of the city that she doesn’t know and not an ancient myth or historical fact that she is not able to share with the clients. Guiding people around the city is not just her job, it is a passion.

Vesna offers tours such as the Jewish heritage tour, the Dubrovnik Warped tour or a tour entitled Dark Medieval Dubrovnik. If those aren’t enough to titillate your senses, she is also happy to discuss with you the option of tailor-making a tour to suit your own particular tastes. You can email Vesna on the parasite at vbarisic.dubrovnik@gmail.com  or you can call her on 385 – 91 – 106 – 2636

Best historical tour — Dubrovnik Local Guides

This company describes itself as a bunch of history buffs who converted themselves into guides to share the wonderful stories that Dubrovnik offers. Instead of just bombarding their clients with lists of dates and a smattering of history, they like to bring the tours to life and show their clients beneath the skin of the city that is their home.

Altogether they offer six walking tours with tempting names such as Legends and Curiosities, Game of Thrones, and Dubrovnik Now and Then. To discover more about what these enthusiastic guides have on offer you can call 1385 – 97 – 681 – 3112 or email them at info@dubrovniklocalguides.com

A weekend in Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is a small city, still limited by the thick walls that surround it. As a result, a weekend will let you see many of the city's most popular attractions. Drop off your unneeded bags with a Dubrovnik suitcase storage so you can explore for yourself.

• The huge city walls date back to the fifteenth century and still dominate the city today. Taking a walk around the walls lets you see the city from every angle and enjoy the sunshine and splendid views over the coast. It also helps you get to grips with the history of this important town.
• Inside the walls, Dubrovnik's Old Town is a car-free maze of narrow streets and ancient buildings. Steep staircases climb the hill away from the sea, and you'll find dozens of quaint restaurants and interesting shops. You could easily spend a day just wandering through the Old Town and soaking up the atmosphere.
• For the best view of Dubrovnik, you'll need to head just outside the city itself to the top of Mount Srd. A cable car makes the journey from the north side of the city to the summit in just a few minutes. The views of the Adriatic coastline are truly unforgettable.

Dubrovnik lockers

The small and fascinating Old Town of Dubrovnik makes it the perfect place to explore on foot. But dragging heavy bags around can be taxing, especially in the warm summer months. Drop off your unneeded possessions at a Dubrovnik bag storage so you can travel light. You'll have a lot more fun when you don't carry more than you need to.

Off the beaten path in Dubrovnik

Given Dubrovnik's small size and popularity with tourists, it can be hard to imagine that there is anything left undiscovered in the city. However, if you look around, you'll find some interesting things to see and do away from the crowds.

• Dubrovnik's Franciscan Monastery dates back to the 1300s. Although it survived a devastating earthquake in the seventeenth century, its church was not so lucky. Now, this Gothic Monastery contains a pharmacy that has been operating since 1317, making it one of the oldest in the world. It also has an impressive library that is home to priceless medieval manuscripts.
• Looking at Dubrovnik today, it can be hard to imagine that the city was the scene of intense fighting as recently as the 1990s in the Croatian war of independence. It's only if you look closely that you can see holes in the walls from modern bullets and artillery. Learn more about the Croatian struggle to separate from the former Yugoslavia at the Homeland War Museum. This unique institution tells the story of a war that still looms large in the memory of the Balkans.
• Catch a show at Park Orsula. Better known to locals than it is to tourists, this waterside park can be reached by a free shuttle bus. Live bands perform at sundown with the ocean as a backdrop, making this a perfect end to a day in Dubrovnik.

What to do alone in Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik can get extraordinarily crowded during the summer season, especially when cruise ships are in town. Traveling by yourself can help you escape the crowds and move through the city more easily, seeing more of what you want and less of what you don't. Drop your bags off at a Dubrovnik luggage storage locker to see more of the city on a solo trip.

• Explore the clear turquoise waters of the Adriatic by kayak. You can rent watercraft from right outside the city walls, and seeing Dubrovnik from the sea is an unforgettable experience. Explore by yourself or take a guided tour to help you understand what you’re looking at.
• See the beauty of the Lapad peninsula. The coastal trail leaves the city and journeys along the water's edge, letting you explore this relatively undeveloped headland of rocky coves and quiet forests. The sea views make the trip worthwhile by themselves, and if you get too hot, you can always cool off with a dip in the ocean.
• Treat yourself to a beach day at Sveti Jakov. A 20-minute walk from the city, this beach is rarely crowded and is the perfect place to sunbathe, swim, and relax next to the glittering ocean.

The best souvenirs in Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik's popularity with tourists means it has a wealth of interesting stores for unique souvenirs. For instance, Aeterna Medieval Shop embraces its ancient surroundings by selling reproductions of historic artwork lovingly handmade by the couple that runs the store. If you're after something a little tastier, visit Note Bene for traditional Croatian pastries, cookies, and unusual spices. Or if you've developed a taste for the local spirit, a bottle of rakija, a kind of brandy unique to the Balkans, also makes a great memento of your trip.