Whether it’s your first visit or not, it’s hard to ignore the history and beauty that is Dubrovnik.
The ancient city feels like you have stepped onto a medieval film set which, thanks to Game of Thrones and Robin Hood, you kind of have!
The port town overlooks the clear blue Adriatic ocean and is, of course, known for the famous 1940-metre-long wall that runs uninterrupted around the city and has kept out invaders since the 13th-century.
Thanks to these walls, Dubrovnik became known as “The Pearl of the Adriatic”.
Of course, the vast majority of us will know that Dubrovnik became the home of King’s Landing in Westeros, a la Game of Thrones.
For the sake of keeping this 3 days in Dubrovnik itinerary universal, I won’t be including any Game of Thrones-related activities.
But if you are really itching to sit on the Iron Throne, then who am I to stop you!
So without further ado, here is the best 3 days in Dubrovnik itinerary!
Where to stay in Dubrovnik
If you want to be right in the heart of the action, you’ll want to find a place in Old Town.
There are plenty of apartments you can rent if there is a big group of you.
Or if you are on a budget, try a hostel like Hostel Angelina, which is right in the heart of Old Town and within a 15-minute walk of three beaches in Dubrovnik!
Another option is to stay outside of the city walls. Yes, this involves a considerable amount more walking.
But you avoid the premium price that comes with being inside the city walls.
The option of finding a private apartment for quite a bit cheaper made the walk worth it!
(If you’re feeling really lazy, an Uber costs £5 and only takes four minutes to get to the Old Town!)
Getting around Dubrovnik in 3 days
The majority of Dubrovnik is accessible by foot. In fact, inside the city walls, that is pretty much the only way to get around.
With the steep steps and narrow passageways, walking is the best way to go!
Outside the city walls, you can still walk pretty much everywhere.
However, it can be pretty tiring (especially as we stayed 20 minutes uphill).
There are local buses that can take you from location to location and Uber when you need to get somewhere specific.
There are also plenty of ferries that frequently run to take you island hopping!
Day 1 of your 3 days in Dubrovnik itinerary
Morning: Explore Old Town
The best way to kick off your 3 days in Dubrovnik itinerary is to head to the Old Town.
Croatia is one of the best countries to visit in Europe, and once you’ve taken your time to walk around the Old Town, I think you’ll begin to understand why.
There will be countless places offering various food, drink and ice cream.
However, I would advise heading into the side streets for slightly cheaper options!
Fair warning, there are lots and lots of stairs, but it’s worth it to see what you can find.
It feels like you’are exploring somewhere new around every corner, and with the mismatched architectural styles of Gothic, Baroque and Renaissance (thanks to the numerous rebuilding over the years and an earthquake), Dubrovnik is a uniquely fascinating city.
Early afternoon: Go on the hunt for Buža Bar
Address: Crijevićeva ul. 9, 20000, Dubrovnik, Croatia
Phone number: +385 95 883 1750
During your exploration of the Old Town, see if you can find Buža Bar nestled at the top of the wall.
It’s safe to say that it’s not easy to find!
The only marker you will find is a sign that simply states, “Cold drinks with the most beautiful view”, and an arrow pointing you in the right direction.
Its entrance is literally a hole in the wall (the city wall that is), and the narrow doorway burrows through the wall and bursts through to the other side.
Soon you’ll see the ocean stretching out in front of you with an unparalleled view of Lokrum Island.
From here, you can head down the steps to Buža Bar and enjoy a drink or two on the edge of the cliff.
It’s a simple place that just works. They only sell drinks and snacks, but with the views and atmosphere, that’s all you need.
Why not head down to the ocean below, swim in the waters, or jump from one of the high rock formations if you feel brave?
Alternatively, you can sit back with a drink and watch other people jump instead!
It can get pretty busy in the height of summer, so make sure to get there early!
Late afternoon: Let out your inner romantic at the Love Stories Museum
Address: Ul. od Tabakarije 2, 20000, Dubrovnik, Croatia
Phone number: +385 95 355 5145
Definitely one of the more unusual places in Dubrovnik, Love Stories Museum is a collection of sentimental pieces and personal love stories from all over the world.
You can find famous love letters, stories of how people first met and more information on all the TV shows and movies that have been filmed in Dubrovnik.
Not only do they have all this, but you can also find out about the people who inspired great love songs, as well as romantic local myths and legends of old Dubrovnik.
One of the sweetest things there is that you can contribute to their “love wall”.
Write a little love letter, and stick it up to help them build their romantic wall!
You can read personal love stories from all over the world, and it’s oh-so-adorable.
Evening: Listen to jazz at Troubadour Hard Jazz Caffe
Address: Bunićeva poljana 2, 20000, Dubrovnik, Croatia
Phone number: +385 91 977 3983
On first passing, you wouldn’t think much of the cafe itself.
It’s not grand, it’s in the middle of most of the other touristy establishments, and it’s expensive (as most places in central Old Town tend to be).
But, if you go down in the evening, you will be treated to a rather lovely ambience with Jazz musicians playing just outside.
They liven up the whole atmosphere, and it’s impossible to resist tapping along to the beat.
If you happen to spend 3 days in Dubrovnik outside of peak season, try and get a seat inside for a more intimate gig.
Day 2 of your 3 days in Dubrovnik itinerary
Early morning: Take the day ferry to Lopud
Get up early and make your way to the ferry that will take you to the beautiful, car-free island of Lopud, the largest of the three islands in the Elaphiti archipelago.
The ferry ride takes around 55 minutes, but the journey is pleasant, and the views aren’t too bad either!
There’s only one village on the entire island, and the shops are small.
So try and take everything with you as if you forget something you might be a bit stuck!
Late morning: Explore Lopud
Once you get to the island, it’s time to have some fun.
Make sure you have some cash on you to rent bikes and kayaks from the locals, depending on what takes your fancy!
The island is incredibly peaceful, and with Sunj Beach’s pristine sands, take the opportunity to relax and enjoy the sun.
You can get to the beach by one of the many golf carts that wait to make to take you there.
Or you can enjoy the scenery with a short walk, following the trail through pine forests that will take you right down to the sandy shore.
The water here remains waist deep for a long way out, making it ideal for every swimmer.
Early afternoon: Explore some of Lopud’s churches
If you fancy having an explore, visit the 15th-century Franciscan monastery to see some unique architecture away from the main bustle of Dubrovnik.
The monastery is currently available to rent for private residences and functions.
But it’s still a fantastic place to view on your explorations.
You can also hike to the 15th-century church, dedicated to Our Lady of Sunj, above – you guessed it – Sunj beach.
The church features a Renaissance-Baroque altar with wooden sculptures, making for an interesting visit.
Late afternoon: Enjoy some food at Spaghetteria Toni
Address: ul. Nikole Božidarevića 14, 20000, Dubrovnik, Croatia
Phone number: +385 20 323 134
There’s a reason Spaghetteria Toni is rated 4.5/5 on TripAdvisor.
The food is to die for, the staff are utterly lovely, and everything is reasonably priced.
The Tortellini Alla Potenza is an absolute must for cheese-lovers.
And I had never seen my friend so happy as when she got her hands on the Seafood Pappardelle.
The staff were super accommodating to our dietary requirements and made sure we had everything we needed during our visit.
Situated just off the main street of Old Town, this place benefits from being affordable and being a tad more out of the way, so it feels more special.
Early evening: Take the party to the castle
Address: Ul. Svetog Dominika 3, 20000, Dubrovnik, Croatia
Phone number: +385 98 533 531
Once you have had your fill, and you still have some energy left, you have got to head to Culture Club Revelin.
Okay, so technically it’s not a castle.
The club is built inside a 500-year-old fortress in the heart of Old Town, making for a pretty memorable night out. Not many people can say they partied in a fort, after all!
This vast space is not for the faint of heart, filled with revellers throughout the night, with plenty of nooks and crannies to get lost in.
Revelin is the kind of place that can have a massive party without feeling too cramped.
They host different DJs most nights and usually keep their calendar chock full of events that are sure to entertain you until the early hours.
Late evening: Treat yourself at Mlinar Bakery
Address: Stradun 28, 20000, Dubrovnik, Croatia
Phone number: +385 91 238 8660
This bakery is the perfect place to grab some food after a night out. When we went, it was open at 3 am!
Try a traditional Burek, a popular street food consisting of a filling wrapped in a thinly stretched pastry called Jufke.
Or how about my personal favourite, their potato pie?
We became addicted to these little treats, and they became the go-to snack whenever we were a little peckish.
Day 3 of your 3 days in Dubrovnik itinerary
Morning and afternoon: Explore the Island of Lokrum
Another day, another island. This time, pop onto one of the frequent ferries that will take you over to the beautiful island of Lokrum.
With a short journey of about ten minutes, this island is a must-see.
Lokrum is a nature reserve that is home to many different species of flora and fauna. (It’s not unusual to see peacocks strolling around!)
Take a stroll through the botanical gardens, bathe in “The Dead Sea”, which is a small beach on the island, or revisit history within the Monastery Complex and the Fort Royal.
According to legend, the island is where Richard the Lionheart found shelter from the rough seas on his return home from the crusade in 1192.
There are also plenty of places to go for a swim.
Whether you want to just relax in calm waters, go cliff jumping or snorkel around the rocks, there are places for everyone.
Early evening: Walk the city walls during golden hour
You simply cannot visit Dubrovnik without walking along the famous wall.
The 1940 metre wall runs uninterrupted around the city, giving you the best view of Dubrovnik, as well as the Adriatic Ocean and surrounding islands.
The majority of the walls were constructed in the 15th – 16th centuries, made up of a complex structure of fortresses, towers and detached forts built to protect the city.
You could go at any time, and it would be a stunning sight.
But there’s just something special about the golden hour.
The cities terracotta roofs are brought to life, and everything almost seems to glow.
Take a moment to truly enjoy it and take in the views by stopping at the Cafe on the Wall.
It’s the first watering hole you will come to as you walk around.
Late evening: Grab a drink at Cave Bar More
Address: Šetalište Nika i Meda Pucića 12, 20000, Dubrovnik, Croatia
Phone number: +385 20 494 200
Set below Hotel More, the cave was discovered during the hotel’s construction.
Rather than ignoring it, they decided to turn it into a unique experience where guests can enjoy everything from coffee to cocktails in this cave bar that spans over three levels.
The bar is very much a part of the cave, so you really feel like you are underground as you sip on your drink!
The view at sunset on the terrace is gorgeous, and the calm atmosphere inside the bar makes it worth a trip.
So there you have it: the ultimate 3 days in Dubrovnik itinerary!
Dubrovnik is such a unique and individual city that always has something going on.
It’s so full of life that I doubt you would ever be bored, no matter what you decided to do.
There are countless activities to do and places to visit.
So try and take advantage of as many as possible during your 3 days in Dubrovnik!
