Immerse yourself in the timeless beauty of Dubrovnik, Croatia’s crown jewel on the Adriatic coast. Discover the medieval city walls and the stunning Old Town. Explore UNESCO-listed sites, and dive into authentic and delicious cuisine. With one week in Dubrovnik you can discover everything that this city has to offer.
Dubrovnik may no longer be considered an undiscovered gem, especially with the popularity it gained from HBO’s Game of Thrones. In this article however, I will highlight why it is still very much a destination worth visiting.
You can visit all of the highlights of Dubrovnik in 1 long day. However, with one week in Dubrovnik you can also venture a little further afield and discover that one week in Dubrovnik is the perfect amount of time. By using Dubrovnik as your base you can explore more of Croatia and the region. Think of a visit to some of the most beautiful islands of Croatia, or even go on day trips to Kotor in Montenegro, or Mostar in Bosnia & Herzegovina.
Also read: Croatia Itinerary | Two Weeks Dubrovnik To Zagreb (+ Map & Tips)
Day 1 | Start your week in Dubrovnik’s Old Town
Begin your adventure in Dubrovnik today by diving right into the historic Old Town. Explore the Stradun, the main street lined with shops and cafes, and visit the biggest attractions of the city such as the Rector’s Palace and the Franciscan Monastery with its ancient pharmacy. Other highlights include the Cathedral of the Assumption and St. Blaise’s Church.
Fans of Game of Thrones can do the ‘walk of shame’ up the stairs to St. Ignatius of Loyola Church. Also don’t forget to visit the market on Gunduliceva Square.
Also read: 15 Unforgettable Things To Do in Dubrovnik in One Day
Don’t miss out on the the city walls walk
Whatever you do in Dubrovnik today, make sure you include a walk on the city walls, because no visit to Dubrovnik is complete otherwise. Take in the breathtaking views of the red-roofed buildings and the azure coloured Adriatic Sea.
Your entrance ticket to the city walls also includes entrance to Fort Lovrijenac. The fort is a little empty on the inside, but the views over the Old Town are definitely worth going here!
Take the cable car up to the Srd viewpoint
At the end of the day take the cable car up to the Srd viewpoint. This hill is steeped in history because of its strategic location. You can visit the exhibition ‘Dubrovnik During the Homeland War’ that is housed in the summit’s Fort Imperial. Furthermore, from here you can take in the spectacular views.
Authentic Croatian dinner at ‘Heritage of Dubrovnik’
Finish your first day with dinner at Heritage of Dubrovnik, my favourite restaurant in town. The owners cook true Croatian food, food that they would also cook at home. Afterwards, for drinks head to Buzz bar. It’s a bit of a hole in the wall, but they do excellent cocktails.
Day 2 | Day trip to the Bay of Kotor in Montenegro
The second day of your one week in Dubrovik itinerary you can embark on a scenic journey to neighbouring country Montenegro. Here you can visit the picturesque Bay of Kotor.
Visit Perast and the Old Town of Kotor
Expect a fjord-like landscape, surrounded by mountains and charming coastal towns. Explore the UNESCO-listed Old Town of Kotor. Wander through its narrow streets, and climb the ancient city walls for panoramic views.
On the way to the Old Town of Kotor, don’t miss out on a stopover at Perast and take a boat ride to the Our Lady of the Rocks islet.
The easiest way to do all of this in one day, like I did, is to go on an organised tour. It will be a long day that involves getting up early, but it will all be worth it!
Do you need a visa to visit Montenegro?
When you go on a day trip to the Bay of Kotor it means you will be exiting the European Union and Schengen Zone that Croatia is part of. So you will need to bring your passport along to cross the border into Montenegro. Citizens of the European Union, United Kingdom, USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand do not need a visa to enter Montenegro.
Day 3 | Charming Cavtat and forested Lokrum island
Continue your week in Dubrovnik on the morning of day 3 visiting Cavtat, a charming coastal town filled with history and natural beauty. Use the asfternoon to ferry across to Lokrum island.
Explore Cavtat’s Historic Centre
Explore the historic centre, visit the Racic Mausoleum, and soak up the sun on its scenic (rocky) beaches. For lunch head to Bugenvilla which is one of the Dalmatian Coast’s best restaurants.
Cavtat is easy to get to with bus 10 that departs from the Dubrovnik bus terminal, but also has a stop next to the Srd cable car terminus. It runs at least hourly, but sometimes there’s a service in between. Alternatively, during tourist season take the ferry from the Old Town harbour in Dubrovik that runs half-hourly. Off season it’s just 3 to 5 ferries daily.
Take the Ferry to Lokrum Island
In the afternoon, embark on a boat trip to Lokrum Island, a nature reserve known for its lush botanical garden and peacocks. Discover hidden coves, visit the medieval fortress, and chill in this relaxing oasis.
Lokrum is only a 10-minute ferry ride away from Dubrovnik’s Old Harbour. It’s a perfect place to swim, but again the beaches are rocky.
Day 4 | Experience Croatian wines on the island of Korcula or the Peljesac Peninsula
Croatia is a hidden gem in the wine world, because not many bottles get exported abroad. The wines are really delicious however, so it’s best to sample as many Croatian wines as possible and as is responsible while you are in Croatia.
Two prominent destinations for wine enthusiasts near Dubrovnik are the islands of Korcula and the Peljesac Peninsula. While both offer exceptional wine tasting experiences, each of them differ a lot when it comes to characteristics and flavors. A visit to either one will make a unique and memorable journey. So which destination to choose?
Korcula island
Korcula, which is often referred to as the ‘Emerald Isle’, is renowned for its white wines. And in particular wines of the indigenous Posip grape variety.
On your wine tasting adventure to Korcula, you can expect picturesque vineyards overlooking the Adriatic Sea. The island’s wineries offer a charming and intimate setting, where winemakers proudly share their passion and expertise.
Some winemakers to look out for are Bire, Cebalo, and Krajancic. At each of these local wineries you can taste the distinct flavours of citrus and stone fruit that are so characteristic of the Posip grape.
Apart from your visit to the wineries and tasting the wines make sure to take time out to visit the town of Korcula. Just like Dubrovnik this is an old city that is surrounded by walls. Wander the narrow streets and admire the Venetian architecture that is so typical for many of the towns along the Dalmation Coast of Croatia.
Peljesac Peninsula
Another option on this one week in Dubrovnik itinerary is the Peljesac Peninsula which is renowned for its robust red wines. You’ll have the opportunity to taste Plavac Mali, the signature grape variety of this region. Plavac Mali is rich in aromas of dark fruits and spices, and contains plenty tannins.
Wineries like Milos, Saints Hills, and Korta Katarina offer a great tasting experience. And if you thought Plavac Mali wines taste familiar, like I did, then you should be pleased to know the grape is closely related to the Italian Primitivo.
On the Peljesac Peninsula, aside from wine tasting, don’t miss out on visiting the town of Ston. Check out the impressive fortified walls here, as well as the salt pans. Ston is also a popular place to devour some freshly caught oysters.
Korcula or Peljesac?
Having a hard time to choose between the two? Whichever you choose, know that both destinations promise an amazing experience for wine enthusiasts. Also know that while Korcula specialises in white wine and Peljesac in red wine, this doesn’t mean you cannot taste the other variety at either destination.
Take it easy and go on a wine experience tour
To make the most of your wine tasting experience, consider joining a guided tour to gain better insights into the unique characteristics of each wine region. It’s a little easier to go wine tasting in Peljesac on a tour from Dubrovnik.
Want to do Korcula? Then your best option is to take the Monday or Friday early morning ferry with TP-Line and take the late afternoon ferry back to Dubrovnik. Book the 11am tour for the island of Korcula below to make it all fit precisely in between the arriving and departing ferries.
Day 5 | Day trip to Bosnia and Herzegovina
You are now well underway on your one week in Dubrovnik itinerary, but there’s still plenty to see and do. Enjoyed your day trip to Montenegro on day 2 of this itinerary? Then today embark on yet another adventure to a neighbouring country. This time to Bosnia & Herzegovina.
Begin the Day at Kravica Falls
Start the day with a visit to the natural beauty of the Kravica Waterfalls. This curtain of water is situated just across the border from Croatia.
Spend the Afternoon Wandering the Streets of Mostar
Afterwards, continue to the historic city of Mostar, famous for its iconic Stari Most bridge. Admire the blend of Ottoman and medieval architecture, visit the old bazaar, and taste some delicious Bosnian cuisine like cevapcici.
Just like the day trip to the Bay of Kotor in Montenegro this trip is also easiest to do on an organised tour.
Do you need a visa to visit Bosnia & Herzegovina?
Going on a day trip to Mostar and the waterfalls of Kravica means you will be exiting the European Union and Schengen Zone that Croatia is part of. So don’t forget to bring your passport along to cross the border into Bosnia & Herzegovina. Citizens of the European Union, United Kingdom, USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand do not need a visa to enter Montenegro.
Day 6 | Explore Mljet island for a day by bike
Your week in Dubrovnik is coming to an end, but still there is more to do. Today you can go on a self-organised daytrip to the island of Mljet. Mljet is known for its beautiful green landscapes, crystal-clear lakes, and serene atmosphere. The island offers the perfect setting for a day of cycling adventures.
Cycle around Mljet National Park
Upon arrival in Polace rent a bike or an electric bike and get ready to discover Mljet’s National Park. The park has two stunning saltwater lakes, Veliko and Malo Jezero (Big and Small Lake), and is surrounded by dense forests and picturesque walking trails. Cycle along the lakeside path and enjoy the breeze and breathtaking views.
Visit St. Mary islet or rent a kayak
If you feel like it you can go for a paddle on the lakes. Right next to the Mali Most bridge you’ll find an outlet where they have kayaks available for a few euros per hour.
From the Mali Most bridge or the Pristaniste ferry port you can take a boat to the small islet of St. Mary, where you can explore the 12th-century Benedictine monastery. Finally on your way back to the town of Polace you can visit the 5th century AD Roman Palace ruins.
How to get to Mljet
It’s quite easy to get to Mljet from Dubrovnik (from June to September). You can take the TP-Line ferry to Polace that departs in the morning and returns late in the afternoon. Check the exact schedule on the TP-Line ferry website.
Day 7 | Free day in Dubrovnik
One week in Dubrovnik has almost come to an end. On your final day however, take the time to revisit your favorite spots in Dubrovnik or explore any attractions you may have missed.
Visit the Dubrovnik City Walls Museum, or delve into the region’s shocking history at the War Photo Limited exposition. Also if you didn’t get to it yet, take a cable car up to Mount Srd for panoramic views. Or perhaps you want to go on a food tour, or a Game of Thrones tour to visit all the sites from the hit series.
In the evening, savour a delicious final dinner (perhaps again at ‘Heritage of Dubrovnik’) and toast to a memorable week in Dubrovnik.
One week in Dubrovnik: Where to stay?
You are not short in options on where to stay for your one week in Dubrovnik. My overall recommendation is to stay as close to the Old Town as possible. Do keep in mind though that all of the Old Town (within the city walls) is pedestrians only. So not cars or public transport are allowed.
Many accommodations are situated north of Stradun which is basically the base of the Srd hill. So, expect to climb a lot of stairs if you choose to stay in this part of town. But the effort pays off when you open the windows of your accommodation… spectacular views!
MID-RANGE – Hotel Villa Monte Santo
We loved our stay in Villa Monte Santo. It’s quite a few flights of stairs up from Stradun to get here, but we loved the rewarding view when we opened the rooftop window. The bed here was comfortable and the bathroom spacious and modern. We would certainly stay here again on our next trip.
LUXURY – Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik
Wes Anderson’s ‘The Grand Budapest Hotel’ doesn’t actually exist, but somehow the looks of this hotel gave me similar vibes. That said…
The Hilton has everything you need for a comfortable stay, such as beautifully decorated rooms and public areas. Furthermore, there’s a pool and a fantastic breakfast buffet. And the views, just W-O-W… wow!
The Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik is situated a short walk from the Pile Gate, which is the main entrance into the Old Town. This unbeatable location and the overall charm make the Hilton a perfect base to stay when you want to explore the region for a week.
Not quite what you’re looking for?
You can find many more accommodations in Dubrovnik. Check out booking.com for availability and book right away. Most accommodations have flexible cancellation policies, so if your plans change you can alter your reservations as well.
Final thoughts
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