Walk along the city walls and take the cable car up to the Srd viewpoint. Explore the narrow streets that lead from one square to the next. And from one UNESCO-listed site to another. In this article I will show you what the most unforgettable things to do in Dubrovnik are if you only have one day.
Apart from the best things to do in Dubrovnik I will also give you tips on where to drink the best coffee, where to have your glass of wine, where to eat, where to sleep and how to stay connected. Everything you need for one perfect day in Dubrovnik.
One day in Dubrovnik is certainly enough to see all the highlights in one long day. But to truly experience the city stay at least for two nights. Staying even longer is certainly no punishment either. By using Dubrovnik as your base you can discover more of Croatia and the region. Go on day trips to some of the islands, go wine tasting or even visit Mostar in Bosnia & Herzegovina or the Bay of Kotor in Montenegro.
Also read: Croatia Itinerary | Two Weeks Dubrovnik To Zagreb (+ Map & Tips)
15 Unforgettable Things To Do in Dubrovnik in One Day
Visit all of the below things to do for one unforgettable day in Dubrovnik.
1. Enter Dubrovnik through the Pile or Ploce Gates
There aren’t many ways to enter the Old Town of Dubrovnik, because the city is completely enclosed by walls. On the western side of the city a drawbridge gives you access to the Old Town via the Pile Gate. On the northern side you will find the Buza Gate and on the eastern side the Ploce Gate. Each of them is worthy of a visit, although by far the most interesting are the Pile Gate and the Ploce Gate.
Tip: Just beyond the Pile Gate you will see the Large Onofrio Fountain. A perfect place to refill your water bottle with fresh Croatian water.
2. Walk along the City Walls Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik has one of the world’s best kept city walls. Constructed mainly between the 12th and 17th centuries, the walls were built to protect the city and its inhabitants. They served as a great defense system, enclosing the entire Old Town of Dubrovnik.
Over the centuries, the walls withstood numerous sieges and attacks, including a devastating earthquake in 1667. In more recent history the city came under attack during the Yugoslav Wars. You can still see proof of this by looking at the roof tiles. The shiny new tiles have replaced those that had bullet holes in them.
Enjoy the views of the city and the Adriatic Sea
Your walk along the city walls is without a doubt the best thing to do in Dubrovnik. The walls stretch out for about 2 kilometers, so it could easily be done in an hour. However take it easy and plan around 2 hours. The walls offer you some amazing viewpoints of the city itself, but also of the surrounding area. Obviously you have views of the Adriatic Sea, but also of Lokrum Island.
Top tips for visiting the Dubrovnik City Walls
- Visit the city walls early in the morning, right as they open to experience the least crowds. In summertime you can enter as early as 8am. Alternatively, go at the end of the day, a few hours before closing time.
- Dress according to the weather. And don’t forget to protect yourself from the sun with sunscreen and a hat.
- Especially during summertime make sure you bring enough water. Refill your water bottle for free at the Large Onofrio Fountain at the Pile Gate entrance.
- The most popular entrance to the city walls is at Pile Gate, but you will find a less crowded entrance at the Ploce Gate.
- Your ticket (€35) includes entrance to Fort Lovrijenac. You don’t have to go there on the same day, because the ticket is valid for 72 hours.
- Buy your tickets in advance to skip the lines. You can buy them from the official ticket seller right here.
- Alternatively, get a 1-day Dubrovnik Pass (also €35) that includes discounts to other attractions. Multiple-day passes are also available. Check out the Dubrovnik Pass website for more information.
3. Take in the panoramic views from Fort Lovrijenac
Just outside the city walls you will find Fort Lovrijenac (or Fort Lawrence). The fort sits on a strategic location on the cliffs overlooking the western side of the Old Town. In the past, any trespassers that wanted to enter the city through the Pile Gate could be dealt with in an appropriate manner, so to speak. Nowadays the fort itself is rather empty, but the panoramic views that you can experience here more than warrant a visit!
Each summer the Fort Lovrijenac hosts concerts, theatre, art and dance performances as part of the Dubrovnik Summer Festival. Check out the program of this years edition on the website of Dubrovnik Summer Festival.
Entrance to the fort is €15 as a separate ticket. However, entrance is included also as part of the ticket you bought for the city walls. When you decide to go to the fort first and plan to visit the walls later (within 72 hours), then make sure you get the combination ticket.
4. Stroll along the Stradun
Next on your list of things to do in Dubrovnik in one day is Placa, or more popularly called the Stradun. This is the main street connecting Pile Gate to Luza Square and the Old Harbour. The street is completely made of marble, so mind your step when it’s raining. Walking along the street you will find that the street both left and right is lined with lime stone buildings. It’s a great street to go shopping and people watch.
Stradun is the liveliest street of the city, but it can get extremely busy here. You can check if there’s a cruise ship in town and plan accordingly. We loved to walk along the street early in the morning and also later at night. Daytrippers and cruise folk are not in town then anymore, so you will have a much better experience soaking up the atmosphere without these crowds. We found this to be a great perk of staying within the city walls.
5. Head to St. Blaise’s Church and Luza Square
When you enter the city through the Pile Gate and follow the Stradun you will eventually end up on Luza Square. At the centre of the square the 15th century Orlando Column is erected. It was here that in medieval times announcements were made of festivities, beheadings and the like (yikes). Nothing of the latter nowadays, so don’t worry.
At the southern end of Luza Square steps lead up to St. Blaise’s Church. Take a seat here for a bit and watch the world pass by. On the facade of this baroque style church you can see various decorations, such as stone carvings and statues. If you’re a churchgoer you can take a peek inside and admire the altar and the beautiful dome.
6. Listen to the melodies of Dubrovnik’s City Bell Tower
On the eastern side of the Luza Square you can see the City Bell Tower. The tower has some beautiful clockworks that become especially apparent when you watch the clock strike 12 (at noon). That’s the time when you can listen to the melodies produced by the little green men that hit the bell.
It’s fun to watch if you happen to be around, but I wouldn’t recommend planning your day around it.
7. Visit the Rector’s Palace
Halfway through on this list of the best things to do in Dubrovnik in one day you can visit the Rector’s Palace. The Gothic-Renaissance building cannot be missed as it takes up almost the entire eastern side of Luza Square.
Interesting to know if you’re a fan of Game of Thrones is that the central hall was one of the filming locations. The scene they filmed here was when Daenerys Targaryen asks the Qarth Spice King for ships to take her and her army across the Narrow Sea.
In real life the Rector’s Palace was built in the 15th century and was the seat of government of the Dubrovnik Republic. Nowadays you can visit the Cultural History Museum that is housed inside. Here you can view the collection with over 20,000 items that were acquired in over 6 centuries.
Entrance to the Rector’s Palace is free if you have a Dubrovnik Pass, otherwise you need to pay €20 (valid for 7 days and includes entrance to some other museums as well).
8. Walk around Dubrovnik’s Old Harbour
Right behind the Rector’s Palace you will find the Old Harbour. Now I love me a picturesque harbour and this one certainly ticks all the boxes. Grab a(n iced) coffee from Cogito (best coffee in town!) and take a seat at one of the benches to watch all the activity.
From the Old Harbour you can take a ferry to the island of Lokrum and to the picture perfect town of Cavtat. Ask around for actual ferry departure times while you’re here. Set yourself up for a day trip there maybe tomorrow right away, that is if you’re staying longer in Dubrovnik than one day.
Tip: Consider Restaurant Arsenal for breakfast or brunch. The options are a little limited, however the views of the harbour are incredible!
9. Enter the cloister of the Dominican Monastery
Close to the Ploce Gate you can find the Dominican Monastery. This monastery is about as old as the city walls and as you enter it also feels like its part of the fortress.
Instead of a fortress however, after paying a €5 entrance fee, you are entering a beautifully decorated cloister. It feels like a truly peaceful oasis here as you walk underneath the colonnade. Like you’re very far away from the bustling streets outside.
10. Continue to Gunduliceva Square
The market on Gunduliceva Square is another must do on this list of things to do in Dubrovnik in one day. The square is named after Croatian poet Ivan Gundulic of whom you can see a statue in the middle of the square.
It’s partly touristy, but also a place where you can get some authentic Croatian fresh produce and local goods. Many of the vendors let you taste some of their products before buying as well!
11. Pass by the Cathedral of the Assumption
The Cathedral of the Assumption is another religious landmark you should see on your day in Dubrovnik. The original Cathedral of Dubrovnik dates back to the 7th century. However, the cathedral that you can see today was finished in 1713 since it was completely rebuilt after the 1667 earthquake. Step inside to check out some of the beautiful paintings, altars and stone carvings.
12. Do the walk of shame at St Ignatius Church
The final religious building to visit on this list of unforgettable things to do in Dubrovnik is the St. Ignatius Church. The church is interesting enough on the inside, but the views from the Rudera Boskovica Square are more spectacular I have to say. It’s quite a steep climb up the stairs to reach the square, but it’s worth it!
Especially if you’re a fan of Game of Thrones visiting this church is a must. Cersei Lannister did the walk of shame here from the church down to Gunduliceva Square and you can do the same. I think the authorities would appreciate it best if you keep your clothes on though…
More Game of Thrones?
I’ve mentioned Game of Thrones a few times now and if you’re a fan, you should definitely go on a Game of Thrones walking tour. There’s short ones that only take place in Dubrovnik, but also that will take you to Lokrum island (Qarth). Below you can see the best tours available.
- Game of Thrones Extended Tour
- Game of Thrones Lokrum Special in Dubrovnik
- Game of Thrones Tour with Lokrum Island
13. Dive into the realities of war at War Photo Limited
I wasn’t really expecting anything like War Photo Limited in Dubrovnik, but there it was. This photo art gallery has some very impressive photos on display. War Photo Limited is a gallery displaying war photos, which means you can expect quite a few pictures to be very disturbing.
On the top floor you’ll find a permanent exposition of the Yugoslav Wars, while other expositions cover other conflicts in the world. Unfortunately it’s a sad thing that there’s a lot of material to choose from, because humans keep on destroying each other.
14. Views of Dubrovnik from Srd hill
One of the most unforgettable things to do in Dubrovnik is to take the cable car up to the top of the Srd hill. This hill is 412m high and offers spectacular panoramic views of the walled city.
At the top of the hill you can also explore another fort, Fort Imperial. Step inside and you can learn all about the story of ‘Dubrovnik During the Homeland War’, telling you about the 1990s war.
The best time to visit is just before sunset. The views take in all of Dubrovnik, but also of Lokrum. Further afield on the horizon you can even see the Elafiti islands. Seeing the sunset on Srd hill is the perfect ending to your action-packed itinerary of Dubrovnik in one day.
15. Revisit some of the things to do in Dubrovnik at night
Final thing to do in Dubrovnik on this list is to walk past all the buildings and streets that are covered above. At night the city feels alive in a totally different way. Revisiting all of the other things to do on this list should take you about an hour. So after dinner, perhaps at ‘Heritage of Dubrovnik’ on Prijeko street take an evening stroll.
Also read: One Week in Dubrovnik – A Mediterranean Escape
Where to eat & drink in Dubrovnik
Restaurant Arsenal
This is the best restaurant we found for breakfast. The food is pretty good, but the views are the best asset of Restaurant Arsenal. Take a seat on the terrace outside for views of the old harbour and enjoy your eggs Benedict and perhaps a mimosa.
Heritage of Dubrovnik Restaurant
We stayed in Dubrovnik quite a few days, but we came back to restaurant Heritage of Dubrovnik a couple of times. The owners are just the loveliest people and create dishes as they would at home. The sporki and the lamb were our absolute favourite dishes.
It’s really an authentic experience to have lunch or dinner here. And despite of its location on the main dining street Heritage of Dubrovnik is not a tourist trap.
Buzz Bar
Buzz Bar is a very popular local place to have a beer, a local wine or a delicious cocktail. The place is a bit of a hole in the wall, but the atmosphere is lively to say the least. Needless to say, this is the perfect place for a night cap.
Buza Bar
Similarly named, but totally different than Buzz Bar is Buza Bar. It’s a bit difficult to find, because it’s situated between the outer wall and the Adriatic Sea. But once you’re there relax and take in the views of the sea. We found Buza Bar a bit of a tourist trap, because it’s quite overpriced and the drinks not that cold.
Best coffee in Dubrovnik at Cogito Coffee
I like my coffee a lot. And I call myself a bit of a coffee snob, because why not want the best? The best coffee in Dubrovnik is certainly found at Cogito. This coffee place is almost literally housed inside a hole in the wall. Take a seat at one of the benches outside, or take a seat inside with views of the delicious cakes.
Where to stay in Dubrovnik
You are not short on options on where to stay 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 inaccessible to public transport or taxis.
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 your efforts pay off with spectacular views when you open the windows of your accommodation.
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
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 you plans change you can alter your reservations as well.
Final Thoughts on Things To Do in Dubrovnik
Thanks for reading all the way through. I hope to have given you an idea of all the best things to do in Dubrovnik. If you have any further questions or would like to comment, please do so in the comment section below.
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Want to read more about Croatia? Then check out my latest Croatia articles for more travel inspiration to help you plan your next trip.
