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What to do

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Activities and must-see sights in Dubrovnik and nearby

Flanked by rugged mountains and the crystal-clear Adriatic, there are lots of things to see and do in both Dubrovnik and its surroundings. Here are some of our top tips for places to visit and activities to try.

If you have a specific idea in mind, we might be able to make some suggestions for you. Because we're local to the area, we know what's on offer and we have some great contacts. Get in touch to take advantage of our insider knowledge!

Activities

Explore Dubrovnik's Old Town
When you enter the Old Town through either the Pile or Ploče main gates, you'll find yourself on Stradun, which is the cobbled main street. A great place to start is by walking the 2km-long city wall, which has a spectacular view overlooking Dubrovnik's famous red roofs.

There's one access point just inside the Pile gate – follow the stairs up to the ticket office and onto the wall. You'll need 2-3 hours to do the walk and take in the sights of the Old Town and the sparkling sea and islands beyond.

Back at street level, explore the maze of steep streets that rise up on both sides of Stradun. Finally, make sure you stroll down to the old port – it has a wonderful atmosphere and lovely views along the coastline towards Cavtat.
The city's most important cultural event is the Dubrovnik Summer Festival, with theatre and classical and folk music. Concerts and performances take place on open-air stages and in famous buildings, such as Duke's Palace, cloisters and churches.

Leading artists – including actors, directors, conductors and musicians – from both Croatia and abroad come to perform international and Croatian works.
Another important event is Dubrovnik Day (3 February) or the Feast Day of St Blaise, who is the patron saint of the city of Dubrovnik. The week-long festivities include religious ceremonies, a procession, concerts, sports events, entertainment and carnivals.
A protected nature reserve since 1964, Lokrum Island is just 10 minutes by boat from the harbour in the Old Town. Make sure you walk up to Fort Royal Castle (built by the French in 1806) for wonderful views of Dubrovnik, Cavtat and the other islands.
The village of Čilipi is in the heart of the Konavle region, which is the area between Montenegro and Cavtat. Every Sunday from about 11am, there's a wonderful craft fair and folk dancing. You can also enjoy a lovely walk through the narrow streets and explore the church in the village square.
Cavtat is a picturesque fishing village built on the slopes of the Rat peninsula, surrounded by stunning scenery. In the summer, it's very popular with jet setters and luxury yachts.

There's lots to see in Cavtat, thanks to its rich cultural and historical heritage. If you like to keep active, you can do water sports, go horse riding or enjoy walking. And it's a lovely place for just relaxing on the beach too.

Cavtat is a 30-minute drive from Dubrovnik. You can also catch a bus (number 10) or enjoy a 45-minute boat ride from the port in the Old Town.
Pelješac has wonderful architecture and breathtaking scenery; it's covered with dense evergreens and Mediterranean vegetation. The whole area is ideal for walking, hiking and gathering plants.

The region – in particular Postup and Dingac – is well known for its red wine. The slopes in the interior are dotted with wine trails and vineyards where you can sample home-made wine.

On your way to Pelješac, stop off at the village of Ston – it's famous for its shellfish restaurants (the best in the region) where oysters are a speciality.
A sailing trip is the best way to experience the breathtaking Elafiti Islands, which lie between the Pelješac and Lapad peninsulas. They used to be a popular destination for Dubrovnik's aristocrats, many of which had their summer residences on the islands.

There's lots to see, with the remains of old churches, residences and basilicas scattered all over. The peaceful islands have well preserved, natural surroundings and there's no traffic or crowds – the perfect getaway.

Koločep, Lopud and Šipan are the most popular (and the only inhabited) islands. If you don't want to sail, there are also regular ferry services from the port in Gruž.
Mljet Island is a little further off the beaten track, so there are fewer tourists and it's an even more peaceful experience. The island has a fascinating history and a wonderful natural heritage – don't miss Mljet National Park. The Nona Ana passenger ferry travels daily from Gruž port to Mljet.
Korčula is one of the Mediterranean's best preserved medieval towns and the birthplace of Marco Polo. This beautiful place has lots of little shops, cosy bars and great restaurants to explore, as well as meandering streets to wander along.

To get to Korčula, we recommend hiring a car and driving across the Pelješac peninsula to Orebic. You can park there and take the shuttle boat, which is a pleasant 15-minute ride directly to Korčula.

There's also a boat connection between Dubrovnik and Korčula, but it's not very good as it operates twice a week and only in summer time.
A newly independent country, Montenegro is found next to Croatia heading south along the coast. And it's really making a name for itself as another special destination to visit in the Adriatic.

This remarkable place is a wild land where the mountains drop straight into the sea. Delightful towns such as Kotor, Budva and Sveti Stefan cling to the breathtaking coastline.
Mostar is the capital of the Herzegovina region of Bosnia and Herzegovina, an alluring country in the heart of the western Balkans.

It has a cultural heritage inherited from many different civilisations. This multi-faceted city is completely unique – East meets West meet in a blend of oriental architecture, Mediterranean air and Balkan beauty.

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