How to Spend 2 Days in Dubrovnik: PERFECT Dubrovnik Itinerary!
Are you planning a trip to Croatia and wondering how to spend 2 days in Dubrovnik?
Nestled along the shimmering Adriatic Sea, Dubrovnik is a jewel of Croatia, renowned for its rich history, stunning architecture, and breathtaking coastal views. With its compact size, two full days is the perfect amount of time to soak up the city’s charm without feeling too rushed.
In this blog post, I will cover exactly how to spend 2 days in Dubrovnik, from strolling atop the historic City Walls to ascending Mount Srd via cable car for panoramic views. This detailed itinerary will give you everything you need to plan your 2 days in Dubrovnik!
Whether you’re a history buff, a nature lover, or a die-hard Game of Thrones fan, Dubrovnik is the perfect destination to add to your European adventure!
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How to Spend 2 Days in Dubrovnik: The PERFECT Dubrovnik Itinerary for First-Timers!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Two Days Enough in Dubrovnik?
In my opinion, two full days in Dubrovnik is the absolute minimum amount of time you should spend in Dubrovnik! This itinerary assumes you are spending 2 nights in Dubrovnik so you have 2 full days (at least). If you have extra time in your itinerary, 3 days is even better and will give you time to relax a bit during your trip.
Is it Better to Go to Split or Dubrovnik First?
This totally depends on which airport you are flying into! If you are flying round trip out of the same airport, I recommend ENDING your trip in that city. For example, if you are flying in and out of Dubrovnik, I recommend heading straight to Split first, then ending your trip in Dubrovnik. My rule of thumb is to always be in the city you are flying out of the night before. I.e., you shouldn’t plan to drive from Split to Dubrovnik on the same day as your flight out of Dubrovnik. Accidents happen and things can go wrong!
Is It Worth Staying in Old Town Dubrovnik?
It depends! I actually stayed just outside of Old Town Dubrovnik in between the West Harbor and Fort Lovrijenac. Our Airbnb overlooked Pile Bay, which we loved! It was also very quiet in this area. However, if you want to be in the thick of the action, I recommend staying in Old Town.
Can You Spend a Week in Dubrovnik?
You could… but you probably don’t need to! Dubrovnik is relatively small, and in my opinion can be explored in 2-3 days. A week might be a little too much time in Dubrovnik, and I would recommend staying in another Croatian city instead of spending a full week in Dubrovnik!
Is Dubrovnik Worth Visiting?
ABSOLUTELY! Dubrovnik is one of my favorite European cities I’ve ever visited. It’s honestly hard to convey in words, but it feels like the perfect combination of Italy and Greece, with its own unique Croatian flare. I already want to go back to Dubrovnik!
Where to Stay in Dubrovnik
Before we get into exactly how to spend 2 days in Dubrovnik, I wanted to provide an overview of where to stay in Dubrovnik! When I was planning a trip to Dubrovnik, I did not understand the layout of the city very well. So, I am going to cover that here!
Staying in Old Town Dubrovnik
Old Town is the most popular area to stay in Dubrovnik. However, it is very small! You can walk from one end of Old Town to the other in less than 10 minutes. This is the area to stay if you want to be near the major sites, restaurants, and shops!
In case you don’t know a lot about Croatian history, this area actually dates back to the 7th century! It is pedestrian-only (no cars allowed), since you have to enter Old Town through one of three medieval gates (Buza, Ploče, or Pile).
This is because Old Town is surrounding by the iconic Dubrovnik City Walls! It is free to enter Old Town; however, you have to pay to explore the Walls themselves (more on that later).
As you can see on the map below, the majority of places to stay in Dubrovnik are congregated in Old Town (Old Town is the large peninsula in the middle). Because it is so historic and tiny, you won’t find any traditional, big name hotels in Old Town. Instead, Old Town has a collection of apartment rentals and boutique hotels.
You can book places to stay in Old Town on Booking.com or VRBO easily! Just remember, European apartments are typically much smaller than American ones, so plan accordingly!
Staying Outside of Old Town Dubrovnik
As you can also see on the map above, there are still places to stay outside of Old Town, just far fewer!
If you are looking to stay in traditional chain hotel, there is a Hilton right outside Old Town, the Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik. It is highly-rated and absolutely stunning! (This is where the Game of Thrones cast stayed during filming in Dubrovnik!)
Instead of a hotel, we decided to stay in this Airbnb in Pile Bay, located right outside the Pile Gate leading into Old Town. Pile Bay sits in between Old Town and Fort Lovrijenac and is relatively quiet, since there are only a few restaurants in the area.
This is the perfect area to stay if you want to be near the action, but not right in the thick of it.
Note for Game of Thrones fans: Pile Bay stood in as Blackwater Bay, so this area is a popular starting point for Game of Thrones tours in Dubrovnik!
There is also the east side of Dubrovnik outside of Old Town! The further away you get from Old Town, the more room there is, so you will find more traditional “hotels” here. One example is the iconic Hotel Excelsior, which offers stunning views of Old Town from afar!
However, if you only have 2 days in Dubrovnik, I highly recommend staying as close to Old Town as possible (or within it), in order to maximize your time!
Day 1: Walking Tour + Lokrum Island + Explore Old Town
Now that you have a general understanding of the area, let’s get into exactly how I recommend spending 2 days in Dubrovnik!
As mentioned earlier, this itinerary assumes you have two FULL days in Dubrovnik, which requires you to stay at least 2 nights in the area (3 is even better).
Morning: Walking Tour or Sea Kayaking
Start your first morning in Dubrovnik by taking a walking tour of the city. I personally recommend doing a Game of Thrones walking tour. If you’ve seen the show, visiting Dubrovnik is like being transported directly to King’s Landing.
We loved going on a Game of Thrones walking tour and learning more about the filming of the show from a local’s perspective. Game of Thrones had a huge impact on Dubrovnik (both pros and cons), and the locals that run these tours have so much behind the scenes knowledge to share.
You can read more about the different Game of Thrones walking tours, as well where the iconic Game of Thrones film locations are, in my Ultimate Game of Thrones Dubrovnik Guide!
If you have zero interest in Game of Thrones or its filming in Croatia, no worries! There are plenty of other walking tours around town, especially if you are a history lover.
Or, consider going on a kayaking tour, where you can experience the beautiful Adriatic Sea! Check out this blog post from my friend Jo about the best kayaking tours in Dubrovnik!
Afternoon: Lokrum Island
Some Game of Thrones walking tours include a visit to Lokrum Island; however, this island is worth visiting even if you are not a fan of the show!
Located right off the coast of Dubrovnik, you will get to Lokrum Island via a quick, 10-minute ferry ride. The ferry leaves from the Old Port of Dubrovnik on the east side of Old Town. As of 2024, tickets for the ferry cost €27 for adults, €5 for children, and free for kids under 5.
This price includes the cost of the ferry, as well as entrance fees to the preserve. Tickets can be purchased in advance online or directly from the pier in person!
Once you’re on the island, there are plenty of things to do fill an afternoon. I highly recommend visiting the Benedictine Monastery Ruins and swimming in the sea while you are there! There is also a “little Dead Sea” located on the northwest side of the island that is fun to take a dip in.
You can also hike to Fort Royal on the eastern edge of the island if you are looking for some exercise!
Once you’ve had your fill on Lokrum, make your way back to Old Town Dubrovnik via the same ferry. Currently, the last boat leaves at 6pm from Lokrum, so don’t miss it!
Evening: Buza Bar + Dinner in Old Town
When you arrive back in Old Town, make your way to the famous Buza Bar to grab drinks and watch the sunset on the Adriatic!
Buza Bar is slightly hidden from view, as you’ll need to go through an opening in the Dubrovnik Walls to get there. Make sure to bring cash, as they do not accept cards!
If you’re feeling extra adventurous, you can even cliff jump into the ocean here! Or just go for a swim.
After the sun goes down, head back into Old Town and grab dinner at one of the trendy restaurants with outdoor seating, like ARKA, Poklisar Restaurant, or Restaurant Kopun.
Day 2: City Walls + Cable Car + Dinner with a View
Morning: Old Town Dubrovnik City Walls
Since you only have 2 days in Dubrovnik, I highly recommend waking up as early as possible on Day 2 to maximize your time!
As soon as you wake up, head straight into Old Town through Pile Gate and grab breakfast at Holy Burek! If you didn’t know, bureks are traditional Eastern European breakfast pastries, typically filled with meat, potatoes, cheese, spinach, or a combination! So yummy!
You’ll need your fuel this morning, since after breakfast you’ll be exploring the iconic Dubrovnik City Walls! These walls were built over the course of several centuries and are some of the most well-preserved fortification systems in all of Europe.
Walking along the wall will immediately transport you to medieval times, and you’ll be treated to panoramic views of the city and the sea!
I recommend entering the Walls right at the Pile Gate. Here, you’ll find booths where you can purchase your tickets. Or, if you’ve purchased the Dubrovnik Pass, entrance is included, and they cost the same (35 euros!).
Some must-see sights when you walk along the Walls are Minceta Tower, the highest point along the walls, and Fort Bokar.
P.S. Both of these spots are also Game of Thrones film locations. Make sure to check out my Game of Thrones Croatia Guide for other spots around the country to check out for GoT lovers!
Along the way, you can also find informational plaques that provide insight into the history and significance of the various landmarks you’ll encounter!
The time it takes to walk the entire length of the Dubrovnik city walls varies depending on your pace and how often you stop to admire the views and take photos. On average, most people spend about 1.5 to 2 hours to complete the full loop.
Make sure to bring plenty of water and wear sunscreen, as there is little to no shade and few places to stop for refreshments!
Afternoon: Cable Car to Mount Srd + Lunch
After your morning on the City Walls, you’ve probably worked up an appetite!! It’s time to eat lunch at one of the most iconic restaurants in Dubrovnik.
But first, you’ll need to head up to the top of Mount Srd! To do this, you’ll be taking the Dubrovnik Cable Car. To get here, head outside of Old Town through the Buza Gate and follow the signs toward the cable car lift!
Note: The Dubrovnik Cable Car is only open from March through October, and the start and end times vary depending on the time of year.
The cost of the cable car is €27 for adults, €7 for children 4 – 12, and free for children under 4! You can buy tickets right at the base of the cable car, so don’t worry about purchasing in advance.
However, I do recommend making a reservation in advance for lunch at the Panorama Restaurant and Bar, especially if you want a seat on the edge! This restaurant offers some of the most stunning views in all of Dubrovnik and was one of my favorite things we did while there.
You can spend a few hours here eating lunch and enjoying the view from the top of Mount Srd. If you’re interested, you can even go on a panoramic zip-line here!
Evening: Swimming + Dinner
After lunch, head back down on the cable car into Old Town. If you haven’t done any souvenir shopping yet, now is a great time to do so.
Before dinner, I recommend heading to the Dubrovnik West Harbor, also known as Pile Bay, and going for a quick dip in the sea! When we visited in late September, the water was still plenty warm enough and SO clear.
We had been dreaming about swimming in this picturesque spot our whole time in Dubrovnik and knew we had to make it a reality before leaving. You can enter through a few different areas around the Bay where there are little stairs descending into the water!
You won’t have to venture far from here to finish off your two days in Dubrovnik! For dinner, I highly recommend splurging and visiting the famous Nautika Restaurant. When it comes to fine dining with a view, Nautika is the obvious choice!
This Michelin-star restaurant offers an exquisite culinary experience coupled with breathtaking sunset views of the Adriatic Sea and the Old Town walls as you look out on Pile Bay.
The ambiance here is certainly worth the high prices, especially as a way to finish off your 2 days in Dubrovnik and end your Croatian adventure!
If this spot is out of your budget, another great option to check out is the Banje Beach Restaurant. We ate here on our first night in Dubrovnik and loved the ambiance.
You’ll get to dine right on the beach and enjoy picturesque views of Old Town. Also, in the summer months, this restaurant turns into a great nightlife scene later in the evening!
Optional Add-Ons + Final Thoughts
Before we wrap up this 2 Day Dubrovnik itinerary, I wanted to touch on some optional itinerary add-ons in case you have more than 2 days in Dubrovnik!
There are plenty of other beautiful Croatian towns that make great day trips from Dubrovnik. Consider visiting spots like Cavtat or Korcula if you have time. Or, if you want to cross a few other countries off your bucket list, you can even do day trips to neighboring Bosnia and Herzegovina or Montenegro.
Lastly, there’s also Plitvice Lakes National Park or Krka National Park. However, these are quite far from Dubrovnik and make much better day trips from Split!
If you are interested in planning a Croatia road trip, make sure to check out my 7 Day Croatia itinerary for first-timers!
And that’s a wrap on this 2 Day Dubrovnik Itinerary! Dubrovnik is one of my favorite European cities, and I can’t wait for you to experience it too!
Don’t forget to pin this post for future planning!
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