One Day in Dubrovnik: How Much Can You Really See?

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There’s a reason why a day in Dubrovnik is on so many Mediterranean cruise itineraries. Widely known as the “Pearl of the Adriatic,” Dubrovnik Croatia has stunning tile-red roofs and ancient medieval stone walls jutting into the sparkling, azure blue Adriatic Sea.

It’s the top destination in the country, ranking among CNN’s list of the Ten Best Medieval Walled Cities. It’s also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Places to visit near Dubrovnik

Cruise ships dock far from the walled city, and plenty of taxis are waiting whenever they do. Our enterprising driver offered to take us around the region before visiting the walled city. Why not? After all, who knew when we might be back?

Dubrovnik city walls jutting into the Adriatic

1. Mount Srd

Our first stop was on a 412-foot-tall mountain that overlooks the city. Mt. Srd always makes the”things to do in Dubrovnik in one day” shortlist. It’s super easy to visit too, because a cable car runs directly from the city to the Napoleonic-era fort at the top.

Mt. Srd played an important role in the Siege of Dubrovnik. This was one of the fiercest battles of the 1991-1995 Croatian War of Independence. It offered the perfect vantage point from which to bombard the city.

Maybe it was a self-defense move, but the terminal for the cable car was one of their main targets. There was a positive result though, because the new terminal is much nicer.

The long queue for the cable car is worth it. Look at the spectacular views from the top!

Passengers in the Dubrovnik cable car and view from top of Mt Srd. this is a top must do, even on a one day Dubrovnik itinerary
On one side of Mt. Srd is the lovely view of the old town, Lokrum Island offshore, and the coastline along the vast and gorgeous blue sea.
Croatia's mountains outside Dubrovnik
On the fort’s other side is a different world of mountains as far as the eye can see.

The cable car stops at a building, and typically, it contains a gift shop. There’s also a small restaurant that is very clean and bright and surrounded by floor-to-ceiling glass windows.

If we had had more time, it would have been nice to sit with a refreshing drink and take in those fantastic views.

Mt Srd restaurant, from the outside

Gift shops are nice, but sometimes it’s more gratifying to buy a souvenir on the street. What would a tourist site be without vendors?

Vendor on Mt Srd, Dubrovnik

If you have the inclination and the energy, you can walk down to town from the top. (You can climb up, too, but unless you’re craving a serious workout, it’s probably not the best use of your time if you’re only in Dubrovnik for one day.)

2. Kupari

Next, we had the rare chance to glimpse a bit of Croatia’s stormy recent history. Our driver took us to Kupari, a once-thriving tourist destination nearby. Doesn’t this look like an inviting resort?

Kupari Croatia, view of hotel and ocean

Well, it was.

Get a little closer and you’ll see what Croatia’s war for independence cost her.

Hotel California, Kupari, Croatia

I felt sorry for the family who lost such a grand home as this.

Kupari home, bombed out

3. Cavtat

While 15 minutes was plenty of time for Kupari, the same couldn’t be said for our next stop. If a day in Dubrovnik doesn’t appeal to you, Cavtat (TSAV-taht) would make a nice Dubrovnik day trip. It is only 30 minutes away.

Trade offs. Exploring this quaint Croatian town meant we would have less time in Dubrovnik itself. Still, it was worth it to see what a typical Dalmatian tourist resort is like. We were enchanted.

ⓘ TIP: European tourists will spend their entire holiday Cavtat and other nearby resorts. Seems that there’s enough to do that going into Dubrovnik for one day is all they need. Check Dubrovnik-to-Cavtat transportation prices here.

Waterfront of Cavtat, Croatia

What to see in Dubrovnik in 1 day

Next stop: the walled city of Dubrovnik.

Dubrovnik has been a major seaport since the 13th century. After sustaining severe damage from an earthquake in 1667, the citizens chose to stay and rebuild. They restored everything, from the beautiful palaces and fountains to their Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque churches and monasteries. To my mind, this only adds to the city’s appeal.

It’s one thing to read about Dubrovnik in a Croatia travel guide, but nothing can match seeing it in person. We think the best way to get a sense of the size and vibe of a place like this is to walk through the city.

I have mixed feelings about our visit. Sure, it was fun exploring the city on our own, wandering about, checking out inviting doorways and intriguing nooks and crannies. But in retrospect, we could have made better use of our time if we’d started with a walking tour like this one. We were left wondering if we’d missed anything important.

If you fancy a guided tour, here are some interesting ones:

Entering Dubrovnik

The city’s defense construction begins outside the walls, with a bridge over the water.

Entering Dubrovnik

Once through the gate, we went in search of an ATM. It’s best to pay in cash because many places have a surcharge for using plastic.

ⓘ CROATIAN CURRENCY. Croatia’s official currency is the kuna. However, many hotels and restaurants will accept euros as a courtesy to foreign patrons. Take it from us: their exchange rates aren’t very good. It’s best to stop at an ATM and get some Kuna. If you’ll be in Croatia for a few days,you’ll use them up, especially if your travel itinerary includes Split, as ours did.

I’m a sucker for medieval walled cities, old churches, and cobbled streets. And so is Dan. He has a “thing” for interesting old doors and windows and has the copious photos to prove it.

He also never misses a chance to photograph people in interesting dress.

Here are a few images from our Dubrovnik photo album.

medieval doors and windows in Dubrovnik
Local woman selling her wares in Dubrovnik

Cuenca, Ecuador may show its half-millennium of use in its rustic walls, but Dubrovnik wears its age well. The shiny cobbled streets are polished through centuries of use, the locals are friendly and polite, and the buildings are in good repair, even after the recent war.

Another interesting note is that we saw no litter anywhere, even though the place was crawling with tourists.

Beautiful Orthodox churches

Religion is a huge part of Eastern European culture and there seems to be an Orthodox church at every turn. Dubrovnik is a delight for anyone who appreciates religious art.

Orthodox churches have the same setup, worldwide. Regardless of which country they’re in, you will always find:

  • an overhead dome with an image of Jesus,
  • Jesus’ disciples standing alongside him,
  • a golden front wall, the Iconostasion, between the congregants and the altar.
  • On the right-hand side of the Iconostasion you’ll always find the icons of Christ and John the Baptist.
  • On the left-hand side are always the icons of Mary and the patron saint of the church.
  • The Iconostasion always has three entrances to the altar: a center entrance which is called the Royal Door, flanked by a Deacon Door on either side.
Orthodox church in Dubrovnik

The beautifully crafted ikons and intricately painted portraits are impressive … but I have to confess that, as beautiful as it was, the phrase “graven images” kept popping into my head. Go figure.

One can’t help but be awed by the quality oft craftsmanship that went into everything. And even more astonishing is how much silver is on display. The talents and wealth they offered are a testament to how much they wanted to show their love for the Almighty.

religious ikon at an Eastern Orthodox church in Dubrovnik

Walking Dubrovnik’s walls

Walking the walls is #1 on the list of things to do in Dubrovnik. Just as in the Middle Ages, you can walk all along its walls and see the city and ocean from some 80 feet above ground level. Let me tell you, it makes for spectacular views of both the city’s interior and the Adriatic.

ⓘ TIP: For fewer crowds, walk the walls early in the morning or later in the afternoon. In the hotter months, the walls can get very hot and bright at midday. Dress coolly and remember to wear a hat and sunglasses.

tourists walking the walls of Dubrovnik

Swimming in Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is also a good place for sea, sun, and beach, and there are several nice beaches around the town one can enjoy. If you are tired of historical sites, you can spend a day in Dubrovnik lying on the soft sand, soaking up Adriatic rays, and swimming in the clear, blue waters. Just don’t forget a towel and your sunscreen!

a day in Dubrovnik on the beach

Eating in Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik has more than 60 sidewalk cafes and restaurants, so there’s no problem finding a place to eat. The hardest part was deciding where. Everything looked good.

Why travel to other parts of the world just to eat food we can get at home? We all wanted to sit outside in the beautiful October weather, but our lunch spot must serve local food and we had to see locals eating there. They also had to accept Euros, because that was all Celia and Jim had.

Anyway, we soon found ourselves outside a little cafe on a narrow side street. Like most restaurants in a tourist destination, ours had bilingual menus. (Well, actually they were multilingual; besides Croatian and English they were also in French and Spanish.)

Jackpot! They served local cuisine.

Croatian food to try in Dubrovnik

Glad you asked. Croatian cuisine differs depending on the region. Dubrovnik lies on the Dalmatian peninsula, that little sliver of Croatia that runs south along the Adriatic coastline. Dalmatian cuisine includes the best of the Mediterranean diet: fresh seafood, flavorful olive oils, fragrant herbs, and local red wines.

Being a seaport, elements of other regions’ cuisines have contributed to its uniqueness. We ordered grilled fish while Celia and Jim ordered an octopus dish. Our meals came with the traditional side of boiled potatoes drizzled with olive oil. (Swiss chard is also a traditional accompaniment, but alas, all we got was a salad.)

For a rare treat, try Croatian wine. Necause so much is consumed in the country, tt’s rarely exported.

ⓘ TIP: If you’d like to immerse yourself in Dubrovnik’s gastronomy, consider this 3-hour food and wine tour. Stroll down the ancient cobblestone streets of the city’s Old Town, stopping to visit some of its great sights and to taste the local specialties over a glass of local wine.

Seafood in Croatia
Photo courtesy of FoodSparks.blogspot.com.

Plan a day in Dubrovnik

See more: Enjoy more photos in our Dubrovnik photo gallery.

Want to hire a local guide? Get Your Guide offers unique tours and experiences, many priced per group, instead of per person. CHECK PRICES HERE.

Dubrovnik guide book and articles to read

Day trips from Dubrovnik

If you’ve already “been there, done that” and don’t want to spend another day in Dubrovnik, there are plenty of other things to do. For example:

The sky’s the limit!

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Written by Linda

Linda is multilingual and has been to over 50 countries. Her insatiable love of travel, cuisine, and foreign languages inspired her to create As We Saw It, where she documents her trips, shares practical itineraries, and offers insider tips. She’s passionate about helping fellow travelers save time, money, and hassle, and loves to discover new places to explore.

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50 thoughts on “One Day in Dubrovnik: How Much Can You Really See?”

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  1. Loved your post! Dubrovnik is indeed a very beautiful place to visit. I would love to see this old city aka “King’s Landing” in person. Ever since I saw it on GOT I have been intrigued by this city by the sea. And it’s also good to know that there are other places to visit as well. You have basically summed it all up but if it were up to me I would want to stay longer to fully appreciate its beauty.

  2. Hi Linda,

    Magical images you snap!

    We are back in the US now to see fam but thought strongly about visiting Dubrovnik after our recent trip to Cyprus and Istanbul.

    Another trip perhaps 😉

    Thanks for the fabulous share. Can’t get over those peaceful, blue-blue-blue waters.

    Ryan

    • Hi Ryan,

      It was great to hear from you again! What did you think of Istanbul? The city fascinates me. Coincidentally, we will be there at the end of our upcoming trip through the Czech Republic.

      Have not been to Cyprus yet, but I imagine the waters were just as incredible as the ones we saw in Dubrovnik and Cavtat. They both sure beat the Jersey Shore. 😉

      Linda

  3. O, a day in a gorgeous city like this would just be enough to leave me yearning for more. You’ve accomplished a lot however and that’s what we usually do too when you have very little time in a place. Dubrovnik has been on my radar for so long, but there is always something in the way and I never manage to get there. I wonder if winter would be a good time to visit it. I assume it must be very crowded in summer.

    • It certainly seemed crowded when we were there in October, but not horribly so. However as we understand it, the city becomes like a ghost town in the winter and only Dubrovnik’s citizens are about. If you were to visit you likely would seem a local, which might not be a bad thing, but the tradeoff would be that many restaurants and hotels might be closed for the season.

      I would imagine the city clears out in the evening after the cruise ships depart, leaving it open to those who can stay overnight. Just a thought.

    • You are fortunate to have had the luxury of three days; I still feel like we missed a lot. It would have been far more relaxing if we didn’t have a departure deadline. 🙂

        • Tourist areas ARE expensive, that’s for sure. Will you visit Split too? I highly recommend both it and nearby Trogir if you enjoy UNESCO sites.

          Also, Dubrovnik is not too far from Montenegro. If you make it over the border, don’t miss Kotor Bay. Dan had a great time there with his camera (check our Kotor photo gallery) and best of all, it’s a UNESCO site, too!

  4. Wow! This place is absolutely stunning!! I especially love the first picture. It must have been a real treat to stroll around the streets, take the cable car to the top, and be surrounded with so much history. And the fact that it is so close to the water must have been an added bonus!!

  5. Beautiful pics, even the abandoned buildings look like they have a fascinating story to tell. Hopefully I’ll be able to make a trip here in the next couple of years…putting this on my list! We follow each other on Twitter and I’m glad I finally had a chance to stop by. Great posts!

  6. What cruise were you on? I stuck to the walls and interior of the old city, but I looked with longing out wards during my own “one day.” But I was more motivated by gelato and the cool interior of churches after circumnavigating the wall in August.

    • We were on Holland America’s Rotterdam. I’ve read that the walls are ridiculously hot in the summertime and can’t blame you for fleeing to cool off in the churches.

  7. Great report – and even better photos. I must admit, it would break
    my heart to only have one day in such an amazing city.
    But there you go, that’s the nature of cruise ships, I guess.
    You did well to find time to visit Cavtat, which I agree is a quaint
    and charming town with superb walks around the peninsula.

    No mention of the Franciscan monastery and really old working pharmacy
    housed inside? That’s a blow – you’ll just have to go back sometime !! 😉

    • I could spend hours in places like that, Jon, and that would’ve been hard since we were with other people. We do want to go back and that’s on our list! Is there anywhere else nearby that we shouldn’t miss?

    • Thanks. We’ve only seen a tiny corner of Croatia, but the photos of the rest of the country have put it on our list too!

  8. What is it about seaside villages that capture the imagination and fuel the yearn to travel? Your pictures of Dubrovnik definitely fuel the yearning.

  9. This is a wonderfully informative post. Dubrovnik is top on my places to visit this year after seeing it on Game of Thrones. Could they have been filming there when you visited I wonder?!

  10. Wow, you packed a lot in! I was in Dubrovnik last year around this time, before the cruise ships arrived. We got peaceful, sunny days and no lines! Heard loads of great things about Catvat, but decided to go to Montenegro instead.

  11. I’ve got to admit, I’m a sucker for pictures of interesting doors and windows. Dan captured some unique ones. You added wonderful in-depth history that brought life to each town for me. Can’t wait to see the next stop of your cruise.

  12. Our son visited Dubrovinik last year as well and it was one of his favorite cities in Eastern Europe. He was not young enough to remember the horrible war that occurred when Yugoslovia broke up, so it was a real learning experience for him. Nice photos.

  13. I’ve never even though of visiting Dubrovnik until now. It reminds me a little of Malta, but even more beautiful. Your photos are amazing. Thanks for sharing 🙂

  14. Looks like you had a great day! We stopped in Dubrovnik during a cruise as well- but only stayed within the city walls. I wish we had more time to explore like you did1

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