Travel to Croatia: My Best Places to Visit in Dubrovnik

Planning a trip to Dubrovnik, Croatia?
Well, let me confirm—this destination absolutely delivers. Think sun, sea, and… a surprising amount of rocks (seriously, bring good beach shoes). With ancient walls, shimmering waters, and traditional Croatian food that pushed us out of our comfort zones in the best way, Dubrovnik charmed us at every turn.

We spent six days in June celebrating my friend’s birthday in this coastal beauty—soaking up the sights, sipping cocktails, and collecting stories worth telling twice. Here’s a peek into our highlights, adventures, and a whole lot of Adriatic magic.

You’ll find all my stories and honest takes on the must-do activities and best places I visited in Dubrovnik, Croatia below.

Enjoy reading!
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Ready, set, paddle—Dubrovnik style

As a big fan of water activities, it’s no surprise my top favourites often involve being in, on, or near the water. That said, there’s still plenty to see and do in Dubrovnik that doesn’t require getting wet—just keep reading for more inspiration.

Kayaking is one of my absolute loves, and living by the sea, I’ve been meaning to get myself an inflatable kayak for ages. So far, I’ve paddled near Cluj-Napoca in Romania, Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic, Snowdonia National Park in Wales, and now Dubrovnik, Croatia. The views you get from the water are always incredible, but let me warn you: sea kayaking is not for the faint-hearted. Prepare for a touch of aching arms, especially if you’re fighting against the Adriatic Sea current.

Our activity started near the famous Game of Thrones filming location for King’s Landing, West Harbour. Then we paddled around Dubrovnik’s magnificent old city walls, past the bustling port, over to the small but cute Betina Cave for a rest, near Lokrum Island, and then back again. Seeing the city from the sea was just beautiful. Our guide was fantastic—supportive, enthusiastic, and full of great stories that made the whole experience even better.

Island charm: where peacocks have more attitude than tourists

On Lokrum, every path comes with a feathered surprise — friendly (and not-so-shy) peacocks strutting around like they own the place. Don’t be surprised if one joins you while sunbathing! This nature escape is perfect for half a day—or a full one. We spent six hours there and still didn’t see everything, but we hit all the best spots.

Catch a ferry from Dubrovnik’s Old Town port—grab an ice cream or coffee while you wait. Return tickets are €30, easy to buy in person (or online), and ferries run every 30–60 minutes.

My favourite spot on the island was The Dead Sea (more like a giant pond). I love swimming, but choppy seas make me anxious. Floating here was the total opposite: calm, gentle, and pure tranquillity. Perfect for a bit of sunbathing, slow strokes, and even swimming alongside little fish friends.

Make sure you grab a seat on the iconic GoT Iron Throne! The replica sits inside the Benedictine Monastery, which also hosts an exhibition on the island’s history — and yes, that’s where you’ll find the Throne Room itself. Perfect chance to channel your inner ruler of the Seven Kingdoms.

Unwind while hopping around the island’s greatest spots — cute animals, jaw-dropping views, a sprinkle of history, a dash of nature… and yes, even a cheeky nude beach if you’re feeling brave!

It’s bougie, it’s beautiful, and yes—you absolutely deserve it 💁‍♀️

I highly recommend reserving a table at Panorama Rooftop Restaurant and Bar—this was truly an experience like no other. The views over the Old Town and Lokrum Island? Unreal. (Don’t just take my word for it—check out my photos. Though, full disclosure: great weather definitely helps!)

I had a delicious steak sandwich (not exactly Croatian, I know) and an iced coffee, which came to just over €30. For lunch, plus a drink, expect to spend somewhere between €30-€45. Fancy? Yes. Worth it? Every bite, every view, every penny.

The staff were super helpful too—even though we accidentally booked our reservation for the wrong date, they sorted everything out and even upgraded us to a balcony view. Perfect outcome – I was clearly manifesting positive energy for me and my friends!

If rooftop dining isn’t your cup of tea—or should I say, your glass of cocktail—you can always take the cable car up Mount Srđ or, if you’re feeling adventurous, hike it.

Il Vento is a hidden gem for relaxation—so good, we went twice!

Best €10 I’ve ever spent! A whole day on a rooftop lounger with a poolside bar, restaurant, shower facilities, and killer views over the port — absolute steal. With the sun blazing, it was the perfect combo of topping up the tan, cooling off in the pool, and sipping on strawberry daiquiris like it was my full-time job. No wonder it became our favourite hangout.

This gorgeous rooftop pool bar is situated in Lapad, Dubrovnik, which is where we stayed. We chose an apartment here since it was more budget-friendly than the Old Town accommodations, but just as lovely. Lapad has plenty of great restaurants, beaches, and — bonus — it’s also where the cave-hopping tour picks you up from. Just a 10–20 minute taxi ride into Old Town, it’s close enough without the crowds and tourist prices.

If I were in Dubrovnik again, my future self would definitely come back here.

From fortresses to film sets—expect history, charm, and a bit of Tyrion Lannister energy

I hope you’ve seen Game of Thrones, because you’ll love this. Walking through Pile Gate, the GoT soundtrack played on accordions makes it feel like you’ve stepped onto set. We skipped a tour and explored Old Town like mini Doras (backpacks and all), naturally stumbling across filming locations along the way.

Most filming spots in Dubrovnik are so recognisable you’ll feel like you’ve been dropped straight into Westeros. Fort Lovrijenac (The Red Keep), Pile Gate, and West Harbour (King’s Landing) are all right next to each other, making it a triple win for sightseeing.

As you stroll down the Stradun, veer right into a cobbled side street before the Old Town Port. By night, it’s buzzing with Irish pubs, but by day you’ll find the iconic Walk of Shame at the Jesuit Stairs. At the top, the stunning Church of St. Ignatius awaits, and right opposite is Kopun, famous for its rooster dishes. History, culture, and a feast fit for a Lannister — who knew Dubrovnik could serve up this much drama and flavour?

Walk in the footsteps of Tyrion and Varys as you stroll along the city walls, taking in Minčeta Tower (House of the Undying) and Fort Bokar.

I gave this 4.5 instead of 5 because it was a bit pricey—even for a tourist spot. I don’t usually mind spending on trips, but this one stood out. That said, the €40 city walls walk is absolutely worth it as a one-time experience.

Soaking up the Adriatic… one pruney toe at a time

All I’m going to say is: make sure you can swim. Yes, it’s a must if you want to enter the caves of Koločep. Sure, there are inflatables, but you’ll still need some basic swimming skills. And another thing—brace yourself for the cold! Even with the sun blazing (and I got sunburnt), the Adriatic Sea will wake you up faster than your morning coffee. But once you’re splashing around like a little fish, you’ll warm up. Just keep swimming (as Dory says).

We booked our trip through GetYourGuide, and honestly, our guide was great—keeping us stocked with drinks, super friendly, and throwing in some wild, bumpy speedboat rides for good measure. First stop: the Blue Cave found on Koločep island. We learnt that its glow comes from sunlight hitting the sand, casting this magical green aura across the cave bed. But here’s a tip—make sure the sun is out, otherwise you’ll walk into full-on Batcave mode: dark, gloomy, and just a tiny bit creepy.

Next up was the Three Green Caves, which has multiple areas to swim in, each unique, also on the same island. Oh, and did I mention there’s snorkelling too? It was an incredible experience—exploring winding cave corridors, squeezing through tight spots, and swimming alongside shoals of fish.

Island girl energy: powered by saltwater and sunshine

The last stop of our cave tour was the perfect chance to relax at Sunj Beach on Lopud Island. We only wish we had more time here—we had our eyes on the buggy tour around the island, but with just one hour, we couldn’t fit it all in (sadly, you can’t have it all). Instead, we made the most of it—swimming some more, sunbathing some more, sipping more cocktails, eating more food, and, of course, taking more photos. After all that cave swimming, which surprisingly takes it out of you, this was the ideal lunch spot to kick back on the sun loungers.

Our tour guide and boat driver was a legend. I cheekily asked if I could have a go at steering, and he actually let me and my friends take turns—under very close supervision, of course. It was the perfect way to wrap up the whole Pirates of the Caribbean Dubrovnik adventure.

Sunset Beach – Where the Sun Hits Just Right

The first beach we visited in Croatia was Sunset Beach, also known as Uvala Lapad Beach, and honestly, it set the tone for the trip perfectly. The vibe was lively yet laid-back — the kind of place buzzing with people but still calm enough to stretch out, breathe in the Adriatic sea air, and just take it all in. The water shimmered beautifully under the sun’s rays, and while the shoreline itself was stony (a bit tough on the toes, especially since I had no beach shoes), the further you swam out, the more you’d find little sandy patches hidden beneath the waves. Trust me, those sandy spots felt like pure relief after tiptoeing over pebbles.

To get to Sunset Beach, you stroll down a long street lined with restaurants, shops, and sweet vendors — the kind of walk where you’re tempted to stop every five steps for gelato, churros, or something tasty. At the very top of the street sits one of my absolute favourite restaurants from the whole trip: Pino’s Dubrovnik. I ordered the Pag Island lamb gnocchi with red wine sauce and cheese foam… and I’m still dreaming about it today. The flavours were unreal — rich, comforting, and honestly unforgettable. If you’re heading there, make sure you treat yourself to that dish. Highly, highly recommend!

Banje Beach – Killer Views & Bustling Vibes

If there’s one beach in Dubrovnik that knows how to flaunt it, it’s Banje. Just a few steps from Old Town, you can exit and tick off the Ploce Gate, this hotspot is always buzzing — and the views? Unreal. Dubrovnik’s city walls on one side, the Adriatic sparkling on the other… honestly, it could give King’s Landing a run for its money. Yes, it’s busy, but when the backdrop is this iconic, you’ll almost forget the crowds. And if you’re not on a budget, the Banje Beach Club might be your kind of scene.

That said, Plaža Banje was probably my least favourite of Dubrovnik’s beaches compared to Sunset Beach (Lapad) and Sunj Beach (Lopud Island). The reason? Space. Or rather, the lack of it. The beach itself is small, so finding a patch of sand for your towel is a bit of a mission. Outside the club area, we felt more like tinned sardines than sunbathers. If you’re hoping for a long walk along the shoreline, forget it — you won’t get very far. But let’s be real: most people come here for the views and the vibe, and on that front, Banje absolutely delivers.