If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to live your whole life in one of the most beautiful places on the Adriatic Coast, this article about how to spend 3 days in Dubrovnik will hopefully give you a glimpse of it.
There is something dreamy about this town, and I really want you to experience it for yourself. So, in this article, you will get to see Dubrovnik from a local perspective and explore what to do in 3 days in Dubrovnik for a trip to remember.
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Day 1
Dubrovnik Old Town
There’s no better way to start your first of 3 days in Dubrovnik than to stroll through the Old Town. The Old Town is relatively small, so it will not take you long to walk through it.
Once on the main street, or Stradun, you feel as though you’re traveling back in time, with all the beautiful architecture surrounding you.
When you enter the Old Town, there is a big fountain on the right side, which is called Onofrio’s Fountain. This was a water source in the past, which still functions today. So, if you need some fresh water, you can get it there.
Moving on, on the left side, there’s a place I really love, the Franciscan Monastery. The latter houses one of the oldest pharmacies in Europe.
The monastery’s courtyard is beautiful and peaceful. It has 120 columns, which are all very similar but different at the same time.
Near the end of Stradun, you will find Rector’s Palace. The Old Republic of Dubrovnik was known for its diplomacy and unique way of ruling. To prevent corruption, the rector changed every month.
That way, no rector could establish their power or abuse their position. Inside Rector’s Palace, there’s the Cultural History Museum, which shows everyday life from the Republic era.
We used to go there as kids on a school trip, and the most interesting place was, of course, the dungeon.
Although the Republic was most famous for its diplomatic skills, it was a maritime force as well. Due to its geographical position, Dubrovnik was great for trading, and that is exactly what people have been doing for centuries.
Even nowadays, Dubrovnik is connected to its maritime roots, as a lot of people work in this industry. To understand Dubrovnik’s connection with the sea, the Maritime Museum is a good place to start.
You can find a lot of treasures in the museum, such as old books or personal belongings of the sailors from that time, but also learn stories about how locals built Karaka, a type of ship that was used in the past.
After a little stroll through the city, a must-do is to enjoy a drink at one of the bars on Stradun. I usually go to Stradoon or La Bodega; both are perfectly located for people watching.
After taking in the beauty of the town, the best way to see it from another perspective is by visiting the Walls.
Old Town Walls
The Walls can be entered from a few different locations, but the best way is to enter right at the beginning, near Onofrio’s Fountain. You will see that the town looks completely different from here.
The Walls were built to protect the city in the past. They served their purpose, as only one person managed to conquer Dubrovnik. That was no other than Napoleon Bonaparte in the 19th century.
Usually, the duration of the walk on the Walls is up to two hours, but it depends on your pace. The Walls are almost 1.2 miles long and consist of four fortresses: Minceta, Bokar, St.John, and Revelin.
Banje Beach
Nothing beats enjoying the sun and sea after a stroll along the City Walls. Beach time is very important to locals here in Dubrovnik. The beach isn’t just a place to swim and get your skin tanned (or burned). It’s a place where people hang out.
I go to the beach almost every day, and it’s just a way of life. Banje Beach is one of the most spectacular beaches in Dubrovnik, because it is located just a few minutes from Ploce Gate, the eastern entrance to the Old Town.
There’s a restaurant and a bar on site, which is really convenient, especially if you want to escape the sun at some point, as the heat gets pretty intense around 1 PM in the summer.
When you look at the Old Town from Banje Beach, you have a view of the Old Port, and it almost looks like you can touch it. There is a combination of pebbles and sand on Banje. The majority of beaches in the area are either rocky or pebbly.
St. Jacob’s Beach
Another beach that has a combination of pebbles and sand is St. Jacob’s Beach.
This beach also offers a spectacular view of the Old Town, but it is a bit farther away, and it has a never-ending staircase to get to.
Getting there is easy, but getting back feels like a free workout. Yet, it’s definitely worth it. The beach has a restaurant and a bar on site, and you can rent beach beds to enjoy the whole afternoon there, like my friends and I often do.
Food Time
On a day full of sightseeing, it’s important to eat well, and I just love our cuisine. During the summer, I prefer light food, a lot of fish and vegetables, and a glass of wine here and there.
Proto Restaurant offers great food, especially seafood, and it’s an upscale restaurant.
Glorijet Restaurant offers delicious food with local ingredients, and it really gives a taste of how locals eat every day.
Pile Gate
The perfect ending to your first day in Dubrovnik is to have a drink or two at Pile Gate, the main entrance to the Old Town, which is always full of people. Right in the middle of Pile Gate, there are stairs that lead further inside Pile.
The Kop is a fantastic café there. It has an outdoor terrace a short distance from the pier in Pile, and you have a magnificent view of Lovrjenac Fortress. I don’t know why, but I really like spending time there.
When I was in high school, I would go there with my friends and we’d buy drinks and just sit there on the pier talking for hours, so I guess there is a sentimental value to it.
But, other than that, the whole ambience is just peaceful and laid-back, and it’s the perfect place to enjoy a couple of drinks and relax.
Day 2
Lokrum Island
Since we’ve seen a lot of things in the Old Town, it’s time for a little trip, but we are not going anywhere far.
Lokrum Island is located across the Old Town. There’s a boat going from the Old Port to the island every half hour, offering the perfect opportunity for a little getaway. I go to Lokrum on a regular basis with my friends.
Lokrum has a lot of different beaches, but they’re all rocky. There are a few restaurants and bars.
There is one place called the Dead Sea on the island. It’s like a lake, but it’s connected to the open sea through channels below the ground. The sea there is always warmer and saltier than in the open sea.
One interesting fact is that there are a lot of peacocks on the island, which really gives a feeling of luxury, almost like you are in a royal resort.
The most interesting thing about the island is the story behind it. As there’s a Benedictine Monastery on the island, the story is that Benedictine monks cursed the island before they were forced to leave.
According to this curse, anyone who tried to claim and own the island would end up dying under strange circumstances, or weird things would start happening to them.
Throughout history, there have been a lot of stories of people who owned the island for some time and experienced tragic situations in their lives.
When I was little, I would hear stories like, nobody can spend the night on the island, and if you do, you will hear strange sounds or see ghosts, so I never had the courage to check these rumours for myself. The last ferry from the island leaves at 7 PM anyway.
You can visit the little museum at the monastery, which can give you more details about the curse.
Alternatively, there’s also a botanical garden in Lokrum, and of course, a Game of Thrones Museum with an original throne, which was a gift to the town.
When it’s time to get back to the mainland for lunch, Lucin Kantun is an excellent place to grab a bite.
The food is delicious, and the setting gives you the feeling that you’re in your grandmother’s house, about to eat a lot of good food.
Cable Car & Mount Srdj
After the most delicious meal ever, it’s time for a new adventure.
Since we all feel a little bit sleepy after a meal and don’t want to be bothered, but just want to enjoy the views and think about life, or think about nothing, there is only one thing that should be done, and that’s visiting Mount Srdj.
The easiest way to get there would be to use the cable car. The cable car station is located just 5 minutes from the east entrance of the Old Town (Ploce Gate).
Tickets can be purchased either on the spot or in advance via the website. The cable car ride to Mount Srdj is really smooth. In just a couple of minutes, you are at the top of Mount Srdj.
Now, if you think that the view from the Walls is great, wait until you see the view from Srdj. It’s breathtaking, and I just cannot use the proper words to describe it; you have to see it for yourself.
There’s a restaurant on site called Panorama, which is very exclusive and very hard to get a reservation. Therefore, if you’re considering it, please be sure to book in advance via their website a few months ahead of time.
There’s also a Homeland War Museum on Srdj if you would like to visit or know more about the Homeland War in this area.
After taking in the views from Srdj, it’s time to go back.
We will wrap up Day 2 with a dinner at Port 22, which offers astonishing views of the Old Port, and is located above the local swimming place, called Komarda, and then a drink at M’arden.
M’arden is a beautiful wine bar in a garden in the Old Town, and it really feels like you are not in the heart of the town.
It is so peaceful and relaxing, and the waiters are exceptional. If you need recommendations, they will know how to accommodate your needs.
Day 3
Fratellos Bar
As we are nearing the end of this beautiful journey, we will spend this day in a fun way. First things first: coffee time at Fratellos Bar.
This bar is located on Boninovo Street, which leads to the Old Town, and it is a beautiful place to start your last of 3 days in Dubrovnik.
Elaphiti Islands
It’s time to have a real adventure today, and we will do so by visiting the Elaphiti Islands by a private boat. There’s also a public boat that goes from one island to the next, but a private boat is a far more rewarding experience.
The Elaphiti Islands consist of three larger islands: Kolocep, Lopud, and Sipan, and a few smaller ones.
Kolocep is the smallest among the three and the first you’ll visit. It’s most popular for the Blue Cave, which people like to visit and swim around.
The second one is Lopud, which is popular for its sandy beach, named Sunj, and rich culture, like old monasteries and churches. Lopud is a great place for a little exploration.
The last island is the largest. Sipan is known for its stone houses and vineyards, which give a true traditional atmosphere. You can see how islanders live nowadays, as it is the most populated of the three islands.
As for our little boat trip, we will first visit Kolocep to see the Blue Cave and take a little swim.
After some time in Kolocep, we will head to Sunj beach on Lopud and get on the beach for some amateur volleyball, which is very popular among both locals and tourists while on the beach.
There is a bar and restaurant on site, so grabbing a quick drink is a great idea, especially when you are exposed to the sun for quite some time.
After having fun in the sun, it’s time to visit Sipan. Sipan has two main villages: Port of Sipan and Sudurad, and we will visit Sudurad since it’s the more authentic of the two.
It’s always great to walk around these little places as you can find local houses that offer a wine tasting, usually followed by snacks prepared with local ingredients.
One of those is Vina Sipan, where you can try wines and get some info about the wine-making process.
After trying some wines, our favorite part of the trip is the food. Usually, the best place to eat is either Marko’s Konoba in Port of Sipan, or restaurants La Vila or Dubrovnik on Lopud. In each, you can find fresh fish and local ingredients.
The duration of this trip is about seven to eight hours, and the return time is usually around sunset, the perfect time to see the colors of the golden hour.
Buza Bar
After getting on the mainland again and having a little rest, we will wrap up our day with a drink at Buza Bar.
Buza Bar is a relatively hidden bar, offering a spectacular sea view. The atmosphere is really laid-back and it’s a fantastic spot to enjoy a cocktail after a long day trip.
You can also have a swim if you want to, as there’s access to the sea, but it’s recommended to only swim during the day, not at night, as the bar is located basically on the cliff, and it can be wavy sometimes during the night.
So, I guess this is the end of our little adventure in 3 days in Dubrovnik. Dubrovnik is a town that has a lot to offer, but other than its architecture, beauty, views, and food, the really important part is the people who live there.
To experience Dubrovnik to the fullest means surrendering to the Adriatic lifestyle and forgetting all the worries and work you have left at home, and just enjoying the moment to the fullest.
Adriatic Destination Expert & Dubrovnik City Host