11 Exciting Things to Do in Dubrovnik on a Budget

Dubrovnik is a fantastic city to start your Croatian holiday! With an airport only twenty minutes away, it’s super convenient and so many things to do in Dubrovnik. There are shuttle buses running all the time and Uber isn’t too expensive either. Dubrovnik is also great for anyone in Europe who has a long weekend or a few extra days off. Travel to this Unesco World Heritage site and enjoy everything it has to offer!

It was easily one of our favourite spots on our Croatian road trip. This was partially due to staying at one of the cutest Airbnb’s ever with one of the greatest hosts we have ever had. Also, we had the perfect balance of work and travel which is key for a digital nomad. 

We will share everything from cheap eats in Dubrovnik to the famous city wall and how to get it at a discounted price. Plus all our Dubrovnik tips we’ve learned from spending a week in this magical city.

Other related posts

• Which Company Is the Best for Sea Kayaking in Dubrovnik, Croatia
• Hiking in Dubrovnik – Mt Srd Scenic Hike
• A Fun Day Trip From Sibenik: Krka National Park
• 7 Important Things to Know When Driving to Kotor, Montenegro
• Things to Do in the Bay of Kotor, Montenegro

It’s fascinating to think that in 1991 the city was besieged by Serbian and Montenegrin Soldiers and today it’s one of the most popular destinations in the Mediterranean.

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Dubrovnik Card

Before we dive into the 11 things to do in Dubrovnik, we just want to share our best Dubrovnik tip that will save you a bunch of money. Get the Dubrovnik Card!

If you plan to see all the (historical) things Dubrovnik has to offer, getting the Dubrovnik card will end up saving you a bunch of money! We will explain a few of the places that are included in the Dubrovnik card throughout the post so you can see some of what’s included. Plus some awesome cheap eats in Dubrovnik that can be found at the back of the card.

If you buy the pass online you will get 10% off so the price (for 1 day) is 225 HRK or 32 USD instead of 250 HRK or 36 USD. It’s also possible to buy a multi-day pass for 3 days or 7 days. In our opinion, the pass is well worth the money!

If you decide to buy it online you have to go pick it up at the tourist information center just outside the pile gate (where all the buses go). On the map it most likely won’t show where the actual tourist office is, so we’ve inserted a map here for you.

This is where you can pick up the card.

Dubrovnik and its history

Dubrovnik is a beautiful city with a crazy history. When you go visit the city look up and check out the roofs. You can see which ones have been rebuilt after the bombings and attacks. There’s a clear color difference between the old orange-y rooftop tiles and the new red rooftops which is what you’ve probably seen some amazing IG pictures of.

Look down too. All over Dubrovnik, you can see that grenade have left marks in the stones and all over the walls. It’s so fascinating.

Nowadays Dubrovnik is known more for scenes from HBO’s Game of Thrones (King’s Landing), which we will talk more about below. We enjoyed our trip so much that we wanted to share 11 unique and fun things you’ll love to do in Dubrovnik.

Here are 11 Fun Things to do in Dubrovnik

1. Walk the Wall
2. Sea Kayaking
3. Fort Lovrijenac 
4. Ice Cream Tasting
5. Cliff Jumping 
6. Sunset at Mt Srb
7. Strolling through museums and Old Town
8. Have a drink at Ala Mizerija 
9. Day Trip to Lokrum Island
10. Game of Thrones Tour
11. Day trip to Kotor

1. Walk the Wall

The Dubrovnik city wall tour is one of the attractions included in the city pass we mentioned before. Definitely consider getting the pass before heading on the wall to save some money. You can spend hours on the wall, so try to plan it beforehand because it closes around six. It’s a loop track that gives you a 360-degree panoramic views of the old town, the ocean, beaches around Dubrovnik, and the city itself.

Since the loop takes about an hour or two to walk it’s a good idea to bring some water and snacks. You’re able to buy some on the wall but at a very touristy overpriced rate.

Another important thing to bring is your camera or phone. There are lots of great spots to get awesome pictures so always have your phone or camera ready. (I think we took over 200 pictures in the two hours haha!) The window of opportunity can be slim with the loop being a one-way track but take your time and wait for the right shot and you won’t be disappointed!

The stone walls have been considered to be amongst the great fortification systems of the Middle Ages. The walls span an area of 1940 meters and at some points 25 meters high. No wonder King’s Landing was such a safe place to live (GoT reference). 

Going up on the wall may seem a little pricey for a budget traveler but trust us: It’s money well spent. Living on the road we definitely try and find free options or do cheaper activities but this is one you don’t want to miss.

But this is an opportunity to save money since the Dubrovnik city wall costs 200 HRK or $29. But with the 10% online discount you can get a 1 day Dubrovnik card for 225 HRK or $32 which included bus tickets, entrance to 7 other museums, and awesome discounts for food and drinks in old town Dubrovnik. So YES it’s 100% worth getting the card and saving a whole lot of money.

2. Sea Kayaking

Who doesn’t like being out in the water on a hot sunny day? Especially when the views consist of ancient city walls, beaches, islands, and the stunning old town of Dubrovnik. That’s why we recommend sea kayaking in Dubrovnik to every friend that travels to this beautiful city.

We loved every single minute of it despite the pouring rain. The sea kayaking tour brings you along the Dubrovnik coast and allows you to see the city from the outside and what it would have been like sailing into the old town hundreds of years ago.

You’ll also end up on a beach that is only accessible by sea. If you’re lucky enough and get on the sunset kayak you’ll paddle back into the sunset. An experience we’ll definitely never forget and one you should definitely make!

3. Fort Lovrijenac

This fort that is located right outside of old town is another attraction included in the Dubrovnik Card. So the entrance fee for Fort Lovrijenac will be included in the price you paid for your 1,3,7 day pass. Otherwise the entrance fee will be 50 HRK or $7.

Fort Lovrijenac closes at 6:30 pm so make sure to plan properly if you’re trying to see everything in a day or two. You don’t need as much time for the fort as you do for the wall but you can easily spend a half hour there enjoying and taking in the beautiful ocean views and Dubrovnik beaches that can be seen in the distance.

It’s something you really don’t want to miss, especially if you’re a GoT fan. Lovrijenac fortress was actually a location for some of the filming of GoT which is really cool. Ask the staff once you are there about the few key scenes from the TV show that were filmed inside the fort! 😉 They may even have a book with some photos of the exact shots to refresh your memory.

Fort Lovrijenac actually also plays a significant importance in the history and defence of the city as well. It has two entrances to the city; by sea and by land, and it was built to keep the city under control by the citizens of the city to ensure it wasn’t overtaken by the Venetians way back in time.

Today it is more known for theater and hosting large events. The afternoon we visited Lovrijenac, a big Croatian business firm was having a party there, it looked wonderful. With a view over the ocean and the Old Town, it’s not a bad place to host a party.

The Lovrijenac fortress is also known for hosting weddings, so if you plan on getting married soon and want a locations with amazing views then this is the place.

4. Ice Cream Tasting

We are pretty spoiled with the amount of ice cream we eat. You know, ice cream and traveling just go together like peanut butter & jam, cheese & wine.

We tend to have quite the high standard for ice cream and Dubrovnik definitely didn’t disappoint! It was an absolute treat for our taste buds to try all the local shops. We’ll be honest with you… We probably tried half of the places in Old Town plus the shop right in front of Pile Gate. Guilty!

Our favourite was definitely Peppino’s Ice Cream Shop so make sure to stop by and either send us a picture or comment below what you thought about it and what flavor you got!

Another reason we have a soft spot for Dubrovnik’s ice cream is that we missed the last bus to our Airbnb and had to spend 3x the money to get home by Uber. UGH. So we decided to go get an ice cream at Dubravka 1836 in front of Pile Gate before we headed back to our place. So as we were ordering the ice cream the staff member was so friendly and when we went to pay told us that this one was on the house and made the night totally worth it.

5. Go Cliff Jumping

Ahh, cliff jumping! Let’s just say Jo wasn’t the most excited about (me) Dom going. (She’s scared of heights and the ocean. Great combo). Fortunately, there was a group of people jumping and it was completely safe. We don’t recommend it unless you feel comfortable though and we don’t advise it by any means.

It’s a bit of a maze to get there as Google Maps don’t work great in the Old Town but the easiest way is to put Buza Bar into your maps or even Dubrovnik cliff jumping bar and it will lead you in the right direction.

It may take some time but if you look for a hole in the wall near the spot on the map you will find a staircase that leads down to Buza Bar. It sounds more hidden than it is, but it’s honestly not that difficult to find.

If you’re brave enough to go tackle cliff jumping then head down below the seating area and you will find the spot where you can climb the rocks to go get your adrenaline rush!

It’s also a perfect spot to enjoy the sunset and to sit back and relax even if you’re not jumping. It can really get busy so you may want to go a little early and reserve a spot. Note that they only take cash here but you don’t have to order a drink if you don’t want to you can just go down to the bottom and enjoy the only place to go cliff jumping in Dubrovnik.

6. Watch the sunset at Mt Srd

Between the two of us, this is the best place to watch a sunset in Dubrovnik. The Mt Srd hike was probably our favourite adventure in Dubrovnik and this hike is a must for anyone in love with sunsets over the ocean.

Just above the city lies a hill that is accessible by a cable car. It was actually closed for a long time (until late June 2019) because the owner “forgot” to pay his taxes to the city. Personally we loved it because it was an excuse to hike up Mt Srd instead of taking the lazy way up! Plus it was FREE! =) If you’re looking to do some hiking in Dubrovnik then this is definitely your opportunity.

So you have three options to get to the top:

1. You can take the cable car for about 150-170 HRK. Sit back and relax while you take in the views.
2. Take an Uber or a taxi. It’s possible to take an Uber or a taxi for around 100 HRK or $14 to the top. Note that there’s only one lane from the bottom of the hill to the top so it might take a while and be pretty crowded and sketchy. So option 1 or 3 might be a better option for you.
3. Or you can hike up to the top of Mount Srd. Take the zig-zag footpath all the way to the top while enjoying the breathtaking views. This is the free option which is great for any budget travellers like us!

Mt Srd hike

The hike up is about 60-75 minutes from Pile Gate to the top.

The path to the top starts on the outskirts of the city and the trail is easily visible and accessible. There are lots of stops along the way where you can look back and admire the views.

We highly recommend going for sunset. With the sun setting behind all the islands out west this is truly something special. The only mistake we made was that we spent too much time at the top after the sun had set.

Once the sun sets it will get dark (surprise) quickly and that does make it challenging to make your way back down. So be smarter than us. Go a bit before sunset and leave shortly after so that you can actually see on the way down. And bring a charged phone so you can take some photos and use the flashlight on the way down.

We were just happy to go hiking in Dubrovnik because we didn’t really think there would be much hiking in the area and then we ended up finding this gem. Enjoy the pretty views!

Watching the sunset from mount Srd is a perfect activity for families or adventure seekers.

7. Stroll through museums and Old Town

If you have some extra time and are looking to learn about Dubrovnik and its history it’s time to make the best of your Dubrovnik Card. We hope you’re not annoyed about how many times we’ve mentioned it (the card) but it’s just the fact you save so much money with it that you need to get it. Having the card grants you a one time access to a bunch of museums in Dubrovnik, such as MoMAD, Natural History Museum, and Friars Minor Franciscan Monastery Museum.

They may not all be intriguing for you but even if you have to use the bathroom instead of paying at a public bathroom you can take advantage of the card. We’d go to a museum or two just because we had to go to the bathroom and ended up staying for an extra hour of walking around and reading about the history of the city. A smart tip for any budget travellers out there. Just around old town, Dubrovnik has over 10 museums so you will not have to worry about being short on historic information by the time you’re done in old town.

There are over 10 places that are included in the pass and are all either in the Old Town or very close by so it’s very doable to see them all in a day if you plan it out. An easy way to see them all is put “Dubrovnik Museums” into google maps and the majority of them will all show up.

8. Have a drink at Ala Mizerija

We actually just randomly stumbled upon Ala Mizerija while looking for another bar but it ended up being the perfect place for an afternoon drink.

It is located just on the other side of Fort Lovrijenac (away from Pile Gate) and just above Sulic Beach (also one of the best beaches in Dubrovnik). It makes for a little quiet afternoon drink with a gorgeous view of the sea.

The seating area isn’t large but Beach Bar Dodo is right next door which is just as great. They’re both a perfect place for an afternoon coffee or beer if you want to get away from the crowds and relax for a bit. The only difference between the two is that Beach Bar Dodo takes cash only whereas Ala Mizerija takes credit card. Both places are a good option if you’re looking for a cheap meal in the city since the prices inside Old Town Square are absurd.

9. Spend a day on Lokrum Island

This is a local’s favourite! If you’re looking for the best beaches in Dubrovnik then look no further than Lokrum Island. For anyone who’s spending more than a few days in Dubrovnik, we’d definitely recommend taking a day trip from Dubrovnik and going to Lokrum Island. The ferry trip is about 20-25 minutes and costs 120 HKR or $12 return. It’s a great day trip getaway from the city and you can easily spend hours or even the full day exploring the island right of the Croatian coast. 

When you get to the island you will be blown away with what you can find. Go get lost in the botanical garden while searching for the Game of Thrones Iron Throne. Or hang out with some wild peacocks. You can also go for a swim in the Dead Sea! (Yes, it’s actually called the Dead Sea too).

On Lokrum Island, the Dead Sea is a salt lake located on the southern side of the island. The lake is connected to the ocean, so if you want to, you can even go for a dive from the Dead Sea into the ocean!

Pack a lunch back, hop on the ferry, and enjoy an adventure-packed day on the island of Lokrum. 

You may want some basic information about the Lokrum Island ferry with the timetable and location. The Lokrum ferry goes from the Old Town port so it shouldn’t be too hard to find. We’d recommend going early though to be able to explore the whole island and have time to make a full day trip out of it. You can see just how big Lokrum Island is and how much there is to see.

10. Go on a Game of Thrones Tour

If there’s a place to do it it’s Dubrovnik. Since the second season, Dubrovnik has been used to film various scenes from King’s Landing. We didn’t actually do a tour as Jo has never watched the show but we did see many people enjoying them as we walked by.

I (Dom) did eavesdrop on some of the GoT walking tours multiple times throughout the days we were there and they do a fantastic job of showing and explaining each scene and where the scenes took place. On top of that they would share some information and history of the city itself. Even though we didn’t do it we would recommend the tours for any GoT fan.

11. Make a Day trip to Kotor

Looking for a day trip from Dubrovnik? This is another perfect trip if you’ve got some time on your hands. It’s a day trip that brings you out of Croatia and to the neighbouring country of Montenegro.

This small Montenegrin city consists mainly of the old town surrounded by stunning nature with tall peaks rising straight from the sea. Kotor is so close and an awesome way to check of another country since it’s in Montenegro.

We actually rented a car even though we travel on a budget. You might want to think twice before doing that since it ended up being a bit more expensive than we imagined. Read more about that in this blog post: 7 Important Things to Know When Driving to Kotor, Montenegro.

The good news is that you can just as easily (and for a cheaper price) hop on a bus from the old town that will take you directly to Kotor! You can also find many tours from Dubrovnik that will take you directly to Kotor and show you around which may be easier than renting a car.

You can see the timetable for all the busses that go from Dubrovnik to Kotor and vice versa. Try and go early in the morning and come back late at night to get in the full day.

And don’t forget your passport!

Other related posts

• Hiking in Dubrovnik – Mt Srd Scenic Hike
• 7 Important Things to Know When Driving to Kotor, Montenegro
• Hiking in Kotor – Gorgeous Fortress Hike
• 7 Ways to Save Money on Accommodation While Traveling
• 9 Exciting Things to Do Wherever You Go

We hope you enjoy Dubrovnik as much as we did (if not more) knowing these tips. If you find any other hidden gems or things you enjoyed doing let us know in the comments below. Or even if you found any other fun day trips from Dubrovnik that we missed out on we’d love to share them with everyone.

It’s a great list if you’re looking for a 3 day itinerary in Dubrovnik or just a few fun things to do. So enjoy and we can’t wait to hear what you think.

Have fun!

Dom & Jo

Red White Adventures

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