Dubrovnik holidays

How to reach Dubrovnik

• Flight time: Flights to Dubrovnik from London typically take about 2 hours 45 minutes. Several airlines operate direct flights from other major UK airports.

• Transfer time: From Dubrovnik Airport, the airport shuttle bus takes around 30 minutes to reach the city centre, stopping at the main bus station near the harbour. Taxis are another option, taking approximately 20–25 minutes.

• Price: The airport shuttle bus costs around €6 one way. A taxi from the airport to the city centre will set you back approximately €30.

Weather and best time to visit Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is Croatia’s most popular city in terms of tourist numbers, and is generally incredibly busy between June and September, but it is a wonderful place to visit at any time of year.

• April to June A wonderful time to visit if you enjoy the (bearable) heat and fewer tourists. Temperatures range from 15°C to 25°C, with minimal rainfall (20–50mm) and plenty of sunshine (8 to 10 hours daily).

• July to August Peak season when temperatures can soar to 30°C or higher, there are around 12 hours of daily sunshine, and rainfall is unusual. Dubrovnik is invariably swamped with visitors during these months.

• September to October Although still quite busy, the shoulder season remains a good time to visit, with temperatures from 18°C to 26°C and about 7 to 9 hours of daily sunshine. Rainfall increases slightly, ranging from 50mm to 100mm.

• November to March Although still incredibly mild, with temperatures around 10°C to 15°C, rainfall is slightly higher (60–120mm). However, the city is much quieter and accommodation prices are lower, making for a far more relaxing visit.

Practical information

• Spoken languages: Croatian is the official language, but English is widely spoken throughout the city.

• Local habits and customs: Croatians are welcoming and gregarious. Greeting people with a smile and saying “dobar dan” (good day) will be much appreciated. Tips (napojnice) are not obligatory, but if you’ve had a round of drinks or a full meal, it’s polite to round up the bill by ten percent or to the nearest convenient figure.

• Health and safety: Dubrovnik is generally safe, but make sure to keep an eye on possessions when in the Old Town. Emergency services can be reached by dialling 112.

• Currency: The official currency is the Croatian Kuna (HRK). ATMs are widely available, and credit cards are accepted in most places.

• Getting around: Public transport includes buses and ferries. A single bus ticket costs around 12 HRK (€1.60). Consider buying tickets in advance or via the Libertas Dubrovnik app. Taxis and ride-sharing services like Uber are also available.

• Electricity and plug types: Wall sockets in Croatia operate at 220 volts and take round, two-pin plugs. British and US travellers should purchase a continental adaptor before leaving home.

• Time zone: Dubrovnik is in Central European Time (CET), which is one hour ahead of GMT. Daylight Saving Time is observed.

• Required travel documentation: UK travellers need a valid passport but no visa for stays up to 90 days within a 180-day period.

Where to stay during your Dubrovnik holidays

Choosing the right accommodation can significantly enhance your experience during your Dubrovnik holidays. Whether you’re a family, a couple, a solo traveller, or a group of friends, Dubrovnik offers a range of accommodations to suit every type of traveller. Here’s a guide to help you decide where to stay based on your travel needs.

For families

Families looking for a comfortable and convenient stay will find the Lapad Peninsula to be an excellent choice. This area is known for its family-friendly resorts and hotels that offer amenities such as pools, kids' clubs, and easy beach access. The promenade in Lapad is perfect for evening walks, and the area has a variety of restaurants catering to all tastes. Popular beaches like Lapad beach and Copacabana beach provide safe and enjoyable spots for children to play and swim.

For couples

Couples seeking a romantic getaway should consider staying in the Ploče area or on the outskirts of the Old Town. Ploče offers stunning views of the Adriatic Sea and Lokrum Island, making it ideal for a romantic escape. Many luxury hotels and boutique accommodations here provide private balconies and upscale amenities. The proximity to the Old Town allows couples to enjoy romantic dinners, sunset walks along the city walls, and visits to historical landmarks.

For solo travellers

Solo travellers will appreciate the vibrant atmosphere and central location of the Old Town. Staying within the city walls provides easy access to Dubrovnik’s main attractions, restaurants, and nightlife. Hostels and budget-friendly hotels in this area offer opportunities to meet fellow travellers and join group tours or activities. The pedestrian-friendly streets make it easy to explore the city independently.

For groups of friends

Groups of friends looking for a mix of beach fun and nightlife should consider the Babin Kuk area. This part of Dubrovnik is home to large resorts and hotels that cater to groups, with multiple pools, bars, and direct beach access. Babin Kuk’s spacious accommodations and proximity to both the Old Town and Lapad’s nightlife make it an ideal base for groups wanting to explore and enjoy the city together.

For luxury travellers

For those seeking a luxurious experience, Dubrovnik has several high-end hotels and resorts. The area around Ploče and parts of the Lapad Peninsula are known for their luxury accommodations. These hotels often feature top-notch amenities such as private beaches, gourmet restaurants, spas, and exceptional service. Staying in these areas ensures a relaxing and indulgent holiday experience with stunning views and serene surroundings.

For budget travellers

Budget travellers will find Gruž to be a convenient and affordable option. This area is the main port of Dubrovnik and offers a variety of budget-friendly hotels, guesthouses, and hostels. Gruž is well-connected to the Old Town by public transport, making it easy to explore the main attractions without the high costs associated with staying in the more central areas. The local market and eateries also offer more affordable dining options.

No matter what type of traveller you are, Dubrovnik has a range of accommodations that will make your holiday enjoyable and memorable.

Exploring the beaches of Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is not only known for its stunning medieval architecture and rich history but also for its beautiful Adriatic coastline. The city's beaches offer a perfect blend of relaxation and adventure, catering to all types of beachgoers. Here’s a guide to some of the best beaches you can enjoy during your holiday in Dubrovnik.

Banje beach

Banje beach is the most famous beach in Dubrovnik, located just a short walk from the Old Town. It offers stunning views of the city walls and the island of Lokrum. This pebble beach is well-equipped with sunbeds, umbrellas, and a variety of water sports activities. It's also home to a beach club and a restaurant, making it a great spot to spend the entire day.

Lapad beach

Situated on the Lapad Peninsula, Lapad beach is one of the largest and most popular beaches in Dubrovnik. It features a mix of pebbles and concrete sunbathing areas, surrounded by lush greenery. The beach promenade offers numerous cafes, bars, and restaurants, providing plenty of options for refreshments and dining. It's a family-friendly beach with shallow waters and various amenities.

Copacabana beach

Located in the Babin Kuk area, Copacabana beach is a modern and well-facilitated beach, perfect for families and those looking for some adventure. The beach offers a range of water sports, including jet skiing and parasailing. There are also plenty of sunbeds and umbrellas available, along with beach bars and restaurants. The view of the Elafiti Islands from here is breathtaking.

Sveti Jakov beach

For a more secluded and tranquil experience, head to Sveti Jakov beach. This beach is located about a 20-minute walk from the Old Town and offers a peaceful retreat from the bustling city. The beach is accessed via a long staircase, which ensures it is less crowded. Sveti Jakov beach is known for its stunning views of the Old Town and Lokrum Island, crystal-clear waters, and beautiful sunsets. It's a pebble beach with a small beach bar and sunbeds available for rent.

Šunj beach

Šunj beach is located on the nearby island of Lopud, which can be reached by a short ferry ride from Dubrovnik. This sandy beach is perfect for families and those looking for a more laid-back beach day. The shallow waters make it ideal for swimming, and there are several beach bars and restaurants offering refreshments. The lush surroundings and the relaxed atmosphere make Šunj beach a favorite among both locals and tourists.

Danče beach

Danče beach is one of the oldest beaches in Dubrovnik, located west of the Old Town. This rocky beach is popular with locals and offers a more authentic Dubrovnik beach experience. It’s a great spot for swimming and diving due to its deep waters. There are no commercial facilities, so it’s best to bring your own snacks and drinks. The natural surroundings and clear waters make it a serene spot to unwind.

Exploring the beaches of Dubrovnik will enhance your holiday experience, providing the perfect balance of relaxation and adventure. Whether you prefer bustling beach clubs or tranquil secluded spots, Dubrovnik's coastline has something to offer everyone.

Dubrovnik’s culinary standards are high, with the most enjoyable and imaginative restaurants in the port suburb of Gruž, which also happens to be the site of the city’s main fish market.

Some typical dishes

• Pasticada: A thick beef stew slow-cooked with wine, vinegar and spices in a rich sauce, sometimes with prunes, and served with soft gnocchi.

• Šporki makaruli: Also known as “Dirty Mackerel”, this tubular pasta served with a goulash sauce is sensational.

Meat dishes

• Ćevapi: Juicy rissoles of grilled minced meat served with ajvar (a pepper-based condiment) and flatbread – the classic Balkan staple.

• Peka: Slow-roasted lamb, octopus or other local goodies under an ember-covered metal lid known as a peka; this is the traditional route to a deliciously succulent meal.

Fish and seafood dishes

• Brudet: A scrumptious fish stew comprising various types of fish, to which tomatoes and wine are added. It’s typically served with polenta.

• Crni rižot: One of Dalmatia's most iconic dishes, this black risotto takes its name from the main ingredient, cuttlefish ink – and the blacker the risotto, the better.

Street food

• Burek: A thick, flaky pastry packed with either minced meat, cheese or spinach: perfect for lunch on the run.

• Fritule: Small doughnuts typically flavoured with rum and citrus zest, dusted with powdered sugar – a cracking little sweet street treat.

Sweets and desserts

• Rožata: A Dubrovnik speciality, this is a vanilla-flavoured custard dessert similar to crème caramel, to which rose liqueur is added.

• Kroštule: Deep-fried pastry twists dusted with powdered sugar, often enjoyed during festive occasions.

Local drinks

• Rakija: There’s nothing like a shot of rakija (grape brandy) to oil the wheels of social intercourse. Knock back a herb-infused travarica or carob-flavoured rogačica for a truly heart- and soul-warming experience.

• Local wine: The vineyards of the Konavle produce respectable red wines of the Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Plavac varieties, as well as Kadarun, an autochthonous light and fruity rosé.

Best things to do in Dubrovnik

One of the most perfectly preserved walled towns in Europe, Dubrovnik holidays blend high culture, dazzling beaches and superb nightlife to brilliant effect.

Viewpoints and panoramas

• Mount Srđ: Scale the peak overlooking Dubrovnik by cable car or on foot to enjoy fantastic views of the coast, especially at sunset.

• City Walls: Follow the full circuit of the battlements via a well-trodden walkway for an ideal vantage point of the city’s medieval and Baroque splendours.

The best districts

• Od Puca: Leading west from Gundulićeva poljana, with stepped alleys branching off to meet the sea walls, this sunny Old Town thoroughfare is lined with boutiques, bakeries and souvenir shops.

• Pustijerna: One of the city’s oldest quarters, much of which predates the 17th-century earthquake, it preserves a medieval feel, with crumbling, ancient houses crowding in on narrow lanes spanned by the occasional arch.

Museums

• Maritime Museum: Occupying the upstairs floor of St John’s Fortress, this illuminating museum traces the history of Ragusan sea power in chronological and easy-to-follow fashion.

• Museum of the Homeland War: Featuring guns, shell cartridges and a rousing collection of photos, the fact that the fort has otherwise been left in its raw, undecorated state only adds to this museum’s powerful effect.

Parks and gardens

• Trsteno Arboretum: These Renaissance gardens, draped across a hillside overlooking the sea, are an ideal out-of-town excursion.

Historical monuments

• Rector’s Palace: This stunning Gothic-Renaissance palace is a masterpiece of serene proportion, fringed by an ornate arcaded loggia held up by columns with delicately carved capitals.

• Sponza Palace: An architectural marvel from the 16th century, Sponza’s centrepiece is a majestic courtyard which is used for art exhibitions and occasional concerts in summer.

• Dominican Monastery: In Dubrovnik’s Old Town, the monastery’s quiet cloister harbours a small but stunning collection of Renaissance art.

Day trips in the area

• Lokrum Island: This densely wooded islet, a short boat ride from Dubrovnik, is the perfect place for a sunbathe or a stroll.

• Elafiti Islands: Take a boat tour to any of the Elafiti Islands – Koločep, Lopud or Šipan – which are among the most beautiful and unspoilt islands in the Adriatic.

• Cavtat: Stroll along the waterfront, visit the Racic Mausoleum, and enjoy the laid-back atmosphere in this charming coastal town – a peaceful antidote to Dubrovnik’s energy.

Activities for families in Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is a fantastic destination for families, with plenty of both land- and water-based activities to keep everyone entertained for days.

• Beaches: Banje beach near the Old Town is perfect for families: shallow waters and plenty of amenities like loungers and umbrellas, plus lots of water sports rentals.

• Dubrovnik Cable Car: Kids (and adults) will love this breathtaking, super-smooth ride to the top of Mount Srđ where a café-restaurant with a stunning viewing terrace awaits – as does great ice cream.

• Aquariums and zoos: Dubrovnik’s bright and colourful aquarium contains tanks filled with pretty much every creature known to roam the waters of the Adriatic – and that’s not inconsiderable.

• Interactive Museums: For older kids interested in history, War Photo Limited provides a powerful and educational look at war photography, with a focus on the conflicts in the Balkans.

• Parks: In Gruž there’s a popular play park beside the small-boat moorings on the southern side of the harbour, while in Lapad there’s a well-equipped play park in front of the Grand Hotel Park. Parents, meanwhile, can kick back in the hotel’s outdoor café with a brew.

Free things to do in Dubrovnik

Holidays to Dubrovnik need not be expensive, and there are many ways to enjoy the city without spending very much at all.

• Beaches: The daily trip to the beach is a way of life for Dubrovnik folk, and so it should be for you. Two of the best are Banje, a mixture of fine shingle and sand just east of the Old Town, and Bellevue, a lovely crescent of mixed shingle and sand immediately below the hotel of the same name.

• City Walls: While walking the full length of the walls requires a ticket, you can enjoy parts of them for free.

• Fort Lovrijenac: Entry is free with a city walls ticket, but even without, the exterior views and surrounding areas are worth exploring.

Nature and outdoor activities

With the sea on one side and mountains on the other, it’s little wonder that Dubrovnik is something of an outdoor playground – and for those seeking more adrenaline-fuelled fun, there’s plenty of that too.

• Sea kayaking: A popular pastime in Dubrovnik, shoals of orange-bibbed paddlers pulling into Banje beach have become one of the city’s most characteristic sights.

• Hiking: From the top of Mount Srđ, strike out along the roads that lead east and west from the summit, crossing the kind of starkly beautiful Mediterranean scrub that Croatians call the kamejnar or “stone field”.

• Boat tours: Boat tours are plentiful, so hop aboard and explore the nearby islands, coves and hidden beaches – with stops for snorkelling and swimming along the way.

• Bungee Jumping: Heart-stopping jumps from the 53m high Franjo Tuđman Bridge are the way to go – if you’ve got the stomach for it.