Unique and Unusual Things to do in Dubrovnik, Croatia
Dubrovnik is a city that features strongly on most people’s bucket lists. It offers, history, culture, glamour, sunshine and, more recently, it is famous for playing the real-life King’s Landing in HBO’s Game of Thrones. So, in a city this well visited, let’s look at the some of the more unique and unusual things to do in Dubrovnik.
Where is Dubrovnik
Let’s start from the top… Where is this ancient city? Dubrovnik sits on Croatia’s southern coast, overlooking the Adriatic Sea. Travel west by boat and you will bump into Italy and to the north, south and east are Croatia’s Balkan siblings.
How to get there
Reaching Dubrovnik is relatively easy from most European cities. Flights are regular and very reasonable. However, it is also possible to travel from nearby countries such as Italy and Montenegro by ferry and many cruises stop here. We took the bus from Podgorica to Dubrovnik.
Things to Do in Dubrovnik, Croatia
There are so many things to do in Dubrovnik, the ancient city walls, the paradisal islands, glamorous beaches and of course the historic city centre. However, the purpose of this post is to detail the unusual, unique and maybe lesser known things to do in Dubrovnik.
Try Sea Kayaking Along the Adriatic Coastline
There are many activities to partake in along Croatia’s coastline. Sea kayaking is definitely one of the must fun! There are options to take half day tours, day long tours or even longer. It’s a really fun way to explore the beautiful coastline and some of the 1,200 islands.
The Abandoned Hotel Belvedere
This formally grand hotel still glowers over the Adriatic Sea. Since it closed in the late 20th century it has been left to decay. It was built in 1985 for the super rich but was abandoned during the Croatian Wars of Independence. It was used briefly for the filming of some Games of Thrones scenes.
Address: Ul. Vlaha Bukovca 27, 20000, Dubrovnik, Croatia
Explore the Dubrovnik Cathedral Treasury (Riznica Katedrale)
This place looks more like an elaborate anatomy museum than a Cathedral! The Cathedral Treasury holds 132 relics of saints dating from the 11th to the 19th centuries. The collection includes a head, arms and a leg of St. Blaise. These were crafted by Dubrovnik goldsmiths between the 11th and 12th centuries.
Address: Ul. kneza Damjana Jude 1, 20000, Dubrovnik, Croatia
Visit the Relic of St. Silvan
Another relic, but this time he’s all in one piece! It is claimed that St. Silvan has never decayed in over 1,500 years since his death. You will find him in the Church of St. Blaise.
Address: Rkt. crkva sv. Vlaha, Luža ul. 2, 20000, Dubrovnik
Sample some Delicious Croatian wine
Make sure you sample some of the incredible Croatian wine. Wine from this part of the world goes a little under the radar but it is beginning to increase in popularity. This is mainly due to the vast number of indigenous wine grape varieties in the country. Sample the Plavac Mali if you like red or the Pošip is great for white wine fans.
Catch a Movie at Dubrovnik’s Open-air Cinemas
Try Summer Cinema Jadran to watch some great movies under the stars. Perfect on a warm summer’s evening.
Address: Ul. za Rokom 7, 20000, Dubrovnik, Croatia
Browse at Gruž market
Go local and visit the Green Market (Gruž Market) for some home-grown fruit and veg and a great variety of locally made goods.
Address: Obala Stjepana Radica 21, Dubrovnik
Take a Free Walking Tour
We took a free walking tour and it was a really fun thing to do in Dubrovnik. Our tour guide was a former soldier who had served during the wars of the 1990s and had some incredible insights into the very recent history of Dubrovnik. He was also exceptionally knowledgeable about the old town and had some excellent advice that really enhanced our visit.
It is also very worthwhile just taking a stroll away from the tourist areas and do a bit of exploring on your own.
Hiking in Dubrovnik
Mount Srd sits 280m above sea level and overlooks Dubrovnik. What amazing spot to view this ancient city! To hike to the top, it will take around 1-2 hours as the route is not direct. However, it is relatively straightforward and very rewarding.
For those who want the reward without the effort, there is a cable car that will take you from the city straight to the top of Mount Srd in around 3 minutes.
Where to Eat in Dubrovnik
There are many good restaurants in Dubrovnik. Our mission was to find something delicious and inexpensive. We hit the jackpot with Azur. Mediterranean cuisine with an Asian twist is how the owner describes the food. Located in a quiet lane on the edge of the very busy Dubrovnik old town, it was the perfect place for a tasty lunch.
Address: Pobijana ul. 10, 20000, Dubrovnik, Croatia
For a great coffee in Dubrovnik, try Cave Bar More. Yes, you can have a coffee in a natural cave! Especially good in the summer as a welcome break from the baking heat above ground.
Address: Šetalište Nika i Meda Pucića 12, 20000, Dubrovnik
When to Visit
Our advice would be to avoid peak times where possible. Busy season brings crowds and inflated prices. Check HERE to see the most crowded days and times. This will help you make travel plans. Avoid May-October if you don’t like throngs of people ticking items off their bucket list.
To avoid any extreme temperatures, try spring or autumn or visit during the summer to hit the beach. The cold winter scares off many tourists so you might have the place to yourself…
What is the Weather Like
During the summer, Dubrovnik is hot! Being a coastal city the winters are milder but temperatures can still dip to around 5°C.
What Currency Should we Use in Dubrovnik
The Euro is the currency of Croatia and therefore the currency used in Dubrovnik. You can take cash out from ATM machines but avoid the ones in tourist areas as they charge a huge commission and give a poor exchange rate. Use a company like Revolut to give you flexibility and lower fees.
How Long to Stay in the Walled City
It is definitely possible to explore the small, historic city in a couple of days. However, to really get a feel for Dubrovnik and the surrounding area, we would recommend a four or five day visit.
Dubrovnik is also a great base for exploring other parts of the Balkans. For example, Montenegro is easily reachable by bus and Bosnia and Herzegovina is just a few miles away – with Mostar being a popular town to visit from Dubrovnik.
Where to Stay in Dubrovnik
This stunning city is a hotspot for tourists. As such, there is a vast array of different types of accommodation to choose from. There is also a wide range in cost so there are plenty of options for every traveller. Here are a few of our favourites –
Luxury – Villa Malo More is just 2 minutes from the beach and has incredible views across the water. The apartments are beautifully decorated and the breakfast is delicious.
Mid-range – Apartment and Room Astelas sits close to the beach, the city walls and the cable car, this place is in the ideal location for exploring the city. It is also quite affordable considering it is close to many tourist spots.
Value – Rooms Vjera is in a nice location an has very helpful hosts. It is great value for money especially if you’re on a tight budget but want your own space.
How Expensive is Dubrovnik
Having just travelled through Albania and Montenegro, we found Dubrovnik pretty expensive. At least initially. However, like most places, you can find better quality for a lower price as you come away from the tourist spots.
Is Dubrovnik Safe
Yes, this is generally a safe city but look out for pickpockets in the busy areas and take the usual precautions when visiting a city.
What to Pack for a Trip to Dubrovnik
We have put together a convenient, basic packing list for your trip.
- Passport/ID card
- Hiking boots or shoes that can handle the many slippery cobbles
- Backpack
- Book/audiobook for the journey
- Refillable water bottle
- Weather appropriate clothing such as windbreaker, hiking socks, buff/hat, and fleece. Make sure to wear layers to account for the changing conditions if you plan on hiking
- Insect repellent if visiting during the warm weather
- Sunscreen and sunglasses
- Swimsuit
- Flip flops
- Packable rain jacket
- Map or downloaded GPS or map app on your phone
- Phone
- Travel adapter
- Decent camera with plenty of space for pictures of this beautiful, historic city
The Croatian Language
Many Croatians in the cities speak a little English but it is useful to learn a few phrases in Croatian. It is certainly not an easy language for English speakers, but any attempt is greatly appreciated by the locals. Here are a few words to try out:
| English | Croatian | Sounds Like |
| Hello | Bok | bohk |
| Goodbye | Doviđenja | doh-vee-jen-yah |
| Please | Molim | moh-leem |
| Thank you | Hvala | hva-lah |
| Yes | Da | da |
| No | Ne | ne |
Where to go next
Ready for another adventure? Why not try travelling to Podgorica? There is plenty more to discover in beautiful Montenegro.
Final note: Things change in the Balkans all the time and there is not much information online in English. We would definitely advise checking with a local where possible. We found people to be really friendly and super helpful.
Have you visited any Dubrovnik or Croatia? Are you planning a trip and need more information? Drop a comment in the box, we’d love to hear from you!
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Wow!! Such a gorgeous destination. Dubrovnik is on the short list and it looks like I have good reason 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
I adored Dubrovnik especially the streets cats that I met in the walled city. This is a great article.
Free walking tours are my favorite, especially in European countries.
Dubrovnik and Croatia have been on my bucket list for years! This is such a comprehensive guide so saving it if I am fortunate to get the opportunity to go.
Wow! That blue water is just breath taking!