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10 May 2022

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48 hours in Dubrovnik: How to spend the perfect two days in Dubrovnik?

48 hours in Dubrovnik: How to spend the perfect two days in Dubrovnik?

Dubrovnik is one of the most beautiful cities in the World, located in the Dalmatian coast and it’s a „must-see location“! The thousand-year-old history of this area is considered to be of outstanding value to humanity so the Old City of Dubrovnik was placed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979. The majestic city walls, the Minceta tower, Lovrijenac and Revelin fortresses, Onofri’s fountain, St. Vlaho’s Church and Stradun, the main street, cathedrals and fortress showcase the rich history and heritage of the area and are inevitable photo stops. Besides numerous impressive cultural and natural sites, Dubrovnik provides outstanding nightlife, events, world-class restaurants with Michelin stars, beach resorts and upscale bars. You are bound to find something for yourself.

What is the best time to visit Dubrovnik?

When planning a vacation to the “Pearl of the Adriatic,” one of the first questions most people ask is “What is the best time to visit Dubrovnik?” Croatia enjoys a Mediterranean climate with warm, wet winters and hot, dry summers, making the shoulder seasons one of the best times to visit. Most travelers come between April and October, with the peak period during the summer months. This is also the time when the cruise crowds are here, which means the city will be particularly busy and hot – over-tourism. So, many feel September and October are the very best months when the temperatures have fallen but the water is still warm.

How to get to Dubrovnik?

With a plane – Dubrovnik has its own international airport, and you can easily travel there from anywhere in Europe. They recently introduced direct flights to the USA, as well.

By car – You can also visit it by car. Highways in Croatia are great, and it’s easy to travel around the country in a car.

By ferry – If you’re going to visit Dubrovnik from some other towns on the Dalmatian coast, there is a port in Dubrovnik and it’s an excellent way to travel by ferry. Traveling on a ferry from Split to Dubrovnik will be a great way to see some of the Croatian coast and islands from a different perspective.

TIP: Once in Dubrovnik, park your car at your accommodation and use: car rental, public transport or walk around. Finding a parking place is a headache in Dubrovnik, and it’s pretty expensive, as well.

Day 1:

Morning

We would suggest going ‘all in’ and starting with one of the main sights of Dubrovnik right from the off – the Old Town Walls! The reason we suggest this is because it’s advisable to tour the walls earlier in the day, both to avoid the crowds that start appearing later on and also to avoid the peak midday sun.  Now that you’ve seen the Old Town from ‘above’, it’s time to explore it from ground level! As you exit the Old Town Walls directly on the Stradun, take in the imposing exterior of the Franciscan Monastery. We suggest you stroll down the full length of Stradun, perhaps stopping at any of the little shops here for souvenirs or stop for a coffee break!

Lunchtime

We’d suggest a leisurely, relaxing lunch after all that walking! Dubrovnik is full of restaurants and luxury restaurants –depending on everyone’s pocket.

Directly by the west entrance to the Old City center, in a unique location that offers stunning views of the fortresses Lovrijenac, Bokar and Minčeta, under the treetops of the centennial plane trees, there is Dubravka Restaurant & Café, founded in 1836.

Afternoon

Now that you’ve seen the Old Town from ground level (and just above ground level), it’s time to see it from an amazing vantage point on the small mountain above the city, Mount Srđ. Head north just outside the Old Town to reach the lower station of the Dubrovnik Cable Car. The modern cable car will whisk you up to the top of Mount Srd in three short minutes. Once you’re at the top, take in the amazing views in all directions – over the Old Town, the rest of Dubrovnik, out to Lokrum, the sea and the other islands in the distance. Panorama Restaurant and Bar is located here. You may like to stop for another coffee or cold drink, or a sweet treat with a view.

If you are going to visit Dubrovnik in summer, the breathtakingly beautiful beaches of Dubrovnik are a real highlight in Croatia and are even among the best in the country. The most famous beach in Dubrovnik is definitely the Banje Beach. On the beach you can rent a jet ski or a boat or take a kayak tour.

Evening

After that full day of walking and exploring, we will suggest that you retire to your accommodation for a little while to recuperate. But once you’ve done that, it’s time to head out again! Now, you can take a food tour and eat with locals or you can go to the best restaurant in Dubrovnik such as Fine dining Restaurant 360 which is located in the town of Dubrovnik.

Day 2

Morning

Pop by a local bakery to get a pastry (a burek – filo pastry usually filled with cheese or meat – is highly recommended) for breakfast on the go.

Now that you’ve explored the main parts of the Old Town, you may like to explore a little deeper into the cultural delights of the city by exploring its museums or other places of interest. If you’re a big fan of Game of Thrones, you may like to join an organized walking tour that leads you around the main sights that stand in for locations in King’s Landing in the TV series.

Lunchtime

In Dubrovnik, you will find a variety of restaurants for all styles and budgets, from fine dining restaurants, bistros, and simple taverns to fast food joints, street food stands, and pizza-cut places. It’s not always easy to recommend a restaurant to someone, as we might all have a pretty different idea about what the best restaurants should serve or look alike. However, below you will find our list of the best restaurants in Dubrovnik:

Upscale & fine dining: Oyster & Sushi Bar Bota

Local & affordable: Orsan Yachting Club & Glorijet

Cheap Dubrovnik restaurants: Konoba Tabak

Fast Food: Bosancica & Snogu

Pizzeria: Vita Bella

Wine Bar: D’Vino Wine Bar

 

Afternoon

If you are interested in an afternoon trip by boat, you can go on a day tour to Blue Cave or Elaphiti Island for a duration of two hours. The Elaphiti Islands are an archipelago situated near Dubrovnik. You can go for a swim in the crystal clear waters, wander around in the shade of Mediterranean vegetation, explore intricate small villages or simply take a journey through the local cuisine. If you decide to visit Hvar, going on a boat tour is a fantastic way to explore the Riviera. Some must-see sights are the Blue Cave on Bisevo, the Paklinski Islands, the South Coast of the islands and Stiniva Cove.

Or you can go to Lokrum – the easiest island to reach from Dubrovnik. Of course, you can take an afternoon off and go to a beach for a swim and cocktails or for those prone to adventure, there is also quad biking.

Dinner

If you’re really into your wine and want to sample some Croatian specialties, pop over to D’Vino Wine Bar for a tasting by the glass. As it’s evening and the bar is quite small, we would recommend reserving a table ahead of time.

And that, sadly, is the end of your two days in Dubrovnik.

Where should I stay in Dubrovnik?

If you are spending just two days in Dubrovnik, we would recommend staying in the Old Town to make the most of your time here without needing to spend too much time using public transport or a taxi. You can decide between 3 options:

Apartments Gabriela and a superior room are located in a traditional stone house within the UNESCO-protected Old Town of Dubrovnik, just a short walk from the famous Stradun Promenade. The historic center abounds in restaurants, cafes and shops. The apartments are 600 meters from the most famous Dubrovnik beach Banje. The staff will be happy to help you arrange excursions and transfers if needed.