Dubrovnik
when
May 2025
how long
3 days
google maps
click here
highlights
lokrum island • fort lovrijenac • cliffside bars
jump to
where we stayed • things to do • for the foodies • things to know
where we stayed
Sunshine Apartment AirBnB
📍 Just outside of the Pile Gate, up a bunch of stairs (but so is everything in Dubrovnik!)
We extended a work trip to Wrøclaw, Poland and hopped on a cheap direct Ryanair flight to Dubrovnik. I’d barely heard of Dubrovnik before, but it quickly became one of my favorite stops.
The Air BnB was in the perfect location — just outside Old Town, so we had peace and quiet without being in the middle of the tourist chaos. From our windows we had an amazing view of the sea and city walls (photo below!). If you’re visiting Dubrovnik, I definitely recommend staying just outside Old Town rather than inside, which can get overwhelmingly busy.
Would I stay here again?
Yep!
Except if I return to Croatia, I’d like to visit Split instead, just to try somewhere new!
things to do
Walk around Old Town Dubrovnik
In the city walls, you’ll find charming cobblestone streets, open squares, and markets full of trinkets and local goods. Touristy, but a must-see! I’d recommend doing this earlier in the day, before the cruise ships dump loads of tourists in Dubrovnik. Heads up, Old Town is loaded with steep and slippery stairs. Definitely wear comfortable shoes!
We wandered through the local market in the morning. They’ve got lots of quality souvenirs: olive oil and lavender from family farms, candied orange peel (a traditional Croatian candy), and more!
Lokrum Island Ferry
Probably my favorite thing we did. A short ferry ride takes you to Lokrum Island, which is full of peacocks, shady trails, and ruins. We hiked up to Fort Roya and got sweeping views of the Adriatic. There’s a “Dead Sea Lagoon” on the island — not quite like the real one (you don’t float!), but still fun to see. There’s also a scavenger-hunt-style map with numbered landmarks — do it, it makes exploring more fun.
Old Town Food Tour
Link here. Even though Dubrovnik food didn’t blow me away, I always love booking a small-group food tour to get local stories, learn about culture, and meet new people.
Where do I find a tour?
I like to simply Google “Walking tours in {city}” to see if I can find a local tour guide in English with good reviews & a small group size. The Get Your Guide app/website is another great option as well.
Fort Lovrijenac
We booked this boat tour, which included stops at the Blue Cave and some nearby islands. The water was freezing, so we didn’t swim in the cave (and it was a little eerie with no one else around), but the experience was still gorgeous.
The little islands we stopped at were very relaxed and small. We grabbed an espresso and sat by the beach at one island, and gelato and a beer at the other!
Mount Srd + Cable Car
The cable car takes you straight up Mount Srd for panoramic views of Old Town and the sea. If you go, try to get a reservation at Panorama restaurant (we didn’t and it was fully booked). Without dining there, you’ll likely only spend ~15 minutes at the top before heading back down.
Buza Bar & Bard Bar
Both are tucked into the cliffs overlooking the water, and both are worth a stop for the views alone. Buza is very casual and won’t make cocktails, but Bard has a full menu.
What We Missed
Restaurant 360
This is a Michelin-starred spot my coworker went to. He said it was the best meal of his life! It overlooks the pier too, which is perfect for sunset.
Walking the City walls
I had heard it’s overrated, but in hindsight, if we’d bought the combo pass (fort + walls + cable car), it would’ve been worth it just to have the option. It’s a zoo of tourists, though.
Panorama Restuarant
We couldn’t get a reservation, but the view looks unreal. We did the cable car up to the top, but we wsih we’d had a reservation for dinner!
Day trip to Bosnia & Herzegovina
if we’d had just one more day, I would’ve loved to take a day trip across the border.
Margaret Island
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St. Stephen’s Basilica
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for the foodies
Seafood, local wine, gelato
To Try
Dubrovoka XXX Cones
amazing location right by the water, with pizza, pasta, and bread. (Beware: pigeons will not leave you alone!)
D’Vino Wine Bar
An intimate alleyway spot recommended by our Bolt driver. So good. Croatia is known for wine, but it’s rarely ever exported — so try it there, and even buy a bottle or two to bring home.
Gradska Kavana Arsenal
Great view over the pier. I’d recommend for breakfast (not because the food is amazing, but because the view is!)
Peppino’s Gelato
Touristy, but honestly worth it. The Pistachio flavor was to die for!
Spots We Loved
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Mazel Tov
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Intermezzo Roof Terrace
things to know
Weather
Budapest was hot in August. The best time to visit Budapest is in spring (April to June) or fall (September to November) when the weather is mild and the city is less crowded. // Summers get extremely hot, but May evenings were chilly. Book a place with AC; AC is not the standard in Europe, so be sure to double chekc before booking your lodging.
Currency
The currency in Budapest is the Hungarian Forint (HUF), and prices are generally lower than in the US. Most places accept credit cards, but it’s always a good idea to carry some cash for small purchases or markets. // You may need cash for markets and small shops (avoid Old Town ATMs with poor exchange rates).
Tourism
Dubrovnik is super touristy, with huge groups and selfie sticks everywhere.
Time of year
The city basically shuts down outside of tourist season. Be sure to visit betweent he months of ___ and ____/
Beware of Stairs!
Be prepared for tons of stairs — not ideal for elderly travelers or anyone with knee issues.
Transportation
Because our AirBnB was in a great location, we walked almost everywhere. The few times we couldn’t walk (such as to the airport or boat tour), we used Bolt, a European equivalent to Uber. It’s much faster & easier to catch a Bolt in Europe than an Uber.
Language
Because we stayed in touristy areas, most everyone spoke English. We didn’t have any problems at all with the language barrier.
Outlets
Make sure to pack a Type C plug adapter, as Hungary uses 230V outlets with two round prongs.