We arrived at Pile Gate at 8:30 am on a September morning. The cruise ships were already in the harbour, but their passengers had not yet reached the walls. For forty-five minutes we had the ancient fortifications almost entirely to ourselves — the terracotta rooftops of the Old City spread out below us on one side, the Adriatic shimmering on the other, Fort Lovrijenac rising from its sea cliff in the distance. Then the crowds arrived. We were very glad we had come early.
One day in Dubrovnik is not enough. We say this having stayed multiple times and having spent a week based at the extraordinary Sun Gardens Resort 20 minutes outside the city. But one day, done well, is enough to understand why this city is called the Pearl of the Adriatic — and to leave absolutely certain you are coming back.
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This is our honest personal guide to making the most of one day in Dubrovnik. It is built from two visits, entrance fees paid by the Dubrovnik Tourist Board and our own independent returns, and the stories we heard from Sandra, our guide from Dubrovnik Tourism who was born here and knows every inch of it. We are not working from a brochure. We were there.
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THE GOLDEN RULE — ARRIVE EARLY AND KNOW THE CRUISE SHIPS
Before You Start — The Single Most Important Tip
Dubrovnik receives approximately two million visitors a year — one million who stay in the city and one million who arrive by cruise ship. At peak times in July and August, up to 5,000 cruise ship passengers can be in the Old City simultaneously. The difference between Dubrovnik at 8:30 am and Dubrovnik at 11 am is the difference between a beautiful historic city and a very crowded tourist attraction.
Our three golden rules:
1. Arrive at the city walls when they open — usually 8 am in summer. The early morning light is extraordinary, the crowds are minimal, and the walk takes on a completely different quality when you can stop and look without feeling pressured to keep moving.
2. Check the cruise ship schedule — your accommodation can tell you which days have the most ships in port. On days with five ships, plan to be on the walls early and explore the quieter corners of the Old City later in the morning.
3. If you are staying longer than one day, use cruise ship days for day trips — to Lokrum Island, Mostar in Bosnia or the Elaphiti Islands — and explore the Old City on quieter days. We discovered this strategy when staying at the Sun Gardens, and it transformed our experience completely.
THE ONE-DAY ITINERARY
One Day in Dubrovnik — Our Personal Hour-by-Hour Guide
8:00 am — City Walls (Allow 1.5–2 hours)
There is a level of excitement when you first set eyes on the huge walls rising in front of you at Pile Gate. Nothing in the photographs quite prepares you for the sheer scale of them — 1,940 metres of the best-preserved medieval fortifications in Europe, in some places 25 metres high and 6 metres thick, with three round towers, twelve rectangular towers, fifteen bastions and two corner fortresses.
Buy your ticket, enter through Pile Gate and walk the walls counter-clockwise — the paths in some sections are narrow, and this is the required direction. We took nearly two hours because the photographic opportunities are relentless. Every corner reveals a new angle on the terracotta rooftops, the harbour, the Adriatic and the islands beyond.
For Game of Thrones fans: you will recognise Fort Lovrijenac to the west of the city — this is the Red Keep, known as King’s Landing in the series. From the walls, it is one of the most dramatic views in Dubrovnik.
There are cafés along the walk if you need a cold drink or a rest. In September, the walls are still very hot by 10 am — bring water.
Entrance fee: Approximately €35 adults (check current prices at wallsofdubrovnik.com)
Opening times: Vary throughout the year — check before you go
💡 Jane’s Tip: Book a guided walking tour to make the most of the walls. Our guide Sandra knew every story behind every tower, every bastion and every stretch of wall — the experience was completely different to walking independently. A good guide transforms the walls from impressive stones into a living story.
👉 Book a Dubrovnik City Walls guided tour here →
10:00 am — Onofrio’s Fountain and the Stradun
Coming off the walls through Pile Gate, the first thing you see is Onofrio’s Fountain — the large domed structure that has been supplying cool, fresh, drinkable water to the city from the mountains since the 15th century. Fill your water bottle. It is genuinely excellent water and completely free.
Walk the length of the Stradun — the 292-metre marble-paved main street of the Old City. The Baroque buildings lining both sides were built after the devastating earthquake of 1667 — look at them and notice that they are all the same height and the same style. Ground floor shops, first floor living quarters, top floor kitchens. The kitchens were built on the top floor because fire travels upward — if the kitchen caught fire, you lost the kitchen and the roof, not the whole building. Practical medieval fire safety that is written in stone along the entire length of the street.
Walk the Stradun early if you can. By 11 am it fills with tourists and the marble becomes a river of people. At 9 am it belongs to the city.
10:30 am — Franciscan Church and Monastery (Allow 30–45 minutes)
Located on the Stradun near Pile Gate, the Franciscan Monastery is one of the great hidden pleasures of Dubrovnik. The museum is built around a beautiful courtyard of orange trees — we felt immediately calm and unhurried the moment we stepped inside. The smell of the orange blossom in late summer is extraordinary.
The pharmacy dates back to 1317 — one of the oldest in Europe — and contains original pharmaceutical instruments and presses used by the friars. The library is one of the most valuable in Croatia. Inside, look for the copy of a painting showing Dubrovnik before the 1667 earthquake destroyed much of it — the contrast with what you can see today is remarkable. There is also a tablet recording that in 1527 twenty thousand inhabitants of Dubrovnik died of the plague.
We wandered the corridors for half an hour and could have stayed longer. The peace inside the monastery is a genuine antidote to the crowds outside.
Entrance fee: Adults approximately €6
Opening times: Summer 9 am–6 pm, Winter 9 am–2 pm
11:15 am — Gundulic Square Morning Market
The only open-air market inside the city walls. Between 7 am and noon, vendors sell fresh fruit and vegetables, local honey, lavender, almonds and sweets made from local oranges. We bought honey and lavender every time we visited. After noon, the square becomes a restaurant and café area.
Buy something. Sit on the steps. Watch the city around you. This is where the real Dubrovnik lives — not in the souvenir shops on the Stradun but in this square at this hour, with locals and visitors mixed together around the stalls.
11:45 am — Dominican Monastery Museum (Allow 30 minutes)
The Dominican Monastery is similar in style to the Franciscan — a beautiful, peaceful courtyard, this one with a fountain at its centre — but the art collection here is exceptional. Works from the Dubrovnik painting schools of the 15th and 16th centuries fill the museum, including Titian’s effigy of St Magdalene and St Blasius and Veneziano’s Crucifixion.
We experienced the same peace and quiet here as in the Franciscan Monastery. In a city that is busy and sometimes loud, these monastery courtyards are something genuinely precious.
Entrance: Adults approximately €15
Opening times: Summer 9 am–6 pm, Winter 9 am–5 pm
12:30 pm — Lunch in the Old City
Eating within the walls is more expensive than outside — the cost of all deliveries being made by hand adds to every price. Budget approximately €25–40 per person for a proper lunch with wine.
Our recommendation is to find a table with a view rather than a restaurant on the Stradun where you are paying for location. The side streets behind the Cathedral and around Gundulic Square have excellent smaller restaurants with lower prices and more character.
For those who want to experience a drink with one of the most dramatic views in Dubrovnik — Buza Bar, a hole-in-the-wall bar on the cliffs above the sea on the south side of the Old City walls, is extraordinary. Arrive before the crowds for the best positions. It is particularly spectacular just before sunset.
2:00 pm — The Rector’s Palace (Allow 45 minutes)
Originally constructed in the 12th century and twice destroyed by gunpowder explosions — in 1435 and 1463 — the Rector’s Palace was rebuilt after each disaster, which is why it is a fascinating architectural mix of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque styles.
The Rector who ruled from here was elected from the noble families and served for exactly one month. During that month he was not permitted to leave the Palace except for official engagements and religious holidays. He could stand for re-election after a two-year gap. It was — as Sandra pointed out — a clever system for managing potential corruption. She did note that it is a pity it is not enforced today.
On the ground floor, look for the bust of Miho Pracat — the only ordinary citizen of the Republic ever honoured with a monument. He left his entire wealth to the Republic when he died.
Today it is the Cultural History Museum.
Entrance fee: Adults approximately €15
Opening times: Summer 9 am–6 pm, Winter 9 am–4 pm
Note: Photographs are not permitted in the offices and private quarters
3:00 pm — The Cathedral
A short walk from the Rector’s Palace, the Cathedral was built between 1672 and 1713 on the site of a 12th-century Romanesque cathedral that was destroyed in the earthquake of 1667.
The legend of Richard the Lionheart: returning from the Crusades, he was shipwrecked near the island of Lokrum. He vowed to build a church on the island in gratitude for his survival. The leaders of Dubrovnik persuaded him — with considerable political skill — to build it inside the city instead. He agreed. The original church stood for five centuries before the earthquake destroyed it.
Above the main altar is Titian’s painting of the Assumption of Our Lady. The Treasury — reached through a separate entrance for €4 — contains gold and silver relics from the 12th to 19th century crafted by Dubrovnik goldsmiths.
4:00 pm — Game of Thrones Tour (Optional but Recommended)
If you are a Game of Thrones fan, this is the highlight of your day. If you have never watched the show — it is still genuinely fascinating to see a modern global phenomenon overlaid onto a medieval city that is exactly as extraordinary as the show made it look.
The two-hour Game of Thrones walking tour covers the Walk of Shame steps, the Red Keep (Fort Lovrijenac), the sites of King’s Landing battles and ends with a photo on a replica Iron Throne. Our guides for the Game of Thrones tour were people who had worked on the production itself — their behind-the-scenes stories were remarkable.
💡 Jane’s Tip: Book the Game of Thrones tour in advance — it sells out consistently. We slightly embarrassed ourselves with how enthusiastic we were. We regret nothing.
👉 Book the 2-Hour Game of Thrones Walking Tour here →
6:00 pm — Cable Car to Mount Srd and the Panorama Restaurant
Take the cable car from just outside the city walls to the summit of Mount Srd — the views of the Old City’s terracotta rooftops, the surrounding islands and the Adriatic spread below you are extraordinary. The cable car takes just a few minutes. The view at the top stops you in your tracks.
We had dinner at the Panorama Restaurant on the summit — a dinner with the view as its headline act. We had booked a front table five days in advance and arrived for the late afternoon light, staying as the sun dropped over the Adriatic. It is the kind of dinner setting that makes you realise Dubrovnik is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe.
Read our full review of the Panorama Restaurant and cable car here.
Cable car cost: Approximately €20 return per person
Restaurant: Book a front table 4–5 days in advance — late afternoon / early evening is the most popular time
👉 Book a Dubrovnik cable car and panorama experience here →
WHAT TO DO IF YOU HAVE MORE TIME
If You Have More Than One Day in Dubrovnik
We strongly recommend at least three days — ideally more. Here is what to add:
Day 2 — Lokrum Island
A 15-minute ferry from the Old Port, Lokrum Island has free-roaming peacocks, rabbits, botanical gardens, a salt lake for swimming and crystal-clear Adriatic water. Our reader Peggy McKenzie described it as a wonderful respite from the city heat and it is perfect for all ages. Book the Lokrum Island cruise here
Day 2 alternative — Elaphiti Islands Cruise
The most popular full-day trip from Dubrovnik — cruise through the Elaphiti Islands with lunch, an open bar and swimming stops. One of the great Adriatic experiences.
👉 Book the Elaphiti Islands Lunch Cruise here →
Day 3 — Day Trip to Mostar, Bosnia
The extraordinary medieval city of Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina is two hours from Dubrovnik — an easy and deeply rewarding day trip. We have covered it in full in our Mostar guide here.
👉 Book the Dubrovnik to Mostar Day Trip here →
Also worth adding — Ston and the Peljesac Peninsula
A beautiful half-day trip to the walled medieval town of Ston and the outstanding wineries of the Peljesac Peninsula. We have covered this in our Ston guide here.
WHERE TO STAY IN DUBROVNIK
Our Personal Recommendation — Sun Gardens Dubrovnik
We stayed at the Sun Gardens Dubrovnik both times we visited — located 20 minutes outside the city at Na Moru 1, Orasac on the Dubrovnik Riviera. Outstanding restaurants, a stunning Adriatic beach setting and a spa and wellness centre we cannot recommend highly enough. The outdoor pool and direct beach access made our longer stays in Dubrovnik genuinely restful between city days.
The strategic advantage of being outside the city is significant — we could choose our Dubrovnik days based on the cruise ship schedule, visiting on quieter days and staying at the resort on busier ones. This transformed our experience.
Read our full review of Sun Gardens Dubrovnik here.
👉 Book Sun Gardens Dubrovnik here →
Hotels in and Near Dubrovnik
Hotel Excelsior Dubrovnik — Ul Frana Supila 2000. 5-star, overlooks the Adriatic and the Old Town, spa, fitness centre and indoor pool. Guest review: “The location — INSANE views of the Old Town and the most perfect place to spend the day by the water.”
Hotel Kompass Dubrovnik — Kardinala Stepinca 21. 4-star on the seafront at Lapad Beach, 4km from the Old Town, spa and 2 pools. Guest review: “Stunning hotel in an incredible location. Staff are very helpful and every need is catered for.”
👉 Compare all Dubrovnik hotels with Booking.com →
Frequently Asked Questions — One Day in Dubrovnik
Is one day in Dubrovnik enough?
One day is enough to see the highlights — the city walls, the Stradun, the Franciscan and Dominican monasteries, the Rector’s Palace, the Cathedral and the cable car to Mount Srd. It is not enough to feel you know Dubrovnik. We have been twice and stayed for extended periods and still feel there is more to discover. Use one day as a reason to come back for longer.
What is the best thing to do with one day in Dubrovnik?
Walk the city walls first thing in the morning — this is non-negotiable. The early morning light, the minimal crowds and the extraordinary views over the Old City and the Adriatic make this the defining Dubrovnik experience. Everything else you add to the day is a bonus.
How much does one day in Dubrovnik cost?
A realistic budget for one day including entrance fees, lunch and the cable car:
| Expense | Approximate Cost Per Person |
|---|---|
| City Walls entrance | ~€35 |
| Franciscan Monastery | ~€6 |
| Dominican Monastery | ~€15 |
| Rector’s Palace | ~€15 |
| Cathedral Treasury | ~€4 |
| Cable car return | ~€20 |
| Lunch in Old City | €25–40 |
| Buza Bar drink | €5–12 |
| Game of Thrones tour | €25–35 |
| Total (approximate) | €150–180 per person |
Is the Game of Thrones tour worth it even if I haven’t watched the show?
Yes — the locations are genuinely extraordinary regardless of the TV context and the guides’ behind-the-scenes stories are fascinating. If you have watched the show, it adds another layer entirely. We recommend it to everyone.
What is Buza Bar and when should I visit?
Buza Bar is a bar literally cut into the cliff on the south side of the Old City walls — a hole in the wall overlooking the sea. It is one of the most dramatic bar settings in Europe. Arrive well before sunset as it fills up significantly before the golden hour. The positions along the cliff edge go first. It is worth it.
Is Dubrovnik suitable for older travellers?
Yes — with sensible planning. The Old City is largely flat with the exception of the side streets, which have steps. The city walls are a 2km walk but can be completed at any pace — there are cafes along the route. The cable car to Mount Srd is fully accessible. We have visited with travellers in their seventies and eighties without any difficulty. Comfortable shoes are essential.
How do I get from Dubrovnik Airport to the Old City?
Dubrovnik Airport is approximately 19km from the Old City. Options include the airport bus (approximately €10, drops near Pile Gate), a private transfer (approximately €30–40) or a taxi. Pre-book your transfer to avoid chaos on arrival, particularly in peak season.
👉 Book your Dubrovnik airport transfer here →
What is the best time of year to visit Dubrovnik for one day?
May, June, September and October give you the best weather combined with manageable crowds. July and August are the hottest and most crowded months — if you are visiting then, the early morning strategy for the walls is even more important. We visited in September and found it still busy but very manageable.
Can I drink the tap water in Dubrovnik?
Yes — the water from Onofrio’s Fountain inside Pile Gate is clean, cool and drinkable. Tap water throughout Croatia is generally safe. Fill your bottle at the fountain and save the cost of buying bottled water all day.
Should I book a walking tour or explore independently?
Both are worthwhile but a guided walking tour at the start of your day transforms the experience — you understand what you are looking at, why it matters and the extraordinary stories behind every building. We recommend a 90-minute walking tour first thing, then independent exploration for the rest of the day.
👉 Book the Dubrovnik Old Town Walking Tour here →
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Getting to Dubrovnik
👉 Find cheapest flights to Dubrovnik with Skyscanner →
Getting Around Croatia
Croatia is a beautiful country to explore beyond Dubrovnik. We travelled by bus between cities — comfortable, affordable and easy. Split, Zagreb and the Peljesac Peninsula wine country are all excellent additions to a Croatia itinerary.
For bus schedules and tickets: 👉 Book Croatian bus travel here →
For hire cars: 👉 Compare hire cars in Croatia with Discover Cars →
eSIM
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Travel Insurance
👉 Get travel insurance for Croatia →
CONCLUSION
One Day is the Beginning — Not the End
We came home from our first day in Dubrovnik and booked to come back. That is the most honest thing we can tell you about this city.
One day gives you the walls in the early morning light. The peace of the Franciscan monastery courtyard and the smell of orange blossom. The marble of the Stradun underfoot. The view from Mount Srd at sunset with a cold Croatian white wine in hand. The Latin inscription above the door of Fort Lovrijenac that has been there for seven hundred years.
One day gives you enough to be certain you need more. That, in our experience, is exactly what a great city does.
Ready to book your Dubrovnik day?
👉 Book the Dubrovnik City Walls Tour →
👉 Book the Dubrovnik Old Town Walking Tour →
👉 Book the Game of Thrones Walking Tour →
👉 Book the Elaphiti Islands Lunch Cruise →
👉 Book the Mostar Day Trip from Dubrovnik →
👉 Book your Dubrovnik Airport Transfer →
👉 Compare Dubrovnik hotels with Booking.com →
👉 Book Sun Gardens Dubrovnik — our personal recommendation →
👉 Find cheapest flights to Dubrovnik with Skyscanner →
👉 Get travel insurance for Croatia →
👉 Get your Croatia eSIM with Saily — code TOTRAVELTOO for 5% off →
Have you spent one day in Dubrovnik? Did you walk the walls? Did you find Buza Bar before the crowds? We would love to hear about your experience — leave a comment below.
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I always struggle to fix up one day itineraries. It can be overwhelming which to see and which to miss. Thanks for this list for Dubrovnik. It is helpful to plan out a trip there now. I would definitely love to do a walking tour there and visit Rector’s Palace. Great pictures.
Hi Indrani
Thanks for your comments. Dubrovnik is amazing and well worth the visit.
Cheers Jane and Duncan
This is a superb guide for a 1 day trip. I am a Game of thrones fan and I can sure recognise the fort from the series. The cafes are also so cool. This is the perfect itinerary for a short stopover.
Hi Sinjana
Thanks for your comments. If you are a GOT fan it is the perfect place to visit.
Cheers Jane and Duncan
This brought back such great memories for me of Dubrovnik. I walked those walls for so long, I remember resting against one for quite some time! The cathedral is so stunning, though I don’t remember visiting Rectors Palace. Anyhow, it’ll give me an excuse to return!
Hi Lisa
Thanks for your comments. You could spend all day walking the walls and enjoying a drink or lunch along the way. It is very special.
Cheers Jane and Duncan
Dubrovnik was still part of Yugoslavia when I went. I really am getting old lol. Your photos have inspired me to return. I’d love to explore the old town again.
Hi Sarah
Thanks for your comments. Dubrovnik is really beautiful and such a joy to visit, hope you make it.
Cheers Jane and Duncan
GoT fan so I’m headed straight to the walls! The cloister at Franciscan Church are beautiful. I’m always a fan of sunset cocktails with a view so I’m also headed to Buza Bar. Great suggestions
Hi Sherianne
Thanks for your comments. Wow you are going to be busy and have loads of fun. Get to Buza Bar early for best seats.
Cheers Jane and Duncan
Just in time for GOT! Dubrovnik has so much culture. I would love to take a walking tour and experience it all.
Hi Jen and Ed
Thanks for your comments. Yep just in time for GOT. The views from the walls are amazing hope you can get to do a walking tour one day.
Cheers Jane and Duncan
I have beem dreaming of visiting Croatia for a while bow. Mainly to explore all the GOT spots in Dubrovnik. The wall of Dubrovnik would be fun experience, so does visiting all the historic sites.
Hi Suma
Thanks for your comments. Dubrovnik is such an amazing city to visit we hope that you can travel there one day.
Cheers Jane and Duncan
Thanks for sharing this information. I really appreciate your post and you explain each and every point very well.
Hi Jyoti
Thank you for your comments.
Cheers Jane and Duncan