It is hard to believe now that Dubrovnik was once a hidden gem of the Dalmatian coast. The town burst on the tourist scene dramatically after the HBO series Game of Thrones. Now this city in Croatia by the Adriatic Sea, is one of the most prominent tourist destinations in the Mediterranean. The old town has enough history and beauty to occupy anyone for 2-3 days, but what if you had only one day to spend in Dubrovnik?
Whether you reach this town via a cruise route or on a ferry from an Croatia island or driving down the Makarska Riviera, here is my detailed Dubrovnik 1 day itinerary. Our visit to Dubrovnik was at the end of our 2-week Croatia itinerary which started in Zagreb and ended in this historic town in southern Dalmatia.
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Dubrovnik Itinerary for 1 day
Morning: Walk the walls
Dubrovnik is well known for its distinctive Old Town, encircled with massive stone walls. Any Dubrovnik itinerary would advise you to walk the walls of Dubrovnik old town for the best views. The sight of orange roofs of Dubrovnik town and the blue colours of the Adriatic Sea are a joy while walking the walls.
The whole city of Dubrovnik was enclosed with walls in the 13th century, that were extended and strengthened up until the 17th century. With numerous additions and modifications throughout their history, the walls of Dubrovnik are amongst the greatest fortification systems of the Middle Ages. Walking the walls today is for approx. 2 km.
It is best to do this as early in the morning as possible to avoid crazy crowds and the bright sun. We started at about 830 am, and it felt quite warm during our mid-June trip to Croatia. You can get tickets on the Stradun from the side of Pile gate right in front of the Big fountain of Onfario. But for one day in Dubrovnik, it is best to buy the Dubrovnik City Pass. This covers walk on the old town walls and access to Fort Lovrijenac, several museums and galleries.
Afternoon: Explore the old town
Dubrovnik is an UNESCO World Heritage Site. The car-free town is worth exploring on foot even if you have a just a day to spend in Dubrovnik. This gives you a closer look to the many wonderful buildings, cathedrals, monasteries and more. While walking the walls, you would have sighted Fort Lovrijenac. The Dubrovnik City Pass gives you access to go inside the Lovrijenac Fortress. Often called ‘Dubrovnik’s Gibraltar’, this detached fortress was of prime importance for the defense of the western part of Dubrovnik.
Next, comes the main arterial road of Dubrovnik town named as the Stradun. This pedestrian road stretches for about 300 meters from Pile Gate to the Ploce Gate at the Old Port. It is lined with shops, restaurants, and cafes, though I found the restaurants away from Stradun to be less busy. Make sure you have time for a leisurely lunch while exploring the old town.
On the main street, you will come upon Franciscan Church and Monastery. It has one of the oldest functioning pharmacies in Europe, that we explored. If you want to delve deeper into Dubrovnik’s past, visit the Sponza Palace next. It houses the Dubrovnik Archives, considered to be among the richest in Europe.
Then there is St. Blaise, the Baroque church in Dubrovnik and one of the city’s major sights. St Blaise has been honoured as the patron saint of Dubrovnik from the 10th century. And finally, walk to the Assumption Cathedral, which is a Roman Catholic cathedral. You can see the Orlando’s Column on the right – a favorite meeting place of the locals.
Nearby is Rector’s Palace which is worth a visit. The Dubrovnik Cultural-Historical Museum is located in this beautiful historical building. The palace used to serve as the seat of the Rector of the Republic of Ragusa between the 14th and 19th century.
Alternative for GoT fans: Take a Game of Thrones walking tour
Game of Thrones has been filmed all over the world, but the outer walls of Dubrovnik look as if they were built for this TV series. If you are a GoT fan, spend a perfect afternoon of your Dubrovnik one day itinerary by visiting the Game of Thrones locations in Dubrovnik.
Dubrovnik’s Old Town is home to many Game of Thrones scenes, making it a great place for travelers to begin a GoT tour of Croatia. Located outside the old town, Trsteno Arboretum was used as the stand-in for the Red Keep palace gardens. Minceta Tower is the highest point in Dubrovnik and boasts impressive views of the sea and the old town. The GoT filming crew chose this tower as the House of Undying in Season 2.
Several scenes have been shot at Lovrijenac Fortress, famously the tournament held in King Joffrey’s name in Season 2. Lokrum island was the filming location for the city of Qarth. It is conveniently located a short ferry ride from Dubrovnik city. And who can forget the quaint cobblestone street that is most famous as the location of Cersei’s infamous walk in Season 5.
You can see most of the Game of Thrones Dubrovnik locations by yourself. Or opt for an Game of Thrones Croatia tour.
Early evening: Cable car up Srd Hill
Mount Srd gives a unique view of Dubrovnik old town and the surrounding areas. The top of the hill can be reached via the Dubrovnik cable car. You can hike up the Srd Hill via an unmarked path but that may not be possible if you have only one day in Dubrovnik.
The cable car takes you to a terrace from where you get stunning views. As if the views of the Adriatic Sea were not enough from walking the old town walls! Right next to the cable car station, there is Panorama Restaurant & Bar at an altitude that offers a spectacular view of the old city.
We also visited the Imperial Fortress on top of Srd Hill. Napoleon ordered the construction of Fort Imperial (or Fort Napoleon) in 1806, soon after Dubrovnik capitulated to French rule. We visited the Museum of the Croatian War for Independence on the ground floor. It houses many documents, photographs, weapons, explosives, parts of military equipment, mine maps, war log books. There is also good video material covering the Homeland war.
After taking the cable car back to the town, those of you who need to go back to your cruise ship should do do. Others should make time for an enjoyable night in Dubrovnik itinerary.
Night: Enjoy the lively vibe in the old town
The old town is touristy and clichéd in parts, but always entertaining. The evening vibe in the lively cafes and bars is thoroughly enjoyable. We had tried the Taj Mahal restaurant for dinner, which serves delicious Bosnian cuisine despite its name. Another memorable experience was at the Troubadour jazz bar, with great music and ocktails, perfect for a lively evening.
Ofcourse, dining at Panorama restaurant up on Srd Hill is a good option. You cannot beat this combination of good food with picturesque views of Dubrovnik, the Adriatic Sea and its islands.
How many days to spend in Dubrovnik
I have outlined a 1 day Dubrovnik itinerary here , but there is lots to see and do In this beautiful city. You can easily spend at least 2 to 3 days there. More if you are planning day trips to nearby Croatian islands like Mjlet, Korcula or other towns like Ston and Mali Ston.
For beach lovers, Dubrovnik’s main beach is quite pretty. Banje Beach sits just south of the city walls, a 5-minute walk from Ploče Gate. Sulic Beach is far less popular than Banje Beach, but it’s much more atmospheric. Lokrum is the closest island to Dubrovnik and makes for an easy half-day trip. Just a 15-20 min ferry ride from Dubrovnik Old Town port. We had done a kayaking trip around Lokrum.
Many folks choose Split as their base town over Croatia because it provides more options for day trips to nearby islands and smaller towns. But Dubrovnik is at the southern tip of Dalmatian coast and has proximity to Montenegro and Bosnia & Herzegovina. Dubrovnik also provides options for day trips to these countries.
Best Time to Visit Dubrovnik
The best time to visit Dubrovnik is from April to mid-June, and mid-September to October. Summer months of July and August can get exceptionally crowded and hotel prices peak.
Do note that the Game of Thrones series has made Dubrovnik exceptionally popular in Croatia. When cruise ships are in port, Dubrovnik old town becomes especially congested with tourists.
Planning a trip to Croatia?
See this 2-week Croatia itinerary, suited for a family trip
Inclined towards city sightseeing? Read how to spend one day in Zagreb and 1 day in Split Croatia. Do see the comparison between Split and Dubrovnik. Don’t miss out on the must-see GoT Locations in Croatia.
You must visit one of the national parks in Croatia: Plitvice and Krka being the famous ones. See this travel guide on Plitvice Lakes.
Croatia is famous for its islands. Check out these posts on best things to do in Hvar island and Vis island Travel Guide. There are over 1000 islands across the Dalmatian coast, here is a guide on the best Croatian islands for families.
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Oh this is so helpful! Pinning to help with my Croatia 2026 planning!
My husband and I opted to go a little more off the beaten path for our trip to Croatia, but Dubrovnik would definitely be worth a trip back.