Dubrovnik in 3 Days: a guidebook for getting the most out of your visit

Dubrovnik, also known as the**"Pearl of the Adriatic**", is a city in southern Croatia that has become increasingly popular with tourists in recent years. With its stunning coastline, historic old town and several Game of Thrones filming locations, it's easy to see why so many people are drawn to this beautiful city.

However, with so much to see and do in Dubrovnik, planning a trip can be overwhelming. That's why I've created the perfect 3-day itinerary to help you make the most of your stay in this picturesque city. From guided tours of the old town, to kayaking, enchanting cruises and island hopping, this itinerary has something for everyone. Pack your bags and let's go!

The first day of the itinerary is an introduction to the history, culture and natural beauty of Dubrovnik. It begins with a journey into the past at the city's nerve centre, the old town. This pedestrianised area is packed with sights where the cobblestone streets fill with people even in the off-season, so I recommend taking a guided tour of the Old Town in Dubrovnik.

This World Heritage Site is known for its impressive architecture. Its medieval defence system denotes an era that left a deep mark on Dubrovnik. From now on, get lost in its streets, or better, let yourself be guided by your guide, the important thing is that you visit at least 8 essential stops. Here's a map to help you keep track of them and even learn about their role in Game of Thrones.

Dubrovnik Cathedral and Museum of Cultural History

The first stop is the Church of Ignatius, a 17th century church located very close to the iconic stone staircase known as the Jesuit Stairs. This is the best place to appreciate the city in its entirety, as Dubrovnik is quite flat, as Game of Thrones constantly makes clear.

Continue 140 metres until you reach the Dubrovnik Cathedral, a beautiful church that is an icon of the city. Then go one block to the Rector's Palace, an important 15th century monument that houses the Museum of Cultural History.

Stradun Street, St. Saviour's Church and Pile Gate

The route continues one block further on where you will see the Clock Tower, also known as **Dubrovnik'**s bell tower. Almost next to the Onofrio Fountain, another iconic 15th century building, before you make your way through the network of narrow streets of Stradun, the city's main thoroughfare. Here I recommend stopping for a refreshing drink and a snack, surrounded by a wide variety of cafes and restaurants.

Then continue on to the Church of St. Saviour, another World Heritage Site in the Pearl of the Adriatic. A block further on you will find the famous Pile Gate which, built in 1537, gained recognition in the modern day Game of Thrones.

Lunch and Game of Thrones tour

In the afternoon I recommend lunch at a charming restaurant with a terrace such as Dubravka 1836 Restaurant & Cafe. The views are beautiful, the food is delicious and the prices are affordable. Then spend the afternoon on one of the best Game of Thrones tours. As you may have seen, in the morning, you passed at least two points of interest, but the settings used for this popular HBO series are almost endless in Dubrovnik.

For fans - and not so fans - of the series, this type of tour is a magical activity. Guides take you to filming locations in and around Dubrovnik, including the iconic Red Tower, the Walk of Shame and the site where King Joffrey was unceremoniously cast in King's Landing. You'll learn the behind-the-scenes stories and see first-hand how the show's creators transformed Dubrovnik into the world of Westeros along the Game of Thrones route.

Dinner and boat trip

To end the day I suggest one of the best boat tours in Dubrovnik. This type of Dubrovnik night tour offers breathtaking views of the city walls and fortresses as the sun sets over the Adriatic Sea.

Another great thing about this tour is that you will be able to see this Dalmatian region from a different perspective - you will be amazed by the panoramic views! The boat will make several stops such as the island of Lokrum, which is home to beaches and forests, and other landmarks. These cruises also pass through the nearest bathing spots, such as the main beach on the southwest coast and the salt lake known as the Dead Sea. Here you can take a dip or explore the island's botanical gardens.

As if the morning and afternoon movie sets weren't enough, Lokrum is also a destination that offers cinematic sightseeing. Visit the Iron Throne, located on Lokrum Island. Oh, and don't worry about the food, this type of cruise usually includes a traditional Croatian dinner and drinks on board the ship.

This is a day to give yourself over to one of the best excursions from Dubrovnik and sail straight to the Elafiti Archipelago, the ideal place for your holiday in Croatia.

The excursion is a combination of adventure and relaxation along 14 virtually untouched islands. Between them there are no more than 1,000 inhabitants, which allows the natural charm of the place to be preserved. You will have the opportunity to explore the main attractions of Lopud and Koločepre Island, while passing through their smaller sisters, coasts and caves. You'll also enjoy a delicious meal with stunning views of the Adriatic Sea as a backdrop.

Start with the Elafiti Islands

Start your second day in Dubrovnik with a cruise around Dubrovnik's Elafiti Islands. Take the ferry from Dubrovnik's Old Town to Lopud, a transfer of approximately 45 minutes, this is the island usually chosen as the first stop.

Lopud is known for its stunning beaches, crystal clear waters and charming village. Spend the morning exploring the island's main attractions, take a swim at Sunj beach and lie on the golden sand. Afterwards, you can visit the Franciscan Monastery and St. Mary's Church.

The Green Cave on Koločep Island

The afternoon can be spent on Koločep Island, the island of seven pre-Romanesque churches and caves. As the cruise progresses, you will notice that the colour of the Adriatic offers you a colourful spectacle of greens and blues that are idyllic. This will be the first sign of approach to the Betina Cave, better known as the Green Cave. Here you should dive into its greenish waters with a snorkel. Entry is free and it is teeming with sponges, seaweed and a variety of fish.

One of the interesting facts about Zelena Spilja, Betina's original name, is that this cave is the largest on the route and very beautiful. I also recommend that you make a note of this place as one of your things to do in Dubrovnik with children. For the little ones who love the sea, the experience is a delightful one. The only drawback will be how to convince them to get out of the cave. But don't worry, just let them know that the next stop in the afternoon is the famous Blue Cave.

The Blue Cave

This grotto is iridescent in daylight. Its walls reflect the light and the effect it produces is a marine immersion surrounded by turquoise spotlights. It is a visual wonder of nature that often demands its own tour to the Blue Cave from Dubrovnik.

This cave has captured the attention of millions of people since 1884. To enter, you now have to pay a supplement which is often included in the tours.

Dinner at Bar Buza

For an unforgettable evening, visit Bar Buza, a hidden gem in Dubrovnik that by Dubrovnik standards is good, nice, cheap and has good service and a panoramic view of the Adriatic Sea behind a rocky gate in the city walls.

It is located on the cliffs outside the city walls. You can watch other people diving off the cliff or lounging on the rocks before enjoying a refreshing drink at sunset. The combo is part of the things to do in Dubrovnik at night and at Buza Bar you can enjoy them all.

You can also eat tapas with a few drinks or dine in an enviable setting. Their only sin is that they only accept cash, but with their prices, that's understandable.

On your third day, give yourself the opportunity to explore Dubrovnik's coastline by kayak, and enjoy a thrilling zip-line activity at sunset to bid farewell to the medieval Pearl of the Adriatic with a high-altitude experience.

Start the day with water sports

Start your third day in Dubrovnik by kayaking along the coast. You can either rent a kayak on your own or take a snorkelling kayak tour so you can see the location of hidden caves as well as snorkelling. When you're ready, dive into the crystal clear waters of the Adriatic Sea. Throughout the experience you will learn about the local marine life and ecosystem.

See Dubrovnik' s spectacular landmarks from the sea, as well as the island you visited on the first day, Lokrum Island. In addition, you can witness the winding walled walls that protect the city. This perspective really makes you think of this town in the Dalmatian region as a fortress standing still in time.

Take a ride on a karaka

After returning from your kayaking and snorkelling tour, I recommend you travel back in time and embark on a historical tour aboard a karaka, a replica of the old wooden boats that used to sail the waters of Dalmatia in the 16th century.

In the Port of Gruž you will find several options. Boatmen take you on a 45-minute cruise along the coast while you immerse yourself in the fascinating maritime history of the Republic of Ragusa, known today as Dubrovnik.

You will enjoy the stunning views of the fortified city from the boat. To make the experience even more authentic, such tours often include a tasting of some traditional sweets such as rožata.

Visit the monasteries, the Sponza Palace and the War Museum

After following the same route as the old merchant ships, you disembark from the Karaka to begin a walking tour of Dubrovnik's historic centre. It's time to visit the sites that were left over from the first day! Stroll around the Dominican Monastery, the Sponza Palace, Orlando's Column and the Church of St Blaise.

Also worth a visit is the Franciscan Monastery, a 14th century building that has been renovated several times after the earthquake of 1667. Also, make a note of the War Photo Limited Museum, which displays stunning images of the city during the Croatian War of Independence in the 1990s.

Bid farewell to Dubrovnik from on high

Enjoy the exhilarating feeling of a sunset zip-line experience, one of the best activities in Dubrovnik, in the evening. You will be in awe as you soar above the picturesque Mount Srd, one of the 15 reasons to fall in love with Dubrovnik. From this point you can capture the best panoramic views of the city, the Old Town and the surrounding islands.

And after your zip-line experience, you can relax with a delicious bottle of Croatian wine, while an expert guide shares fascinating tidbits about the culture of Dubrovnik and Croatia in general. Relax, it's usually all one package, so drinks are usually part of the activity.

Surrender to the spectacular view of the Adriatic Sea as the sun sets on the horizon, casting a mesmerising glow around you. With this activity you end your 3-day itinerary through the Pearl of the Adriatic, having created memorable memories among islands, caves and movie-like walls.