Best Day Trips from Dubrovnik

The walled city of Dubrovnikis rich in history, architecture and nature. However, during your stay you can also take the time to explore the surrounding area: islands, national parks and cities, many of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

So incorporate some excursions into your itinerary of the best things to do in Dubrovnik. For example, visit Lokrum Island to see the places that served as locations for Games of Thrones, take a cruise through the Blue Cave and stop in the open sea to snorkel, join a wine tasting on the Peljesac peninsula, among others.

Lokrum Island is a good destination for those who want to enjoy a privileged natural area away from the hustle and bustle of the walled city. It has also become very popular because it is one of the destinations included in the best Game of Thrones tours in Dubrovnik.

For this excursion, you will travel from Dubrovnik's Old City Harbour to Lokrum Island. This is an approximately 15-minute sea tour , where you will enjoy an amazing panoramic view of the city and its surroundings.

Upon arrival, you will visit the Ruins of the Benedictine Monastery which, during the second season, gave life to the city of Qarth. There, Daenerys Targaryen, also known as the Mother of Dragons, took refuge. You can also sit on the original Iron Throne, given to the island after the end of Game of Thrones.

After this Game of Thrones tour of Lokrum Island in Dubrovnik, you can discover all the places hidden in this historic place. For example, the Botanical Garden with more than 500 different species of trees and plants, the Fort Royal, among others.

Interesting details

• Price: the cost of this activity starts from 32€ per person.
• Duration: the tour usually lasts approximately three hours.
• Means of transport: ferry.
• Advantages of this option: you will be able to visit the place visited by Mother Dragons in the second season of Games of Thrones and sit on the original Iron Throne.
• Disadvantages of this option: entrance to the attractions visited is not included in the price of the excursion.

Embarking on a guided city tour to Montenegro is an experience you won't regret. You will be able to contemplate a series of incredible landscapes and natural spaces. This is definitely an activity you can incorporate into your Dubrovnik 1-day itinerary.

The adventure begins with a drive of just over three hours from Dubrovnik to Montenegro. Upon arrival at the destination, you will be accompanied by a guide who will take you to the most outstanding places, while telling you the history of each one of them.

Some of the places to visit on this excursion to Montenegro from Dubrovnik include the following:

• The city of Koto, whose old town was recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. In this town, located on the coast of the Adriatic Sea, you will see the Clock Tower, the Cathedral of St. Tryphon, among other architectural works.
• The Zupa Dubrovacka and Konavle Valleys, with beautiful hills and olive and grape fields.
• The city of Budva, where you will find some beaches for sunbathing and water sports. Venetian architecture is also prevalent here.

Interesting details

• Price: the price of the experience is approximately €62 per person.
• Duration: the excursion lasts a maximum of 12 hours.
• Means of transport: minibus.
• Advantages of this option: you will cross the border from Croatia to Montenegro to enjoy beautiful natural areas and architectural monuments of great historical value.
• Disadvantages of this option: the activity does not usually include meals or drinks.

Whether you're in Dubrovnik in December, mid-year or January, you should know that any time is a good time to visit Mljet National Park. Take a guided tour of this natural lung and see its vegetation, lakes, beaches, grottoes and much more.

You will sail across the Adriatic Sea to Mljet National Park on one of the best boat trips in and around Dubrovnik. Upon arrival, you will be amazed by the scenic beauty of the place and start the tour with your guide.

The main destinations to visit include the following:

• The island of Sveta Marija in Lake Veliko. There, you will see a Benedictine Monastery from the 12th century.

• Lake Malo Jezero, which is connected to Lake Veliko by a narrow channel.

• Ulysses' Cave, where, according to legend, Nymph Calypso held Ulysses for many years.

• Blace beach on the island of Mljet, with its unique crescent shape and turquoise waters.

To continue this excursion to Mljet National Park and 3 islands from Dubrovnik, you will make a couple more stops:

• Lopud Island, with a white sandy beach, a 15th century Spanish fortress, among other historical sites.
• Kolocep Island, with rocky coves, olive groves and hiking trails. There are also bars and restaurants.

Interesting details

• Price: the excursion costs around €123 per person.
• Duration: Generally, the experience lasts about 10 hours.
• Means of transport: boat and minibus.
• Advantages of this option: the activity usually includes transfer to and from the hotel.
• Disadvantages of this option: The excursion is not recommended for people with limited mobility.

During your stay of 2 days or more in Dubrovnik, you can take part in a guided river excursion to the Elafiti Archipelago. There, you will visit the Blue Cave, which belongs to the island of Kolocep. You can enjoy the scenery and immerse yourself in the waters of this impressive natural area.

You will set sail from the Old Port of Dubrovnik in the company of a guide and the captain in charge of the boat. Once on deck and as you arrive at the Blue Cave, you will have the opportunity to admire the view, take pictures and relax while the sea breeze brushes your face.

When you arrive at the Blue Cave in Kolocep, you will be amazed by the turquoise blue colour of the water. During this type of experience you will have the opportunity to put on safety equipment and the guide will teach you basic snorkelling techniques to explore the picturesque marine life.

After the Blue Cave tour from Dubrovnik, you'll head to Sunj beach, where you'll have free time to enjoy the crystal clear waters. You'll also be sure to enjoy a cocktail in one of the many bars before heading back to the city to continue with the best activities in Dubrovnik.

Interesting details

• Price: the average price of the activity starts at €63 per person.
• Duration: The tour usually lasts about four hours.
• Means of transport: boat.
• Advantages of this option: you will enjoy some drinks and snacks on board the boat.
• Disadvantages of this option: the transfer to and from the hotel is not usually included.

Kravica Nature Park and the city of Mostar are a couple of popular destinations that you can visit on a day trip from Dubrovnik. Through this adventure, you will enjoy the beautiful scenery and learn about the history, culture and architecture of these places.

Once you connect with your driver-guide in the centre of Dubrovnik, you will travel by road for approximately two hours to the Kravica Waterfalls. At this first stop, you will see a waterfall of about 25 metres high and 120 metres wide.

This natural spectacle is surrounded by vegetation, creating an amazing contrast that you can take advantage of for photo opportunities. You will also have free time to explore the site, swim and have an impromptu picnic. Afterwards, you will travel to the city of Mostar (about 60 minutes away).

There, you will discover mosques, the 16th century Stari Most bridge, Turkish baths, etc. Also, before finishing this excursion to Mostar and Kravica waterfalls from Dubrovnik, you can visit some cafes and restaurants on your own.

Interesting details

• Price: the cost of this tour starts from 40€ per person.
• Duration: The duration of the tour is approximately 10-12 hours.
• Means of transport: minibus.
• Advantages of this option: you will visit a couple of places with an amazing natural scene and a great cultural and architectural heritage.
• Disadvantages of this option: generally, the activity is not adapted for pushchairs or wheelchairs.

On your trip of at least 3 days in Dubrovnik, you can join an excursion on the Peljesac peninsula. Accompanied by a guide, you will visit some of the salt factories and wine cellars of this region, learn about its history and do some wine tasting.

You will meet a driver-guide at the door of your hotel or at an agreed location in the centre of Dubrovnik. You will then travel about 60 minutes by road to the coastal town of Ston.

Here you will visit:

• An old salt factory, where you will learn about the production process.
• The Great Wall of Croatia, built in the 14th century to defend the salt pans.

The next stop is about 20 minutes drive from the previous destination, arriving at the Peljesac peninsula, where you will observe the local wine production process and take part in a wine tasting. To do so, you will visit a number of wineries. For example, Vina Vukas Winery, OPG Luko Ledinić, among others.

Interesting details

• Price: this tour costs approximately €260 per person.
• Duration: the estimated time for this type of activity is at least seven hours.
• Means of transport: minibus.
• Advantages of this option: You will get a close look at the two major export sources of the Peljesac Peninsula.
• Disadvantages of this option: Tips are not usually included in the price of the activity, so you will need to bring cash with you.

If you plan to spend around 2-7 days in Dubrovnik and even longer, you can incorporate a day trip to Split into your itinerary. Split is located about three hours' drive from the walled city and is home to an important architectural and cultural heritage.

If you take a guided tour, you will travel to Split with your driver-guide. On the way you can relax and enjoy the coastal scenery from the car window.

You will be able to explore the city in search of its main tourist attractions, some of them being:

• Diocletian's Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• The Cathedral of St Duje, with its visually attractive bell tower.
• Republic Square, representative of the Mediterranean style and bordered by a series of Renaissance buildings.
• The Mestrovic Gallery, which houses the works of Croatian sculptor Ivan Mestrovic.

Interesting details

• Price: the cost of the tour is around €320 per person.
• Duration: the activity usually lasts approximately 11 hours.
• Means of transport: minibus.
• Advantages of this option: you will get to know the architectural and cultural heritage of the city of Split.
• Disadvantages of this option: entrance fees to some of the attractions visited are not usually included in the price of the excursion.

The Trsteno Arboretum is a beautiful Renaissance garden, which you can visit on your own from Dubrovnik. It is an aristocratic residence dating back to the 15th century, in the surroundings of which various species of flowers and trees from all over the world were planted.

This arboretum is located approximately 25 minutes drive from the centre of Dubrovnik. Upon arrival you will discover a picturesque and peaceful place, ideal for a scenic walk and amazing photographs. You will see trees over 400 years old along with palm trees, grapefruit trees, tangerine trees and more.

Also, because the arboretum is located on a hill, you will have a panoramic view of the Adriatic Sea. Also, if you are in Dubrovnik with children, this excursion will be a great way for the little ones to breathe fresh air and be in direct contact with nature.

Interesting details

• Price: Entrance to the Trsteno Arboretum costs an average of €10 per person.
• Duration: This self-guided tour could take around three hours.
• Means of transport: Private car or taxi.
• Advantages of this option: you will visit a small natural lung with plants from all corners of the world.
• Disadvantages of this option: as this is not a guided tour, you will have to arrange your own transport, either by hiring a car or a taxi.

Excursions from Dubrovnik will allow you to see the cultural, historical and architectural heritage of towns and villages near the walled city. For example, the old town of Koto on the Montenegrin coast and the old town of Split, both of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

You will also see a series of natural spaces that are unique in the world. The Blue Cave in Kolocep, whose turquoise-blue waters are home to picturesque marine life; the waterfall in the Kravica Nature Park, with a height of 25 metres and surrounded by lush vegetation; the Montenegro Coast, where you will find beaches and farmland, among other places.

If during your stay in Dubrovnik you plan to embark on an excursion from Dubrovnik to one of the nearby cities, you should take into consideration some basic tips. This way, you will avoid inconveniences and significantly improve your experience.

• Don't forget to take a bottle of water with you, so you can stay hydrated along the way.
• Have your documents handy, as you may need them to enter and leave the cities visited from Dubrovnik.
• Wear comfortable shoes, so you can walk long distances during the tour without hurting your feet.
• Carry cash in case you need to tip or shop in a village street shop.