I’ve visited Dubrovnik three times: in May 2014, in April 2016, and most recently in September 2025. Between my first two trips, there was an enormous increase in tourism in the city. This had skyrocketed by my trip last year! Dubrovnik has been at the center of the debate on overtourism, responsible/sustainable travel, cruise ship travel, etc. The reality now is that Dubrovnik, particularly the Old Town, is unbelievably, overwhelmingly crowded with tourists. I knew this would be the case before my most recent trip, but I still felt sad seeing and experiencing it first-hand. It was a good reminder to book the flight, take the trip, and go – because you never know what might happen in the future.

But there’s good reason for the crowds here. The city is beautiful. There’s a reason it’s called the Jewel of the Adriatic. There’s a reason why George Bernard Shaw once said, “if you want to see paradise on Earth, come to Dubrovnik.” But to enjoy a trip here, I do recommend planning your itinerary in advance, and trying to visit in a responsible, respectful way.

It’s also quite pricey, considering the Balkans’ long-standing reputation as a budget-friendly destination. Since my first trip in 2014, Croatia has joined the Schengen Zone, and switched their currency to the Euro. But there are still ways to save money, and spend money responsibly. Here are my top tips for visiting Dubrovnik in Croatia.

10 Tips for Visiting Dubrovnik

1) Avoid the Old Town during peak times (10am-5pm)

The Old Town in Dubrovnik is undoubtedly the major highlight of the city. But your experience in the city will be far more enjoyable if you can avoid being in the Old Town during the peak daytime hours. This is when cruise ship groups will be visiting, and the streets are absolutely heaving. Try to plan activities and excursions outside the Old Town during this time!

One of my favorite ways to escape the Old Town daytime crowds is to visit the nearby island of Lokrum – one of my happiest travel memories from 2014 was sitting on a broken lawn chair on the top of the fort here. You can also go sea kayaking or head out on a cruise around the Elafiti Islands. Visit Lapad for this 3.8-mile hike around Babin Kuk. Enjoy a winery tour around the Pelješac peninsula or visit the pretty village of Ston. Some of these are things I still haven’t done yet but would love to do!

2) Walk the City Walls first thing in the morning, starting from Ploče Gate

The main entrance to Dubrovnik Old Town and the City Walls is at Pile Gate. A great way to beat the crowds is to start at Ploče Gate instead – you’ll have fewer people on the first half of the walls until you reach Pile Gate. The City Walls usually open at 8:00am (9:00am during winter), and an early start will make a big difference.

3) Consider the Dubrovnik Pass for your trip

The Dubrovnik Pass includes entrance to the City Walls, a number of other small, historic attractions in Dubrovnik, and a bus ticket. You can buy a one-day, three-day, or seven-day pass. Prices vary by season, usually €20 in winter or €40 in summer for a one-day pass. But as the City Walls are included in the Dubrovnik Pass, and cost either €20 or €40 on their own (depending on the season), it can be excellent value for money.

4) Take the cable car or hike up Srđ Mountain

The Dubrovnik Cable Car offers superb views from the top of Srđ Mountain. But if you don’t want to splash out on a ticket, you can hike up via the Way of the Cross. I did this on my last trip and loved it! The hike was about 3.4 miles round-trip from the trailhead, 289 meters of elevation gain, and took me about 1 hour and 45 minutes in total. It took me about 35 minutes to walk from my hostel in the Old Town up to the trailhead. Pin the trailhead location on GoogleMaps. While the sunset views are meant to be incredible, you’ll have to hike up during the hottest part of the day! I went first thing in the morning, which was excellent as it wasn’t too hot yet.

Both the cable car and hike are fairly popular. But I was one of just a few people heading up at 9:00am in early September on the trail. It’s another way to get out of the Old Town to avoid the crowds!

5) Enjoy Old Town architecture first thing in the morning or late in the evening

Another way to avoid the crowds in Dubrovnik is to wander the Old Town early in the morning, or late in the evening. The city streets were still pretty quiet (although not entirely empty) at 8:00am on my most recent trip. And it was possible to get a photo with no one else in it by staying out late. For full disclosure though, this was at about 1:00am on the way back to the hostel from partying all night, so I know that’s not an option for everyone!

6) Banje Beach is the closest beach to the Old Town and it’s free

There are a few swim spots around the harbor in the Old Town, where you can go for a dip and relax on the rocks and concrete slabs. But for a pebble beach close to the Old Town, head to Banje Beach. It does get very busy, but it’s free (unless you pay for a sunbed or umbrella). It’s a good choice for an activity to save money – on a hot sunny day, a dip in the Adriatic will feel like bliss. There are more beaches as you walk further away from the Old Town. The farther away you get, the fewer people you’ll find.

7) Dubrovnik Cathedral is free to visit

If you want to visit a few more free attractions in Dubrovnik, Dubrovnik Cathedral is free to visit. This is a beautiful, Baroque, 18th-century cathedral, although not overly sumptuous inside. It’s a nice place to find a bit of quiet or respite from the heat during the day. Remember to dress appropriately – ladies, cover your shoulders or you can usually pick up a shawl at the entrance.

8) Consider where you stay in Dubrovnik carefully

First of all, I do recommend staying overnight in Dubrovnik. There is a lot to see and do here! And cruise ship visitors/day trippers are a significant part of overtourism here. Airbnbs and short-term accommodation lets have contributed to overtourism problems in cities around the world. This is especially true in Dubrovnik, where tourist accommodation has driven locals out of the Old Town. But staying overnight puts more money into the local economy. I do recommend staying in the Old Town if possible – it is the most central and convenient location. But please consider the long-term impact of your short stay when choosing accommodation.

• Budget: Hostel Villa Angelina – I’ve stayed at this hostel twice, in 2016 and again in 2025! They moved locations and are now located right near the Jesuit Stairs. While the dorm rooms are basic (lockers are very skinny) and bathrooms are fairly small, they had excellent air conditioning, a lovely garden, and a fantastic atmosphere for socializing and meeting other people. I wish they had curtains in the dorms though!
• Budget: City Walls Hostel – I stayed at this hostel (formerly known as Fresh Sheets) back in 2014, and it’s another fantastic base in the Old Town. There’s a small kitchen and common area.
• Mid-range: Boutique Hotel Stari Grad – a stylish boutique hotel in the heart of the Old Town, with breakfast served on the terrace.
• Luxury: The Pucic Palace – The Pucic Palace is a lush five-star property in the Old Town, housed in a former Baroque palace, with elegant rooms and an on-site restaurant and wine bar.

If you’re happy to stay outside the Old Town, Lapad is a top pick. You’ll find a much quieter atmosphere, great value for money, and some truly luxe properties.

• Mid-range: Hotel Lapad – comfortable rooms, modern amenities, and an outdoor pool make this an excellent choice in Lapad.
• Luxury: Hotel Dubrovnik Palace – this property offers a truly luxurious stay, multiple restaurants, two swimming pools, a spa, and stunning views out to sea.

9) Enjoy a sunset beer at my favorite picnic spot

I stumbled across this place on my first trip, found my way back on my second trip, and brought some guys from my hostel here on my third trip. There’s a stunning view of the Old Town, Lokrum, and the sea. The location isn’t listed on GoogleMaps as a viewpoint, but there are usually a handful of other people here. If you want to avoid the crowds and enjoy some of the best free views of the Old Town, this is where you should go! I won’t give it away, but leaving the Old Town, turn left at the restaurant and go straight through the car park.

10) Try to avoid peak summer season in Dubrovnik

The months of June, July, and August see the biggest crush of people coming to Dubrovnik. This is despite the heat that makes for a sweaty experience traipsing around European cobblestone streets, trying to find somewhere with air conditioning or fans! I’ve only ever visited Dubrovnik in shoulder season – although, I don’t really think shoulder season exists in Dubrovnik anymore. Visiting in September was excellent. The weather was hot and it was still warm enough to swim in the sea, but it cooled down in the evenings and there were slightly fewer people.

If you can time your visit, I’d recommend visiting Dubrovnik in April/May or September/October. While some places may close down in winter – some accommodation is seasonal, from March to November only – you can still have a lovely trip in winter, with far fewer crowds. Attractions like the City Walls are also significantly cheaper during the off season.

Planning Your Trip to Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is located at the very southern end of Croatia, on the Adriatic coast. The city has its own airport, which is well-connected to the rest of Europe with budget airline flights. I always use Skyscanner to find the best flight deals. The ferry terminal and bus station are located to the west of the Old Town – you’ll want to take the 1A or 1B bus. Considering travel insurance for your trip? World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 adventure activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more. Check out tours and activites in Dubrovnik below!

One final shoutout to my boys at Gelateria Dubrovnik (right by the fountain on Stradun). I got ice cream here every night on my first trip in 2014. On the last night, it was so good that I went and ate it, and then came right back for another one. The guys working there thought it was so funny I was back again, they gave me my second one for free! I returned in 2016, and of course came back in 2025. On my last trip, I told the guy working there this story, and he insisted on giving me a free scoop on my last night. I love that they’re still going strong!

Dubrovnik has changed so much since my first visit in 2014. Even within less than 2 years, the Game of Thrones tourism had changed the city so much! My favorite pizza place upped their price from 15 kuna (€2) for a slice in 2014 to 20 kuna (€2.65) in 2016. In 2025, that same slice of pizza cost €5. It’s no longer a “hidden gem” or budget-friendly destination. But it is beautiful. And I do still recommend going.

Exploring beyond the Old Town (particularly during the peak hours), choosing to visit in shoulder season or winter, and seeing popular sites first thing in the morning or later in the evening, are all ways to have a more enjoyable experience in Dubrovnik. After three trips here, I still think this is one of the most gorgeous places in Europe. I hope this post helps planning your trip to Dubrovnik!

Have you ever been to Dubrovnik? What was your experience like?

You might also like my posts:

How to Spend a City Break in Zagreb, Croatia

Lokrum: A Perfect Dubrovnik Day Trip

Recipe: Bureks From the Balkans

All of my Croatia posts!

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