With its dramatic terracotta rooftops, stunning views of the Adriatic Sea, and explosive international fame thanks to Game of Thrones, it’s easy to see why people become infatuated with the Pearl of the Adriatic after spending even one day in Dubrovnik, Croatia.
This is a city that is dripping with beauty from every corner and adventure from every crevice. It’s the kind of place where you show up to spend a day, and end up staying a week.
Of course, that’s not always possible… and that’s where this one day Dubrovnik itinerary comes in.
Trying to see as much of Dubrovnik as you can and only have a day to spare?
After weeks spent in Dubrovnik spread out over multiple trips, this is exactly how we recommend structuring an itinerary for one day in Dubrovnik!
Table of Contents
A Word on Crowds + Prices in Dubrovnik, Croatia
With Dubrovnik’s global, Game-of-Thrones-assisted fame and status as a popular cruise ship stop has come enormous crowds with the prices to match.
Is exploring Dubrovnik in a day worth the trouble?
We definitely think so! We adore this city enough that we plan to return again and again, and our longest trip there lasted two whole weeks.
However, don’t make the mistake of thinking of Dubrovnik as a budget destination, nor as an offbeat one.
If you’re visiting independently during the summer, we recommend checking the cruise ship schedule and, if you can, planning your 24 hours in Dubrovnik (or less!) for a day when there’s not a ship in town.
If you’re visiting as a cruise ship passenger… literally run off the boat as soon as you dock (okay, be careful, but other than that) and try your best to beat everyone else to Old Town, and especially to the town walls.
Your day in Dubrovnik will be so much better for it.
Don’t forget your Dubrovnik Pass!
Assuming that you’re visiting Dubrovnik between April and October, and that you want to walk the Dubrovnik City Walls (which you should), a Dubrovnik Pass should be a near-automatic purchase when spending one day in Dubrovnik.
I suspect that these numbers will continue to increase, but as of May 2026, a one-day Dubrovnik Pass costs 40 Euro per adult, which coincidentally is exactly what walking the City Walls during the high season costs.
Access to the Dubrovnik City Walls is included with the purchase of the pass.
And, while we’ve watched the cost of both steadily increase over the years, what seems to be consistent is that a one-day Dubrovnik Pass and a standalone Dubrovnik City Walls ticket are identical or near-identical in price.
Meanwhile, purchasing the pass also allows you to access several other attractions around town that are highlighted on this itinerary (like the Franciscan Monastery and Lovrjenac Fortress) and includes 24 hours of access to the city buses.
You can check full inclusions and updated prices, as well as purchase the card online, here.
The Perfect One Day in Dubrovnik Itinerary
Start your morning by heading straight to the city walls.
If there’s one thing that you absolutely have to add to your Dubrovnik itinerary, it’s walking the city walls.
The views of both Dubrovnik and the surrounding Adriatic Sea are absolutely unparalleled from these vantage points (don’t forget to climb the Minčeta Fortress while you’re up there!), and walking the walls is a truly unforgettable experience.
Like most of the top things to do in Dubrovnik, though, it is both expensive and often crowded.
During the high season for Dubrovnik, the walls open at 8:00 AM, and we recommend being there right when they open if you can!
There is virtually no shade on the city walls, so be sure to bring sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses to the top with you.
You can walk the walls in as little as 45 minutes if you move fast, but on both our visits, we were happier with closer to 3 hours up here.
If you don’t like to rush, we’d recommend dedicating at least 2 hours of your one day in Dubrovnik to enjoying the city walls.
We recommend using a Dubrovnik Pass to access the walls, though you can also choose to book standalone tickets (40 Euro per adult between April and October as of 2026).
Explore Old Town… and possibly take a Game of Thrones tour.
Dubrovnik’s Old Town is absolutely beautiful, and it is surprisingly densely packed with things to do considering how small it is.
If you’re a Game of Thrones fan, this is the perfect opportunity during your one day in Dubrovnik to take a Game of Thrones tour.
The tours are extremely popular, even after the show’s ending, and since they take you around to so many filming locations that are also genuinely interesting spots in Dubrovnik, they act as a sort of combo Dubrovnik-walking-tour-plus-fun-geek-out-fest.
(In case you’re wondering, House of the Dragon did not return to film in Dubrovnik. They have mostly filmed in the UK, with some stops in Spain and Portugal. You can visit Dragonstone in Portugal!)
This popular Game of Thrones tour is very affordable and has been reviewed close to 5000 times–it has definitely been tried and tested!
If you’re not into dragons and fictional wars (or are just a former fan who can’t let the ending go), a more general walking tour of Dubrovnik is still a great way to see the sights around Old Town, many of which are easy to miss if you don’t know what you’re looking for!
This popular Dubrovnik walking tour is a great dragon-free option!
Prefer to sightsee independently?
Here are a few things in Dubrovnik’s Old Town to be sure not to miss:
The Jesuit Staircase
Some say the beautiful Jesuit Staircase is reminiscent of the Spanish Steps in Rome, and there’s no doubt it’s a beautiful spot.
Though, as a Game of Thrones fan, I have a hard time looking at it without hearing faint echoes of “Shame!”.
Rector’s Palace
This 14th-century palace makes for quite an interesting stop during your day in Dubrovnik.
Home to art, an armory, and an infamous prison, you can cover quite a few aspects of tourism during a visit here!
It’s also another stop included in the Dubrovnik Pass.
Church of St. Blaise
Be sure to step inside this church to enjoy the church’s gorgeous interior as well as its opulent exterior!
Like so many free-to-visit churches in Europe, it doesn’t take long to see.
Franciscan Monastery
Tucked into Dubrovnik’s Old Town, it’s easy to walk right by the Franciscan Monastery without noticing it.
But, if you’re interested in visiting a museum to the third-oldest pharmacy in the world or just enjoying a bit of peace and quiet for a moment, the Franciscan Monastery is not to be missed.
We really enjoyed our time here!
Dubrovnik Cathedral
Dubrovnik’s Baroque Cathedral is quite impressive, as is the Cathedral Treasury located right next door.
If you have time, pay a quick visit to Lovrjenac Fortress.
Depending on what time you finish visiting Old Town, you may or may not have time to squeeze in a quick visit to Lovrjenac Fortress when you’re trying to see Dubrovnik in one day.
But, if you have time to spare, consider heading up for another great view of the city, an interesting fort, and a fun walk to the top that takes you past the quirky West Harbour doors (one of many Game of Thrones filming locations in the city).
Like the Rector’s Palace and Franciscan Monastery, Lovrjenac Fortress is included with your Dubrovnik Pass.
Hit the water with a kayaking tour around Lokrum Island.
Our kayaking tour around Lokrum Island is one of our favorite things we have ever done in Croatia!
Sure, our shoulders were sore the next day, but we can’t speak highly enough of the adventure of paddling in the Adriatic Sea, admiring the city from the water, visiting caves around Lokrum Island, and cliff jumping into the beautiful sea.
Even with one day in Dubrovnik, we’d recommend hitting the water via kayak: it’s just too memorable to skip!
(Don’t forget your water shoes, though, especially if you want to try your hand at cliff jumping.)
This popular kayaking tour is a great option and follows a very similar path to the one that we took. It’s an absolutely incredible experience!
Book ahead of time if you can, especially in July and August.
… Or enjoy a quick swim.
However, if the idea of committing to a few hours of physical exertion doesn’t sound like your idea of a perfect day in Dubrovnik, you can always soak up the sun another way and hit the beach!
Dubrovnik’s beaches are made of pebbles, not sand (they may not be the most fashionable choice in the world, but I’m always much more comfortable on pebble beaches when I bring water shoes along for the ride), but the views are fantastic.
Banje Beach (pictured below) is a popular spot.
Head directly to Mount Srd to watch the sunset over Dubrovnik.
There’s no end to amazing spots to watch the sunset over the Adriatic Sea in Dubrovnik, but arguably the best of them all is at the top of Mount Srd.
Ride the cable car up for an absolutely majestic view of both the city and the sunset.
If your wallet is hurting by this point from trying to see Dubrovnik in one day, a more budget-friendly option would be to hit one of Dubrovnik’s cliff bars, literally named Buža Bar I and Buža Bar II, for a (fairly) inexpensive drink and a gorgeous sunset view that you need to walk through the cliffs to reach.
If your experience is anything like ours, you might be joined by some friendly cats as you relax!
Where to Stay for 24 Hours in Dubrovnik
Budget
Guesthouse Dubrovnik — For travelers looking to visit Dubrovnik on a budget during high-season that covet more privacy than a hostel offers, privately run guest houses like Guesthouse Dubrovnik are an excellent option.
You’ll need to catch the bus to the Old Town (a must for staying on a budget in Dubrovnik), but Guesthouse Dubrovnik is the perfect retreat from the hecticness of the city center.
We stayed in a very similar property on our first trip to Dubrovnik (that one has since gone offline) and found the commute manageable and the views phenomenal.
Check rates & book your stay at Guesthouse Dubrovnik!
Mid-range
Old Harbour City Center Apartment — We adored staying in this apartment during our second trip to Dubrovnik!
It’s set on a quiet street but is a less than 5-minute walk from Pile Gate and the main entrance to the Old Town, and mere steps from the West Harbour.
The apartment was spacious, easy to live in, had a strong wifi connection (a must for us), and was a short walk from a grocery store and bus stop. We would definitely stay again.
Check rates & book your stay at the Old Harbour City Center Apartment!
Luxury
Hotel Excelsior — If you want to retreat to a luxurious setting and the height of convenience, check into the Hotel Excelsior for your trip to Dubrovnik.
With a beachfront setting that’s just a 5-minute walk from Old Town, Hotel Excelsior offers the best of both worlds in location.
Rave reviews, stunning rooftop views, spacious suites, private parking, and an excellent on-site breakfast all add to the experience!
Check rates & book your stay at Hotel Excelsior!
More Than One Day in Dubrovnik?
It’s impossible to cover all the best things to do in the city with only one day in Dubrovnik, so if you’re lucky enough to have longer, you definitely won’t be bored!
The day trips from Dubrovnik alone could fill up a week in the city: for example, Montenegro, Bosnia, and the Elafiti Islands are all within easy reach.
Also be sure to consider enjoying a sunset cruise, paying a visit to the Trsteno Arboretum, hiking down Mount Srd, heading out to Lokrum Island, and checking out all of Dubrovnik’s best beaches and other places to swim.
Looking for more ideas?
Here are our picks for the 33 best things to do in Dubrovnik!
Getting Around for One Day in Dubrovnik
With the possible exception to getting to and from where you’re spending the night, this itinerary for Dubrovnik in a day is entirely walkable.
Most of the things to do in Dubrovnik highlighted here, including the launch point for the kayaking excursion, are either in or just outside of the city’s (tiny) Old Town.
The cable car to reach Mount Srd is located about a 15-minute walk from Pile Gate.
Dubrovnik’s bus system is fairly expansive and can be helpful if you’re going further afield, like to lodging that’s far outside the center.
Read More About Visiting Croatia + Beyond
Excited to visit Croatia… and maybe stop in some other Balkan destinations along the way?
If you found this guide to spending one day in Dubrovnik useful, we’d love to continue to be part of your trip planning here at Our Escape Clause!
You can find all of our Croatia blog posts here, read about who we are here, or browse these guides:
- The Perfect One Day in Zagreb Itinerary
- Piran, Slovenia: Fun Things to Do + Travel Guide
- 15 Spectacular Things to Do in Sarajevo
- The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia
- 15 Best Things to Do in Kotor, Montenegro
Hi, We are planning a one day trip, staying in Split. Do you have any advice for where to park? Is it better to park farther away and uber in?
Thanks!
Hi Kati! If you’re planning a day trip, I’d honestly think twice–it’s a very long drive for a day! For a one-night trip, you’ll be fine.
For parking, I’d recommend the Dubrovnik Public Parking Garage. It’s less than a 15-minute walk from the old town.
I have a question about the city walking tour vs. the GoT walking tour. My husband and I have only one day in Dubrovnik and I want to make sure we see the most important sights in the city. We are both GoT fans and would enjoy that tour but I’m concerned that if we do the GoT tour, we will miss some important things in the city that we might see if we go with a regular walking tour. I looked at the websites for the the various tours but the info there doesn’t really help me with my question. Thanks for any help you can provide. And thanks for the great tips on what to do with one day in Dubrovnik.
Hi April! It really depends on your priorities–a walking tour will tend to include more real-life history, and a GOT tour will of course focus on GOT. However, Dubrovnik is very small–you should see most of the important sights on either tour, as there’s a lot of overlap. You should also have time to close any gaps on your own either way, as most tours only last a couple of hours. Hope that helps and you guys have a great time!