Looking to spend 4 days in Dubrovnik? Dubrovnik is a beautiful medieval town in Croatia that is situated along the Dalmatian Coast. This tranquil city embodies the Mediterranean vibe, from wine and fresh seafood to happy cats strolling around. It is one of the most jaw-dropping and well-preserved medieval cities in the entire world, making it well worth your visit. In this 4-day Dubrovnik itinerary, we will explore the highlights of the city and the surrounding Adriatic Sea islands. If you’re looking for a shorter itinerary, jump to this 2-day Dubrovnik itinerary.
This 4-day Dubrovnik Itinerary was written by Daniella from Sampler Platter Travel.
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When to Spend 4 Days in Dubrovnik
The best time of year for a European road trip and to visit Dubrovnik is during the shoulder seasons of spring and fall. During the summer, temperatures can rise rapidly, and you won’t find a lot of shade in the city. Between kayaking and walking the walls, you will be spending a lot of time in the sun. Therefore, it’s a bit more comfortable to visit when it’s not the peak of summer. Rain is very uncommon in this part of Croatia, but don’t worry if it starts raining, there are still plenty of things to do in Dubrovnik in the rain.
On the other hand, the ferries to outlying Dalmatian islands don’t run from November to April, and the cable car is closed from November to February. If you are interested in either of these activities, make sure to plan your trip accordingly and travel in the winter. Regardless of when you visit, Dubrovnik is always a fantastic addition to your Croatian itinerary.
4 Day Dubrovnik Itinerary at a Glance
First Day
- Explore the Old Town
- Walk along the Old Town Walls
- Relax on Banje Beach
Second Day
- Have breakfast at Gruž Market
- Visit the Red History Museum
- Take a Game of Thrones (or regular) walking tour
Third-Day
- Sail around the Elaphiti Islands
Fourth Day
- Ride the cable car for panoramic city views
- Take a kayak tour at sunset
Day One – Exploring Dubrovnik’s Old Town
Old Town
The best thing to do when you first arrive in Dubrovnik is to head over to the Old Town. Dubrovnik’s old city center is beautiful, complete with medieval buildings, and cobblestone streets, and is a designated UNESCO World Heritage site.
When in the Old Town, make sure to check out the following important landmarks:
- Palaces (Knezev Dvor, Sponza)
- Monasteries (The Cloisters, Dominican, Franciscan)
- Churches (Cathedral, Church of Saint Saviour)
- Luza Square (The main square of the city)
- Pile Gate (The main entrance to Old Town)
- Bell Tower (Still rings every hour)
If you enjoy entering historical buildings, you will find yourself hanging out in Old Town for the entire day. Travelers who prefer to look at buildings from the outside will enjoy walking around and feeling the breeze from the Adriatic Sea.
Walk the Old Town Walls
After exploring the Old Town, head over to the staircase leading up to the walls. The Old Town Walls that surround Dubrovnik were built to protect the town from pirates, spanning a total of 2 kilometers long. Walking on top of the walls is a great way to get a jaw-dropping view of the Adriatic Sea.
Entrance to the walk along the walls costs €15, and it takes about two hours to complete due to crowds and one-way roads. Make sure to pack a ton of water as the entire walk is under the beating sun. However, if you want to leave at any point, there are exit points along the way.
Relax on Banje Beach
After an entire day spent walking in the sun, head to Banje Beach. This beautiful white sand beach is located a 5-minute walk from the eastern end of Dubrovnik’s Old Town, just outside the city walls. There are a bunch of restaurants, cafes, and places to sit down and relax. While Banje Beach is crowded during the day, most tourists disperse as sunset approaches, making it a wonderful place to sit, put your toes in the sand, and watch the sky turn pink.
Restaurants around Banje Beach are also cheaper than within the city walls. I highly recommend trying Prora Restaurant for fresh seafood with a stunning view of the Adriatic Sea. A magical moment on your 4-day Dubrovnik itinerary!
Day Two – Exploring Gruž & Taking a Walking Tour
Breakfast at Gruž Market
On your second day of your 4-day Dubrovnik itinerary, head outside of the Old Town center and spend some time in the Gruž area. This incredibly underrated neighborhood has a laid-back feel with significantly less crowds. The area is known for being the home of the main ferry and bus terminal, but it has a lot more than just transit stations.
Gruž Market, open every day from 7 am to 12 pm except Sundays, has fantastic produce and food options. Walk around the market to see what local farmers have for sale. If you don’t want to eat vegetables for breakfast, the zone around Gruž Market has a ton of cafes with outdoor seating. Have your coffee and Croatian breakfast spread alfresco while watching locals buy their fresh fish.
Red History Museum
While not commonly found in guidebooks or blogs about Dubrovnik, the Red History Museum is worth a visit. It is the first museum in Croatia to address the country’s rather dark socialist history, doing a great job of balancing the history itself and the decades-old reactions by the public and political figures.
The Red History Museum only costs €9 (get your ticket here) and is very small but powerful. With only a few rooms, you can walk through the exhibit in less than an hour. However, it is a great way to learn more about Croatia’s history and how the past has shaped today’s current political structure. Plus, the staff is incredibly kind! I went alone with my large backpack, and they graciously offered to hold onto it while I perused the museum.
Game of Thrones Walking Tour
Next, take a walking tour of the city of Dubrovnik. It doesn’t have to be related to Game of Thrones, although fans of the series will adore this activity. Dubrovnik has plenty of Game of Thrones walking tours that guide you to filming locations of the TV series, following in the footsteps of the cast. Knowledgeable guides share behind-the-scenes stories and all the secret spots. Most tours are about two hours long, although there are different time slots available throughout the day, giving you ample flexibility.
For non-Game of Thrones lovers, there are great free walking tours of the Old Town of Dubrovnik. You may have already gotten a taste of the city center during your exploration yesterday, but taking a guided walking tour is a great way to learn more about the city from locals. How many times have you walked past a tiny corner in a city and didn’t realize it held immense historical significance?
Day Three – Day Trip Outside of Dubrovnik (3 Options)
On day three, take a day trip to a Dalmatian Island or the outskirts of Dubrovnik. There are three options loved by locals and travelers alike:
Option 1 – Elaphiti Islands
One favorite is a boat tour of the Elaphiti Islands. This island hopping tour is both relaxing and adventurous, as your captain will take you to the Elaphiti Islands, an archipelago of 6 main islands and a total of seven other little islets. This trip is a fantastic option for travelers who want to relax on a sailboat, eat fantastic seafood, and get to try many glasses of wonderful Croatian wine. Tours to the Elaphiti Islands depart and return to Dubrovnik’s main port. And private catamarans are available for travelers with a larger budget as well.
Option 2 – Mljet National Park
The second option is to take the ferry or a guided tour to Mljet National Park. This park is located only 27 kilometers from Dubrovnik. And the best part is that you don’t have to drive at all. From the city center of Dubrovnik, take a ferry for an hour to the heart of Mljet National Park. Dubrovnik has such a fantastic ferry system that operates almost like a public bus in terms of efficiency.
Mljet is self-proclaimed as one of the last paradises of the Mediterranean due to an untouched and protected natural landscape. It is a fantastic destination for hikers, cyclists, and nature lovers, as the park is covered by a thick pine forest. You can also engage in more physical activities such as canoeing, kayaking, or hiking to a church and medieval monastery.
Option 3 – Montenegro
The final option is certainly for the most adventurous of travelers. A day trip to Montenegro! Heading to Montenegro requires a car, but the benefit is being able to scratch off another country from your bucket list. It is very easy to cross the border between Montenegro and Croatia as most rental car companies allow you to take cars to other countries.
In Montenegro check out one of two cities:
Kotor: 2 hours from Dubrovnik, Kotor is a fascinating fortified medieval town. Kotor is perfect for history lovers and travelers who don’t mind a bit of extra time in the car.
Herceg Novi: 1 hour from Dubrovnik, Herceg Novi is a beautiful beach town and a tiny old town. Herceg Novi is a great option for visitors who want to escape the crowds of Kotor and Dubrovnik, which are both relatively busy cities.
Day Four – Panoramic Views of Dubrovnik & Kayaking Tour
Ride the Cable Car
On the last day of our 4-day Dubrovnik itinerary, head back to Dubrovnik proper to do some final exploration of the city. Start the morning by taking the cable car to the top of Srd Hill and admiring the panoramic views of the city and sea below. This hill is the site of an imperial fortress from the 19th century. Nowadays, it has a generous selection of restaurants, snack bars, and other attractions to make travelers comfortable.
Riding the cable car costs €27 for a round-trip ticket. But budget-conscious and active travelers can hike to the top as well. This hike is not for the faint of heart, however, as it takes about an hour, with a total one-way distance of 2.1 kilometers. Visitors who would rather not break a sweat can reach the summit of Srd Hill in less than 10 minutes on the cable car. The cable car runs from 9:00 am to midnight and is non-operational between November and February.
Take a Kayaking Tour
Finally, end your 4-day Dubrovnik itinerary with one of the most recommended activities in Dubrovnik: a kayaking tour. While you have already seen the beautiful walls from the top of the city, this is your chance to see them from the water, giving you an even more jaw-dropping view of the Old Town.
There are two tour options by Adventure Dubrovnik:
Option 1 – The Sunset Tour: The evening kayaking trip leaves at 5:00 pm, taking you to Bettina Cave Beach, Game of Thrones Filming Locations, and ending with a much-needed glass of wine while watching the sunset. This trip totals 7.5 kilometers of paddling over a few hours but is completely worth the €46.
Option 2 – The Morning Tour: Adventure Dubrovnik also has a morning tour, which we loved. It costs €40 for 2.5 hours. During the day, the Old Town walls are visible, and the guides lead you to Lokrum Island, a secluded beach, and allow you to snorkel. However, even in the summer, the water in the Adriatic Sea is freezing!
Don’t forget to save this 4-day Dubrovnik Itinerary for your next Croatia adventure!
