Wondering what to do in Dubrovnik when it rains? While planning your dream trip away to the sunny Mediterranean city of Dubrovnik, rain is the last thing to expect to ruin your plans. I have been in Dubrovnik through heat waves, storms, and all the weather gods could throw at me, and I understand the worry. The dream of walking along the City Walls or sipping a fruity cocktail with a sunny, picturesque view of the Adriatic Sea from the Buza Bar’s cliffside location could all feel like it has all gone to jeopardy with a spot of rain. But fret not! The Old Town still leaves plenty of fun-filled day activities that even the worst luck in the weather can’t behold.
This guest post was written by Sam from Showcasing The Globe.
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Weather in Dubrovnik
Weather in Dubrovnik is usually predictable, especially because of its typical warm, sunny Mediterranean climate. If you are traveling to the Pearl of the Adriatic, the time to expect rain in Dubrovnik would be around November to January during its colder months, where it can occur within nine days of each month.
During the summer, which is when Dubrovnik is at its peak temperatures, rain occurs on average 3.5 days throughout the month and rarely lasts the day to spoil your outdoor plans. This ensures you can enjoy Dubrovnik’s coastal beauty unspoiled! But if, like the unlucky few, you do run into the rain, well, do not worry; Dubrovnik has many exciting plans ahead for you.
Best Things to do in Dubrovnik when it rains
1. Tour the Dubrovnik Cathedral and Treasury
Cost: Free entry to the Cathedral. Treasury is €3.
One of the best things to do in Dubrovnik when it rains is visit some of its most important attractions, with Dubrovnik Cathedral one of its top. It has undergone major reconstruction time after time. From its first beginnings in the 7th century to Richard Lionheart’s contribution, and after the 1667 earthquake that tore down many major Dubrovnik attractions, it was eventually rebuilt in a baroque style, a feature showcased through its interior.
During your tour of the cathedral, you can explore the grand architectural works by the Italian and Dalmatian masters and view the grand painting over the altar depicting the Assumption of Mary. One of the cathedral’s best features is that it is entirely free. So it is a brilliant refuge from rainy weather. Just by the entrance of the Cathedral also stands the Treasury, where you’ll find over 200 relics of saints dating from the 11th century to the 17th century. I recommend exploring the old town of Dubrovnik as part of a guided tour:
2. Visit the Rector’s Palace
Cost: €15 (Free with the Dubrovnik Pass)
The Rector’s Palace is one of the most important attractions in the Old Town and the perfect base point to walk around in Dubrovnik when it rains. It not only boasts its marveling architecture to venture around while avoiding getting drenched, but it’s also a huge history dive into the Ragusa Era of Dubrovnik. This marked an era when Dubrovnik was its own state, run by the Rector who used this palace at their residence.
During your tour around the palace, you’ll enter many important rooms, including the Rector’s personal chambers, and also view an array of paintings and well-preserved furniture, all representing its history throughout the years. The staircase in the palace’s courtyard is an elegant addition and is one of the most popular Game of Thrones filming locations in Dubrovnik. It featured in Season 2 Episode 6, ’The Old Gods and New’, when Daenerys Targaryen visited the Spice King to request ships to transport her army across the Narrow Sea.
3. Explore the Maritime Museum
Cost: €10 (Free with Dubrovnik Pass)
As Dubrovnik is located along the Mediterranean Sea, the city’s maritime history is undoubtedly prestigious. The Maritime Museum dives into Dubrovnik’s maritime heritage with a huge collection of exhibits on display. It showcases treasures like ship models, navigational instruments, photographs, and various artifacts tied in with shipbuilding.
Additionally, you can explore the outside exhibition, so be sure to bring your Umbrellas to avoid the rain. This exhibit shows off different ship equipment used by sailors, including huge anchors, pulleys, and much more. You’ll discover what life was like as a sailor navigating the Mediterranean Sea with all that heavy gear!
4. Relax at a Café or Restaurant
If you need shelter alongside a quick beverage or meal, you won’t need to look far to find one inside the Old Town, with a restaurant and cafe almost at every corner. As it’s located on the Adriatic Coast along the Mediterranean Sea, you can expect to find an abundance of Mediterranean-style restaurants selling good quality fish. Although for the simple type, a coffee or short beverage is a stone’s throw away, including some establishments that offer a quality experience with a drink at a low price.
Top choice: The Gradska Kavana Arsenal Restaurant is a brilliant stop-off to avoid the rain in Dubrovnik. While it’s part of the Nautika restaurant chain, some of the most lavish and expensive options in Dubrovnik, it’s actually one of the cheapest options in the Old Town for a quick snack or latte. The best feature about it? It has a covered terrace outside with a picturesque view overlooking the Dubrovnik Old Harbour. Nothing more can be said!
5. Visit the Franciscan Church and Monastery
Cost: €4.50 for the Monastery and the Church is free! (The Monastery is free with Dubrovnik Pass)
The Franciscan Church and Monastery is among the top Dubrovnik attractions to visit to avoid the rain. It has primarily served as the home of the members of the Franciscan order in Dubrovnik since the 14th century and has been built as a place to conduct their religious activities and rest. Since its creation in the 14th century, the complex has undergone some significant reconstructions over the years, in particular during the 17th century, recovering from the devastating earthquake in 1667 that damaged many major buildings in Dubrovnik. Inside the complex is one of the oldest still-functioning pharmacies in Europe, where visitors can actually buy skin care products!
The Old Pharmacy is also linked to a museum that showcases the pharmaceutical evolution in Dubrovnik, displaying items like old stone bowls and various equipment that was used during the Ragusa era. While there are other fascinating areas, like the library, that display old manuscripts and books, the cloisters of the Monastery, adorned by its open-top garden in the middle, really does hit the top spot. Even if Dubrovnik’s sunny weather doesn’t prevail, walking along the cloisters and getting some scenic photos of the gardens is definitely needed!
6. Go Wine Tasting
Wine is very easy to find in Dubrovnik, with wine-tasting tours and experiences galore all within and outside the walls of the Old Town. And of course, all providing a safe shelter from getting soaked – well, not from the wine anyway!
The city’s history of wine dates back to ancient times, with settlers intentionally strategizing their intention to bring wine culture creation to the Adriatic to utilize the Mediterranean climate. Many of the famous wines to try in Dubrovnik, grown in the Dalmatian region, include the delicious red Plavac Mali and white Pošip, which you’ll find in local restaurants, not to be missed during your trip there.
Popular tours like the Dubrovnik Tapas and Wine Tour allow visitors to sample a variety of wines served by local taverns in and around Dubrovnik, paired with Tapas dishes for an all-around hearty experience.
However, wine culture is celebrated everywhere in Dalmatia and not just in Dubrovnik. Areas like Peljesac Peninsula and Ston can be explored on a brilliant wine-tasting tour, with several tours to explore the local vineyards within the areas – and taste-test their exquisite wines. With all that wine, I’m sure you’ll forget the rain in Dubrovnik happened in the first place!
7. Head to a spa
Yes, Dubrovnik is a city famous for exploring its history and culture, but to avoid the stress of rain and have a little rest from the bustling atmosphere, why not head to a spa for a well-needed rest? The city offers a wide choice of relaxing spa experiences. And while there are not many independent spa locations, there are plenty of spa facilities located in a hotel complex. The perfect activity to do in Dubrovnik when it rains!
Just on the outside city outskirts is Dubrovnik Sun Gardens located in the Orasac area. This little oasis has a hydrotherapy pool, luxury saunas, and spa treatment facilities for those who want to get their pamper on. Only 2km from the Old Town is also Villa Dubrovnik, a next-stop choice for a relaxing day out. On-site, they offer revitalizing massages to help you soon forget about the miserable weather.
8. Shop for a Souvenir
Along the Stradun and within the walls of Dubrovnik are an abundance of small shops to venture inside to shelter yourself from the rain. And while you’re at it, why not look for a souvenir to take back home? The shops sell everything from handcrafted Jewellery and local art to locally produced wines and even Game of Thrones merchandise. It has all you need to keep you on a window shopping trail. Eventually, you’ll find a memorable purchase to take home as you wait for the rain to pass.
9. Watch a Performance at the Marin Držić Theatre
The Marin Držić Theatre is a renowned performing arts center famous for staging various plays that depict the literary heritage of Dubrovnik. Its name comes from the playwright Marin Držić, who is one of Croatia’s finest ever writers, creating plays during the 16th century in his home state, the Republic of Ragusa (Dubrovnik).
The theatre honors his legacy by frequently showcasing his plays to audiences. It also presents many touching works written by other local literature legends like Ivo Vojnović and Ivan Gundulić. Watching a performance is a brilliant way to celebrate local culture. Not only are the shows good, but the interior is grandly designed and beautiful to look at. And while it is raining, you might as well head out the streets of the Old Town and get cooped up in some fine Renaissance theatre away from the wet weather.
10. Escape the city on a day trip
While there is so much to do and see in the ‘Pearl of the Adriatic’, one thing is for sure: you will have an abundance of day trips to consider while you’re there. With Dubrovnik close to the border of Croatia and other countries on the horizon, you won’t have to look far for locations with sunnier climates to avoid the rain and one no better thing to do than do a Dubrovnik to Kotor day trip.
The Old Town of Kotor is an absolute delight! It is next to the picturesque Kotor Bay and offers easy ferry transfers by tour to and from Dubrovnik with ease. And, well, if you prefer flexibility, Kotor is just a short bus or car journey away! Kotor’s medieval Old Town takes around 3 hours to walk around but is beautiful in every sense, longer enough to make a day of it. Venture around the cobblestone streets, or see and stroke its little furry mascots. There are so many that Kotor soon gained the town its nickname, ‘The City of Cats.’
Or, for the adventurous type, hike up to Kotor Fortress and see a picturesque view of the Old Town and Kotor Bay from above. Alternatively, if Kotor doesn’t tick all your boxes, Mostar is a brilliant alternative to visit and venture around to avoid the rain in Dubrovnik. The city is famous for the iconic Stari Most (Old Bridge) and has a wonderful bazaar market where you can take home a memorable souvenir.
Recommendation: If you plan to visit Mostar from Dubrovnik, I recommend taking a day tour here as public transport to here from Dubrovnik is scarce and too stressful, to say the least. I recommend booking this small group day tour.
Conclusion
Well, there you have it! 10 fun-filled things to do in Dubrovnik when it rains. Although the rain may feel like it has put a damper on your dream itinerary, there are still memories to be made in this beautiful city. And not to forget, once the rain does clear up, and the umbrella is flapped back down, you can get back to enjoying the outdoor features as previously planned. For more inspiration on things to do in Dubrovnik check out this 4-day Dubrovnik itinerary!
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Thank you for sharing such genuine experiences; it’s like traveling through your eyes.