Luxury Travel Guide to Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is the most popular destination for tourists in Croatia due to its incredible historic walled cities and stunning coastline which will look familiar to you, appearing as a backdrop to Star Wars: The Last Jedi and most importantly, the Game of Thrones series which truly propelled Dubrovnik to international recognition.

The shimmering azure blue of the Adriatic sea laps gently at beaches lined with rows of historic buildings, transporting you to the Middle Ages with red-tiled roofs and whitewashed stone walls that make up the buildings of the old city. 

The city is truly magical with a Mediterranean feel in the clear blue skies and azure seas the surround it. Despite having a medieval city centre where walking the cities will transport you to a distant past, the city is vibrant, young and boasts a dynamic fine-dining scene and nightlife.

Elite travellers looking for culture and cuisine will have choices aplenty with a wide variety of museums and restaurants, beach lovers can spend the whole day soaking up the sunshine on the sun-drenched beaches and swimming in the sheltered coves, whilst film and series lovers will be entertained with the possibility of strolling through the charming streets that appeared in their favourite episodes.

Purchasing the Dubrovnik card which can cover one, three or seven days will allow you to visit ten different museums and sights around the city for free, making sure that you don’t miss all the city has to offer.

Without further delay, lets dive into the sun drenched paradise of Dubrovnik and discover the most luxurious and indulgent experiences on offer.

The best time to visit Dubrovnik

The Adriatic Coast heats up during the summer and along with the sunshine, brings all the sun-seeking tourists.

The best months to visit are during the shoulder season, between April and June and September to October, during these months the crowds are thinner, the sun is shining and the sea is warm enough for bathing, especially in autumn.

Dubrovnik has become a major tourist destination in the past few years and its advisable to get to the town early even during the shoulder seasons.

This will allow you to avoid the teeming crowds of tourists coming off the various cruise ships that stop at the harbour, Croatian attractions open early in the morning so you can have the best sightseeing experience by starting early when attractions open at 8 am.

Luxury things to do in Dubrovnik

Charter a yacht on the Adriatic

One of the biggest draws to Croatia is the stunning Adriatic Sea which is so blue you could lose yourself in the turquoise waters, it is also home to over one thousand islands which can be explored through chartering a private catamaran or yacht. 

What better way to spend the day than feel the sea breeze whipping through your air as you cruise to explore the beauty of the nearby islands, avoiding the tourist crowds and tapping into the adventurer within.

Explore the walls and fortresses

The medieval city of Dubrovnik was fortified over the centuries by incredible defensive walls that loom up to a height of 25m, built in the period between the 14^th and 17^th centuries. These impressive walls have kept out invading Ottoman and Venetian armies who sought to capture this strategic seaside city.

The walls join main forts situated around the city called the Revelin Fortress, St. Lawrence Fortress, St. John Fortress and Fort Bokar, as well as the Minceta Tower.

A visit to the walls and the fortresses is a must for history lovers, but it’s best to visit early in the morning as in the summer months the temperatures soar and it may be too hot to explore the walls.

Lose yourself in the Old Town

The beautiful Old Town dating back to the 7^th century is mesmerizing as a journey back into the past, and is the perfect place to lose yourself whilst exploring the winding streets.

You will discover up to 80 churches in the Old Town, but the impressive Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary is definitely worth a visit, as well as the St Ignatius Church which was inspired by Rome’s Spanish Steps.

Learn about the history by visiting some of the historical buildings such as the Bell Tower, Sponza Palace and sip a coffee in the plaza of Onofrio’s Fountain and watch the hustle and bustle of life in Dubrovnik.

Game of Thrones fans should visit the Rector’s Palace, built in the 15^th century and with a distinctive gothic influence, you can visit the dungeon and the courtyard and be transported onto the set of your favourite series.

The perfect sundowner

Buža and Buža II are two bars perched on the cliff walls of Dubrovnik. Buža literally means “hole” and are accessed through a hole in the cliff wall.

Check out some of the best views of the sunset from these two hidden bars whilst sipping on some local wine.

This is a popular location for people to cliff jump and dive into the water from the walls of the city so you may see some daredevil action from the locals.

Travel to Lokrum Island

This Island is situated only a few hundred metres from the main city and is well worth a visit, especially if you go by private charter or by kayak.

The island is home to the ruins of a medieval monastery with peaceful gardens patrolled by peacocks. Lokrum Island looks familiar as it was the film location of the city of Qarth in the series, Game of Thrones.  

You can also swim in the “dead sea” a salt-water lake in the centre of the island where you can float and drift on the surface. Of course, you can also swim in the warm waters of the Adriatic and there are various entry points into the water from the Eastern shore of the island.

Though the island isn’t inhabited there are some restaurants on the island where you can dine after a busy day of exploring on foot, as cars are not permitted anywhere on the island.

If you’re looking for an active day out, go on a kayaking tour of Lokrum Island and enjoy the opportunity to explore hidden coves and caves, snorkel the clear waters and enjoy some delicious Dalmatian food at the end at a local restaurant. Prices start at 135

Take in the views from a cable car

Dubrovnik recently added a cable car to their attractions and this is the perfect way to catch aerial views of the Old Town and the coastline.

The cable car departs from the northern part of the Old Town and goes to a panorama bar and restaurant at the top of Mount Srđ. The journey, though only four minutes long, is well worth it.

Wine lovers rejoice

Dubrovnik is blessed by its proximity to the wine-growing area of Pelješac. Wine tours to Pelješac where you will visit vineyards, eat at a quaint restaurant in a charming village and visit the oyster beds where you can taste the freshest local oysters on a day to remember.

Sand, sun and swim

Visit the local beaches in Dubrovnik to enjoy a lazy day of sunbathing and cooling off in the clear waters of the Adriatic.

Banje is the closest beach to the city and though it is quite crowded it is still a pleasant and convenient beach to go to. If you’re looking for more privacy, head to Sveti Jakov to enjoy the beach away from the crowds.

Explore the caves

Take an island tour to the Elafiti Islands where you can discover stunning caves which can be accessed only by swimming into them, visit the breathtaking Blue Cave where the turquoise reflection of the water makes the whole cave shimmer in blue light.

Visit the Lokrum cave, where you can snorkel and see the local marine life or if you love heights, Betina Cave offers some spectacular cave diving. A full-day private tour of Dubrovniks caves including all transportation and transfers.

Celebrate the summer

Dubrovnik’s  Summer Festival attracts thousands of tourists annually to the city and is the highlight of the year. The whole city fills with music, culture and art and is a must if you love culture and want to experience it for yourself.

You will see street theatre and enjoy free music with ballet performances, opera and orchestras bringing the city to life. The festival is held in September and you will fall in love with the lively energy of the city and its warm summer nights of music and culture.

Where to stay in Dubrovnik – Luxury Hotels

Villa Orsula Dubrovnik – This gorgeous five-star hotel is the ultimate in luxury. It was once the home of Croatian nobles and the stunning historical architecture is combined with contemporary décor to provide a stylish backdrop to your stay in Dubrovnik.

It is only a short walk from the centre and offers spectacular views over the Adriatic and onto Lokrum Island.

Villa Orsula offers elegant and stylish rooms with garden, Old Town and sea views and has its own private beach where you can enjoy sunbathing and swimming away from the tourist crowds.

There is also an excellent luxury spa with a hot tub and sauna, as well as massage and beauty treatments that will leave you completed pampered and a salt-water swimming pool. Parking and airport pickups are included in the price of the room, starting from €630 per night.

Villa Dubrovnik – This five-star hotel is the epitome of luxury. This renowned hotel is situated close to the centre, yet is perched above a spectacular cliff with views of Lokrum Island.

Rooms are modern and minimalist and equipped with all the amenities to make you feel at home. Upgraded rooms offer sea views from balconies whilst the suites boast living areas and hot tubs both indoor and on the terrace.

The hotel has an excellent wine bar which is ideal for sampling the local wines as well as a lounge to relax in after a day of exploring Dubrovnik.

There is a wooden deck with sun loungers overlooking the sea which is perfect to take in the views as you sunbathe by the pool and there is also an onsite spa offering pampering treatments and a sauna. Prices start from €363 per night.

Hotel Bellevue Dubrovnik – If you’re looking for a spectacular view and five star service, look no further. The Bellevue is a modern hotel perched on a clifftop with glass balconies overlooking Miramare Bay and the crisp blue waters of the Adriatic Sea.

The rooms are modern and chic and fully equipped with minibars, flat screens and all the amenities you could desire. An upgrade could add a living room to your space whilst suites are equipped with living and dining areas and a hot tub.

The hotel has excellent amenities including its own private beach, heated indoor pool, luxe spa with a steam room, hot tub and sauna.

There are also excellent restaurants serving local, freshly-caught seafood as well as a bar where you can enjoy a sundowner whilst admiring the view. Prices for rooms start from €213 per night.

Hotel Kompas – For luxury at a wallet-friendly price, check out Hotel Kompas. This centrally-located hotel has views over the Adriatic and its bright and airy rooms offer guests balconies with sea views.

The chic and stylish rooms are well equipped with all the amenities and the comfort of a four-star hotel. Breakfast and parking are both included in the price of the room which makes this an ideal base if you want to rent a car and explore.

The hotel also has a magnificent rooftop bar which is the perfect place to enjoy a cocktail as you watch the sunset over the Adriatic Sea.

There is also a poolside bar, an outdoor and an indoor pool, a relaxing spa equipped with a steam room and a sauna and the hotel also boasts direct access to Lapad beach. Prices start from €99 per night.

Luxury eats in Dubrovnik

Nautika – This famous restaurant has a world reputation for serving up some of the best Dalmation food in Dubrovnik.

Once you come here you will understand why everyone from Norwegian royalty to Japanese royalty have come from far and wide to savour the dishes at this restaurant. The seafood is served to perfection and the restaurant proclaims itself to be “Dubrovnik’s finest restaurant” and it will not disappoint.

The restaurant is sophisticated and formal and is best for formal or special occasions, don’t forget to try the delicious salt-crusted fish for truly authentic local flavour.

Villa Ruža – Enjoy an intimate dinner under a canopy of trees hidden away on Koločep island, one of the Elaphite Islands a short distance from Dubrovnik.

This romantic restaurant overlooks Donje Celo Bay and serves up delicious Mediterranean cuisine and freshly-caught local seafood, as well as an excellent selection of local wines.

The seasonal restaurant only opens between the months of May to October and serves a handful of diners every night, head there before sunset to enjoy some of the most beautiful views of the waning sun reflecting over the Adriatic Sea.

Gusta Me – Another dining spot for wine lovers, this relaxed casual-dining restaurant has an outdoor terrace where you can enjoy a meal under the stars whilst soaking in the views of the historic city harbour and the Revelin Fortress.

Meat lovers will enjoy the succulent steaks served to perfection and there is also plenty of local seafood and fish on offer. It’s also an excellent restaurant for light lunches and healthy breakfasts.

Orsan – This restaurant is tucked away in Orsan Marina on the Lapad Peninsula and is a fabulous seafood restaurant situated at the yacht club overlooking the Adriatic sea. Enjoy the fresh catch of the day, hauled in from the harbour just in front of the restaurant and enjoy local seafood paired with local wines.

Above 5 – This restaurant situated on the rooftop terrace of the boutique hotel called Stari Grad, offers some epic views over the tiled roofs of Dubrovnik. Come for the unforgettable views and enjoy the catch of the day but don’t miss out on the local Croatian cheese and excellent wines.

The food is innovative and add a creative twist to traditional Dalmation cuisine and is a departure from the typical tourist-trap restaurants that can be found all over the city.

Luxury tours to do in Dubrovnik

Visit the Montenegro Coastline

On this full-day trip from Dubrovnik, you will explore Montenegro and its spectacular views as you travel along the coastline.

Visit the winding cobbled streets of Kotor and stroll around the historic towns such as Sveti Stefan and Budva with an experienced local guide who will explain the history and culture of this small country. A private tour with hotel transfers and guide for a group of three people.

See Dubrovnik at sunset from the sea

View the city from another perspective on this sunset speedboat tour which will take you past the city walls, watch the changing colours of the sea and the soft reflected light on the buildings of the city whilst you sip on a glass of wine and feel the sea breeze in the air.

This is a magical experience that will leave you with incredible memories of warm summer nights on the Adriatic.

Travel to the Plitvice Lakes National Park

This private day trip will allow you to explore the beautiful lakes of the National Park in style and comfort, you will be driven in a luxury Mercedes to the park where you can enjoy the stunning waterfalls, lakes and walking trails with a local guide.

You will see a breathtaking waterfall which rises 78 metres and experience the wild beauty of Croatian nature far from the hustle and bustle of the tourist crowds. The price for a full-day tour including transfers.

Recommended tours in Dubrovnik

• Total Game of Thrones Experience
• Private boat tours in Dubrovnik: Hidden Beauties of Elaphiti Islands
• Private Tour: Mostar and Kravice Waterfalls Day Trip from Dubrovnik
• Montenegro Private Tour from Dubrovnik
• Private Yacht Tour To Elaphite Islands
• Private Tour: Island-Hopping Cruise by Yacht from Dubrovnik
• 2 Ways to Explore – Exclusive Trip to Elafiti Islands & Peljesac from Dubrovnik
• Island Korcula, peninsula Peljesac, oyster tasting tour from Dubrovnik
• Private Peljesac Wine tour Ston sightseeing
• Dubrovnik to Kotor, Perast, Sv. Stefan and Budva – Montenegro Tour by Vidokrug
• Private Professional Photo Session in Dubrovnik Old Town

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