How to spend 24 hours in Dubrovnik: 1 Day Dubrovnik Itinerary

In this realistic one-day itinerary for Dubrovnik, we detail how to spend 24 hours in the city without missing out! We also give first-hand tips on maximizing your time and offer our personal recommendations.
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Arijana & Matej

Croatian-Slovenian full-time travel duo, photographers, bloggers and travel journalists for over 4 years. We write in-depth travel guides about destinations we have personally visited, providing practical travel tips and recommendations.

One day in Dubrovnik - 24 hours in Dubrovnik - one day Dubrovnik itinerary

Spending just one day in Dubrovnik

While it’s one of the best places to visit in Croatia, not everyone can give Dubrovnik more than a day. And we completely understand that!

For that reason, we created an ideal 1 Day in Dubrovnik itinerary, which will give you a great idea of maximizing your time in Dubrovnik and creating lasting memories in this gem of the Adriatic.

Please note that with this one-day Dubrovnik Itinerary, we assume you spend two nights in the city to explore Dubrovnik for one whole day.

One day in Dubrovnik - spending 24 hours in Dubrovnik Itinerary

How to get around Dubrovnik

Most of the exploring in Dubrovnik in this one day will be on foot.

However, to get into the Old Town, where most attractions are, we recommend taking a bus (outside the season) or a taxi in the season.

Not sure where to stay in Dubrovnik? Read our detailed Dubrovnik Hotel Guide (for all budgets) for the best options in the Old Town (and outside of it).

What to do in Dubrovnik in one day - spending 24 hours in Dubrovnik Itinerary

Customizing this itinerary

To customize this 1 day in Dubrovnik itinerary, we recommend only doing so for the afternoon part and sticking to the morning part as we planned it.

There are a ton of things to do in Dubrovnik. However, on this itinerary, we primarily focus on the highlights that truly give you a good insight into Dubrovnik. For a more detailed overview of what more you can see and do, read our Dubrovnik Travel Guide

Now, let’s dive into how to best spend a day in Dubrovnik!

Detailed Dubrovnik 1-Day Itinerary

Early Morning: Enjoy a scenic walk on City Walls

Rise and shine, it’s Dubrovnik time!

The best way to kickstart your day in Dubrovnik is by walking along the iconic Dubrovnik City Walls.

However, visiting the Dubrovnik City Walls is not just a walk but the best possible way to see the Old Town and its surrounding area. It’s the best vantage point with countless fantastic viewpoints!

One day in Dubrovnik Itinerary - visit City Walls

TRAVEL TIP

It’s worth being an early bird coming to the City Walls right at opening to enjoy it without the crowds. 

If you visit only one ticketed attraction in Dubrovnik, let it be the City Walls! Travel tip: Read our Dubrovnik Pass Review and learn how to save money on tickets in Dubrovnik.

As the morning sun gently rises over the terracotta rooftops, casting a golden glow over the ancient stone structures, you’ll be treated to some of the best views of Dubrovnik.

On the southern part of the walls overlooking the marina and Lokrum Island, you will feel the cool morning breeze as you take in views of centuries of history, culture, and architecture.

One day in Dubrovnik Itinerary - visit City Walls

Mid-Morning: Walk along ancient streets of Dubrovnik Old Town

After about two hours at the Old City Walls, it’s time to walk the historic streets of Dubrovnik Old Town and see why Dubrovnik was the perfect filming location for Game of Thrones.

As you stroll through the ancient streets, imagining being back in time is easy. Of course, you still need some imagination, but Dubrovnik Old Town is one of the only places in the world where this is possible.

One day in Dubrovnik Itinerary - walking along ancient streets of Old Town

The main street, called Stradun, is lined with charming shops and cafes. But while picturesque, it’s not where the magic lies. Turn into one of the side streets, and you will find cute corners and beautiful architecture, which Dubrovnik is known for.

One day in Dubrovnik Itinerary - how to spend 24 hours in Dubrovnik - narrow streets

To learn more about Dubrovnik’s fascinating past and get an inside look into one of the buildings, we recommend stopping by Rector’s Palace. If you’re planning to enter and pay the ticket for just one building, let that be it.

One day in Dubrovnik Itinerary - Rector's Palace

For Game of Thrones fans, venture just outside the Old City walls to see Pile Gate (King’s Landing entrance) and walk to Fort Lovrijenac (Red Keep).

The ticket to City Walls, which you visit first thing in the morning, also includes Fort Lovrijenac, a fantastic place to get a different perspective of Old Town. The views from the fort are stunning.

One day in Dubrovnik Itinerary - views from Fort Lovrijenac - Red Keep

Lunchtime: Eat delicious local food in a beautiful setting

Now that it’s time for lunch, we recommend one of the excellent restaurants in Dubrovnik Old Town. You’ve got plenty of delicious choices, from fresh seafood dishes and grilled meats to flavorful Mediterranean-inspired meals and vegetarian and vegan options.

One day in Dubrovnik Itinerary - local food

Afternoon: Unwind at Banje Beach or explore Lokrum Island

Looking to unwind and soak up the sun during your afternoon in Dubrovnik? Banje Beach is one of the best beaches in Dubrovnik and a perfect spot for some relaxation.

Located just outside the Old City with a beautiful view of the marina, Banje Beach is perfect for lounging on a beach chair with a refreshing cocktail or simply swimming in crystal-clear water.

One Day in Dubrovnik Itinerary - Banje Beach

If you’re feeling like you want to cross off one more thing to do in Dubrovnik, you can hop on a boat to Lokrum Island. It’s just a short ride away (you can see it from the city walls and marina) and offers lush greenery, free-roaming peacocks, and a beautiful coastline.

You can walk along its botanical garden or find one of the swimming spots and relax there. Plus, you can sit on the original Iron Throne from Game of Thrones.

One day in Dubrovnik Itinerary - peacocks at Lokrum Island

Late afternoon: Watch the sunset from Mount Srđ

To get the best views of Dubrovnik for sunset, visit Mount Srđ.

One day in Dubrovnik Itinerary - Mount Srđ viewpoint

The return ticket for the cable car costs 27 EUR, so it’s not the most affordable thing to do. However, if you want to save money and do some activity, you can also hike up Mount Srđ for 1 hour on the Way of the Cross trail.

One day in Dubrovnik Itinerary - Mount Srđ view

Looking for an even better way to watch the sunset above Dubrovnik? Reserve a spot at Panorama Restaurant & Bar, and enjoy a dinner there with fabulous views.

One day in Dubrovnik Itinerary - panorama restaurant

Nighttime: Enjoy the night in Dubrovnik

As the sun sets over this gem of the Adriatic, a whole new world comes alive. The streets bustling with tourists during the day transform into lively hubs of music, laughter, and celebration.

Dubrovnik’s nightlife offers something for everyone – from cozy bars serving local wines to energetic clubs pulsating with beats that will keep you dancing until dawn.

24 hours in Dubrovnik Itinerary - what to do in one full day - nighttime

For a quieter experience, a leisurely stroll underneath the starlit sky is pure magic. The ancient walls of Dubrovnik glow softly in the moonlight, casting a romantic ambiance over the city.

Final thoughts on spending just one day in Dubrovnik

While we absolutely recommend spending more than just one day in Dubrovnik (on our last visit, we spent a week there), we get it if you can’t.

It is definitely Croatia’s most expensive destination, and you require a bit more money to spend more time there and do more things.

However, hopefully, with our itinerary, you will see the best of Dubrovnik in just one full day without missing out on anything that makes it unique.

Have a great time exploring Dubrovnik!

Spending one day in Dubrovnik - 1 day dubrovnik itinerary

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Picture of Arijana & Matej
Arijana & Matej

Full-time travelers, photographers, bloggers and travel journalists.

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We're Arijana and Matej, a couple and travel blogging duo from Croatia and Slovenia who thrive while slow-traveling. And we have been doing it for over 4 years.

During and after our travels, we love publishing in-depth, researched and above-all, useful travel guides, full of personal first-hand information on the places we personally visited.

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