48 hours in dubrovnik

48 Hours In Dubrovnik: Croatian City Guide

Dubrovnik is one of Croatia’s top cities to visit, and there’s actually a lot to do. From catching a bird’s eye view and walking the city walls to taking a quick day trip for the best seafood and wine, there’s plenty of ground to cover in one weekend.

See the best of the “Pearl of the Adriatic,” and hit all of the best things to do with 48 hours in Dubrovnik.

48 Hours in Dubrovnik, Croatia

Friday Afternoon

After making the 45-minute transfer from the airport to Dubrovnik, check into your hotel and make your way to the historic city center. For first-time visitors, plan to book a historical tour in advance to learn about the city’s rich history while also getting the lay of the land. It’s a small, but dense city after all with so much to do.

You’ll see all of the best sights like Rector’s Palace and still have time for a wonderful seafood dinner by the marina. Order seafood risotto–its a classic Croatian dish you can’t miss.

After dinner, visit a wine bar and order a bottle of Croatian Plavac Mali for a great introduction to one of the country’s most famous red wines. You might even want to visit the Peljesac Peninsula for a day trip to see some wineries.

Saturday

Wake up early on Saturday with a plan. Choose between taking a day trip out to Lokrum island on a kayaking tour or a day trip to Ston on the Peljesac Peninsula. A kayaking tour will give you a new perspective of the city while also allowing you to enjoy some time in and on the blue waters of the Adriatic. Lokrum island is also an interesting stop with ruins, beaches and more to see.

Ston is a short drive from Dubrovnik and can have a tour arranged to the village. It’s known for its incredible oysters and mussels, so go with an empty stomach. Again, there are wonderful, award-winning wineries in the area too, so if you are an oenophile, save time to go.

At the end of the day, take dinner by the Jesuit Church to ensure you dine at a wonderful restaurant. But walk through the city walls to the edge of the coast to visit Buza Bar for pre-dinner drinks. It’s certainly one of the best places to see the sunset and watch cliff divers jump.

48 hours in Dubrovnik

Sunday Morning

Rise early again to walk the walls before it gets crowded and hot. Watch the sunrise over the glittering ocean, and take a seat at one of the parapet juice bars for a morning glass of fresh orange juice. It’s the perfect way to see all of the city one last time before packing up and heading back to the airport.

48 hours in Dubrovnik

Molly Harris

Molly Harris is a freelance travel journalist dividing her time between the United States and the Western Balkans.

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