Dubrovnik 5-day itinerary

For dazzling views over Dubrovnik’s old town rooftops and the Adriatic, this 2km stroll around the battlements is an absolute must.

Among the best-preserved city fortifications in the world, they date back to the 13th century but were reinforced when the Ottoman Turks threatened in the 15th century.

Standing up to 24m high and 6m wide, they have deterred would-be aggressors for many centuries, but today they’re a major tourist attraction.

Dubrovnik’s best-known beach, just a short walk from the Ploce Gate, Banje has spectacular views of the Old Town and is backed with a clutch of cafes and restaurants.

This daily market is the place to come to mingle with locals buying fresh fruit and vegetables, olive oil and locally-produced Grappa – come early in the morning for the best produce, it closes by lunchtime.

The administrative heart of the Republic of Dubrovnik in the 16th and 17th centuries, the palace is now a museum with furniture, artifacts and artworks dating back to the era of the Republic.

This 14th-century monastery centres on a charming late Romanesque cloister, with a lovely hidden garden of orange trees and towering palms.

Highlights include a Renaissance-Baroque church built after the 1667 earthquake, a small museum containing religious art and artefacts belonging to the Franciscan order, and, oddly, the world’s oldest working pharmacy, which was founded in 1318 and is still functioning today, complete with exhibits from the distant past.

Covered with pine forests and lush Mediterranean vegetation, and sprinkled with olive groves, vineyards and 16th-century villas, the pristine Elafiti Islands make for a fabulous day-trip from Dubrovnik. The water is crystal-clear waters and there are countless secluded coves to explore.

The three largest islands, Kolocep, Lopud and Sipan, are inhabited all year round, though it’s during the summer months that they come to life, offering a charming selection of laid-back cafés and seafood restaurants.

Beach-lovers should head to Sunj, on the lush green island of Lopud, one of the islands’ few sandy beaches, with warm, shallow waters ideal for children.

One of the best ways to explore the islands is by kayak; numerous tour operators offer guided kayaking day-trips or longer expeditions. If you prefer something a bit more relaxing, you can opt for one a sail- or speedboat, either on an organised tour or a private charter.

There can be few kayaking tours in the world as spectacular and memorable as this one. See the magnificent medieval walls from the outside, and appreciate how they must have appeared to potential invaders, and access parts of this beautifully unspoiled coastline, away from the crowds.

Starting from gorgeous Sveti Jakov Beach, you’ll paddle around the walls and across idyllic azure blue waters for a picnic lunch on the tiny green island of Lokrum.

For more experienced kayakers – or those looking for more adventure – full-day tours take in more islands, cliffs and sea caves, or explore maritime Dalmatia at length on a week-long tour of the coast and offshore islands.

This small wine shop in the heart of the Old Town sells wines straight from the Peljesac peninsula, plus Croatian deli items including fruit spirits, preserves and sweets.

A tiny shop selling understated jewellery and fashion accessories by Croatian artists. Some original clothes too.

Croatia has a long history of winemaking, stretching back some 2,500 years, with many indigenous grape varieties still in use. It’s also home to the oak forests that produce most of the oak casks favoured by wine producers across Europe.

A one-hour drive up the coast from Dubrovnik lies Peljesac, a mountainous peninsula where the velvety red Plavac and award-winning Dingac wines are produced on the sunny sea-facing slopes.

Several vineyards are open for wine tasting during the summer, normally offering three to five different wines to sample, with the producer sometimes present to tell you about the history and process of the craft.

If you are driving, stop at Mali Ston – it’s famed throughout Croatia for succulent oysters and mussels, which are served at several local waterside restaurants.

Mali Ston is famed throughout Croatia for its fresh oysters and mussels, served at restaurants overlooking the sheltered bay where the shellfish are grown. The village is made up of traditional Dalmatian stone cottages and makes a great day trip from Dubrovnik.

Above Mali Ston is the sister village of Ston, whose renovated fortified medieval walls, stretch a remarkable 5.5km across the isthmus and link the two villages.

The little-visited peninsula that reaches out from Ston is home to some of Croatia’s finest beaches.

Head for nearby Prapratno Cove or the village of Zuljana at the end of the peninsula, whose stunning beach is great for swimming

If you want to understand the conflict that decimated Dubrovnik, and much of Croatia in the early 1990s, this museum of photo-journalism gives an intense insight into the Civil War.

The pretty waterfront village of Cavtat, founded by the Ancient Greeks in the 6th century BC, is even older than Dubrovnik.

Sitting compact on a small peninsular, Cavtat overlooks a tranquil bay, rimmed by cafes, restaurants and palms. Stroll the tree-lined path around the peninsular to the hilltop Račić Mausoleum, an Art Nouveau white stone monument by Croatia’s best-known sculptor Ivan Meštrović, then return to the rocky shore for a swim and a chilled beer at the Little Star beach bar.

Regular boats run from Dubrovnik’s old harbour to Cavtat’s quayside, offering a chance to escape the busy city and see a slower-paced, small-town version of Croatian life.  Sailing back in the late afternoon, past the rocky cliffs, lush pinewoods and pebble coves of the mainland coast, is idyllic.

This fine, secluded, pebble-sand beach is sandwiched between rocky cliffs and crystal-clear water. Eat lunch on the waterside terrace of the beach’s rustic eaterie, while admiring the views of Dubrovnik’s handsome walls across the water.

Handily located within walking distance of the Old Town, it’s the perfect spot for when you’ve had your fill of Dubrovnik’s cultural attractions and need some beach time.