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Dubrovnik is a popular destination for a week-long trip. Dubrovnik’s old town is charming, Mount Srd is breathtaking, but it’s just one city and you may find it has not enough things to do to occupy your whole vacation. A great way how to get the most from your stay in Dubrovnik is going on some day trips to the amazing places nearby.
You can choose from tours of different islands in the Adriatic sea, nearby cities in the neighboring countries that also have a rich history and have been named Unesco world heritage site, and so much more.
If you rent a car in Dubrovnik, you can definitely do these trips on your own as a private tour. But if you are enjoying a relaxing vacation and just want to go on an organized tour, there are several guided tour options that you can pre-book online. Of course, you can also book similar tours from your hotel, but it just might be not available/more pricy in a high season.
Mostar, Bosnia – Herzegovina
Mostar is probably the best known for its iconic Stari Most (Old Bridge). It is an arched bridge that was built in medieval times and is now reconstructed. The old town of the city is quite beautiful and rich in history and culture, which makes Mostar worth visiting.
Mark is the national currency in Bosnia, but if you are visiting from Dubrovnik and have only kuna or euros, in the majority of shops those will be accepted as well.
The must-see places in Mostar are:
- The Old Bridge
- Tha Koski Mehmed-Pasha Mosque’s minaret
- Tha Crooked Bridge
- The Old Bazaar
Kravice waterfalls, Bosnia – Herzegovina
40 kilometers south of Mostar you can find the impressive Kravica waterfall. Both of these destinations are usually visited on the same day trip. The cascading waterfalls are around 25 meters high and there is a quite big lake at the base of the waterfall.
If the weather is warm, you can actually swim in the lake formed by the Kravice waterfall. It’s possible to go under the streams of water falling from the top and enjoy a kind of a natural massage. The water is quite clean and you can see through it the bebbles at the bottom.
Kravice waterfalls look amazing in pictures with the hues of green and blue of the lake and many cascades of water in the large waterfall.
Korčula island
Korčula is the perfect place to visit if you’re looking for a combination of a relaxing and fun vacation. The island is well known for its wine production and there are plenty of vineyards to visit. You can also find many beaches on Korčula, as well as lovely old towns with narrow streets.
One of the best things to do is to visit Korcula town. It is a beautiful town with narrow streets and lovely old buildings.
You can get to Korčula island from Dubrovnik by ferry. The journey lasts around 2 hours and there are several ferries per day.
Elafiti island
Elaphite islands are consisting of 13 islands. The biggest and most popular ones are Kolocep, Lopud, and Sipan. Lopud is car-free, so the only way to get around is by foot, bike or boat.
The best thing about these islands is the beaches – they are definitely some of the best in Croatia. The water is crystal clear and there’s a lot which makes it perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and diving.
If you’re looking for a relaxed day trip from Dubrovnik, the Elaphite islands are a great option. It’s possible to visit them by boat from Dubrovnik harbor and the journey lasts around 1 hour.
Kotor, Montenegro
Kotor is a city in Montenegro and it’s one of the most popular destinations in the country. It is located at the Kotor Bay, which is a part of the Adriatic Sea.
The old town of Kotor is beautiful and it has been included on the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites. The city is surrounded by mountains and looks really amazing.
Kotor is a great day trip from Dubrovnik, especially if you’re looking for a city with a lot of history and culture. The journey from Dubrovnik to Kotor takes around 2.5 hours.
Other things that you can include in the Montenegro day trip are:
- Cetinje – the old Capital of Montenegro;
- Perast – a small village near Kotor with many Baroque churches;
- Lake Skadar – the largest lake in the Balkans and a great place for fishing and birdwatching;
- Herceg Novi – a coastal town with charming architecture and lots of shops and bars for tourists.
Lokrum island
Lokrum island is a great day trip from Dubrovnik if you’re looking for a bit of nature and some peace and quiet. The island is car-free and has a lot of beautiful walking trails. There are also a few small beaches, as well as a Benedictine monastery.
If you’re looking to escape the crowds, Lokrum island is easy to reach from Dubrovnik and it’s definitely worth a visit. There are ferries traveling between Dubrovnik port and Lokrum island around once in an hour.
Cavtat
Cavtat is a small town located close to Dubrovnik. It’s a popular destination for a day trip, especially because of its lovely beaches. The town is also home to the Cavtat Museum, which features exhibits on local history and culture.
Cavtat is a great place to visit if you want to escape the crowds of Dubrovnik and enjoy a more quiet day in a breathtakingly beautiful town.
The best things to do in Cavtat include:
- Visiting the Cavtat Museum;
- Swimming at one of the lovely beaches;
- Taking a walk through the town’s charming streets.
Split
If you’re looking for something a bit different, a day trip to Split is definitely a great option. Split is the second-largest city in Croatia and it’s located on the coast. The city is well known for its Roman architecture, as well as the Diocletian’s Palace, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is one of the most beautiful cities in Croatia.
The trip to reach Split from Dubrovnik takes approximately 3 hours.
The best things to do in Split include:
- Visiting the Diocletian’s Palace;
- Walking around the old town;
- Swimming in Bacvice or Kasjuni beach;
- Visiting Jupiter’s temple;
- Enjoying a drink or a meal in one of the lively squares or streets.
Peljesac peninsula and Ston
Peljesac peninsula is the second largest in Croatia. The trip to Peljesac peninsula from Dubrovnik takes around 2.5 hours and it’s definitely worth a visit if you’re looking for some peace and quiet. The peninsula is known for its wineries, as well as its beaches. There are also a few small towns located on the peninsula, which are quite charming.
Ston is a small town located on the southern part of Peljesac peninsula. It’s known for its defensive walls, which are the longest in Europe. The town is also home to the Ston Museum, which features exhibits on local history and culture. Ston is known as a place where a great quality sea salt has been produced for centuries. Today you can also get a history lesson about it and leave with some salt as a souveneur.
Budva, Montenegro
Budva is known for its sandy beaches and great night life. There is a charming medieval Old Town surrounded by stone walls that you can explore on a walking tour.
Some of the best things to do in Budva include:
- Walking along the ancient city walls;
- Window shopping on Budva’s main street in the Old City;
- Strolling through Sveti Stefan (small islet 6 kilometers from Budva);
- Hitting a beautiful beach (Mogren and Jaz are recommended).
Trogir
Trogir is a small town located close to Split. The town is known for its Venetian architecture, as well as the Trogir Cathedral, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The trip from Dubrovnik to Trogir takes around 2 hours.
The best things to do in Trogir include:
- Visiting the museum of Ancient Glass;
- Trogir Cathedral;
- Trogir town square;
- Checking out the scenic Kamerlengo castle.
Medjugorje, Bosnia – Herzegovina
If you’re looking for a religious day trip, Medjugorje is definitely a great option. Medjugorje is located in Bosnia and Herzegovina and it’s known for the apparitions of the Virgin Mary that have been occurring since 1981.
The trip from Dubrovnik to Medjugorje takes around 3 hours. You can consider visiting this Catholic pilgrimage site on the same trip as Mostar as they are quite close.
Konavle valley
Konavle valley is a picturesque area located close to Dubrovnik. The valley is known for its vineyards and lovely villages. THere are 33 small villages in the picturesque valley.
The best things to do in Konavle valley include:
- Visiting the village of Cavtat;
- Strolling through the vineyards;
- Enjoying a glass of local wine;
- Going horseriding.
Hvar island
Hvar island is known for its beaches, as well as its luxury hotels and restaurants. The town of Hvar is located on the south coast of the island and it’s a popular destination for those looking to party.
The best things to do in Hvar include:
- Visiting the fortress;
- Strolling through the town;
- Dining in one of the many restaurants;
- Partying in Hvar town.
Dubrovnik day trips: Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it’s definitely possible to do a day trip from Dubrovnik to Montenegro. The trip to the closest towns that interest tourists in Montenegro takes around 2 hours one way and there are regular buses that run between the two destinations.
It really depends on what you’re looking for. If you’re interested in checking out a new country and doing some sightseeing, the trip to Montenegro is definitely worthwhile. If you’re only interested in beaches, then you can find a plenty of them on the different Croatian islands surrounding Dubrovnik.
Montenegro, and Bosnia and Herzegovina are close to Dubrovnik. You can visit any of these countries on a day trip from Dubrovnik. It’s also possible to visit Albania, but the trip is quite long (around 8 hours one way).
Split is around 3 hours away from Dubrovnik. There are regular buses that run between the two destinations. You can also visit Split as a day trip from Dubrovnik.
Again, this depends on what you’re looking for. If you’re interested in ancient Roman ruins, then Split is definitely worth visiting. If you’re only interested in beaches, then there are plenty of nicer ones on the islands surrounding Dubrovnik.
This really depends on what you want to do. If you’re only interested in sightseeing in the old town, then a few days for visiting Dubrovnik should be enough. If you want to explore more of the city and the surrounding area, then 5-7 days would be ideal. And if you’re looking to visit some of the other destinations close to Dubrovnik, then a week-long trip is perfect.
