Part of our Croatia guide.
3 places and guides from our Dubrovnik coverage, gathered into one page.
Related travel guides: Is Croatia Safe?, Where To Eat In Croatia, Hidden Gems In Croatia, and Travel Inspiration In Croatia.
One Day In Dubrovnik, Croatia: What To Do
Walk the ancient city walls and explore the marble-paved Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Start at the Pile Gate, then climb the walls for views of the Adriatic and the red-roofed buildings. In a single day you can see the Stradun (the main street), the Onofrio Fountain, the Rector’s Palace, the Sponza Palace, and the Cathedral of the Assumption. Take the cable car to Mount Srđ for a panorama of the city and the Elaphiti Islands. End the day with a stroll along the harbor or a swim at Banje Beach.
How Long Is The Ferry Ride From Split To Dubrovnik
The ferry ride from Split to Dubrovnik takes about 4.5 to 5 hours on the direct catamaran service (Jadrolinija or Krilo). The journey follows the Dalmatian coast, passing islands such as Brač, Hvar, Korčula, and Mljet. Jadrolinija’s car ferry takes around 8–9 hours; Krilo’s high-speed catamaran takes about 4.5 hours. Tickets for the catamaran cost roughly 200–250 HRK (€27–€34) per person one-way, though prices change seasonally. On board you’ll find a café, restrooms, and outdoor deck seating. Book ahead in summer. The ferry arrives at Dubrovnik’s Gruž harbor, a 20-minute bus ride from the Old Town.
Epic Day Trips From Dubrovnik, Croatia
From Dubrovnik you can reach several destinations within an hour or two. The most popular day trips include:
- Lokrum Island – a 15-minute ferry from the Old Town harbor. It has a botanical garden, a Benedictine monastery ruin, and a small saltwater lake called the Dead Sea.
- Elaphiti Islands (Koločep, Lopud, Šipan) – ferries run from Gruž harbor. Koločep is known for olive groves, Lopud for sandy beaches like Šunj, and Šipan for its vineyards.
- Mljet National Park – a 2-hour ferry from Dubrovnik. The park features two saltwater lakes (Veliko and Malo Jezero) and a 12th-century Benedictine monastery on an islet.
- Korčula Town – a 1.5-hour catamaran ride. The old town is laid out as a fishbone pattern, with the Cathedral of St. Mark and the house of Marco Polo.
- Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina – a 2.5-hour drive or bus ride. See the reconstructed Old Bridge (Stari Most) and the Ottoman bazaar.
- Bay of Kotor, Montenegro – a 1.5-hour drive. The bay is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with the fortified town of Kotor and the Perast islets.
- Ston – a 45-minute drive north. It has the longest stone fortification wall in Europe (5.5 km) and is famous for its salt pans and oysters.
- Trsteno Arboretum – a 30-minute drive. A 15th-century botanical garden with giant plane trees and a Renaissance summer house.
Krka waterfalls is closer to Split than to Dubrovnik (about a 3-hour drive). For hiking and the outdoors in Croatia, consider the trails on Mljet or the Pelješac peninsula. If you plan a longer stay, see your perfect 5 day travel itinerary for visiting the Dalmatian coast.
