Best Day Trips from Dubrovnik: From Guided Tours to DIY Adventures

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There are a variety of incredible day trips from Dubrovnik including nearby islands, local seaside villages, and beyond.

Dubrovnik Old Town, viewed from Lokrum Island. — Welcome to Dubrovnik! This is the incredible view of Old Town from Lokrum Island – one of the best day trips from Dubrovnik.

If you have extra time to spend in Dubrovnik, I recommend venturing beyond the city to explore relaxing scenes of local life and even perhaps another country if you’re adventurous!

This is my detailed guide to the best day trips from Dubrovnik, complete with recommendations for guided tours, how to use Dubrovnik public transportation, and my compelling list of places to visit near or far!

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A collage of Dubrovnik including a view of the copper roofs with the bell tower, a brunette woman walking towards stone ruins on Lokrum Island, a rocky peninsula, and the Korčula coastline with boats along the water. The text reads, "Dubrovnik, Best Day Trips" with the website title, beautyandthebucketlist.com at the bottom.

A collage of day trips from Dubrovnik including Dubrovnik Old Town seen from Lokrum Island, a small stone lighthouse with stone steps on Koločep, the wine region on Korčula, and a young woman walking up the Ston Walls. The text reads, "Day Trips from Dubrovnik" with the website title, beautyandthebucketlist.com.

Why Take a Day Trip from Dubrovnik?

If you have extra time in Dubrovnik, a day trip from the unique copper-roofed coastal city is the perfect way to see unforgettable local islands and scenic surrounding villages.

With accessible public transportation and a variety of hassle-free guided tours leaving from Dubrovnik Old Town or Port Gruž, there is no shortage of epic places to visit near Dubrovnik.

I spent eleven perfect days exploring every part of Dubrovnik and the surrounding islands (and countries!) to best understand the local culture and curate a list of the best day trips from Dubrovnik.

Whether you prefer to stay local and visit the nearby islands, hop on a bus, or rent a car to cross the border to another country, there is a perfect day trip from Dubrovnik for every traveler.

Is Dubrovnik Public Transportation Reliable?

With the Dubrovnik Pass – the city’s official activity pass for free entry to the City Walls, Fort Lovrijenac and other local museums – I was granted a free bus pass within the city limits of Dubrovnik.

As a devoted user of public transportation, I found the local bus system (Libertas) to be both incredibly easy to navigate and very reliable.

A young woman wearing sunglasses holding a pastry as she waits at the Dubrovnik bus stop. — Waiting for the bus with my morning pastry 🚌

My recommendation for navigating Dubrovnik public transportation is to download the Libertas app for access to bus timetables and destinations.

The local buses brought me all around the city of Dubrovnik and beyond – to Trsteno, Orašac, and even the Pelješac Peninsula.

IMPORTANT NOTE

If you plan on purchasing the Dubrovnik Pass (which I HIGHLY recommend if you want to visit the City Walls and Fort Lovrijenac), the pass ONLY covers bus transport within the city of Dubrovnik. If you use the local buses outside the city of Dubrovnik, you’ll have to pay for a bus ticket. Bus tickets can be purchased using tap-to-pay directly on the bus OR at kiosks outside the Pile Gate.

Should I book a Guided Tour or Use Local Transport for Dubrovnik Day Trips?

There are pros and cons to booking both guided tours and using local transportation in Dubrovnik.

Whether or not you book a guided tour, use local transportation (download the Libertas app), or rent a car will depend on the type of traveler you are.

Guided tours from Dubrovnik are great hassle-free options for families or travelers who want to sit back and let others do the planning. However, when you book your Dubrovnik guided tour, you are guaranteed a set itinerary which may be enticing for anxious travelers but rigid for adventurous travelers.

The DIY approach is something I always recommend to encourage familiarizing yourself with local transportation. In my opinion, public transport is a “boots-on-the-ground” approach that allows you to travel less like a tourist and more like a local.

Public transport in Dubrovnik is very reliable and affordable for budget-conscious travelers. However for farther destinations like the Pelješac Peninsula, bus timing is not always ideal. In that case, renting a car for a day is always a great option and allows you to cover more distance on your own timing compared to guided tours.

So in short, there’s no straightforward answer as to whether or not you should book a guided tour in Dubrovnik or use local transport. It’s up to your itinerary and travel style!

Best Day Trips from Dubrovnik

Organized by Distance from Dubrovnik

Lokrum Island

Lokrum Island, a beautiful nature reserve densely covered in a variety of trees, is a 15-minute ferry ride from Dubrovnik Old Town Harbor.

For travelers with limited time in Dubrovnik, spending a half-day exploring Lokrum island is a must-do activity. I recommend booking a guided tour of Dubrovnik Old Town, then catching the ferry at Dubrovnik Old Town Port to Lokrum. Round trip adult tickets can be purchased at the port for €30 (or €5 for kids ages 7 – 18).

Lokrum Island ferry. — Transportation to and from Lokrum Island – the ferry!

There’s lots to explore on Lokrum Island. You’ll want to visit the monastery, the botanical gardens and climb the stairway to heaven to the Royal Fort. Don’t forget to bring your swimsuit! There are lots of secluded swimming spots on Lokrum Island.

Fort Royal, Lokrum Island. — The historic Fort Royal that stands tall over Lokrum Island.

If you’re a huge Game of Thrones fan like I am, you’ll recognize the monastery as the city of Qarth – the location where Danaerys and her entourage attended a garden party hosted by the Qarth nobility. If you book a Game of Thrones guided tour with Lokrum Island (I LOVED this tour!), you’ll also have a chance to sit on the Iron Throne!

A brunette woman walking away from the camera through a dilapidated stone structure with greenery surrounding her in the monastery on Lokrum Island. — Qarth – the greatest city that ever was or will be.

A young brunette woman sitting on the Iron Throne (Game of Thrones) in Lokrum Island. — Protector of the Realm.

Zaton

The small seaside village of Zaton, just a 20 minute bus ride from Dubrovnik – not to be confused with the large beach resort north of Zadar, Croatia – is a tranquil place to enjoy the sapphire sea.

Its proximity to Dubrovnik Old Town and the local serene beaches makes it the perfect place to spend a day swimming in the Adriatic or strolling along the seaside promenade. You won’t have to worry about city crowds or packed restaurants in Zaton.

Cavtat

Cavtat is a beautiful seaside village southeast of the bustling city of Dubrovnik offering similar Dalmatian charms with fewer crowds.

Travelers who prefer to stay outside the hustle-and-bustle of Dubrovnik will enjoy staying in Cavtat.

A rainy sidewalk and bench in Cavtat, Croatia. — A rainy day in Cavtat.

Local buses and ferries connect Dubrovnik with Cavtat making it one of the most accessible day trips from Dubrovnik. There’s lots to see and do in Cavtat including a visit to the house of the famous Croatian painter, Vlaho Bukovac, a relaxing swim in the crystal blue waters of the Adriatic, and dining experiences at unforgettable Michelin-guide restaurants.

Orašac

Croatia gets over 200 days of sun per year. However, on the rare occasion you experience rainy weather in Dubrovnik, the best thing to do is catch the bus to Orašac – the location of one of the BEST five-star hotels in Dalmatia.

Sun Gardens Dubrovnik, just twenty minutes from Dubrovnik Old Town, has a world-renowned spa – the most incredible spa I’ve ever visited.

At just ~$35 per person for a day pass (free for hotel guests), the Sun Gardens spa, which features a nordic sauna, a Mediterranean sauna, an aromatherapy sauna, jacuzzis and MORE, is the best spa in Dubrovnik.

Even if you don’t experience a rainy day in Dubrovnik, I recommend you visit the spa at Sun Gardens if you have extra time on the Dalmatian coast. Trust me, you WON’T REGRET IT. I visited the Sun Gardens spa TWICE, I loved it so much.

Trsteno

My Game of Thrones tour didn’t just stop at the Dubrovnik city walls. After conducting extensive research on the Game of Thrones filming locations in Dubrovnik, I found some beautiful filming locations outside the city of Dubrovnik in a small seaside village called Trsteno.

The Trsteno Arboretum was used to film several garden scenes in the popular Game of Thrones show – including the scene where Sansa warns Olena Tyrell and her granddaughter Marjorie of the dangerous motives of King Joffrey.

Just outside the gates of the beautiful Trsteno Arboretum is the filming location of the scenes where Ser Bronn teaches Jamie Lannister how to swordfight with his left hand.

The quaint village of Trsteno was one of my favorite villages outside of Dubrovnik. It’s the perfect place to enjoy the sunset over the Adriatic Sea!

Elaphiti Islands (Koločep, Lopud, Šipan)

A three-island full day boat trip to the Elaphiti Islands is one of the best day trips from Dubrovnik for families and adventurous travelers.

The Elaphiti Islands, also known as the Elaphites, are a collection of small islands off the Dalmatian coast. Koločep, Lopud, Šipan are the three islands you can explore, each of which feature stunning beaches and serene ocean views.

A rocky peninsula surrounded by sapphire water of the Adriatic Sea at Koločep Island (Elaphiti). — Crystal clear shallows beneath a rocky peninsula on Koločep Island.

These islands should be at the top of your list for day trips from Dubrovnik.

There are several options for full-day guided tours to the Elaphiti Islands or hop-on-hop-off ferries to each island. If you want to do-it-yourself like I did, you can catch the island ferry Jadrolinija at Port Gruž (ticket counter at this port also) and choose an island to explore.

The Adriatic peeking through green trees on Koločep Island. — the mesmerizing waves of the Adriatic peeking through the vibrant brush on Koločep Island.

I spent a day exploring Koločep, my favorite of the three islands and the closest to Dubrovnik. With a beautiful hiking route around the island and several “secret” swimming spots (with NO tourists), Koločep was the perfect day trip from Dubrovnik!

A white stone lighthouse above concrete steps surrounded by jagged rocks on Koločep (Elaphiti). — The location of my favorite “secret” swimming spot on Koločep. Just walk down these stairs and enjoy a crowd-free place to swim on my favorite of the Elaphiti Islands!

Lopud and Šipan are great options too!

Mljet National Park

Just north of the Elaphiti Islands and a ninety-minute ferry from Dubrovnik is a snorkeler’s Nirvana.

The beautiful Croatian National Park of Mljet is the perfect day trip for mermaids and mermans who prefer to spend most of their time in the Adriatic rather than on land.

Within Mljet National Park, you can also bike around the island, or explore on foot.

To get to Mljet National Park, catch a ferry at Port Gruž which will connect you to either the village of Pomena or Polače. A small entrance fee is required to visit Mljet National Park and guided tour options are available!

Pelješac Peninsula (Ston, Metohija, Orebić)

Just a one-hour drive north from Dubrovnik along the coast will bring you to the magnificent Pelješac Peninsula, Croatia’s wine region.

There are many beautiful villages on the Pelješac Peninsula including Ston, which is home to the SECOND largest wall in the world. The “Great Wall of Europe”, the Ston Wall, is a 5.5km wall that stretches from Ston to Mali Ston. Centuries ago this monumental wall, along with the fortress that guards it, protected the salt pans in this city, which brought significant wealth to the region.

The historic orange-roofed village of Ston with the monumental Ston Wall climbing the green hillside. — The beautiful, orange-roofed village of Ston with its fortified walls.

Ston is an incredible day trip from Dubrovnik. I rented a car for the day and explored Ston and Mali Ston, the neighboring village that is home to the local oysters that feed the region.

A red sign that says "Ston" in front of a light grey stone wall. — Welcome to Ston!

A young woman with long brunette hair wearing a long white skirt walking up the Ston Walls. — The treacherous climb up the Ston Walls.

If you choose to rent a car, I also recommend driving around the local wineries in Metohija. I visited the Milos Winery and really enjoyed tasting the local wines.

The seaside village of Orebić, which overlooks the island of Korčula is a beautiful town with a stunning coastline – the perfect addition to your day trip to Ston and Metohija.

Korčula

My favorite island in Croatia is the beautiful island of Korčula. Known as “little Dubrovnik” for its copper-roofed, walled Old Town, Korčula is one of the most beautiful destinations in the Balkans.

Spend a day in Korčula exploring the old city and renting a bike to ride around the island’s wine region.

A vineyard in Korčula overlooking orange-roofed buildings and a large mountain in the background. — Biking around Korčula’s wine region was one of my favorite activities in Croatia!

Kotor (Montenegro)

Dubrovnik’s proximity to other Balkan countries like Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina makes it easy to take a day trip to another country.

A day trip to Montenegro from Dubrovnik is the best way to see the charming town of Kotor within a single day.

Mostar (Bosnia and Herzegovina)

Until my recent trip to Croatia, I had only seen the famous Mostar Bridge on Instagram. Because Bosnia and Herzegovina is just a short bus ride from Dubrovnik, I figured it was time to finally visit the historic city of Mostar in person and see the bridge for myself.

I booked a guided day trip to Mostar from Dubrovnik to explore another Balkan country in a single day. This trip included a visit to the unforgettable Kravica Waterfalls – a mythical scene straight from a fantasy world.

Kravica Waterfalls (Bosnia and Herzegovina). — The mystical Kravica Waterfalls.

This day trip was very well-organized and I learned so much about Bosnia and Herzegovina on the bus tour!

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick Answers to Common Questions

The easiest day trip from Dubrovnik without a car is a visit to one of the nearby islands. Local ferries departing from either Old Town Port (to Lokrum or Cavtat) or Port Gruž (to the Elaphiti Islands or Korčula) can bring you to Croatia’s beautiful islands and villages, without the need to rent a car!

Additionally, there are many accessible bus routes that will get you to Trsteno, Zaton, and even the Pelješac Peninsula.

The best way to book a day trip from Dubrovnik is to book with a tour operator like Get Your Guide. I’ve been using Get Your Guide religiously since my first international trip to Rome in 2019 and I love the hassle-free booking experience!

Get Your Guide’s carefully curated selection of guided tours has something unique for every traveler!

The most essential items I packed with me for day trips from Dubrovnik included the following:

Sunscreen: My non-negotiable. I religiously used my Blue Lizard mineral sunscreen and I didn’t get burned once!
Water Shoes: The one thing I didn’t pack with me for Croatia, but I WISH I did. Most beaches are rocky or pebble which can be difficult to walk on. Water shoes eliminate the pain of walking on sharp rocks.
A Reusable Water Bottle: Water is the only thing you can get for free in Dubrovnik. Local aqueducts in the city make it very easy to fill your reusable water bottle!
Snacks or Lunch: If you don’t want to pay steep prices to dine at a restaurant brings snacks or lunch with you.

Without traffic or slowdowns at the border crossing, Mostar is ~2.5 hours from Dubrovnik. If you take a day trip to Mostar from Dubrovnik, you’ll need your passport to cross the border. Most tours will leave Dubrovnik before seven am to avoid long waits at the border.

Mostar is worth visiting in a day to explore a new region of the Balkans. I found the culture of Mostar to be very different from the touristy vibes of Old Town Dubrovnik!