Best Day Trips from Dubrovnik, Croatia
Are you looking for the best day trips from Dubrovnik, Croatia? I’ve now been to Dubrovnik several times and gone on various day trips, and I’m rounding up my top recommendations for you below.
Dubrovnik is nicknamed the Pearl of the Adriatic. This beautiful, historic walled city on the Adriatic Sea is filled with old stone buildings with orange-tiled roofs and charming cobblestone streets.
There is plenty to do in Dubrovnik for a couple of days, but the rest of Croatia is equally as beautiful, so I would not limit yourself to just Dubrovnik! There are some great day trips you can take from Dubrovnik to other parts of Croatia, as well as two neighboring countries just a couple of hours away.
I recommend spending at least three full days in Dubrovnik, but then dedicating one or two days to taking day trips. (Although you can definitely spend even more time here and never get bored!)
Here’s an overview of the best day trips from Dubrovnik.
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Best Day Trips from Dubrovnik, Croatia:
- Day trip to the Elaphite Islands with lunch
- Day trip to the Bay of Kotor, Montenegro
- Day trip to Mostar and Kravice, Bosnia & Herzegovina
Lokrum
One of the easiest day trips you can take from Dubrovnik is Lokrum. In fact, this is really more of a half-day trip that you can easily do in one morning or afternoon (although you can spend more time if you want!) Lokrum is an island off the coast of Dubrovnik, and it’s just a 15-minute ferry ride to get there.
Some of the highlights on the island include the Benedictine monastery, Fort Royal, the botanical gardens, and the beaches. There are also many stunning viewpoints around the island. And, for fans of Game of Thrones, you can find several filming locations here (and even more in Dubrovnik’s Old Town!)
Ferry tickets can be purchased at the Old Town harbor, and they’re €27 round-trip.
Cavtat
Another easy day trip from Dubrovnik is Cavtat. This pretty coastal town is just half an hour from Dubrovnik, but it’s a great place to go if you want to escape the tourist crowds for an afternoon.
Cavtat is more popular with locals, and it’s known for having beautiful water to swim in and a waterfront promenade with plenty of restaurants and bars where you can relax and enjoy a meal or a drink.
To get to Cavtat, you can take the number 10 bus from Dubrovnik. Tickets are €3 and the journey takes 30 minutes. You can also easily get a taxi or Uber to and from Cavtat.
Elaphite Islands
My personal favorite day trip from Dubrovnik is the Elaphite Islands. This is a great day trip because it’s not too far (no long car or bus journeys) and it’s incredibly scenic. Perfect for a relaxing day.
The Elaphite Islands are a chain of several islands north of Dubrovnik. The best way to visit them is on a boat tour. I took this boat tour day trip from Dubrovnik, and I’d highly recommend it. You visit three islands (Lopud, Sipan, and Kolocep) where you can explore the islands, or go swimming or snorkeling.
A light lunch is also included (with a vegetarian option available), as well as wine or soda and bottled water. I found this tour to be a really good value, and it would be my top pick for a day trip from Dubrovnik.
Mljet National Park
Another one of the best day trips from Dubrovnik is Mljet National Park.
Croatia is famous for its national parks, but two of the most popular (Krka National Park and Plitvice Lakes National Park) are too far from Dubrovnik for a day trip. (Try a day trip from Split instead!)
However, one beautiful national park you can visit from Dubrovnik is Mljet National Park. Located on the island of Mljet, this national park is unbelievably stunning. And since it’s more remote and a bit harder to get to, you’ll find that this island park is less crowded than Croatia’s more popular national parks.
The best way to visit Mljet National Park in a day would be on a tour. This full-day tour is a great option. You’ll visit the national park by boat from Dubrovnik, as well as two of the Elaphite Islands.
Montenegro
If you want to visit a whole other country on a day trip from Dubrovnik, Montenegro is a popular choice! This small country is located two hours south of Dubrovnik and also boasts a beautiful Adriatic coastline.
However, what really makes Montenegro stand out is the Bay of Kotor, which you can discover on a day trip from Dubrovnik. Now, I’ve been to Montenegro twice now (once a day trip and once for four days), and I really recommend spending at least a few days here if you have the time. It’s so worth it!
But if your time is limited, a day trip is a great way to get a taste of Montenegro. I recommend this full-day tour, which includes a walking tour and free time in the beautiful town of Kotor, free time in the charming village of Perast, and a boat tour on the Bay of Kotor including a visit to Our Lady of the Rocks.
It’s a jam-packed day, but it offers an introduction to Montenegro.
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Another country you can visit on a day trip from Dubrovnik is Bosnia & Herzegovina. I have not been here yet, but I imagine it’s like Montenegro, where you really need several days to do it justice.
But again, if time is short, you can do a day trip! The best part of Bosnia & Herzegovina to visit on a day trip from Dubrovnik is the gorgeous town of Mostar, which is a 2.5-hour drive from Dubrovnik.
This full-day tour goes to Mostar and the picturesque Kravica Waterfall.
Peljesac Peninsula
Finally, one of the best day trips from Dubrovnik is the Peljesac Peninsula. Located less than two hours from Dubrovnik by car, this narrow peninsula is famous for its vineyards and wineries.
The best way to visit on a day trip would be on an organized tour like this one which includes several stops at interesting destinations around the Peljesac Peninsula. You’ll even get to take a boat to Korcula, a nearby island, before returning to the peninsula for wine tasting at a famous local winery.
You’ll also make stops in the towns of Ston and Orebic.
Best Day Trips from Dubrovnik
This guide showed you the best day trips from Dubrovnik, Croatia.
My top pick would be the Elaphite Islands if you’re looking for a relaxing day trip where you can enjoy swimming, snorkeling, and being on a boat all day. However, there are lots of other options too.
If you want to visit a new country in one day, Montenegro and Bosnia & Herzegovina are both accessible on a day trip (although I’d really recommend spending several days in each country if you can.)
The Peljesac Peninsula is a great choice if you want to get off the beaten path a little.
Enjoy your trip to Dubrovnik!
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