Hotel Excelsior Dubrovnik
Why we like it: Opposite the old city, five minutes' walk from the walls, with a spa, a chef's-menu restaurant and a transfer service.
Duration3 nights
From SpainDirect flight to Dubrovnik (DBV); return from Split (SPU) in season
Between the two cities235 km, about 3 h 20 by car
How to get aroundOn foot, by boat and by city bus
Best timeMay – June · September – October
BookingFlights, hotels and the Proto dinner
The route
2 stops, one after another
The plan
The plan, hour by hour
Designed for Thursday to Sunday between May and October, when there are direct return flights from Split and Lokrum and the Lokanda Peskarija are open. Konoba Fetivi closes on Sundays, which is why the Split dinner falls on Saturday.
Thursday
- 107:00Direct flight to Dubrovnik
From Madrid or Barcelona. From the airport, the bus to Gruž: the Hotel Lapad is across the harbour, 3 km from the old town by city bus.
- 216:00King's Landing's wall
The full circuit, 1,940 m and about two hours, for about €40. From the Minčeta tower, the House of the Undying in Qarth, you look down the whole Stradun; below is Šulić beach, the one from the Battle of the Blackwater.
- 318:30Lovrijenac at sunset
The Red Keep comes with the wall ticket: keep it. From the terrace, the western wall in low light. On the way down, Gradac Park, where the Purple Wedding was filmed, is next door.
- 420:30Dinner at Proto
Chargrilled Adriatic fish since 1886, a step from the Stradun. Ask for the first-floor terrace and book in summer.
Friday
- 108:00Cersei's staircase
The Jesuit staircase, where the walk of shame begins, empty first thing. It is free.
- 210:00Lokrum, which was Qarth
Boat from the old port, about 15 minutes; €30 with the boat if you buy at Luža. The gardens stood in for Qarth, and on the island there is a replica of the Iron Throne. Bring water shoes for swimming off the rocks.
- 314:30Lunch at Lokanda Peskarija
Back in the old port, tables on the quay: black risotto or mussels buzara. It closes in winter.
Saturday
- 108:30To Split
About three hours twenty by car, or the bus from Gruž, next to the hotel. Leave your suitcase at the Heritage Hotel Slavija, inside the palace, a few steps from the Peristyle.
- 215:00The dragons' cellars
The substructures of Diocletian's Palace, the inside of Meereen where Daenerys locked up her dragons: €10, families €18. Enter by the Bronze Gate, on the Riva.
- 320:00Dinner at Konoba Fetivi
A Varoš tavern, five minutes from the Riva, with the fish of the day grilled. Book in July and August.
Sunday
- 109:00Klis, above Meereen
Promet Split line 22 goes up to the village. €12 with the interpretation centre and Stella Croatica; the view from the top is that of the surroundings of Meereen.
- 213:00Trogir and the airport
Go back to Split and take bus 37, which goes to Trogir via the airport. Trogir, on its islet, was Qarth; from there, the same bus drops you at the airport for the afternoon flight.
Dubrovnik is King's Landing and Split is Meereen: between the two cities lies a good part of what Game of Thrones filmed in Croatia. This getaway gives them just the right time, two nights for the capital of the Seven Kingdoms and one for the city of dragons, without a car in either. Everything you see is real filming locations, with no sets: walls, fortresses, staircases and Roman cellars that the series used as they were. The only thing made for fans is the Iron Throne replica on Lokrum.
How do you get there and back?
According to AENA there are direct flights to Dubrovnik (DBV) from Madrid and Barcelona, mainly in season. The airport is at Čilipi, about 22 km away, and the airport bus, €10 one way, stops at Ploče and the Gruž station.
To return, Split (SPU) has direct flights to Madrid and Barcelona in season; outside it a stopover is usually needed. If you cannot find a flight from Split, reverse the order or return to Dubrovnik on Sunday.
Between the two cities it is about 235 km and a little over three hours by car. The coast crosses a few kilometres of Bosnia and Herzegovina at Neum, with two border checks: carry your passport or ID card and the car's documents, and if it is a hire car, tell the company. The Pelješac Bridge bypasses that stretch through Croatian territory. There are also buses from the Gruž station; they take longer, so check the timetable first.
Where to sleep
| Accommodation | Area | For whom |
|---|---|---|
| Hotel Lapad | Lapad, facing the port of Gruž | A family hotel since 1914, with the bus station and the airport bus across the water |
| Hostel Angelina Old Town | Inside the wall, near Pile | Bunks a couple of steps from Lovrijenac, for anyone travelling with a rucksack |
| Heritage Hotel Slavija | Split old town | Inside Diocletian's Palace, a few steps from the substructures |
In Dubrovnik, the Hotel Lapad is the best base for this plan: on Saturday you set off for Split from the station opposite. If you prefer to sleep inside the wall, the Hostel Angelina leaves Lovrijenac and Gradac five minutes away, but the last stretch is stairs.
Where to eat
The first night, Proto, one of the city's oldest houses, open every day. After Lokrum, the Lokanda Peskarija, on the old port quay, where you disembark; remember it closes in winter. In Split, Konoba Fetivi, a Dalmatian fish-of-the-day tavern that closes on Sundays.
How much does it cost?
Not counting flights or accommodation: about €40 for the wall with Lovrijenac, €30 for Lokrum with the boat, €10 for the substructures and €12 for Klis, plus airport and city buses. Meals run from €20–35 at the Lokanda and at Fetivi to €35–60 at Proto. The hire car between the two cities, if you use it, is extra.
If you have one more day
Stay in Dubrovnik and go up on the Srđ cable car to see the whole city from above, or do the kayak under the walls, which passes at the foot of Lovrijenac. If the extra day is in Split, the Blue Cave of Biševo makes a day on the boat.
Map
The stops, in order
What to do
Eat
88 €Stay
Services
Plan the trip
Dubrovnik, step by step
Each choice narrows the next: the season shapes how best to travel, and how you travel decides where you stay and where you eat.
When to go
When to go to Dubrovnik
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Best timeGood timeLow season
How you travel
The same break, your way
The plan stays the same. What changes is where you sleep, how you get there and how much you spend.
The natural way to see Dubrovnik
The old town is pedestrian and the surroundings have restricted traffic from April to October. You arrive by plane, get off the airport bus and everything essential is on foot, by city bus or by boat.
90–150 €per person per day, approximate
- Where to sleepHotel Lapad, facing the port…
- Getting aroundAirport bus to Ploče or…
- Where to eatSandwiches from Buffet Škola for…
- ServicesThe port of Gruž for…
Where to sleep
- Hotel Lapad, facing the port of Gruž
- Hostels inside or near the old town
- Hotel Excelsior, five minutes from the walls
Getting around
- Airport bus to Ploče or Gruž: €10
- Libertas city bus: €5.31 a day, included in the Dubrovnik Pass
- Official boat to Lokrum from the old port
Where to eat
- Sandwiches from Buffet Škola for the wall
- Fish next to the old port at Lokanda Peskarija
Services
- The port of Gruž for the islands, with the bus station next to it
- Cavtat by bus, half an hour away
Hotels above the sea, facing the wall
The Ploče and Sveti Jakov strip concentrates the five-star hotels, with the old town in front and a walk away. Book a table and tickets before you arrive: in summer everything fills up.
350–700 €per person per day, approximate
- Where to sleepHotel Excelsior, with a spa…
- Getting aroundPrivate transfer from the airport…
- Where to eat360, one Michelin star, on…
- ServicesWalls first thing, before the…
Where to sleep
- Hotel Excelsior, with a spa and indoor pool
- Villa Dubrovnik, season from March to autumn
Getting around
- Private transfer from the airport, 22 km away
- Private boat to the Elafiti with Regina Maris
- On foot to the old town through the Ploče gate
Where to eat
- 360, one Michelin star, on the port wall
- Proto, fish in the old town since 1886
Services
- Walls first thing, before the groups
- Cable car at sunset
Expensive, but it can be done with some thought
In summer Dubrovnik is expensive. The hostels, the city bus and the free plans make up for it, and outside July and August prices fall.
45–70 €per person per day, approximate
- Where to sleepHI Hostel Dubrovnik, from March…
- Getting aroundAirport bus to Gruž and…
- Where to eatSandwiches from Buffet Škola
- ServicesFree: the walk up Srđ…
Where to sleep
- HI Hostel Dubrovnik, from March to October
- Hostel Angelina, inside the walls
Getting around
- Airport bus to Gruž and city bus with a 24 h ticket
- Jadrolinija ferry to Lopud from Gruž, independently
Where to eat
- Sandwiches from Buffet Škola
- Supermarket and a picnic on Lokrum or on the rocks
Services
- Free: the walk up Srđ, the Stradun at night, Cavtat beach
- Dubrovnik Pass if you are going to pay for the walls and museums
Park at the campsite and forget about the vehicle
In Croatia it is forbidden to overnight outside campsites or authorised areas, and central Dubrovnik has no room for a motorhome. There are two campsites with a bus to the city.
60–90 €per person per day, approximate
- Where to sleepCamping Solitudo, at Babin Kuk…
- Getting aroundCity bus from both campsites
- Where to eatSupermarkets in Lapad and Gruž
- ServicesAsk about the waste-disposal point…
Where to sleep
- Camping Solitudo, at Babin Kuk, from €42 a pitch
- Autocamp Kate, at Mlini, 10 km to the south
Getting around
- City bus from both campsites
- From the north, the Pelješac Bridge avoids the Neum border
Where to eat
- Supermarkets in Lapad and Gruž
- A dinner in the old town and back by bus
Services
- Ask about the waste-disposal point when booking
- The port of Gruž if you continue to the islands by ferry
Two campsites and one clear rule
Wild camping is banned throughout Croatia. With a tent you have a campsite in the city and another on the south coast, both with a bus.
40–70 €per person per day, approximate
- Where to sleepCamping Solitudo, under pines and…
- Getting aroundCity bus and bus to…
- Where to eatSupermarket and campsite cooking
- ServicesShowers and campsite facilities
Where to sleep
- Camping Solitudo, under pines and close to pebble beaches
- Autocamp Kate, with large tent pitches at Mlini
Getting around
- City bus and bus to Cavtat
- Boat from Mlini to the old port
Where to eat
- Supermarket and campsite cooking
- Sandwiches from the old town for the day
Services
- Showers and campsite facilities
- Ferry to the Elafiti from Gruž
Flight to Dubrovnik and Bus to the Old Town
Dubrovnik receives direct flights from Spain: Iberia from Madrid and Vueling from Barcelona, mainly in season; outside summer there are fewer and sometimes a stopover is needed. The airport is at Čilipi, about 22 km away, and the airport bus drops you at the Ploče gate in half an hour and at the Gruž station shortly after. For the city you do not need a car; for Montenegro or the Pelješac peninsula, hire one at the airport.
- Getting thereDubrovnik airport (DBV), with direct…
- Getting aroundOn foot in the old…
- Where to sleepHotel Lapad, on Gruž bay…
- ServicesAirport bus
Getting there
- Dubrovnik airport (DBV), with direct flights from Spain in season
- Airport bus to Ploče and to the Gruž station
- Split (SPU), if you combine with the north and return from Dubrovnik
Getting around
- On foot in the old town and by Libertas bus around the city
- Boat from Gruž to the Elafiti and from the old port to Lokrum
- Hire car only for leaving the city
Where to sleep
- Hotel Lapad, on Gruž bay, near the airport bus stop
- A house inside the walls, if you arrive with light luggage
Services
- Airport bus
- Private transfer to the hotel
How much does it cost?
People2
Nights3
Where to stay
Where to stay without a carin styleif you're backpackingin a campervanif you're campingif you're flying
We show you what suits the way you travel.Change how you travel
Villa Dubrovnik
Why we like it: A hotel hanging above the sea in the Sveti Jakov area, with all rooms facing the old city and Lokrum. It closes in winter: the 2027 season starts on 26 March.
Hotel Lapad
Why we like it: A family hotel opened in 1914 on the shore of the port of Gruž, with the bus station and ferries across the water. 3 km from the old town, by city bus.
HI Hostel Dubrovnik
Why we like it: The Hostelling International hostel, 15 minutes' walk from the old town and 20 from the bus station. Open from 1 March to 15 October.
Hostel Angelina Old Town
Why we like it: Bunks inside the walls, near Pile. The last stretch is stairs: arrive with a rucksack, not a big suitcase.
Camping Solitudo
Why we like it: The only campsite within the city, on the Babin Kuk peninsula, with pitches of 80 to 120 m² and a regular bus to the old town. It is the option for arriving by motorhome and not…
From €42
View details
Autocamp Kate
Why we like it: A campsite at Mlini, on the coast road south, with steps to the village beach, a bus to Dubrovnik and Cavtat and a boat to the old port.
Services for this trip
Areas, for any way of travelling
| Area | Who it's for | Average night |
|---|---|---|
| Old town (Grad) | Everything on foot, no car | From €150 |
| Ploče | City views, luxury hotels | From €250 |
| Lapad and Gruž | Ferry port, bus, quiet beaches | From €90 |
Where to eat
Where to eat in Dubrovnik
360 Dubrovnik
What to order: the tasting menu, with a table on the wall terrace above the old port.
Dinners only, Tuesday to Sunday from 18:00 · closes in winter · book
Fish since 1886
Fish Restaurant Proto
What to order: chargrilled Adriatic fish, grilled octopus and rožata for dessert.
Open every day · the first-floor terrace is the best table · book in summer
Panorama
What to order: a drink at sunset with the city and Lokrum at your feet.
You arrive by cable car or on foot along the zigzag path
Lokanda Peskarija
What to order: black risotto, grilled squid or mussels buzara.
Closes in winter and reopens in spring · go early or late in summer
Takeaway and markets
Buffet Škola, Dubrovnik, old town
Tips
Worth knowing first
- 1Do the wall at opening or in the last hour
Between 10:00 and 13:00 in July and August it fills with the cruise groups.
- 2Keep the wall ticket
It opens Lovrijenac at no extra cost.
- 3Watch the scene beforehand
Many locations have no sign: without the scene in your head, you walk past.
Both cities in one day
Six and a half hours of road there and back to see Split in a rush. Sleep there at least one night.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What from Game of Thrones was filmed in Dubrovnik?
King's Landing: the wall, Lovrijenac as the Red Keep, the Jesuit staircase, Gradac Park, the Minčeta tower and the island of Lokrum, which was Qarth.
And in Split?
Meereen: the substructures of Diocletian's Palace, where Daenerys kept her dragons, and the Klis fortress. Trogir, next door, was Qarth.
Are there direct flights?
To Dubrovnik, from Madrid and Barcelona according to AENA. Split has direct flights with Madrid and Barcelona in season.
Do you need a car?
Only to go from Dubrovnik to Split, and that can also be done by bus. Within the two cities, on foot and by city bus.
How long does it take from Dubrovnik to Split?
A little over three hours by car for about 235 km; the bus takes longer.