The Wandering Adventurer

Dubrovnik’s Old Town is small enough to fall in love with in a single afternoon, but two full days lets you actually slow down — walk the City Walls before the heat and crowds arrive, lose yourself in the Stradun’s side streets, chase down King’s Landing filming locations, and still have time for a full day on the water among the Elaphiti Islands. Here’s exactly how to spend 2 days in Dubrovnik as a first-timer.

📢 Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links to Viator, Expedia, and Hotels.com. If you book through our links, The Wandering Adventurer earns a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting independent travel content!

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🏨 Where to Stay for This Itinerary

We’ve matched these picks to this itinerary’s pace — all within easy walking distance or a short ride from the Old Town and the harbours. For a full breakdown, see our Full Dubrovnik Hotel Guide.

• Splurge: Hotel Excelsior — a clifftop 1913 icon just outside the walls, with a private beach and Old Town views most hotels can’t match.       See Hotel Excelsior rates & availability
• Boutique: San Rocco Palace — apartment-style rooms with full kitchens, just off the Stradun inside the walls.                                                   Check San Rocco Palace availability
• Budget: Hostel Sol — steps from Gruž Harbour and the ferry port, ideal if you’re island-hopping.                                                                             See current rates for Hostel Sol

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🗓️ Day 1: City Walls, the Old Town & King’s Landing

• Morning: Be at the gate for opening time to walk the 2km circuit of the medieval City Walls, with the Adriatic on one side and the Old Town’s terracotta rooftops on the other.
• Midday: Drop down onto the Stradun and visit the Rector’s Palace, the Cathedral of the Assumption, and Onofrio’s Fountain before the day-trippers peak.
• Afternoon: Join a Game of Thrones tour to see Fort Lovrijenac, the Jesuit Staircase, and the other King’s Landing filming locations woven through the Old Town.
• Evening: Ride the Mount Srđ cable car before sunset for sweeping views over the walls and Adriatic, then head back down for dinner in the Old Town. Check seasonal operating hours before you go.

💡 Insider Tip: Buy your City Walls ticket online in advance and aim for opening time in summer — you’ll get cooler temperatures and generally have a more comfortable walk before the busiest part of the day.

Check City Walls walking tours on Viator →
Best if you want the history behind what you’re seeing rather than simply walking the walls yourself.

See Game of Thrones tours on Viator →
A good choice if you want to find the filming locations without tracking them all down yourself.

Check Mount Srđ & Old Town tours on Viator →
Worth comparing if you want to combine the viewpoint with guided Old Town sightseeing.

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🗓️ Day 2: Island Escape to the Elaphiti Islands

• Morning: Board a full-day Elaphiti Islands cruise from Dubrovnik to explore Koločep, Lopud and Šipan — a string of laid-back Adriatic islands known for pine-covered landscapes, clear coves, beaches and small harbour villages.
• Midday: Lunch on board, then real swimming time at Lopud’s Šunj Beach, one of the few genuine sandy beaches on this coast.
• Afternoon: Explore Šipan’s harbour village before the cruise heads back to Dubrovnik. Prefer to stay closer to town? Swap the cruise for a half-day on Lokrum Island, reached by boat from the Old Harbour, with its botanical garden, peacocks, and Game of Thrones connections.
• Evening: Catch sunset with a drink at one of the cliffside bars tucked outside the southern walls, then a final wander along the lamp-lit Stradun.

💡 Insider Tip: Boats depart early in the morning — arrive at least 15 minutes ahead of departure, and bring a swimsuit, sunscreen, and cash for anything not included in your tour.

Compare Elaphiti Islands cruises on Viator →
Look for a full-day option with lunch and enough swimming time rather than one that rushes between islands.

See Lokrum & coastal boat tours on Viator →
A better fit if you want time on the water without giving up your entire second day.

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🚫 What to Skip

• A Montenegro or Mostar day trip — both are full-day excursions that would eat your only island or City Walls day. Save them for a longer stay.
• Walking the City Walls at midday in summer — shade is limited and the exposed stone can feel intensely hot. Go early in the morning or later in the day when possible.
• Booking deep inside the Old Town if you want a pool — Lapad or Ploče properties save money and add real amenities without adding much travel time.

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🧳 Making the Most of 2 Days

• Front-load Day 1 with an early start — the walls and Stradun are dramatically quieter before cruise passengers arrive.
• Wear sturdy shoes; the Old Town’s stairs and polished limestone add up fast.
• Check cruise ship schedules and put your Old Town day on the lightest one.
• Have a third day? Add a sea kayaking tour around the base of the walls or a day trip to Montenegro’s Bay of Kotor.

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This post contains affiliate links to Viator, Expedia, and Hotels.com. The Wandering Adventurer may earn a small commission if you book through our links, at no extra cost to you.