4 DAYS IN DUBROVNIK & BEYOND!

“You are in for a treat! You’ve seen the major attractions, had some great meals, relaxed and enjoyed the sea, visited nearby islands or towns. Now you can explore! Go on some adventures, eat local specialities at family run restaurants in nearby villages, embark on great day trips to nearby Cavtat, Mostar in Bosnia, or Kotor in Montenegro, take a speedboat to the island of Mljet or enjoy a magical meal on the island of Sipan.”

Welcome to The Byron

The  Byron Dubrovnik offers simple luxury accommodation in an UNESCO world heritage building, centrally located in one of Dubrovnik’s oldest quarters. 

In contemporary  times, this picturesque section of Dubrovnik’s Old Town is a prime location, a charming residential neighbourhood in the town centre, snugly situated between the Cathedral and the Adriatic sea, offering a welcome retreat from the hustle and bustle of Dubrovnik’s main streets and squares, yet conveniently within easy reach, just a few minutes walk away. Wander the narrow alleyways nearby and you’ll encounter young children playing football, running late for school, laundry hanging, old-timers cursing, fishermen coming back with dinner, a hangover, or food for their cats. Just up our street, you’ll discover a wonderfully low key Michelin recommended restaurant serving Cro-Asian bites. A few steps further away, a secret hole in the wall that leads to  jaw dropping views, a cocktail bar, and one of our favourite places to swim. 

We love this town and want you to feel the same! We’ve put together some itinerary suggestions. Please use it as a starting point, mix it up, pick and choose what suits you best, and most importantly, have fun researching your upcoming trip! We look forward to hosting you!

Day 1 - Welcome to Dubrovnik!

If you are arriving by plane, let us arrange an airport transfer (same price as regular taxi). Your driver will be waiting for you at Arrivals and transport you to the right spot. We’ll greet you and check you in so that you can get settled into your rooms before exploring!

  • Get picked up by your airport transfer. If you are arriving by other methods, let us know and we’ll send you check-in directions to make sure everything goes smoothly.

  • Check into The Byron.

  • Take a stroll and explore your surroundings.

  • Have a casual dinner at Kopun, a local restaurant that specialises in traditional Dubrovnik recipes. We recommend their seafood dishes (fresh fish or the brodet - a traditional spicy seafood stew), sporki makaruli (aka dirty macaroni meat pasta - kids usually love it!), homemade gnocchi with truffle infused capon ragu, or pasticada (slow-cooked beef). Kopun is a one minute walk from The Byron and a great spot for families - the kids or husband can run around in front of the Jesuit church while you enjoy a cold beverage. For dinner, combine with sunset drinks at Buza cliff bar. Reservations: https://www.restaurantkopun.com/

Day 2 - Get to know the Old Town

  • Local Tour: we usually prefer to independently explore and discover a place on our own. But there is something to be said about being shown around town by a local expert. Whether you are interested in history, architecture, or Game of Thrones lore, it’s a great way to familiarise yourself with your surroundings and enrich your experience. Our recommendation is to book a morning tour (1.5-2 hours) so you avoid the midday heat and crowds. Or go in the early evening. You’ll find many tour guides online. If you’d like us to help arrange for a private guide, we know some good ones.

  • War Photo Limited: a visit to a conflict photography gallery may seem an unusual and depressing way to start your stay but we highly recommend it. The permanent exhibition covers the conflict and breakup of Yugoslavia. Guest exhibitions feature the work of world-renowned war photographers. You’ll find great air-conditioning if you need a place to cool down after your guided tour.  

  • Enjoy lunch at a local konoba (Dalmatian for a traditional rustic tavern). Lady Pi Pi is the only place in town with a statue of a lady peeing in front (the father was a stone mason) and a charcoal grill serving simply prepared fish, squid, grilled meats, and fresh salads. It’s quite a hike up the steps but it’s worth it. Try sitting near the back of the restaurant and you’ll be treated with great views of the town (but don’t worry if you don’t get the view, enjoy the great food, and after lunch, you’ll visit the “Most Beautiful Basketball Court in the World!”). Reservations: no reservations. We don’t recommend dinner as there is usually a long line to be seated.

  • If you made the hike up to Lady Pi Pi, enjoy a game of pick up at the “Most Beautiful Basketball Court in the World!” (we have basketballs to borrow at The Byron) or simply enjoy the amazing view! 

  • Spend the rest of the afternoon swimming or staring at the clear blue Adriatic sea from the cliffs at the secret swimming hole 30 seconds away from The Byron.

  • Shop local. Eat global. KAWA is a coffee shop / concept store / specialty grocer located 2-5 minutes walk from Dubrovnik Old Town. You’ll find a wonderfully curated selection of local products, small batch design, Cogito Coffee to go, craft beer, wine, & other wonderful things made in Croatia. Cosy free co-working space and sitting area. Secret international food room with hard to find authentic ingredients (i.e. Korean instant noodles, Japanese gyoza, Mexican hot sauces, American snacks, and spices from around the world).

  • For dinner, make a reservation at Taj Mahal (they have two locations so be sure to select the Old Town). While the name is a bit misleading (you won’t find any curries or Indian food), this small restaurant is about 3-4 minutes walk The Byron and serves great Bosnian food influenced by the Ottomans. Taj Mahal recently received a well deserved Michelin recommendation. Try their Cevapi for an introduction to Balkan comfort food. But don’t stop there, they have lots of interesting dishes (plus options for vegetarians). Some of our guests enjoy it so much they often go back! Reservations: www.tajmahal-dubrovnik.com

Day 3 - Walk the Walls & Day Trip to Lokrum Island:

  • Walk the walls in the early morning or evening. If there is anything you must do in Dubrovnik, this is it. Imagine visiting Cairo and skipping the pyramids. Same thing. The construction of the walls began in the 7th century and reached their current form in the 14th-15th century. If you have a fitness tracker, you’ll get steps in the grandest of ways. It takes a leisurely 1.5-2 hours to walk. Just make sure to go early in the morning or evening. Avoid mid-day at all costs! Bring bottled water, sunscreen, a hat, and make sure your phone is charged so that you can get some great photos to make your friends and relatives jealous. We recommend using the Ploce gate entrance. If you buy the Dubrovnik Pass you’ll also get free entrance to selected museums, galleries, and the City Walls. https://www.dubrovnikpass.com/ 

  • Visit Lokrum island (otherwise known as the City of Qarth for all of us Game of Thrones fans). Lokrum is a fantastic little escape, and a great place to chill. We recommend heading out to the island when/if the town starts getting crowded. It’s only a 10 minute ferry ride away and there’s walking trails, cliffs to be jumped, playing fields and parks, shaded olive groves, a botanical garden, inland dead sea, an Iron Throne, Napoleonic fort, the ruins of a Benedictine monastery, and oh yes! friendly peacocks! It’s perfect for a 1/2 day or afternoon out. 

  • Have lunch on the island. Order a gourmet picnic from our friend Alex (https://www.piknikdubrovnik.com/) or have a casual meal at Lacroma restaurant (https://lacroma.restaurant/). Otherwise, drop by our shop (KAWA) to pick up a nice bottle of chilled wine or Croatian craft beer and enjoy some cold beverages! 

  • Return to Dubrovnik in the late afternoon. If you fancy sipping on a glass of Croatian wine or prosecco in a hidden garden, head to our favourite wine bar M’arden. They also serve small bites and guided wine tasting is available upon request. https://marden.hr/

  • For dinner, consider something a bit different and head over to our neighbours at Azur. We love these guys! The passionate young chef/owner used to be a patron of ours when we ran a bar called Fresh*. He moved to China and returned to open up Croatia's first Cro-Asian restaurant! They received a Michelin recommendation and offer a great variety of tapas style bites that are meant to be shared. The restaurant is just steps away from The Byron. Reservations: www.azurvision.com

Day 4 - Landmarks & Adventures:

  • Visit landmarks such as the Rector's Palace, Sponza Palace,  Franciscan Monastery, and the Cathedral of the Assumption.

  • Grab a bite at Barba Street Food.

  • Hit the water and see the Old Town from a different perspective. There are several local outfits that do 1/2 day kayaks or sunset tours near the Old Town. Check recent reviews online to see what sounds best to you. Otherwise, this company does a good job: https://kayak-dubrovnik.com/

  • For a bit of adrenaline, zipline on Mount Srđ while enjoying breathtaking views of the city and the surrounding islands. Zipline tours depart from the Public parking garage every morning on the hour starting from 9:00 - 14:00. There is also a sunset tour at 17:30. Reservations: https://ziplinedubrovnik.com/

  • If you are still hankering for a bit more adventure, there are also buggy tours on top of Mount Srđ. Reservations: https://www.dubrovnikcablecar.com/buggy/

  • Have dinner at the Panorama Restaurant on the top of Srd. Reserve a first row table to best enjoy the stunning vistas. Reservations: https://www.nautikarestaurants.com/panorama-restaurant-bar/

Day 5 - Relaxation Day on the Adriatic Sea:

Day 6 - Day Trip to Mostar, BiH:

  • Book a tour online or ask us to arrange a private driver to take you on a day trip to Mostar in neighbouring Bosnia and Herzegovina. It’s about a 2.5-3 hour drive each way depending on border traffic but well worth the travel. Your trip will take you along the Dalmatian coastline before following the scenic Neretva river valley inland to this captivating town that lies at the crossroads of Ottoman, Austro-Hungarian, and Yugoslav history. Explore the Old Town and visit the Stari Most (Old Bridge) a UNESCO World Heritage site. 

  • Return to Dubrovnik in the evening and relax after a day of sightseeing. 

  • Hopefully you had a great Bosnian meal and aren’t too hungry. For something light, head to Bota Sare (a 30 second walk from The Byron) for fresh oysters & sushi. Reservations: https://www.bota-sare.hr/en/dubrovnik

  • If you are a bit hungrier, consider having seasonal Italian specialties at the well regarded Trattoria Carmen. It’s a small family run operation that doesn’t take reservations but here is a link to their website: https://www.trattoria-carmen-dubrovnik.com/

Day 7 - Visit Cavtat:

  • Dubrovnik’s Old Town is best enjoyed early morning or after the cruise ship hordes have left. So escape the crowds, catch a water taxi from the Old Town Harbour to the wonderfully laid back Mediterranean village of Cavtat. Bring your swimming gear (there are showers) and enjoy a nice stroll along the pine lined promenade, past pebbled coves, and beach cafes. The path will circle back to town where you can visit the home and gallery of one of Croatia’s most famous painters Vlaho Bukovac or just wander the narrow streets. 

  • Enjoy lunch at one of our favourite restaurants. Bugenvila is located on the waterfront promenade and run by our friend Igor, somebody we respect highly for his passion and attention to detail and quality (i.e. he once bought a seafood distribution company just to make sure he could source the freshest fish). The set lunch menus are great value. And on occasion, we’ve had guests who have gone for lunch and stayed for dinner. It has been known to happen. Don’t feel guilty. Reservations: https://www.bugenvila.online/

  • Return to Dubrovnik and enjoy a relaxing evening.

Day 8 - Wine Tasting Tour or Get Rural in Konavle:

  • Just north of us is the Pelješac Peninsula. It’s known as wine country. Some of Croatia’s most famous wines come from this region. You don’t have to drink wine to appreciate this day trip but it helps. Travel along scenic roads amongst scattered villages and hills covered in vineyards to taste the terroir of Croatia. Visit family-owned local wineries, each with their own philosophy of what the perfect wine ought to be. You will also enjoy a visit to the historical Town of Ston where you will enjoy a leisurely lunch paired with delicious Croatian wines and Ston’s famous oysters. Return to Dubrovnik in the late afternoon and relax. Or ask us to recommend some great seafood restaurants off the beaten path where you spend equal amounts of time enjoying simply prepared and exquisitely fresh seafood dishes and dipping in and out of the sea. 

OR

  • Just south of Dubrovnik, you’ll find the rural region of Konavle. It’s a perfect hideaway from the hustle of Dubrovnik and offers a unique insight into the past for all those willing to explore it. Lovely vistas, delicious food, a lonesome 14th century medieval fortress, villages and fields stretched between the mountains and deep blue Adriatic Sea. Lunch or have an early dinner along the river Ljuta at a traditional family eatery (https://www.konobavinica.com/) where you will be introduced to some of the area’s most beloved food. Return to Dubrovnik in the evening and unwind after a day of exploration.

Day 9 - Beyond the Old Town 

  • Go local. Visit the farmers and fish market in Gruz and have a quick snack of the best burek (filo pastry with meat or cheese) in Dubrovnik at the unassuming kiosk “Turist” before heading to the Red History Museum. If you fancy a local craft beer, continue towards Dubrovnik Beer Company, have a brew or head in the other direction and walk around the bay whilst staring at the incredibly large cruise ships in port.

  • Enjoy a fresh seafood lunch with local sailors at Gverovic Orsan Yacht club. Reservations: https://www.restaurant-orsan-dubrovnik.com/

  • After lunch, follow the coastal walking path past Copacabana beach until you reach the scenic & sceney Cava Coral Beach club. Take a dip, have a cocktail, or keep walking along the pine shaded path until you end up at Sunset beach in Lapad.

  • Have an early dinner at Pantarul, a restaurant run by local foodie celebrities Milan and Ana Marija. Reservations: https://www.pantarul.com/

  • Take an Uber back home and relax!

Day 10 - Free Day:

  • Spend your last full day in Dubrovnik revisiting your favourite spots, exploring any areas you missed, or simply just relaxing and soaking up the atmosphere of this beautiful city.

  • Have a farewell dinner at your favourite restaurant. You are now officially locals (or at least that is how it starts!). We really hope that you have had a wonderful time in Dubrovnik! Next time you come, we can recommend some more trips around the region!

Departure:

  • Depending on your flight schedule or travel plans, you may have some time in the morning to do some last-minute souvenir shopping at KAWA or take a final walk around the Old Town.

  • Check out of your accommodation and head to the airport or your next destination, taking with you memories of an unforgettable trip to Dubrovnik.