DUBROVNIK RAINY DAY ACTIVITIES

As expats who love Dubrovnik and also know a thing or two about rain (we’re originally from Vancouver), let us be clear, we definitely prefer when the skies above are blue with less moisture and the cobblestones dry. But sometimes, it is what it is. And if what it is, is rain? Well, we’ve got you covered like a huge golf umbrella!

Here are some of the best things to do in Dubrovnik when it rains - from inspiring galleries & cosy cafes to scenic strolls, quirky museums, and top notch restaurants to eat, drink, and stay dry!

What to Do in Dubrovnik When it Rains?

1. Spend an hour or two visiting War Photo Limited - a world class conflict photography gallery where you will gain a deeper understanding of the break-up of Yugoslavia and a greater appreciation for Dubrovnik’s recent past.

2. Take shelter and unwind with third-wave Cogito Coffee or Croatian craft beer at Life According to KAWA. You’ll also enjoy a beautifully curated selection of local design, artisanal Croatian products, and unique souvenirs. Rainy day retail therapy?

3. Escape the rain and jump on a ferry to Lokrum Island to visit the Iron Throne before dodging feral peacocks on your way through the forest to a Napoleonic era fortress. If the ferry isn’t running, catch a cheap movie at the nearby movie theater next to the Old Port.

4. Get some culture and use your Dubrovnik Pass to visit the Rector’s Palace, the Ethnographic Museum, Franciscan Monastery, Museum of Modern Art, and the Maritime Museum. There are plenty of options and you don’t have to do them all!

5. Visit the unique and wonderful Red History Museum in Gruz before sampling a flight of local craft beer at Dubrovnik Beer Company!

6. Discover fish in a medieval stone fortress at the Dubrovnik Aquarium. That just sounds weird. But it’s a great place to enjoy some family activities and keep the kids dry and entertained on a rainy day in Dubrovnik!

7. Embrace the slow food movement and eat & drink & eat & drink until the rain breaks at some great restaurants in Dubrovnik’s Old Town (and in this case, we’re talking about restaurants with ample indoor seating)!

8. Explore the Old Town and take epic photos while other people think you are crazy! Wait for torrential rain before kayaking down the stairs from Buza gate!

1. WAR PHOTO LTD.

War Photo Limited – See the World Through the Eyes of Conflict

Dubrovnik’s powerful and thought-provoking  War Photo Limited is a must visit for history buffs, photography enthusiasts, or people looking for a deeper understanding of what happened in this region. War Photo Ltd invites you to reflect on the impact of war - not just on nations, but on individual lives.

2. LIFE ACCORDING TO KAWA

Life According to KAWA - Shop Local & Drink Good Coffee

Stunning views of the Old Town, great coffee from Cogito (Croatia’s top specialty roaster), perhaps the cheapest craft beer in Dubrovnik, and a selection of local design makes Life According to KAWA a great place to wait out the rain. If you are looking for a co-work space, they also have fast free wi-fi and some tables to work at (no purchase necessary). And to top it all off, there is a secret food room in the back of the shop with instant noodles & authentic ingredients from around the world!

3. Lokrum Island

If the seas aren’t too rough, just a 10 minute ferry from Dubrovnik’s Old Port is a wonderful escape.  Lokrum Island is a nature reserve steeped in history, legend, and natural beauty.

Game of Thrones fans might recognize the City of Qarth in the ancient ruins of the 12th-century Benedictine monastery and botanical gardens. There is also free entrance to a GoT exhibit where you can sit upon the Iron Throne. But our favourite part is wandering the pathways through the pine forests that offer some cover from the rain. Climb up to the old Napoleonic Fort Royal for amazing views of the Old Town!

4. Dubrovnik Pass

Make the most of the rainy day with the Dubrovnik Pass - your all access ticket to the city’s top cultural and historical attractions.

The pass includes free entrance to the City Walls (but if you get a mutliple day pass, save the walls for better weather)!

Some recommendations: City Walls, Rector’s Palace, Maritime Museum, Ethnographic Museum, Franciscan Monastery Museum, Dubrovnik Natural History Museum, and Museum of Modern Art Dubrovnik. Also consider some of the smaller interesting galleries like: Atelier Pulitika Studio, Dulčić Masle Pulitika Gallery, & Marin Držić House

5. Red History Museum

Grab an UBER, taxi, or make use of your free bus ticket from the Dubrovnik Pass and head towards Gruz to visit the Red History Museum - one of Dubrovnik’s most unique museums. Through immersive exhibits, multimedia installations, and vintage objects, you’ll explore the politics, pop culture, fashion, and get a better idea of what everyday life was like in Croatia under socialist Yugoslavia. And since you are in the neighbourhood, be sure to check out the tasting room at The Dubrovnik Beer Company and enjoy some flights of their unfiltered and unpasteurized craft beer!

6. Dubrovnik Aquarium

Tucked inside the historic walls of St. John’s Fortress in the Old Town, the Dubrovnik Aquarium offers a family friendly dive into the marine life found in the Adriatic Sea. Not only will you stay dry, it’s a great and engaging way to entertain the young ones while also teaching them about the ecosystem surrounding Dubrovnik.

7. Eat. Drink. Be Merry.

Rainy days are made for lingering over a good meal. While many Dubrovnik restaurants are better suited to better weather and outdoor eating, here are a couple spots that offer ample indoor seating, along with great food for all tastes and budgets! As things always change, we won’t make any definitive recommendations so make sure to check out recent reviews, but we feel safe recommending: Azur (Cro-Asian), Kopun (Dubrovnik Recipes), D’Vino (Wine Bar), Taj Mahal (Bosnian), Arsenal (Mediterranean), and The Gaffe Irish Pub (Comfort).

8. Explore the Old Town of Dubrovnik. Take Epic Photos!

Nice weather pictures of Dubrovnik are great but so boring! Embrace the rain, swelling seas, and capture something dramatic! For inspiration, below you’ll find some photos by photographer Clive Bevan - an English-speaking wedding and special event photographer in Dubrovnik (known for making even the worst weather look unforgettable). He is a wonderful person with a great eye so get in touch with him if you are looking for a wedding / event photographer or just want to nerd out over photography! BTW, we were kidding about kayaking from Buza gate. While we think it’s possible and and that possibility intrigues us, we wouldn’t feel right recommending it (unless you have a kayak and want to invite us along for the ride!).