These are my 7 favorite day trips from Dubrovnik

I ended up loving Dubrovnik much more than I expected. Of course, the Old Town is beautiful and the coastline is every bit as stunning as the photos suggest. But I also love how many incredible places you can visit from Dubrovnik.

Within a couple of hours, you can be exploring lesser-known medieval towns, swimming on islands, cycling through a national park, eating oysters straight from the sea, or even crossing into another country for the day.

I’m actually writing this as I’m preparing for my third trip back to the Dubrovnik area. Every time I visit, I discover another place nearby that makes me want to stay longer.

Whether you’re planning a quick city break or a longer Croatia itinerary, these are the best day trips from Dubrovnik that I’ve personally done and would happily recommend to a friend.

Planning your Dubrovnik day trip

Whether you’re taking a ferry or crossing an international border, early departures almost always mean fewer crowds and more time to enjoy your destination.

I learned this the hard way when I took an 11:00 bus to Montenegro. What looked like a short journey on Google Maps turned into nearly four hours. Ever since then, I’ve always booked the earliest departure I can.

For buses, I usually check Omio to get an overview of all the different operators and travel times.

Mobile coverage is generally good, but it’s a good idea to download the area on Google Maps before leaving Dubrovnik—especially if I’m driving through the Pelješac Peninsula or into Montenegro or Bosnia. It makes navigating much easier if your signal drops.

And remember that Bosnia and Montenegro are usually not included in EU phone plans. I’ve forgotten this on several occasions and as soon as I crossed the border, my internet access disappeared. Luckily, these days it’s super easy to get an eSIM.

Renting a car

If you’re planning to visit places like the Pelješac Peninsula, Montenegro, or Mostar, renting a car gives you the most flexibility. The roads are generally in good condition and easy to navigate.

However, don’t be surprised if you encounter some creative driving styles that sometimes can come off as aggressive, and excessive honking.

Keep in mind that you’ll need to let your rental company know if you’re planning to cross the border into Montenegro or Bosnia and Herzegovina. Most companies allow it, but you may need to pay a small cross-border fee and carry additional paperwork.

Parking is generally straightforward outside Dubrovnik, but I recommend avoiding driving around Dubrovnik’s Old Town area, where parking is both limited and expensive.

Booking ferries

If you’re heading to Korčula, Mljet or the Elaphiti Islands, it’s worth booking your ferry tickets in advance during the summer months. Popular routes often sell out, especially from June to September.

For passenger ferries, I usually check these operators:

• Jadrolinija (Croatia’s national ferry company)
• TP Line
• Kapetan Luka (Krilo)
• Krilo

👉 Pro tip >> If you’re traveling from one city to another, or to another country, I highly recommend checking out Daytrip. They offer day trips and transfers where you can add sightseeing stops during checkout. It is so easy to use, so why not make a travel day a little more fun?

1. Cavtat

If you only have time for one easy day trip from Dubrovnik, make it Cavtat. Located just south of Dubrovnik, close to the airport, this charming seaside town has a very different atmosphere. It’s quieter and slightly less crowded.

Originally founded by the ancient Greeks before becoming an important Roman settlement, Cavtat has centuries of history, but today it’s best known for its picturesque harbour, palm-lined promenade, and crystal-clear water.

I loved wandering through the narrow streets of the old town, stopping for a cold drink by the marina, and walking around the wooded Rat Peninsula, where you’ll find hidden swimming spots and beautiful views back towards the town.

Another one of the town’s highlights is the beautiful Račić Mausoleum, designed by renowned Croatian sculptor Ivan Meštrović, which sits at the top of the cemetery overlooking the Adriatic.

How to get there

• Local bus from Dubrovnik
• Bolt or Taxi (about 30 minutes)
• Passenger boat from Dubrovnik Old Town Port (45 minutes)
• Rental car (best option if you want to continue into Konavle)
• This half-day guided tour or the highlights tour above

Continue to Konavoski Dvori

If you’re driving, don’t just stop in Cavtat. Continue another 15–20 minutes inland to Konavoski Dvori, one of my favourite restaurants in the Dubrovnik region.

Set beside a river in the Konavle Valley, it feels completely different from the coast. The setting alone is worth the drive, and it’s the perfect place for a long Croatian lunch before heading back to Dubrovnik.

2. Pelješac Peninsula

If you’re looking for the perfect mix of history, incredible food, and scenic coastal drives, spend a day exploring the Pelješac Peninsula.

The journey begins in Ston, a small medieval town famous for its impressive defensive walls—often referred to as the “European Great Wall.”

Just a few minutes away is the even smaller village of Mali Ston, which I actually found even more charming. Sitting right on the water, it’s famous for its oyster farms, and there’s nothing quite like eating fresh oysters overlooking the bay where they were harvested.

From there, continue driving through the Pelješac Peninsula. The winding coastal roads lead past vineyards, olive groves, hidden beaches, and sleepy villages, making the journey just as enjoyable as the destinations themselves.

This is one of Croatia’s best wine regions, so if you enjoy wine tasting, it’s well worth stopping at one of the local family-run wineries to sample Pošip or Plavac Mali.

How to get there

• Rental car (1 hour to Ston)
• Bus to Ston
• Private driver
• This guided tour or this one (best value for groups of 3)

3. Elaphiti Islands

When people imagine a Croatian island day trip, this is probably what they’re picturing. The Elaphiti Islands are a small archipelago just northwest of Dubrovnik, made up of Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan.

I’ve actually stayed on Koločep, the closest island to Dubrovnik. With no cars, quiet walking paths, and beautiful swimming spots, it felt like the perfect escape from the crowds. I’ve also explored the islands on an island-hopping boat trip, which is a great way to experience more than one in a day.

There isn’t a huge sightseeing checklist here—and that’s exactly the point. The Elaphiti Islands are all about slowing down, swimming in turquoise water, lingering over a seafood lunch, and soaking up the laid-back island atmosphere.

How to get there

• Ferry from Dubrovnik Port Gruž (30-40 minutes to Koločep)
• This guided island-hopping cruise

4. Mljet National Park

If you love nature, Mljet should be at the top of your list. Often described as Croatia’s greenest island, Mljet feels like a world away from the bustling streets of Dubrovnik.

Around a third of the island is protected as Mljet National Park, famous for its dense pine forests, two beautiful saltwater lakes, and wonderfully peaceful atmosphere.

One of the park’s highlights is St. Mary’s Island, a tiny islet in the middle of the larger lake, home to a 12th-century Benedictine monastery that you can reach by a short boat ride.

Rent a bike and spend the day cycling within the National Park area, around salt lakes and stopping for swims whenever you feel like it.

How to get there

• Catamaran from Dubrovnik Gruž Port (1 hour 15 minutes)
• Private guided tour
• This guided tour includes both Mljet and the Elaphiti Islands

5. Korčula

Like Dubrovnik, Korčula has impressive medieval walls, narrow stone streets, and centuries of history, but it feels much more relaxed. Spend an hour wandering the old town’s maze of alleys, discovering hidden courtyards, boutique shops, and cosy wine bars at your own pace.

The island is also famous as the alleged birthplace of Marco Polo, and while historians still debate the claim, you can visit the house said to have belonged to his family. And don’t forget to book the traditional Moreska sword dance performance.

Beyond the old town, you’ll find beautiful beaches, secluded coves, vineyards, and some of Croatia’s best white wines, particularly Grk and Pošip, which are grown in the surrounding villages.

So far, Korčula is my favorite place I’ve visited in Croatia (after the initial wow of Dubrovnik Old Town). I highly recommend you spend several days here if you have the chance.

🌟 Don’t miss >> My complete Korčula island guide

How to get there

• Catamaran from Dubrovnik Gruž Port (2+ hours)
• Rental car to Orebić and 15-minute ferry
• Bus to Orebić and ferry from there
• Private guided tour

6. Mostar and Kravice Waterfalls

This is probably the most ambitious day trip on this list, but it’s also one of the most rewarding. I’ve done it as a day trip, and while I’m glad I went, I won’t pretend it doesn’t feel rushed.

The day usually starts with a scenic drive through the countryside before arriving in Mostar, where the iconic Stari Most (Old Bridge) is the star of the show.

Watching the local divers leap from the bridge into the emerald Neretva River is something you won’t forget, and wandering through the cobbled streets of the old bazaar feels like stepping into a completely different culture.

The mix of Ottoman architecture, colourful market stalls, and cafés serving strong Bosnian coffee gives Mostar a character that’s unlike anywhere else in Croatia.

Many tours also stop at Kravica Waterfalls, where you can walk along the boardwalks, admire the cascading falls, or even go for a swim during the warmer months. After a morning exploring historic streets, it’s the perfect place to cool off and enjoy the scenery.

Bosnia and Herzegovina quickly became one of my favourite countries in the Balkans, and Mostar alone deserves more time than a few hours. If your itinerary allows, I’d actually recommend spending a night or two there to experience the city after the day-trippers leave and explore more of the surrounding region.

How to get there

• This organized tour
• Rental car (2.5 hours)
• Bus to Mostar (3 to 3.5 hours)

7. Montenegro: Herceg Novi & Kotor

Crossing the border, the scenery changes almost immediately. The drive follows the spectacular Bay of Kotor, with mountains rising straight out of the water, charming stone villages dotted along the shoreline, and some of the most dramatic landscapes in the Balkans.

I’ve done this trip twice—once by bus and once as part of a guided tour.

Herceg Novi

Often overlooked in favour of Kotor, Herceg Novi ended up being my favourite surprise in Montenegro. The town has a much more laid-back atmosphere, with fewer crowds, a beautiful waterfront promenade, and a charming old town that climbs up the hillside through narrow streets and hidden squares.

It’s the perfect place to slow down for a coffee or lunch before continuing around the bay, and I actually enjoyed how much more local it felt compared to some of Montenegro’s busier destinations.

Kotor

Tucked beneath towering limestone mountains at the end of the Bay of Kotor, the town almost looks too picturesque to be real. Inside the medieval walls, you’ll find a maze of narrow stone streets, lively squares, churches, cafés, and friendly cats that have become something of a symbol of the city.

If you’re up for a bit of exercise, I highly recommend climbing at least part of the fortress trail. The views over the Bay of Kotor are absolutely incredible and easily one of my favourite viewpoints in the Balkans. I also enjoyed getting out on the water on a little excursion to Perast and Our Lady of the Rocks.

If you start early, you can visit Herceg Novi, Kotor and Perast on a day trip from Dubrovnik.

👉 Don’t miss >> my complete guide to Kotor!

How to get there

• Ferry: You can take a ferry from Dubrovnik Gruž Port to both Kotor and Budva in Montenegro with Adriatic Lines. It takes around 3 hours to Kotor and 2 hours to Budva.
• Rental car: This is by far the most flexible option and allows you to stop at scenic viewpoints and explore both towns at your own pace. However, parking in Kotor is not easy, so I’d go to Kotor first, early in the morning.
• Guided tour: The easiest option if you don’t want to worry about driving or planning the route. This is a great one.
• Bus: The cheapest option, but also the slowest. If you’re taking the bus, book the earliest departure you can find and head to Kotor first. They said it would take 1 hour to Herceg Novi, but it was closer to 3.
• Water taxi: If you arrive by bus, you can also book a water taxi from Herceg Novi to Perast or Kotor.