Do you want to visit Dubrovnik and spend as little as possible?
Then follow this Top 15 free tours, museums and activities to do in Dubrovnik that we have created for you to enjoy without breaking the bank.
Table des matières
Go for a walk on the old port
The old port is one of the prettiest places in Dubrovnik and is a must-see when visiting the city. Dubrovnik was once a very influential port in Europe, the first competitor of the Venetian city
On the old port, located in the east of the city, you will find beautiful arcades that might pique your curiosity. It is also from this harbor that you will see the boats leaving and returning from the island of Lokrum
During our trip, we really enjoyed walking around the old harbor at sunset, after a dinner in a restaurant for example
It’s a completely free activity, you only need your legs to go and your eyes to admire.
Top free tours in Dubrovnik: Contemplating the Onofrio Fountain
The great Onofrio Fountain as we know it dates back to the 17th century, but it is a restoration of a monument that was more imposing before
It was mainly used to supply water to the city, and in particular to store the precious resources transported by an aqueduct network
The name of the great fountain is due to its builder Onofrio della Cava, originally from Naples, Italy. It is fed by a river that flows more than 10 km from the city at an altitude of 100 m. It is one of the symbols of Dubrovnik.
Walk along the Stradun from the great fountain of Onofrio
The Stradun is a large street that crosses the old city, connecting the Great Fountain of Onofrio to the west and the old port to the east
The Stradun is a very busy and lively street where you will find cafes, restaurants and stores
It is a very busy street for tourists, so we recommend it in the morning or evening
Most of Dubrovnik’s historical buildings and monuments are located along Stradun, which makes it a popular tourist spot
The feast of Dubrovnik’s patron saint, St. Blaise, is held on Stradun every February 3. Occasional concerts are also held at Stradun, which is also very often used for New Year’s celebrations.
Going to the beach
Dubrovnik is by the water and has many beaches that are very pleasant for tourists. Some of them are private and belong to hotels, while others are public and will make your stay pleasant
We especially recommend Banje beach, where the white sand and the view of the city walls make for an idyllic setting for relaxation
Dubrovnik’s beaches tend to be very crowded so we recommend checking out the city’s small, secret beaches if you want to be quiet.
Stroll to Mount Srd
Mount Srd overlooks Dubrovnik behind its walls and is 412 meters above sea level. It is part of the Dinaric Alps
Of course you can choose to go up by cable car but it will not be free
So we recommend you to take a walking tour to admire the breathtaking view of Dubrovnik that the hill offers. A zigzagging calvary climbs up from the city
At the top of the hill you will find a large white stone cross and the imperial fort
It was on this mountain that one of the fiercest battles of the War of Independence took place, the Siege of Dubrovnik, which is commemorated in the museum of the imperial fort
The television mast that was there was destroyed by Yugoslavian air force fighters. There is a restaurant near the cable car if you want to have lunch although the picnic option is also possible!
This was the last leg of our trip and we loved being able to see Dubrovnik as a whole one last time from the heights.
Visit the Cathedral of the Assumption in Dubrovnik for free
Dubrovnik is steeped in a strong Catholic culture: there are many churches, including the beautiful Cathedral of the Assumption, which you can visit for free in Dubrovnik
It is located near the old port in the east of the old city. This baroque cathedral dates from the 17th century but was built and renovated earlier in Byzantine and Romanesque styles
The cathedral offers guided tours for a fee, but you can still visit it for free
You will find beautiful paintings and an altar that the cathedral is famous for.
Walking along the coast in the Lapad district
The Lapad district is located west of the old town. You can walk along the coast amidst rich vegetation and a Mediterranean forest
The walks are pleasant by the sea with beautiful views. There are also beautiful hidden gardens: this area is a very romantic place in Dubrovnik
You can take beautiful walks and admire the old town. You will be far from the historical city but you can easily reach Lapad by shuttle bus.
Free activity in Dubrovnik: Walk on the Dance Cove
Dance Cove is a beautiful beach located in the Pile district. It is one of the oldest beaches in the city and its landscape is idyllic
It is one of the most famous beaches in southern Dalmatia. On the beaches of Danca (its real name), the sea is deeper, colder than on the other beaches
It is not a beach for swimming or for children. The water is colder and the current stronger
Choose this beach for your walks more than for your sunbathing breaks. Above the beach, we could see the church and the monastery of Saint Mary.
What to do for free in Dubrovnik? Go to the market
There are many nice markets in Dubrovnik that will allow you to discover the local crafts and cuisine
You will find many local markets in all the neighborhoods. In the old town we liked to discover the old town market or the fish market
In the district of Gruz you will also find a very rich and popular market
Finally, we also recommend the market in Lapad. Walking through the stores, smelling the scents and discovering the handicrafts will be a way for you to get to know Dubrovnik and Croatia better
Discover the history on the city walls in Dubrovnik
When discovering a city, admiring the walls is an interesting way to understand the history and architecture of the city.
Dubrovnik is a medieval city built on medieval codes as evidenced by the street network or the city walls
Nevertheless, most of the buildings and squares are in the Baroque style which marks an evolution of the city
What is important to remember is that Dubrovnik does not have a unified style and has been rebuilt many times. Its architecture bears witness to its history.
Search for the hidden gardens of Lapad
Lapad is the area of Dubrovnik where the vegetation is the densest and most representative of Croatia and the Adriatic coast
In addition to strolling along the beaches, we really recommend walking through the hidden gardens in the neighborhoods: for an even more romantic atmosphere.
Visit Dubrovnik for free
This offer is not permanent but from time to time the tourist office offers free guided tours of Dubrovnik
This tour is usually held on Saturdays, but we recommend that you inquire about it as it is not always available
With a professional and knowledgeable guide, you can discover Dubrovnik’s old town, the historic center, and learn more about Croatian culture and the history of this beautiful city.
Dubrovnik, like many large tourist cities, offers few free activities, but with a little searching you can find something to do with little money
Indeed, activities such as going to the beach or walking are very popular in Dubrovnik because the landscape is very interesting: you will discover gardens, hills but also creeks and pebble beaches
While walking around, you will discover many monuments, and understand a little bit more about the architecture of the city
You might even recognize some of the places and sights from the Game of Thrones series! In any case, we wish you a wonderful visit to this unusual city.
Leave a reply