The walled Old Town of Dubrovnik and its old harbour from Mount Srd, Fort Lovrijenac on the cliff beyond
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Luxury in Croatia

Dubrovnik

The pearl of the Adriatic: a walled city of white stone on the sea, the Summer Festival, and the Elaphiti Islands and Korčula by yacht.

The Old Town from Mount Srd, DubrovnikPhotograph: Diego F. Parra

Dobro došli

The Republic of Ragusa

For centuries Dubrovnik was the Republic of Ragusa, a city state of merchants and diplomats that held its own between Venice and the Ottoman Empire until Napoleon ended it in 1808. Its motto, still above the door of the fortress of St Lawrence, says that freedom is not sold for all the gold in the world.

Its walls, close to two kilometres around, enclose a city of white limestone: the Stradun, the polished main street, the Rector’s Palace and the churches and monasteries of the old town, all World Heritage. Walking the walls at the start or end of the day is the way to see it.

Every summer since 1950 the Dubrovnik Summer Festival has filled the squares and forts with theatre and music. Offshore lie the island of Lokrum, the car-free Elaphiti Islands, Mljet’s national park and Korčula, the beginning of a yacht week along the Dalmatian coast.

A few words of Croatian
EnglishCroatianSay it
Hello (good day)Dobar danDOH-bar dahn
PleaseMolimMOH-leem
Thank youHvalaHVAH-lah
Good eveningDobra večerDOH-brah VEH-cher
The bill, pleaseRačun, molimRAH-choon, MOH-leem

Where to go

Dubrovnik at a glance

When to go, the one best hotel, and how to arrive privately.

Dubrovnik

Best time to visitMay, early June and late September to October are best: warm sea and pleasant days, without the July and August crowds on the walls and in the Old Town.

  • Stay
    Villa Dubrovnik (two MICHELIN Keys)

    Terraced into the rocks a short boat ride from the old town, the highest-rated hotel in Dubrovnik.

  • Dine
    None that meets our standard yet.
  • Beach
    None that meets our standard yet.
Arrive privately
By private jet
Dubrovnik Airport (DBV / LDDU), 15 km from the Old Town, about 30 minutes by car; its 3,300-metre runway takes every class of private jet.
By helicopter
Not a regular option.
By sea
Marina Frapa Dubrovnik, in Gruž, 220 berths for yachts of 10 to 50 metres and one berth for a yacht up to 100 metres; about 10 minutes by car to the Old Town.

Stay

Luxury hotels in Dubrovnik

The finest hotels in and around Dubrovnik: each rated Forbes Five-Star, holding two or three MICHELIN Keys, or among the 25 Finest Resorts of the Mediterranean.

The finest hotels

Each rated Forbes Five-Star or holding two or three MICHELIN Keys.

  • Villa DubrovnikDubrovnik

    A white terraced hotel on the rocks below the old city walls, facing Lokrum, with two MICHELIN Keys.

Cruises

Dubrovnik by sea

How the ships arrive in Dubrovnik, and the luxury lines that call.

Most ships berth at Gruž, about 3 km from the walled city; some anchor off the Old Town and bring guests to the old harbour by tender. The city allows no more than two ships a day.

Marella sails from Dubrovnik. Eleven of the luxury lines below begin and end voyages here.

The luxury lines that call here

From the lines' own 2026 and 2027 voyages. Ports change from season to season, so check the voyage before you reserve.

Luxury Cruise LinesSuites at Sea

Experience

Events and things to do in Dubrovnik

The Dubrovnik year: the great events, month by month; each event's own website gives this year's dates.

Opera houses, concert halls and festivals

  • Dubrovnik Summer FestivalDubrovnik

    Since 1950 it has staged classical music, theatre, opera and dance across the walled city each July and August, from Hamlet on Fort Lovrijenac to concerts in the atrium of the Rector's Palace. Visit website ↗

Live

Luxury real estate in Dubrovnik

A home in Dubrovnik: the agencies and advisers at our standard, for the purchase and for life after it.

Prime real estate

  • Croatia Sotheby's International RealtySplit

    The Sotheby's affiliate for Croatia since 2017, covering luxury coastal property in Split, Dubrovnik, Trogir, Hvar, Brač and Primošten. Visit website ↗

All the leading agencies in Croatia ›

Looking for a home in Dubrovnik? Write to travel@TheMediterranean.com and we will introduce you, in confidence, to the right agency.

Plan your trip

Luxury travel in Dubrovnik and the Mediterranean: your questions answered

Plan your journey to Dubrovnik

Where is Dubrovnik?

At the southern end of the Dalmatian coast of Croatia, on the Adriatic. Dubrovnik airport takes private jets and is about 30 minutes from the old town; superyachts berth at Gruž or anchor off the city.

What is Dubrovnik famous for?

Its walled old town and the Stradun, the history of the Republic of Ragusa, the Summer Festival, filming for Game of Thrones, and the islands of the Adriatic close by.

When is the best time to visit Dubrovnik?

May, early June and late September to October are best: warm sea and pleasant days, without the July and August crowds on the walls and in the Old Town.

Where are the best luxury hotels in Dubrovnik?

Villa Dubrovnik (two MICHELIN Keys).

How do you arrive in Dubrovnik by private jet?

Dubrovnik Airport (DBV / LDDU), 15 km from the Old Town, about 30 minutes by car; its 3,300-metre runway takes every class of private jet.

Do you tip in Dubrovnik?

Voluntary but appreciated: around 10% in restaurants for good service, 10–15% at upscale places in the big cities; round up for taxis. Luxury hotels: porters €2–5 a bag, housekeeping €5–10 a day.

What should you wear in Dubrovnik?

Shoulders and knees covered in churches, cathedrals and monasteries. Town centres including Split and Dubrovnik issue on-the-spot fines for walking around shirtless or in swimwear. On yachts, soft-soled or bare feet on deck. Smart-casual for fine dining.

Beyond Dubrovnik

More in Croatia

Hvar and Split, and the Mediterranean beyond.

CroatiaLuxury Croatia Holidays: Dubrovnik & HvarExplore CroatiaThe MediterraneanTwenty-two countries and Gibraltar, first class onlyExplore the MediterraneanPlan your journeyFrom your home to Dubrovnik, with the costsOpen the trip planner

Customs and etiquette

Customs and etiquette in Dubrovnik

How Croatia does things.

Language
Croatian. English is widely spoken in hotels, restaurants and marinas along the coast; German and Italian are common too.
Greetings
A handshake in formal settings; cheek kisses among friends and family. Dobar dan (good day) is the polite opener; use surnames and titles until invited otherwise.
Dress
Shoulders and knees covered in churches, cathedrals and monasteries. Town centres including Split and Dubrovnik issue on-the-spot fines for walking around shirtless or in swimwear. On yachts, soft-soled or bare feet on deck. Smart-casual for fine dining.
Dining
Lunch is traditionally the main meal; dinner is usually served well after 8 pm, later in summer. Meals are unhurried. Book ahead in Dubrovnik, Hvar and Split in high season.
Tipping
Voluntary but appreciated: around 10% in restaurants for good service, 10–15% at upscale places in the big cities; round up for taxis. Luxury hotels: porters €2–5 a bag, housekeeping €5–10 a day.
Good to know
Croatia uses the euro (since 2023). By law, shops may open on only 16 Sundays a year, so most are closed on Sundays. Climbing on monuments and drinking alcohol in public spaces also bring on-the-spot fines in many towns.

Every list on this page is checked by hand and dated: last checked October 2026. Hotels, restaurants and events link only to their own official websites, where confirmed.

The Mediterranean Season Letter

Where to be, every season

Four letters a year, one for each season: the Mediterranean from spring to autumn, and Beyond the Mediterranean, into the Alps, in winter. The one best hotel to book, and the events worth crossing a sea for.