12 Fantastic Day Trips to Go on From Dubrovnik in 2026
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Have an extra day or two to spend on a day trip from Dubrovnik, Croatia? From wandering the picturesque streets of Kotor and Diocletian’s Palace in Split to exploring the magical Mljet National Park, visiting the Elaphiti Islands, and so much more, here are my recommended day trips from Dubrovnik that’ll blow you away.
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Dubrovnik makes an excellent base for exploring cool, interesting, and culture-filled destinations! From getting a taste of local flavors on a countryside wine tour to island hopping and ticking countries like Bosnia and Montenegro off your visited list, there are so many incredible things to do from this vibrant city.
So, if you have a extra day or two to spend on a Dubrovnik day trip, here are my top recommendations.
You’ll also find included tour options from reputable sites like GetYourGuide and TripAdvisor, just in case you don’t have your own car to get around with! (I didn’t when I was in Dubrovnik, so these day trip tours were incredibly convenient!)
Don’t forget to take a look at my guides on the best things to do in Dubrovnik and how to spend one day in Dubrovnik!
12 UNFORGETTABLE DAY TRIPS FROM DUBROVNIK
Mljet National Park, Croatia
- Distance: ~90 km (~56 miles)
- Time needed: 8-10 hours
- Best for: Nature lovers, kayakers, bicyclists, hikers
If you want to feel like you’ve stepped into a fairytale, Mljet National Park is where you should to go when looking for a great day trip from Dubrovnik.
This island is covered in dense forests, crystal-clear saltwater lakes, and those dreamy little villages that time forgot. But the main draw is two stunning saltwater lakes—Veliko Jezero and Malo Jezero—where you can swim, kayak, or just sit and wonder why you don’t live here. (That’s basically what I did. Lol.)
There’s also the beautiful Benedictine Monastery and Church of St. Mary, perched on an island that’s well worth exploring. Hop on the short Mljet ferry, meander your way across the lake, and take your time walking around the island.
A full day trip usually means catching the morning ferry, renting a bike or kayak, and exploring at your own pace. My top tip is to grab a seat on the ferry deck—the coastline views are absolutely worth it!
Click here to check out this highly-rated Mljet National Park & three islands tour.
Kotor, Montenegro
- Distance: ~120 km (~75 miles)
- Time needed: 8-10 hours
- Best for: History buffs, photographers, those ticking off new countries
I like to think of Kotor as Dubrovnik’s moodier, more dramatic cousin!
A medieval walled city, Kotor is nestled in the Bay of Kotor, surrounded by mountains that rise straight out of the water. It’s absolutely breathtaking—every corner legit looks like a postcard. (Take lots of photos if you visit Kotor on a day trip from Dubrovnik!)
The best things to do in Kotor are wander the narrow cobblestone streets, climb the fortress walls for panoramic views, or grab coffee at a tiny café tucked into an ancient alleyway.
(Also, don’t miss Cat Park if you’re a lover of kitties! There are SO many here, and several are very friendly.)
The drive from Dubrovnik is incredibly scenic, and you’ll cross into Montenegro, which means another country checked off your list.
To get here, you can either rent a car or take a bus. I took the bus with Flixbus and it was easy, with Kotor’s bus station just a short 10-minute walk from the city center.
That said, if you don’t want to rent a car or take the bus, go on a tour and have everything planned for you! Click here to take a look at this full-day small group trip to Kotor or this customizable private day trip.
Split, Croatia
- Distance: ~230 km (~143 miles)
- Time needed: 11-12 hours
- Best for: History lovers, those wanting city vibes
Split is Croatia’s second-largest city and one of my favorite places to visit in Croatia thanks to it’s beautiful architecture, cool history, and unique things to do!
The main attraction is Diocletian’s Palace, a massive Roman palace built in the 4th century that’s now basically an entire neighborhood—shops, restaurants, and homes are built right into the ancient walls. It’s wild to think you’re literally walking through a 1,700-year-old building.
Beyond the palace, Split has great beaches, a lively waterfront promenade, and a food scene that’ll make you very happy. (These are just a few of the many things to do in Split!)
It’s busier and more urban than Dubrovnik, so if you’re craving that city energy with a side of history, this is your spot. The drive is beautiful, and Split also makes a great base if you decide to stay longer.
My top tip is to embark on this Dubrovnik day trip early! If you have a car, get on the road around sunrise—the drive is around 3 hours.
If you’re considering public transport, Flixbus does have a direct route between Dubrovnik and Split… but I would not recommend this, as this journey takes around 4 hours.
The better option would be this full-day Split day trip from Dubrovnik, which includes transfers and a city tour, as well as some free time to explore the city.
Peljesac Peninsula and Korčula, Croatia
- Distance: ~120 km (~75 miles)
- Time needed: 8-10 hours
- Best for: Wine lovers, foodies, island hoppers
If you’re a wine enthusiast (or just someone who enjoys drinking wine with stunning views), the Pelješac Peninsula is your happy place!
This narrow strip of land is famous for its bold Plavac Mali red wine, and you can stop at local wineries for tastings while soaking in dramatic coastal scenery. You’ll also find fresh seafood restaurants, charming villages, and some gorgeous beaches.
After exploring the peninsula, take a quick ferry to nearby Korčula, one of my favorite islands in Croatia! Korčula is a stunning Venetian island with a walled Old Town that’s less crowded than Dubrovnik but equally photogenic.
Another fantastic destination for wine lovers, Korčula Old Town is packed with cute little wine bars. I recommend visiting one or two on your visit!
That said, the best way to visit the Pelješac Peninsula and Korčula is via a tour, especially since you very well may be having a few glasses of wine! So why not pass along the responsibility of driving to your guide and taste freely without worrying about the road, am I right?
Check out this highly-rated Peljašac Peninsula and Korčula day trip from Dubrovnik.
Mostar + Kravice Waterfalls, Bosnia & Herzegovina
- Distance: ~130 km (~81 miles)
- Time needed: 10-12 hours
- Best for: History lovers, photographers, Balkans explorers
Mostar is one of those places that takes your breath away the moment you arrive. This historic city straddles the Neretva River and is famous for its iconic Stari Most (Old Bridge), a stunning 16th-century stone arch bridge that’s absolutely iconic.
And the Old Town is incredibly picturesque, with its narrow alleys lined with local shops, traditional restaurants serving up tasty Bosnian food, and captivating history woven into every stone.
Beyond the postcard-worthy bridge, you’ll see minarets, church spires, and Ottoman architecture all mixed together, which tells you everything about Mostar’s complex past.
Aside from Mostar, many day trips from Dubrovnik also stop at the Kravice Waterfalls. One of Bosnia’s most stunning natural attractions, this is a massive 25-meter waterfall cascading into a crystal-clear emerald pool. It’s perfect for swimming, and the whole area is lush and gorgeous.
This day trip is best done via organized tour since it’s a longer drive and involves crossing into Bosnia. Take a look at this semi-private, 8-person Mostar tour from Dubrovnik, which also includes a stop at the stunning Kravice Waterfalls.
Ston, Croatia
- Distance: ~70 km (~43 miles)
- Time needed: 4-6 hours
- Best for: Foodies, wine lovers, underrated destination seekers
Ston is a tiny medieval town that punches waaaaay above its weight. It’s famous for two unique things: its incredibly long medieval walls (the longest in Europe after the Great Wall of China) and its oyster farms. I don’t eat oysters, but apparently they are fabulous here.
When visiting Ston on a day trip from Dubrovnik, get here early and spend your morning climbing the fortress walls for views over the Pelješac Peninsula. For lunch, settle into a waterfront restaurant for fresh oysters and local wine.
The town is delightfully low-key, and you’ll actually see locals going about their day rather than just tourists.
It’s the kind of place where you can slow down, eat well, and feel like you’ve discovered something special. This works perfectly as a half-day trip if you’re also exploring the Pelješac Peninsula.
If you don’t have a car, you can get to Ston very easily via Flixbus, which takes just over an hour.
Alternatively, you can also go with a guided tour. This Oyster, Mussels, and Wine Tasting Tour in Ston looks fantastic!
Konavle Valley Wine Tour
- Distance: ~40 km (~25 miles)
- Time needed: 4-6 hours
- Best for: Wine lovers, foodies, those wanting to stay closer to Dubrovnik
The Konavle Valley is basically Dubrovnik’s backyard wine country, and it’s absolutely delightful! This fertile valley produces excellent local wines (especially whites), and you can visit family-run wineries where the owners actually pour the wine and chat with you about their vineyards.
It’s super cool and feels very, very authentic. A typical tour includes visits to 2-3 wineries with tastings, a traditional lunch with local food, and usually a stop at a scenic viewpoint.
It’s more intimate and less touristy than some of the bigger wine regions, which means you get authentic experiences without feeling like you’re on an assembly line.
Plus, since it’s close to Dubrovnik, you’re not spending half your day in transit. This is a perfect afternoon activity if you want to stay relaxed.
Given the amount of wine consumption, it’s best not to do this tour on your own! That’s why I recommend this 5-star Konavle wine and food tasting tour.
Lokrum Island, Croatia
- Distance: 10-minute ferry
- Time needed: 2-4 hours (or longer)
- Best for: Quick getaways, swimmers, lazy island days
Visiting Lokrum Island is one of the easiest day trips from Dubrovnik! It’s literally a 10-minute ferry ride from Dubrovnik’s Old Port, which means you could visit just for a morning or an afternoon.
The island is lush and peaceful with beautiful rocky beaches, a saltwater lake (Mrtvo more), and botanical gardens. You can swim, sunbathe, explore old fortress ruins, or just decompress in a quieter setting than the main city!
But the best part is that you don’t need a tour. Just grab a ferry ticket and go!
It’s affordable, easy, and genuinely lovely. One of the best things to do when visiting Lokrum Island is pack a picnic with local food and drinks from town—the island snack bars are pricey.
Find a complete guide on how to get to Lokrum Island here.
Elaphiti Islands, Croatia
- Distance: Ferry from Dubrovnik
- Time needed: Full day
- Best for: Croatian island hopping, swimmers, sun bathers
The Elaphiti Islands are a small archipelago just off the coast of Dubrovnik, and they’re gorgeous.
Most of the day trips from Dubrovnik hit three islands—Lopud, Šipan, and Koločep—each with their own unique draws. You’ll hop between islands via ferry, stopping to swim in turquoise water, explore sleepy villages, and eat fresh seafood.
The vibe is way more relaxed than Dubrovnik, and you genuinely feel like you’re island-hopping. Some tours include kayaking or snorkeling, so you can get in the water if you want.
The ferries are frequent and affordable, so you can also do this independently if you prefer to move at your own pace. Either way, it’s a brilliant full-day escape that doesn’t require extensive travel time.
If you want to go with a tour, check out this highly-rated GetYourGuide tour or this private half-day Elaphiti boat tour from Dubrovnik.
Croatia Countryside via ATV
- Distance: Varies
- Time needed: 4-6 hours
- Best for: Adventure seekers, adrenaline junkies, those wanting an off-the-beaten path experience
If you want to experience rural Croatia while getting your adrenaline fix, an ATV tour through the countryside is surprisingly brilliant!
You’ll ride through villages, forests, and scenic landscapes, stopping at local farms or viewpoints along the way. Some tours even include wine or food tastings at traditional family homes.
It’s a fun, active way to see a side of Croatia that most tourists miss, and the guides are usually locals who know all the hidden spots.
Keep in mind that you’ll get dusty, and you need a valid driver’s license. But if you’re the type who likes to get off the beaten path (literally), this is a genuinely fun adventure.
Check out this 5-star ATV tour from Dubrovnik on TripAdvisor.
Cavtat, Croatia
- Distance: ~30 km (~19 miles)
- Time needed: 3-5 hours
- Best for: Relaxed beach days, those wanting a quieter coastal town, short escapes
Cavtat is like Dubrovnik’s chill little sibling—a charming coastal town with all the Mediterranean beauty but a fraction of the crowds.
It has a lovely waterfront promenade, pebbly beaches perfect for swimming, and excellent seafood restaurants, while the Old Town is small and walkable, with a quiet, authentic vibe that feels refreshingly real.
Since it’s only 30 kilometers (around 19 miles) away from Dubrovnik, this works perfectly as a half-day trip or a place to spend an afternoon and evening.
Get there via car, local bus (line number 10), or ferry (Adriana Cavtat) and spend your time in Cavtat wandering the streets, swimming off the rocks, and grabbing dinner while overlooking the water.
It’s the perfect little escape if you want to get away from Dubrovnik’s crowds. No need for an organized tour here—just go and soak it in at your own pace.
Perast, Montenegro
- Distance: ~80 km (~50 miles)
- Time needed: 6-8 hours
- Best for: Photography lovers, history buffs, a quieter Montenegro experience
Perast is a teeny-tiny baroque town perched on the Bay of Kotor, and it’s absolutely charming in an understated way.
The waterfront is lined with elegant 17th and 18th-century palaces, and the backdrop of dramatic mountains makes for stunning photos. It’s the kind of place where you feel like you’ve stepped back in time.
While you’re there, most people do a boat tour to the two nearby islands—one with a church and one with a monastery (named “Our Lady of the Rocks” and “Saint George“).
Perast itself is best explored slowly—grab coffee at a waterfront café, wander the narrow streets, take photos from every angle.
It’s less touristy than its neighbor city of Kotor but equally beautiful, making it perfect if you want stunning views without the crowds.
The best and easiest way to get to Perast from Dubrovnik is via car—I recommend renting one through DiscoverCars. But if you don’t have your own vehicle, this affordable tour hits both Perast and Kotor.
Perast doesn’t have a dedicated bus station, so unfortunately, it’s not possible to get there via public transport.
I hope this guide on 12 fun and unique day trips from Dubrovnik help you plan the best itinerary! No doubt, there are some exceptional adventures and experiences to be had in this part of Croatia.
If you have any questions, put them in the comment section below! I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.
Sophie xx
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