Free Things to Do in Dubrovnik: Walks, Viewpoints, Beaches and Free Days

Short answer

A lot of Dubrovnik costs nothing. Entry to the Old Town is free, and so are the Cathedral, the Church of St Blaise and every beach. You can walk Stradun and the Old Town squares, see Onofrio's fountains, Orlando's Column and the Old Port, join a free walking tour, browse the morning markets at Gundulić Square and Gruž, swim at public beaches such as Banje, hike up Mount Srđ to 412 metres for the view over the city, and walk the Lapad Peninsula. Young children get into the City Walls and Dubrovnik Museums free, and in early February the City Walls and Lokrum have opened free for everyone during the Feast of St Blaise.

1. Walk Stradun and the Old Town streets

Entering the Old Town is free. Stradun, the 298-metre main street, has the Large Onofrio's Fountain at its western end, inside the Old Town close to the Pile Gate entrance, and the Small Onofrio's Fountain at its eastern end. Prijeko, which runs parallel to Stradun, has rows of houses with Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque portals, balconies and windows.

2. See the landmarks on the way

All of these are in the Old Town and can be seen from the street:

Large Onofrio's Fountain, inside the Old Town close to the Pile Gate entrance, built in 1438 with 16 carved stone masks that pour water. The water is drinkable, so fill your bottle here.
Small Onofrio's Fountain (1446) at the other end of Stradun
Orlando's Column (1418), the medieval knight that symbolises the city's statehood
The City Bell Tower, where the bronze figures called Zelenci strike the hours
Sponza Palace, the 16th-century customs house with its shaded portico
The Rector's Palace façade and portico, with the inscription OBLITI PRIVATORUM PUBLICA CURATE above the door

3. Visit the Cathedral and the Church of St Blaise

Entry to both is free. The Baroque Cathedral, built between 1672 and 1713, has a 16th-century polyptych of the Assumption by Titian and his workshop above the main altar. The Church of St Blaise holds the silver statue of the city's patron saint, which survived the fire of 1706.

4. Climb the Jesuit Staircase

The Baroque staircase from Gundulić Square up to the Church of St Ignatius dates from 1738. It is free to walk, and Game of Thrones fans will know it from Cersei's Walk of Shame.

5. Browse the morning markets

Every morning Gundulić Square, behind the Cathedral, turns into a green market with fruit and vegetables from the nearby villages. In Gruž, the port district, the daily market sells fresh produce, fish and local products. The Dubrovnik Tourist Board recommends going in the morning for the freshest choice.

6. Walk around the Old Port and Porporela

The Old Port took its present shape in the 15th century, and you can still see the arches of its old arsenals. Today the harbour and Porporela, next to Fort St John, are a pleasant promenade.

7. Join a free walking tour

Free Dubrovnik Tours runs a Dubrovnik walking tour that is free to join and lasts about 1 hour 45 minutes. You pay nothing upfront, but a contribution to the guide at the end is appreciated. Details and booking are on freedubrovniktours.com.

8. Go for a swim

All beaches in Dubrovnik are free. No beach charges for entry; you only pay if you rent a sunbed. The Dubrovnik Tourist Board lists 38 beaches within the city. Some of the best known:

Banje (Ploče, pebble), close to the Old Town, with views of the city walls
Gornja Buža and Donja Buža (rocks), at the Old Town
Sveti Jakov (pebble), a quieter cove
Copacabana (Lapad, gravel), good for families
Lapad Bay (pebble)
Mandrač II in Lapad, the city's dog beach

For current sea water quality, the Tourist Board points to the official Croatian Sea Quality Portal.

9. Hike up Mount Srđ

For the best view of the city, hike up Mount Srđ. The Tourist Board describes the climb as steep but rewarding, ending 412 metres above sea level with views over Dubrovnik and the Elaphite Islands. The trail is rocky, so wear sturdy shoes, bring water and sunscreen, and go early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid the heat. The hike is free. The cable car is the paid alternative, at the prices on its official price list, and the Tourist Board suggests riding it up and hiking down if you prefer a gentler route.

10. Walk the Lapad Peninsula

The Lapad Peninsula, west of the Old Town, has an easy route through pine forest, past coves and along cliffs. For the best view over Lapad and the coast, walk up to the viewpoint at the top of Petka Hill.

11. Gradac Park

Gradac Park, just behind Fort Lovrijenac, is a green park with views of the coastline and the fort, and entry is free. It was the setting of the Purple Wedding in Game of Thrones.

12. Walk along Rijeka Dubrovačka

The waterfront path along Rijeka Dubrovačka runs from the marina in Komolac to the old summer residences of Rožat. The river, the Ombla, is one of the shortest rivers in the world, and its source emerges directly from the foot of the mountain.

Free entry you can plan around

Young children enter the City Walls free up to the age of 6, and all Dubrovnik Museums free up to the age of 7.

The Feast of St Blaise. Around Dubrovnik's patron saint's day on 3 February, the Society of Friends of Dubrovnik Antiquities has opened the City Walls, Fort Lovrijenac, the Walls of Ston and Sokol Fortress free of charge: from 2 to 9 February in 2025 and from 2 to 8 February in 2026, from 09:00 to 15:00. In 2026 admission to Lokrum was also free during the feast.

Frequently asked questions

Is it free to enter Dubrovnik Old Town? Yes. Walking into the Old Town and along its streets and squares costs nothing. You pay for the City Walls and the museums.

Are the beaches in Dubrovnik free? Yes. No beach in Dubrovnik charges for entry; you only pay for a sunbed if you rent one.

Can I drink the water from Onofrio's Fountain? Yes. It is drinkable, and a good place to refill your bottle.

Are there free walking tours in Dubrovnik? Yes. Free Dubrovnik Tours runs a free walking tour of about 1 hour 45 minutes. It costs nothing to join, but a contribution to the guide is appreciated.

Can I hike to the top of Mount Srđ for free? Yes. The hike to the top, 412 metres above sea level, is free. Only the cable car costs money.

When are the City Walls free? Around the Feast of St Blaise at the start of February. In 2026 the walls were free from 2 to 8 February. Children aged 6 and under are always free.

Are Dubrovnik museums free for children? Children under 7 enter all Dubrovnik Museums free. Older children pay the reduced schoolchildren ticket.

Sources

Prices and opening hours change, so confirm them on the official sites below before you go.

What can I do in Dubrovnik for free?