The stunning Croatian city of Dubrovnik has a reputation for being really expensive. So of course I had to go there and see what I could do on a strict budget!
I set myself a limit of €30 to spend in a day in Dubrovnik – let’s take a look at what I got up to.
My Dubrovnik Itinerary For €30
Morning
- Coffee stop – €2.40
Caffee Bar Libertina is run by a local guy, who legend has it used to be in a band, so a bit of a local celebrity. That’s what a local told me anyway!
The point is it’s a bar locked in time, where the prices are still affordable. It’s so much cheaper than what you’ll get nearby, as you can score an espresso for €2, and even a small beer for around €3.50.
However, I made a huge faux pas by checking the bar out, but then going to take some photos in the old city. By the time I came back, it had just closed. So make sure you get there before 2pm!
Instead, I headed to Buzz Bar where my espresso was €2.40. The beer here was not so cheap however – it was €5 for a small! Also there was lots of smoking taking place in here – it’s pretty customary in Croatia, but can take you by surprise a bit if you live somewhere where it’s banned indoors.
Anyway there were seats outside too awake from the smoke, although stay inside and you’ll catch some of the playlist which was mostly 00’s hits. It was great!
- Lunch – €4
For lunch, I decided try a Balkan speciality, and headed to Bakery Mokošica for a €4 burek. Mine was with minced beef and onions, and it WAS AMAZING. I sat eating it on some steps in the shade (it was 35 degrees that day!).
Afternoon
- Filled up my water bottle - €0
I was feeling the heat so I filled up my water bottle at Mala Onofrijeva fontana.
- Self-guided walking tour - €0
The most popular activity in Dubrovnik it seems is to walk around the old city walls, but at €40, it was too much for my budget.
Instead I googled ‘self guided walking tour‘ and saved all the places – and the explanations about what they were – into my Google Maps.
Dubrovnik self-guided walking tour
It was time to open up my Google maps and get started on my walking tour.
- Old port of Dubrovnik – picturesque port with lovely views out to sea
- Sponza Palace – historic government building
- Dubrovnik Clock Tower – strikes every half hour and shows the moon’s phases
- St Blaise Church – St Blaise is patron saint of Dubrovnik
- Rector’s Palace – an historic government building
- Marin Drzic Theatre – named after a Croatian playwright
- Gundulic Square Market – sells food and handmade trinkets
- Dubrovnik Cathedral – contains important relics
- Porporela swimming spot – a popular swimming spot along from the port
The public swimming area by Porporela was super busy, so I kept moving. I decided to pause my walking tour to check out the beach bars instead.
- Buza bar - €0
I walked down to the TikTok famous ‘hole in the wall’ bars of Bard (Mala Buza) and Buza Beach Bar.
These are two different bars near each other – the main thing to say about these places is that they both have access to the beach.
First up I swung by Mala Buza…
… Then it was on to Buza Beach Bar. Beaches are public domain in Croatia, so you can absolutely walk through both these bars and just chill out beside the sea.
There isn’t much cover from the sun though, so take your factor 50! They can also get very busy.
Drinks in these places were expensive – around €7 for a small beer – so you really are paying for the view. Too much for me!
Self-guided Dubrovnik walking tour - continued...
It was time to restart my walking tour and see the rest of the sights of Dubrovnik.
- More exploring the old city - €0
- Church of St Ignatius – elegant Baroque church
- Jesuit Staircase – elegant steps made famous by Game of Thrones
- Orthodox Church – unusual amongst the city’s Catholic churches
- Stradun – I had a lovely stroll down Dubrovnik’s historic main street
- Franciscan Church and Monastery – you can pay to visit the cloisters
- Church of St Salvation – a small chapel that survived the 1667 earthquake
- Velika Onofrijeva Fontana– I filled my water bottle at this famous fountain
- Pile gate – the main entrance to the old city
- Supermarket pit stop - €3.44
I left the old city at Pile gate ready to pick up some snacks at Konzum supermarket. I went for a Croatian Calipo (€1,79) and a beer (€1,65).
Next I headed to Dubrovnik West Harbour to eat my lolly and I watched all the sea kayaks come in – bliss!
- Beach hopping - €0
Next, it was time for some beach hopping!
My first stop was Beach Šulić which was very busy. But it was shaded and with some space to pop my towel down, read my book and sneakily drink my beer (you’re not technically allowed to drink in public in Croatia). The beach was stunning but they kept playing loud music with adverts and so it wasn’t quite the chilled vibe I was after.
Next, I walked over to Plaza Danče and if I was looking for chill, this was the opposite!!! Crammed with young people with the sea full of boats honking and playing drums. Plus, absolutely no shade. I stayed about 1 minute!
- Dinner - €6.50
I was ready for dinner at this point so I went over to Sandwich Bar Pile for some cevapi (a traditional kind of minced meat sausage/ meatball) which come in a big bap with onions and ajvar, which is a Serbian roasted red pepper and aubergine sauce. It cost €6.50 and was really filling! This place also had sandwiches for €4.50 if you wanted to save even more, but I fancied something hot.
Evening
- More beach time - €4.03
Next I hopped on a bus. A bus fare is cheaper if you buy your ticket from the Libertas ticket booths – you can find them in Pile, Lapad, Gruž (by the bus station and ferry terminal) and Mokošica. It’s only €1.73 for a single ticket if you do this. Otherwise it’s €2.50 on the bus itself.
I got off at Uvala Lapad Beach and picked up another beer – this time a Radler (€1.60) and a chocolate wafer (€0.70).
And here, finally, my chilled beach dreams were realised! This was a much bigger, stoney beach, but with loads of people swimming and enjoying the sunset. I read my book and then waded into the sea for the moments after the sun had gone down. It was perfect.
- Outdoor cinema - €9
The sun might have gone fully down, but my night was not over. Just a 15 minute walk and I arrived at Ljetno kino Lapad – an outdoor cinema where tickets are only €7 and a small popcorn is just €2! The films are mostly new releases in English with Croatian subtitles. It was the perfect ending to a wonderful day!
So there you have it… Dubrovnik in a day for just €30!
You can definitely do this fab city on a budget. I was really impressed by how much I got to see and do during my day in Dubvronik. And I didn’t feel like I had to scrimp and save either – it was a proper nice day out!
I saw loads of amazing architecture and history, and (eventually!) the most beautiful sea and sunset too. I actually didn’t want to leave!
Day in Dubrovnik total spend - €29.37
See the Highlights of Dubrovnik for Less Than €30
People say Dubrovnik is super expensive which I admit had always put me off going, but I can’t believe I’ve been missing out on such a dreamy destination!!
If you’re prepared to forego the obvious attractions and seek out your own highlights, Dubrovnik can be super affordable. So tell me – would you try a €30 day in Dubrovnik?!
