I’ll be honest Dubrovnik took me completely by surprise.
When we booked on a whim I had no idea how stunning it is and how much there is to do in addition to the old town walls. In reality Dubrovnik and the surrounding areas has it all: History, nature, stunning beaches, water sports, world class food… the list goes on! We visited for 3 nights, but picking good flight times and only taking hand luggage to breeze through the airports gave us almost 4 full days to explore and make the most of what this beautiful city has to offer.
So what on earth should you be packing for such a diverse trip? And into ONE bag?!
I’ve created a list of essentials which will allow you to see the sights, hit the beach, bar hop by night and still avoid a checked baggage charge. My favourites are linked at the bottom of this post!
1. Trainers or suitable walking shoes
I actually only packed plimsolls for our weekend and I really missed my Sketchers GoWalks … Trainers might not be the prettiest thing to have on your feet but for the amount of walking you will be doing in Dubrovnik they aren’t really negotiable and your feet will be thankful for the support!
The beaches and natural areas are also quite rocky so I would recommend taking a shoe with quite a thick and durable sole.
2. Layers
As always we tracked the weather a couple of days before we flew to get an idea of temperatures and weather conditions during our stay, something I would recommend for any trip you take.
Depending on when you go, Croatia can get very hot during the day and then cool down in the evening, plus lots of the restaurants and bars are outside in the old town so it won’t be unusual to be outside for long periods at night.
We went in May when the climate was variable – We actually had a HUGE thunderstorm and rain one night which we didn’t plan for… Cue hiding in a bar for 2 hours before making a very soggy run for it!
For this reason I would recommend packing layers – a vest top, t shirt, cardigan or wrap like I am wearing below, light jacket and maybe a packable rain jacket… Just in case! Try and choose colours that mix and match so if you take items off or on your outfit will still look good!
3. Shorts, rompers or work out leggings
A pair of shorts or two are essential if you are visiting Dubrovnik in the warmer months, it does get really hot and personally I think skirts + heat + lots of walking = danger of chub rub haha and to be honest it isn’t worth the risk!
I would recommend sticking with shorts or light weight leggings to avoid any chaffing if you plan to get active and do lots of walking.
Even better save space in your carry on case and pack a few rompers or airy jumpsuits for the day time – shorts and top in one!
4. Crossbody bag & lightweight backpack
There are lots of tourists in Dubrovnik, especially the old town, and even though I never felt unsafe I did feel more secure having my things in a cross body bag which I could keep close to my side.
I would recommend a style that is transitional from day to night and big enough to fit in a phone, wallet, sunglasses, charging pack (you will want to get lots of pictures trust me!) sunglasses and a cardigan. I took my trusty Kate Spade.
Another good thing to have with you is a lightweight back pack for the days you want to venture further afield and visit some of the stunning islands or beaches around the Old Town. On trips like this you may need to pack beach essentials and some snacks/ water to keep you going for the day.
5. Swimwear and a light weight towel
This is something we didn’t pack and I was SO gutted!
Dubrovnik is surrounded by gorgeous islands like Lokrum and Kolocep and the water-side resort of Poluotok Lapad is a short bus ride away. We caught boats out to the two islands mentioned and it didn’t occur to me they would have beach areas. Luckily Kolocep had a nudist beach so I may or may not have had some slightly damp underwear for the rest of the day…
We did look in the (limited) shops on the island for swimwear but had no luck so definitely pack a swim suit! You don’t want to miss out on these beautiful waters.
6. A hat
Activities like walking the old town walls can mean you are in direct sunlight for a few hours at a time. I would recommend taking a hat or cap to keep your face cool. Also if you are planning to walk the walls on a hot day take your backpack and pack bottled water! We got so thirsty very fast and ended up having to buy multiple bottles from the tourist trap stalls within the walls for a premium price…
7. A pretty dress
If you are anything like me you will be wanting to get some great photos to remember your trip. Dubrovnik and the surrounding areas are an Instagram lover’s DREAM. It is just so pretty with so much variety in scenery.
I packed a couple of pretty maxi dresses to wear in the evenings (and sometimes the day time… Doing it for the ‘Gram!) They made for some lovely photos and were great for eating out in the evenings and visiting bars.
I would choose styles that are still lightweight and flowy to suit the warmer climate – You can always add a cardigan to layer if they aren’t too fancy.
9. Small toiletries
If you are flying with hand baggage only this well be a necessity anyway but we always pack tiny travel sized toiletries, if we run out of anything specific we just go and buy it at a local supermarket.
Make up wise for girls it is likely to be warm and the vibe is fairly laid back with lots of dining outside in the evenings so you don’t need to get too glammed up – I just packed a few bright lipsticks to match my outfits.
Just in case your trusty trainers and sandals aren’t as trusty as you think I would recommend packing some blister plasters… Just in case! I can’t reiterate enough how much walking you will be doing.
8. COMFORTABLE sandals
On the note of getting slightly more dressed up I would recommend packing a pair of broken in and well-loved sandals. I packed a couple of pairs and ended up wearing my trusty metallic Birkenstock lookalikes every day when I wasn’t in my plimsolls.
They still looked cute with my dresses but kept my feet happy before the next day of walking!
10. A big appetite
We are complete foodies and Dubrovnik has some of the best food we have eaten anywhere in the world. From mouth-watering authentic Bosnian kebabs to fresh pasta and risotto dishes – Croatian food is influenced by a diverse range of cuisine styles from neighbouring countries making it a dream for diners. We ate at:
…& a few other places for breakfast and snacks
I think the food in Dubrovnik deserves its own post so stay tuned!
Overall when packing for a long weekend in Dubrovnik I would keep it light, layered and above all comfortable- there is so much to see and do in this beautiful city and its surroundings keeping it simple will give you more time to do the fun stuff!
Have you ever been to Dubrovnik and have something to add to the list? Leave a comment below!
-Charli
Here are some of my favourite pieces perfect for a Dubrovnik bound carry on – Click the pics to shop!
