7 International Day Trips You Can Take From Dubrovnik to Explore the Balkans

To experience a cross-section of the Balkans’ history, cuisine, and breathtaking architecture, take Balkans road trip along Croatia’s sun-drenched coast, and even ferry ride to neighboring islands, on a day trip from Dubrovnik.

Kotor Bay, Montenegro

Distance from Dubrovnik: 56 miles

It takes 3.5 hours to reach Montenegro by road, though border crossings during the summer season can stretch to five hours. Push along the scenic highway E65, with its narrow hairpin bends and the craggy mountains of Montenegro on one side. The name “Montenegro” is said to come from 15th-Century Venetian lords, who saw the surrounding dense pine forests as giant black mountains.

The ride to Kotor Bay cuts through these narrow mountains, but you’ll get glimpses of the medieval villages located on the water during the drive. The medieval walled town of Kotor is a maze of cobbled alleyways, piazzas, cafes, jazz clubs, and tiny boutiques squeezed into lanes. The most impressive landmark is the Catholic church, a mastery of baroque-romanesque architecture, and you can also spot remains of Byzantine-style frescoes on the arches.

Park your car near the Marina Bonići, and hop on a boat ride across the Bay of Kotor to take in the views from offshore, a fresh perspective on the landscape you drove through. Afterward, head to villages including Perast Tivat, and if you’re up for a 90-minute drive, continue further to Ulcinj and Sveti Stefan. Each is a historic walled town with impressive churches, former grand palazzi, and piazzas studded with cafes and souvenir stores. Stay for an al fresco meal to experience how the architecture and culinary cultures sway towards Italian taste. Don’t leave Montenegro without hitting the beachside town of Budva. This is your chance to lounge on a beach sunbed, backed by fortress walls and citadel views, savoring Montenegrin Vranac wines and jazz.

Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Distance from Dubrovnik: 140 miles

Mostar, in Bosnia and Herzegovina, is approximately a four hours’ drive north from Dubrovnik. On crossing over to the Bosnian countryside, riding on Highway M6 fringed on both sides with rugged mountains, you’ll spot Bosnian-style stone houses rimmed in wooden lattice works. Pull off the highway en route to the UNESCO-listed town of Počitelj with its medieval fortress, unique townhouses, and Ottoman-style mosque. You’ll notice scars from when the Bosnian-Croat forces attacked the village in 1993, but still, Počitelj is among the most beautiful examples of a 14th-century town in the region.

Bosnia’s image in the 1990s was that of a war-torn country, though today once you enter the town of Mostar, the horrors of war are barely visible. This small riverside city of just over 100,000 people hosts many cafes, restaurants, and an open bazaar selling Turkish lamps, carpets, traditional kilim rugs, handmade laces, Persian ceramics, and copper wares. As you move throughout the bazaar you can’t help but notice the skyline dominated by minarets, yet the tallest structure is the new Catholic church and the enormous cross seen on the hilltop. The town’s key attraction remains the Stari Most ­– a 15th-century Ottoman-era bridge separating both sides of the town. In the 1993 Bosnian war, the Croatian army shelled the bridge and mass destruction came upon in the name of ethnic cleansing. Today, Bosnian Muslims and Catholics live together in relative harmony; the rebuilt Stari Most is the chosen venue for the Red Bull cliff diving sporting event, held every year in the summer. Young locals can be seen jumping off the bridge into the river below, a long-standing tradition.

After an afternoon at the bazaar, it’s time to eat. Bosnian food is a marriage of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean fare. Common dishes include ćevapi (sausage-shaped kebabs tucked inside pita bread, served with onions and sour cream), börek (flaky meat pastry), dolma (stuffed vegetable with meat), and flavored meat stews and broths. And then there’s Bosnian baklava, a sweet, flaky pastry dessert you must try no matter what you order as a main. The nooks and crannies of the old town have cozy cafes where hookah lovers are anchored throughout the day. Coffee enthusiasts should try the strong Bosnian coffee, which locals say tastes far different than its Turkish cousin but is similarly thick and bitter.

Stick around into the evening, because Mostar glows when the sun goes down with illuminated arches, brightly lit evening bazaars, and buzzing open-air cafes.

Shkodër, Albania

Distance from Dubrovnik: 110 miles

The northern Albanian town of Shkodër is a 4.5-hour drive from Dubrovnik. The crowds of tourists have recently started venturing to this long-neglected part of Europe. Now at peace and among the safest countries in Europe, the attractive city center of Shkodër is striking with its uber-cool art installations built from the very war artillery that impaired the country during the Yugoslav Wars between 1991 and 2001.

The pastel-hued buildings of the old town are reminiscent of the Venetians’ stronghold of early days. The St. Stephen’s Catholic Church, where many practice Eastern Orthodoxy and the mosque a few meters away put Shkodër at a crossroads of world cultures. The Marubi Museum opens a window into old Albania with street scenes showing the country grappling with the woes of the past: communism, conflict, and modernization. Lovers of art should visit the Venice Art Mask Factory, run by Edmond Angoni, an Albanian artisan who emigrated to Italy in the 1990s to master the Venetian art of mask-making. The Shkodër Historical Museum, in a former Venetian merchant’s house, also showcases Albanian history and culture.

The most visited destination in town is the Rozafa Fortress, located on a hillock. Scattered in Roman relics, the fortress was rebuilt by the Venetians and then the Turks. Because it is located at a higher altitude, the fortress has stunning views of the surrounding landscape including Lake Shkodra, the distant Albanian alps, and the city center.

Modern Albania’s positive vibe echoes along Shkodër’s pedestrian-friendly streets, in particular in its restaurants and cafes. Italian fare is served in most eateries in the city center, but don’t miss out on Albanian classics like byrek (a kind of sandwich in phyllo pastry stuffed with meat, spinach, and feta), baked cheese with tomatoes, lamb bake, or slow-cooked, rice-stuffed bell peppers.

Lokrum

If you enjoy leisurely walks and want to spend the day outside, this is the Dubrovnik day trip for you. Lokrum Island is easily accessible by a ferry ride from Dubrovnik’s Old Town – they leave every half hour and take just 15 minutes.

The island itself looks like a pine tree covered wilderness from afar, but when you get there, you’ll find that there’s plenty to explore, including the ruins of a monastery and, notably, the French Fort Royal Castle. Visitors are free to roam the castle, from which you can gaze out at unobstructed views of the Adriatic Sea.

In the summer, visitors to Lokrum bring their swimsuits with them. Dead Lake might have an ominous sounding name, but this secluded swimming hole is ideal for a relaxing day of sunbathing and snorkeling.

Distance from Dubrovnik: 4 miles

Cavtat

A half hour drive from Dubrovnik, daytrippers will find Cavtat, a charming small town flanked by the turquoise waters of a harbor called Luka Bay on one side, and a mountain range on the other.

Cavtat is the epitome of a quaint European town: Visitors can wander the narrow cobblestone streets and the seaside promenade, enjoying an ice cream or a coffee with no agenda at all. A paved, tree lined path that offers ocean views and fresh air follows the Rat Peninsula for people who want to stretch their legs.

However, if you’re someone who enjoys visiting historical monuments, Cavtat doesn’t disappoint in that department either: A renaissance mansion called Rectors Palace houses a 19th-century library, and the Račić Masoluem within Cavtat’s cemetery are frequently visited locations in the town.

Sunbathers and swimmers will be right at home in Cavtat. The beaches are pebbly, but the warm waters are crystal clear and turquoise. Bring your bathing suit because you won’t be able to resist taking a dip.

Distance from Dubrovnik: 18 miles

Korčula

Nicknamed “Little Dubrovnik,” the buildings in the town of Korčula (on an island of the same name) are decorated with the same familiar red tiled rooftops. There are no cars allowed on the cobblestone streets of this medieval town, and far fewer tourists flooding the charming town.

THere’s plenty of history to experience on Korčula. Once part of Venetian empire, and according to local legend at least, the explorer Marco Polo was born there. The house where it was rumored to have been born is still standing. The Korčula Town Museum is a much better way to learn about the verifiable history of this ancient island.

The local culture of this island is well worth exploring: Known for olive oil, wine, and fresh fish caught in the Mediterranean seas, visitors should try all three before leaving the island. Performances of Moreska, one of Korčula’s oldest traditional forms of theater involving dancing with swords, take place in the Old Town, on a public stage.

If you’d rather immerse yourself in nature, there’s plenty of opportunity to do so: It’s possible to hike from one end of the island to the other. Some people might even enjoy a donkey tour, during which tourists can ride donkeys through the island’s vineyard.

Distance from Dubrovnik: 75 miles

Koločep

Part of the Elafiti Islands, Koločep is a 30 minute ferry ride from Dubrovnik’s port, Gruz. The island is home to just 160 people, and there are just two villages on the entire island. THis where you want to head for a peaceful retreat away from all the crowds.

The sand and pebble beaches at Koločep are equipped with lounge chairs, and clear waters perfect for snorkeling and kayaking. The most popular of these beaches is Donje Čelo.

If you’re planning to go swimming in Koločep, don’t forget to visit the Blue Cave. A natural, sandy-bottom sea cave that turns blue thanks to reflection from the water below, the cave is only accessible by swimming or by boat – you can rent one on the island.

However, it’s better to come with no agenda to Koločep. Instead, spend your time wandering between the villages; the journey takes just a half an hour and you’ll pass secluded olive groves on the way.

Distance from Dubrovnik: 7 miles

Where do ferries go from Dubrovnik?

Ferries from Dubrovnik travel all over the Balkans. You can get a ferry from the mainland to the Elafiti Islands of Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan. There are also ferries to Korcula and Kolocep. There is even a ferry from Dubrovnik that will take you to Bari, Italy.

Can you island hop from Dubrovnik?

You can island hop from Dubrovnik. Ferries take tourists to nearly all the nearby islands. The Dubrovnik archipelago is easily accessible from the city’s ports, and island hopping is great way to get to know the culture of the Balkans.

What is there to do outside of Dubrovnik?

The best thing to do outside of Dubrovnik is to go island hopping. Visit Lokrum, the Elafiti Islands, and many other islands by ferry from Dubrovnik. You can also visit Mljet National Park. There is plenty of opportunity for outdoor adventure from hiking, snorkeling, kayaking. Try fresh fish, and locally pressed olive oil. Visitors to Croatia can take part in all these activities on day trips from Dubrovnik.