How Much Does Dubrovnik Cost? 2026 Budget Guide | Prices & Tips
Dubrovnik is widely recognized as the most expensive destination in Croatia, with costs comparable to high-end Mediterranean hubs like Venice or Santorini. Daily spending for a solo traveler typically ranges from $100 / €85 for budget-conscious visitors to $918 / €780 for a high-end luxury experience. These costs are driven by the city's UNESCO status and its global popularity as a filming location, which have pushed prices for dining and accommodation well above regional averages. Visitors should expect a significant premium for staying within the historic Old Town walls, while the surrounding districts offer slightly more moderate pricing. The unique geography of the city means that even basic activities, such as walking the fortifications, carry a substantial price tag of $41 / €35.
Is Dubrovnik expensive to visit?
Dubrovnik is a premium destination where daily costs range from $100 / €85 to $918 / €780 depending on whether one opts for local guesthouses or luxury sea-view resorts.
On This Page
Daily Budget
How much to budget per person per day in Dubrovnik
$100
per person /day
$306
per person /day
$918
per person /day
Trip Costs by Duration
Total estimated costs per person, excluding flights
| Trip Costs by Duration | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-Day Trip | $300 | $918 | $2,754 |
| 5-Day Trip | $500 | $1,530 | $4,590 |
| 7-Day Trip | $700 | $2,142 | $6,426 |
per person — Excludes international flights
Budget Buffer
Recommended contingency for unexpected expenses
It is advisable to factor in a 15% budget buffer to account for the mandatory tourist tax of ~$3.12 / €2.65 per night and the non-negotiable 'couvert' service charges at restaurants. These small fees, along with $1.18 / €1 public toilet charges, can add roughly $12–$18 / €10–€15 to daily expenses unexpectedly.
How Does It Compare?
See how Dubrovnik stacks up against other popular destinations
What Things Cost
Real prices for common tourist expenses in Dubrovnik
Food & Drink (2)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Mid-range Dinner (3-course) In the Old Town, expect to pay ~$53 / €45 per person for a full meal with a drink. | $53 €45 |
| Cappuccino (Old Town) Prices on the Stradun (main street) can be double those in side alleys. | $5.89 €5 |
Transport (4)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Airport Shuttle Bus (Platanus) An open return ticket costs ~$16 / €14. The bus stops at Pile Gate and the Main Bus Station. | $12 €10 |
| Local Bus Single Fare Buying from a kiosk (Tisak) reduces the price to ~$2.04 / €1.73 per hour of travel. | $2.94 €2.5 |
| Taxi Start Fare Uber and Bolt are generally cheaper but prices surge during cruise ship arrivals. | $3.94 €3.35 |
| Boat to Lokrum Island (Inc. Entry) Boats depart every 30 minutes from the Old Town Port. | $32 €27 |
Accommodation (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Hostel Dorm Bed (Old Town) Hostels inside the walls are limited; expect to pay ~$41–$59 / €35–€50 during peak summer months. | $41 €35 |
| Mid-range Hotel Room (Lapad/Gruž) Lapad offers better value than Old Town and is well-connected by bus for ~$2.94 / €2.5. | $218 €185 |
| Luxury Hotel Room (Sea View) Prices for 5-star properties often exceed $824 / €700 during July and August. | $647 €550 |
Activities (4)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Dubrovnik City Walls Ticket Includes entry to Lovrijenac Fortress. The Dubrovnik Pass is usually a better deal at ~$41 / €35. | $41 €35 |
| Dubrovnik Pass (1-Day) Includes City Walls and 10 museums. 3-day pass costs ~$53 / €45 and 7-day costs ~$65 / €55. | $41 €35 |
| Mount Srđ Cable Car (Round Trip) A one-way ticket is ~$18 / €15 if you prefer to hike down the zig-zag path. | $32 €27 |
| Sunset Sea Kayaking Tour Standard tours last 2.5–3 hours and include snacks and water. | $47 €40 |
Connectivity (1)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| 10-Day Unlimited Data eSIM Includes 100 minutes/SMS within Croatia. Activation is instant. | $12 €9.9 |
Food & Dining
What to eat and what it costs
Dining in the Old Town is characterized by high demand, with a standard three-course dinner averaging $53 / €45 per person and a simple cappuccino on the main Stradun street costing roughly $5.89 / €5. To manage a budget, travelers should look for 'Cheap Eat' spots in side alleys and be prepared for a mandatory 'couvert' or service charge that typically adds $2.35–$5.89 / €2–€5 to the bill. Seafood and Mediterranean staples dominate the menus, with significant price drops found in the residential areas of Gruž and Lapad.
Cheap Eats
Where locals eat — real places, real prices
Barba
$14–$21 / €12–€18Old Town · Street food area
Try the octopus burger; it is their signature dish for ~$16 / €14.
Presa
$12–$19 / €10–€16Old Town · Local chain
Massive portions and very central; great for a quick lunch between museums.
Buffet Škola
$5.89–$11 / €5–€9Old Town · Bakery
Known for traditional 'Pršut' (ham) sandwiches on homemade bread.
Pizzeria Tabasco
$14–$21 / €12–€18Outside City Walls (Buža Gate) · Local chain
Popular with locals; the pizzas are massive enough to share.
Holy Burek
$4.71–$8.24 / €4–€7Old Town · Street food area
The fastest and cheapest lunch in the Old Town (~$5.3 / €4.5 for a meat burek).
Getting Around
Transport costs and the smartest ways to move
The city is best navigated using the local bus network, which costs $2.94 / €2.5 for a single fare, though purchasing tickets in advance from a Tisak kiosk reduces this to $2.04 / €1.73. For island hopping, the ferry to Lokrum Island is a staple at $32 / €27, while airport transfers are most efficiently handled by the $12 / €10 shuttle bus. While taxis and ride-shares start at $3.94 / €3.35, prices fluctuate wildly during cruise ship arrivals, making the public bus the most reliable budget choice.
Accommodation Overview
Accommodation prices vary drastically by location, with a mid-range hotel in Lapad or Gruž costing around $218 / €185 compared to luxury sea-view rooms that average $647 / €550. Budget travelers will find hostel dorms inside the Old Town for approximately $41 / €35, though these are limited in number and often book up months in advance during the peak summer season.
Accommodation Budget in Dubrovnik
Budget
Hostels, budget hotels, shared facilities
Mid-Range
3-star hotels, boutique stays, great locations
Luxury
5-star hotels, suites, premium amenities
💡 Prices vary by season. Book 2-3 months ahead for best rates.
Money-Saving Tips
Insider tricks to stretch your budget further
- 1 Purchase the 1-Day Dubrovnik Pass for $41 / €35; it costs the same as the City Walls ticket alone but includes entry to several museums and 24 hours of public transport.
- 2 Buy bus tickets at Tisak newspaper kiosks rather than from the driver to save nearly $0.91 / €0.77 per trip.
- 3 Refill water bottles at the Big Onofrio Fountain or the smaller fountains throughout the Old Town to avoid paying $3.53–$4.71 / €3–€4 for bottled water.
- 4 Eat at Holy Burek or Buffet Škola for affordable local snacks like burek and sandwiches that cost significantly less than sit-down meals.
- 5 Hike the zig-zag path up Mount Srđ instead of taking the cable car to save $32 / €27 on a round-trip ticket.
- 6 Visit Pizzeria Tabasco located just outside the Buža Gate for high-quality pizzas that are much cheaper than those inside the city walls.
- 7 Stay in the Lapad or Gruž districts where mid-range hotels offer better value at $218 / €185 and are connected to the center by a short bus ride.
- 8 Visit during the shoulder months of May or October to find accommodation prices up to 30% lower than the July peak.
- 9 Avoid the 'couvert' charge by checking menus for service fees before sitting down, as these can add $5.89 / €5 per person.
- 10 Book an open return for the airport shuttle bus for $16 / €14 to save $7.06 / €6 compared to buying two single tickets.
Seasonal Pricing
When prices rise and fall throughout the year
Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
+40–60%
Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb
-50–70%
May, Oct
In winter (Nov–Mar), many restaurants and attractions (like boat tours) close. Shoulder months like May and October offer ~20°C (68°F) weather and ~30% lower prices than July.
Events to Watch
- ● Dubrovnik Summer Festival (July 10 – Aug 25): +30% hotel rates
- ● New Year's Eve: Old Town hotels booked months in advance
Free Things to Do
The best experiences that cost absolutely nothing
- 1 Walking through the historic Pile Gate and exploring the UNESCO-listed Old Town limestone streets.
- 2 Watching the sunset from the Porporela pier located at the Old Harbour.
- 3 Hiking to the summit of Mount Srđ for panoramic views of the Adriatic and the Elafiti Islands.
- 4 Swimming at the public Danče Beach, a local favorite located a short walk from the Old Town.
- 5 Visiting the Church of St. Ignatius and climbing the famous Baroque 'Jesuit Stairs'.
- 6 Exploring Gradac Park for shaded walks and elevated views of Lovrijenac Fortress.
- 7 Gazing at Orlando's Column and the exterior architecture of the Sponza Palace.
- 8 Sunbathing at Bellevue Beach, tucked into a dramatic cliffside bay in the Lapad area.
- 9 Attending a free organ concert or choir performance occasionally held in the Cathedral or St. Blaise’s Church.
- 10 Walking the coastal path in Babin Kuk for views of the Franjo Tuđman Bridge.
- 11 Browsing the open-air morning market in Gundulić Square (viewing is free, products are not).
- 12 Visiting the Memorial Room of the Defenders of Dubrovnik to learn about local history.
Worth the Splurge
Premium experiences that justify the price tag
Private Speedboat Tour to Elaphiti Islands
Escaping the crowds of the Old Town to swim in the Blue Cave and explore Lopud island is the ultimate Dubrovnik experience.
Michelin Dining at Restaurant 360
Dine on the actual city walls with a view of the Old Port; it's one of Croatia's best culinary experiences.
Game of Thrones Private Walking Tour
A private guide provides behind-the-scenes stories and photos that group tours miss.
Popular Activities
Top-rated tours and experiences in Dubrovnik
Day Trip Costs
Popular day trips from Dubrovnik and what they cost
Kotor, Montenegro
$35 / €30 by bus
$18 / €15
$88 / €75
Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
$41 / €35 by bus
$5.89 / €5
$94 / €80
Payment & Money
How to pay and what to know about money
Euro (EUR)
1 € ≈ 1.18 $
No
High. Even small souvenir shops and gelato stands accept contactless payment.
Tipping is appreciated but not mandatory. In restaurants, ~10% for good service is standard. For coffee, rounding up to the nearest ~$0.59 / €0.5 is common.
AVOID 'Euronet' ATMs which charge high fees and offer poor exchange rates. Use bank-affiliated ATMs like OTP, PBZ, or Zagrebačka Banka.
Connectivity
eSIM: $12 for 10GB/10 days (opens in new tab)
Local SIM: $12 / €10 at Tisak kiosks for 10 days unlimited data
WiFi: Excellent in the Old Town (Dubrovnik Free WiFi) and most cafés.
Buy the A1 Tourist eSIM for ~$12 / €9.9; it's cheaper than hotel WiFi and works nationwide.
Why you can trust this guide
35+ countries • 8 years analyzing travel data
Independent developer and travel data analyst based in Prague. 35+ countries visited across Europe and Asia, 8+ years analyzing flight routes, accommodation prices, and seasonal weather patterns.
- All neighborhoods verified by walking them
- Curated locations based on walkability & safety
- Real-time availability via live partner maps
- Prices based on Booking.com & Numbeo averages
Methodology: This guide combines on-the-ground neighborhood research, current hotel pricing data, and real traveler feedback to provide honest, actionable accommodation recommendations for Dubrovnik.
Updated: February 16, 2026
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