car hire dubrovnik
Pick up your hire car at Dubrovnik airport and you're just a short drive from the Pearl of the Adriatic. Book car hire dubrovnik airport now
the 60-second guide to dubrovnik
in its own head
"Lord Byron called us 'The Pearl of the Adriatic' and today we're the still the jewel in Croatia's crown, a walled city perched dramatically above the sea."
but more realistically
The coastline is indeed dramatic and the medieval walls impressive, but Dubrovnik is also a city with a vibrant artistic tradition, and you'll find plenty of culture along with cool bars, cafes and shops.
the vibe
Nearby Italy has strongly influenced the city, particularly in the abundance of cafes and gelaterias. Popular with visitors, yes, but great care is taken to stave off too much commerciality.
the natives
A welcoming, hospitable and indeed enterprising lot, many Croatians have opened up their homes to tourists and rent out rooms.
the weather
Typically Mediterranean, with dry, hot summers and soggy, wet winters. In spring and autumn, the climate is still pleasant and there are far fewer crowds.
the local speciality
Very Italian, with lots of pasta, risotto and fish dishes. Try prsut, delicious air-dried Dalmatian ham, and also the local cheeses.
the celebrity
From the world of film (John Malkovich) to the world of football (Roman Abramovich), Dubrovnik is an A-list hotspot.
did you know?
Nearly 70% of the city's buildings suffered rocket and grenade damage during the Balkan Wars.
they say
"Those who are looking for paradise on earth should visit Dubrovnik." - George Bernard Shaw.
5 to see in town...
- 1. Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin
- 2. City Walls
- 3. Sponza Palace
- 4. Rector's Palace Museum
- 5. Franciscan monastery
A stunning baroque-style edifice on Pred Dvorom Street, this immense cathedral was rebuilt by Roman architects in 1667 following an earthquake, which destroyed the original.
where to park?
The nearest car park is the Pucic Palace car park in Old Puca. Or you can use the street parking in Hrvatska.
5 to see in town...
- 1. Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin
- 2. City Walls
- 3. Sponza Palace
- 4. Rector's Palace Museum
- 5. Franciscan monastery
Easily the finest way to see Dubrovnik. As you walk along these medieval walls, built to protect the city, the stunning view will take your breath away.
where to park?
The walls surround the city, so there are no designated parking areas. Just enter by the Pile Gate and walk around it.
5 to see in town...
- 1. Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin
- 2. City Walls
- 3. Sponza Palace
- 4. Rector's Palace Museum
- 5. Franciscan monastery
This 16th-century building at the eastern end of the Placa is a Gothic-Renaissance fusion, and having formerly been used for storage, it now houses Dubrovnik's archives.
where to park?
You can park either in Luza or Old Puca.
5 to see in town...
- 1. Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin
- 2. City Walls
- 3. Sponza Palace
- 4. Rector's Palace Museum
- 5. Franciscan monastery
Once the home and office of Dubrovnik's rector, now nestled upstairs in the 15th-century palace is the city's museum. Here you'll discover a remarkable collection of furniture, paintings and artifacts.
where to park?
If the car park is full, you can use street parking in Pred Dvorom.
5 to see in town...
- 1. Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin
- 2. City Walls
- 3. Sponza Palace
- 4. Rector's Palace Museum
- 5. Franciscan monastery
Not just a monastery, this place also houses the Old Pharmacy, the third oldest pharmacy in Europe. It dates from 1317 and is the only one still working.
where to park?
You can park in Placa Atradua.
and 4 to drive to...
Overlooking the city is the limestone Mount Srd which stands at a towering 412m, and behind which lies neighbouring country Bosnia and Herzegovina. The peak offers impressive views.
how to get there?
Head north-west on Brsalje toward Mileticeva and take route 8/E65. The journey should take around 15 minutes and you can drive all the way up into the mountains.
and 4 to drive to...
As Dubrovnik's largest beach, Lapad attracts many visitors and caters for them with a restaurant, cafes, lifeguards, changing areas and showers.
how to get there?
Head north-west on Brsalje toward Mileticeva, continue on Branitelja Dubrovnika and the Put Republike, following signs for Lapad Beach. Traffic depending, you can be there in just ten minutes.
and 4 to drive to...
This UNESCO World Heritage Site makes for a gorgeous retreat. In total, there are 16 lakes, and their endlessly changing colours are fascinating.
how to get there?
It's a good half a day's drive to get to the park, so it's definitely worth considering an overnight stop in a nearby hotel. To get to Plitvice, take route 8/E65 out of Dubrovnik, then turn right at Route 513. Stay on Route 513 and follow signs for the A1, which will take you right up to Plitvice.
and 4 to drive to...
The highlight of this quaint village is the arboretum, which sprung up in the 15th century and boasts some rare and exceptional foliage and plants.
how to get there?
Head north-west, turn left toward route 8/E65, then turn right at route 8/E65 and continue to follow route 8 to Trsteno. The journey should take no more than 45 minutes.
ask a dubrovnik cabbie!
Local taxi driver Antun Kovacevic on car hire in Dubrovnik: "You can easily stroll through the Old Town Stari Grad in a day, leaving the rest of your trip to explore the beautiful nearby beaches, islands and villages by car. The winding coastal road towards Split is extremely scenic if you fancy venturing further afield. But you should always keep an eye on your fuel gauge, because there aren't that many petrol stations in Croatia so it's better to be safe than sorry."