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Dubrovnik on a budget: how to do it well
Short answer
Dubrovnik on a budget takes planning, but it is possible by staying outside the walls and choosing one or two paid sights. Plan on about €100 per person per day (bed €45, food €25, sights and boats €25, transport €4).
A realistic daily budget
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | €45 | €100 | €230 |
| Food & drink | €25 | €50 | €100 |
| Sights & tickets | €25 | €50 | €80 |
| Local transport | €4 | €10 | €40 |
| Per person, per day | €99 | €210 | €450 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Dubrovnik day-cost table.
Free things to do
- Walk the Stradun and the side streets of the Old Town
- See Onofrio's Fountain, the Rector's Palace façade and the Sponza Palace
- Swim at Banje beach or the Lapad beaches
- Walk the Lapad promenade at sunset
- Hike the trail up Mount Srđ
- Watch the sunset from the rocks below the walls near Buža (drinks extra)
Cheap eats
- Burek or pastry from a bakery: about €2–4
- Pizza slice or takeaway pizza: about €4–10
- Ćevapi in Lapad or Gruž: about €10–14
- Fresh fruit and bread from the Gruž market: a few euros
- Mali Ston oysters: about €2–3 each
Where to sleep for less
Budget travellers stay in Lapad or Gruž, where doubles cost about €80–140 in summer, or in hostels and private rooms with dorms around €30–60.
Getting around cheaply
Use Libertas city buses (about €2 a ride, cheaper with a pass) and walk. From the airport, the shuttle bus takes about 30 minutes for around €10.
A sample budget day
- Morning: walk the city walls at opening (about €35–40)
- Lunch: burek and fruit from Gruž market (about €6)
- Afternoon: swim at Banje beach (free)
- Evening: pizza or ćevapi in Lapad (about €14), bus back (€2)
- Total: about €60 plus your bed, roughly €100
More ways to save
- Check the cruise ship schedule and avoid the Old Town at peak arrival hours.
- Buy a multi-ride bus pass if you will ride often.
- Choose between the walls and the cable car if money is tight.
- Visit Lokrum early for the cheapest, calmest experience.
- Bring a refillable bottle: public fountains have safe water.
- Visit in May, June or late September for lower room prices.
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Common questions
Can I visit Dubrovnik on a budget?
Yes, by staying in Lapad or Gruž, using buses and choosing one or two paid sights.
What is the cheapest way from the airport?
The shuttle bus, about 30 minutes for around €10.
What can I do for free?
Walk the Old Town, swim at Banje or Lapad, hike Mount Srđ and watch the sunset on the Lapad promenade.