Weekend in Dubrovnik from the Netherlands
Dubrovnik is the Pearl of the Adriatic: a completely preserved medieval walled city where you walk the fortifications with turquoise sea below. From the Netherlands you fly there direct via Schiphol in 2 hours 25 minutes, and three days are enough for the highlights plus a secret beach most tourists never find.
✈️ Plan your trip to Dubrovnik →How to get from the Netherlands to Dubrovnik
There is no direct flight from Eindhoven Airport to Dubrovnik (DBV). Take the train to Amsterdam Schiphol (approximately 1 hour from Eindhoven) and then a direct flight with KLM, easyJet or Ryanair: approximately 2 hours 25 minutes flight time. Return tickets are regularly available from 80 euros; the average is 120 to 180 euros depending on the season. Book on Tuesday or Wednesday and at least 6 to 8 weeks in advance for the best price. See our full Dubrovnik travel guide for all attractions and tips.
Your weekend plan, day by day
- Friday: arrival and the Stradun at night Land at Dubrovnik Airport (DBV), approximately 25 km north of the city. Take the Libertas bus (line 10 or shuttle) to Pile Gate for approximately 5 to 7 euros; a taxi costs 30 to 40 euros. In the evening the Stradun, the 300-metre marble main street of the Old Town, is far less crowded than during the day. Dinner in a side street off the Stradun or in Lapad for 15 to 25 euros per person: choose a restaurant without a photo menu at the entrance.
- Saturday: city walls, Fort Lovrijenac and Lokrum island The Dubrovnik City Walls (1.9 km around the complete medieval city) are the unmissable highlight: 40 euros per adult, valid for 3 days including Fort Lovrijenac. Buy your ticket online and go early: before 10:00 the walls are quiet, but cruise ships unload 3,000 to 5,000 passengers per day from mid-morning. Afternoon: ferry to Lokrum island (return plus entrance: approximately 28 to 30 euros, 14-minute crossing from City Harbour). Here you will find a botanical garden, a stunning swimming spot and a replica of the Game of Thrones Iron Throne.
- Sunday: Sveti Jakov beach and departure Early morning: head to Sveti Jakov. This spectacular small bay east of the Old Town is reached via an inconspicuous path with approximately 500 steps down. Panoramic views of the city walls, turquoise water and almost no tourists, because most day-trippers never find it. Then check out and take bus line 10 to the airport.
Insider tip: Sveti Jakov and the city walls at sunrise
Two insider tricks for Dubrovnik: (1) Visit the city walls just after opening, before 09:00 in high season. Once cruise ships unload, the Stradun can be shoulder-to-shoulder. Check the Dubrovnik Port of Call schedule (Port of Dubrovnik website, free) before you travel so you pick a day with smaller ships. (2) Skip Banje Beach and go to Sveti Jakov: a small bay east of the Old Town accessed via a narrow path with approximately 500 steps. There is a small beach bar supplied by a rope system (there is no other way down). Turquoise water, views of the city walls and hardly any tourists.
What does a weekend in Dubrovnik cost?
Dubrovnik is not the cheapest weekend destination, but you can keep costs under control if you choose wisely. Eat and drink outside the Old Town: in Lapad or the Gruz harbour (where the locals eat) you pay 15 to 25 euros for dinner with fish and wine, compared to 35 to 55 euros inside the city walls. The Libertas city bus network is cheap: 1.73 euros per journey bought at a kiosk, or 5.31 euros for a day pass.
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Practical tips to book cheaper:
Frequently asked questions
Is there a direct flight from the Netherlands to Dubrovnik?
There is no direct flight from Eindhoven Airport to Dubrovnik. The best route is the train to Amsterdam Schiphol and then a direct flight with KLM, easyJet or Ryanair in approximately 2 hours 25 minutes. Return tickets are regularly available from 80 euros. Book on Tuesday or Wednesday and at least 6 to 8 weeks in advance for the best price.
How much does a weekend trip to Dubrovnik cost?
A weekend in Dubrovnik costs approximately 480 to 650 euros per person: a return flight via Schiphol for 80 to 180 euros, two nights in a hotel in Lapad for 150 to 250 euros per night and a city walls ticket for 40 euros. If you eat outside the Old Town at a local konoba, you can keep meal costs to 15 to 25 euros per person.
Which neighbourhood in Dubrovnik is best to stay in?
For a first visit to Dubrovnik, choose Lapad. This peninsula is 10 to 15 minutes by bus from Pile Gate, has its own beach and is 30 to 50 percent cheaper than the Old Town. Staying in the Old Town itself is more atmospheric but also busier and more expensive.
When is the best time for a weekend trip to Dubrovnik?
May and the first half of June, or September and early October are ideal: the sea is pleasantly warm at 22 to 27 degrees, the crowds are manageable and prices are 20 to 30 percent lower than in July and August. Check the Dubrovnik port schedule before you go: on days with large cruise ships, the Stradun can be overwhelmingly busy in the afternoon.
🗺️ Where do you want to stay in Dubrovnik?
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