Dubrovnik Instagram Spots: The Best Places to Take Photos in Dubrovnik

Looking for the best Instagram spots in Dubrovnik? Check out these beautiful places for Dubrovnik photos!

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS. I ONLY MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS BASED ON THINGS I PERSONALLY USE, LOVE AND SPEND MONEY ON MYSELF.

Where to Take the Best Dubrovnik Photos

I’m obsessed with the Dubrovnik photos I came home with. Dubrovnik, Croatia is a town full of historic architecture, gorgeous beaches, sea views, and stunning waterfront hotels and more Instagram-worthy places than you’ll know what to do with. This city is like no other and should be included on every Croatia trip itinerary.

The town is fairly small but has no shortage of opportunities to shoot stunning travel photos. In this post I’ve rounded up some of my favorite Dubrovnik photo spots so that you can add them to your list when you visit Dubrovnik, Croatia.

The Best Instagram Spots in Dubrovnik, Croatia

Old Town Basketball Court

OK, y’all—please tell me this isn’t one of the raddest basketball courts you’ve ever seen in your life. How is Old Town Dubrovnik so darn perfect? I didn’t even expect to see this gem, which made it all the more fascinating and exciting.

I don’t even play basketball, but this stunner of a court sure made me want to. The dreamy basketball court is perched on a rooftop within the walls of Old Town Dubrovnik. If basketball courts existed in fairytales, this would be it.

I didn’t make my way down to the actual court, I just caught this view from the top of the Old Town walls. This angle cannot be beat though and it’s so neat to see the court juxtaposed against the centuries of history within the Old Town walls.

Stradun

The Stradun is the main street that runs east-west through the center of Dubrovnik’s Old Town. The pedestrian road is paved with limestone and was historically the site of a marshy channel that separated two settlements. It is now the beating heart of the Old Town and where you can catch the majority of tourists strolling back and forth.

The architecture along Stradun as it is currently seen was mostly designed after the big earthquake hit Dubrovnik in 1667. I found Stradun to be a great spot for Dubrovnik photos but I do have a few tips. If you want photos of Stradun from ground level then it’s best to try and snap photos first thing in the morning.

That way you can see the beautiful limestone without it being covered by large crowds of pedestrians. Some of my favorite Instagram-worthy photos from my trip to Dubrovnik were of the Stradun from above. I captured some awesome shots looking down on Stradun from the Old Town walls just before sunset.

Dubrovnik’s Old Town Walls

As I said when talking about the basketball court and the Stradun, the Old Town walls will give you some of the best views in Dubrovnik. I can’t even begin to explain how many different, yet equally amazing, views and perspectives you will get from walking the top of the Old Town walls. This is one touristy thing to do in Dubrovnik that I am all for.

The walls are up to 82 feet high and date back to the 7th century. The Old Town and parts of the walls were added to the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites in 1979. It’s clear to see why this is a treasured location, I’ve never seen anything like this before.

As with many of the spots on this list for Dubrovnik photos, the Old Town walls make me feel like I’m walking through an imaginary scene. Walking the entire perimeter of the walls will present you with dozens of Instagram-worthy Dubrovnik scenes.

Whatever you do, do not skip this! Oh, and I intentionally planned to walk the walls during sunset. I’d estimate that walking the entirety of the walls takes about an hour, maybe a bit more depending how often you stop to admire the scenery. So plan to enter the walls over an hour before sunset to be safe. Also, be sure to check the time that they sell the last entry ticket.

READ THIS NEXT: THE BEST PLACES TO EAT IN DUBROVNIK, CROATIA

Small Side Streets in the Old Town

Dubrovnik’s Old Town is oh so charming, it really feels like you fell into a fairytale. Or if you’re a Game of Thrones fan then I’m sure you’re getting the GOT vibes. (I think I’m one of the only people on earth who still doesn’t watch Game of Thrones.)

While there are plenty of specific landmarks and sights to search for within the Old Town walls, many of which are listed in this post, one of the best parts about the Old Town is its side streets.

The Old Town sort of funnels you into the middle where the area is more open and tourists fill the Stradun, the main street. But wandering through the small, narrow side streets of the Old Town led me to quiet, charming spots, cool views, and some more great Dubrovnik photos.

Make time to allow yourself to get lost in these side streets. Many of the side streets in Dubrovnik are made of stairs, so you are able to get elevated and see the Old Town from a variety of heights and angles.

Dominican Monastery

The Dominican Monastery is located near the Ploce Gate. Not long after passing through the gate to enter Old Town Dubrovnik a stumbled upon this beautiful set of rounded steps that lead up to a charming door.

I was immediately drawn to this place as a must-stop for Dubrovnik photos even though at the time I had no idea what this place was. Turns out this is one of the many popular Game of Thrones filming spots in addition to being what I felt was one of the Instagram-worthy places in Dubrovnik.

It was quite difficult to get this spot without a bunch of selfie-takers posing on the steps, but I strolled by early one morning and took advantage of the silence. These stairs are part of the overall complex of the Dominican Monastery, which is lovely and worth a look. // Ul. Svetog Dominika 4, 20000, Dubrovnik, Croatia

GAME OF THRONES LOVERS: CHECK OUT THIS TWO-HOUR GAME OF THRONES TOUR IN DUBROVNIK

Jesuit Staircase & St. Ignatius Church

This is an Instagram-worthy place in Dubrovnik that appeals to Game of Thrones lovers, as well as those who have zero knowledge of the HBO series.

The Jesuit Staircase is a stunning set of outdoor Baroque stairs located within the walls of Old Town Dubrovnik. These stairs are a beauty and were modeled after the Spanish Steps in Rome.

The stairs lead from Gundulić Square up to St. Ignatius Church. The staircase is popular amongst visitors because it was the filming location for a popular scene in Game of Thrones.

That aside, it’s definitely a beautiful photo spot for anyone and climbing the stairs will give you a unique view over part of the Old Town. // Ul. Josipa Jurja Strossmayera 2, 20000, Dubrovnik, Croatia

Once you make it to the top of the Instagram-worthy Jesuit Staircase you will be greeted by St. Ignatius Church. The church was completed in 1725 and it’s a beauty on the inside and out. Be sure to take a peek inside and step back to shoot a full landscape shot of its exterior. // Poljana Ruđera Boškovića 7, 20000, Dubrovnik, Croatia

View from Buza Bar

Buza Bar is one of the best spots for Dubrovnik photos. It’s probably one of the most Instagram-worthy places in Dubrovnik and definitely one of the most unique bars I’ve ever been to in the world.

The bar lives on the side of a cliff just outside of the Old Town walls. I literally had to walk through a hole/door in the Old Town wall to get over to the bar.

Like I said Buza Bar sits on a cliff just outside the wall and overlooks the Adriatic Sea. The bar is open air so there is nothing between you and the beautiful scenery. From here you can watch boats pass by, groups of kayakers, and catch an unbeatable view of Lokrum Island.

It’s a great place to try a Croatian beer. Many travelers comment that the prices here are a bit high. For me coming from San Francisco the prices were still less than I’m used to. But note that things may be pricey by Croatian standards but it’s very easy to see why this bar has become a huge attraction. // Crijevićeva ul. 9, 20000, Dubrovnik, Croatia

Buza Beach

Just below Buza Bar you will find Buza Beach, another excellent places for Dubrovnik photos. As if the stellar views at Buza Bar wasn’t enough you also have access to a beach area in between drinks. Walk down the steps at Buza Bar and you’ll quickly find yourself at the shore of the crystal clear Adriatic Sea.

This beach area is made up of rocks like most of the Dubrovnik beaches. It’s the perfect spot to hop in the water and cool off in the middle of the hot Dubrovnik summer. After enjoying one drink I went down and this is where I experienced my first swim in the Adriatic Sea.

I love that you can take a break from the bar, go for a swim, then come back up for another drink. And as you can see, the swimming area itself is completely Instagram-worthy with a front and center view of Lokrum Island. // Crijevićeva ul. 9, 20000, Dubrovnik, Croatia

Ploče Gate Bridge

I don’t know if it’s possible to go to Dubrovnik and not walk across the pedestrian bridge that leads up to Ploče Gate. This one isn’t hard to find and you’ll likely stumble upon it regardless, but the view from the bridge is one worth getting out the camera. The bridge is made of stone with a portion of a historic drawbridge.

The pedestrian bridge at Ploče Gate overlooks the boat harbor and the other side of the Old Town. This is a great spot for Dubrovnik photos. There are also these small cutouts on the sides of the bridge that I liked to use to frame some of my shots through.

This pedestrian bridge was the best spot I found for photos from this side of Old Town. And there’s just something so satisfying about docked boats. Am I the only one who completely drools over scenes like this one? // Ul. Vrata od Ploča, 20000, Dubrovnik, Croatia

Ploče Gate & Pile Gate

If you’ve made your way to the pedestrian bridge I just mentioned then you are likely either on your way in or on your way out through the Ploče Gate. The Ploče Gate is the main eastern entrance to Dubrovnik’s Old Town, dating back to the 14th century.

Approaching this gate was one of my first impressions in Dubrovnik and I was kind of thinking, is this real life? Like, how does a place like Dubrovnik still exist? I was truly fascinated by the fact that Dubrovnik’s Old Town is a real, historic place, not an amusement park made of someone’s wildest dreams. It’s that cool to me.

And Dubrovnik gets a lot of crap for being touristy, but tourists are going here for a reason. It’s fascinating. Anyway, Ploče Gate—definitely be sure to check out this entrance to the Old Town. // Ul. Vrata od Ploča, 20000, Dubrovnik, Croatia

The Pile Gate is the main entry for travelers who set out to explore Dubrovnik’s Old Town. Rightfully so, the Pile Gate entry is a popular stop for Dubrovnik photos as well as a must-see sight.

Technically you don’t need to go through the Pile Gate since you can entrance the Old Town on the other side via the Ploce Gate. My lodging was on the Ploce Gate side but I made a point to exit at the Pile Gate to check out the construction of the historic entrance.

The Pile Gate was built in 1537 and features a drawbridge that used to be lifted every evening to protect the Old Town at night. The gate is watched over by a statue of St. Blaise who is believed to protect the town of Dubrovnik.

This area can be really congested with people during the day so if you want pictures without the crowds it would be worth your time to head to Pile Gate early in the morning while the town is still waking up.

LOOKING FOR A GUIDED TOUR OF THE OLD TOWN? CHECK OUT THIS POPULAR WALKING TOUR OF THE OLD TOWN AND CITY WALLS

Art Cafe

This colorful cafe is a refreshing spot for a break away from the busyness of the Old Town. A little off the beaten path, Art Cafe is about a 20-minute walk from the Pile Gate entrance to the Old Town.

I came across it online when searching for a place to grab an afternoon drink in Dubrovnik and was pleasantly surprised with the ambiance, the color, and the incredibly reasonably priced drinks.

The shaded outdoor seating area and the menu prices are reason enough to take a walk to Art Cafe, but the colorful interior design puts this spot on the list of Instagram-worthy places in Dubrovnik.

The pop-art vibes are radiating through this cafe, with the brightest of colors lining the walls and covering the furniture. Some of the seating is made out of bathtubs cut in half, so this place has a funky and eclectic theme going on. Color lovers will go nuts here. // Ul. branitelja Dubrovnika 25, 20000, Dubrovnik, Croatia

Rector’s Palace

This beauty functioned as a palace from the 14th century through the early 1800s. Since the late 1800s the space has been ran by the History Department of the Museum of Dubrovnik. At Rector’s Palace you can find a mixture of baroque, renaissance, and gothic design elements.

The architecture is beautiful and the building really stood out to me as soon as it was in my line of sight. Rector’s Palace is a must-stop for Dubrovnik photos. You can swoon for free from the exterior but there is an entry fee if you want to explore the inside. // Ul. Pred Dvorom 3, 20000, Dubrovnik, Croatia

Dubrovnik Cable Car

The Dubrovnik Cable Car is a must, in my opinion. Touristy? Sure. Overpriced? Perhaps. But the views cannot be denied. The ride from the station, which isn’t far from Old Town, to the top is a total of four spectacular minutes.

I’m sure someone is going to read this who didn’t love the cable car as much as I did, but I would go on it again if I ever find myself back in Dubrovnik.

The Dubrovnik Cable Car company themselves say that on a clear day you can see up to 37 miles away from the cable car. I wanted to ride the cable car a little bit before sunset.

There is usually a line of people around that time, because who doesn’t want to ride it at sunset? So plan ahead and make sure you allow some extra time for waiting in line. I think I waited for 20 minutes.

The ride offers stunning views of the Old Town, Lokrum Island, and more. And the best part about it is that the cable car just leads you to another destination with even more amazing views. Which takes me to my next item on the list… // Ulica kralja Petra Krešimira IV, 20000, Dubrovnik, Croatia

Mount Srd

This is why it’s totally worth it to pay to ride the cable car. The cable car ride ends at the top of Mount Srd which is where you will get some of the best Dubrovnik photos of your entire trip.

At 1,362 feet above sea level, the view from Mount Srd is a freakin’ dream. Perhaps this is the most Instagram-worthy places in all of Dubrovnik, because how could you not fall completely in love with these views?

I highly recommend visiting Mount Srd just before sunset. Of course you won’t be the only one with that idea, so you need to plan wisely and take into account the fact that you will be waiting in line for a little bit if you go right before sunset.

I recommend trying to get on the cable car a little earlier just to dodge the bulk of the crowd also trying to go up for sunset. This view alone makes Dubrovnik one of the must-see places in Europe.

Restaurant Panorama

If you can’t get enough of the view from the top of Mount Srd then you might enjoy dining at Restaurant Panorama. The restaurant sits on top of the mountain where the Dubrovnik cable car drops off. The dining tables have stunning views over the Old Town, Lokrum Island, and the Adriatic Sea.

While the restaurant is a beauty without a doubt, the prices are a little higher than average. If you are traveling on a budget you may not want to have dinner here, but Restaurant Panorama would be an appropriate option if you are looking to celebrate something special and spend a little more money for the experience with the view.

If you are looking for more affordable options, check out some of these restaurants in Dubrovnik.

Fort Lovrijenac aka St. Lawrence Fortress

Fort Lovrijenac is an unmissable fortress located just outside of the Old Town walls. I actually had gorgeous views of the fortress when I was walking the top of the walls. I didn’t actually walk over and visit the site of the fortress, but it is open to the public if you’d like to. Personally, I loved the view from the walls.

Especially being up there around sunset, the walls offer an unbeatable view and angle of the fortress with the sun setting behind it. Then you add the glistening, blue Adriatic Sea in the mix and you’ve got yourself one of the most Instagram-worthy shots in Dubrovnik.

Banje Beach

Without a doubt Banje Beach is one of the most popular beaches in Dubrovnik, Croatia. The beach is a tourist hotspot, but it’s beautiful and photogenic regardless.

I loved shooting photos of Banje Beach from above, the scene is absolutely stunning and the perfect summer scene, in my opinion. You have to walk down stairs to access Banje Beach, so there are views from above all around.

Being down on the beach also presents a great opportunity for beautiful Dubrovnik photos. Because Banje Beach gets especially crowded in the summer, I enjoyed going to the beach early in the morning as I’d have it (mostly) all to myself and it’s a great time to shoot some photos without loads of people in the scene.

For more information on beaches in Dubrovnik, check out my guide to Dubrovnik beaches.

READ THIS NEXT: A GUIDE TO THE BEST BEST BEACHES IN DUBROVNIK, CROATIA

Residential Neighborhood on the Hill

Some of the best Dubrovnik photos I captured were taken from the balcony of the apartment I stayed at during my trip. You will quickly notice that Dubrovnik is not a flat city. It is a fairly small city, but getting around by foot will involve some climbing.

The hills Dubrovnik is built on is part of what makes it such a beautiful place. Often after climbing up a flight of stairs or walking an uphill city street, I’d be pleasantly surprised with a breathtaking view.

I was fortunate to stay in a residential apartment complex where a native Dubrovnik woman owned two units that had been in her family. She lived in one and she rented out the second unit for travelers like myself.

While there is a good selection of beautiful beachfront hotels in Dubrovnik, once I saw the view from this apartment I could not resist. And the nightly rate was about three times less than that of the beachfront hotels.

You can opt to stay in an apartment on the hill like I did, or you can simply walk up the hill to catch similar views. The street I was staying on is called Bruna Busica, a dead end road that is about a 10-minute walk uphill from Dubrovnik’s Old Town.

The location will be marked on the map at the end of this post if you’d like to reference it. There are many apartment-style lodging options in this general area if you’d like to stay in something similar. The apartment that I stayed in was found on AirBnb (click here to receive $40 off of your first AirBnb stay.)

Iron Throne at Lokrum Island

Game of Thrones fans, this one’s for you. If you want to sit in the iron throne then make sure your itinerary includes a day trip to Lokrum Island. I know many travelers visit Dubrovnik with intentions of seeing many of the GOT-famous sites, so a shot in the iron throne should definitely be part of your Dubrovnik photos.

If you aren’t into GOT then this might not be considered one of the notable Instagram-worthy places in Dubrovnik, so feel free to skip ahead. For those of you who dream of seeing the throne for yourself, you can find it located within the exhibit at the Benedictine Monastery in Lokrum Island.

But do not worry, you won’t be taking this trip to Lokrum Island just for a photo in the throne. The island is beautiful with plenty of things to see and do, so a day trip to Lokrum Island is well worth a few hours of your time.

Benedictine Monastery at Lokrum Island

After you get your Instagram-worthy photo in the iron throne, be sure to explore more of the Benedictine Monastery in Lokrum Island. The monastery dates back to 1023 so its history is lengthy and rich.

There are also gardens surrounding it that have a story of their own, so be sure to enjoy the scenery and learn more about the history of Lokrum Island from the exhibits onsite and information at the visitors center.

As far as photos go, I found the Benedictine Monastery to be incredibly charming and photogenic. I’d recommend wandering around and you’ll be sure to find your own favorite spots and angles that are deemed to be Instagram-worthy. This hall in the photo below really had me swooning over its architectural design.

Lokrum Island Beaches

Since you’ll be taking the Dubrovnik ferry to Lokrum Island don’t forget to give some love to the Lokrum Island beaches. Just to the left of where you disembark the ferry at Lokrum Island I found a great beach area full of flat, smooth rocks that were perfect for lounging.

The water here is crystal clear and the most beautiful shade of blue. The Lokrum Island waterfront scene is high on my list of Instagram-worthy places in Dubrovnik.

There are concrete sections made for easily entrance into the water. Many have ladders you can use to climb down into the sea, or you can opt to use the concrete as a jumping platform as I did in the photo below. I loved hanging out here and swimming, as it’s so much more peaceful and private than many of the beaches on the mainland.

Lokrum Island Ferry Views

I love when my mode of transportation is more than just a way to get from point A to point B. The Dubrovnik ferry ride to Lokrum Island is full of Instagram-worthy views, as you might expect.

From beginning to end the trip to Lokrum Island via ferry will keep you on your toes with your camera out because the entire route is so pretty it’s unreal. As soon as I boarded the ferry at the port outside of Old Town Dubrovnik I found myself getting my camera out immediately.

Before the ferry even leaves the port there are so many opportunities and angles to snap Dubrovnik photos that look like they came straight off of a postcard. Enjoy the ride and have your  camera out because there are ever-changing scenes and views that you will not want to miss.

READ THIS NEXT: HOW TO GET TO LOKRUM ISLAND FROM DUBROVNIK

Photography Equipment Used for Dubrovnik Photos

Since I’m always asked what camera equipment I use to take my travel photos, I thought it might be helpful to share exactly what I traveled with on this trip to Dubrovnik, Croatia. All of the Instagram-worthy places in Dubrovnik were shot with the camera equipment listed below:

• This camera body is what I shot all of my Dubrovnik photos with.
• This lens was on my camera most of the time and was my go-to lens throughout my trip to Dubrovnik.
• This prime lens was great for capturing some of the up-close details or crisp, beautiful portraits.

If you like to be in your photos check out this post on how to look effortlessly good while traveling.