Overview
Dubrovnik is Croatia's showpiece on the Adriatic — a walled medieval city of pale limestone streets, terracotta roofs and clear sea on the Dalmatian coast. It is compact, walkable and ideal for a long weekend or a week of island-hopping. Summer flights from the UK are quick and plentiful, which makes it one of the easiest short-haul escapes for sunshine, history and seafood.
Best time to fly to Dubrovnik
The city has a Mediterranean climate: hot, dry summers and mild, changeable winters. July and August bring the warmest seas and the liveliest atmosphere, but also the biggest crowds, cruise-ship day-trippers and the highest fares. Most UK travellers find better value and more comfortable sightseeing weather in the shoulder months — May, June, September and early October — when it is still warm enough to swim. Flight choice thins sharply from November to March, when many seasonal routes pause. Check the When to book chart above to time your booking.
Airlines and routes
Dubrovnik is well served from the UK between roughly April and October. British Airways and easyJet fly from London Gatwick and Heathrow, while Jet2.com and Ryanair operate from a wide spread of airports including Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds Bradford, Edinburgh and Glasgow. TUI and Wizz Air also run seasonal services. Direct flying time is about 2 hours 45 minutes from London and around 3 hours from Manchester. In winter you will usually need to connect, often through Zagreb with Croatia Airlines or via another European hub.
Things to do in Dubrovnik
Most sights sit inside or just outside the Old Town, so you can see a great deal on foot.
- City Walls: A complete circuit of the 13th-century ramparts with continuous sea and rooftop views.
- Stradun: The polished limestone main street, lined with churches, cafés and the Onofrio Fountain.
- Mount Srđ cable car: A short ride to a panoramic terrace high above the city and islands.
- Lokrum Island: A quick ferry to shaded woodland trails, a saltwater lake and quiet swimming spots.
- Game of Thrones locations: Fort Lovrijenac and the surrounding lanes stood in for King's Landing.
At Dubrovnik Airport (DBV)
Dubrovnik Airport sits near Čilipi, about 20 km south-east of the Old Town, beyond the resort of Cavtat. The simplest option is the Atlas airport shuttle bus, which meets arriving flights and runs to the Gruž bus station and the Pile Gate in roughly 30 to 45 minutes. Taxis and pre-booked private transfers take around 25 minutes; agree the fare or book ahead, as the route includes a stretch of coastal road.
Top tips for finding cheap flights to Dubrovnik
- Book around two to five months ahead for peak summer dates; seasonal routes rarely get cheaper as they fill.
- Fly midweek — Tuesday and Wednesday departures are usually softer than Friday-to-Monday.
- Travel in the shoulder season and use flexible-date searches to spot the quiet, cheaper days.
- Compare regional departures against London; a Jet2 or Ryanair flight from your local airport can beat the total cost of reaching Gatwick.
Travel essentials
UK passport holders do not need a visa for stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period; your passport should be valid for at least three months beyond your planned departure and less than 10 years old. Croatia is in the Schengen area and uses the euro. Bring a UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) for state-provided medical care, and take out travel insurance as well. No special vaccinations are required.
