Stunning, Affordable Alternatives to Dubrovnik
While Dubrovnik, Croatia, is a beautiful and unique city, it can get busy and expensive in high season. If you’re looking for alternatives to Dubrovnik while visiting Croatia, especially to avoid the crowds and high prices, there are several excellent options that offer beauty, history, and a more relaxed vibe.
If you get the opportunity, you should still visit Dubrovnik at some point. It is unbelievably beautiful and has some incredible history. However, if you have already been and would like to explore somewhere similar, here are some of our best alternatives to Dubrovnik and why they’re worth considering.
Alternatives to Dubrovnik – Šibenik
This gorgeous old town is a great alternative to Dubrovnik due to its stunning medieval architecture and low number of tourists. Šibenik is home to St. James Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is a great base for exploring Krka National Park (with its waterfalls and swimming spots). It also gives a more authentic coastal vibe with fewer cruise ships.
Korčula
Often called “Little Dubrovnik” for its charming fortified old town. It is the alleged birthplace of Marco Polo, quieter than other Croatian towns, with beautiful beaches, vineyards, and local charm. Korčula is also perfect for wine lovers! We recommend trying the local Grk and Pošip wines.
Alternatives to Dubrovnik – Zadar
Zadar is one of our favourite places in Croatia! A real working city with ancient Roman ruins everywhere and fewer crowds. Zadar is famous for its Sea Organ and Greeting to the Sun installation on the waterfront. This small city is affordable and filled with great food, nightlife, and sunsets (Alfred Hitchcock called them the best in the world). It is also a great base for visiting Plitvice Lakes and Kornati Islands.
Zadar is in central Croatia, between the Velebit mountain range and the Adriatic Sea. It is the oldest continuously inhabited city in Croatia. This lesser know seaside town is a great place to go if you want to avoid the summer sunseekers to the south. Due to cheap flights from Europe it is starting to get busier. Go now while it’s still a hidden gem!
Rovinj (Istria Peninsula)
Rovinj is a stunning, romantic coastal town with strong Italian influence. Full of pastel buildings, cobbled streets, and art galleries. You will also find incredible seafood and truffle-based dishes, Istria is a foodie’s paradise! It is also a great spot for cycling with several wine routes nearby.
Alternatives to Dubrovnik – Trogir
Trogir is a tiny UNESCO World Heritage island-town near Split. It is packed with Renaissance and Baroque architecture. Another big benefit is that it is close to Split Airport. Trogir is a significantly more relaxed alternative to Dubrovnik and ideal for a slow-paced coastal stay.
Vis Island
This is great alternative to Dubrovnik because it is one of the most unspoiled Croatian islands. It has less development due to its history as a military base until the 1980s. it is famous for the Blue Cave, vineyards, and laid-back atmosphere. It was also famously used as a filming location for the movie Mamma Mia.
Alternatives to Dubrovnik – Cavtat
This one was our most recent discovery and possibly our favourite alternatives to Dubrovnik! Cavtat is located a few km south of Dubrovnik, not far from the airport. This small town has some of the most stunning costal views in the country, as well as much quieter beaches and a super cute town. And, a big benefit, you can take a short bus ride into Dubrovnik and easily explore the city for the day as well.
Things to Know About Croatia
When it comes to traveling in Croatia, people are usually curious about a mix of practical tips, hidden gems, and cultural insights.
Here are some of the most common things people want to know.
The Best Time to Visit the Alternatives to Dubrovnik
We have mentioned these alternatives to Dubrovnik because they are quieter and more affordable. So crowds are not really a problem. In the summer, some coastal towns, like Zadar, have a pretty good party vibe going on. So, if that’s your thing, it might be worthwhile visiting then.
To avoid any extreme temperatures, try spring or autumn or visit during the summer to hit the beach. The cooler winter scares off many people so you might have the place to yourself…
How to Get Around Croatia
Ferries are the best for island hopping (Jadrolinija is a popular company). We use buses between cities as they are generally reliable and affordable. Renting a car is another option and is probably the best for visiting national parks and inland travel. Trains are very limited compared to other European countries.
Currency and Costs of Alternatives to Dubrovnik
Since 2023, Croatia uses the Euro. Costs are generally cheaper than Western Europe, though coastal areas can get expensive in peak season. Our alternatives to Dubrovnik (which is often very expensive in high season) are much better value and prices are more similar with other eastern European towns.
You can take cash out from ATM machines but avoid the ones in tourist areas as they charge a huge commission and give a poor exchange rate. Consider using a bank like Revolut to give you currency flexibility and lower fees.
The Croatian Language
Many Croatians in the cities speak a little English but it is useful to learn a few phrases in Croatian. It is certainly not an easy language for English speakers, but any attempt is greatly appreciated by the locals. Here are a few words to try out:
| English | Croatian | Sounds Like |
| Hello | Bok | bohk |
| Goodbye | Doviđenja | doh-vee-jen-yah |
| Please | Molim | moh-leem |
| Thank you | Hvala | hva-lah |
| Yes | Da | da |
| No | Ne | ne |
Food and Drink in Croatia
Make sure you try the fresh seafood, grilled meats and pasta (Italian influence in the west). Don’t miss čevapi (our fave), pasticada, black risotto, pag cheese, and rakija (local spirit). There are also loads of great local wines and olive oils.
Safety and Travel Tips
- Very safe for travellers
- Tap water is drinkable
- Tipping is appreciated but not mandatory (rounding up or 10% in restaurants is common)
Where to go next
Ready for another adventure? Why not go South and check out the Albanian Riviera.
Final note: Things change in the Balkans all the time and there is not much information online in English. We would definitely advise checking with a local where possible. We found people to be really friendly and super helpful.
Have you visited Croatia? Do you have any alternatives to Dubrovnik? Are you planning a trip and need more information? Drop a comment in the box, we’d love to hear from you!
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Affordable Alternatives to Dubrovnik