Dubrovnik Guide: Luxury Yacht Charter in Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik needs no introduction – and yet it still manages to surprise. The ‘Pearl of the Adriatic’ is one of those rare cities where every superlative turns out to be understated. Nearly two kilometres of uninterrupted medieval walls, rising 25 metres above the harbour and studded with towers, bastions and forts, encircle an old town of polished limestone streets, Baroque churches and terracotta rooftops that collectively earned UNESCO World Heritage status in 1979. HBO’s Game of Thrones made it famous all over again as King’s Landing, and Star Wars: The Last Jedi followed in 2017, using the Stradun and the old‑town walls as the backdrop for the Canto Bight casino scenes. But Dubrovnik’s appeal runs deeper than film locations. The restaurant scene has matured enormously – from Nautika’s terrace overlooking the Pile Gate to 360° by Jeffrey Vella perched on the city walls with a Michelin star – and the surrounding coastline delivers some of the warmest water and most reliable conditions on the Adriatic.

What makes Dubrovnik compelling for a yacht charter is everything within reach. The Elafiti Islands – Koločep, Lopud and Šipan – are barely 7 nautical miles from the harbour, offering sandy beaches (Lopud’s Šunj is a rarity on the Adriatic), pine‑shaded anchorages and traffic‑free villages. Cruise further north‑west and you reach the island of Mljet (roughly 30 nautical miles), where a national park protects interconnected salt lakes, a Benedictine monastery and holm‑oak forest so thick it feels tropical. Continue to Korčula (50 nautical miles from Dubrovnik) and the Pelješac peninsula – Croatia’s premier wine region and home to the legendary oyster beds of Mali Ston. Or turn south: Montenegro’s dramatic Bay of Kotor is roughly 40 nautical miles away, easily combined with a Dubrovnik charter for a cross‑border adventure.

Whether you’re planning a long weekend among the Elafiti, a week‑long southern Dalmatian voyage, or a grand itinerary that links Dubrovnik to Split via Korčula and Vis, this guide covers every angle. Enquire with Boatcrowd for availability and pricing on our Dubrovnik fleet.

Why Charter a Yacht in Dubrovnik

The Old Town from the Water

There is no better way to appreciate Dubrovnik’s fortifications than from the deck of a yacht. As you approach the harbour, the walls, towers and the brooding mass of Fort Lovrijenac rise above the water in a panorama that would have looked much the same to a Venetian galley captain 500 years ago. The Stradun’s polished limestone catches the late‑afternoon light and glows. Minčeta Tower, the highest point on the walls and the House of the Undying in Game of Thrones, dominates the skyline. Your tender deposits you at the old harbour’s steps, and within two minutes you are inside the medieval city. It is the kind of arrival that air passengers simply cannot replicate.

The Elafiti Islands: A Private Archipelago on Your Doorstep

Three inhabited islands and ten uninhabited ones lie within a 30‑minute cruise of Dubrovnik’s harbour. Koločep (6 nautical miles) is car‑free and laced with walking paths through pine and citrus groves. Lopud (7 nautical miles) has Šunj beach – a genuine sandy crescent on the Adriatic, rare enough to be remarkable – and an abandoned Franciscan monastery surrounded by subtropical gardens. Šipan (8 nautical miles) is the largest and the quietest, with two small harbours, olive groves, and a pace of life that has not changed in decades. The Elafiti make perfect day stops and overnight anchorages, and your captain can loop through all three in a single day.

Gastronomy, Wine and the Pelješac Peninsula

Dubrovnik’s dining scene has evolved far beyond tourist‑trap pizza. Nautika, perched at the Pile Gate with Adriatic and fortress views, is a Dubrovnik institution specialising in Dalmatian seafood with French and Italian accents. Restaurant 360° earned a Michelin star in 2018 and sits directly on the city walls – a tasting menu here at sunset, with the old harbour below, is a genuinely memorable evening. Portrait by Jeffrey Vella (the former head chef of 360°) brings refined contemporary Dalmatian cuisine to the Gundulić Palace. And just up the coast, the Pelješac peninsula produces Dingač and Postup – Croatia’s two most acclaimed reds, both from the indigenous Plavac Mali grape – while the oyster beds of Mali Ston offer a raw‑bar experience that rivals any in Europe.

Cross‑Border to Montenegro’s Bay of Kotor

The Bay of Kotor – southern Europe’s only fjord‑like bay, enclosed by mountains that drop 1,500 metres to the water – is roughly 40 nautical miles south of Dubrovnik. A one‑day side trip (or a natural extension to a Dubrovnik charter) takes you through the narrow entrance channel into a spectacularly enclosed bay lined with medieval towns, Venetian palaces and the tiny island church of Our Lady of the Rocks. Kotor’s walled old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in its own right. For guests who want two countries in one charter, the Dubrovnik–Kotor combination is hard to beat.

Key Destinations Near Dubrovnik

• Elafiti Islands – Koločep (6 nm), Lopud (7 nm, Šunj sandy beach) and Šipan (8 nm). Car‑free islands with pine groves, quiet harbours and excellent swimming. Perfect for a relaxed day or overnight.The archipelago of 13 islands includes 10 uninhabited islets ideal for private anchorage.

• Mljet National Park – Roughly 30 nautical miles north‑west. Two interconnected salt lakes (Veliko and Malo Jezero), a 12th‑century Benedictine monastery, holm‑oak forest and some of the most pristine waters on the Adriatic. The larger lake is 4°C warmer than the open sea.

• Korčula – Roughly 50 nautical miles north‑west. A walled medieval old town on a peninsula, with a herringbone street layout, the Marco Polo Museum and excellent local wines (Grk, Pošip). Korčula Town is often called ‘Little Dubrovnik’ for its architecture.

• Pelješac Peninsula – The long, mountainous peninsula separating the open Adriatic from the channels of southern Dalmatia. Home to the Dingač and Postup vineyards (Plavac Mali), the oyster beds of Mali Ston, and the town of Ston – with the longest fortified wall system in Europe after the Great Wall of China (5.5 km).

• Lokrum Island – Just 600 metres from Dubrovnik’s old harbour. A nature reserve with a botanical garden, the ruins of a Benedictine monastery (used as the City of Qarth in Game of Thrones), a saltwater lake called the Dead Sea, and a resident peacock population.

• Bay of Kotor, Montenegro – Roughly 40 nautical miles south. Southern Europe’s most dramatic bay, enclosed by mountains, with the medieval walled town of Kotor (UNESCO), the island church of Our Lady of the Rocks, and the elegant harbours of Perast and Tivat.

Best Time to Charter in Dubrovnik

Peak Season: July and August

The warmest months (28–33°C / 82–91°F) and the warmest sea (25–26°C). Dubrovnik’s old town enforces a daily visitor cap of 8,000, so the yacht’s mobility is an advantage – visit the walls at first light, cruise to the Elafiti by mid‑morning, and return for dinner when the day‑trippers have gone. The most popular yachts book out months in advance.

Shoulder Season: May–June and September–October

Warm and sunny (22–28°C), fewer visitors in the old town, noticeably calmer anchorages and 15–25% softer charter rates. The sea stays warm enough for swimming well into October (23–24°C). Restaurant terraces are open, the light is superb, and the pace is more local. September is widely considered Dubrovnik’s finest charter month.

Early and Late Season: April and November

Mild days (16–21°C), quiet streets, excellent rates. Ideal for guests who prioritise the walls walk, gastronomy and cultural depth over beach time. Dubrovnik’s restaurants remain open year‑round, and the Elafiti are particularly atmospheric without the summer crowds.

Signature Experiences

• Walls Walk at Dawn – Complete the full 1,940‑metre circuit of Dubrovnik’s medieval walls before the crowds arrive. The early light picks out the terracotta rooftops, the Franciscan monastery and Fort Lovrijenac in extraordinary detail. Return to your yacht for breakfast.

• Šunj Beach Day on Lopud – Anchor off Lopud and take the tender to Šunj – a genuine sandy beach (a rarity on the Adriatic) fringed by pine trees, with warm, shallow water and a single laid‑back beach bar. One of the few places in southern Dalmatia where you sink your toes into sand rather than pebbles.

• Oysters and Dingač at Mali Ston – Tender to the harbourside in Mali Ston for freshly shucked oysters from beds that have been farmed since Roman times, followed by grilled fish and a glass of Dingač from the steep Pelješac slopes above.

• Michelin Dinner on the Walls – Restaurant 360° by Jeffrey Vella sits directly on Dubrovnik’s fortifications with a tasting menu of refined Dalmatian cuisine and views over the old harbour and Fort Revelin. Your crew arranges the reservation and tender transport.

• Bay of Kotor Day Trip – Cruise south to Montenegro’s fjord‑like bay (roughly 40 nautical miles, 2–3 hours). Visit the island church of Our Lady of the Rocks, the medieval town of Perast, and Kotor’s UNESCO‑listed old town. Return to Dubrovnik by evening.

Yacht Types Available

• Motor Yachts (78’–99’) – Ideal for covering the Elafiti, Mljet and Korčula in comfort. All‑inclusive crewed charters with water toys, chef and full service. Quick enough for a day trip to Montenegro’s Bay of Kotor and back.

• Superyachts (100’+) – Marina Frapa Dubrovnik accommodates yachts up to 100 metres. A superyacht charter from Dubrovnik pairs old‑world elegance with the exclusivity of the Elafiti and southern Dalmatian coast.

• Luxury Catamarans (55’+) – Stable, spacious and perfect for the shallow anchorages of the Elafiti and Mljet’s national‑park bays. Sunreef and Lagoon catamarans offer generous deck space and shallow‑draft access.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a yacht charter from Dubrovnik cost?

Crewed motor yachts (78’–99’) start from around $30,000–$55,000 per week all‑inclusive during peak season. Superyachts (100’+) typically range from $90,000–$175,000+ per week on MYBA terms (plus APA and 13% Croatian VAT). Luxury catamarans (55’–80’) start from roughly $35,000–$50,000 per week. Shoulder‑season rates are typically 15–25% softer. Enquire with Boatcrowd for a personalised quote.

Can I visit Montenegro on a yacht charter from Dubrovnik?

The Bay of Kotor is roughly 40 nautical miles south of Dubrovnik – a comfortable 2–3 hour cruise on a motor yacht. Many Dubrovnik charters include a full‑day side trip to Kotor, visiting the island church of Our Lady of the Rocks, the elegant harbour town of Perast, and Kotor’s UNESCO‑listed old town. Your crew handles all border formalities. On a multi‑day charter, you can overnight in the bay for a more immersive experience.

Where were Game of Thrones scenes filmed in Dubrovnik?

Dubrovnik served as King’s Landing across multiple seasons. Fort Lovrijenac became the Red Keep, Minčeta Tower the House of the Undying, the Jesuit Staircase the setting for the Walk of Shame, the West Harbour stood in for Blackwater Bay, and the island of Lokrum (600 metres offshore) played the City of Qarth. Star Wars: The Last Jedi also filmed in the old town in 2017. Your crew can arrange a guided walking tour that covers every filming location within the walls.

What is the best restaurant in Dubrovnik?

Dubrovnik’s dining scene offers several standouts. Nautika, at the Pile Gate entrance to the old town, is an institution for refined Dalmatian seafood with fortress views. Restaurant 360° earned a Michelin star in 2018 and sits directly on the city walls – the tasting menu at sunset is extraordinary. Portrait by Jeffrey Vella (formerly of 360°) brings contemporary elegance to the Gundulić Palace. Proto, in the heart of the old town since 1886, serves traditional Dubrovnik fish preparations beloved by locals and visitors alike. Your crew can arrange reservations at all of these.

Is Dubrovnik suitable for a multi‑generational family charter?

Very much so. The Elafiti Islands offer calm, shallow waters and car‑free villages perfect for children and grandparents alike. Šunj beach on Lopud is one of the few sandy beaches on the Adriatic – safe for paddling and swimming. Dubrovnik’s old town, with its walls walk and Game of Thrones connections, is engaging for all ages. Catamarans are the most popular choice for large family groups, offering stable platforms, generous space and easy boarding.