Dubrovnik has long been a beacon of culture for Croatia and the wider region. A powerhouse of the arts ever since the Middle Ages, the city continues to inspire with its famously rich menu of festivals, exhibitions, and events.
Exploring Dubrovnik and the surrounding region through its culture is one of the most inspirational things about being here. Our expert list of the top cultural experiences is guaranteed to give you some ideas.
1. Coasting the contemporary art scene
Understandably dazzled by Dubrovnik's historical splendour, many visitors remain unaware that it's a city with robust contemporary art traditions too. One cult gallery that has surfed many an avant-garde wave is Otok ("Island"), located in the beautifully renovated ensemble of medieval quarantine buildings known as the Lazareti. If you want to know what's going on in contemporary Croatian art, then Otok is the place to be.
The Museum of Modern Art Dubrovnik has an ever-fascinating calendar of exhibitions and events planned, as you’d expect from the city’s largest art institution. From May 22 to July 20, the exhibition “80 Years of the Museum of Modern Art Dubrovnik” offers a curated look at the institution’s evolution since its founding in 1945. Archival materials, multimedia displays, and selected works from the collection highlight key moments in the gallery’s history and the development of modern and contemporary Croatian art. Following that, from July 22 to September 26, the gallery hosts a solo exhibition by British sculptor Tony Cragg, one of the leading figures in contemporary sculpture. The exhibition will showcase Cragg’s internationally acclaimed work, known for its dynamic forms and exploration of material. Running concurrently, from July 15 to August 31, the Dulčić Masle Pulitika Gallery presents “Toplice”, a photography exhibition by Croatian artist Bojan Mrđenović. The show explores life in post-socialist spa resorts through a series developed over several years.
2. Hit the Vlaho Bukovac trail
Born and raised in Cavtat, Vlaho Bukovac (1855-1922) was one of the most gifted and prolific Croatian artists of the modern period. Both a brilliant portraitist and a master of the impressionistic landscape, his work was in demand across Europe, and he ended up as a professor at the academy in Prague. The best place to get to grips with Bukovac's world is at the Bukovac House in Cavtat, a charming and intimate introduction to the artist's life and times. There are valuable collections of his works in the Museum of Modern Art Dubrovnik, while his serene Miracle of St Dominic hangs on the wall of the Dominican Monastery Church just inside the Ploče Gate.
3. Get in step with the folk ensembles
Dubrovnik's folklore troupe Linđo has been treading the boards ever since 1965 and enjoys an international reputation for its presentations of traditional music and dance. Their repertoire covers the whole gamut of Croatian folklore, but has a natural bias towards Dubrovnik and the surrounding region. The ensemble gets its name from a local hop known as the linđo, which is danced in couples to the jolly accompaniment of a screeching archaic lyre. They perform weekly throughout the summer.
One particular tradition for which the Dobrovnik County is famous is the group of archaic sword dances performed on the island of Korčula. Best-known of these is the Moreška from Korčula Town, a highly stylized narrative dance in which a Black King and his followers attempt to abduct a maiden known as the Bula. The Moreška is performed twice a week from the beginning of May to the end of September, outdoors in the town's open-air cinema or - in case of bad weather - in the local House of Culture.
4. Catch a film under the stars
There's nothing quite like catching a movie in one of Croatia's open-air cinemas, and Dubrovnik can boast two of the most atmospheric: the Jadran, hidden behind a wall right inside the Old Town; and the Slavica perched above sea cliffs just 1km west of Pile Gate. Programmes include Hollywood hits, art movies, and children's films.
Much of Croatia's outdoor cinema network is coordinated by Split-based organization Kino Mediteran (www.kinomediteran.hr), which organizes programmes and arranges distribution.
The second Slano Film Days brings together regional talents and international icons from June 17 to 21. Highlights include appearances by Steve Buscemi, who will present his film Psycho Therapy, and Daniel Brühl, who will present Good Bye Lenin! in tribute to director Wolfgang Becker. The program also features workshops in acting, directing, and cinematography for selected emerging filmmakers.
From June 26 to 28, the island of Lopud hosts Ponta Lopud, a unique film and arts festival where international film professionals gather for workshops, discussions, and creative exchange. Set in a peaceful island atmosphere, the event blends cinema with local culture and the timeless art of island living. All film screenings are free, and free boat transport from Dubrovnik is available for visitors during the festival.
5. Join the festival crowd
The biggest show in town is undoubtedly the Dubrovnik Summer Festival, which runs from July 10 to August 25 and embraces theatre, dance, classical music, and much more. There is almost always a challenging mix of tradition and experimentation, with canonical authors like Shakespeare and Croatia's Renaissance playwright Marin Držić getting ruffled up by contemporary directors. The unique appeal of the festival lies in its choice of settings, with Old Town buildings and nearby islands providing some stunning backdrops to an unforgettable collection of performances. For schedules and tickets, refer to the festival website at www.dubrovnik-festival.hr.
This year’s edition focuses on a unifying festival theme — Women — highlighting female voices, narratives, and performances across a diverse musical lineup. Khatia Buniatishvili, celebrated pianist, will make her Croatian debut with a solo concert at the Rector’s Palace on July 22. Sonya Yoncheva returns for a rare recital with pianist Malcolm Martineau on July 31. The Philharmonix, an ensemble blending classical, jazz, and pop, will perform in Croatia for the first time on August 20. The festival ends with an Opera Gala on August 25 in front of the Dubrovnik Cathedral, featuring Nino Machaidze, Vittorio Grigolo, and Marko Mimica.
A city as aesthetically melodious as this deserves a supreme orchestra, and that is exactly what Dubrovnik possesses. Celebrating 100 years of magical melodies in 2025, the Dubrovnik Symphony Orchestra is one of the city’s outstanding cultural symbols, a shining example of Dubrovnik’s passion for creativity and expression in a most melodious manner. To celebrate this significant anniversary, the Dubrovnik Symphony Orchestra will hold a series of special events and performances throughout the year, doing what they do best in Croatia’s most harmonious city.
The undoubted highlight of the calendar is the Star Cycle until June 16. The Star Cycle will also feature concerts with some of the most talented musicians around, from iconic pianist Ivo Pogorelić to violinist Jiří Vodička, horn player Radovan Vlatković, and more. Legendary conductors such as Uroš Lajović and Valentin Egel will join forces with the orchestra to produce some memorable evenings. Elsewhere, the calendar is filled with an opera gala, film music nights, a new and improved version of the Stradun Classic chamber music festival (August 26 – September 1), and Dubrovnik Musical Autumn events (September 4 – October 23), and even an evening of Johann Strauss Jr. magic. From beginning to end and beyond, it promises to be a birthday for the ages.
Established in 1925, the DSO started life as the Dubrovnik Philharmonic Orchestra, but its roots trace back to the 15th-century Dubrovnik Republic. Continuing the city’s tradition of musical magic, the orchestra became one of the most renowned in Europe, performing classics and premieres at home and abroad with some of the most impressive performers on the planet. It adopted its current moniker in 1992, but no matter the name, the excellence remains the same. Happy birthday, Dubrovnik Symphony Orchestra! To stay up to date with the latest programs and events, visit the official website of the orchestra at www.dso.hr, and don't miss a single note of our 100th-anniversary celebrations!
The phenomenal location next to the remains of the 14th century St Orsula's Church, Dubrovnik, gained a stage for the Summer at Orsula festival, which hosts various Croatian and international musical performers throughout the summer (June 1 to September 30). There is a gorgeous view overlooking the Old Town, all the way to Cavtat and the island of Lokrum from this amphitheatre, which holds about 500 seats and is set on a 200-metre cliff above the sea. It is a 25-minute walk from the Old Town or a short taxi ride. A perfect combination of location and excellent music puts this festival on everybody's to-do list!
Throughout the summer, the festival features an exciting lineup of performers. On June 28, DJ Kristijan Molnar will get the crowd dancing with his deep house beats. On July 5, enjoy a unique fusion of hip-hop and alternative rock with Vojko V and Laka. Braća Teofilovići and Miroslav Tadić will bring traditional Balkan sounds and virtuoso guitar on July 12. The night of July 19 will see Neno Belan & Fiumens and Boris Štok perform their soulful pop-rock, while Kries Trio and Mandili deliver a double concert of vibrant folk music. To close the season, Urban & 4 will bring poetic rock on August 2.
6. Browse around for traditional crafts
Pay a visit to Dubrovnik's Rupe Ethnographic Museum, where you'll be treated to a visually stunning display of traditional textiles, with embroidery and lacemaking among the age-old crafts.
In addition, the museum currently hosts the exhibition "Iza Objektiva: Jero Pugliesi – Učeni Gospari i Tempi Passati", showcasing the fascinating life and work of this esteemed Dubrovnik intellectual and artist. The exhibition, which explores his legacy through the lens of photography, is available for viewing in the Rupe until July 1, offering visitors a unique glimpse into the rich cultural history of the region.
It's in the area south of Dubrovnik that these traditions are still practiced. Women from the Konavle region, which stretches from Cavtat to the Montenegrin border, still embroider their dresses, blouses, aprons, and tablecloths with age-old geometric patterns rendered in red, black, and green. You can see exquisite pieces on sale in Dubrovnik's Old Town and other places frequented by tourists.
What is less widely known is that Konavle is also a traditional centre for the manufacture of silk. Dependent on the cultivation of silkworms and the worm's favourite food source - the mulberry tree -it is no longer widely practiced, although the Croatian Ministry of Culture decided in January 2022 to undertake measures for the silk industry's nurture and protection.
Dubrovnik has long been known for goldsmithery and filigree jewelry, and ateliers selling delicately wrought brooches and earrings can be found tucked away in the back alleys of the Old Town.
7. Make room for food and drink
There is no better route into the culture of a destination than through its belly. Luckily, Dubrovnik is something of a gourmet paradise, with classic elements of the Mediterranean diet offered in all their forms - with fresh seafood and velvety local wines the stand-outs. Outside the city, there's an extraordinary degree of culinary diversity, with each town and region offering unique specialities,
The highly individual culinary culture of the Pelješac peninsula is celebrated in the Flavours of Pelješac Festival, a once-a-week event that will take over the centre of Ston every Friday or Saturday in end of June and in July. It will be an excellent opportunity to try the shellfish, handmade pastas, and desserts for which the town is famous; stalls will sell local deli products, herbs, and wine. The Street Wine Fest in Kuna Pelješac is a delightful celebration of local wines, culinary delights, and community spirit. Held on 26 July, this street festival invites visitors to stroll through the village's main street, sampling over 70 wines from 17 Pelješac wineries.
There are also plenty of events celebrating the culinary traditions of the wider Dubrovnik region. Korčula's Wine Festival (which runs from early July to early August) focuses on a different town each weekend, with the vintners of Korčula, Čara, Smokvica, and Blato each getting the chance to show off their unique contributions to the island's rich and varied viniculture.
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