Is The Dubrovnik Cable Car Worth It? A Travel Expert Review
Read on for all the info about Dubrovnik’s cable car ride!
Dubrovnik is full of top rated tourist attractions to visit and it even has a cable car ride – but is it worth it?
I was fortunate to spend some time in Dubrovnik in 2023 and had the chance to go on the cable car ride. It offers some of the most spectacular views of the Old Town, the coastline and the Adriatic Sea.
But is it really worth it? I’m the perfect travel blogger to give expert travel advice about the cable car ride – in this post I’ll reveal my very honest review of the restaurant at the top, best things to do in Dubrovnik and more.
⌚ In a rush? My Top Recommendations of things to do in Dubrovnik:
✅ Dubrovnik Cable Car Ride, Old Town Walking Tour plus City Walls
✅ ‘Game of Thrones’ Walking Tour in Dubrovnik
✅ Full-Day Dubrovnik Elaphite Islands Cruise with Lunch and drinks
🏨 My Hotel Recommendations for Dubrovnik:
⭐ Old Town Hostel
⭐ Apartments Santa Maria
⭐ Hotel Dubrovnik Palace
Is the Dubrovnik Cable Car Ride Worth It?
So is the Dubrovnik cable car ride really worth it? I would say yes, if you want to see some totally amazing, breath taking views of Dubrovnik’s coastline from up on high then it is absolutely worth it.
You’ll see the Old Town from a unique perspective and will be able to appreciate the true size and scale of the city and all of it’s surroundings.
Other than that, there’s not much else to recommend to be brutally honest. The cable car ride itself isn’t the highest you’ll ever go on (it only lasts a few minutes) and apart from soaking in the views there’s not much else to do at the top.
The ticket cost is quite expensive as well, but that’s not really a surprise in a tourist city where everything is too expensive. Let’s dive into all the details about what to expect:
How expensive is the cable car ride?
Here’s a breakdown of the ticket costs for the Dubrovnik cable car ride:
- Adult round trip ticket: 27 Euros
- Adult one way ticket: 15 Euros
- Child (4-12 year olds) round trip ticket: 7 Euros
- Child one way ticket: 4 Euros
Is 27 Euros for a round trip ticket good value for money? To be honest, I think it’s a bit expensive, especially when you consider the ride only lasts 3 and a half minutes each way!
But the views are spectacular and the price is a bit of a reflection of Dubrovnik overall in my opinion: overpriced!
👉 Pro Tip: If you want to save a bit of money then I recommend buying a one way ticket and then hiking back down Mount Srd – which takes around 30-40 minutes if you’re in good physical condition.
What is there at the top of Mount Srd?
So there are quite a few facilities at the top of the cable car ride to ensure you make the most of your time there:
- An amphitheatre – which seems a bit odd at the top of a mountain, but it can seat up to 120 people for special events.
- A fine dining restaurant & bar – this is the best place to visit at the top of Mount Srd, but it is pricey as I’ll review later on.
- Ohrid Pearl shop – a jewellery store specialising in unique locally made pearl jewellery.
- A coin blacksmithing shop – here you can purchase minted silver coins that is tied in with the history of Dubrovnik.
- Souvenir shops – selling all the usual souvenirs which you can buy everywhere in the Old Town.
What activities can you do at the top of Mount Srd?
As well as these facilities there are a few fun, adventurous activities you can do here if you really want to make the most of your time after the cable car ride:
- Buggy Safari – it is possible to either drive or be a passenger on a buggy and go driving off road! Tours last 35 minutes and you’ll drive or be driven around fortresses, hills and mountainsides.
- Hiking trail – having gone on the cable car up then you can come back down taking the hiking trail to really appreciate the scenic views while getting in some exercise at the same time.
What are the views like at the top of the ride?
The views at the top of the cable car ride are absolutely stunning! They are probably the best views of the Old Town of Dubrovnik and the nearby Elaphiti islands.
Because you are so high up (a total of 405 metres above sea level), you have the best panoramic views of the entire city.
You can see for miles in every direction – across the Adriatic sea and in the other direction you have more mountain vistas which are stunning too.
Seeing the Old Town from up on high is a really unique vantage point, it feels like you are looking down on it from almost a birds eye view. You can also see several nearby islands such as Lokrum and other Elaphiti islands.
👉 Pro Tip: I would strongly suggest only going on the cable car to the top of Mount Srd when it’s a clear blue cloudless day – otherwise you’ll miss out on the incredible views!
What’s the restaurant like at the top of the cable car ride?
Situated next to the upper cable car station is a fantastic restaurant known as the ‘Panorama Restaurant‘ which in my opinion the best feature at the top of Mount Srd.
The views from the restaurant are absolutely incredible – if you’re lucky enough to get a table nearest the mountain cliff edge (which is safer than it sounds and are the best tables to sit at to enjoy the views).
I had to wait a little while to be seated as so many people visit the restaurant after their cable car excursion.
It’s nice to sit, relax and take some time here, otherwise you’ll be back in the cable car heading down to the Old Town in a short period of time.
👉 Pro Tip: I highly recommend reserving a table in advance to avoid having to wait for a free table at the restaurant.
It’s a very busy restaurant and although they do allow walk-ins like I was, you’ll probably have to wait.
This is a totally outdoor restaurant and when I visited it was a bit windy, which is to be expected as you are so high up.
The food and service at Panorama Restaurant are of high quality, my only complaint is that the prices are very high, so expect to pay a premium price for your food and drinks.
How long does the cable car ride last for?
Whether you’re going up or down Mount Srd on the cable car, it’s a very quick ride – lasting just over three and a half minutes.
Finding a good spot in the actual cable car cabin is a bit of a lottery – it all depends on if you enter your cabin first or last.
I found myself standing in the middle of my cabin upon entry as other people had already claimed their positions next to the windows of the cabin.
This was quite frustrating and disappointing and there’s not much you can do about it other than to ask your fellow tourists if they wouldn’t mind giving you a chance to take a few photos from their window position during the ride.
Fortunately on my descending cable car ride I secured a good position next to the window and had the perfect view as my cabin headed down the hill back to the Old Town.
Best Things To Do In Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik is an awesome place with so many activities to do, it’s no wonder that it’s the tourist capital of Croatia. Let’s look at three of the best things to do in this top city in no particular order:
Dubrovnik Cable Car Ride, Old Town Walking Tour plus City Walls
⭐ Rating: 4.5 out of 5 (474 reviews) | ⌚ Duration: 4 hours 30 minutes | ✅ Book it here!
If you want to combine the cable car ride with a few other activities then this is the perfect tour for you.
Not only will you go on the cable car ride and spend 30 minutes at the top of Mount Srd but you’ll then go on a walking tour of the Old Town to learn all about the history of this fascinating medieval town.
You’ll also climb the famous Walls of Dubrovnik. I got to climb the walls of the Old Town and have to say it is one of the best things you can do in the city – highly recommended!
The pathway at the top of the walls takes you around the entirety of the city and you have some epic views along the way.
This is the ideal tour to combine two of the most popular things to do in the city as well as a walking tour, making for a perfect start to your stay in Dubrovnik.
⭐ Check out George’s top rated review of this tour:
“This was a lot of fun. The cable cars and walls are must do activities. Our guide covered so much history and was very engaging. Definitely worthwhile.”
➡️ Book a ticket for Dubrovnik Cable Car Ride, Old Town Walking Tour plus City Walls here
‘Game of Thrones’ Walking Tour in Dubrovnik
⭐ Rating: 4.5 out of 5 | ⌚ Duration: 3 hours | ✅ Book it here!
Dubrovnik’s Old Town is famous for being one of the main filming locations for: ‘Game of Thrones‘ and if you’re a fan of the TV show then you simply must go on a walking tour of all the filming locations in the area.
On this tour you’ll get to visit the most well known filming spots that will be instantly recognisable for any Game of Thrones fanatics, including: King’s Landing, the infamous ‘Red Wedding‘ location and many more.
⭐ Read Suzanne’s review for this Game of Thrones Walking Tour:
“We loved seeing the filming locations in person, how they added and subtracted things to the real locations, and talking about the characters in the show with our guide.”
➡️ Book a ticket for this Game of Thrones Walking Tour here
Full-Day Dubrovnik Elaphite Islands Cruise with Lunch and drinks
⭐ Rating: 5 stars (3, 891 reviews) | ⌚ Duration: 8 hours | ✅ Book it here!
Visiting some of the many islands close by Dubrovnik is another must do activity on your trip. It’s a great escape from the busy Old Town to some of the more peaceful places close by.
This cruise is a full day excursion that takes you to some of the most beautiful Elaphite Islands you can visit, including:
- Lopud Island – here you’ll spend up to 3 hours exploring the gorgeous beaches and gardens available.
- Sipan Island – spend 1 hour at this fascinating place that is an old fisherman’s port and is like stepping back in time.
- Kolocep Island – here you can spend 1 hour swimming and snorkelling at an island famous for its impressive caves and lovely beaches.
⭐ Check out Kerry’s top review of this Elaphite Islands Cruise Tour:
Fantastic full-day trip, all of our party really enjoyed it, and was a perfect conclusion to our Dubrovnik trip. Staff were lovely & attentive, the included lunches were delicious too.
The three islands visited were all beautiful and great to explore and relax. Thank you, will recommend!”
➡️ Book a ticket for this Elaphite Islands Cruise Tour
Where To Stay In Dubrovnik
There are many great options when it comes to accommodation in Dubrovnik. It can be an expensive place to stay however, so let’s look at 3 places with different price ranges that you may wish to consider:
Budget Recommendation: Old Town Hostel
If you’re looking for cheap accommodation in Dubrovnik and don’t mind staying at a hostel then this is the best choice for you.
Located very close to Buza Beach, this is a top rated hostel with rooms that feature balconies and all your usual amenities for a very cheap price.
⭐ Check out Chantal’s top review of Old Town Hostel:
“The perfect hostel! The hosts were extremely friendly, the place is really clean and well located. They have storage space for free food, free clothing, and books to trade. I highly recommend.”
➡️ Book a room at Old Town Hostel here
Mid-Range Recommendation: Apartments Santa Maria
If you fancy staying in a lovely apartment in the Old Town of Dubrovnik then Apartments Santa Maria is a really fantastic option.
This 3 star apartment is very central, with the property offering beautiful mountain views, air conditioning and a shared lounge area. It’s an ideal stay for for 2-3 guests, with the apartment having a large double bed and a sofa bed too.
⭐ Check out Anna’s top review of Apartments Santa Maria:
“A friendly and warm welcome from our host. Excellent location, extremely clean and perfect for a short break in Dubrovnik!”
➡️ Book your stay at Apartments Santa Maria here
Luxury Recommendation: Hotel Dubrovnik Palace
If you fancy a more luxurious stay in the tourist capital of Croatia, then you really should choose the amazing Hotel Dubrovnik Palace. This is a top rated 5 star hotel situated just 1 kilometre from Lapad Bay beach.
Rooms are fitted with balconies that have amazing sea views, and the hotel features outstanding amenities including 2 swimming pools, 4 restaurants and a fitness centre.
⭐ Check out Richard’s top rated review of Hotel Dubrovnik Palace:
“Wonderful location with spectacular views from the balcony. Excellent leisure facilities. Housekeeping was excellent – our room was spotless. Breakfasts were high standard. All staff were very friendly.”
➡️ Book a room at Hotel Dubrovnik Palace here
Dubrovnik Cable Car Ride FAQs
Still not sure about going on a cable car ride in Dubrovnik? Let’s answer some more questions about this topic:
Where does the cable car ride start from?
The lower cable car station is located very close to the Old Town and takes just several minutes to reach from there.
To reach the station, exit one of the main entrances from the Old Town (either Pile or Ploče Gates) and head upwards on the pedestrian sidewalks.
Just look for the cable cars coming down from Mount Srd and follow their direction – you’ll see where the lower station is and it’s just a short walk up a not too steep street.
Is it better to buy your cable car ride ticket online?
It really makes no difference at all whether you buy your cable car ride ticket either online or in person at the lower cable car station.
It is recommended to buy your tickets directly at the cable car station – there are a lot of rides every day so you don’t have to worry about tickets being sold out or unavailable.
I bought my ticket online and had no issues whatsoever so it really doesn’t make a difference which option you choose.
Can you walk down from the top of Mount Srd?
Yes absolutely! This is a good alternative to coming back down on the cable car as it’ll save you money and it’s a good bit of exercise too.
The hiking trail begins just around the corner from the upper cable car station and it lasts for about 1.5 miles, taking most people around 30-40 minutes to complete.
It is quite a winding track and a bit steep but easily do-able if you’re in good physical condition. Of course, if you don’t want to take the cable car either up or down you can hike up the trail and down again, but this is the exhausting option!
Is the cable car ride safe?
Yes, the Dubrovnik cable car ride is completely safe! If you have a phobia of heights then I would definitely avoid cable cars in general, but you have nothing to worry about at all.
Looking down at the Old Town of Dubrovnik from the observation deck at the top of Mount Srd.
Conclusion: Is The Dubrovnik Cable Car Ride Worth It?
So that concludes everything you need to know about the cable car ride in Dubrovnik.
Yes, it is a bit too expensive for what is a short ride but the views at the top of Mount Srd are so incredible that you won’t regret the decision to go on the cable car.
I would recommend staying at the restaurant for a little while to appreciate the views – if the food is too expensive then just buy a drink like I did!
The cable car is a nice little activity to do in Dubrovnik and gives you the chance to escape the tourists in the Old Town for a little while. I hope you’ve enjoyed this blog post about the Dubrovnik cable car and I’m sure you’ll enjoy the ride!
You may also enjoy reading these blog posts about Croatia:
➡️ Is Krka Waterfalls Near Split, Croatia Worth Visiting?
➡️ 1 Day In Zadar: The Perfect Itinerary For Croatia’s Hidden Gem
➡️ Dubrovnik On A Budget: Cheap Things To Do In A Tourist Hotspot
➡️ Is Croatia Worth Visiting? 13 Awesome Reasons To Visit In 2024
➡️ Planning your trip? Here are my favourite resources:
🏨 Accommodation: I recommend using Booking.com
🚙 Rental Car: Use Discover Cars for the best car rental prices
❤️ Travel Insurance: I recommend using Visitors Coverage
✈️ Flights: Use Kiwi.com for the best prices on flights
