What To Buy In Dubrovnik, Croatia - Updated 2024

1. Paprenjaci

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

If you want to take home a piece of Dubrovnik, try buying traditional Croatian black pepper cookies called Paprenjaci. These spiced cookies are a treat to the senses with their crumbly and peppery taste. The main ingredient used in making these baked goodies is black pepper. The traditional patterns on these rectangular cookies are made with special wooden moulds, which add to their beauty and crispy texture.

Paprenjaci has a slightly sweeter taste due to the honey used to make them. These nuggets of goodness make for amazing souvenirs for tourists.

2. Truffles

Croatian truffles are extremely popular amongst locals as well as tourists in Dubrovnik. Being a part of the local cuisine, truffles are used as a special ingredient in several dishes. They are hunted for in the northwestern part of Croatia and are considered an expensive buy, especially in this part of the world.

You can find exclusive varieties of white and black truffles at an oxo. You can also take home premium truffle oil to cook your favourite dishes.

Truffles

3. Licitar

You take home a piece of Croatia’s cultural heritage when you buy licitars for souvenirs. Licitars are colourfully decorated honey pastries made in various shapes, and the most common popular form is the heart. Since the middle ages, licitar hearts are expressions of love and affection to the most important people in one’s life.

Although each pastry is merely a mix of ingredients like flour, sugar, water, baking powder, and edible colors, licitar is not meant to be consumed. Its main purpose is to keep the fond memories a person had in Croatia. Under ideal conditions, a licitar can last for 15 years. You may visit Licitar design studio, a store aptly named after the famous pastry, to buy the authentic Croatia cookie.

Licitar, a design studio

Address: Gvozdanska 13 d, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia

Website: Licitar

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 7am - 3pm (closed on Sat & Sun)

4. Croatian lace

Lace-making in Croatia is a recognized intangible cultural heritage notable for its unique patterns and designs. Today, distinct traditions of lacemaking persist in the towns of Pag, Lepoglava, and Hvar. Each has unique styles and patterns but the end products are always delicate, tiny works of art laces created by the hard-working hands of patient and skillful women. These serve as a source of additional income for these rural workers.

Originally used as decorations at religious and ceremonial places, the traditional lace has been integrated into clothes and shoes and found its way to every home. This traditional lace is one of the best souvenirs from Dubrovnik, Croatia, that you could get. Check out the online stores that offer these beautiful products.

Croatian Lace

Website: Croatian Lace

5. A bottle of lavender oil

Looking for a practical, authentic, and ideal souvenir? Pick up a bottle of ethereal lavender oil and you’ll not regret it. It is a classic antidote to cure headaches, flu, high blood pressure, burns, insect bites, and even some skin diseases. You’ll find it at any local shop or stall, and believe us when we say that stock up on this because when you run out, you’ll be looking for more and you’ll be left with no option but to make a trip to Croatia again! Head to the open-air Gundulićeva Poljana Market and you’ll find plenty of little shops selling lavender oil.

Gundulićeva Poljana Market

Address: 20000, Dubrovnik, Croatia, Dubrovnik, Croatia

Website: Gundulićeva Poljana Market

Opening hours: 7am - 6pm (daily)

6. Olive oil

Think an appetising plate of spaghetti with meatballs at home – wouldn’t that be perfect? Well, then don’t forget to buy a bottle of authentic olive oil from Dubrovnik. What if we tell you that it’s not just meant for cooking? It also makes for an amazing cosmetic product. Italian women have been using it for shiny hair and glowing skin since ages. It’s also a great, healthy gifting option. The most expensive and purest one is the extra virgin olive oil. Rosulja, Buža, Leccino, and Cipressino are a few other varieties that are worth trying. Although, it’ll be useful to check for customs’ regulations in your home country regarding bringing in food products. It’ll truly be a disaster having to throw it in the dustbin, so it’s best to stay on the safe side. Head to the Medusa Gift and Art Shop and pick some up for yourself.

Medusa Gift and Art Shop

Address: Prijeko 18, 20000 Dubrovnik, Croatia

Website: Medusa Gift and Art Shop

Opening hours: 9am - 10pm (daily)

7. Konavle earrings

Want to pick up a souvenir for jewellery lovers back home? Buy a pair of Konavle earrings for them. Traditional Croatian jewellery, it was originally worn by folk performers, but soon found their way to shops and markets due to their popularity. The dainty and delicate pieces are made in gold and silver, and come in several sizes and embellished with semi-precious stones. They are handmade with care and you’ll find them at any local jewellery store in Dubrovnik. Dubrovnik Treasures is one out of many such shops you can head to. They have two outlets in the city, below are the details to one of them.

Dubrovnik Treasures

Address: Celestina Medovica 2, Dubrovnik 20000, Croatia

Website: Dubrovnik Treasures

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 9am - 9pm; Sat - Sun: 10am - 5pm

8. Coral handmade jewellery

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Clara Stones (@clarastonesdubrovnik)

Another option for things to buy in Dubrovnik, Croatia, are the beautiful, genuine, and handmade Adriatic corals. Earrings, necklaces, bracelets, rings, or anklets, you can buy whatever you prefer. Load your pockets with tons of money as you’re likely to buy more than you expected, given the exquisite collection in every store. You can find your way to any jewellery store in Dubrovnik and salespersons will proudly take you through the history of coral harvesting done in the region and the making process. Clara Stones is one such store and workshop that previous travellers have recommended. Guess what? Not just women’s jewellery, they sell cufflinks, buttons, and pet charms as well!

Clara Stones

Address: Nalješkovićeva 3, Dubrovnik 20000, Croatia

Website: Clara Stones

Opening hours: Mon - Sun: 9:30am - 7pm

9. Croatian wine

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Luka Mratovic CRO751 (@luka.mratovic)

Take a bit of Croatia back in a bottle as Croatian wines are known to be among the best across Europe. Pošip, Malvasia, Maraština, and Plavac Mali are some of their best offerings. You can even go in for the native variant, GRK, if dry wine is your thing. Croatian wines make for a fantastic food accompaniment, so it’s an investment worth making. You can even book yourself on a much-coveted wine tasting tour of one of the wineries in the city’s neighbourhood. Visit the Dubrovnik Festiwine, a regional wine festival, if you happen to find yourself in the city in April. Check their website for exact dates and you can plan your trip accordingly. You can taste and buy some excellent local wines there. Else, Gligora Wine & Cheese Shop has a great collection too.

Gligora Wine & Cheese Shop

Address: Obala Stjepana Radića 13, 20000, Dubrovik, Croatia

Website: Gligora Wine & Cheese Shop

Opening hours: Mon: 7am - 1pm; Tue - Sat: 7am - 2pm (closed on Sun)

10. Rakija liqueurs

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Zahvalnice, Golden Products Hr (@zlatna_rakija_hr)

Do you like experimenting with your cocktails? Don’t forget to pick up the many liqueurs available across Croatia. Although Rakija is often made with grapes, many of its variants by the same name are available in other flavours too like orange, plum, blueberry, cherry, lemon, etc. You are very likely to find cocktails made from this at any Croatian celebration. Pair it with a cold-cuts salad and it’ll be a gastronomical delight. Travarica, loquat liqueur, rose liqueur, Loza, Višnjevača, and Orahovica are some of the most famous flavours. They’re also touted to be great at curing ailments like flu, common cold, etc. You can pick up a bottle at any local liquor shop.

Rakija liqueurs

Address: Ul. Miljenka Bratoša 30, 20000, Dubrovnik, Croatia

Website: Rakija liqueurs

Opening hours: 9am - 10pm

Price: 20 USD

11. Traditional Croatian cravat (tie)

Do you think it’s a mere coincidence that “Croatia” and “Cravat” are very similar sounding? Not really. An original necktie, cravats were part of the Croatian soldiers’ uniform during the Prussian War in the 17th century. It is considered an important part of Croatian heritage and has now been adopted as a fashion accessory in the mainstream fashion industry. Keep an eye out for any local shops in Dubrovnik and you’ll find the ties in a great many colours, patterns, designs, etc. Pick one up for your loved ones back home and they’ll not be disappointed.

CROATA

Address: Ul. Pred Dvorom 2, 20000, Dubrovnik, Croatia

Website: CROATA

Opening hours: 9am - 9pm

Price: 30 USD

12. Startas

Calling all shoe enthusiasts’ attention! Here’s a 100% Croatian, vegan, and original souvenir that you can flaunt guilt-free! Manufactured originally by Borovo, Croatia’s oldest shoe manufacturer, it has come to be a hot favourite of fashion biggies like Anna Wintour. The “Boromine” (everyday wear variant) and “Borosane” (couture fashion variant) are their supremely comfortable, high-quality authentic leather products. Find your way to the Borovo store and pick yourself a funky yet comfy pair that matches your personality. You can even have a pair custom made! Check out their website and store.

Borovo

Address: 2, OBALA STJEPANA RADICA 9, 20000 DUBROVNIK

Website: Borovo

Opening hours: Mon: 8am - 8pm; Tue - Sat: 8am - 1pm (closed on Sun)

13. Tint-o-Rama products

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Ribica Atelier (@micica_atelier)

Here’s an exquisite collection of vintage illustrations captured in colourful strokes, perfect for art lovers. These are primarily sardine cans painted with vivid scenes of various themes. There’s also fridge magnets, postcards, bags, paintings and a million other options you can choose from. Add to that, they’re totally affordable too! You can buy yourself a souvenir that screams of artistic expression and encapsulates art in its complete purity.

Tint-o-Rama

Website: Tint-o-Rama

Price: 5 USD

14. Croatian cookbook

If you’re looking for what to buy in Croatia, a cookbook makes for a great gift and what’s better than having a Croatian cookbook from Dubrovnik itself! Mediterranean cuisine is fantastic and if you know someone who appreciates fine flavours, a cookbook will be a perfect souvenir for them. What’s Cooking in Dubrovnik authored by Ana-Marija Bujić is a great guide taking you through the history of each Croatian dish along with its recipe.

What’s Cooking in Dubrovnik

Website: What’s Cooking in Dubrovnik

Price: 42 USD

Small but loaded

Despite being a compact city, there’s so much to explore and experience in Dubrovnik. The city’s old-world charm also reflects itself in everything that’s sold there, so don’t forget to leave aside some space in your suitcase, there’s quite a bit you can take back from here.