The city extends about 6km (3.7mi) from the mouth of the Rijeka River in the west to the cape of Sveti Jakov in the east and includes the promontory of Lapad. This leafy residential suburb with its rocky beaches contains a hostel and most of the town's hotels. The old walled town lies southeast of Lapad at the foot of Srd Hill halfway between Gruž Harbour and the cape of Sveti Jakov. The entire old town is closed to cars and is divided nearly in half by the wide street Placa (also referred to as Stradun). There are no hotels in the old town but plenty of restaurants.

Pile Gate is the western entrance to the town and the last stop for local buses from Lapad and Gruž. The eastern gate is Ploče, which leads to several luxury hotels along Ul Frana Supila. The Jadrolinija ferry terminal and the bus station are a few hundred metres apart in Gruž, which is about 2km northwest of the old town. To get to the old town from the bus station, go down Put Republike to Dr Ante Starčevića and follow it to Pile Gate.

The city boundaries also include the Elafiti Islands (Šipan, Lopud, Koločep, Olipe, Tajan and Jakljan).

Public transport in Dubrovnik is pretty well limited to buses and taxis. While the taxis are expensive, Dubrovnik's buses run frequently and generally on time. However, by far the best way to get around is under your own steam. So put your best foot forward or get your pedal-pushers on.