The Perfect Dubrovnik 5 Days Itinerary: A Local’s Guide

Dubrovnik is the most popular coastal town in Croatia and for a good reason! It’s also one of my favourite places in Croatia that everyone has to visit at least once in a lifetime. Often referred to as the Pearl of the Adriatic Sea, the Old Town of Dubrovnik was inscribed as the UNESCO World Heritage Site. As a native Croatian, in this blog post I am sharing with you the ultimate Dubrovnik 5 days itinerary.

✅ If you’re looking for a custom travel plan, find out more about my personalised itinerary service here.

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📖 Read my 8 Best Coastal Towns in Croatia You Have to Visit blog post.

How to Get to Dubrovnik

The best and easiest way is to fly to Dubrovnik Airport.

Once you’re there, I recommend renting a car because this is the best way for exploring Dubrovnik, and Croatia in general.

If renting a car is not your thing, then you can take the bus to Dubrovnik or book a private transfer to your hotel. Additionally, you can order an Uber too.

Beside Dubrovnik, you can also fly to Zagreb or Split International Airports and either rent a car or take a bus to Dubrovnik.

✅ Check the flight prices here.

📖 Read my Is Croatia Expensive to Visit? (+My Cost Breakdown) blog post.

How to Get around Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is a pretty walkable city, so there’s no need to use any public transport or a car if you’re staying close to the city walls and exploring the main highlights of Dubrovnik. The public Banje Beach is also next to the walls, some 10 minutes walk from them.

However, if you’d like to explore other beaches or nearby places, then the best is to have a car. Or, you can take Uber or local buses (though they are often not the most reliable means of transportation).

Additionally, you can join some guided tours, especially if you’d like to visit the surrounding islands & caves or take a day trip.

Where to Stay in Dubrovnik

The easiest is to stay in the Old Town because everything you’d like to see in Dubrovnik is there. Ploce neighbourhood is a great choice too because it’s next to the Dubrovnik walls and close to a lot of great beaches in Dubrovnik, all of this within a walking distance.

However, if you’re renting a car or don’t mind taking local buses or Uber, then the Lapad peninsula or Montovjerna and Gruz neighbourhoods are great choices too.

📖 Additionally, check my Top 10 Dubrovnik Hotels with Pool for a Perfect Stay blog post.

When to Visit Dubrovnik

The best time to visit Dubrovnik is in the summer months, from June to September. The weather is at its best, you can expect long, hot and sunny days, perfect for swimming and sightseeing.

Yes, it is when you can expect the most crowds too, but the Croatian seaside is popular in summer for a reason. If you’re really not that into swimming and beach activities, then May is a great month too.

I would personally avoid winter months from January to March because despite its location on the Mediterranean, Dubrovnik can get cold in winter, especially when the strong wind called Bura arrives.

✅ Check this site that predicts how many visitors you can expect in Dubrovnik on the days you plan to visit. It really helps to look for the dates with fewer crowds, even in the high season!

How Many Days in Dubrovnik is Ideal

If you’d love to see the best of Dubrovnik, then 3 days is enough. However, if you want to do some day trips and enjoy the beach, then 5 days is optimal. In this blog post we will cover the 5 days itinerary for Dubrovnik for your ultimate visit to the Pearl of the Adriatic Sea.

Day 1 in Dubrovnik

On your first day in Dubrovnik the itinerary will focus on the main highlights and attractions of the Old Town within the city walls.

✅ I recommend this Dubrovnik Old Town Walking Tour if you’d love to learn about Dubrovnik from a local guide.

Stradun

Stradun is the main street in Dubrovnik filled with cafes, restaurants and shops. It’s the heartbeat of Dubrovnik.

The street stretches for about 300 m (984 ft) between the Pile Gate in the west and the Ploče Gate in the east.

You will walk the Stradun Street many times while you’re in Dubrovnik.

Large Onofrio’s Fountain

Large Onofrio’s Fountain was designed in 1438 by the Italian architect Onofrio di Giordano della Cava from whom it got the name.

The fountain consists of 16 stone carved masks  and a statue of a dog that adorns the top walls of the fountain.

The fountain is really beautiful, but what’s even better is that the water is safe to drink. So, if you’d love to refill your water bottle, this is a great place to do it.

It’s also great for relaxing and people watching – kids in particular like to play there and chase out the pigeons!

St. Saviour Church

St. Saviour Church, or Crkva Svetog Spasa in Croatian, was built as the gratitude for the salvation from the small earthquake that happened in 1520. But it is also one of the few Dubrovnik sites that weren’t damaged in the devastating Dubrovnik earthquake in 1667.

Because of that it’s the finest example of Dubrovnik’s renaissance architecture. In summer, the artists of Dubrovnik use the church interior as an exhibition hall or as a chamber concert venue, so if you’re visiting in summer, make sure to check what’s going on.

Adjacent to the St. Saviour Church is the Franciscan Monastery, worth visiting too. The entrance fee is about €8.

Rector’s Palace

Rector’s Palace is a palace built in the 15th century. It was a seat of the Rector of the Republic of Ragusa (yes, Dubrovnik was once an independent state of its own and the greatest rival to Venice!).

Today the palace is turned into a Dubrovnik Museum which you can visit (buy the tickets at the entrance).

Also, you may know it from Game of Thrones because some scenes in Qarth were filmed there.

✅ If you’re a fellow GOT fan like myself, I recommend this highest rated Dubrovnik Game of Thrones Tour.

📖 Check my 16 Must-Visit Dubrovnik Game of Thrones Filming Locations blog post.

Dominican Monastery

Dominican Monastery is one of the most beautiful monasteries to visit in Dubrovnik.

It houses the most important works by the Dubrovnik Painters School of the 15th and 16th centuries.

The entrance fee is about €5.

Saint Blaise’s Church

Next to the Rector’s Palace is the Saint Blaise’s Church. In February 1349, a one month after Dubrovnik got hit with the Black Death, the Great Council decided to build a church dedicated to St. Blaise as a head and protector of the city.

The current church was built in 1715 on the foundations of the medieval church which burned down in 1706.

You can visit Saint Blaise’s Church for free, but make sure you’re dressed modestly.

📖 Check my Europe Summer Outfits Ideas: What to Wear in Mediterranean blog post.

Dubrovnik Cathedral

Also known as the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary was rebuilt in the 17th century after the earthquake.

It’s the most beautiful church in Dubrovnik and it’s free to visit, unless you want to see the relics, which will then cost you about €3.

Jesuit Stairs

Jesuit Stairs became popular because of Game of Thrones. Yes, it’s another filming location where Cersei’s Walk of Shame happened, so if you’re a fellow Game of Thrones fan, this is a must stop.

Church of St. Ignatius

Church of St. Ignatius was one of my favourite churches in Dubrovnik because it’s on a square uphill. You need to climb the baroque stairs inspired by the Spanish Steps in Rome. The whole area is very baroque and has a slightly different vibe than the area around Stradun.

I definitely recommend checking it out!

Jesuit College

Next to the church is the Jesuit College where the world’s famous physicist and astronomer Ruder Boskovic once taught. Today it is home to the Classical Gymnasium High School of Dubrovnik.

Dubravka Restaurant

For dinner (+ we had breakfast every day there too!) I recommend Dubravka 1836 Restaurant. It has the best food in Dubrovnik. Period.

And, it’s next to the medieval walls. Reservation recommended.

📖 Check my Croatia Bucket List: 15 Best Things to Do in Croatia blog post.

Day 2 in Dubrovnik

On your second day of this Dubrovnik itinerary you will explore the most important sites in Dubrovnik: City Walls & Fort Lovrijenac. You will then go to the top of Mount Srd to enjoy the panoramic views of Dubrovnik.

✅ If you plan on visiting the City Walls, Fort Lovrijenac and some of the sites from day 1 (like Rector’s Palace), consider getting this Dubrovnik Pass to save the money.

Dubrovnik City Walls

Dubrovnik City Walls is the must attraction in Dubrovnik, one not to be missed!

The medieval walls of Dubrovnik were built in the 13th century and are one of the best preserved in the world. The walls run uninterruptedly for almost 2 km (6360 ft) and are encircling most of the Old Town. So, expect for the walk to take approximately 2 hours!

Today, the Walls of Dubrovnik are one of the most popular tourist attractions in Croatia, especially after Dubrovnik was featured as the Kings Landing in Game of Thrones.

You can get the tickets at one of the 3 entrances (next to Pile Gate, Ploce Gate or St. John Fortress) or online (recommended).

✅ Alternatively, you can join this best rated early morning or sunset guided tour and explore the walls with a local guide.

📖 Check my 15 Best Things to do in Dubrovnik: Travel Guide blog post.

Dubrovnik West Pier

Originally Dubrovnik West Pier was the most important point of entry in Dubrovnik.

So, to no surprise it was used as the Blackwater Bay in Game of Thrones.

📖 Check my 16 Must-Visit Dubrovnik Game of Thrones Filming Locations blog post.

Fort Lovrijenac

Fort Lovrijenac, or the St. Lawrence Fortress, is a fortress outside the western wall of Dubrovnik, built in the 14th century (though possibly even earlier).

The fortress is a symbol of Dubrovnik’s survival and freedom because it defended the City from the sea and covered the western Pile Gate.

And it’s yet another GOT filming location – Red Keep.

Many people make a mistake and they throw away their ticket for the walls, but with that same ticket you can also visit the Fort Lovrijenac, so make sure you keep it until you visit both places (speaking of paper tickets ofc).

Mount Srd

Mount Srd is the best viewing point in Dubrovnik because it offers panoramic views of the whole town and Lokrum Island.

The summit of Srd is at 412 m (1,352 ft). At its top you will find Fort Imperial, a defensive structure built by the French in 1810 during the Napoleonic Wars. In the 1990s during the Croatian War for Independence one of the fiercest battles happened on the mountain during the Siege of Dubrovnik (now commemorated in a museum at Fort Imperial).

Fortunately, today this is a place for soaking up the beautiful views and breathing the fresh air.

There are 4 ways to get to the top of Mount Srd: hiking (what we did), taking a cable car, joining a guided tour or by renting a car (you can also get an Uber).

💡There’s a fenced viewing point, but if you’d love to take a photo like we did, please, be extra careful because it’s very steep!

📖 Check my Top 10 Viewpoints in Dubrovnik with Best Views of Dubrovnik blog post.

Panorama Restaurant

And while you’re already there, I recommend having lunch/dinner (depending on the time you’d be there) at Panorama Restaurant.

It’s the same restaurant family as Dubravka, so the great food is guaranteed. And the views are amazing too! Reservation recommended.

Day 3 in Dubrovnik

On your third day in Dubrovnik you will explore the nearby Lokrum Island, a nature reserve. For all the GOT fans, it’s there where the ACTUAL Iron Throne from the series is kept!

If you’re visiting in summer, bring a swimming suit because there are beaches on the island where you can swim.

You can get to Lokrum from Dubrovnik’s Old Town Port. The ferry goes around every 30 minutes and the ride takes approximately 15 minutes. You can get the tickets at the port.

✅ Alternatively, consider booking this Epic Game of Thrones Tour & Lokrum Island Tour.

Charlotte’s Well

One of the first sites to check in Lokrum is Charlotte’s Well – an oval retaining pond dating from Maximilian of Habsburg’s ownership of the island.

Lokrum Rocks

Lokrum is predominantly composed of Mesozoic limestone and dolomite, which are sedimentary rocks formed over 100 million years ago when the area was covered by a shallow sea!

The Adriatic plate’s collision with the Eurasian plate caused uplift and faulting, which contributed to the shaping of Lokrum’s rocky cliffs and steep coastline.

It’s such a cool and unique place to visit. You can swim in the area, but bear in mind that you’d have to jump off the cliffs to do that.

Make sure to check Buža na Lokrumu, a popular Instagram place at naturally occurring rock formation.

Dead Sea

Lokrum’s Dead Sea is a small salt lake created from a series of caves and fractures in the island.

It is allowed to swim there.

Benedictine Monastery of St. Mary

Benedictine Monastery of St. Mary is one of the most beautiful sites to visit in Lokrum.

It’s partially in ruins which adds to the vibe, so it’s no surprise that the monastery was also used as a filming location in Game of Thrones (scenes in Qarth).

Iron Throne

And finally we come to the highlight for many GOT fans – the Iron Throne from the series.

When the TV series finished, they decided to leave the throne from the series in Dubrovnik as a gratitude.

The throne is kept inside the Benedictine Monastery. And yes, you can sit on it!

Botanical Garden

The Botanical Garden in Lokrum has about 500 species of plants, mostly trees and shrubs.

It’s really beautiful, so it makes for a nice, relaxing walk.

Church of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Next to the monastery and botanical garden is the Church of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary from the 15th century.

The Path of Paradise

The Path of Paradise is a long uphill path surrounded by cypress trees on both sides. 

It’s truly a beautiful path towards the highest point in Lokrum.

Because of its beauty, the Path of Paradise was also featured in GOT.

Fort Royal

And our final stop in Lokrum is Fort Royal.

Fort Royal is a defence military fortification built in the 19th century to protect the area from potential naval threats.

The building of the fort was started by Napoleon’s general Auguste de Marmont in 1806 (parts of Croatia were under Napoleon) and finished during the Austrian Empire reign around 1835.

The Fort Royal is the highest point in Lokrum at 96 metres (315 feet) above the sea level.

I really loved the fort, especially the inside because the vibe was really cool.

Stara Loza Restaurant

Back in Dubrovnik, after a long day in Lokrum filled with different activities, I recommend reserving a table at the terrace at Stara Loza restaurant.

It’s a Michelin recommended restaurant, but I hope they get the star in the future because the food is so delicious and the views are amazing.

It’s perfect for a romantic dinner or special occasion.

Day 4 in Dubrovnik

On the fourth day of this Dubrovnik 5 days itinerary, I recommend taking a day trip to the nearby islands – Elaphiti.

✅ I booked this boat tour and I cannot recommend it more!

It’s a full day activity, so the lunch and drinks are included in the optional price (unless you want to eat on the islands, or pack your own food).

📖 For more, check my 3 Islands Boat Tour in Dubrovnik: Is it Worth it? review.

Lopud

Lopud was my favourite Elaphiti island because it had the most beautiful beach – Beach Sunj.

If you’ve ever been to Croatia, you’d know by now that we have very few sandy beaches, mostly pebbly.

So, whenever I find a nice sandy beach, I like to go there and share it with you guys too.

If you’re visiting in summer, I definitely recommend spending all of your free time in Lopud at the beach. Otherwise, you can also sightsee the island (there are quite a few interesting churches there).

From the port where your boat will leave you, you can either walk for about 30 minutes to the beach, or you can take a tuk-tuk (there would be many of those waiting for tourists).

We decided to walk on our way to the beach, but we took the ride back to save us some time.

Sipan

Next on the itinerary was Sipan island.

We spent our time there having coffee and drinks because we had a shorter free time.

Kolocep

And our last stop was Kolocep.

We spent our free time at the sandy Lower Forehead Beach (5 min walk from the port), but you can also sightsee if you’d like.

Kolocep is mainly famous for its Blue Cave, but you won’t be able to check it out on this tour.

If you’d love to explore the Blue Cave, then consider booking this tour instead.

Day 5 in Dubrovnik

On your last day in Dubrovnik, I suggest spending a day at the beach (especially if you’re visiting in summer).

Banje Beach

My personal recommendation is Banje Beach because it’s mostly sandy and right next to the eastern side of the walls, so beautiful views are guaranteed.

There’s a beach club Banje Beach Restaurant Lounge & Club where you can rent sunbeds and umbrellas, have drinks and food.

Is Dubrovnik Worth Visiting

Dubrovnik is one of the most popular places in Croatia because it has everything – beautiful nature, turquoise sea, lots of history, rich culture and great food.

It proudly bears the title of the Pearl of the Adriatic Sea. Dubrovnik is a city that you would like visiting and exploring over and over again. So, yes, I’d say it’s very much worth visiting Dubrovnik.

If you haven’t been there yet, what are you waiting for?!

✅ If you’re looking for a custom travel plan, find out more about my personalised itinerary service here.

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