How To Spend 5 Days In Dubrovnik? Perfect Holiday!
Most people visit Dubrovnik on a day trip or a quick overnight trip, but spending 5 days in Dubrovnik allows you to truly discover this beauitful town and get off the beaten track.
I know Dubrovnik is known as an expensive travel destination, so you want to find the balance between staying on a budget and experiencing the city.
I grew up in Dubrovnik and spent many summers in the city even after moving away, so I can tell you what to do in Dubrovnik for weeks, but you don’t need that much time here.
Sure, you could see the main tourist attractions in a day, but 5 days is the ideal time to spend in Dubrovnik to experience the city at a relaxed pace.
Let’s get started with the city’s must-do activities, so you can plan your perfect Dubrovnik 5 day itinerary!
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How Many Days Do You Need In Dubrovnik?
Dubrovnik is not a large city, but it has a lot to offer! 5 days is perfect if you want to see more than just the main attractions in the city center.
If you’re only interested in the Old City and Dubrovnik Walls, you can see the main highlights on a day trip to Dubrovnik.
If you’re just visiting Croatia for a week, 2 full days will allow you to stroll the cobblestone streets of the Old Town, walk along Dubrovnik Walls, see the view from Srđ mountain, and sneak in a quick trip to Lokrum.
With 5 days in Dubrovnik, you can also add a couple of day trips to your itinerary. A boat tour to Elafiti islands is the most popular thing to do!
You can visit nearby seafront towns like Cavtat, Pasjača Beach, and Ston, or even take a day trip to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Dubrovnik is expensive in the summer, so this itinerary works best in the low season if you’re visiting Croatia on a budget!
If you book your trip for October or May, you’ll save more than 50% on the price of accommodation compared to July and August.
🏝️ Short on time? See the main Dubrovnik attractions in 1 day on this day tour!
Do You Need a Car in Dubrovnik?
You don’t need a car in Dubrovnik as the city is quite compact and public transport is frequent and reliable.
Also, parking in Dubrovnik is a special kind of frustrating. Last time I visited I had to park about 5km from my accommodation to find a reasonable parking.
However, if you want to go on a day trip along the coastline, you can rent a car for that day!
DAY 1: Dubrovnik Old Town
On your first day in Dubrovnik, you’ll discover Old Town, walk the city walls, and enjoy a quick dip in the sea.
The Old City of Dubrovnik dates back to the 13th century and today it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
As soon as you enter the Old City through Pile Gate you’ll feel like you’ve been transported into a different time.
The first thing on your Dubrovnik itinerary should be a visit to the Franciscan Church and Monastery and see the old Pharmacy, it is free to visit!
Of course, you should walk the Dubrovnik City Walls too. It is the main attraction in Dubrovnik after all!
I absolutely love the narrow cobblestone streets on either side of Stradun. The best way to explore is to just take any street and see where you’ll end up.
There are many things to see in the city even if you don’t climb the walls. Admire Sponza Palace, Orlando’s Column in front of the Church of St. Blaise, Rector’s Palace, and infamous Jesuit Stairs.
You can get water from Onofrio’s Large and Small Fountains on either end of Stradun!
If you’re worried if Dubrovnik is expensive, most of these activities are completely free!
Keep in mind that Dubrovnik gets crowded in the summer. You’re probably thinking that everywhere is crowded in the summer, but Dubrovnik takes it to the next level.
The best time to visit is the shoulder season – May, June, or September.
You can take a break from sightseeing and cool off on one of the beaches in the city center – Banje Beach is the most popular.
You have to come back to the Old City at night. It is truly magical during warm summer nights when locals and tourists gather for a drink or dinner in this unique ambiance.
DAY 2: Day Trip To Lokrum
Lokrum Island is one of my favorite places in Dubrovnik.
While most tourists stay in the Old City, Lokrum is like a tranquil oasis away from the crowds.
To get to Lokrum, you have to take a 10-minute boat ride from the Old Port.
Lokrum is a small island, but you can easily spend a whole day here. In fact, for the price of the ticket, I highly suggest you spend an entire day.
You can start with a quick swim or with sightseeing.
Benedictine Monastery of St. Mary and its botanical garden are the main tourist attractions on the island.
The famous Game of Thrones Iron Throne is inside the Monastery, and it is free to visit!
The Dead Sea, a saltwater lake, is a unique swimming spot on the island.
If you get tired of the beach, you can also visit Srđ Hill for sunset on this day.
You’ll get the cable car from the city center of Dubrovnik up to the top of the hill for sunset.
It is by far the best sunset spot in Dubrovnik!
The cable car does not operate during winter, and you can check the hours from Mach to October here.
There is no set timetable, and the cable car runs as soon as there are enough passengers.
DAY 3: Beach Day And Srđ Mountain
On your third day in Dubrovnik, you can discover Dubrovnik beaches and visit spots you might have missed on the first day.
For example, head to Gradac Park for one of the best views of the city walls!
If you’re a Game of Thrones fan, you can also join a walking tour of GoT filming locations in Dubrovnik.
Kayak tours in Dubrovnik are one of the most popular things to do, and it is a fun way to see the city from a different perspective.
Dubrovnik is not a cheap beach destination, but the city has fantastic beaches you can enjoy if you visit in the summer!
- Banje Beach is my favorite beach in Dubrovnik, and judging by the crowds, most visitors would agree.
- Blaze Beach is known as the “secret beach” in the City Walls. You’ll reach it through a small door in the wall leading to Buža Bar.
- Šulić Beach is a small cove in the city center I used to go to as a child, and it is a nice alternative to more crowded beaches.
- Danče Beach is a popular local beach for those who are good swimmers as there is no shallow water entrance, you have to jump in.
If you’re following a 3-day Dubrovnik itinerary, today is also the day when you visit Srđ Hill.
The easiest way to get to the top of the hill is by taking a cable car. The ride is just several minutes long, and you get a scenic view of the city.
However, you can also hike to the top of the hill or drive there if you have a car. I did both and is a budget-friendly alternative to the cable car.
If you opt for hiking the trail, bring enough water and put on sunscreen! There is no shade along the trail.
Once you’re at the top, you can admire the view, visit the Homeland War Museum, or grab a drink in a cafe with the best view in the city!
DAY 4: Boat Trip To Elafiti Islands
Day 4 is the day to take a boat trip from Dubrovnik to the islands.
I went on many boat trips from Dubrovnik throughout the years, and each of Elafiti islands is unique and worth visiting.
Also, Mljet Island is home to one of Croatia’s 8 National Parks, and it makes for a perfect day trip from Dubrovnik.
You don’t need to pick just one island, the best way to see most of them is to go on an island-hopping boat tour!
If you’re visiting in the summer, when you can swim on the islands, I recommend you go for a full-day tour.
You’ll get to swim on beautiful beaches, hidden coves away from the crowds, and snorkel in crystal clear sea.
If you won’t be swimming on the tour, you can opt for one of the shorter 4-hour boat tours.
DAY 5: Cavtat and Pasjača Beach
On your 5th day in Dubrovnik, you can take a day trip to one of the seafront towns in the area.
If you want to visit multiple places on this day, I suggest you rent a car as not all of them are accessible by public transport.
Cavtat is the most popular place to visit from Dubrovnik, and it is a great opportunity to see how locals live in a small seafront town in the south of Croatia.
Next up is the famous Pasjača Beach. This wild beach gained popularity when it was named one of the most beautiful beaches in Europe, and it is easy to see why!
You’ll need a car to get to the beach, as there is no public transport in the area. It is about a 30-minute drive from Dubrovnik. Bring water and snacks, as there are no amenities on the beach.
On the way back, stop at Sokol Grad. This well-preserved castle is quite impressive to visit and offers stunning views of the area.
More Things To Do In Dubrovnik
Depending on how many days in Dubrovnik you have, you can add more day trips to your itinerary or discover more of Dubrovnik’s beaches.
It is also a great opportunity to learn more about the local culture and get off the beaten track.
- Learn how to cook traditional Dalmatian dishes in this Dubrovnik cooking class
- Take a day trip to Kotor in Montenegro
- Bike over Dubrovnik with Dubrovnik Skybike
- Visit Trsteno Arboretum, one of the Game of Thrones filming locations
- Go for a hike in Petka Forest Park
- Taste traditional Croatian dishes on this Dubrovnik Food Tour
- See Ombla River spring
- Try local wines directly from Konavle vineries
- Join one of the local neighborhood nights held almost weekly during the summer
FAQ:
Yes, you can see the main tourist attractions in Dubrovnik in 2 days. If you want to get a taste of this historic city, a weekend in Dubrovnik is enough time to visit Dubrovnik Walls, admire the view from Srđ Hill, and take a day trip to Lokrum.
No, 4 days is not too long in Dubrovnik if you’re not a budget traveler. Dubrovnik is a great base for day trips in the area and island-hopping Elafite islands after you’ve visited all the tourist attractions in the city.
Yes, Dubrovnik is really touristy, and it can feel overrun by tourists during summer. If you want to avoid the crowds, consider visiting in the shoulder season. Visiting in the winter allows you to enjoy the sights without crowds, but you won’t get to swim.
Final Thoughts: 5 Days In Dubrovnik Itinerary
Dubrovnik is one of the most popular summer destinations in Europe, and it is well worth visiting throughout the year.
While you can see the main tourist attractions in 1 day, with 5 days in Dubrovnik you can experience the city at a relaxed pace and get off the beaten track.
Now that you know how many days to spend in Dubrovnik, are you visiting the city?
Dubrovnik is quite far from other tourist attractions in Croatia, so you can compare Dubrovnik and Pula to see which Croatian region you’ll like better!
