Our guide to spending five nights in Dubrovnik

With its dramatic coastal setting and an enchanting, history-packed Old Town, Dubrovnik has long been irresistible to visitors. Look out across its terracotta-tiled rooftops and gaze at a city suspended in time, with medieval and Baroque architecture set off by the tantalizing glint of the ocean beyond. This glorious city, Croatia’s ‘Pearl of the Adriatic’, is like something out of a storybook, or indeed a certain gothic TV show (Game of Thrones, anyone?). If you’re hoping to plan a trip to Croatia of your own, filled with the magic of touring Dubrovnik’s many wonders, read on to feel inspired by our beginner’s guide to spending five nights in Dubrovnik—an ideal length of time for making the most of the city and its surroundings.

Five nights in Dubrovnik: an essential guide

Day 1: discover the charms of Dubrovnik’s Old Town

First, get to know the lay of the land, delve into some layers of history and see the city from on high.

Walk the Iconic Dubrovnik City Walls

Walking along the city’s high defensive walls is a right of passage in Dubrovnik. This circuit of undulating paths and steep steps is punctuated by ancient towers and grand fortifications. It takes around an hour to walk, depending on how many times you stop to drink in the views. Avoid the full heat of the sun and some of the crowds by timing your visit to either end of the day.

Immerse yourself in history at Rector’s Palace and Sponza Palace

This pair of beautifully preserved palaces offer a bounty of architecture and history between them. The Rector’s Palace is a work of 15th-century Gothic-Renaissance perfection and is currently Dubrovnik’s Cultural History Museum. The Sponza Palace has had many incarnations since being built in the 16th century, but today it plays host to a memorial to those who lost their lives during the 1990s siege of Dubrovnik.

Ride a cable car for sunset views from Srđ Hill

With the city, surrounding islands and ocean spread out before you, the views from Dubrovnik’s Srđ Hill are epic. Seeing the whole scene bathed in the golden light of sundown takes the views to another level of beauty. Catching the cable car up is the easiest and most enjoyable way to get there.

Day 2: dive into Adriatic adventures

The tantalizing teal, turquoise and deep blue of the Adriatic will be too much to resist for most. As well as literally diving in, there are other ways to enjoy the water.

Kayaking around the city walls

Looking out across the waters of the bay yesterday, you probably spotted shoals of brightly-colored kayaks weaving their way around Dubrovnik’s coastline. Today, it could be you out on the water. By touring Dubrovnik on the water, you’ll see the city walls, beaches and island coastlines from a new perspective, and it’s a fun and relaxing way to explore.

Lokrum island’s Benedictine Monastery and botanical garden

Just across the bay, the lovely Lokrum island offers a shady and serene retreat from the city. It’s just a 10-minute ferry ride away, but you’ll soon be enveloped in its forested paths, the cool halls of its medieval Benedictine Monastery, and the green walkways of the botanical gardens.

Read more: Exploring Croatia: a Mediterranean gem

Day 3: coastal beauty and cultural icons

Today, soak up the sunshine, then embark on a Game of Thrones quest. After a busy day out, you’ll be ready to feast, Dubrovnik style.

Relax on the beach: the best coastal spots

Beachgoing is a way of life in coastal Croatia, and your Dubrovnik trip would not be complete without hitting one of the city beaches. There are many to choose between, with a mix of pebble and sand beaches backed by low-key cafes or glitzy party bars. Copacabana is a good all-rounder, great for families and kicking back with cocktails on the sun lounger.

Take an unforgettable Game of Thrones tour

For those who don’t already know, the Old Town of Dubrovnik was used to portray the atmospheric city of King’s Landing in the Game of Thrones series. Touring Dubrovnik through the lens of this popular TV show is a fun way to see the city.

Sample local flavors at a traditional wine bar

Move over, Madrid—Dubrovnik does wine and tapas supremely well. Rich reds are paired with platters of robust cheeses and preserved meats for you to pick at as you quaff. There are plenty of great spots to enjoy, but D’vino Wine Bar is a firm favorite.

Day 4: day trips and nearby wonders

Dubrovnik is a beauty, but the wider region is also well worth exploring. Choose a day trip to get even more out of your Dubrovnik trip.

The natural beauty of Montenegro’s Bay of Kotor

Surrounded by steep cliffs with mountains beyond, the monumental Bay of Kotor is just down the coast in tiny Montenegro. Its lake-like bay is a deliciously deep blue, the historic Old Town of Kotor is perfect for a mooch, and high coastal hiking trails offer incredible views.

Experience the history and culture of Mostar, Bosnia

If you’ve seen enough seascapes, then head inland to the gorgeous Bosnian town of Mostar. This historic settlement spans a deep river valley with a showstopping, 16th-century UNESCO-protected bridge as its centerpiece.

Read more: The best Croatian islands to visit on an island-hopping trip

Day 5: plan for a relaxing day at leisure

One of the great pleasures of a Dubrovnik trip is simply wandering its time-worn streets and soaking up the sunshine, history and those views. Be sure you make time to take it easy today.

Dubrovnik’s markets and artisan shops

If you haven’t already, stroll through Gundulićeva Poljana food market and pick up fresh fruits for snacking or preserves, honey and oils to take home. Lapad Produce Market is a smaller and more local option close to the beach of the same name. For locally designed and sourced gifts with a difference, seek out Life According to KAWA and the excellent Dubrovačka Kuća.

Insightful exhibitions and museums

With sublime architecture at every turn, Dubrovnik Old Town is very much a living museum. But to delve deeper into a particular interest, there are plenty of museums and galleries to visit. Art enthusiasts will enjoy Bukovac House, the former residence of one of Croatia’s most well-known painters. The Homeland War Museum takes a long, hard look at Croatia’s recent past, while the Maritime Museum in Fort St John offers an impressive voyage through the country’s rich maritime history.

Traditional dishes to enjoy for your farewell dinner

The rich bounty of Croatia’s sea and sun-kissed lands has cultivated a delicious Mediterranean-style cuisine. Feast on fresh seafood or succulent lamb served in stews, risottos or the traditional slow-cooked ispod peke style over hot coals. Share a platter of fresh sardines doused in lemon, savor thin slivers of salty preserved ham, and don’t skimp on the silky extra virgin olive oil and fruity local wines.

Top tips for your trip to Croatia

When to go: the best time to visit Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik has suffered from over-tourism for some time due to various factors, including the prevalence of cheap European flights, cruise ship arrivals and being a prime filming location for Game of Thrones. The authorities are slowly introducing schemes to help control numbers, but Dubrovnik remains very busy during the high summer season.

With this in mind, the best time of year for more relaxed Dubrovnik vacations is during the low season and shoulder seasons, broadly speaking, from October to April. To help minimize the effects of over-tourism, opt to spend your cash at locally run businesses and take time to explore the area on local day trips to spread the monetary benefit to smaller communities beyond the city center.

Understanding the Dubrovnik Pass

For Dubrovnik vacations of any duration, it makes good sense to invest in a Dubrovnik Pass, which can be purchased as a day pass, three-day or seven-day pass. The pass gives you access to a broad range of the top sights and museums and a bus pass for the duration. If you’re spending 5 nights in Dubrovnik, it’s worth investing in the 7-day pass. It’s only 10 euros more than the 3-day pass and will give you full flexibility to explore.

Useful Croatian phrases for travelers

Below are a few words of Croatian to help you break the ice:

• Good morning – Dobro jutro (dobro yootro)
• Good afternoon – Dobar dan (dobar dahn)
• Thank you – Hvala ti
• Hello – Bok!
• Goodbye – Zbogom
• Excuse me – Oprosti
• Yes – Da
• No – Ne

Read more: Exploring small yet mighty Croatia: travel tips from a local expert

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