Dubrovnik is a gem on the Adriatic coast, and probably the best-known city in Croatia – and for all the right reasons.
In this updated 2025 guide, I’ll share my personal experience and insider tips to help you make the most of your five-day visit by sharing this perfect itinerary that will cover all the best attractions in the city.
While more days would give you more time to truly enjoy what this popular Croatian destination has to offer, 5 days in Dubrovnik are not that bad either. But let’s see what you should do during this time!
A Quick Look at the Itinerary
- Day 1-2: Explore the heart of the Old Town, the main attraction in the city. Enjoy its narrow streets, historic churches, and world-famous city walls.
- Day 3: Venture outside the city to choose between island hopping or exploring nearby peninsulas.
- Day 4: Take a day trip to Korčula island for a mix of culture, beaches, and local cuisine.
- Day 5: Unwind on one of Dubrovnik’s best-known beaches while soaking in panoramic views.
Five Days in Dubrovnik: Complete Itinerary
Dubrovnik has been one of Croatia’s best known tourist destinations for decades. Since the city walls, gates and tower were used as background in Game of Thrones, its popularity has incredibly increased.
You have a lot of things to see and do here, and I’ll help you with today’s Dubrovnik 5 days itinerary so that you’re 100% certain you’ll tick all the important things on the “to do” list.
Day 1: Discovering the Old Town
After you check in your hotel, no matter where it is located (the cheapest hotels are in Lapad, a residential suburb, only 3 Km from the Old City), catch the bus or walk to the Pile Gate (the main entrance to the Old Town).
On your way, stop by the tourist board just across from the Hilton Imperial hotel to grab a map of the area.
I recommend avoiding a leisurely walk on Placa or Stradun during the hottest part of the day, between noon and 4 PM. Instead, visit one of the many churches or museums that offer a welcome break from the heat. For lunch, try one of the traditional restaurants in the Old Town.
During these hours, it’s better to visit some of the many churches or museums around, which you will encounter in the area. Stop for lunch in one of the many Dubrovnik old city restaurants.
Alternatively, I recommend going to the Porporela beach, a small pier with the Red Feral (warning light), while waiting for the sun to get lower on the sky.
It is an ideal place for a quick refreshment in the hot Dubrovnik summers, located under St. John Fort. Be warned that it gets really crowded during the main season!
After 5.30 PM it’s time to visit the Dubrovnik city walls, your ultimate Dubrovnik experience, and the first must-do activity on our itinerary.
Grab a big bottle of water and head back to Pile Gate where is the entrance to the city walls. You will need the water to be hydrated during a relatively long, but easy walk.
This 2 Km long walls will take you about two hours of slow paced walking. If you prefer guided tours with Game of Thrones story and historical background of the walls, it’s best to take this organized tour (it’s more convenient than just only the entrance ticket).
After this amazing walk on the Dubrovnik walls, it’s time to go back to Stradun or Placa street, where you can best feel the ‘pulse of the city’, the favorite promenade walk of all Dubrovnik citizens, young and old, as well as of all tourists coming from all over the world.
There are many charming cafes there where you can enjoy a refreshing drink, and people watch and be amazed at how beautiful Dubrovnik really is. The prices in the area are a bit higher since it’s touristy, but you deserve it!
If you want a less expensive experience, you can do the same by resting on the steps of the St. Vlaho Church (make sure to visit it) or in front of Orlando’s Column (my favorite place).
After resting for a while or just idling around that area, you can explore some Dubrovnik nightlife venues, nested within the city walls.
When it’s time to go back to your hotel, take a bus back from Pile gate, or get into a taxi and head home. Your first day is over.
Day 2: Still Exploring the Old Town
Start your day with a visit to Skola Buffet on Antuninska Street No. 1 (Google Maps link here). I personally love their sandwiches made with fresh, homemade bread, ham, and cheese. Early mornings here mean you get the fresh bread right out of the oven.
Later, treat yourself to a refreshing ice cream or one of the best crepes at Dolce Vita on Nalješkovićeva Street 1a (click here for Google Maps link).
With your hunger satisfied, spend the rest of the day exploring the smaller streets that branch off from Stradun. Today is the perfect time to visit the churches, museums, and palaces tucked away in the Old Town.
Also, make sure to enjoy the spectacular scenery in the city. The best way is to take a cable car from Kralja Petra Kresimira IV street (check the map).
You don’t have to worry about the time, as cable cars run from June to August up to midnight. The entrance fee is around 20 Euros (make sure to double check as the prices can change without warning).
Day 3: A Day Beyond the Walls
A trip to Dubrovnik is incomplete without a taste of its surroundings. On this day, choose your own adventure outside the city limits.
One option is to explore the Dubrovnik archipelago – the Elafiti islands (Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan) offer a mix of quiet beaches and scenic views.
If you prefer a larger island experience, consider spending the day in Mljet. I’ve written detailed guides on these islands, so make sure to read them too.
Another choice is to spend a whole day in North Western part of the Dubrovnik region, visiting the Peljesac peninsula and Veli and Mali (Big and Small) Ston towns exploring the Ston walls (called Croatia’s China walls), sampling the best food in Croatia (oysters and mussels).
This will be one of the most exciting days among your 5 days in Dubrovnik, no matter what choices you make.
I really can’t recommend one or another, as there’s awesomeness no matter what you choose. Sometimes, it’s best to have more options and take a decision yourself.
Day 4: Visit Korčula Island
For day four of your five days in Dubrovnik, I suggest to take in consideration a day trip to Korcula island from Dubrovnik.
This memorable day tour is one of the most popular day excursions, spending the day exploring Korcula, a medieval walled town on an island of the same name, also known as ‘the small Dubrovnik’.
I recommend booking this guided tour here (it includes Croatian wine tasting), as doing it all yourself might be a challenge and free spots might be difficult to find without advanced planning.
This small town will offer you a much-deserved break to recharge your batteries, soak in the sun at one of the many beaches available in the area and sample some more local cuisine inside the town itself.
Day 5: Winding Down
The last of your five days in Dubrovnik will be ideal to summarize all impressions of Dubrovnik and its peculiarities.
The best place for this will be to spend half day on Banje beach, the most popular Dubrovnik beach.
It is located in front of the eastern entrance (Ploce Gate) to Dubrovnik Old Town bellow the luxurious Dubrovnik hotel Excelsior.
The beach has its own reception, restaurant and café bar on the water front, but expect very high prices here to accompany the high quality services and food.
The beach offers a unique experience of sunbathing on the gravel base and a bath with a view of the old town, the city walls and Lokrum island. Perhaps it is best place to relax and to reload your empty batteries.
Budgeting for Your Five Days in Dubrovnik
When planning your budget for Dubrovnik, consider the season – this is where prices go up or down a lot.
High season brings higher prices, while visiting in the off-season can save you money – but the atmosphere will be different and there’s no denial of the fact that visiting during the warm months of the summer brings the best experience.
For two people following the recommended itinerary, you should expect to pay as low as 100 Euros per day (with accommodation in a hostel or something similar, eating in local taverns and riding the bus or walking).
A mid-range budget, which includes a comfortable 3-star hotel, some paid attractions, and occasional taxi rides, averages around 220 Euros per day (for two). On a reasonable budget, expect to spend around 1,100 Euros total for five days for two people.
I wrote a more in-depth guide to travel prices in Croatia, make sure to check it out as they apply to the popular Dubrovnik too.
Conclusion
In my opinion, this is the best itinerary for Dubrovnik, if you only have five days to spend here. It’s going to be a bit busy, but it’s worth doing all the activities that I have recommended, as well as visiting all the places above.
But if you feel that there should be other “must-see” things included in the itinerary, let us all know by sharing your thoughts down below.
I was in Debrovnick in the old city last year and purchase some earrings that are hand made and would like to purchase more. They are from a small store and hand made with femo. Can you please forward me the name of the shops within the old city as I may remember it if I see It. Is was owned by a young man and lady with a small child.