Dubrovnik, Croatia is ridiculously cinematic, as evidenced by its multiple appearances in the hit series Game of Thrones.

While the secret is out about this former hidden gem, this guide will help you navigate the best Dubrovnik viewpoints (and lesser-known treasures) with ease.

Are you ready to capture those Instagram-worthy pictures of Dubrovnik with photo tips and insider insight? Then let’s uncover the best views in Dubrovnik that you simply cannot miss!

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One of the absolute best ways to soak in amazing Dubrovnik viewpoints is by walking the City Walls. The Dubrovnik Walls walk is a paid experience that will grant you exclusive access to the city’s defensive walls where you can enjoy a bird’s-eye perspective.

The walk takes about two hours (give or take) and there are several small cafés/rest stops along the way where you can catch your breath, refuel, and soak in the magnificent views.

Admittedly, the cost of this popular activity is as steep as the initial staircase, but after completing the journey myself, I can honestly say it’s worth the price of admission! Plus, you can enjoy the walk at your own pace as it’s not timed; the only catch is that you can only walk in one direction.

For all of the details on this walk including key tips and first-hand insight, check out my dedicated guide to walking the Dubrovnik Walls.

There are three separate entrances for the Dubrovnik Walls: Pile Gate, Fort St. John, and Fort St. Luke.

As you make your way along the Walls of Dubrovnik, you’ll be met with one of the most postcard-worthy Dubrovnik viewpoints – the Stari Grad Roof Sea!

Here, you’ll climb a small staircase onto a stone platform overlooking the classic orange rooftops that the city is known for.

Pictures simply don’t do this spot justice; this impressive “sea” of rooftops is really something you have to experience for yourself.

You can only access the Stari Grad Roof Sea if you’re walking the Dubrovnik Walls. You’ll come across it near the end of your walk if you’re starting from Pile Gate.

Another gem you can’t miss along the Walls of Dubrovnik is the famous Minceta Tower.

This impressive 14th-century fortress was originally built to protect the city from Turkish invasion. It also represents the highest point of Dubrovnik’s defensive wall system, so you can just imagine what the views are like from here!

That said, you’ll have to climb a steep and winding staircase to enjoy the view. Be prepared for this to be the most strenuous part of the Dubrovnik Walls walk experience!

You can only access the Minceta Tower from the Walls of Dubrovnik walk. This is essentially the endpoint on the walk if you’re starting at Pile Gate.

You can’t explore Dubrovnik without stepping foot on the famous Stradun. This main street runs through the heart of Old Town Dubrovnik and is the primary thoroughfare in the city.

While you walk it along the ground level, I personally prefer the view overlooking it from the City Walls!

But again, in order to access this Dubrovnik viewpoint, you’ll need to purchase a ticket to the Dubrovnik Walls. (I suspect you’re noticing a pattern here, eh?)

Alternatively, if you decide to forego this walk (big mistake!), you can also capture it at street level. Just be aware that this popular area gets incredibly crowded during the peak of summer. You’re unlikely to find an empty (or near-empty) street unless you arrive around sunrise.

One of the perks of purchasing a ticket to the Dubrovnik Walls is that it also includes access to Lovrijenac Fortress, one of my absolute favorite Dubrovnik viewpoints.

In fact, this view from Fort Lovrijenac is the number one thing that inspired me to travel to Dubrovnik in the first place! I originally came across a photograph of this famous view on social media a few years back and I knew from that moment on that I needed to visit.

It was honestly such a pinch-me moment “standing in the photograph” that I’d discovered years before and capturing it for myself!

And in case you’re wondering, the little red boats you see in the water are not photoshopped – this just happens to be the starting point for kayak excursions to Lokrum island!

Once you enter the fort and climb to the top, you’ll enjoy this beautiful view.

If you don’t purchase a ticket to the Dubrovnik Walls (which includes free admission to Fort Lovrijenac), you’ll need to pay to enter. You can stay up-to-date with pricing and admission information here.

Fort Lovrijenac is located at Ul. od Tabakarije 29, 20000 in Dubrovnik. Once you arrive, you’ll need to climb a steep staircase to the entrance.

You cannot reach the fort by car, but if you’re driving, you can park outside of Pile Gate.

If you’re planning to visit Lovrijenac Fortress, you can’t miss this gorgeous sea view on the way in or out.

I absolutely love the dramatic perspective that this hillside spot creates.

Despite seeing this Dubrovnik viewpoint all over Pinterest, I was unaware that the little “stump” I’d be sitting on would be rigged with wires (that’s Instagram vs reality for ya)! Unbeknownst to me, architectural lights are hooked up and tethered here to light up the fortress at night.

As you leave Fort Lovrijenac, follow the path to the right that leads you down to Pile Bay. This park overlooks the bay.

At the foot of Fort Lovrijenac sits picturesque Pile Bay, a.k.a “Blackwater Bay” for the Game of Thrones fans.

As I mentioned earlier, this is the starting point for kayaking tours to Lokrum island, so be prepared to come across many boats in the water here.

When you exit Old Town Dubrovnik at Pile Gate, there will be an open plaza to your left where Amerling Fountain is. Walk into the plaza and you’ll find the path to your right leading down to Pile Bay.

Riding the cable car is a must on any Dubrovnik itinerary.

Sure, hopping in the car is touristy (and pricey), but the quick, 4-minute experience is quite fun and the view at the top is on another level (literally). Just wait until we get to the next spot on this list to see what I mean!

The cable car operates on a seasonal schedule, so be sure to check the hours of operation before your visit.

As of December 2022, an adult round-trip ticket costs 200HRK (110HRK for a one-way). While it pained me to pay this, I honestly forgot all about it once we reached the next spot on this list – Mount Srd!

The Dubrovnik Cable Car is located at Ul. Kralja Petra Krešimira IV. 10A, 20000 in Dubrovnik.

I promised you a spectacular view from the cable car, and a spectacular view is what you shall have from atop Mount Srd!

At 412 meters, Mount Srd sits behind the old town and offers some of the best Dubrovnik views – particularly at sunset.

 There are three ways to reach the top of Mount Srd:

1. Cable car (my recommendation)
2. Hiking
3. Cab

While they’re all viable options, each has its pros and cons, so you’ll want to weigh those when making a decision of how you’ll travel here.

Pros of Taking the Cable Car:

• You can enjoy the view without effort (especially at the front of the car)
• It’s the fastest mode of travel

Cons of Taking the Cable Car:

• It’s pricey
• You’ll need to share space with up to 29 other people (it holds 30 in total)

Pros of Hiking:

• It’s free
• You can enjoy amazing views
• You can go at your own pace
• You can stop along the way and take photos

Cons of Hiking:

• It gets extremely hot during the summer
• It’s the most time-consuming (about 30-45 minutes each way)
• There are a lot of loose rocks, making the climb more challenging
• It can be tiring

Pros of Taking a Cab:

• The drive only takes about 10-15 minutes from Pile Gate
• You can enjoy more privacy
• It’s air-conditioned 

Cons of Taking a Cab:

• This is the costliest option (About 300HRK)

Another one of the iconic Dubrovnik viewpoints is overlooking the Old Port. Once the locale for the city’s gigantic fleet of ships, the Old Port is located along the eastern side of the city, connecting Old Town Dubrovnik to the azure Adriatic.

Personally, I think the best vantage point over the water is from the Dubrovnik Walls, like I’ve shared below.

Can you see now why you cannot miss this walk when you’re in Dubrovnik?!

That said, if you’re not planning to do the walk along the Walls of Dubrovnik, it’s free to visit the Old Port at the ground level.

You’ll also find one of my favorite restaurants in the city along the port – more on that later!

The Old Port is also where you can catch a boat from Dubrovnik to Cavtat. This seaside town makes for a wonderful day trip from Dubrovnik and is easy to reach.

To reach the Old Port, follow Stradun to the east side of Old Town Dubrovnik until you reach Ploce Gate.

If you’re visiting Dubrovnik by car or you’re open to using the public bus system, another awesome view to check out is from Park Orsula.

Although we missed this one due to a lack of transportation, it certainly looks like it’s worth venturing out to see.

The park sits on a slope of land overlooking the sea and has more to offer than meets the eye. In fact, you may feel transported to the past when you see the giant steps forming a semi-circle amphitheater as well as the 14th-century medieval chapel that sits at the bottom of the hill.

But even with these cool perks, the big selling point here is, of course, the view!

Park Orsula is located at Magistralni put 2, 20000 in Dubrovnik.

If you’re traveling by car, the drive takes only about five minutes from the old town. If you’d prefer to travel by bus, take Line 8. The bus ride takes just under 40 minutes.

What better way to take these Dubrovnik viewpoints to new heights than with a delicious dinner to accompany them?

By far, our favorite meal (and overall restaurant experience) was at Stara Loza Rooftop Restaurant.

Part of Prijeko Palace Boutique Hotel, one of the best boutique hotels in Dubrovnik, this restaurant truly exceeded my expectations.

Albeit small, this intimate rooftop offers unbelievable panoramic views over the city. The view is absolutely at its prime during sunset, so try to book a dinner reservation here if possible.

Given the rooftop’s popularity and intimate size, you’ll need to reserve your seat in advance via telephone, email, or their contact form.

Keep in mind that the rooftop part of the restaurant shuts down during the winter season, so be sure to get in touch with the restaurant before planning your trip.

For more delicious details about our dining experience, be sure to check out my Dubrovnik hotel guide.

Stara Loza Rooftop Restaurant is located atop Prijeko Palace Boutique hotel at Prijeko ul. 24, 20000 in Dubrovnik.

Dubrovnik is considered amongst the top European party destinations due to its trendy bars. One of the best – with a view that’s sure to blow you away – is Above 5 Rooftop Restaurant.

Michelin-recommended Above 5 prides itself on being the only rooftop terrace in Dubrovnik Old Town (though Stara Loza certainly comes close)!

While we unfortunately didn’t make it here on this particular trip, the restaurant comes highly recommended from a trusted travel friend. Located atop charming Boutique Hotel Stari Grad, this restaurant truly goes above what you’d normally expect at a Dubrovnik eatery.

That said, being a cut above the rest means you’re going to pay a cut above the rest as well, and menus here are fixed. You can choose from a 3-course menu (795HRK/pp) and a 5-course menu (1175HRK/pp).

Above 5 is located atop Boutique Hotel Stari Grad at Ul. Od Sigurate 4, 20000 in Dubrovnik.

As one of the top Mediterranean destinations, Dubrovnik also has wonderful seaside dining options as well. So if you’d prefer to enjoy a water view while you dine, Gradska Kavana Arsenal Restaurant is just the place. This was one of my absolute favorite restaurant views in the city.

Located along the Old Port, the terrace section of the restaurant is the perfect place to admire the harbor from the ground level. It’s also ideal for people-watching; you may even be tempted to join a fun boat tour after your meal!

And speaking of food, the breakfast we enjoyed here was delish – especially on the heels of a sweaty walk along the Walls of Dubrovnik! Feel free to check out their menu in advance and tempt your tastebuds…

There’s also an inside dining area as well as additional outside seating in the old town, though the port view along the terrace is definitely the best!

Gradska Kavana Arsenal Restaurant is located at Pred Dvorom 1, 20 000 in Dubrovnik.

Another lovely port-view restaurant with delicious food to boot is Bistro Revelin. This is an ideal spot to eat and admire the gorgeous view just outside the old town walls.

Since the location is a bit removed from the main action, you can enjoy a more peaceful and intimate dining experience than you would within the old town.

The tables are comfortably set within a stone wall overlooking the sea, so it can feel a bit like you’re on a boat when you dine here.

While my husband and I enjoyed a delicious dinner, Bistro Revelin unfortunately doesn’t have an official website/menu. Instead, you’ll need to check them out via their Facebook page, as I’ve linked above.

Bistro Revelin is located at Dubrovačke Gradske Zidine, Ul. Svetog Dominika bb, 20000 in Dubrovnik. It’s located just inside Ploce Gate.

By now, I’m sure you can see how Dubrovnik has earned itself some well-deserved screen time – it truly is a remarkably photogenic city! I hope you’ll add at least a few of these amazing spots to your Dubrovnik itinerary, whether you’re planning a full-on photoshoot or looking to make mental snapshots.

In the meantime, which one of these Dubrovnik viewpoints would you most like to see? Let me know in the comments below!

Ready to explore more of Dubrovnik and beyond? Check out my other Croatia guides:

• 15 Boutique Hotels in Dubrovnik (Old Town Gems to Seaside Sanctuaries)
• Dubrovnik Walls Walk: Essential Guide to a Memorable Croatian Experience
• Plan the Perfect Day Trip from Dubrovnik to Cavtat, Croatia
• 15 Beautiful Boutique Hotels in Hvar with Sea Views
• 17 Fun Things to Do on Hvar Island, Croatia (Hvar Town & Beyond)
• Hvar Town or Stari Grad, Croatia: Which Island Town Is Best?
• 15 Fun Things to Do on Korcula, Croatia’s Island Gem
• Hvar vs Korcula: Which Croatian Island Is Right for You?