Dubrovnik is a coastal gem on the Adriatic Sea, famed for its walled Old Town and scenic drives along the shore. It’s a dream destination for road trippers because you can easily drive from beach coves to hilltop forts in minutes. The city has well-paved roads, so it's easy to explore Dubrovnik scenic viewpoints with a car. The moments of sunrise and sunset here are magical as the sky and sea light up in hues of gold and pink against medieval stone walls and wooded hills.
This guide is for photography enthusiasts, couples seeking a romantic view, and travellers looking for the best spots to greet the sun and bid it farewell. Each location is accessible by car, so you can rent a car in Dubrovnik to explore anytime. Let’s dive into why Dubrovnik is perfect for sunrise and sunset chasing.
Dubrovnik’s unique geography and rich heritage make it an ideal destination for sunrise and sunset viewing, as it’s located on Croatia’s southernmost tip. The city is situated between the Adriatic Sea to the west and the foothills of the Dinaric Alps to the east. This means you get panoramic coastal vistas for sunsets and elevated lookout points for dawn. The climate is typically Mediterranean, providing many clear days for perfect dawn and dusk skies.
Sunrise comes early in Dubrovnik, especially in summer. Driving to these spots in the pre-dawn darkness is doable, and traffic is minimal at that hour. Make sure you know the route in advance, and bring a flashlight and maybe a coffee for the early start. Each of the following sunrise viewpoints offers a different perspective of Dubrovnik’s beauty. Arrive about 20 to 30 minutes before the scheduled sunrise to catch the first light and the subtle colour changes in the sky.
Mount Srđ is a classic panoramic spot, and it’s not only famous for its sunsets. Rising 412 metres above sea level, the summit offers a 360° view of the entire region. At sunrise in Dubrovnik, this vantage becomes magical because you’re facing east and south rather than toward the shadowed Old Town. As the sun lifts behind the distant mountains, soft morning light spreads across the rugged Konavle landscape and glimmers over the Adriatic Sea.
The mountaintop setting includes Fort Imperial, a 19th-century structure, and a prominent white cross. Many photographers consider the sunrise here just as spectacular as the celebrated sunset because the light is gentler, the temperatures are cooler, and the atmosphere is far more peaceful. On exceptionally clear mornings, you may even glimpse the outlines of Bosnia and Montenegro in the distance.
Driving to the top of Mount Srđ is simple. A steep, paved road with several switchbacks leads you up from the city. Follow the signs toward Bosanka or the cable car station. The trip takes about 15 minutes from Old Town, and a small parking area near the a restaurant and the fort is easily accessible at daybreak. Bring layers since the summit can feel chilly and windy before sunrise. Bring a tripod for low-light scenes and a telephoto lens for capturing details such as the Old Town rooftops.
The Franjo Tuđman Bridge on Dubrovnik’s western approach is not only an architectural landmark but also a beautiful sunrise viewpoint. This modern cable-stayed bridge stretches 518 metres across the inlet to Gruž Harbour and rises about 50 metres above the water. At dawn, you can park at the designated viewpoint just after crossing the bridge and enjoy a bird’s-eye perspective of Gruž Port and the Lapad Peninsula.
Early mornings often bring glass-calm water that reflects the sky’s soft pastel colours. With the bridge’s elegant span in the foreground and the distant Elafiti Islands silhouetted beyond, the scene is wonderfully photogenic. Although the sun rises behind the inland hills rather than over the sea, the warm light spilling across the harbour creates a tranquil, glowing atmosphere. The bridge’s white cables catch the first light beautifully.
To reach Dubrovnik Bridge, drive north from town along the D8 highway, cross the bridge, and pull into the small parking turnout. From the turnout, just a few steps bring you to the railing with a full panoramic view. When photographing, try framing the bridge’s arch and cables as they sweep into the view with the calm bay below.
If you prefer a more relaxed, sea-level sunrise experience, head to the Lapad Peninsula on Dubrovnik’s western side. You can drive along Lapad’s shoreline while enjoying open sea views and fresh breezes through your window. A charming area is the road near Lapad Harbour and Babin Kuk on the northern tip of the peninsula. Here, you get an east-facing view toward Gruž Harbour and the surrounding hills.
Lapad is only about a 10-minute drive from Old Town, and there are several places where you can safely pull over, such as near a hotel or along the street by Lapad Marina, to take photos or simply enjoy the view. There are many free and empty parking spaces if you’re early. After watching the sunrise colours, you’ll be perfectly positioned for a morning coffee or breakfast along Lapad’s seaside promenade. A local bakery or café around Lapad Bay is an ideal stop once the light has fully settled.
For a hidden-gem sunrise location, drive up to Bosanka, a rural village perched on the slope of Mount Srđ. Bosanka is elevated like the main Srđ viewpoint, yet remains well off the typical tourist route. The village consists of only a handful of houses, farmland, and open countryside. Near Bosanka, a small roadside clearing provides a beautiful southeast-facing lookout.
As the sun rises over the distant mountains of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the entire landscape glows with warm golden light. From here, you can see the sea turning gold, the town of Cavtat far to the south, and rolling hills stretching toward the horizon. Turning back toward Dubrovnik, you’ll also catch views of the Old Town and Lokrum Island.
Reaching Bosanka by car is simple. Take the same road that leads to Mount Srđ, and partway up, you’ll see the turnoff for Bosanka. The road is narrow but fully paved, and the drive takes about 10 minutes from town. There’s no official parking, but you can safely pull over on a wide shoulder or a clear spot near the village. After sunrise, you can continue the short five-minute drive up to the Srđ summit to visit Fort Imperial or head back down to town for breakfast.
Sunset in Dubrovnik is an experience you’ll remember, with vibrant colours and dramatic views. In summer, sunsets are around 8:00 to 8:30 PM. In winter, much earlier, around 4:30 PM. Aim to reach your chosen spot at least an hour before sunset to get parking and enjoy the golden hour light. The following locations are the top sunset spots in Dubrovnik that you can go to by car.
Mount Srđ is also famous for sunsets, and many travellers come here for Dubrovnik sunset photography. In the late afternoon, drive or take the cable car up to the summit for a breathtaking west-facing panorama. Below you lies the entire Old Town of Dubrovnik, framed by Lokrum Island and the distant Elaphiti Islands across the horizon.
As the sun begins its descent, the sky over the Adriatic glows in shades of orange, gold, and crimson, washing Dubrovnik’s terracotta rooftops in warm light. You can watch the city walls fall into shadow, and the islands transform into dark silhouettes as the sun melts into the sea. Sunset on Mount Srđ is a lively scene. You can watch people gathering at the railing, glasses clinking at a restaurant, and photographers capturing every second of the color shift.
The road up is the same serpentine climb described earlier, taking about 15 minutes. Parking, however, can be limited. Spaces near the summit fill fast, so aim to arrive at least an hour before sunset. Some visitors drive up earlier and relax at the top while waiting for golden hour. Once you reach the summit, find your ideal viewing spot. The restaurant’s terrace offers unbeatable front-row seats. Otherwise, stand along the stone walls near Fort Imperial, or wander slightly east of the cable car station for quieter ledges.
If you’re after a more intimate, local-favorite sunset spot, head to the viewpoint above Danče Beach. It’s a small rocky cove just west of Dubrovnik’s Old Town. From the coastal path near Danče, you get a wonderful view of the sun sinking into the open Adriatic with Dubrovnik’s ancient stone walls glowing to the east. As daylight fades, the silhouette of Fort Lovrijenac often features in the foreground.
The whole sky burns with oranges, pinks, and purples, and the colours reflect beautifully on the waves crashing against the cliffs. It’s a quieter, more atmospheric experience than Mount Srđ. Instead of a sweeping panorama, you enjoy a close-up coastal sunset framed by Dubrovnik’s fortifications and the sound of the sea below.
To reach the Danče viewpoint by car, drive to Gradac Park, which is located above the beach. There’s a public parking lot and some nearby street parking, and from there it’s about a five-minute walk to the coastal overlook. Gradac Park is shaded cliff-top green space. On its far side, you’ll find paths leading toward the rocky viewpoints above Danče Bay. Choose a comfortable spot on a bench or along the stone wall facing west.
For a panoramic coastal view at sunset with a touch of culture, drive out to Park Orsula. Park Orsula is an open-air amphitheatre and park located on a steep hillside about 3 kilometres southeast of Old Town Dubrovnik. Here, you can see the Old Town and its walls to your right, Lokrum Island just across the channel, and the endless Adriatic Sea extending to your left.
The sun will set off to your right, often casting a golden glow over the Old Town and then dipping behind the mountains of the Pelješac peninsula in the far distance. Because Orsula is a high perch about 200 metres above the sea, you get an unobstructed, wide horizon view. The park has a rustic stone stage and terraces (remains of an old chapel and an event venue), which sometimes host live music concerts in summer.
Reaching Park Orsula takes approximately 5 to 10 minutes, located south of Dubrovnik along the coastal highway toward Cavtat. Watch carefully for the left-hand turnoff about 3 kilometres from town. The sign can be easy to miss, so slow down as you approach. The access road is a short, dirt driveway that leads to a small parking area. Because only a few cars fit here, it’s best to arrive early in the evening.
Sometimes the best sunset stops are the ones you discover spontaneously. Driving east of Dubrovnik along the D8 coastal highway (toward the airport or Montenegro), you’ll pass through several scenic pull-offs where the shoulder widens just enough for safe parking. From here, you’re positioned east of Dubrovnik looking west, giving you a front-lit, golden view of the Old Town, its encircling medieval walls, and the lush Lokrum Island offshore.
During sunset, the sun is behind you, bathing the city in a warm amber glow while the sky behind it turns rich shades of orange and pink. The lighting here has no harsh silhouettes, just beautifully illuminated stone, sea, and island. As part of a road trip, these stopovers are convenient. You can pull off just above the Ploče Gate area, near the turnoff for the cable car’s lower station. There is another one slightly higher up along a curve where vans and tour groups often pause for photos. You’ll easily spot them when you see a few vehicles.
Here are some practical tips and things to keep in mind as you plan your golden-hour adventures.
Dubrovnik truly shines at the edges of the day. From the hushed mornings on a mountaintop to fiery evenings by the sea, the city offers an array of unforgettable sunrise and sunset experiences all within a short drive. With a car, you have the freedom to create your own timetable and chase those magical moments when the sun kisses Dubrovnik good morning or good night. We hope this guide helps you discover the city’s beauty in a new light.
Plan your route, rent a car at Dubrovnik Airport with Final Rentals, and embark on a golden journey. With Final Rentals, booking a car online is fast and simple. Choose your pick-up location, enter your travel dates, and select a vehicle for your trip. Book and manage your car rental at any time. Download the Final Rentals app on Google Play and the App Store.
