Hike Mount Srđ the Alternative Way for Stunning Dubrovnik Views
A Mount Srđ hike is the perfect way to see Dubrovnik – but there’s a different way to get there!
If you’re visiting Dubrovnik, a trip up Mount Srđ is an absolute must. Perched just behind Old Town, this mountain offers some of the most breathtaking panoramic views you’ll find anywhere along the Adriatic. From the top, you can see all of Old Town Dubrovnik, the sparkling sea beyond, and even some of the nearby islands. It’s truly one of the best ways to take in the full beauty of the area.
When we visited Dubrovnik, we knew we wanted to get up to Mount Srđ. We also wanted to do it in a way that balanced a little movement without being too exhausting, especially in the height of summer. After weighing our options, we found a perfect alternative route that gave us a bit of a soft adventure hiking without overdoing it.
Here’s everything you need to know if you’re planning your own trip to Mount Srđ, including how we did it with a bus ride, a short scenic walk, and a different way down that made the whole experience even better.
About Mount Srđ
Rising to an elevation of 412 meters (about 1,350 feet) over Dubrovnik’s city walls, Mount Srđ has been an important site throughout history – and not just for the amazing views.
Mount Srđ is home to Fort Imperial, built by Napoleon in the early 1800s (today it houses a small museum). In the 1990s, during the Croatian War of Independence, Mount Srđ and the fort provided an important line of defense.
Today, while remnants of the war remain along Mount Srđ, the main attraction is the panoramic views of Old Town Dubrovnik, Lokrum Island, and the beautiful Adriatic Sea. Whether you arrive by foot, cable car, bus, or taxi, the top of Mount Srđ gives you that “wow” moment – a full sweep of terracotta rooftops, city walls, the turquoise sea, and lush green islands in the distance.
Getting to Mount Srđ
There are a few different ways to get to the top of Mount Srđ, depending on how much time, money, and energy you want to spend.
🚠 Cable Car
Probably the most popular option, the cable car station is about a 10-minute walk from Old Town, and the ride to the top of Mount Srđ is short but scenic. It’s a fun experience with amazing views as you ascend and descend, but it’s also the priciest option. As of our 2025, a round-trip ticket was around €27 per person.
🚕 Taxi
You can also grab a taxi to the top, especially if you’re traveling with a group and want to split the cost. This can be more affordable than the cable car, and you still get to the top without much effort.
👣 Hike the Mount Srđ Trail
For the more adventurous, there’s a full hiking trail that ascends Mount Srđ from just outside Old Town. The trail zigzags up the mountain and is popular with travelers looking for a workout. But, if you’re visiting in the heat of summer like we did, this can be a seriously tough trek if you don’t start early in the morning.
🚌 🚶🏻♀️Bus + Walk Combo (Our Route)
Enter: our modified hiking option. We took a public bus partway up the mountain to a tiny village called Bosanka, and from there, we walked the remaining stretch to the top. It gave us a little bit of movement, scenic views, and a less-crowded, lower-effort experience. Perfect for a hot summer afternoon!
Tip: If you purchase the Dubrovnik Pass, use of public buses is included. Read about whether we thought the Dubrovnik Pass was worth it here.
How We Visited Mount Srđ: Bus, Walk, and Stairs
Catching the Bus to Bosanka
We started our trek to Mount Srđ from our apartment Old Town Dubrovnik. After making our way to Pile Gate, we caught Bus 17, which provides service between Pile Gate and Bosanka.
Note: If you’re considering this option, be sure to check the bus schedule beforehand. Buses to Bosanka run infrequently, so timing your trip is key.
The bus ride to Bosanka is brief – just 15-20 minutes – but incredibly scenic, as the bus winds up the hills over Dubrovnik.
Bosanka isn’t much more than a few houses and some countryside. Tragically, this small village was set on fire during the War of Independence, leaving residents to rebuild after the war.
Today, Bosanka is very quiet and peaceful. Plus, it’s already partway up the mountain, so starting your walk to the top of Mount Srđ cuts out the steepest section of the climb.
Walking from Bosanka to the Top of Mount Srđ
From the Bosanka bus stop, it was about a 1.5-kilometer walk (roughly a mile) to the the top of Mount Srđ. The walk took us about 30 minutes, and included lots of pauses for pictures and just enjoying the beautiful views along the way.
Perhaps controversially, we think views from some of the points along this walk are more beautiful than the summit itself. Plus, it’s much more tranquil, due to minimal crowds along the route.
The walk follows a paved road. There isn’t a dedicated walking path – instead, you can walk on the side of the road (always facing oncoming traffic), or just off the road. We did a combination of the two, often stepping off the road when we saw or heard vehicle traffic.
One thing we loved about this route was that almost no one else was walking it. We had panoramic views to ourselves most of the way up!
It felt like our own little adventure within an adventure, without the heavy crowds you see at the top of Mount Srđ.
Reaching the Top of Mount Srđ
Once we reached the summit, we spent about an hour wandering around. We took in all the views, walked over to the fort, and visited the souvenir shop.
There’s plenty of space at the top, and the 360-degree views are spectacular. The views of Old Town Dubrovnik and the Adriatic are postcard worthy.
If you want to stay a little longer, you can grab a bite to eat at Panorama Restaurant. Just be sure to make a reservation if you’d like to stay for dinner. We initially made a reservation here for dinner (months in advance of our trip), but ultimately decided to take a daytime trip to Mount Srđ, since we were enjoying our evenings in Old Town so much.
Walking Back Down (a Different Way)
Once we’d seen enough from the summit, we headed back to Bosanka, along the road, the same way we came up.
When we left the top of Mount Srđ, our initial plan was to walk back down to Bosanka and catch the bus back to Pile Gate.
However, after checking the schedule, we realized we had some time to kill before the next bus. Eventually, we decided to walk all the way back down to Dubrovnik.
Rather than taking the official Mount Srđ hiking trail (which starts higher up the mountain), we found a set of stone stairs in Bosanka (near the bus stop) that cut down the lower part of the mountain.
The path eventually leads through a tunnel (under the main roadway into down), and led us directly back toward Old Town.
This walk down took us about 20 minutes, and added another 1.5 kilometers or so to our adventure. While the midday walk was (very) hot, it was absolutely beautiful, with constant views of Old Town as we descended.
In the end, we were glad we took the stairs down. It gave us a different experience and another way to enjoy those famous Dubrovnik views.
Reflecting on our Alternative Route
In total, our alternative Mount Srđ route was about 4.5 kilometers of walking – about 1.5 kilometers from Bosanka to the summit, and then 3 kilometers from the summit to Bosanka, and down the stairs back to Old Town.
By the time we got back to our Old Town apartment (about 3 hours after we started), we were exhausted, but this was mostly due to the early August heat. Had we done the hike early in the morning or later in the evening, it would’ve been much more relaxing. Plus, after working up a sweat, it was a great excuse to visit one of our favorite swimming spots in Dubrovnik – and we did just that!
If you avoid peak sun times for this walk, we think it’s an easy route. However, if like us, you choose to do the walk in the heat of the day mid-summer, we’d upgrade our difficulty rating to moderate.
Tips for Hiking Mount Srđ
Whether you hike the traditional path to and from Mount Srđ, or choose a modified route like ours, proper preparation is essential, especially if you’re visiting in the warmer summer months.
- Start early, or later in the afternoon. If you want to avoid the hottest part of the day, an early morning start – or late afternoon or early evening – is critical. We did our Mount Srđ adventure in the middle of the day because of other activities we had planned, but don’t take our lead. Beating the sun would make this adventure even more enjoyable!
- Bring water, sunscreen, and a hat. Not matter the time of day, you’ll likely hike Mount Srđ during daylight, and there’s not much shade along either of the walking routes (either the traditional, or our alternative route). Pack water, sunscreen, and a hat. You can grab water at the top of Mount Srđ as well, if needed.
- Double-check the bus schedules. If you choose to do our modified bus + walk route to Mount Srđ, be sure to check the bus schedules. The bus to Bosanka (and back to Old Town) doesn’t run frequently, so you’ll want to time your trip accordingly.
- Wear supportive shoes. As with most hikes, supportive walking shoes (or sandals) are key here. You’ll be navigating paved roads, dirt trails, and stairs. No flip flops!
- Don’t rush! Take your time walking up and down. The views really are the experience, when it comes to visiting Mount Srđ. Pause frequently to take in the scenery around you and savor the moment.
Why We Loved the Alternative Route Up Mount Srđ
Taking the less-traveled route up Mount Srđ was one of the most rewarding choices of our Dubrovnik trip. It gave us just the right dose of soft adventure – enough movement to feel accomplished, but without the complete exhaustion of a full uphill (and downhill) climb in the summer heat.
The walk from Bosanka offered incredible views, peaceful surroundings, and a real sense of discovery that you simply don’t get when you’re packed into a cable car, or hiking on more traveled routes.
If you love getting off the beaten path, appreciate a little movement in your travels, and want to earn those epic views without overdoing it, our alternative route hits the sweet spot. Plus, you can mix and match the bus + walking options to suit your preferences. No matter what, it’ll feel like your own secret slice of Dubrovnik – quiet, scenic, and wonderfully memorable.