Dubrovnik trip

5 nights too long. 3 is enough. Good news, Montenegro is 2 hours away.

Stay inside the walls.

Hotel or AirBnb which ever you like.

Depends on what you like to do? Swim, kayak, hike, explore, GofT.
Definitely stay within the walls, but be warned Dubrovnik is pretty expensive.

Unless you’re planning some local exploration, hiking, day trips, or just pure relaxation then five nights may be too many. Even three full days may be a stretch.

Fort Imperial on Mount Srd overlooking Dubrovnik has an interesting history. Although a visit doesn’t have to be a ‘must do’ the view from there is spectacular. It is easily reached by cable car just outside the rear walls of the old city. Other options are detailed in the link. https://www.sunshineseeker.com/destinations/mount-srd-dubrovnik/

I think staying within the old city is preferable, but if the cost is too much for
your wallet, staying outside the walls in Cavtat, Lepad, or the west part of
the city isn't the biggest hardship.

As a solo traveler, you may not be as interested in the dining or nightlife aspects
of being in the old town at night. Or maybe you are.....

We did 3 nights in September and we could have found things to do for at least another day. We didn't stay in the old town,but it looked like it would have been a good choice.

Thank you for the responses. Maybe I’ll do 4 nights. Although I did plan a day trip to Montenegro, so maybe 5.
I’m def interested in the food scene and night life as well
From reading the recommendations so far I’ll def stay in the old town area.

Not sure what food scene you are looking for. There are a few very nice tourist restaurants and I presume some bars but Dubrovnik, within the walls, is little more than a museum town. An amazing museum town and well worth the time to visit. For better food and better night life, go to Split. Just a humble opinion.

Here, I will throw out one good restaurant
Taj Mahal (not Indian, local)
https://guide.michelin.com/hu/en/dubrovnik-neretva/dubrovnik/restaurant/taj-mahal

and here are some others: https://guide.michelin.com/hu/en/dubrovnik-neretva/restaurants

Our Rick Steves guide recommended Gradska kavana Arsenal Restaurant in the old town, but we just wandered the side streets until we found a place that looked inviting (there are so many restaurants in old town). One evening we headed up the stairs to the south. We explored a bit and stumbled upon the art school where the music was filling the air. We found out we had to get way off the main street to experience the real old town. Enjoy!

There is another Croatia thread running asking about restaurants entitle
Top Dining Suggestions Requested.