Dubrovnik is one of the most popular vacation destinations in Croatia. It’s a city of many resources, especially in the old town. The seaside also offers a wide range of tourist opportunities. But to make the most of your stay in Dubrovnik, it’s essential to choose the right area where to stay.
This accommodation guide will help you in your search. We’ll show you the main places to stay in Dubrovnik, whether in the historic center or the surrounding area. We’ll also recommend the best hotels and rentals.
Main information
Before going into the description of the places to target when selecting accommodation in Dubrovnik, here are the essentials to know from a tourist point of view. They should give you a better idea of the city and its constraints.
Our favorite places to stay
For those in a hurry, here are our favorite places to stay in Dubrovnik:
- $$ this accommodation is right on the seafront and a stone’s throw from the most popular tourist sites
- $$$ this luxury establishment, right in the heart of the old town, is one of the best places to stay in Dubrovnik
Map of Dubrovnik’s different districts to stay in
To give you a quick overview of the different places we recommend to stay in Dubrovnik, you’ll find on the map below all the Dubrovnik accommodation recommendations we’ll be sharing in this guide. You can also use it to locate the various neighborhoods we’ll be detailing.
The essentials for choosing where to stay in Dubrovnik
The best places to stay in Dubrovnik
Let’s get to the heart of the matter with a review of the main areas where we recommend staying.
Stay in the Old Town, in the heart of Dubrovnik's lively district
Dubrovnik's Old Town is undoubtedly the most strategic place to stay if you want to be at the center of everything. Between the city walls and the cobbled streets are numerous restaurants, cafés and bars. You'll also find the city's most popular tourist sites, including :
- the Franciscan monastery
- rue Stradin, the central shopping avenue
- st. Blaise church, a must-see in the district
- sponza Palace and Rector's Palace
- dubrovnik Cathedral
- the old port
If you plan to stay in Dubrovik's historic center, all the main places of interest are within walking distance. Stroll through the heart of the old town and enjoy the unique atmosphere of this district.
And don't forget: staying in the heart of the Old Town also means living to the rhythm of the city's nightlife! Indeed, it's hard to find peace and quiet in this part of town, even in the mornings (maintenance and delivery services are very noisy!). But it's a good compromise if you want to stay close to Dubrovnik's best addresses.
However, it's essential to choose your accommodation carefully from among the many available in this area. If you'd still like to stay inside the city walls, but in a more peaceful setting, you should opt for the southern part of the area.
You should also be aware that most of the accommodation in this area is expensive. Being at the heart of all the action, it's obviously the most sought-after area, and therefore requires a rather high budget.
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Pleasant B&B located close to many of the most popular points of interest in the historic center. The nearest beach is just a few meters away. The rooms are beautifully decorated and offer superb views, depending on the choice you make when booking.
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This hotel is located right in the heart of the old town, just a few meters from the legendary Stradun street. The5-star establishment offers luxurious Baroque rooms and a wide range of services, including two restaurants for all-day dining. The hotel's strong point is its convenient location.
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Hotel complex located a stone's throw from the sea and right in the center of the district. Enjoy a comfortable stay in one of our spacious rooms. The hotel's highlight is its rooftop restaurant, where guests can enjoy lunch with a spectacular view of Dubrovnik. You can also take advantage of the wellness facilities.
Accommodation in Pile, by the sea and close to the center
Staying in Pile, outside the city walls and to the west of the old town, is a great alternative to the hustle and bustle of the heart of Dubrovnik. In fact, it's in this district that you'll find more peace and quiet without being far from the best points of interest. You can easily walk to the center in just a few minutes.
The area remains very lively, however, thanks to its many bars and restaurants. The atmosphere is the same as in the historic center.
As far as tourism is concerned, there are a number of must-see places to visit, including
- the Lovrijenac fortress, for fans of the legendary Game of Thrones series and unique views over Dubrovnik
- the Pile Gate, giving access to the historic heart of the city
- dance Cove, a typical little beach, but not the ideal place to rest. There's no sand here, only rocks.
There are still plenty of places to stay in this area, but at prices a little lower than in the more popular area. What's more, accommodation is often of better quality in terms of soundproofing. A positive point when you want to enjoy the local atmosphere without compromising the comfort of your stay.
If you don't have your own car, this is the area where the transport link between the airport and the city center is located.
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The Dubrovnik Finest Apartments offer spacious, modern studio apartments on the seafront, just a stone's throw from the most popular tourist attractions. There are numerous restaurants and bars in the vicinity. The property also offers a shuttle service to get around the city.
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Very modern studios in an exceptional location. You're just a few meters from Sulic beach and the legendary Stradun street. Well-equipped, high-quality accommodation. It's the ideal place to enjoy cultural visits and the beach.
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Upscale establishment located just a few meters from the beach. The historic center is just a few minutes' walk away. This traditional accommodation offers spacious, modern rooms. There's also an indoor swimming pool and wellness area. The hotel's restaurant and bar offersuperb views of the Dubrovnik city walls and Lovrijenac fort.
Accommodation in Ploce
Ploce is a fairly chic, residential district located at the north-eastern end of Dubrovnik's historic heart, on the edge of the mountains. The area has all the advantages of Pile, mentioned above. However, accommodation is a little more expensive and the area is a little less lively. But that's certainly what you're looking for when you decide to stay in Ploce.
It's the perfect compromise between enjoying the peace and quiet of the seaside and getting to the sights of the old town quickly. The difference with Pile is in the budget. Here, you'll find plenty of places to stay andtop-of-the-range hotels. And the higher you go, the more chic the area becomes. But make sure you choose your accommodation carefully, as the area is uphill. It can be quite exhausting to get to the seaside, for example.
Some hotels even offer private beaches. Otherwise, Banje is the most popular beach in the area. It's one of the few beaches in Dubrovnik where you can lie on your towel for a few hours. It's even possible to reserve deckchairs. What's more, it offers a magnificent view of the fortifications.
In short, Ploce is a very interesting place to stay if you want to combine relaxation and cultural visits during your stay. We do, however, recommend that you choose accommodation along the seafront to avoid the uphill gradients.
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Lovely guest rooms with balcony located just a few meters from Banje beach. You can choose a sea view when booking your room. In addition to being close to the most popular places of interest, the accommodation is located in the area closest to the airport.
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Luxury hotel complex on the seafront. The old town is just a few minutes' walk away. The5-star hotel offers magnificent, spacious rooms. It features three restaurants, an indoor pool and a sumptuous wellness area with direct access to the hotel's own beach.
Staying in chic Lapad
Lapad is located to the northwest of the city. It is known as Dubrovnik's chic district. In fact, it's the ideal place for a luxury stay close to the seaside.
Most of the accommodation here is top-of-the-range. Private beach, sea view - all the essentials for a relaxing break. What's more, the peninsula is located high above the city, in the middle of the mountains. It offers spectacular views over the whole city! On the other hand, this is probably the biggest drawback to staying in this area. It's very out of the way, and the historic center is only a 30-minute walk away. However, some hotels offer a shuttle service for the transfer.
Nevertheless, this area is a very peaceful place to enjoy the sea. You'll find the beaches of Uvala to the west, Copacabana to the north and Bellevue to the south. The first and last are the best-known and most beautiful. And even though it's a more secluded area, there are still plenty of restaurants and bars to go out to during your stay in Dubrovnik. Petka Park is also located here.
Lapad is the ideal place to stay if you're looking for a peaceful, rather luxurious vacation, alternating between the beach and sightseeing as a second priority.
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4-star establishment located near the beach. Discover spacious, ultra-modern rooms with balconies and the possibility of choosing a special view at the time of booking. The complex boasts a restaurant and two bars, as well as a wellness area complete with gym, indoor pool and parking lot.
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Located on the seafront, this 5-star accommodation offers elegant rooms with the option of a sea view at the time of booking. It also boasts an outdoor swimming pool, two restaurants and a bar. There's also a complete wellness center and free parking.
Gruz for budget accommodation in Dubrovnik
Gruz is undoubtedly the most popular area for people looking for cheap accommodation in Dubrovnik. In fact, it's known as the popular district. It's very lively and perfect for finding a place to stay on a budget.
Although the area is quite far from the center (30 minutes on foot), it's close to the bus station and the port of Gruz. This is a real advantage for excursions to other Croatian islands such as Kolocep, Lopud or Sipan. And although Gruz is far from the heart of the Croatian city, public transport services (buses) provide excellent access to the historic center.
In short, Gruz is a very authentic and lively place to stay if you want to save money. Apart from that, there's not much point in staying here except for its proximity to the bus station and port.
What's more, this is the area where you'll find the mostyouth hostels. Ideal for backpackers!
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Guest house offering very charming rooms at exceptional prices. A great alternative for those on a budget. The establishment has a garden and private parking.
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Youth hostel offering beds in spacious dormitories with balconies. The establishment is very well equipped for the price. Ideal for budget travelers or backpackers.
Summary
It’s easy to see that choosing where to stay in Dubrovnik is pretty straightforward. In fact, beyond the old town, there are a few areas that are interesting for their proximity. For others, it’s a little more difficult to reach the heart of Dubrovnik on foot. It’s important to know the purpose of your trip so you can choose the best place to stay in Dubrovnik. For a discovery vacation, opt for the historic heart of Dubrovnik and the surrounding area; for a more relaxing stay, the more out-of-the-way places will suit you perfectly.
As far as the budget is concerned, rates are generally quite high for the country. However, it’s still possible to find a hotel at a reasonable price, especially if you can book in advance. And don’t forget that high season is summer. During these months, remember to book your accommodation several weeks or even months before you leave.