COMPLETE GUIDE: Where to Stay in Dubrovnik

Also known as the “Pearl of the Adriatic Sea,” this beautiful town is a favorite place for those in love with ancient architecture, poetic palaces, and pristine beaches! A UNESCO World Heritage site, Dubrovnik Croatia peaked its popularity when the Game of Thrones crew decided to make it one of their main filming locations. It’s hard not to fall in love with this unique city and its famous city walls, which were never breached!

If you’re wondering where to stay in Dubrovnik, because let’s face it, all the areas are so magical that it can be tough to choose, don’t worry! By the end of this article you’ll make up your mind! I’ve looked through hundreds of hotel lists to find you the absolute best one for each price range and I only recommend the best-rated hotels that I would choose for myself! 

There are so many things to do and see here! I’m happy I’ll get the chance to tell you all about the Dubrovnik best areas and all the top accommodation options from boutique hotels to mid range hotels. Just keep in mind that you should book in advance if you want to get a great deal as these book out super fast! 

The palaces are waiting for us! Let’s go!

If you are in a hurry

Here’s a list of all the best hotels in Dubrovnik Old Town that will help you decide quickly where to stay:

Here’s a map of all the areas in Dubrovnik Croatia that I’m going to talk about in this post:

1. Old Town – where to stay in Dubrovnik for the first time

Welcome to the heart and soul of Dubrovnik! Located in the southeastern part of the city, this area is famous for its medieval walls made completely out of white stone! And not just that, if you’ve watched Game Of Thrones I’m sure you’ll recognize tons of locations from the Old Town. All the big historical landmarks, museums, and gothic architecture make this area the best choice if you’ve never been to Dubrovnik. 

This city is a UNESCO World Heritage site and it’s not the only one in Croatia, the Plitvice Lakes are also included and a place I highly recommend you visit. You can find more about it in this post about the best accommodation near the lakes.

Start your day by walking on the popular Stradun street in the Old Town, made entirely out of white marble! This is a top attraction for every tourist, and you’re so going to love the feeling that you get here! It’s like opening the door to the past with all the Renaissance houses lining each side of the street.

Next, head to the ancient city walls and get lost in the magical atmosphere there. If you choose a hotel in this area then you’ll be able to get around on foot as most attractions are 20 minutes away from the accommodations. 

I recommend waking up early, having a coffee, and continuing your Croatian holiday with a visit to the Rector’s Palace and Sponza Palace in the Old Town. And again, I highly recommend booking the hotels here in advance as this is the most popular area to stay in the city and a top destination area for most tourists!

Other accommodation options in Old Town

Things to do in Old Town

2. Lapad – best place to stay in Dubrovnik for families

This beautiful residential area is situated 3 km (2 miles) northwest of the Old Town on the Lapad Peninsula. If you’re wondering where to stay in Dubrovnik with the whole family, then I suggest booking your trip here! Thanks to its fantastic beaches where you can try all sorts of watersports and the many restaurants nearby, Lapad will be the best place to explore with your family. If you’re looking for more amazing places in Croatia with your kids, check this article on where to stay in Split!

Even if you decide to stay at a hotel here, you can still easily explore the Old Town as the buses run frequently and it only takes 15 minutes to get there. However, I’m sure it will be hard to leave Lapad as you’ll find a beach at every corner, and the spectacular views overlooking the Adriatic Sea will make you fall in love with Lapad.

If you enjoy spending as much time in nature as possible, then you’ll be happy to know that the beach won’t be your only choice. Just above the sea, you’ll find a forest on a hill that has the most amazing view of the Peninsula! Take some time and enjoy the “lungs of Dubrovnik” with your whole family!

Other accommodation options in Lapad

Things to do in Lapad

3. Ploče – where to stay in Dubrovnik for a complete experience

This area is located east of the Old Town just a 10min walk, and even if you choose a hotel to stay here, you can take the bus to visit attractions in the other neighborhoods. Ploče is the perfect place to stay in Dubrovnik if you want to enjoy visiting many historical sites, but there’s also a beach nearby where you can relax and enjoy the beautiful Adriatic Sea.

Ploče will offer you the best of both worlds! What I mean by that is that you’ll be close to all the ancient sites, but at the same time, you have the Banje beach in this area, which by the way, is the biggest public beach in Dubrovnik! Yay! I would love to sunbathe here! This area also has some of the best bars and restaurants where you’ll find fresh seafood!

If you’re still debating where to stay in Dubrovnik, I highly recommend this area! And make sure you book in advance to get your hand on the best hotels! You can spend your days relaxing on the beach with a cocktail in your hand, and then eat a delicious meal at one of the restaurants! Plus you can walk 10 minutes to the Old Town and visit other museums and palaces!

Other accommodation options in Ploče

Things to do in Ploče

• Spend a relaxing day on Banje beach in Dubrovnik
• Eat dinner at Cafe Lazareti
• Admire the beautiful Ploče gate within the city walls
• Have a cocktail at Banje Beach Night Club
• See some beautiful Croatian art at the Museum of Modern Art
• Take a walk to explore the Old Town
• Ride the cable car to the Srd mountain and see the most amazing views of Dubrovnik 

4. Gruz – best place to stay in Dubrovnik on a budget

If you want to experience the local vibe of Dubrovnik and not pay a fortune for the hotels and restaurants, then I highly recommend booking your place here in advance! Located north from the Old Town, just 4 km (2 miles) away, this area is also popular because it’s the main port in Dubrovnik. A residential neighborhood where you won’t see as many tourists as in other places means that the hotel prices will be lower. Yay!

The marina here is very nice, not to mention the spectacular view of the Adriatic Sea! If you’re thinking of going on a day trip to any of the islands nearby, then staying in Gruz will be perfect for you. You can easily arrange a ferry trip to the Elaphite Islands, which look so beautiful!

Enjoy one of the best neighborhoods in Dubrovnik with its authentic Croatian atmosphere and eat some delicious seafood at one of the restaurants while you’re here!

Other accommodation options in Gruz

Things to do in Gruz

5. Babin Kuk – where to stay in Dubrovnik for luxury

Located on the northern part of the Lapad Peninsula, just 4 km (2 miles) away from the Old Town, this area is perfect if you want to find luxury hotels but at the same time enjoy some peace and quiet during your stay in Dubrovnik. The beach is surrounded by huge rocks and green, full of life spots that will make you relax and forget all your worries.

You’ll find some of the best hotels here, not to mention the wide variety of bars and restaurants. Enjoy a full day of lying on the beach, admiring the beautiful views, and taking long romantic walks on the shores of Babin Kuk.

Don’t be surprised if you spot many luxurious yachts and stylish spas! If you want some more privacy, you can head to the private beach, Copacabana, where there are tons of watersports activities, boat rides, and delicious food at the high-end restaurants.

Other accommodation options in Babin Kuk

Things to do in Babin Kuk

6. Pile – best place to stay close to public transportation

Famous for its ancient 15th century city wall, Pile gate, and the 11th century Lovrijenac fortress, this area is perfect for those who don’t like to stay in one place while traveling. Because this is where most city buses have their last stop, you will find it super easy to explore other parts of the city like the Lapad Peninsula; plus, Pile is located within walking distance, just east of the Old Town.

Pile looks like one of those medieval places you see in history books and wonder how many wars the beautiful Lovrijenac fortress has seen. Built on a 30-meter high rock, the fortress has to be one of the most unique places outside the Old Town in Dubrovnik. Historians believe that it was built between 1018 or 1038. Wow, that’s a really long time! The views are so beautiful from here you can’t miss the chance to see a sunset at this place in Pile. 

You can spend your mornings in one of the many cafes, have a strong espresso and get ready for a full day of sightseeing and walking around. Of course, for those of you who want to relax and enjoy the Croatian sun, you can walk down to Dance beach and stay until the sun goes down!

Other accommodation options in Pile

Things to do in Pile

• Visit the Lovrijenac fortress 
• Go to Old Town and see the Onofrio Fountain and the Franciscan Monastery
• Admire the views from Fort Bokar
• Go in the Old Town through the Pile Gate
• Stop by Kolorina beach, a location used in the Game of Thrones series
• Watch the sunset in the historic Gradac Park
• See the gothic architecture of St. Saviour Church
• Have a relaxing day at Dance beach

BONUS: The top 5 best islands near Dubrovnik 

Well, I’m sure that by now you’ve figured out where to stay in Dubrovnik depending on your preferences. We’ve seen the best areas in this city now let’s go on another adventure and explore the most amazing islands located nearby! Once you’ve seen everything in the Old Town trust me, you’ll love to go on a little escapade!

Whether you want to find a hotel there and stay overnight, or just go for a day trip, let’s see what the top 5 islands are around Dubrovnik!

1. Lokrum 
This island has an interesting story, it is believed that the Benedictine monks cursed this place a long time ago when they were forced to abandon it. It stretches from northwest to southeast Croatia and to get here, you can take a boat service from the Old Town harbor, and you’ll get to Lokrum in 15 minutes. 

The atmosphere of the island is really special! Of course, everyone comes here to spend some time admiring the Dead Sea or tan on the rocky beaches. However, there are a few attractions like the Benedictine monastery and the Game of Thrones center. Venture outside the Old Town and don’t miss this island in Dubrovnik Croatia!

2. Mljet 
Located in southern Croatia, this island is quite big, but even if you come here for just one day, you can enjoy most of its attractions! To get here, you can take the ferry from Gruz, and you will arrive in 50 minutes. This island is perfect for those of you who enjoy green scenery! There’s a National Park that you can visit and two salted lakes! Enjoy a full day of swimming and sunbathing but make sure to get some epic photos whilst you’re here! 

3. Korčula
The Island of Korcula is one of the islands in Central Dalmatia, the southern region of Croatia located along the Adriatic Coast. Welcome to the homeland of Marco Polo! This island is quite big, and to get here, you can take the ferry from Dubrovnik and get there in 2 or 3 hours, depending on which route you take. 

Not only is Korčula full of beaches and almost 200 fascinating caves, but you can find another historical city center worth visiting, considering its architecture and stone walls. Stop by the Marco Polo Museum and then head to one of the vineyards to try their delicious wines!

Since it’s a little further and in case you fall in love with this place and want to spend a night or two here, I’ve found two great places to stay. If you want a more luxurious place I highly recommend Hotel Korsal and if you prefer a mid-range option then the Adriatic Pearl Apartments can be the right place for you!

4. Lopud 
This is a small island off the coast of Dalmatia, southern Croatia. Lopud is the perfect place for you if all you want to do is stay on the beach all day long! Swim, sunbathe, and have a picnic here until the sun sets over the island! Go to Sunj beach and enjoy the blue water and rocky view. 

If you still want to take some time off from the beach (I doubt it but hey, I’m here to give you all the useful info for your holiday), you can walk around the medieval churches. One that you shouldn’t miss is the Our Lady of Sunj Church, a beautiful 15 century Franciscan Monastery that has some incredible art painted inside of the Church. In order to get here, you can take the ferry from Dubrovnik and arrive on Lopud island in 1 hour!

5. Šipan
The largest out of the Elaphiti Islands and located 20 km (10 miles) northwest of Dubrovnik, Šipan is perfect for any traveler looking for peace and quiet! Reachable by ferry from Dubrovnik, you will get there in 1 hour and 20 minutes. The island is not as frequented by tourists as any of the other places. Enjoy a day on the beach with your favorite book and an amazing view of the sea. 

You can visit two villages if you’re in the mood to walk around the island, Šipanska luka and Suđurađ. As in most parts of Dubrovnik, this area too has a lot of historical monuments. You can visit the Church of St John, which was built in the 11th century, or the Renaissance Church of the Holy Spirit. Back in the day, this island was the place where the aristocratic families of Dubrovnik would build their summer homes, so you’ll probably come across a lot of myths here!

Frequently asked questions about Dubrovnik

Conclusion

I absolutely loved it! There’s something so magical about Dubrovnik, I don’t know if it’s all the legends and myths or the beauty of the Old Town of Dubrovnik and its unbreachable city walls. but I had a great time telling all about the best areas from Lapad and Babin Kuk to Old Town and all the others!

I know, I did it again! I’ve given you so many hotel options and they’re all pretty amazing so you should definitely book them in advance. To make your life much easier here are my top 2 choices both located in Dubrovnik’s Old Town:

• The Pucic Palace – The Old town’s best hotel set in an 18-century Baroque palace
• Scalini Palace – An elegant hotel with lovely views of Dubrovnik’s Old Town

I hope this article helped you decide where to stay in Dubrovnik Croatia! Wander around this magical place, discover all the fantastic touristy spots in the Old Town and spend your days sunbathing on the pristine beaches of Dubrovnik!

Do leave a comment if you have any questions or suggestions for our traveling community.

Safe travels, 

Victoria