Your flights to Croatia are already booked and you’re wondering where to stay in Dubrovnik? This practical guide to the best accommodations in the Pearl of the Adriatic will help you decide which area to stay in Dubrovnik. Because the success of your trip to Croatia will depend on choosing accommodation that matches your expectations.
So, is it better to stay in an apartment in the lively Old Town? Or choose a hotel as close as possible to the beach outside the city walls? In this travel guide, I share all my tips and best deals to help you choose your accommodation based on your budget.
Which area to stay in Dubrovnik: the map
I’ve marked on the map below the different areas mentioned in this guide to the best places to stay in Dubrovnik. There are other neighborhoods, but they are not convenient for visiting the Old Town or enjoying the beach, so I don’t recommend them for tourists. I therefore suggest staying in one of the 5 areas shown on the map during your trip. For each area, I list the highlights as well as the best hotels, apartments, and guesthouses by budget. All the addresses are highly rated with excellent traveler reviews.
The Pearl of the Adriatic, as it is nicknamed, is the most upscale and expensive city in Croatia. It is entirely focused on tourism. If you’ve visited other parts of the country, don’t be surprised by the price differences compared to Istria, for example. My advice is to book as early as possible, especially during peak season, as the best accommodations in Dubrovnik get booked quickly.
One last point: there are no dangerous or unsafe neighborhoods in Dubrovnik. Croatia is a safe country with very low crime.
Where to stay in Dubrovnik Old Town?
The historic center is home to most of the main tourist attractions. It’s impossible not to fall in love with the marble-paved streets, baroque buildings, and stone houses. Inside the city walls, you’ll also find many bars and restaurants. That’s why the Old Town has a reputation for being noisy.
Indeed, nightlife is lively here, which may not suit travelers looking for a quiet place to stay in Dubrovnik. Not everyone is a night owl wanting to go to bed at 2 a.m. (closing time for bars). In addition, sleeping in may be difficult, as early morning deliveries and street cleaning will gladly wake you up.
From this perspective, you might think there’s no point in staying inside the walls of Dubrovnik. Don’t worry—there are small guesthouses and apartments located away from the nightlife and street noise. You just need to avoid the very center of the Old Town. This way, you’ll be close to the main sights and nightlife without the noise. The first thing to do before booking your accommodation is to check reviews and comments to make sure there are no noise issues.
Personally, I recommend staying inside the walls of Dubrovnik, especially if you’re only staying a few days in the city (before continuing your Croatia road trip). It’s the best area to enjoy your stay—unless you absolutely want to be just steps from a real beach.
Here is the list of accommodations I recommend; they are all located in quiet areas:
- 45 € : Room PlaceForYou, this apartment is one of the cheapest places to stay in Dubrovnik inside the city walls. It is located in the south of the Old Town, away from the noise. However, you’ll need to climb about a hundred steps to reach it.
- 50 € : Rooms Vlaho, very well located inside the walls, this apartment with a loggia offers a lovely view. Despite its central location, it is quiet, and no noise from nearby restaurants will disturb you.
- 75 € : Villa Four Winds II, this charming guesthouse located in the north of the Old Town offers modern rooms and bathrooms. Close to everything (restaurants, shops, sights, and the port).
- 105 € : Old Town Garden Apartments, this 55 m² accommodation with two bedrooms and a kitchen is located in a quiet area in the south of the Old Town. Beautiful garden with an inner courtyard for enjoying breakfast outdoors.
- 153 € : Dominus Little Palace, this 4-star bed and breakfast features superb rooms (deluxe or premium) with refined decor in an authentic setting. Very warm welcome.
- 328 € : Boutique Hotel Stari Grad, one of only two hotels in Dubrovnik Old Town, ideal for those seeking comfort and upscale amenities (only 8 rooms). Breakfast included and served on the rooftop terrace with panoramic views. A beautiful address.
The Pile district: closest to the center
This is the closest area to the Old Town, just outside the city walls toward the Lapad Peninsula. It’s a great compromise for travelers looking for a quieter district while staying close to the bars and restaurants of the Old Town. No need to take the bus—you can walk to the city walls. Pile also has the advantage of being central, with the beaches of Lapad not far away.
If you don’t want to stay inside the Old Town, I recommend staying in Pile. It’s the best area outside the walls. Here, beaches are limited to small coves among rocks and concrete platforms (the most beautiful is Danče).
For beach lovers looking for larger stretches of pebbles to lay their towel on (sand is very rare in Croatia), I recommend choosing the Lapad or Babin Kuk areas.
- 58 € : Apartment Soul of the Town, this fully equipped 30 m² apartment is one of the best options at this price for staying in Dubrovnik’s Pile area. It is located 1 minute walk from the beach and less than 200 meters from the Old Town.
- 60 € : Old Harbour City Center Apartment, another affordable accommodation in Pile. This 42 m² apartment with kitchen can accommodate up to 4 people, perfect for families.
- 80 € : Deluxe Rooms with a terrace view at Old City Gate, this guesthouse with a view is located 2 minutes walk from the beach and 1 minute from the city walls. Breakfast available as an extra and parking space possible.
- 96 € : Luxury TownHouse Baba, this beautiful modern apartment with sea views is very well located near the beach and the historic center. An excellent place to stay in Dubrovnik.
- 151 € : Apartment Odin, the highlight of this apartment is the terrace with a stunning view of Dubrovnik Old Town, the city walls, and the sea. It can accommodate 2 to 4 people.
- 288 € : Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik, this 5-star property is the only hotel in the Pile area. It offers spacious modern rooms, a pool, breakfast included, and free private parking (half board optional). A superb place to stay in Dubrovnik.
Staying in the Ploče district
The Ploče area is located east of the Old Town toward the airport. It stretches along the coastline, squeezed between the sea and the mountains. Ploče is a quiet residential seaside area with the advantage of being very close to the city walls. You can easily walk there. Ploče has less nightlife than the Old Town, but there are still plenty of bars and restaurants.
Thanks to its seaside location, you’ll find many coves and beaches for swimming. To the east, Sveti Jakov Beach is one of the most beautiful in Dubrovnik, offering a stunning view of the Old Town walls and Lokrum Island. Closer to the walls, Banje Beach is also popular with tourists.
I recommend choosing a hotel or apartment close to the sea, as the area is built on a hillside. The downside is that there can be quite a bit of elevation if you stay higher up in Ploče.
In terms of budget, you’ll find affordable apartments. However, the few hotels along the beach in Ploče are luxury 5-star properties.
- 45 € : Apartments Villa Kosović, one of the cheapest places to stay in Dubrovnik in the Ploče area. At this price, you’ll enjoy a superb view of the sea and the Old Town. Located on the hillside, 750 meters from the beach and 550 meters from the Old Town.
- 65 € : Villa Gloria, this property offers rooms, studios, and apartments with terraces. It features a garden with an outdoor pool. Only 150 meters from the historic center and 70 meters from Banje Beach.
- 75 € : Astrid Rooms, this guesthouse offers double rooms with terraces. A major plus is the free private parking, quite rare in central Dubrovnik. It’s also very well located just a few minutes from the beach.
- 90 € : Apartments Emi, this fully equipped 50 m² apartment features a lovely terrace with sea and Old Town views, as well as a private garden. Beaches are just a two-minute walk away.
- 110 € : Apartment Majestic, rated as a Croatian 4-star property, this nice apartment offers sea views. Fully equipped (kitchen, washing machine, etc.), it is also very well located just 150 meters from Banje Beach.
- 287 € : Grand Villa Argentina, this hotel features an outdoor pool and an à la carte restaurant with a terrace offering panoramic sea views. It is only a 5-minute walk from Dubrovnik Old Town and the beach. The perfect place to treat yourself.
Where to stay in Dubrovnik in the Lapad area?
The wooded Lapad Peninsula is located 4 km west of the Old Town. It’s an upscale area ideal for those who want to combine sightseeing in the Old Town with relaxing on the Adriatic beaches. Most hotels here are luxury 5-star properties catering to high-end travelers. Fortunately, there are also many budget-friendly apartments offering great value for money.
The Lapad area has two main swimming spots. The first is Bellevue Beach, a small pebble cove sheltered by high cliffs, accessed via a fairly steep staircase. The second is Lapad Bay, which includes several pebble beaches along a pedestrian promenade lined with many hotels.
Lapad is a bit far from the Old Town on foot, but it’s easy to get there by public transport. Many hotels offer shuttle services; otherwise, you can take the bus or even an Uber.
- 37 € : Apartment Ivka, this studio is one of the cheapest places to stay in Dubrovnik in the Lapad area. Perfect for small budgets. It is located a 12-minute walk from the beach. Bus stop to the Old Town right next door.
- 41 € : Apartments Monica, this fully equipped 30 m² apartment is highly rated by guests. Very welcoming hosts, quiet location, and free private parking. Beaches are a 6-minute walk away.
- 46 € : The Dream On Apartment, with its balcony and sea view, this apartment is perfect for those who want to stay right by the sea (Bellevue Beach is 50 m away). Shops nearby and bus stop very close.
- 77 € : Apartment Marko Dubrovnik, this well-equipped apartment features sea views and a private pool. Street parking available. Located 15–20 minutes walk from the Old Town and 10 minutes from the beach.
- 252 € : Hotel Dubrovnik Palace, one of the best hotels on the Lapad Peninsula (pictured above). Rooms with sea views (with or without balcony), pools, spa with indoor pool, jacuzzi and hammam, breakfast included, and free private parking. Private beach.
The Babin Kuk area for a peaceful stay
The Babin Kuk area is an extension of Lapad on the peninsula. It is far enough from the Old Town to be quiet and away from the crowds, yet close enough to reach it quickly by public transport. You’ll find plenty of bars and restaurants on site, so you can go out and enjoy meals or nightlife right near your hotel or apartment. If you’re staying several days in Dubrovnik, it’s a better option than staying inside the Old Town walls, where there is no beach.
Two beaches are located in Babin Kuk to enjoy the sea. Copacabana Beach is more family-friendly and calm, perfect for families with children. Nearby, Coral Beach Club is much more upscale and trendy, set in a beautiful environment. It’s one of the most beautiful beaches in Dubrovnik.
- 39 € : Apartments Captain, this affordable 43 m² apartment is perfect for budget travelers. It also includes free private parking if you’re visiting the country on a road trip. The beach is a 6-minute walk away.
- 49 € : Apartments Ella, this accommodation features a terrace overlooking a lovely garden. It can host 3 people. Private parking included. Copacabana Beach is less than 1 km away. To reach the Old Town, it’s better to take the bus or an Uber.
- 56 € : Cosmopolitan House Dubrovnik, the main highlight of this guesthouse located on the heights of Babin Kuk is its stunning sea view. Room with terrace and free private parking. The beach is a 3-minute walk away.
- 74 € : Villa Vanda, you can rent an apartment and also enjoy a pool with sun loungers. The apartment and price are for 4 people. Ideal accommodation for families. Beach just 200 meters away.
- 114 € : Adriatic Dream Apartments, a well-equipped 45 m² apartment with garden and sun loungers. Supermarket and shops nearby, beach 4 minutes walk, and free private parking. Bus stop to the Old Town 200 meters away.
- 275 € : Royal Blue Hotel, this 5-star seafront hotel will delight travelers looking for high-end amenities. Spacious rooms, some with sea-view balconies, spa, indoor pool, parking, and private beach.
Getting to your accommodation from Dubrovnik Airport
The airport is located 19 km southeast of the city. It is served by many regular airlines, with additional seasonal routes operated by low-cost carriers in summer. Before booking your flight, I recommend comparing prices on Skyscanner.
To reach Dubrovnik city center from the airport, you have several options:
- Airport shuttle bus: transfers are synchronized with flight arrivals. All buses leave the airport about 30 minutes after each flight arrival. Passengers can get off either in Dubrovnik Old Town or at the main bus station in Gruž. Booking here (€15).
- Private transfer by car: private transfer in an air-conditioned vehicle to your hotel or accommodation. This can be a good option if you’re traveling with several people and have a lot of luggage. Fixed price (€58). Booking here.
- Public bus: routes 11, 27, and 38 serve Dubrovnik Airport. This is the cheapest option to reach the Old Town but also the slowest. No buses on Sunday. Expect €3.70.
- Taxi: many taxis wait for tourists outside the airport. Expect around €37 to the city center and a bit more to reach the Lapad Peninsula.
If you have any questions about choosing your accommodation in Dubrovnik, feel free to ask them directly in the blog comments.