If you are planning to visit Dubrovnik, Croatia, picking the right neighborhood matters a lot. A 10-minute bus ride can cost €350 per night, compared to €120 for a comparable room. It also affects everything from beach access to how crowded your morning walk feels.
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Best Places To Stay In Dubrovnik, Croatia
I'm Ivan, and I run Dubrovnik Trip. I grew up here and have helped thousands of visitors decide where to base themselves. This guide covers the six main areas where travelers stay, and which accommodations fit different travel styles. If you're still planning, start with our guide to planning your Dubrovnik trip.
Are you ready for your Dubrovnik experience?
Rector's Palace in DubrovnikWondering Where to Stay? The Six Main Areas in Dubrovnik
1. Dubrovnik Old Town - Heart of Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik center, home to iconic city walls, is the most sought-after place to stay in Dubrovnik. You will be surrounded by limestone streets and Baroque churches. Old Town has dozens of restaurants, but prices are the highest in the city, and parking is nonexistent.
But you need to know that the entire Old Town is pedestrian-only. You'll roll your luggage over uneven stone, and some properties have more than 50 steps with no elevator. During peak season, Stradun, the main street, is crowded with people.
As for the accommodation, you will find almost entirely private apartments and a handful of boutique guesthouses. There are no large hotels inside the walls. If you don't mind crowds and higher prices, you will enjoy your stay in central Dubrovnik because everything will be at your fingertips.
2. Ploce - East Entrance to the Old Town
Ploce is just a short walk from the eastern gate, Pile Gate. This is where you'll find the best hotels in Dubrovnik, with direct Adriatic sea views. As it hosts luxury hotels, it is not budget-friendly. Restaurant options are few, and parking is mostly reserved for hotel guests.
Banje Beach, the city's most popular beach, sits right below this neighborhood in Dubrovnik.
Ploce is steep. You'll get great views, but it requires a lot of uphill walking. It is connected with other parts of Dubrovnik by buses, but it is also easy to walk 5 to 10 minutes into Old Town.
3. Pile - Main Entrance to the Old Town
West of Old Town is the main entrance to Dubrovnik city centre, Pile Gate. This small area gives you access to Old Town without the Old Town price tag. Fort Lovrijenac, the fortress used as a filming location for Game of Thrones, sits on the cliffs here.
Pile is the main bus hub for lines to Lapad and Gruz. Bus line 6 departs from Pile Gate every 15 minutes and reaches Lapad in about 10 minutes. You can check all the timetables on the official website of Libertas Dubrovnik. This area of Dubrovnik is relatively small, with only a few dozen accommodation options. Here you will find mostly apartments and small guesthouses. Dining and grocery options are limited to a few places.
4. Lapad
The Lapad peninsula is where most of Dubrovnik's hotels are located. It's a residential area with wide sidewalks, pine trees, and a pedestrian promenade along the coast. The closest beach is Lapad Beach. It is a well-maintained pebble beach with sunbed rentals, cafés, and shallow water suitable for children. You can find multiple supermarkets, mid-priced restaurants along the promenade, beach access, and available parking. All of that makes it the most balanced neighborhood for comfort without Old Town prices.
Lapad is located 3 km from Old Town. To get there, jump on bus line 6, which runs every 15 minutes until 1 am. Restaurants here tend to be 20–30% cheaper than in Old Town.
5. Babin Kuk
Located at the tip of the Lapad peninsula, Babin Kuk is Dubrovnik's greenest part. It has three beaches: Copacabana Beach, Cava, and Uvala. Also, the highest concentration of luxury resort hotels with pools, spas, and direct beach access.
It's about 4 km from Old Town via bus line 6. This area feels quieter than central Lapad. But keep in mind that grocery stores and restaurants are limited.
Deckchairs on a Copacabana beach, source6. Gruz
Gruž is Dubrovnik's working port neighborhood. The main bus station and ferry terminal are here, making it practical for day trips to the Elaphiti Islands or Mljet. The daily green market is a local favorite. It has no beach, so you will not have immediate access to the beach.
This is the most affordable area in Dubrovnik proper. Hotels near Gruz are cheaper than the city average.
If you are on a budget, this area will suit you the best. Bus lines connect you to Old Town in about 10 minutes.
Gruz Port Accommodation in Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik's accommodation falls into four main categories. Prices swing significantly between peak summer and shoulder season. The highest are, of course, in July and August.
Most hostels are concentrated in Old Town and Gruž. Expect to pay 30–60€ per night in peak season, dropping to €20–40 in shoulder months. Kitchens are shared, and most have 4–8 bedrooms. Hostels are most in demand among solo travelers and backpackers who use them as a base for day trips.
Private apartments are the most common type across the city. They are available in every neighborhood. Peak rates range from €100–250 per night, falling to €60–150 in shoulder season. If you haven't reserved your accommodation yet, you can view our apartment offerings. You might find something you like.
Boutique hotels and guesthouses cluster around Old Town, Ploče, and Pile. They run €200–400 per night in summer and €120–250 in shoulder months.
Resort hotels dominate in Lapad and Babin Kuk. Peak rates start at €250 and climb past €500 per night for 5-star properties. In shoulder season, rooms drop to €150–300. Resorts typically include pools, spas, beach access, and on-site restaurants.
If you're traveling with a group of 6 or more, private villas in Dubrovnik can be cost-effective at €300–600 per night, split among guests. Most of the villas are away from the Old Town. You might need a car to explore Dubrovnik, but in return, you get pools, privacy, and parking, none of which are easy to find in the city. See our villa offerings.
Villa Holiday home Perko from our portfolioPractical Tips for Your Trip to Dubrovnik
- Book early for summer. Dubrovnik has limited capacity inside and around Old Town. Properties in the walled city sell out by March for July and August stays.
- Check out the tourist tax. It is advisable to confirm with your host whether this is included in your booking price.
- Shoulder season is the sweet spot. May, early June, September, and October see prices drop 30–40% compared to July–August. The best part? Temperatures still reach 20–26°C.
- Don't overlook Cavtat. This coastal town, 20 km south of Dubrovnik, has its own old town, waterfront promenade, and regular bus/boat connections. A 2-bedroom apartment in Cavtat costs roughly 40% less than the same in Dubrovnik's Old Town.
For a full breakdown of activities and day trips once you've sorted your accommodation, check out our things to do in Dubrovnik guide.
FAQ
Where is the best area to stay in Dubrovnik for first-time visitors? Old Town or Pile.
Both put you within walking distance of the city walls, Stradun, and most major sights. Old Town is more immersive, while Pile is more affordable.
Is Lapad a good area to stay in Dubrovnik?
Yes, particularly for families and travelers planning stays of 4+ nights. Lapad has the widest selection of hotels with pools, and its beach is well-suited for children. Bus line 6 connects Lapad to Old Town every 15 minutes.
Do I need a car if I stay in Lapad or Gruž?
No. Dubrovnik's Libertas buses reliably connect all neighborhoods. Line 6 runs every 15 minutes. Both Uber and Bolt are available and cheaper than local taxis. Parking is expensive and limited, so a car is more of a hassle than help unless you're doing coastal day trips.
Is it cheaper to stay outside Old Town?
Yes. Staying in Lapad or Gruž reduces accommodation costs by 30–50% compared to Old Town for a similar-standard apartment or hotel room.
What is the tourist tax in Dubrovnik?
€2.65 per person, per night from April to September. €1.85 from October to March. Children under 12 are exempt.
