Where to Stay in Dubrovnik – Solo Traveler, Couple, Families

Dubrovnik may be the most famous and sought-after medieval city destination in the world. We’ve visited plenty of walled old town cities in the Balkans, and yet Dubrovnik totally exceeded our expectations.

The fame of Game of Thrones made Dubrovnik’s popularity explode in recent years. These days, it’s incredibly important to book your stays as early as possible before the best stays sell out. But where even is the best areas to stay in Dubrovnik?

The main decision to make is to decide whether you want to stay within the Old Town walls, or on the outskirts.

Within Old Town, you will of course be able to stay in the heart of the city near the major landmarks. The outskirts however provide a range of options, including beach-side resorts, luxurious hotels and more relaxation and seclusion.

This comprehensive guide aims to assist you in planning you stay in beautiful Dubrovnik – whether you are traveling solo, as a family, as a couple. We aim to share key things you should know before booking your stay and exploring this amazing place.

Table of Contents

• 1. Old Town (Stari Grad)
• 2. Pile
• 3. Ploče
• 4. Lapad Peninsula
• 5. Gruž
• 6. Towns Closer to the Airport
  • Cavtat
  • Plat
  • Soline
  • Mlini

1. Old Town (Stari Grad)

✅ Pros of Staying in Old Town (Stari Grad):

• No transportation needed. You get to stay near most major attractions.
• You get to enjoy early mornings and evenings in the Old Town, when the town is mostly free of tourists.
• Accommodation is typically historic and authentic guest houses, rather than large hotels.

❌Cons of Staying in the Old Town (Stari Grad):

• Accommodation is somewhat limited and also not the most modern. Prices can be high relative to value.
• The restaurants and shop prices are high; no large grocery stores.
• During peak season, it can be loud and hot, one local told us that they can have up to 5 cruise ships during summer time – that’s a lot of people.
• There are no cars and there are plenty of stairs. So, carrying large amounts of luggage may be difficult.

🏠 Where to stay in the Old Town (Stari Grad):

1. Old Town Garden Apartments is a perfect stay if you are looking for a peaceful place inside the Old Town.
2. Boutique Hotel Stari Grad is a boutique hotel inside the city walls with balcony views and rooftop restaurant.
3. Old Town Port Apartments is a great option for couples or people traveling in a group as it offers good living space and kitchen facilities.
4. Hostel Petra Marina and Hostel Angelina are top hostel options for budget-conscious travelers.

2. Pile

Located west of the Old Town City Walls is the neighbourhood of Pile. It is a great option for travelers who want to be walking distance to Old Town. Your main entrance to the Old Town is the Pile Gate; note that this is also where tour shuttles and public buses stop so it can have heavy traffic.

✅ Pros of Staying in Pile:

• The proximity of Pile to the City Walls make it a convenient hub to easily get in the Old Town without being inside the walls.
• More affordable stay options.
• Affordable grocery stores and restaurants, great to save money in between meals within Old Town.
• Nearby Lovrjenac Fortress, as well as a small harbour for kayaking and sunbathing.

❌Cons of Staying in Pile:

• The main bus and shuttle stop is here making it quite busy and noisy along the main street.
• Less charming than the Old Town.

🏠 Where to stay in Pile:

1. Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik is walking distance to Pile Gate and near the bus stop and tourist information center.
2. Caleda Rooms offer a boutique stay with modern amenities and terrace.
3. Dubrovnik Finest Apartments is another beautiful stay near Dubrovnik Old Town with fully-equipped kitchen.
4. Hostel Hakuna Matata is an affordable option yet still close to major attractions – Old Town and Bellevue Beach.

3. Ploče

Located on the opposite side of Pile; east of the Old Town is Ploče. From here, you’ll enter Old Town through Ploče Gate. Although Ploče has heavy traffic as Pile, the road can still be quite chaotic in peak travel season. What we love about Ploče is the elevated views of Dubrovnik, especially at sunset. You can capture the entire walled city and the shores of the Adriatic in your lens and it makes for a beautiful shot.

✅ Pros of Staying in Ploče:

• Walking distance to Old Town, with a convenient entrance through Ploče Gate.
• Located at an elevated height, Ploče stays offer good views of Dubrovnik Old Town, Lokrum Island and the sea.
• Plenty of luxury hotel options.

❌Cons of Staying in Ploče:

• Depending on where you’re staying, it may require lots of uphill walking/stairs (however the higher you are, the better the view).
• Less budget-friendly options and fewer local shops compared to Pile.

🏠 Where to stay in Ploče:

1. Hotel Excelsior is 5-star hotel offering elegant rooms sea views, indoor pool, hot tub and sauna great for travel couples looking for a high-end relaxing stay.
2. Ragusa Sea View Apartment offers spacious accommodation in Ploče walking distance to Dubrovnik Old Town with a full kitchen and terrace with sea view.
3. La Dolce Villa is another great option to stay in Ploče with no uphill walk, modern amenities, terrace and sea views.
4. Bombii Blue is a new luxury apartment with terrace and sea view and close to Banje Beach.

4. Lapad Peninsula

If you want a more laid-back vibe and a quieter environment, it is a good option to stay in Lapad Peninsula. Babin Kuk, the northern side of Lapad Peninsula is known for the beautiful Copacabana beach and luxurious stays.

✅ Pros of Staying in Lapad Peninsula:

• A quieter option and best for beaches and being close to nature. You can walk and hike in Velika and Mala Petka Forest Park.
• Plenty of family-friendly restaurants and amenities. More modern resorts.

❌Cons of Staying in Lapad Peninsula:

• Requires a 10-15 mins drive/bus to Old Town.
• Lacks the historical and traditional vibe; less authentic Croatian experience.

🏠 Where to stay in Lapad Peninsula:

1. Rixos Premium Dubrovnik is a highly-rated 5-star hotel with indoor and outdoor pools, panoramic sea views, bars and restaurants, and a 2-storey spa center with Turkish bath, and just a 15-min walk to Dubrovnik Old Town. This is a perfect stay for families and travel couples.
2. Grand Hotel Park is an excellent stay in Lapad and only 100 metres away from the beach. It has indoor and outdoor pools, spa are and fitness center.
3. Valamar Lacroma Hotel is another beautiful stay with sea views, large pools, sauna, gym and free breakfast.
4. Hotel Lapad is an affordable yet romantic stay overlooking the Gruž Harbor. Hotel Lapad offers free breakfast and a large outdoor pool.

5. Gruž

The main port of Dubrovnik is at Gruž. It is also the location of the main local bus station. The Gruž Market is the largest in Dubrovnik.

✅ Pros of Staying in Gruž:

• More budget-friendly accommodation options. Cheaper restaurants and great local market.
• As the main port town, it is easier to do island hopping such as to the Elaphiti Islands, Korčula and Mljet.

❌Cons of Staying in Gruž:

• Fewer tourist attractions and sights to explore, apart from the market and Dubrovnik Beer Company.
• More residential/industrial area. The seaside promenade is nice but otherwise less scenic.

🏠 Where to stay in Gruž:

1. Berkeley Hotel is a family-owned and highly-rated stay at Gruž Harbor. They offer modern rooms and apartments, and on-site spa.
2. Apartments Fortuna Dubrovnik is another excellent stay by Gruž Harbor with sun terrace, garden and outdoor pool area.
3. Nikolina Rooms is near the Ferry Terminal and a short walk to the beach.
4. Rooms Port and Hostel Sea Breeze are affordable stay options for solo travelers.

6. Towns Closer to the Airport

DVB airport is 30 mins away from Dubrovnik Old Town and has plenty of picturesque villages in between. Villages like Cavat and Mlini are common day-trip destinations from Dubrovnik. If you prefer to stay closer to the airport, or have a longer stay and are looking for something more secluded or beach-front while doing day-trips to Dubrovnik, these villages are an ideal choice.

Cavtat

Cavtat is a scenic coastal town located southeast of Dubrovnik. It is a harbor town and there are also several beaches in the area. Some people staying in Dubrovnik opt to do a day trip in this pretty town.

Where to stay in Cavtat: Villa Markoc, Hotel Cavtat, Villa Mareta Cavtat and Apartment Andriuci

Plat

Plat is essentially a tiny beach-front resort town. Great for a relaxing and peaceful stay on the water.

Where to stay in Plat: Aparthotel Plat, King Suite and Apartments Belenum

Soline

Soline is identical to Plat. You can’t go wrong with either; this opens up more options for beach resort stays.

Where to stay in Soline: Apartment Lira

Mlini

Mlini is a tiny yet incredibly picturesque seaside village. Its comprised of a small harbour, a couple restaurants, and a few charming hotels.

Where to stay in Mlini: Villa Fede

Where to stay in Dubrovnik as a Solo Traveler

As a solo traveler, you would want to prioritize safety, affordability, a social atmosphere, and excellent transportation links for easy exploring. Our top recommendation would be at:

1. Old Town for proximity to attractions and nightlife.

2. Pile, just outside of Old Town, for cheaper accommodations for a short walk.

3. Gruž is great if you are also a budget-conscious traveler as you can find plenty of affordable hostels and guesthouses. Perfect if visiting Dubrovnik for a day or two and then continuing up the coast via public transit.

Where to stay in Dubrovnik as a Family

The best areas for families are often a bit quieter, offer resort-style amenities, and provide easy access to family-friendly beaches. Our top recommendation would be at:

1. Lapad Peninsula has plenty of family-friendly resorts with kids’ pool and calm beaches.

2. Pile or Ploče, close to Dubrovnik Old Town with less crowd and noise, has more modern stays and is within walking distance.

3. Old Town has its advantages for families. Avoiding public transit, Ubers or even the walk across the busy streets just outside the city walls may be best for young children.

Family Tip: While the Old Town is magical, it involves many stairs and can be very crowded and loud, making it less ideal for families especially with small kids. Consider staying outside the walls and taking a short, frequent bus ride (Line 4, 6) into the center.

Where to stay in Dubrovnik as a Travel Couple

For a romantic getaway, couples often look for stunning views, luxurious amenities, and a balance of seclusion and accessibility to fine dining and the beautiful Old Town. Our top recommendation would be at:

1. Old Town (Stari Grad) is perfect for couples who love history and medieval vibes. You can experience walking around the Old Town before the crowd arrives and secure a bench to watch the sunset at harbor viewpoint (close to Ploče gate).

2. Ploče is a great option for couples who love panoramic views with the Old Town and the sea. Ploče also has plenty of luxurious accommodations perfect for couples celebrating anniversaries and special occasions.

3. Lapad Peninsula is a more secluded and quieter area for couples looking for a more romantic vibe, with some downtime at a beach. Great for longer stays.

Read more on where to stay in Dubrovnik as a couple.

Things to Note Prior to Choosing Where to Stay in Dubrovnik

1. If you are planning to stay in the Old Town, know that there are 3 main gates to enter the Old Town – Pile Gate (main transportation hub), Ploče Gate and Buza Gate. If you have don’t want to carry your luggage across the entire town, it is imperative to know which one is closest to your stay so you can also plan where to get dropped off (if using public transport).
2. There are plenty of stairs in the Old Town which may not be the most ideal for travelers or family members with limited mobility. Read reviews or open Street View in Google Map. The main street Stratun is flat, as is one block north and a couple blocks south of this street.
3. If you plan to do several day trips, it would be helpful to know where your bus stop is when deciding where to stay.
4. If staying outside Old Town, ask your hotel if they offer shuttle service as this would save you time planning logistics.

With your perfect stay secured, read all about the Top Things to do in Dubrovnik’s Old Town.

Read this if after Dubrovnik, you’ll explore Croatia in a camper-van.