Where To Stay In Dubrovnik, Croatia? The Snazziest Places To Stay Near Beaches!

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Where to stay in Dubrovnik?

The roller suitcases, crowds, stacked staircase are some of the exact things that make Dubrovnik annoying.

I was in that situation where the thought of dragging suitcases up 100 stairs felt like such a crap moment!

Honestly speaking, where you stay in Dubrovnik can seriously change how you experience it.

Do you want to be close to beaches? Are you OK getting ubers? What if you have elderly folks with you? Or what if you’re a bunch of friends who just want 10-15 minute beach access?

I got it all covered on areas where it provides different vibes. Here’s a breakdown of where to stay in Dubrovnik.

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission.

Also read: How To Get From Split to Dubrovnik? The Ultimate Guide!

TL;DR: Where should you stay in Dubrovnik?

a view of the old town - where to stay in dubrovnik?

🏰 Old Town (Stay here on your first night!)

  • Best for: First-timers, history lovers, people who don’t mind stairs

  • But: No cars allowed, lots of stairs, crowded by mid-morning

  • Vibe: Medieval walls, stone alleyways, I mean you get to wake up inside a living postcard

  • My recommended stays: Ida Old Town Rooms (mid-range) or Live Laugh Love (mid-range)

🚪 Pile

  • Best for: Short stays, convenience lovers, easy access to Old Town

  • But: Limited beach options, can get noisy during peak hours

  • Vibe: Right outside the city walls, easy transport, close to everything

  • My recommended stays: The Byron (luxury) or Shanti Dubrovnik (mid-range)

🌴 Lapad (2nd and 3rd night stay here!)

  • Best for: Families, girls trip, people who just want to relax, people who hate crowds, bus going directly to Old Town

  • But: Quiet at night, not much local culture or nightlife

  • Vibe: Green, spacious, with hidden coves & hiking trails and big hotels by the sea

  • My recommended stays: Dubrovnik Luxury Residence - L’orangerie (Luxury) or Dubrovnik Spectrum rooms (mid-budget)

🌊 Ploče (4th and 5th night stay here!)

  • Best for: Romantic trips, boutique hotel fans, epic view chasers

  • But: Can be expensive, and some steep uphill walking

  • Vibe: Glam, peaceful, walking distance to both Old Town and Banje Beach

  • My recommended stays: Apartment Flora (luxury) or Villa Gloria (mid-budget)

🚢 Gruž (Port Area)

  • Best for: Budget travellers, ferry catchers, market lovers

  • But: Not very scenic, further from beaches and Old Town

  • Vibe: Functional, local, with morning markets and good connections

  • My recommended stays: Hotel Adria (luxury) or Ora Luxury rooms (mid-range)

Also read: One Week to 10 Days Croatia Itinerary: National Parks To Coastlines

My Recommendations on Where To Stay if You Had To Pick!

where to stay in dubrovnik, croatia?

If I were you, I would pick Old Town for just one night to get the vibes and make sure you have the feeling of being in the centre.

In day 2 or 3, I would quickly move to Lapad and then on your 4th or 5th night, move to Ploce. Lapad has got that perfect balance: close enough to Old Town without being swallowed by tourists, and right by the water for morning swims.

Atleast you won’t be swarmed by 5,000 cruise ship passengers!

And Ploce is great if you’ve more budget to spend. The views of the Old Town here is insane!

Where All The Snazziest Places To Stay Now in Dubrovnik?

1. Old Town

staying in ida old town, dubrovnik croatia. Pic: booking.com

By now, you probably know that Dubrovnik’s Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage site and it absolutely lives up to the hype.

I loved everything about if from the ancient stone walls, baroque architecture, marble streets, and red-roofed rooftops and unlimited gelato cafes.

It also feels like you’ve stepped into another century (or onto a Game of Thrones set) because of the city gates called Pile, Ploce and Buza.

But behind of all that means a lot of stairs, no cars allowed and it can get packed during the day.

If you want some beaches, you’ll have to walk a little, but Banje and Šulić Beach are doable on foot.

Don’t forget to go for a early morning walk while you’re in the Old Town. This tour does an early morning or sunset walk tour!

I highly recommend staying in Ida Old Town Rooms — it is the perfect location right in the centre of Old Town. Another good stay is Live Laugh Love — beautiful design and right in the centre!

Where to stay in Old Town?

2. Pile

in shanti dubrovnik - gorgeous views of the ocean and adorably decorated! pic: booking.com

Now if you want to be near the Old Town and have cars reach you just in case you need to call an Uber, Pile is that place.

Pile (pronounced as pee-leh) is basically right outside the western gate of Old Town.

You’ll literally be a two-minute walk from the famous city walls and while it is great, it can also be incredibly hilly.

All in all, you’re close to everything like Old Town, Fort Lovrijenac, even Šulić Beach and far enough removed that you won’t wake up to the sound of tour groups.

It’s a great middle ground if you want to feel like you’re in the historic center but still enjoy creature comforts like taxis, fewer stairs, and easy access to buses.

A good place to stay here is Shanti Dubrovnik - everything is adorably decorated here!

Where to stay in Pile?

3. Lapad

the gorgeous beaches near lapad

I loved Lapad and this is where all the girls, friends, families should honestly consider staying! There’s hiking trails, boardwalks, seaside cafes and so much more to do!

You’re away from the madness of Old Town but so well-connected. There’s literally a bus taking you 15 minutes to the Old Town.

There’s a beach promenade called Lungo Mare ~ Uvala Lapad, seaside cafés, locals and a coastal walking trail called Velika and Mala Petka Forest Park that goes all the way to Babin Kuk.

I stayed in a mid-range apartment that overlooked the bay, and it felt like a completely different Dubrovnik.

It was way more calm and a nice breather from the usual spots. A really nice spot to stay at is Dubvronik Luxury Residence - L’orangerie. It is a big well-furnished apartment close to everything that you need with wonderful facilities!

Where to stay in Lapad?

4. Ploče

apartment flora one of the best stays in this part of dubrovnik. pic: booking.com

I didn’t stay here but I think it might be Dubrovnik’s best-kept secret.

You’re within walking distance to Banje Beach (the one with that iconic city view), but away from the shoulder-to-shoulder crowds.

It’s got a quiet, upscale vibe such as boutique hotels, villas tucked into hills, and amazing balcony views. This the best place for sunsets and gorgeous views of Dubrovnik.

Where to stay in Ploce?

5. Gruž (Port Area)

near the port area of dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is big and what if you’ve just one day and want to be within ferry access? Then maybe Gruz would be perfect.

Gruž is where the ferries come and go, and while it’s not conventionally “pretty,” it’s functional.

There’s the main bus station here, a local market, and cheaper guesthouses and hostels.

It’s also NOT that far from Old Town (about a 30-minute walk or a 10-minute bus ride). A really nice place to stay is at Ora Luxury rooms — super comfortable and easy to travel around!

Where to stay in Gruz?

Also read: These Best Islands in Croatia (Near Split) Beat Everything I've Seen!

The Cool Things You Should Do in Dubrovnik

1. Walk The City Walls

visit the city walls in dubrovnik

If you came to Dubrovnik and not visit the city walls, it is absolutely a crime! Yes this is probably the only touristy part but it is a full loop around the Old Town and gives you sweet views of the fortresses and sea.

You can walk the entire 2km walk but I found it more useful when there was a guide with me otherwise they all look the same!

This early morning guided tour or sunset tour is worth it! This is important as you get to understand the important defense forts of Minceta Tower, Bokar, Revelin Fortress and St. John Fort.


2. Hike Up Mount Srd

at the top of croatia on mount srd

I feel like some of the best things to do in Dubrovnik is also explore their viewpoints. You can take a cable car up here for 27 euros, or hike up yourself for free.

If you’re not sure-footed, and want someone to go with you then a guide is also an option.

If you want fresh air and views without paying for a cable car, hike up Mount Srđ.

You can also rent a car in Dubrovnik and go up here for a nice drive instead of doing the 45 minute hike.

3. Games of Throne + Lokrum Island

Coming here without seeing all the filming locations of the Games of Throne is a crime.

You need to see all the major filming locations like Blackwater Bay, Red Keep, Purple Wedding.

I found the best way to do this is get the GoT tour with the Lokrum Island option. This is a highly rated tour in Dubrovnik simply because the guide Bobby is hilarious and so engaging.

If you choose the Lokrum Island Option, you can stay there after the tour ends. The island is a gem and offers numerous opportunities for swimming, cliff jumping, hiking and also restaurants and bars.

It is also known as the world’s saltiest mini “Dead Sea” to float in.

4. Visit Other Small Beaches in Dubrovnik

some of the other smaller beaches from dubrovnik

The worst thing to be in Dubrovnik is to stay in one place — as it is the crowds can be too intense. Instead, you should just take a day trip to the Elafiti Islands.

These three main islands Lopud, Šipan, and Koločep are just a short boat ride away and they feel so different from Dubrovnik.

  • Lopud is car-free with a long sandy beach (rare in Croatia!) and a totally laidback feel.

  • Šipan is the largest and has a bit more going on like olive groves, quiet harbours, and a few charming konobas.

  • Koločep is the closest to Dubrovnik and great for hiking, kayaking, or a peaceful dip in turquoise coves.

5. Go To Bosnia for a short day tour (yes, seriously!)

daytrip from dubrovnik to mostar, bosnia

If you have parents and elderly folks with you who want to do something different, you can actually visit Mostar and the beautiful Kravica waterfalls on a day trip.

I found this tour the best way to do it and it is so affordable!

It is only 2 hours to Mostar and it doesn’t feel too long on the road.

They also pick you up from wherever you’re staying and there’s enough free time like 1.5 hours in between to do whatever you want and see Bosnia.

Read my other posts on what to do in Croatia:

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