During the seventies sunny, romantic, beautiful Dubrovnik was a favourite of Elizabeth Taylor, and it’s no wonder: the sea manages to be an incredible shade of emerald and the sheltered harbour is lined by the white marble and incredible bright orange roofs of the 13th century Old Town. Its main street, the Stradun, is probably one of the loveliest in the world, built by the wealth brought to this city by the artists, authors, poets, scientists and other scholars who have also flocked to Dubrovnik for her beauty. There is a wide range of accommodation options here, but our favourites tend to be close to or in the centre of the Old Town. However we've also tracked down a couple of hotels just outside town for those wanting a more resort style stay.
If you’ve never been here before you’re in for a real treat, even after that gushy introduction we still think you’ll be surprised by just how beautiful Dubrovnik is. If you’ve been here before then you know how much of a treat you’re in for! And we hope to be able to recommend the perfect hotel for this particular trip, whether it’s an all-singing-all-dancing romantic palace worthy of Ms. Taylor that you’re looking for, or a good value apartment hotel that will allow you to stay here for weeks on end, just soaking up the beauty.
Where to Stay in Dubrovnik - Which Part of Town?
- Dubrovnik’s Heritage Listed Old Town is crammed with gorgeous architecture; it is strewn with churches, monasteries, museums and galleries worth visiting, and The Stradun, with its Baroque houses and shops is a definite highlight. As are the city walls, which are famous the world over. It's also known for its boutique shopping and diamonds. One of the downsides of the Old Town is that it’s small, so hotels here do tend to be a bit more expensive. The same can be said for the Old Town’s cafes, bars and restaurants, but in many cases it will be well worth it.
- Pile is one of the two gates by which you enter the Old Town, it’s the one on the western approach, close to the magnificent 11th century Lovrijenac Fortress. This is a great part of town to stay in if you want to be close to Dubrovnik’s main attractions but pay slightly less for your accommodation than you would in the Old Town. There are plenty of bars and restaurants, a green and shady city park, and a fantastic little beach called Dance, pronounced Dan-che, close to the Monastery of Mary in Dance. Pile is also super convenient for the buses, most of the lines end here.
- Ploče is the other gate, on the eastern approach close to the port, with a waterfront known for its luxury hotels. Ploče is also home to the city's main public beach, Banje, you’re right by the cable car to the Srd Mountain, and staying here you’ll have great views of the Old Town.
- Gruž is the part of town surrounding Dubrovnik’s modern harbour, from where ferries leave for trips out to the islands of Dubrovnik’s archipelago. So this is a good choice if you’re planning to get out on the water quite a bit. Gruž hosts the local farmer’s market, and is where you’ll find Trsteno, a huge park and arboretum which dates back to the 15th century. Gruž is also a great place for seafood restaurants, and it’s probably one of the most affordable parts of town to stay in.
- Lapad and the Lapad Peninsula is ideal if you prefer a quieter spot with magnificent sea views. It’s leafy and residential, located about 3km west of the Old Town, and has a string of gorgeous beaches overlooking the open water. Lapad is known for its gorgeous waterfront hotels and cafes and restaurants frequented by locals. And if you walk around the headland you'll see all the tiny beaches — the ones only a few people can fit on and that you can only reach by ladder.
- Babin Kuk is our other very beach-y recommendation, but this time it’s not residential at all, it’s all exclusive hotels and villas up here, surrounded by lush green views. This is a great option for families, or couples looking for an intimate escape.
Don't forget that this city is extremely busy during the peak summer months. So if you want to guarantee a room in one of the best places to stay in Dubrovnik in July or August, you'll need to get organised and book well ahead.
Some of our Dubrovnik Collections:
