Accommodation in Dubrovnik and its Surroundings
Dubrovnik is a walled ancient city that is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is known as the "Pearl of the Adriatic".
It is recommended to start the visit to the city with a tour of the Old Town walls. Walking on the walls requires an admission fee, and you can circle the entire city while enjoying impressive views of the town with its dense red roofs and the calm, clear sea surrounding it.
Another wonderful way to experience beautiful Dubrovnik is to take the Dubrovnik Cable Car, which offers stunning views of the city, the bay, and the surrounding islands.
Recommended Tours in Dubrovnik from Viator:
♦ Guided tour of the Old Town of Dubrovnik including cable car ride for a fantastic panoramic view of the city
Dubrovnik Cable Car Ride and Old Town Walking Tour
♦ Guided walking tour of the Dubrovnik City Walls
Dubrovnik Combo Tour: Old Town & Ancient City Walls
Tour duration is about 3.5 hours..
♦ Booking a guided kayak tour in Dubrovnik from the great site Viator - Dubrovnik: Sea Kayaking & Snorkeling Tour
A two-hour paddle including snorkeling near the city walls and around the nearby island of Lokrum.
♦ Car rental from the reliable and convenient Booking.com: Booking.com
Hotels in Dubrovnik
Accommodation options in Dubrovnik and its nearby towns are numerous and very diverse: from luxurious hotels, to more modest hotels, spacious holiday apartments, B&Bs, hostels, and campsites. Everyone can choose the option that best fits their preferences and budget.
Generally, accommodation prices within Dubrovnik itself are more expensive than in nearby towns.
Most of Dubrovnik's tourist attractions are concentrated in the Old Town, but lodging options there are relatively limited. There are very few hotels and B&Bs in the Old Town compared to the new city, and since cars are not permitted inside, accessibility and convenience should be carefully considered.
♦ Recommended Hotels in Dubrovnik
Pucic Palace is a unique luxury hotel located in the heart of the Old Town. During the Renaissance, it was one of the most magnificent noble residences, and later became a preferred retreat for well-known senators and artists visiting the city. The hotel features 19 spacious rooms with elegant furnishings and attentive personal service. A private yacht is at the disposal of hotel guests. Room rates (including breakfast) start at 200 Euros per night and go up from there. A unique and stylish place to stay for those who can afford it.
Hotels in the new city are concentrated across several districts; the closest to the Old Town is the Ploče district, which features mainly luxury, high-end hotels, all situated along the waterfront. Hotel Excelsior is a luxurious 5-star hotel located near the Old Town. Built in 1913 and completely renovated in 1998, it offers 154 rooms and 18 suites. The hotel is located right on the sea, with many rooms enjoying spectacular views of the Adriatic and the Old Town.
Adjacent to it are two more luxury hotels: Grand Villa Argentina, immersed in a tropical park with a private 2-kilometer-long beach, and Villa Orsula, surrounded by gardens and renowned for its high-quality restaurant. These hotels are located about a 10-minute walk from the Old Town.
Many hotels are situated in three districts farther out, near Dubrovnik's new port, up to a 10-minute drive from the Old Town: Lapad, Babin Kuk, and Gruž. In these neighborhoods, you can find hotels across all categories.
It is important to note that in Croatia, typically only hotels rated 4 stars and above offer air conditioning. Keep this in mind, especially during the hot summer months.
Hotel Excelsior – A 5-star hotel located a 5-minute walk from the Old Town. Features a spacious high-end spa, private beach, and four restaurants.
Hotel Lapad – A 4-star hotel in a quiet location overlooking the harbor, 3 km from the Old Town and 600 meters from the beach. The hotel has a swimming pool.
Grand Villa Argentina – A quality boutique hotel offering spectacular views of the Old Town, Lokrum Island, and gardens, about a 10-minute walk from the Old Town. Features a private beach, swimming pool, and free Wi-Fi in all rooms.
Those looking for a different style of accommodation with a homier vibe and a closer look at Croatian culture and local life are invited to stay in one of the city's many guest rooms. Families are especially recommended to stay in holiday apartments. Most guest rooms and apartments are not air-conditioned, but the majority are comfortable and well-equipped. The variety is vast, ranging from rooms in old houses within the Old Town to modern luxury villas. It is worth noting that Croatia as a whole, and Dubrovnik in particular, are experiencing a massive construction boom, reflected among other things in newly built homes, many of which operate as holiday rentals. Guest rooms are called "SOBE" in Croatian and are very popular across Croatia. Rates range from 10 Euros per person for a simple room with shared bathroom facilities to 14 Euros per room with an ensuite private bathroom. Rooms can be booked via travel agencies or found independently by looking for houses displaying a SOBE sign. Occasionally, you will encounter older women waiting near train, bus, or ferry stations offering stays in their rooms. Despite the huge supply, it can still be difficult to find available lodging at the peak of the tourist season. Therefore, booking your stay in advance is highly recommended. Online, there are many websites where you can find guest rooms and holiday apartments, with options to book directly or arrange details by phone. Often, no deposit is required, or only a small advance payment is asked.
Recommended Holiday Apartments in Dubrovnik:
Dubrovnik Luxury Apartments – Modern apartments located in the heart of the Old Town across three different locations. All include free Wi-Fi, a fully equipped kitchen, and a balcony or garden. All are within walking distance of the city's main attractions.
Sipa Apartments – Fully equipped apartments featuring a balcony with panoramic views of the Old Town, free Wi-Fi, a kitchen, and a washing machine. Located a 15-minute walk from the Old Town and about 300 meters from the nearest beach.
Outside Dubrovnik, there is also an impressive selection of accommodation options. Stretching south of Dubrovnik is the Dubrovnik Riviera, dotted with small, picturesque resort towns along its entire length. The largest and most well-known resort town (with about 2,000 residents) is Cavtat, located about 20 km south of Dubrovnik. The town is built across two peninsulas jutting into the sea with a small harbor nestled between them, from which boats frequently depart for Dubrovnik. There is also a regular bus service between Cavtat and Dubrovnik. Hotel rates in Cavtat are cheaper than in Dubrovnik itself, and the town's atmosphere is tranquil and romantic.
Beyond hotels and private guesthouses, Cavtat is also known for its great beaches and sports facilities, especially its wide range of water sports. The most expensive and impressive hotel in the town is "Hotel Croatia" CROATIA, rated 5 stars, which serves as a tourist and architectural landmark in its own right. The hotel sits on a cliff surrounded by the sea, offering breathtaking views of the bay, open water, and islands. It features around 500 rooms, restaurants, a casino, two swimming pools, two private beaches, tennis courts, and lovely walking trails along the cliff, making it widely regarded as one of the finest hotels on the Adriatic coast. Room rates (including breakfast) range between 45 and 100 Euros per person in a double room depending on the view (sea-view rooms are highly recommended for stunning sunsets) and the season.
A chain of three 3-4 star hotels is HOTELI CAVTAT, which includes the hotels:
Albatros,
Epidaurus,
and
Cavtat. All three are situated along the seafront and offer comfortable accommodations with plenty of sports and entertainment amenities, including nightclubs, taverns, restaurants, bars, tennis courts, and pools.
A charming, small 29-room hotel in the heart of the town's historic center is Supetar, rated 3 stars. The hotel is located close to the seaside promenade and features a friendly atmosphere.
Cavtat also offers an abundance of holiday apartments and private guest rooms at reasonable rates, typically significantly cheaper than hotel prices. One of many examples is VILLA DUBROVNIK, located in a picturesque setting in the suburbs of Cavtat in a quiet, peaceful neighborhood. The property includes two four-person apartments, a studio apartment for a couple, and five guest rooms for rent. The balcony looks out on great views of the sea, the islands, and even parts of Dubrovnik's Old Town in the distance.
In Cavtat, too, it is recommended to book accommodations well in advance, particularly during July and August when the Cavtat Summer Festival takes place, featuring cultural events, folklore performances, and various sports tournaments that draw crowds of visitors.
Along the road between Cavtat and Dubrovnik, in the area known as Župa Dubrovačka, you can choose to stay in one of the smaller towns along the Riviera, such as Plat, Soline, and especially Mlini, which has regular ferry connections both to Cavtat and to the Old Town of Dubrovnik.