What’s the best area to stay in Dubrovnik? Here’s a neighborhood guide

If you're going to Dubrovnik, chances are you're wondering where you should stay to make the most of your trip. 

Depending on how long you've got, you could experience Dubrovnik's fascinating history and rich culture first-hand, or perhaps spend the bulk of your time relaxing with a leisurely break by the sea. You might want a sumptuous hotel, or you might be perfectly happy with a more budget-friendly option. 

This article about the sights and accommodations in each of Dubrovnik's neighborhoods can help you choose what's right for your visit. Also, check out our in-depth preparation guide for Dubrovnik.

1. Dubrovnik Old Town

Best neighborhood for sightseeing

Most people's main reason for visiting Dubrovnik is to explore the lovely Unesco-listed old town, enclosed within the medieval City Walls. Here you'll find the top cultural attractions – historic beauties such as the splendid Baroque Cathedral, the folksy open-air market on Gundulićeva Poljana, and the thought-provoking War Photo Ltd gallery. The old town is also home to many of Dubrovnik's top restaurants, including Michelin-starred Restaurant 360, and plenty of romantic (but pricey) candle-lit bars and cafes. Also, the best nightlife can be found here, with hotspots like the lively Buzz Bar and the iconic Culture Club Revelin, set within a historic fortress.

There are several small luxury boutique hotels, such as Hotel Stari Grad, 7oaks Noble House and dozens of rooms and apartments to rent. But note that the pedestrian-only old town does get crowded and noisy with tourists in summer. You'll have to walk the final stretch to your lodgings, and if you stay on the north side of the Stradun, you'll have to climb up steep stone stairways too. Sadly very few locals live in the old town anymore, having moved to the modern apartment blocks on Lapad, so it feels almost abandoned in winter. 

Things to do in Dubrovnik Old Town:

• Have a coffee with a Stradun street view at Gradska kavana Arsenal

• See the golden reliquaries at the Cathedral of the Assumption

• Complete a 1.25-mile City Walls & Forts circuit for the best views

2. Pile

Best neighborhood for transport links

Named after the main entrance to the old town, the magnificent 16th-century Pile Gate, the Pile neighborhood lies immediately west of the city walls. A busy traffic hub with bus stops and taxi ranks, it also has a useful Dubrovnik Tourist Board information center. Due to its convenience for visiting the old town, this is where Dubrovnik's first purpose-built hotel was erected (the present-day Hilton Imperial) back in 1897. 

Nowadays there are also lots of rooms and apartments to rent here. The main attraction is the impressive 13th-century Fort Lawrence (the Red Keep, for Game of Thrones fans) guarding Pile Cove (the film location for Blackwater Bay). West from here, high above the sea, you might stroll through Gradac Park, one of the best green spaces in the city. 

Things to do in Pile: 

• Check out an after-dark movie at the open-air Slavica Cinema

• Take a plunge at small coved Šulić Beach

• Shop for Croatian souvenirs at Dubravka 1836

3. Ploče

Best neighborhood for luxury hotels

Lying immediately east of the city walls, the Ploče neighborhood is named after the second arched entrance to the old town, Ploče Gate. Here, below the rugged heights of Mt Srđ, are a string of charming old villas set in terraced waterside gardens, planted with palms and wisteria. There are also several upmarket hotels, popular with couples, complete with lush spas and gorgeous views of Dubrovnik's city walls across the water. Favorites include the Grand Villa Argentina and Villa Dubrovnik. Nearby you have the trendy Banje Beach, the Museum of Modern Art, and restful views of Lokrum island (which is usually included in a weekend trip to Dubrovnik).  

Things to do in Ploče: 

• Kayak to Lokrum island from a beach near Ploče Gate

• Buy craft items from local artisans at KAWA

• Marvel at the secluded Betina Cave beach

4. Lapad

Best neighborhood for mid-range hotels

Lapad peninsular lies approximately 2 miles (3km) west of Dubrovnik old town – it’s a pleasant walk and is also served by regular buses. It may not be as romantic as Pile or Ploče, but it offers space to breathe and some respite from the crowds. It centers on Lapad Bay, home to Sunset Beach. 

Largely covered by pine forests until the 1960s, when the first apartment blocks were built, Lapad is now a residential neighborhood, complete with supermarkets and cafes. This is also where you'll find most of Dubrovnik's big modern resort hotels, ideal for families, with sea views and extensive sports facilities. These include the luxurious Hotel Dubrovnik Palace and the mid-range Hotel Kompas.

Things to do in Lapad:

• Sunbathe at pebbly Uvala Lapad Beach

• Go on a cliffside hike at Velika and Mala Petka Forest Park

• Get a wellness fix at the Hotel Dubrovnik Palace spa center

5. Srebreno and Mlini

Best for beaches

Backed by rugged mountains, the lovely Srebreno Bay lies six miles (10km) southeast of Dubrovnik's old town. From here, a meandering coastal path, shaded by pine trees and dotted with cafes and informal eateries, leads to the village of Mlini. Along the way is a string of fine pebble beaches that give way to the clean shallow sea.

Srebreno and Mlini have an easy-going out-of-town atmosphere and offer several hotels, including the mid-range waterside Hotel Mlini, and the funky One Suite Hotel, plus rooms and apartments to rent. Best of all, a regular shuttle boat runs down the coast from Dubrovnik's old harbor to Cavtat, stopping at Srebreno and Mlini en route. The boat ride is a joy in itself.

Things to do in Srebreno and Mlini:

• Have a wine tasting at Vardia Vineyard & Olive Oil Farm

• Visit the Glossus Humanus Museum in Cavtat with more than 3000 shell-themed exhibits

• See the eerie abandoned hotels at Kupari Beach

6. Gruž

Best neighborhood for a local experience

For a taste of Dubrovnik's alternative arts and culture scene, head to the up-and-coming neighborhood of Gruž. The recently-opened Red History Museum has put this area on the map for its counter-culture appeal. It showcases life in Dubrovnik during the communist Yugoslav regime and frequently organizes themed exhibitions with Croatian artists. Another important cultural to-do is TUP, a former factory that now hosts alternative concerts, exhibitions, and art workshops. Don't miss the Dubrovnik Beer Company, the city's best brewery.

Home to the city's main bus station, Gruž is also where the ferry port is located, making it a good base for getting around Dubrovnik and taking trips to the nearby islands. Gruž lies approximately two miles (3km) northwest of the old town and has several inexpensive hotels and dozens of rooms and apartments to rent.

Things to do in Gruž:

• Check out Gruž Market for fresh local seasonal fruit and vegetables

• Head to Urban & Veggie for the best vegan food in town

• Watch the sunset from the terrace of Love Bar

7. Babin Kuk

Best neighborhood for a wellness escape

Swathed in greenery, the upscale Babin Kuk neighborhood is where the most exclusive hotels and beach bars are. Set in the northwestern part of the Lapad peninsula, this part of the town is all about wellness and relaxation. It also has the biggest concentration of 5-star hotels with some of the most high-end places to stay in Croatia. That makes Babin Kuk the top neighborhood for luxury seekers. You’re in for the best sunset vistas in Dubrovnik complete with the gorgeous Elaphiti Islands panoramas. Koločep island is a fantastic idea to stay outside Dubrovnik for pristine Adriatic beaches and peaceful pine tree forest.   

Further along the coast, you have Copacabana Beach and the Coral Beach Club. The top wellness centers are Balance Mediterranean Spa at President Hotel and adults-only Ariston SPA. Be aware that this neighborhood is 2.5 miles (or 4 kilometers) away from the Old Town.  

Things to do in Babin Kuk: 

• Chill out at the laid-back Beach bar Ponat 

• Treat yourself to a hot stone massage at President Hotel, Valamar Collection

• Book a spa ritual at the Ariston SPA 

8. Montovjerna

Best neighborhood for swimming

Bellevue Beach, a secluded pebble bay, is a good enough reason to stay in Montovjerna. This neighborhood is just 1 mile from the Old Town and you’re right next to one of the best beaches of Dubrovnik. It’s convenient and peaceful, a perfect place to escape the crowds of the historic center. The calm waters of Bellevue make this beach suitable for families with children.

Accommodation-wise, there’s a variety of options. For luxury, you’ve got a cliffside Rixos Premium Dubrovnik with an infinity pool, a year-round indoor pool and sea-facing rooms. Another nice pick is Hotel Lero, a modern boutique lodging with a courtyard pool. As Montovjerna is mostly residential, there are also many private apartments and villas to rent. They usually come with beautiful window views and wallet-friendly prices. 

Things to do in Montovjerna: 

• Brave cliff jumping at Bellevue Beach

• Swim to the azure cave

• Savor modern Croatian cooking at Marangun Food & Bar Room