Where to stay in Dubrovnik – 5 great options for first time visitors to Dubrovnik

• Instagram
• Pinterest
• Facebook
• Mail

Dubrovnik has become of Europe’s most popular destinations in recent years, with a huge influx of tourists visiting off the back of the success of Game of Thrones.

We first visited Dubrovnik just as it joined the EU almost 15 years ago and couldn’t wait to head back there to see how much it (and we) have changed in the years that have passed since.

The thing that quickly became apparent was the size of the crowds, which, even though we were visiting in late September, still made us feel like it was peak July.

The area itself is relatively compact but there are a number of important things to consider when deciding where to stay in Dubrovnik.

When you visit, your budget, your mobility (there are A LOT of steps in the Old Town) and they type of trip you are planning will all feed into your overall decision on where to stay.

With each option we lay out, there will be pros and cons. Some areas are walking distance to the main attractions, some require a taxi.

Some are great for families, while others are great for backpackers so definitely keep in mind they type of stay you would ultimately like to have in Dubrovnik.

Where to stay in Dubrovnik – at a glance

• Old Town – This is where you will find most of the cities best attractions like Rector’s Palace, The Jesuit Steps & West Harbour. A central base with lots to do. Our favourite hotel in the Old Town is Dominus Little Palace
• Lapad – This area probably has the perfect balance overall. Easy access to the Old Town with a more relaxed feel, great for families.. We would recommend staying at Hotel Dubrovnik Palace
• Babin Kuk – This is where we chose to stay on our most recent visit to Dubrovnik. It is a little bit further out but still very accessible, less expensive than the Old Town and great for family stays. We would recommend Valamar Tirena

Best Areas to stay in Dubrovnik

The Old Town (The central hub)

If you are visiting Dubrovnik for the first time then your best option is probably to stay in, or as close to the Old Town as possible.

The key advantage to staying in the Old Town is that it is in the heart of the action and walking distance to all of the main attractions in Dubrovnik like Rector’s Palace, the City Walls and Jesuit Steps.

Being able to have easy access to the Old Town is a great advantage to have and gives you a lot of flexibility around how to spend your day, as well as a wide range of bars and restaurants to choose from.

That being said, this is an ‘Old Town’ in the truest sense of the words. If you are not keen on steps, or you have mobility issues, or you are visiting Dubrovnik with young children etc. we really don’t think the Old Town is a practical option for you.

The accommodation in the Old Town is not easily accessible in many cases, with huge staircases and narrow streets the main points of access. There are also very few, if any traditional hotels in the Old Town, with much of the accommodation coming in the form of apartments.

Additionally, accommodation in the Old Town can be quite expensive as well and as the Old Town is the main attraction, it does exactly that, attracts a lot of people very day.

So, if your heart is set on the Old Town but those considerations are off putting, we would suggest staying in Ploče or Pile, which sit either side of the Old Town gates. With these areas, you will have easy access to the Old Town but with more hotels and less steps.

Where to stay in Old Town Dubrovnik

King Richard’s Royal Residence €€€ – If we could only pick one place to stay in Old Town Dubrovnik, it would be King Richard’s Royal Residence. These beautifully designed rooms are right in the heart of the Old Town, just a couple of minutes walk from Buza beach.

Bota Palace €€ – This stylish apartment is perfect for anyone looking for easy access to the Old Town, and easy access to homely facilities as well. The apartments are stylishly designed and full of luxury features.

Juliette’s Palace € – This is a great option for more budget friendly stays in Old Town Dubrovnik. The rooms are perfectly located, clean and great for a convenient stay.

Lapad (Local Feel Stays)

If you want to be a way from the crowds but without missing out on the action, then Lapad is the best area to stay.

Lapad is less than a 10 minute drive from the Old Town, with buses running every 15 minutes and it is also very easy/inexpensive to get a taxi from there as well.

Lapad feels more like a local neighbourhood than a built up touristy area, with lots of great shops and restaurants along the promenade, giving it a more relaxed and family oriented feel then the hustle and bustle of the Old Town.

While you won’t be within easy walking distance of the Old Town, it is still easy to get there and the area itself is much easier to navigate for anyone with mobility issues or for those who simply do not like steps.

As this area isn’t right in the heart of the Old Town area, it also means that you have a chance of getting a hotel for better value.

With Dubrovnik’s soaring popularity in recent years, hotels have become increasingly expensive so that is worth bearing mind when choosing where to stay.

For the best overall balance between cost and accessibility, we would recommend Lapad as the place to stay in Dubrovnik, particularly for families.

Where to stay in Lapad

Hotel Dubrovnik Palace €€€ – If you would like to stay in a luxury hotel in Lapad, the standout choice is the Hotel Dubrovnik Palacel. This stunning 5* hotel has everything you need for a memorable luxury stay, with a beach and scuba diving centre available to guests.

Rixos Premium €€€ – A great luxury alternative to Dubrovnik Palace is Rixos Premium, which is only a 15 minute walk to the Old Town. This hotel has indoor and outdoor swimming pools, an onsite spa and multiple bars and restaurants to choose from.

Ribera de Triana – This is a brilliant choice for anyone planning to visit Seville on a non luxury budget but looking for a luxury style of stay.. Naturally, when you go will impact this but we have seen double rooms here from as little as €89 per night (August 2026)

Rixos Premium

Babin Kuk (Best on a budget)

Our final recommendation is also the one that is the furthest away from the Old Town, but don’t let the put you off.

Babin Kuk is about a 15 minute drive from Old Town Dubrovnik but as with Lapad, buses and taxis are easy to access, so it isn’t a deal breaker.

The main advantage to staying in Babin Kuk is that it is more budget friendly than the other areas because of its location.

With that though, ‘more budget friendly’ doesn’t mean low quality, with some great hotels set up here. We found Babin Kuk to be particularly good for families, with many of the hotels set up with facilities to cater for kids like Maro World at the Valamar collection.

It is also a great area to stay if your plan is to relax by the pool for a large part of the day, while doing a bit of exploring either side of the down time.

It is also where you will find one of Dubrovnik’s most unique experiences, ‘Dinner in the Sky’, where you can enjoy dinner on a platform suspended high above the sea with stunning views of the entire area.

The two main disadvantages to staying in Babin Kuk are that a) it is the furthest from the Old Town meaning you will rely on buses/taxis a lot and b) there isn’t a lot to do in the area itself meaning you wlll find yourself often eating at the hotel or having to go to one of the other areas mentioned earlier.

Overall, Babin Kuk is good for families, relaxed stays and those looking for more affordable accommodation without lowering the quality of your.stay

Where to stay in Babin Kuk

President Hotel €€ – This is one of our favourite options in Dubrovnik with beachfront access, a spa, swimming pools and fitness facilities all available on site. Perfect for a relaxing trip.

Valamar Tirena €€ – This is a great option for families with multiple slides at the swimming pool, a great breakfast buffet and a soft play centre at Maro World, offering kids club and day care facilities as well.

Villa Erna € – Relaxing apartments with an on site swimming pool and just a short walk from Cocacabana beach.

Pile or Ploče (Best for easy access)

Ploče

For those of you who want to be within walking distance of the Old Town but don’t like the sound of all those steps, we would suggest staying in either Ploče or Pile, which sit either sideof the Old Town entry.

Ploče is more of an upscale residential area set on the East side of the Old Town. Because it is perched on a hill it also has some of the best viewpoints of anywhere in the area, a great place to watch the sunset with a drink looking out over the water.

Ploče is also where you will find Djbrovnik’s best beach, Banje Beach, so again, it is perfect if you want a nice blend of Old Town access (5 minute walk) and beach access.

Ploče is also where you will find many of Dubrovnik’s best luxury hotels so it is a great option for a special occasion or a luxury stay.

Where to stay in Ploče

Pearl of the Adriatic €€ – Fully equipped apartments just a short walk from both the beach and Old Town, perfectly located for a convenient stay.

Hotel Excelsior €€€ – A stunning hotel just a 5 minute walk from the Old Town. The hotel has a access to a private beach, multiple on site restaurants, hot tubs, saunas and indoor pools, a real luxury experience.

Pile

Pile sits on the Western side of the Old Town and is the main entry point to the Old Town via Pile gate.

You are just a couple of minutes walk from the Old Town here so it is a great option for easy access. This area is where you will find the West Harbour, one of the most beautiful locations to watch the sunset in Dubrovnik.

It is also one of the main game of Thrones filming locations so fans of the show will naturally be drawn to this area as well, with a good atmosphere here every day.

In our experience, all of the buses, tours, taxis etc. seem to converge on Pile gate so it can get a little bit overwhelming and wouldn’t be somewhere we would recommend if you aren’t keen on navigating crowds.

Where to stay in Pile

Hilton Imperial €€€ – A 5* luxury stay right on the door step of Stradun in the Old Town. The hotel has an indoor pool, sauna an massage facilities and a fitness centre available on site.