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

19.12.2024 - 21:31 / lonelyplanet.com

Dec 19, 2024 • 7 min read

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.

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

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