Best Areas to Stay in Dubrovnik

Nestled on the picturesque Adriatic Sea shore, Dubrovnik is a popular destination among vacation travelers of all ages and backgrounds. Its rich history, magnificent architecture, and incredible nature makes Dubrovnik a must-visit city in Western Europe.

Dubrovnik offers a wide range of accommodation options for travelers depending on their preferences and budget. The most popular touristy areas to stay in Dubrovnik are the Old Town, Ploce, and Lapad. Some less crowded but nice districts to consider are Gruz and Babin Kuk. Let’s go over each area and see which one suits your needs best.

The Old Town

As the name implies, this area is full of history and has traditionally been the heart of Dubrovnik. The Old Town area is accessible exclusively on foot, which is great as you get to see all the beautiful architecture and soak in the historical feel of the city. Most of Dubrovnik sights are located within the City Walls, so you will have quick access to the castles and museums that should be on your Dubrovnik bucket list.

There are also tons of small cafes and restaurants in the Old Town, where you can have nice dinner with a view.

The few disadvantages of staying in the Old Town area are the tourist crowds and the price of accommodation, that tends to get quite high.

Ploce

This trendy neighborhood is situated just east of the Old Town and is popular among travelers thanks to the incredible views of Dubrovnik it offers. And that’s because Ploce stretches up quite a steep hill and will demand a solid level of fitness to walk back to your accommodation every time.

Despite all the hype around this neighborhood, Ploce itself is very nice and quiet. It is five to 10 minutes away from the Old Town, and it is also very close to the public Banje beach.

Lapad

Although Lapad is not exactly an area or neighborhood, but a large peninsula located just outside the Old Town, it is vastly popular among tourists seeking alternative accommodation options. Lapad is very well connected to the Old Town; the bus ride will take just around 15 to 20 minutes. It has its own small center with everything a traveler might need: numerous shops and restaurants, pharmacies, banks, and even a post office. Lapad offers different lodging types, ranging from luxury hotels to cozy apartments and lofts with beautiful sea view.

Babik Kuk

Babin Kuk is part of Lapad, but it is more secluded and has a less developed infrastructure. Instead, it offers lush green walking paths and promenades, delicious food, lots of outdoor activities, as well as the longest and one of the most famous beaches in Dubrovnik: Copacabana.

Gruz

Situated just 3 kilometers north of the Old Town, this neighborhood is more like a small port town where the main harbor, ferries station, and cruise port are located. The area is mostly residential, and it used to be the favorite summer retreat spot for wealthy Dubrovnik citizens. There is a nice open-air fruit and vegetable market, a lot of small shops and restaurants to please every visitor.