Is it worth staying in the Old Town?

For a one- or two-night stay, yes — the experience of walking the walled city at dawn before crowds arrive is distinctive. For longer stays, Lapad or Ploče offer better value.

How much more expensive is Dubrovnik than Split?

Typically 30–60% more for comparable hotel rooms. Budget travellers will find Dubrovnik hard to make affordable in July–August.

Can I walk from Lapad to the Old Town?

It's a 30–45 minute walk or a 15-minute bus ride (Line 6). Most Lapad guests use the bus.

Where to Stay in Dubrovnik 2026: Old Town, Ploče, Lapad & Gruž

Dubrovnik’s most expensive city in Croatia for accommodation — significantly pricier than Split or Zadar, and popular enough that the better options book out months in advance. Choosing the right neighbourhood shapes your stay substantially. All prices in euros (€).

Old Town — most atmospheric, most expensive

Sleeping inside the walled city means stepping out of your door onto the limestone streets of Stradun. The tradeoff: higher prices, no cars (luggage on foot), and noise from tourists until late in peak season.

Best for: Couples on short stays who want the full Dubrovnik experience right on their doorstep.

Price range: €120–350+ per night for a double room in season
Note: Limited hotel inventory — mostly guesthouses, apartments, and a handful of boutique hotels

Ploče — luxury with sea views, walking distance from walls

Immediately east of the Old Town, the Ploče neighbourhood has the highest concentration of Dubrovnik’s top hotels. A 10–15 minute walk from Pile Gate.

Best for: Guests who want luxury accommodation with sea views but don’t need to be inside the walls.

Top properties:

Villa Dubrovnik — a cliff-edge design hotel with sea-view terraces, private beach access, and a water taxi to the Old Town.

Price: €130–320

Hotel Excelsior — Dubrovnik’s most established luxury hotel in Ploče, with a long history and prominent position. Pool, restaurant, and direct sea access.

Price: €100–250

7oaks Noble House — boutique hotel in the Ploče area with pool and terrace.

Price: €110–220

Lapad Peninsula — best value, resort-style

3km west of the Old Town by bus (Line 6, €2), the Lapad Peninsula has Dubrovnik’s most conventional beach hotels and the best options for families and longer stays. Quieter and more local than the Old Town.

Best for: Families, longer stays, and travellers watching costs.

Top properties:

Hotel Dubrovnik Palace — one of Dubrovnik’s largest hotels, on the Lapad headland with panoramic Adriatic views, an infinity pool terrace, and a private beach.

Price: €90–200

Sun Gardens Dubrovnik — a large resort complex in the Orašac area (15 minutes from the Old Town), with apartments, a pool, and a beach.

Price: €80–180

Smaller guesthouses and apartments throughout Lapad from €60–120.

Gruž — most local, best for budget

The main ferry and bus terminal neighbourhood, 4km from the Old Town. Less scenic but more lived-in — good restaurants (Urban & Veggie, local konobas) and easier transport connections.

Best for: Budget travellers, longer stays, and people arriving by ferry.

Hotel Lero — the most established budget-oriented hotel in Gruž, well-reviewed for value.

Price: €50–110

Guesthouses and apartments from €40–80.

Price comparison

Area	Style	Peak price range
Old Town	Boutiques, apartments	€120–350+
Ploče	Luxury hotels	€100–320
Lapad	Resort and family hotels	€80–200
Gruž	Budget and mid-range	€50–110

Practical notes

Book by March for July–August — Dubrovnik fills earlier than anywhere else in Croatia
Bus Line 6 connects Lapad to Pile Gate every 15 minutes in summer — Lapad is not isolated
Old Town parking: There is none — if driving, use the Gruz car park and walk or take the bus
Airport transfer: Dubrovnik Airport is 20km from the Old Town; shuttle bus €7–10; taxi €30–40