Dubrovnik is one of those places that captures your heart the moment you arrive. With its dramatic city walls, sparkling Adriatic views, and winding cobblestone streets, it’s no wonder this Croatian gem has become such a popular travel destination. But when it comes to deciding where to stay in Dubrovnik, things can get a little overwhelming—especially if it’s your first time visiting.
Do you stay inside the historic Old Town for a front-row seat to the action? Or would you rather escape the crowds and enjoy sea views from a peaceful cliffside villa? From charming boutique apartments to luxury villas with private pools, there’s no shortage of incredible places to stay in and around Dubrovnik. The key is choosing the right area to match your travel style—whether you're planning a romantic getaway, a family holiday, or a group trip with friends.
We’ve explored Dubrovnik from every angle and in this guide, we’ll break down the best neighbourhoods to stay in, what makes each one special, and share our top villa recommendations based on personal experience and local insight. So whether you want to be close to the beach, steps from the city walls, or tucked away in a tranquil hillside retreat, we’ve got you covered.
With over 13.8 million visitors having flocked to the country in 2021, it repeatedly meets the mark as one of the most popular and sought-after destinations in Europe, and given the reasons we’ve listed above, it’s no surprise why.
Croatia is rich with history and beauty, and its cities and coastal towns are full of UNESCO-protected treasures just waiting to be explored. But among them all, one destination has an extra-special place in travellers’ hearts: Dubrovnik. Perched dramatically along the sun-soaked Dalmatian Coast, this medieval walled city is easily one of Croatia’s most iconic and beloved spots—and for good reason.
Known as the “Pearl of the Adriatic,” Dubrovnik has been enchanting visitors for centuries. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979, the city boasts striking stone walls, glistening sea views, and winding cobblestone lanes that tell stories from centuries past. Dating back to the 7th century, Dubrovnik has seen it all—from Byzantine rule to Napoleonic invasions—and its fascinating history is etched into every building and alleyway. More recently, its fame has soared thanks to its starring role as King’s Landing in Game of Thrones.
If you’ve been swept up in Dubrovnik’s charm and are planning your own visit, one of the most important decisions you’ll make is where to stay. Whether you want to immerse yourself in the heart of the Old Town or escape to a quiet seaside cove, each neighbourhood offers a unique experience. Here’s a look at the best areas to stay in Dubrovnik—and what makes each one special.
And here at Vida Villas, we understand the importance of deciding the locations you want to visit when you’re discovering a new destination and, equally, where you’ll be staying during your trip. And given Dubrovnik’s diverse offerings, you’ll want to make sure that you’re venturing to all of its areas of appeal, and staying in the best location for you, to truly get a taste of what this city has to offer.
We’ve highlighted all of this in the following guide on where to stay in Dubrovnik, narrowing down the best locations, and best villas, in hopes of making your trip as memorable as possible.
When it comes to choosing the best areas in Dubrovnik that you want to visit, the city is not shy of options that are simply enthraling.
The most popular part of Dubrovnik, the Old Town, is utterly bewildering.When people picture Dubrovnik, they’re usually imagining the magic of the Old Town—and for good reason. This historic centre is a showstopper, with terracotta rooftops, marble-paved streets, and breathtaking views of the Adriatic at every turn. Walking through the Old Town feels like stepping onto a movie set (which it literally is—it doubled as King’s Landing in Game of Thrones).
Fully pedestrianised and easy to navigate, the Old Town is perfect for exploring on foot. Around every corner, you’ll find charming cafes, impressive Baroque churches, boutique shops, and romantic restaurants tucked into ancient buildings. If you want to be in the heart of the action and soak up Dubrovnik’s rich culture day and night, the Old Town is hands-down one of the best places to stay.
Pile is a quaint suburb of Dubrovnik that is popular amongst visitors. It mirrors the Old Town in its beautiful architecture, but lacks its maze of streets, making it a more open and easily accessible location by public transport.
The suburb is Dubrovnik’s transport centre, serving the entire city, so should you be wishing to utilise this network, you’ll more than likely be visiting Pile at some point.
Its streets are lined with some stand-out 19th-century architecture and historic landmarks, including the likes of the Pile Gate. Built-in 1537, this striking city gate connects Pile to Dubrovnik’s Old Town, and specifically to Stradun, which is Dubrovnik’s pedestrian promenade lined with shops and eateries galore.
You’ll find many lovely places to stop and have a bite to eat or to take a moment to pause whilst in Pile, making it the perfect area to escape the hustle and bustle of Dubrovnik’s Old Town.
Despite being close to Dubrovnik, Ploče feels like a world away. Only a stone’s throw from Dubrovnik Old Town’s south gate, you’ll find this area, with its pebbled shorelines and hidden coves, it is the perfect place to seek some respite whilst in Dubrovnik.
Set up shop for the day at any one of Ploče’s beautiful beaches. Banje, along Ploče’s coastline, is the most accessible beach in Dubrovnik and is the perfect place to relax after a long day of exploration in the Old Town, soak up the sun, and take a dip in the Adriatic.
Ploče is an affluent and luxurious area. Its pier and beaches are backed by luxury hotels, and it radiates exclusivity and sophistication. It’s also home to a number of attractions, including Ploče gate, a 14th-century gateway to the eastern side of Dubrovnik, and St Dominic’s tower, a medieval building hosting local artwork and ceramics.
Nestled on the Lapad peninsula to the north of Dubrovnik’s Old Town, about 4km out, is the tourist area of Babin Kuk. A firm favourite amongst families and couples, this area offers the ultimate opportunity to seek some peace and quiet away from Dubrovnik's city centre.
It offers the best location to reach Dubrovnik’s variety of beautiful beaches, including Copacabana and Cava beaches, which offer the ideal sunbathing location. For this reason, you’ll also find a visit to Babin Kuk offers the best opportunity to try your hand at various watersports, which its neighbouring beaches offer the ideal conditions to get involved with.
Surrounded by nature and with plenty of space to breathe, Babin Kuk is perfect for anyone wanting to stay away from the hustle of the city. With walking trails, shaded parks, and sweeping sea views, it’s a peaceful retreat that still offers everything you need for a wonderful Dubrovnik stay.
Set further afield from the confines of Dubrovnik Old Town and its surrounding cities, you’ll find the beautiful area of Cavtat. Along the blissful Dubrovnik Riviera, this small peninsula is a pristine coastal village at the foothills of neighbouring mountain ranges.
It is located roughly 20km from Dubrovnik city, making for an ideal day out should you wish to explore what Dubrovnik offers further afield. Originally founded by the Greeks in the 6th century, later it acted as an important Roman outpost.
The town is scattered with vibrant red-roofed and ochre-coloured buildings, and with two piers and plenty of bars and eateries, a day out in Cavtat offers everything you could want and need.
Be sure to head to the harbour, which is lined with palms and shrubbery, where you can cosy up in one of its cafes or bars and watch the boats bob by the pier and the world go by.
Now, choosing where to stay in Dubrovnik can be an arduous task, but we’ve narrowed down some of our favourite villas that we feel suit every preference, group and taste in Dubrovnik.
With the Old Town visible from its infinity pool, Villa Cetrdeset Pet is the ideal place to stay in Dubrovnik offering a prime location nearby one of the city’s favourite destinations. Being able to sleep 14 people, its seafront and hillside setting boasts phenomenal views across the Adriatic and surrounding landscape.
Villa Dana is a splendid option for families. Sleeping up to 8 people, it is situated a mere 15-minute walk from the historic city centre of Dubrovnik, making it a perfect location for families to base themselves after a long day of exploration.
And just above St James’ beach, the villa offers an elevated view of the Adriatic, meaning you’ll be in awe at the breathtaking views on offer. With an outdoor terrace and sunbathing area as well, there’s plenty of space for you to chill during your holiday here.
Offering a private experience for its guests, Villa Pedeset Pet still offers the convenience of being centrally located to Dubrovnik’s Old Town but boasts a cosy and private atmosphere to indulge in after a long day out.
Sleeping up to 8 guests, it features its own private pool, hot tub, sauna and, gym. Also having its own private terrace, you can perch here for your breakfast in the morning to start your day off right. Or, equally, you can take a romantic evening dip in the pool to end your day with your significant other on the perfect note.
For groups of friends looking to indulge on a holiday in Dubrovnik, you can rent Villa Zaton and experience the height of luxury during your stay.
Located at the end of Zaton Bay, along Dubrovnik’s waterfront promenade, the villa is close to some of Dubrovnik’s favourite locations. Privacy is ensured, with large stone walls encircling the property, so you can indulge in the fantastic facilities here in seclusion.
With state-of-the-art Sonos and Bose sound systems, as well as luxury bedrooms, and a living room and kitchen that are stylishly decorated, Villa Zaton is a piece of luxury that you can’t resist.
Located in Cavtat, Villa Anthony is a charming grand Mediterranean property dating back to the 18th century. Featuring an outdoor pool, a vast Mediterranean garden, and even its own chapel, you can slow down and relax, forgetting about the worries of everyday life, during a stay here.
The property can host up to 8 guests and is surrounded by verdant forestry, with nothing but the sounds of local wildlife and the wind in the trees to disturb you.
When considering where to stay in Dubrovnik, you’re not short of fantastic areas to explore and exceptional places to stay that can be enjoyed by any and all groups.
With a wealth of opportunities on offer, Dubrovnik is a destination that embodies the perfect holiday, with something new, exciting, and enticing to unravel and discover at every turn. We hope you found our recommendations useful, and that now you’re one step closer to planning your dream Dubrovnik holiday.
If you are planning a trip to Dubrovnik and need accommodation for your visit, Vida Villas offer a stunning selection of rental properties around the city. Alternatively, you can contact our team, who will be happy to provide any help or information you may need.
