Best Neighborhoods to Visit in Croatia

Best neighborhoods to visit in Croatia: Dubrovnik, Croatia’s Most Famous City It is renowned for its old town, which has been preserved and used as a location for filming. Game of Thrones This charming city of over 40,000 people is home to many tourists. The increasing number of ships visiting the port brings more visitors to this beautiful area. But most visitors tend to only stay in a handful of areas. It is important to choose the right area for you because it can have an enormous impact on how your trip goes.

For your convenience, here are some suggestions to help you choose where you want to stay in Dubrovnik.

Before I go into the details, I want to share some of my most common questions about Dubrovnik’s neighborhoods.

Where is the best place to eat?
You can take the first step if you travel by boat or bus to Dubrovnik. Gruž This is the pronunciation of “Groozh”, which has seen a rise in popularity and great food options.

Is there a better neighborhood for families than the one you are in?
Lapad You can take a bus to Old Town in 10 minutes. There is also a beautiful, family-friendly beach.

Which is the most fun place to party?
Pile The narrow, winding streets of Pee-lay are ideally placed to enjoy the numerous bars and restaurants in Old Town.

Which neighborhood is the most local for you to feel like you’re a local?
This neighborhood is not on any other list. It is about a fifteen-minute walk to Old Town. Montovjerna This quiet neighborhood is home to many bars and restaurants that are popular with locals.

Is there a better neighborhood than others?
Although it is crowded and bustling, Stari Grad Old Town (or Old Town) is where the action takes place.

With those questions now answered, here is a more specific breakdown of each neighborhood — with suggested accommodation, so you’ll know where to stay in Dubrovnik:

Where to Stay in Dubrovnik for Foodies

There once was a time when there was nothing particularly spectacular about Gruž. In the past five years the area has become a wonderful place to eat. In addition to being home to the main outdoor food market, there are a handful of terrific restaurants that make Gruž the destination for those of you who let your stomach and taste buds dictate your itinerary.

Only brewery in the city, The Dubrovnik Beer Company, is in Gruž, and it has a lovely tap room for sampling the beers. If you are hungry, visit Glorijet, AmforaPlease see the following: Kiosk. (The newish Red History Museum, about life in the former Yugoslavia, is also in Gruž.)

Best Places to Stay in Gruž:

• BUDGET: Free Bird – One of the city’s newest hostels, Free Bird has a chill common area with a large TV and a kitchenette (no stove though). It’s not a very fancy hostel. However, it is clean and modern. The views from the rooftop terrace are amazing. Female-only rooms are also available.
• MID-RANGE: Hotel Adria – Most rooms at this comfortable hotel have balconies that look out over the marina. Air conditioning is available in all rooms. Parking is free for guests who have their own cars.
• LUXURY: Berkeley Hotel & Spa – Smack in the heart of Gruž, Berkeley is the only luxury hotel in the neighborhood. The hotel has spacious rooms with balconies that overlook the marina. It also boasts an outdoor pool and bar.

Best neighborhoods to visit: Lapad Beach Dubrovnik

Lapad is a popular tourist destination that can be reached by bus in just 10 minutes from Old Town. Located on a peninsula, residents love to hang out on the long pedestrian promenade, where a nonstop line of restaurants and cafés line the way to the beach. The cove is a peaceful spot that attracts families and children alike. Here, you’ll also find fewer tourists.

Lapad’s Best Places for Staying:

• BUDGET: Dubrovnik Backpackers Club – Located just over the Lapad border in Babin Kuk, Dubrovnik Backpackers Club is the most affordable option in the area. A few rooms are available in mixed dorms for four people and two private rooms that sleep two. All rooms have en-suite bathrooms and showers. You can cook your meals in the large kitchen, which is also equipped with a balcony that offers a beautiful view of the surrounding neighborhood.
• MID-RANGE: Art Hotel – Just a two-minute stroll to the main beach in Lapad, Art Hotel is a nicely priced accommodation with a lot of comfort and style. Some rooms offer nice views from their balconies. There is also air conditioning and large flat-screen TVs.
• LUXURY: Royal Palm Hotel – This is one of the more affordable luxury options in town. Large guest rooms offer views to the Adriatic Sea and there is a terrace restaurant. A relaxing spa is also available on the premises.

Pile: Where to Stay in Dubrovnik For Partying

Pile is located just outside Pile Gate, which allows you to enter and exit Old Town via narrow streets. It’s a small neighborhood with winding streets that runs between the historical center and Fort Lovrijenac (a medieval Fort Lovrijenac) and Gradac Park. Although it is not a party spot, it isn’t in Old Town. It’s also within easy walking distance to the Stari Grad wall if you want to drink at night.

Pile’s Best Locations

• BUDGET: Villa Garden Hostel – Located near Gradac Park, Villa Garden Hostel is made up of a collection of private rooms, each of which has either one or two single beds. You will find a lively common area and beautiful terrace where you can enjoy the Adriatic breezes.
• MID-RANGE: B&B Villa Dubrovnik Garden – This B&B is located up on the hill overlooking Old Town and the Adriatic Sea. Six rooms have lovely views and are well-appointed. They are able to help plan and organize excursions.
• LUXURY: Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik – Part of one of the few big international hotel chains (run by Hilton) in Dubrovnik, the Imperial is actually a historic property. This hotel is perfectly located outside Old Town’s Pile Gate. The lobby bars are lovely and there are plus-sized rooms that have extra-large and comfortable beds.

Montovjerna is the best place to stay in Dubrovnik because you will feel like a local.

The main drag of this neighborhood is ulica bana Josipa Jelacica, which means nothing to tourists, but to locals, it is — or at least, was — a party street, lined with bars. The street was named “Bourbon Street”, after the notorious New Orleans party street. Although it has become more peaceful, it still offers a great place to get coffee and a drink at any of the pubs along the street.

This street also hosts one of the finest dining options in town. Marija’s HouseMarija Papak is a talented chef who prepares amazing local food on the covered terrace at her house.

The Best Places To Stay In Montovjerna

• BUDGET: Vila Marija – Just a 15-minute walk from/to Old Town, this guesthouse offers private rooms as well as entire studio apartments with their own kitchens. It has a beautiful terrace and is warmly welcomed by the host.
• MID-RANGE: Hotel Lero – This is a long, rectangular, multifloor property with an inviting courtyard pool and rooms that overlook the Adriatic Sea. All rooms are equipped with air conditioning and have large wardrobes.
• LUXURY: Hotel More – This cliffside hotel is right on the water. All 72 rooms have balconies facing the Adriatic. Eight suites also boast balcony views. This hotel has the Cave Bar More as a bonus. It is located in a real cave on the shore of the Adriatic.

Stari Grad: The best overall neighborhood in Dubrovnik

Stari Grad or Old Town is Dubrovnik’s main attraction and draws millions. If you visit during peak season expect traffic to make the streets feel like Times Square. This, however, is why you’re here and where you may be spending most of your time.

Old Town has some good restaurants. There are many pizzerias in Old Town, but you should avoid pizza.

Avoid the Prijeko Ulica street lined with restaurants, also known as “Banditenstrasse” by locals. It’s where tourists flock to be ripped off by poor food and bad restaurants, who have a track record of scamming tourists.

Enjoy the Old Town and take in its medieval atmosphere as you walk the narrow streets.

Stari Grad: Best places to stay

• BUDGET: City Walls Hostel – This three-floor, award-winning property has a spacious common room and a small but fully equipped kitchen and a basic free breakfast every morning. The kitchen is also equipped with coffee and tea throughout the day.
• MID-RANGE: La Vita e Bella II – This collection of elegant rooms is located in a 13th-century home in the heart of the Old Town. Each unit has air conditioning and flat-screen TVs. Other amenities include robes/slippers and Bose speakers.
• LUXURY: St. Joseph’s Hotel – Housed in a 16th-century building, St. Joseph’s is one of a few hotels located within the walls. It’s quite a lovely hotel! Six rooms are small and have rain showers. Some have large bathtubs. There is enough room to keep you there for a while. It is also very friendly.

***Dubrovnik’s best experience is if there are many places to explore and not just the Old Town. Dubrovnik has many beautiful, peaceful neighborhoods that you can explore without having to deal with the masses.

The city’s small size means that everything is easily accessible by bus. This ensures you don’t miss any of the amazing medieval attractions.

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Logistical tips and tricks to book your Croatian vacation

Make use Skyscanner Find a low-cost flight. Because they search all airlines and websites around the world, it is my favourite search engine.

Reserve Your Accommodation
Book your hostel through Hostelworld Because they offer the largest inventory and most deals, You can also stay in a hotel or hostel if you prefer. Booking.com Because they are able to return cheap guesthouses and hotels at the lowest rates.

Travel Insurance is a must-have
You can get travel insurance to protect yourself against sickness, injury, theft and cancellations. You have complete protection in the event of an emergency. It’s a must-have for me as it has been necessary many times. The best companies to offer value and service are:

Are you looking for the best companies to save money with?
My resource page lists the top companies you can use to save money when traveling. To save money while on the road, I have listed all of the companies I used. These will also save money while you’re traveling.

You would like to know more about Croatia?
Be sure to visit our robust destination guide on Croatia for even more planning tips!