The best hotels in Dubrovnik: nine places to stay, walls to clifftops

A baroque palace in the heart of town

The Pucić Palace occupies a baroque palace close to Luža Square and Gundulić Square with its morning market. Rooms have antique furniture, wooden floors and rich fabrics, and some look across the rooftops and churches.

It appeals to travellers who want to live inside history and have the Old Town to themselves early and late. It is a good choice for couples. There is no pool or beach and rates are high, so it is the location and atmosphere you are paying for. The Stradun and the old harbour are two minutes from the door.

A roof terrace above the Old Town

Hotel Stari Grad is a small hotel in an old building near the Pile Gate, with few rooms and a roof terrace looking across the rooftops, bell towers and city walls.

It gets our vote as the value pick inside the walls, putting you in the heart of the Old Town with one of the best terraces in the city for less than the palace hotels. It is well suited to couples. Rooms are simple and small, and there are stairs up to reception and the rooms. Take a drink up to the terrace in the evening, when the light catches the bell towers.

Right outside the Pile Gate

Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik occupies a historic hotel building a few steps from the Pile Gate, with views of the walls and Lovrijenac fortress from many rooms. There is a pool and spa.

It is a reliable choice for a first visit, with the Old Town outside the door, buses to the rest of the city nearby and everything you need under one roof. It suits couples and families. The area around the Pile Gate is busy by day, so ask for a garden-facing room if you want quiet. In the evening you can walk to dinner in the Old Town and back without a taxi.

The view of the Old Town

Hotel Excelsior Dubrovnik stands in Ploče, on the cliffs east of the Old Town, looking across the water to the walls and harbour. It has bathing platforms, a pool and spa, and the Old Town is a ten-minute walk away.

It takes our design pick and perhaps the best place to see Dubrovnik from. It is a good fit for couples and families who want swimming and sightseeing in one stay. Rooms facing the Old Town cost more and are worth it. Banje beach, one of the city's most popular, is just below.

A boat to the harbour from the cliffs

Villa Dubrovnik sits on the cliffs further east in Ploče, with white terraces stepping down to the sea and views of the Old Town and Lokrum island. The hotel runs its own boat to the old harbour.

It earns our romantic pick, quiet, private and in one of the loveliest positions near the city. It works best for couples who want luxury and stillness. There are steps and lifts down to the sea, and it is not designed for families. Rates are high, but the boat makes it easy to pair calm days with evenings in town.

Built into the cliff

Hotel Bellevue Dubrovnik is built into the cliff above a small bay between the Old Town and Lapad, with rooms and balconies directly over the sea. Down in the bay is a small beach belonging to the hotel.

It is made for couples who want a sea view from every room and their own beach to swim from, a neat compromise between city and swimming. The Old Town is a short bus ride or a long walk away, and the spa is welcome on the rare rainy day.

Cliffs and a bar in a cave

Hotel More sits on the cliffs at Lapad, with terraces, a pool and bathing platforms down to the sea. Beneath the hotel is a bar set inside a natural cave in the rock.

It is ideal for travellers who want peace, swimming and sunsets and do not need to sleep in the Old Town. It is a good choice for couples. The Old Town is fifteen minutes by bus or taxi, and the Lapad promenade has plenty of restaurants on summer evenings.

Big and complete in Lapad

Rixos Premium Dubrovnik stands by the sea in Lapad, with large pools, a spa and terraces down to the water. Rooms are modern, and many look out over the islands.

It is right for families and anyone who wants everything in one place, and it works well for longer stays. It is a big hotel, more resort than history, with an international feel. The bus to the Pile Gate stops nearby.

Pine woods and swimming spots

Hotel Croatia Cavtat sits on a pine-covered peninsula by Cavtat, south of Dubrovnik, with terraces, a pool and swimming spots all around the headland.

It is our family pick, with space, shade and several places to swim, plus Cavtat's pleasant harbour full of restaurants. It also suits couples who want peace. The Old Town is about half an hour by boat or car, and with the airport so close, Cavtat is handy for first and last nights too.