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Where to Stay in Dubrovnik: Best Areas and Hotels

By Santorini Dave • Updated: July 15, 2026

Choosing where to stay in Dubrovnik comes down to one decision: stay inside the Old Town for atmosphere and immediate sightseeing, or stay outside the walls for easier luggage access, larger hotels, pools, beaches, and better views.

For a short stay, I recommend Pile, Ploče, or the Old Town. For families, beach time, or a longer visit, Lapad and Babin Kuk are better. The Old Town is memorable, charming, pedestrian-only, crowded, and full of stairs, while hotels outside the walls are generally better value and more comfortable.

My favorite hotel in Old Town Dubrovnik.

Dubrovnik’s Old Town is wonderfully atmospheric, but staying inside the walls can mean carrying luggage up steep stone steps. This alley leads to 7oaks Noble House, one of our favorite hotels in the Old Town.

Quick Picks: The Best Hotels in Dubrovnik

  • Best Hotel Overall: Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik
    Directly outside Pile Gate, with an indoor pool, parking, and the easiest luxury-hotel access to the Old Town. Expensive, but the location is worth the premium for a short sightseeing stay.
  • Best for Old Town Views: Hotel Excelsior Dubrovnik
    A luxury hotel in Ploče with superb views toward the city walls and easy walking access to the Old Town. Book a sea-view room, as the view is the main reason to stay here.
  • Best Hotel Inside the Old Town: 7oaks Noble House
    A small boutique hotel in the historic center, best for couples and short stays. Choose it for atmosphere and location, not for large rooms, a pool, or easy vehicle access.
  • Best Romantic Hotel: Stari Grad Boutique Hotel
    An intimate Old Town hotel with a central location and rooftop dining. Best for couples who want to walk everywhere and do not mind pedestrian access and possible stairs.
  • Best for Families: Hotel Dubrovnik Palace
    A full-service resort in Lapad with indoor and outdoor pools, sea access, and plenty of space. It is much easier with children than the Old Town, though sightseeing requires a bus or taxi.
  • Best Beach Hotel: Hotel Kompas Dubrovnik
    The best choice beside Sunset Beach, with restaurants and buses nearby. A good fit for couples and families who want to combine swimming with Old Town sightseeing.
  • Best Resort Near the Center: Rixos Premium Dubrovnik
    A large cliffside resort with pools, restaurants, and open sea views, closer to the Old Town than the Babin Kuk resorts. Best for travelers who want extensive facilities rather than a small, personal hotel.
  • Best Value Near the Beach: Hotel Splendid
    A simpler Lapad hotel with sea access and a good coastal setting. Rooms and facilities are basic, but rates are often much lower than at nearby luxury resorts.

Dubrovnik Old Town and Port.

The stunning Old Port of Dubrovnik, with its charming boats, ancient city walls, and the iconic red roofs of the city beyond.

The Best Areas to Stay in Dubrovnik

The best place to stay in Dubrovnik for most first-time visitors is near the Old Town, but not necessarily inside it. Pile offers the easiest access to the city walls, Stradun, buses, taxis, and airport transportation without requiring you to carry luggage through pedestrian lanes. The Old Town is the most atmospheric choice, but it is crowded, expensive, noisy in places, and full of stairs. Ploče has the best combination of Old Town views and luxury hotels. Lapad is the best area for beaches, families, and a longer stay.

My favorite luxury hotel is the Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik, directly outside Pile Gate. It is the easiest high-end choice for sightseeing because guests can walk to the Old Town in a few minutes without dealing with an uphill return or carrying luggage through the pedestrian center.

For sea views and a more resort-like stay, I prefer Hotel Excelsior Dubrovnik in Ploče. For families and beach time, Hotel Dubrovnik Palace and Hotel Kompas Dubrovnik are better choices than staying inside the walls.

Best hotel with pool for families in Dubrovnik.

The Hotel Dubrovnik Palace is great for families.

  • Best area for first-time visitors: Pile
  • Best area for atmosphere and sightseeing: Old Town south of Stradun
  • Best area for luxury and Old Town views: Ploče
  • Best area for beaches and families: Lapad
  • Best area for full-service resorts: Babin Kuk
  • Best area for value near the center: Montovjerna
  • Best area for ferries and long-distance buses: Gruž

Dubrovnik is not an easy city for anyone with limited mobility. The Old Town is pedestrian-only, many accommodations have no elevator, and large sections north of Stradun are reached by steep stone stairways. Ploče, upper Gruž, and parts of Montovjerna are also hilly. Do not judge an apartment by its straight-line distance from the Old Town. A place that looks five minutes away on a map may require a steep climb or dozens of steps.

The easiest terrain is along Stradun and the streets immediately south of it, around the Gruž waterfront, and on the Lapad promenade near Sunset Beach. Pile is convenient but busy, particularly when tour buses and cruise passengers arrive. Lapad and Babin Kuk involve a bus ride to the Old Town, but they provide pools, beaches, larger rooms, parking, and outdoor space that hotels inside the walls won’t have.

Crowds are heaviest from June through September, especially between late morning and mid-afternoon when cruise passengers and tour groups fill the Old Town. Staying nearby makes it much easier to visit early in the morning, return to the hotel during the busiest part of the day, and go back after the day-trippers have left.

Dubrovnik Cathedral.

Dubrovnik Cathedral in the flatter southern half of the Old Town, close to Rector’s Palace, Gundulić Square, and the Old Port.

Dubrovnik Neighborhoods

Old Town north of Stradun: The most atmospheric but also the steepest part of the historic center. It is best for couples, independent travelers, boutique hotels, restaurants, and visitors who pack lightly. Avoid it with a stroller, large suitcases, or limited mobility unless the accommodation confirms a step-free route.

Old Town south of Stradun: Better for first-time visitors who want to stay inside the walls. Much of the area is flatter, and it is close to the Cathedral, Rector’s Palace, Old Port, restaurants, shops, and nightlife. It remains pedestrian-only, crowded, and potentially noisy.

Pile: Directly outside the main western entrance to the Old Town. This is the best all-around location for short stays and first visits. Pile has local bus stops, taxi access, airport-bus service, tour meeting points, and easier luggage handling than the Old Town.

Ploče: East of the Old Town, with Banje Beach, the lower cable-car station, several of Dubrovnik’s best luxury hotels, and superb views back toward the walls. The drawback is the terrain. Many hotels and apartments sit above the waterfront and require steep walks or stairs.

Montovjerna: A mostly residential district between the Old Town, Gruž, and Lapad. Hotels are better value than in Pile or Ploče, and buses are convenient, but the district is not uniformly flat. The coastal road is manageable; inland streets can climb sharply.

Lapad: The best base for combining beach time with sightseeing. The promenade around Uvala Lapad and Sunset Beach has restaurants, cafés, shade, and frequent buses to Pile. It is easier with children than the Old Town, though the beach is pebbly rather than sandy.

Babin Kuk: A greener resort district on the outer part of the Lapad Peninsula. It has large hotels, pools, rocky swimming areas, family facilities, and sunset views. It feels removed from historic Dubrovnik, which is either an advantage or a drawback depending on the trip.

Gruž: The practical choice for ferry passengers and travelers continuing by bus. The waterfront is flat and has everyday shops, a market, cafés, and lower prices. Upper Gruž is steep, so check the exact address before booking.

The Best Places to Stay in Dubrovnik

A couple sit next to daybeds and watch the sea crash into an ancient stone wall.

Rixos Premium resort in Montovjerna provides guests unique sea views.

Best Areas in Dubrovnik for Different Travelers

Old Port in Dubrovnik.

Staying near Dubrovnik’s Old Port gives you easy access to restaurants, historic sights, and waterfront views.

  • Best Area for First-Time Visitors: Pile
    Pile is the best all-around base for a short first visit. It sits directly outside the main entrance to the Old Town, putting Stradun, the City Walls, Rector’s Palace, the Cathedral, and the Old Port within an easy walk. You get almost all the convenience of staying inside the walls without carrying luggage through pedestrian lanes or up Old Town stairways.

    Pile is also Dubrovnik’s main transport hub. Taxis and transfer vehicles can reach the area, and buses leave for Lapad, Babin Kuk, Gruž, and other parts of the city. This makes it easy to combine Old Town sightseeing with beaches, ferries, and restaurants outside the historic center.

    The drawback is daytime congestion around Pile Gate, where tour groups, buses, taxis, and airport passengers converge. It is busy rather than peaceful, but for a first visit the location is difficult to beat. Choose the Old Town instead if atmosphere matters more than luggage access, room size, and noise. Choose Montovjerna for lower prices and more space, with most hotels a 15- to 25-minute walk from Pile Gate.

  • Best Area for Sightseeing and History: Old Town South of Stradun
    Stay south of Stradun for the easiest access to Rector’s Palace, the Cathedral, St. Blaise’s Church, the Old Port, and the Maritime Museum. This is the flatter half of the Old Town, though some lanes still have steps.

    The main advantage is being able to explore early in the morning and again after the day-trippers leave. The drawbacks are high prices, pedestrian-only access, small rooms, few elevators, and possible restaurant or nightlife noise.

    Choose this area for a short sightseeing stay when atmosphere matters more than space, pools, or easy luggage access. Pile is more practical if you want to stay beside the Old Town without carrying bags through the pedestrian center.

    Pile Gate is the busiest entrance and the usual meeting point for tours. Ploče Gate is often quieter and is more convenient for the cable car and Banje Beach. Boats to Lokrum leave from the Old Port, while most longer island ferries use Gruž.

People stand in line outside a stone wall.

Waiting in line outside the Pile Gate.

The entrance to a small nook in a stone wall houses a travel agency.

A travel agency in the Old Town.

People gather around the outside of an ancient church.

Saint Blaise’s Church on the east end of Old Town.

  • Best Area for Nightlife: Old Town
    The Old Town has Dubrovnik’s liveliest concentration of bars, wine bars, pubs, and late-night venues. Most are tucked into lanes north and south of Stradun, while Culture Club Revelin is the main nightclub, set inside the Revelin fortress by Ploče Gate.

    Stay here if you want to walk home after drinks and prefer atmosphere over quiet. The busiest streets are around Stradun, Prijeko Street, Gundulić Square, and the lanes near Ploče Gate. Rooms facing these areas can be noisy late into the night, while smaller residential lanes and interior-facing rooms are calmer.

    Pile is the better choice if you want easy access to Old Town nightlife but a quieter place to sleep.

  • Best Area for Shopping: Old Town
    The Old Town has Dubrovnik’s best concentration of boutiques, jewelry stores, local food shops, art, cosmetics, and souvenirs. It is also the place for high-end fashion: Maria Store near Ploče Gate carries major international designer brands, though Dubrovnik has only a small luxury-shopping scene rather than a full designer district.

    For everyday essentials, shoes, groceries, pharmacies, beach supplies, and lower prices, Lapad and Gruž are more practical.

Paintings of colorful white boats in a blue port with a golden sun sit in a gallery.

A small gallery selling paintings inside the Old Town.

Women walk into a store selling merchandise from the tv show, Game of Thrones.

The Game of Thrones store in the Old Town, north of Stradun Street.

  • Best Area for Beaches: Lapad
    Lapad is the best beach base for most visitors. Sunset Beach, also called Uvala Lapad Beach, is easy to reach by bus and sits beside a promenade with hotels, restaurants, cafés, and places to rent loungers. The beach is pebbly and busy in summer, but it is Dubrovnik’s easiest choice for spending several hours by the water without relying on a resort.

    Banje Beach is the best choice for combining swimming with Old Town sightseeing. It is just outside Ploče Gate, about a 5-minute walk from the eastern entrance to the walls. Access is by a long flight of stone steps, manageable for most people but awkward with a stroller, beach gear, or limited mobility. The beach has excellent Old Town views, but it gets crowded and feels more like a busy beach club than a quiet swimming spot. Farther east, Sveti Jakov Beach is quieter and has similarly impressive views of the Old Town and Lokrum. It is reached by a long staircase and is less convenient than Banje, but it is a better choice for a relaxed beach afternoon.

    Bellevue Beach is a small, sheltered cove below Hotel Bellevue, about halfway between Pile and Lapad. It is reached by a long, steep staircase. Around Babin Kuk, beaches range from developed pebbly beaches such as Copacabana to rocky swimming platforms. The area has the best resort facilities but is less convenient for the Old Town.

People swim in clear blue water on a rocky beach.

Sunset Beach in Lapad.

People wade into clear ocean water next to cliffs.

The pebble beach around St John’s Fort.

Outdoor stairs descend to a a beach with clear blue water.

The view down to Banje Beach. In the distance is the Old Town and St John’s Fort.

  • Best Areas for Restaurants: Old Town and Lapad
    The Old Town has Dubrovnik’s largest concentration of restaurants, wine bars, and atmospheric outdoor dining. Prijeko Street, north of Stradun, is packed with places to eat, while the lanes around Gundulić Square and the Cathedral offer more choices. The setting is excellent, but prices are higher and the most obvious restaurants on the busiest routes can feel aimed at day-trippers.

    Lapad is better for casual, moderately priced meals. The promenade near Sunset Beach has plenty of restaurants and cafés, with easier access, more space, and a more relaxed atmosphere than the Old Town. It is especially convenient for families and anyone who does not want to climb steep streets after dinner.

    Gruž is the best area for lower prices and a more local feel, particularly around the harbor and market. It has fewer destination restaurants, but better value and less tourist-focused dining.

A bright blue table cloth covers a table outdoors along a stone passageway.

Dining tables line an alley in Old Town north of Stradun Street.

  • Best Areas for Boat Trips: Old Town and Gruž
    The Old Port is best for boats to Lokrum and short sightseeing cruises around the city walls. Gruž is the main departure point for scheduled ferries and many full-day island trips. Passenger ferries connect Dubrovnik with Korčula, Mljet, Hvar, and Split, but routes and frequencies vary by season. Summer has the widest choice, while some services run less often or stop entirely outside the main travel season. The main operators are TP Line, Krilo, and Jadrolinija. Check the departure port carefully when booking: the Old Port is beside the Old Town, while Gruž Port is several kilometers away.
Boats sit roped to a stone walkway.

The Gruž Harbor.

Tourist stand on the second level of a boat waiting to sail.

Boat trips available from the marina/harbor at Gruž.

  • Best Area Without a Car: Pile or Old Town
    A car is unnecessary for most Dubrovnik visits and is often more trouble than it is worth. The Old Town is pedestrian-only, parking near the walls is limited and expensive, and summer traffic can be slow.

    Pile is the most practical car-free base. You can walk into the Old Town in minutes, taxis and airport transfers can reach the area, and buses connect Pile with Lapad, Babin Kuk, Gruž, and the city’s main beaches. Stay inside the Old Town instead if atmosphere matters more than easy luggage access.

    Lapad and Babin Kuk also work well without a car, with regular buses to Pile and plenty of restaurants and beaches nearby. Rent a car only for the days you plan to explore places outside Dubrovnik, such as Ston, the Pelješac Peninsula, or the Konavle region.

  • Best Area for Ferries and Long-Distance Buses: Gruž
    Gruž is the most convenient area for ferry and bus connections. Dubrovnik’s main passenger port and long-distance bus station are here, making it the best place to stay before an early departure or after a late arrival. The airport shuttle also serves the bus-station area.

    Local buses connect Gruž with Pile, Lapad, and Babin Kuk, so the Old Town is still easy to reach. The waterfront is flat and practical, with cafés, shops, and a market nearby, but many guesthouses sit on the steep hillside above the port. Choose accommodation close to the waterfront if you are traveling with luggage or have limited mobility.

Travelers wait under a roof where several buses park and wait for riders.

The bus station in Gruž offers services across Croatia, local towns like Cavtat, and direct service to/from the airport.

A small supermarket.

Konzum supermarket is next to the Port and Bus station in Gruž.

  • Best Areas on a Budget: Gruž and Montovjerna
    Gruž is usually the cheapest place to stay and eat in central Dubrovnik. It is best for ferry passengers, longer stays, and travelers who do not mind taking a bus to the Old Town. The waterfront has supermarkets, cafés, a market, and good transport links, but guesthouses higher on the hillside can involve steep climbs.

    Montovjerna costs more than Gruž but is closer to the Old Town. Many hotels are within a 15- to 25-minute walk of Pile Gate, and buses are frequent. It is the better choice for travelers who want lower prices without feeling too far from the main sights.

    Choose Gruž for the lowest prices and easiest ferry access. Choose Montovjerna for a better balance of value and Old Town convenience.

  • Best Areas for Families: Lapad and Babin Kuk
    Lapad and Babin Kuk are the best family bases in Dubrovnik. Hotels are larger, pools and family rooms are common, beaches are nearby, and taxis can reach the door. Both areas are much easier with a stroller than the Old Town, where pedestrian lanes, stairs, crowds, and small hotels can make family travel tiring.

    Choose Lapad for the best balance of beach time and convenience. Sunset Beach, restaurants, cafés, shops, and buses are all close together, so families can manage easily without a car. Choose Babin Kuk for larger resorts, kids’ clubs, multiple pools, sports facilities, and a quieter setting.

    Lapad feels more like a neighborhood, while Babin Kuk is more resort-focused. Both are about 15 to 25 minutes from the Old Town by bus or taxi, depending on traffic and the hotel’s location.

  • Best Area for Couples: Old Town or Ploče
    Choose the Old Town for atmosphere, restaurants, and the pleasure of walking out into the historic center. South of Stradun is flatter and more convenient for sightseeing, while the lanes north of Stradun are quieter, steeper, and better for intimate restaurants and small boutique hotels.

    Choose Ploče for sea views, pools, and a more relaxed luxury stay. Hotels such as Excelsior and Villa Dubrovnik offer more privacy and outdoor space while remaining within walking distance of the walls.

    The tradeoff is simple: the Old Town is more romantic and lively, but rooms are smaller and vehicle access is limited. Ploče is quieter and more comfortable, but usually more expensive and often involves steep walks or stairs.

Old Port near Ploce Gate in Dubrovnik.

Bistro Revelin near Ploče Gate overlooks the Old Port and city walls. Staying in Ploče puts excellent views and Old Town dining within an easy walk, though many hotels sit uphill.

The 7 Best Areas in Dubrovnik for Tourists

The right Dubrovnik neighborhood depends on how much you value atmosphere compared with easy access, beaches, pools, and room size. Staying inside the Old Town is memorable, but it also means no vehicle access, expensive rooms, crowds, and potentially carrying luggage over stone lanes and stairs.

Pile and Ploče are attractive compromises. Both are outside the walls but close enough to walk into the historic center. Lapad and Babin Kuk are better for families and beach-oriented trips. Gruž is best for transport and value rather than sightseeing atmosphere.

1. Old Town North of Stradun

Old Town Dubrovnik.

The northern half of the Old Town rises steeply from Stradun toward the city walls. It has atmospheric lanes, restaurants along Prijeko Street, small hotels, guesthouses, and apartments. It feels quieter than the streets south of Stradun, particularly away from the main restaurant routes.

The tradeoff is access. Many properties require climbing long stone staircases, and vehicles cannot enter the Old Town. This is a good choice for couples and independent travelers with light luggage. It is a poor choice for most families with young children, travelers with mobility limitations, or anyone arriving with large suitcases. Rooms tend to be compact, elevators are uncommon, and street noise varies greatly by location.

A lantern hangs over a green door.

Our favorite boutique hotel is 7oaks Noble House.


2. Old Town South of Stradun

Old Town Port in Dubrovnik.

South of Stradun is the best part of the Old Town for most visitors who want to on stay inside the walls. The streets around Rector’s Palace, the Cathedral, Gundulić Square, and the Old Port are easier to navigate than the steep northern lanes. This area puts Dubrovnik’s major sights, restaurants, boat departures, and nightlife within easy reach. It is particularly good for a two-night visit because little time is spent commuting.

The disadvantages are crowds, expensive rooms, limited vehicle access, and nighttime noise. Boutique hotels may occupy old buildings with small rooms, stairs, and no elevator.

People walk through an old town while guests dine at outdoor tables.

Rector’s Palace Museum with the Clock Tower of Dubrovnik in the distance.

A lantern hangs above a door and reads, St Joseph’s.

The entrance to St Joseph’s boutique hotel. The name is on the lantern above the door.

Green shutters sit open on the outside of a building to let in sunlight.

The interior courtyard at Forty-Four.


3. Ploče

People walk through a large rounded entrance to a walled city.

Ploče is Dubrovnik’s best neighborhood for luxury hotels, Old Town views, and quick access to Banje Beach. The closest properties are only a few minutes from Ploče Gate, while those farther east feel quieter and more resort-like.

Hotel Excelsior Dubrovnik has the best overall balance of views, facilities, and walkability. Villa Dubrovnik is more private and romantic but farther from the walls.

A bus rides down a single lane road next to a sidewalk.

Bus transport around Ploče.

The important warning is terrain. Frana Supila runs above the waterfront, and accommodations on the hillside can involve steep roads or long staircases. Travelers with limited mobility should ask whether the route to Ploče Gate is level and whether the hotel has an elevator serving every floor.

The airport shuttle’s stopping pattern and direction can change with little notice. Confirm the exact pickup and drop-off location rather than choosing a hotel solely because an older guide lists an airport-bus stop nearby.

A view looking down at a tan sandy beach blue water and a green island in the distance.

Views of the Adriatic Sea and Lokrum Island from the Excelsior Hotel.


4. Pile

Pile area of Dubrovnik.
Pile is the most convenient place to stay in Dubrovnik. It is directly outside the main Old Town entrance, and unlike accommodations inside the walls, hotels here can generally be approached by taxi or transfer vehicle.

Local buses for Lapad, Babin Kuk, Gruž, and other parts of Dubrovnik use stops around Pile. Walking tours also commonly meet here. This makes Pile particularly good for short visits, older travelers, and anyone who wants Old Town access without carrying luggage through pedestrian streets.

But the area is busy. Traffic, tour groups, and buses accumulate outside the gate during the day. Hotel choice is also limited, and the best properties are expensive.

The Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik is the clear top choice. It has an indoor pool, parking, full hotel services, and a location less than a five-minute walk from Pile Gate.

A multi-story hotel with red walls and gold ornate railings.

The Imperial, our favorite 5-star hotel in Dubrovnik.


5. Montovjerna

A small red boat sits tied to a dock.

Montovjerna is a practical middle ground between the Old Town, Gruž, and Lapad. It has supermarkets, everyday restaurants, several good hotels, and frequent buses. Accommodation costs less than in Pile or Ploče.

The district covers a broader and varied area. Hotels along Iva Vojnovića are well served by buses, while properties nearer Bellevue Beach sit above a steep coastal cove. Other streets climb inland. Check the route to both the bus stop and the Old Town rather than relying on the neighborhood name alone.

Most hotels in Montovjerna are a 15 to 25-minute walk from the Old Town. It is beautiful walk and easy enough for most people, but there are some hills and little shade.

A view from high up looking down on a beach with clear blue ocean water.

Bellevue Beach in Montovjerna.

Hotel Bellevue Dubrovnik is the best luxury choice here, with direct access to Bellevue Beach and excellent sea views. Rixos Premium Dubrovnik is larger and better for travelers who want extensive resort facilities.

A hotel sits on terraces down a hill to a pool by the ocean.

Stunning sea views from Rixos Premium.

A hotel with sections of blue glass sits a top a cliff where below sits a beach.

Hotel Bellevue, our favorite hotel for families, sits above Bellevue beach.


6. Lapad and Babin Kuk

Stairs down to beach in Lapad.

Lapad and Babin Kuk are the best areas for travelers who want beaches, pools, larger hotels, and a more relaxed stay. They are especially good for families and visits of four nights or longer.

Lapad centers on the promenade and Sunset Beach. Restaurants, cafés, small hotels, and shops are within walking distance, and buses provide regular service to Pile. It feels like a real neighborhood rather than an isolated resort district.

Babin Kuk occupies the outer part of the peninsula. It has large Valamar and Royal resorts, landscaped grounds, multiple pools, family facilities, and access to pebbly beaches or rocky swimming platforms. It is quieter but less convenient for independent dining and Old Town sightseeing.

The two areas are close geographically but should not be treated as interchangeable. Choose Lapad for walkability and restaurants. Choose Babin Kuk for resort amenities and spending more time at the hotel.

People sit at table and chairs, lounge chairs and the pool at a resort facing the sea.

The outdoor areas with views of the water at Dubrovnik President. There is also a beach area with lounge chairs.

A beach with several people and clear blue water.

Our view of Sunset Beach, the red waterslide, and sunset viewpoint across the water from the Kompas boutique hotel.

A building reflecting the blue sky sits back from a tan stone path.

The Royal Blue Resort.


7. Gruž

Gruz area of Dubrovnik.

Gruž is Dubrovnik’s transport district and one of its best-value neighborhoods. The main passenger port and long-distance bus station are here, making it the easiest base for an early ferry or onward bus journey.

The waterfront has a market, supermarkets, cafés, restaurants, and local bus connections. It is far less atmospheric than the Old Town, but prices are lower and everyday services are easier to find. The waterfront itself is level. Upper Gruž rises steeply behind it, and some guesthouses that look close to the port require a strenuous climb. Ask for the walking route, not just the distance.

Allow roughly 10 to 20 minutes by bus between Gruž and Pile, depending on traffic and the precise stop. Summer congestion can make the trip longer.

The outside of a tall hotel.

Hotel Adria has great views of the water and Lapad and Babin Kuk.

A tight sidewalk with stone walls around it leads to a guesthouse.

A typical lane of guesthouses, including Guesthouse Matusic.

A tan stone wall has an rust brick-colored arch and a green door.

The entrance to Rooms Baza is almost hidden. When booking apartments or rooms, clarify the location of the building with the owners.

About Santorini Dave

Santorini Dave in Athens, Greece Santorini Dave was started in 2011 when I posted a short guide to visiting Santorini with kids. Now, my site publishes regularly updated guides to Santorini, Naxos, Paros, Mykonos, Crete, Athens, and all of Greece.

Questions? Email me at dave@santorinidave.com.