Dubrovnik is one of Europe’s most beautiful cities. In fact, it’s so stunning that many Game of Thrones episodes were shot in the city’s Stari Grad (Old Town) because it’s just so gorgeously impressive.
What was once a secret beauty with just a few travelers is today a crowded — and pricey — tourist magnet.
The fee of traversing Dubrovnik’s ancient walls is 200 HRK ($28 USD).
Taking the cable car up Mount Srd will set you back another 200 HRK.
The price of a round-trip ferry ticket to neighbouring Lokrum island is similarly 200 HRK.
As you can see, Dubrovnik is no longer an inexpensive destination. In the summer, hordes of tourists flock to this southern Dalmatian city of 40,000 people to stroll through the limestone-blanketed streets of Stari Grad.
It is unmistakably a tourist town, despite being one of Croatia’s most beautiful cities.
And not only for the most popular tourist destinations. There’s a reason why most locals in Dubrovnik don’t frequent restaurants: they’re overpriced for tourists. Hotels and other forms of lodging, such as Airbnb, are also extremely expensive in comparison to the rest of the country.
Fortunately, the city is seeing an increase in the number of low-cost hostels, allowing you to enjoy this sunny coastal getaway without breaking the bank (or, at least without breaking the bank on accommodation).
I know a thing or two about what makes a good hostel, having spent over a decade backpacking around the world and staying in hostels. Before we get started on the list, there are a few things to keep in mind:
1. Location – Everything in Dubrovnik revolves around the walled Old Town for tourists. You’ll spend some time walking or on the bus to and from Old Town if you’re not staying in or near it. Buses are frequent, clean, and easy to use in this city, and all of the hostels listed below are less than a 15-minute bus ride from Old Town.
2. Cost – Hostels in Dubrovnik are reasonably priced, but not dirt cheap. You’ll pay a little more here than in other Croatian cities, so budget accordingly.
3. Amenities – While most hostels provide free Wi-Fi and some even provide free breakfast, if you require more, do your research to find one that best meets your requirements.
4. Staff – All of the hostels on this list have welcoming staff! They are all knowledgeable and can provide suggestions for things to do and eat in town. Even if you don’t stay at one of the locations listed below, read reviews to make sure you end up somewhere with helpful and friendly staff! They have the power to make or break a hostel!
Below is a list of the best hostels in Dubrovnik to help you plan your trip. They all provide a welcome break and a warm and welcoming place to rest your weary head and mingle with other travelers while staying within your (relatively) limited budget.
1. Hostel & Rooms Ana
Centrally You can walk out of this hostel and be right in the center of it all, since it is located in the Old Town on the evocative stairs just east of Stradun – the major pedestrianized avenue in Old Town. Ana is also a highly social location, since the people who work and stay here constantly seem to be having fun. It’s not a wild party hostel, but it does have a pleasant, festive attitude, making it easy to meet new people.
Ana is mostly comprised of mixed dorm rooms ranging in size from 12 to four beds. The moniker “Rooms” alludes to a private room with ensuite bathrooms (which are exorbitantly expensive unless you’re sharing with a group of friends).
Rooms and Hostel In a nutshell, Ana is a woman who is passionate about her work.
$$$
Staff and owners were really helpful.
City maps that are available for free
Private rooms start at 1,750 HRK for beds and 350 HRK for beds
2. Hostel Free Bird
Free Bird, one of the newest cheap hostels in Dubrovnik, is situated in the Gru district, close to the harbor and port. The Old Town is roughly a 5-minute bus ride or a 25-minute walk away. The new Red History Museum about life in Yugoslavia, a few great restaurants (Amfora and Glorijet), a nice wine bar called kar, and the city’s only brewery, Dubrovnik Beer Company, are all in this neighborhood.
There are a variety of accommodation types available at the hostel, including four- and eight-bed mixed dormitories, as well as a four-bed female-only dorm room. A calm common space with a huge TV and an on-site kitchenette is also available at Free Bird (no stove though). Overall, it’s a fairly basic hostel, but it’s modern and clean, the staff is friendly, and the views from the terrace are spectacular!
At a glance, here’s what you’ll find at the Free Bird Hostel:
$ Several nice restaurants are located near the marina.
One of Dubrovnik’s newest hostels, with a shared kitchenette and beds starting at 170 HRK.
3. Hostel Angelina
Angelina is a cheerful, comfortable, and clean place to stay right in the heart of Old Town. The rooms are nestled behind lovely medieval stone walls and are housed in a restored 400-year-old structure with contemporary facilities like air conditioning.
They have one private room for four people, as well as four, eight, and twelve-bed dormitories. There’s also a terrace with a fantastic view of the Old Town roofs, where guests frequently congregate, making it easy to meet other travelers. There is also a fully equipped kitchen if you prefer to make your own meals.
Angelina’s crew routinely organizes free evening activities and events for visitors. Cliff diving, kayaking, sunset boat trips, and wine nights are among the more adventurous activities they offer.
At a glance, here’s what you’ll find at Hostel Angelina:
$$ Beautiful views from a scenic terrace.
Organizes activities that are free of charge.
Excellent location in Old Town, with beds starting at 300 HRK and private rooms starting at 915 HRK.
4. Old Town Hostel
Old Town Hostel is situated in Dubrovnik’s historic center, as its name indicates. The entrance is on one of the small stairway “streets,” just around the corner from Prijeko ulice, a restaurant-lined street dubbed “Banditen Strasse” by locals because it’s where visitors flock to get ripped off by terrible cuisine and bad restaurants (that have a history of scamming tourists).
The hostel is housed in a 400-year-old edifice that is a work of art. There are seven distinct rooms on the inside that can hold up to 22 people. Five-person mixed dormitories and a few double rooms with communal toilets are available. Breakfast is included, which is a wonderful touch in such a pricey city like Dubrovnik.
Old Town Hostel also provides a variety of enjoyable events, such as common room parties, face and body painting evenings, pancake parties, movie nights, and more!
A quick look at the Old Town Hostel:
Breakfast is provided at no cost.
The location in Old Town is fantastic.
There are numerous social activities available.
Beds start at 300 HRK, and private rooms start at 600 HRK.
5. Dubrovnik Backpackers Club
The Babin Kuk area, which translates to “Granny’s Hip,” is home to an artsy and family-run hostel. Though the area appears to be far from Old Town on a map, it is only a 15-minute bus ride away, and there are some nice things to see and do in the area, including the excellent restaurant Orsan and the pedestrianized Lapad promenade, which is lined with cafes and bars and leads strollers directly to the beach.
There are a few four-person mixed dormitories and a few of two-person private rooms with en suite toilets and showers at the Dubrovnik Backpackers Club. The huge kitchen is ideal for preparing your own meals, which you can then eat while relaxing on a patio with a beautiful view of the neighborhood.
The staff is known for being kind, warm, and welcome, and there’s even a resident dog and cat. There is also free parking if you arrive by vehicle (for example, if you’re on a road trip around Croatia).
At a glance, here’s what the Dubrovnik Backpackers Club has to offer:
$$$ Free events that have been organized
Indoor and outdoor kitchens, as well as a grilling area
Rooms with extra space
Beds start at 350 HRK, while private rooms start at 905 HRK..
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6. City Walls Dubrovnik
City Walls is a wonderful area to put oneself in Dubrovnik for a time, painted in bright, lively blue tones to imitate the shimming Adriatic Sea that is only on the other side of the historic wall. The position in Old Town is unbeatable, and it’s just a few feet from the famed Bua Bar, which is perched on the rocks just outside the city walls.
Two six-bed dormitories, one four-bed dorm, and a beautiful two-bed private room with a fantastic view are available on the three-story award-winning property. The large common area is a great spot to hang out and meet other travelers, as well as speak with the always-friendly desk staff. A modest yet completely equipped kitchen and a basic complimentary breakfast are also available at City Walls. Throughout the day, coffee and tea are offered in the kitchen.
Dubrovnik’s City Walls in a Nutshell:
Breakfast is provided at no cost.
The staff is known for their friendliness.
Beds from 315 HRK, private rooms from 630 HRK. Excellent location in Old Town.
7. Hostel Petra Marina
This nautical-themed guesthouse, also in Gru, is right across from Dubrovnik’s major harbor. It’s a 20-minute walk to the beach and a 30-minute walk to Dubrovnik’s Old Town, so it’s an excellent spot to be in if you want to do both.
Hanging out on the enormous patio and balconies (one in each dorm) with excellent views of the port and sea is one of the finest aspects about being here. The main drawback is that the interior common space is fairly tiny; nevertheless, the weather is typically pleasant enough to sit outdoors!
With just 30 beds, it’s a tiny hostel, and the dorm rooms are clean but basic. While there is plenty of storage and lockers, there are no separate lights for each bed, which is a drawback for some people.
At a glance, here’s what you’ll find at Hostel Petra Marina:
$ Balconies and a large outside patio
Kitchenette
Beds from 150 HRK across from the main port.
