Where to Stay in Dubrovnik with Kids: Best Family-Friendly Hotels

We visited Dubrovnik as part of our 7-day Croatia and Montenegro trip when our daughter was 10 months old, spending the last three days based here. Between the cobblestoned old town, the cliffside beaches and the boat trips to the islands it was a great way to finish off our trip.

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One thing worth knowing before you book: where you stay in Dubrovnik shapes the whole experience. The old town is beautiful and worth exploring, but it's also full of stairs, steep cobblestones, and tourists. We used a sling rather than the pram on old town days and kept the buggy for beach days and island trips. If you want the easiest logistics with a young child, the Lapad Peninsula is the more practical base, with beaches, flatter terrain, and a bus that gets you to the old town in around 15 minutes.

For everything to do once you're there, read our full guide: Best Things to Do in Dubrovnik with Kids. For the full 7-day itinerary combining Dubrovnik and Montenegro, see our Dubrovnik & Montenegro: 7-Day Itinerary with a Baby.

Where to Stay in Dubrovnik with Kids: By Area

Old Town and Pile Gate — For Atmosphere, Proximity and the Old City on Your Doorstep

Staying inside or just outside the old town walls means you can walk to the main sights before the cruise ship crowds arrive, explore the medieval streets at your own pace, and be back for nap time without any bus logistics. The Stradun, the old town's main limestone promenade, is one of the great streets in Europe, and the alleyways branching off it have a way of keeping you wandering longer than you planned. However the challenge about being here is that there are steps and cobblestones everywhere but at least you're already within the main attractions so you don't need to worry about getting here but make sure you bring your sling. Parking doesn't exist inside the walls so use the public car parks just outside Pile Gate.

1. Shanti Dubrovnik (from around £90/night)

A boutique apartment a 4 minute walk from Pile Gate, tucked inside the old town with stone interiors and a terrace. The self-catering setup which includes a kitchenette and private outdoor space makes it a practical choice for families who want to be close to the action at a price well below the full hotel alternatives. It suits a couple with one young child rather than a larger group. Check cot availability at time of booking. The Stradun, the city walls entrance, and Beach Sulic are all within easy walking distance.

2. Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik (from around £200/night)

A beautiful historic hotel built in 1897, set in its own garden a 5 minute walk from Pile Gate. The building is one of the best preserved 19th century buildings on the Adriatic coast, and the indoor pool, wellness centre, and consistently praised breakfast buffet give it the facilities to match the setting. Interconnecting rooms are available for families who need two rooms. Cots availability, confirm at time of booking. The old town, Beach Sulic and the Pile Park playground are all a short walk away.

Lapad Peninsula — For the Most Practical Family Base

Lapad is where most families visiting Dubrovnik tend to base themselves, and for good reason. The peninsula sits about 4km west of the old town and has several beaches, a pleasant waterfront promenade lined with restaurants and cafes, and a regular bus service to the old town that takes around 15 minutes. The terrain is considerably flatter than the old town, the pace is calmer, and there are supermarkets within easy reach. The cave bar More, set inside an actual sea cave on the peninsula, is a unique place definitely worth visiting.

3. Apartments Dubrovnik Lapad (from around £70/night)

These self-catering apartments include sea view balconies from every unit, fully equipped kitchens, washing machines, a bus stop directly outside for the 15-minute ride to the old town, and Lapad Bay Beach a 7 minute walk away. The combination of practical self-catering facilities and great value makes this the standout budget option in the city for families. Check cot availability at time of booking.

4. Hotel Dubrovnik Palace (from around £170/night)

A large 4-star hotel right on the Lapad Peninsula with direct beach access, two outdoor pools facing out over the Elaphite Islands, and a dedicated children's pool. For families there are interconnecting rooms, cribs available on request, a bus stop directly opposite the hotel, and three restaurants including a beach restaurant and pool bar. Children under 13 are charged at child rates. Free parking on site.

Dubrovnik Riviera — For Resort Facilities and the Best Value in Peak Season

The stretch of Riviera coastline west of the city opens up two of the most compelling options on this list for families who are happy to be a short drive or shuttle ride from Dubrovnik rather than walking distance. For families who want a pool, a private beach, and the kind of setup that makes a holiday feel relaxing then this is the best area for it.

5. Sun Gardens Dubrovnik (from around £150/night)

A Leading Hotels of the World resort set in gardens on a private pebble cove at Orahovac, about 11km from the old town. Three outdoor pools, an indoor pool, a spa, and a dedicated Kids Club make this one of the best family resorts on the Adriatic. The Kids Club runs age-appropriate programmes, the private beach has sun loungers and parasols included for hotel guests, and residences with fully equipped kitchenettes and sea view terraces are available if you want self-catering flexibility within a resort setting. Seven restaurants and bars are on site. Free cots available, confirm at time of booking. In July and August this offers better value than equivalent city-centre hotels at peak rates.

6. Hotel Excelsior Dubrovnik (from around £280/night)

A grand 5 star hotel perched above the Adriatic on a cliff only 5 minutes walk from the old town, with direct views of Lokrum Island. The Excelsior sits in a genuinely different category: private beach access, multiple pools, several restaurants, a spa, babysitting services, and a magical setting with the best views. Cots are available and family rooms and interconnecting rooms can be arranged. Peak summer rates are high but rates come down if you are visiting in September or October.

Our Verdict

For most families visiting Dubrovnik for the first time with a young child, the Lapad Peninsula is the right base. The flatter terrain, the beach access, and the easy bus connection to the old town make daily life considerably easier. Apartments Dubrovnik Lapad is the outstanding budget choice and the sea view balconies at that price are hard to beat. Hotel Dubrovnik Palace is the best mid-range option in the area if you want a hotel with a dedicated children's pool and beach access.

If proximity to the old town matters more and the terrain doesn't put you off, Shanti Dubrovnik is an affordable option right inside the walls, and Hilton Imperial is worth it for families who want the best location with the most impressive building to match. For a resort stay with great family facilities then Sun Gardens is the standout choice, with its kids club, three pools and private beach. Finally, if you want the best hotel in the city with no compromises, Hotel Excelsior delivers.

For the full guide to what to do, read our Best Things to Do in Dubrovnik with Kids. For the full 7-day itinerary, see our Dubrovnik & Montenegro: 7-Day Itinerary with a Baby.