Old Town -- The area within Dubrovnik’s walls is known as Old Town and most of the city’s main attractions are there. Besides historic buildings, Old Town is home to restaurants, cafés, shops, and services that line the Stradun—a long (just under .5km/ 1/4 mile) and wide street that runs from Pile Gate (west entrance) to Ploče Gate (east entrance)—and its back streets.
Ploče -- Ploče is the neighborhood just outside Ploče Gate, east of the Old Town. Some of the city’s classiest hotels are located on waterfront property in this area, as is the city’s main public beach, Banje, home to the EastWest Beach Club.
Lapad -- There are no big-time historic sites in Lapad, a peninsula west of Old Town. Its main attraction is a wide, leafy, pedestrians-only street lined with hotels and restaurants and backed by a residential area. Lapad abuts Lapad Bay, so it has some beachfront. For accommodations, the neighborhood’s draw is several moderately priced hotels—at least moderate compared to the luxury hotels in Ploče and Old Town. Almost every bus that stops in Lapad (nos. 4, 5, 6, and 7) connects with Old Town at the Pile Gate; the ride takes 15 minutes and costs 15kn if you buy on board, 12kn from a news kiosk.
Babin Kuk -- On the Lapad Peninsula, at some indeterminable point less than 6.4km (4 miles) from Dubrovnik’s center and bordered on three sides by the sea and pebble beaches, the Babin Kuk neighborhood begins. Babin Kuk is home to several hotels in various price ranges. It also is an access point to rocky coves with what optimists call beaches (read: major pebbles/rocks, no sand), as well as restaurants, shops, and services. Babin Kuk is connected to Dubrovnik by the city’s bus system.
Getting Around
There are no trains or trams in Dubrovnik, but the Libertas city bus system (www.libertasdubrovnik.hr) is fairly efficient. For those staying within comfortable walking distance of Old Town, everything important is accessible on foot.
By Bus -- Buy one-way bus tickets from news kiosks or hotels in advance for 12kn, or directly from drivers onboard for 15kn; an unlimited full-day ticket is 30kn. All buses stop at the Pile Gate and continue on to outlying hotels, the ferry port, and beyond. Schedules and route maps are available on the Libertas website.
By Taxi -- Taxi stands are at the airport, bus station, and at the Pile Gate. If you need to call a taxi, contact Radio Taxi (www.radiotaxidubrovnik.com; tel. 0800/0970). Rides start with 25kn on the meter and go up 8kn per kilometer. If you agree to a meter-less ride, negotiate a price beforehand to avoid rip-offs and unwanted excursions.
On Foot -- Negotiating the busy streets outside the city walls can be confusing, especially at night. Within the Old Town, you can devise your own walking tour using the suggestions in this book. You can also employ a private guide to accompany you on a walk, or you can book a guided Old Town walking tour through the tourist office or through a private tourist agency.
By Car -- Congestion and parking make driving in Dubrovnik stressful, and Old Town is pedestrian-only. Cars are best for excursions to nearby Pelješac or Ston; car rental companies at the airport include Hertz (www.hertz.hr; tel. 020/771-568), Budget (www.budget.hr; tel. 020/773-811), and Thrifty (www.thrifty.com.hr; tel. 020/773 588). In addition, MACK (www.rent-a-car.hr; tel. 020/423-747) is an economical and reliable local company, based at Frana Supila 3, close to the Old Town. Wherever you rent, be sure to reserve a car in advance.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
