The best apartments and guesthouses in Dubrovnik Riviera

This guide features a curated selection of apartments and guesthouses along the Dubrovnik Riviera, chosen for their convenient coastal locations, consistently good guest reviews, and reliable overall standard.

The Dubrovnik Riviera refers to the coastal stretch surrounding the city of Dubrovnik, including popular nearby bases such as Cavtat, Srebreno, Mlini, Zaton, Slano, the Elaphiti Islands, and the Pelješac Peninsula. These areas are well known for offering more space, better value for money, and easier access to beaches compared to staying inside Dubrovnik Old Town.

Accommodation on the Dubrovnik Riviera is particularly well suited to travellers who prefer quieter surroundings, families looking for practical beach access, or visitors planning longer stays. Most locations are connected to Dubrovnik by regular public transport, while having a car or rental car makes exploring the wider area even more flexible.

If you prefer to stay within walking distance of the historic centre, you may also want to see our selection of apartments and guesthouses in Dubrovnik. Below, you will find our recommended apartments and guesthouses across the Dubrovnik Riviera, grouped to help you choose the best base for your stay.

Dubrovnik Riviera apartments - quick guide

• Best for families and easy beach days: Mlini and Srebreno offer walkable beaches, a calm atmosphere, and straightforward access to Dubrovnik.
• Best for a harbour town feel: Cavtat is a compact coastal town with a waterfront promenade, restaurants, and frequent connections to Dubrovnik.
• Best value if you have a car: Zaton and Slano provide quieter bays, more space, and generally better value than staying closer to the city.
• Best for a slower, beach-focused stay: the Elaphiti Islands (Lopud, Šipan, Koločep) suit travellers who are happy to rely on boat connections.
• Best for longer stays and regional exploring: the Pelješac Peninsula works well for visitors planning to combine beaches, local food, and wine with day trips by car.

What is the Dubrovnik Riviera

The Dubrovnik Riviera is the commonly used name for the coastal area surrounding the city of Dubrovnik, stretching both south and north of the Old Town. Rather than a single town, it refers to a group of seaside settlements, small resorts, and islands that are closely connected to Dubrovnik by road or sea.

Staying on the Dubrovnik Riviera allows visitors to enjoy a more relaxed coastal environment while still having practical access to Dubrovnik’s historic centre. Compared to accommodation inside the Old Town, Riviera locations typically offer more space, easier beach access, and a calmer atmosphere, especially during the peak summer months.

Areas included in this guide

• Cavtat - a historic harbour town south of Dubrovnik, close to the airport
• Mlini - a small coastal settlement known for its beaches and shaded seaside paths
• Srebreno - a practical beachside area with shops, hotels, and apartment complexes
• Zaton - a quiet bay north of Dubrovnik, popular with families and longer stays
• Slano - a small coastal town further north, offering good value and a slower pace
• Elaphiti Islands - Lopud, Šipan, and Koločep, reached by regular ferry connections
• Pelješac Peninsula - a larger coastal and wine-growing region suited to longer, car-based stays

Who should stay in an apartment on the Dubrovnik Riviera

• Travellers who want more space, privacy, and self-catering facilities instead of hotel-style accommodation.
• Families looking for easier beach access, calmer evenings, and accommodation layouts better suited to children.
• Couples who prefer small coastal towns and promenades over the crowds and higher prices of Dubrovnik Old Town.
• Visitors planning longer stays who want a relaxed base with good value for money.
• Guests renting a car and planning to explore beaches, villages, and day-trip destinations beyond Dubrovnik.
• Travellers arriving late or departing early who want to stay closer to Dubrovnik Airport, especially in Cavtat and the southern Riviera.

Best areas for Dubrovnik Riviera apartments

Cavtat

• Best for: travellers who want a small coastal town feel, a waterfront promenade, and a calm base close to Dubrovnik Airport.
• Why stay here: Cavtat is a compact harbour town with restaurants, cafés, and seaside walks, well suited to couples and longer stays outside the busy city.
• Getting to Dubrovnik: Cavtat is connected to Dubrovnik by regular suburban buses that also serve the coastal settlements of Župa Dubrovačka, making day trips into the Old Town straightforward.
• Read more: detailed information about the town, beaches, and transport is available in our guide to Cavtat.

Mlini and Srebreno

• Best for: families and travellers who want easy beach access combined with convenient transport into Dubrovnik.
• Why stay here: Mlini and Srebreno offer a relaxed Riviera setting with walkable beaches, seaside paths, shops, and restaurants.
• Getting to Dubrovnik: regular suburban bus services run between Dubrovnik, Srebreno, Mlini, and Cavtat, providing reliable connections throughout the day.
• Practical tip: you can find routes, stops, and general guidance on using these services in our overview of Dubrovnik suburban bus lines.

Zaton

• Best for: travellers seeking a quiet bay close to Dubrovnik, particularly those with a rental car.
• Why stay here: Zaton is calmer than the city, with a coastal setting that suits slower evenings and relaxed beach days.
• Getting to Dubrovnik: the drive into Dubrovnik is short, and local bus connections are available, but having a car makes stays here more flexible.

Slano

• Best for: good-value apartment stays further away from Dubrovnik’s busiest area.
• Why stay here: Slano is a small coastal town with a slower pace, suitable for visitors planning occasional trips into Dubrovnik rather than daily commuting.
• Getting to Dubrovnik: bus connections exist but are less frequent than on the southern Riviera, so checking schedules in advance is important.

Elaphiti Islands as a base (Koločep, Lopud, Šipan)

• Best for: travellers who prioritise a relaxed island atmosphere, swimming, and a slower daily rhythm.
• Why stay here: the Elaphiti Islands feel far removed from the city despite being connected to Dubrovnik by regular passenger boat services.
• Island options: Koločep is the closest and quietest, Lopud is known for its sandy beach, while Šipan offers the most space and local villages.
• Practical note: staying on the islands means planning your Dubrovnik visits around ferry schedules, which can vary by season and weather.

Pelješac Peninsula

• Best for: longer stays with a car, combining beaches, local food, and wine-region exploring.
• Why stay here: Pelješac is larger and more rural than the immediate Riviera towns, making it ideal if you want to explore beyond Dubrovnik itself.
• Getting around: having your own car is strongly recommended, as distances are greater and public transport is limited.

Getting to Dubrovnik from the Riviera

Staying on the Dubrovnik Riviera is easy as long as you plan how you will reach the Old Town. Most visitors mix public transport for sightseeing days with taxis or a rental car for beach-hopping and evening dinners.

Public transport: suburban buses (best value)

If you are based in Cavtat, Mlini, Srebreno or nearby villages, the simplest budget option is the suburban network. Use our guide to Dubrovnik suburban bus lines to choose the right route, understand ticket options and avoid the most common mistakes.

For a relaxed base with frequent connections, Cavtat is a classic choice: it’s close enough for easy day trips into Dubrovnik, but calmer in the evenings.

By boat: scenic coastal hops (seasonal)

In warm months, some Riviera towns are connected by regular boats/water taxis, which can be a great way to skip road traffic and arrive close to the Old Town port. Availability is seasonal and weather-dependent, so confirm the latest schedule locally.

By ferry: Elafiti Islands day trips from Dubrovnik

If you’re staying on the islands, or you want a simple island-hopping day, start with Dubrovnik ferries to the Elafiti Islands and then explore each island in more detail: Koločep, Lopud and Šipan.

By car: most flexible, but parking matters

A car (your own or a rental) gives the most freedom for beaches, viewpoints and day trips along the coast. The trade-off is that driving into central Dubrovnik can be slow in peak season and parking near the Old Town is limited, so many visitors park outside the center and use buses or taxis for the final stretch.

Prices and seasonality for apartments on the Dubrovnik Riviera

• Expect the highest prices and the lowest availability in peak summer (especially July and August), when well-located apartments near the beach can book out far in advance.
• Shoulder season (late spring and early autumn) is often the best balance of price and comfort - you get warmer sea temperatures, fewer crowds, and more choice, especially outside the most popular waterfront streets.
• If you are travelling in quieter months, you will usually find better rates, but some smaller properties may close or offer reduced services, so it is worth confirming check-in options, heating, and nearby restaurants.
• Short stays and weekend dates can be priced higher than longer, mid-week stays, while minimum-stay rules are most common during the summer peak.
• Apartment value depends on details: parking, air conditioning, balcony/terrace, and walking distance to the beach can change the price more than the town name itself.

Prices and availability change quickly and can vary a lot by exact location and apartment quality, so treat any deal you find as time-sensitive and always re-check the latest conditions before confirming a booking.

Apartment checklist - what to look for before you book

• Parking: if you plan to rent a car, confirm whether private parking is included or if public parking nearby is realistic during summer.
• Air conditioning: essential in July and August, especially in apartments that receive afternoon sun.
• Beach access: check the actual walking distance, number of stairs, and whether the nearest beach suits swimming or families.
• Kitchen facilities: for longer stays, confirm that basic cooking equipment is provided and that grocery shops are within walking distance.
• Laundry options: washing machines are not universal, so this can be important for families or extended stays.
• Outdoor space: balconies and terraces vary greatly in size, privacy, and orientation, which can affect both comfort and noise levels.
• Noise factors: waterfront locations can be lively in the evenings, while hillside apartments may be quieter but involve more steps.
• Check-in logistics: ask about late arrivals, self check-in, and airport transfers if you are landing outside normal hours.

Apartment checklist - what to look for before you book

• Parking: if you plan to rent a car, confirm whether private parking is included or if public parking nearby is realistic during summer.
• Air conditioning: essential in July and August, especially in apartments that receive afternoon sun.
• Beach access: check the actual walking distance, number of stairs, and whether the nearest beach suits swimming or families.
• Kitchen facilities: for longer stays, confirm that basic cooking equipment is provided and that grocery shops are within walking distance.
• Laundry options: washing machines are not universal, so this can be important for families or extended stays.
• Outdoor space: balconies and terraces vary greatly in size, privacy, and orientation, which can affect both comfort and noise levels.
• Noise factors: waterfront locations can be lively in the evenings, while hillside apartments may be quieter but involve more steps.
• Check-in logistics: ask about late arrivals, self check-in, and airport transfers if you are landing outside normal hours.

Where to stay in Dubrovnik

The best hotels in Dubrovnik

The best apartments, guesthouses and rooms in Dubrovnik

The best apartments and guesthouses in Dubrovnik Riviera

Travelling to Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik Ferry Routes and Timetables

Flights to Dubrovnik Airport & Dubrovnik Airport Shuttle Bus

Travelling to Dubrovnik by bus & Dubrovnik Main Bus Station

Travelling to Dubrovnik by car

What to do in Dubrovnik

The best things to do in Dubrovnik

Best Day Trips from Dubrovnik

Activities in Dubrovnik