How to Choose a Hostel in Dubrovnik in 2025 (What to Expect)

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Find your Perfect Hostel in Dubrovnik

Choosing a bed inside Dubrovnik’s stone maze can feel like ordering pizza in Croatian—too many toppings, mystery prices, and a risk of disappointment.

During my first stay I grabbed the cheapest dorm inside the walls, then learned “no A/C” means sauna nights and mosquito brunch.

This guide is my pay-it-forward: a straight-talk “how to choose a hostel in Dubrovnik” roadmap so your budget survives and your sleep isn’t roasted by Adriatic heat.

Top Picks: The Best Hostels in Dubrovnik

Best for Hostel Newbies

Dubrovnik Backpackers C...9.3

from $21.89 | More Details

Best for Female Solo Traveler

Hostel Petra Marina8.9

from $15.47 | More Details

Best Party Hostel

Hostel Angelina - Old T...8.6

from $17.59 | More Details

This is not an ad. We help you find the perfect hostel and compare prices from Hostelworld and Booking. You can save up to 23.7%

Types of Hostels in Dubrovnik

• Party Hostels: Shot challenges at 9 p.m., bar crawls at 11, pancake breakfasts at noon. Great for nightlife lovers, hopeless for early risers.
• Social, Non-Party Hostels: Terrace dinners, kayaking meet-ups, lights out by midnight. Perfect mix if you like talking but also waking clear-headed for boat trips.
• Quiet & Budget Hostels: Dorms in Lapad or Gruž, few events, cheaper beds. You’ll trade proximity for peace and thicker wallets.
• Female-Only Dorms: Available in most big hostels, about €2–€4 pricier than mixed rooms. Added privacy, more outlets, fewer late-night snorers.

What to Expect from Hostels in Dubrovnik

• Atmosphere: Generally friendly; small common areas push people to bond fast.
• Cleanliness & Comfort: Linens fresh, bunk ladders squeaky, A/C not guaranteed—check listings.
• Facilities: Mini-kitchens (one stove, shared fridge), coin laundry, Wi-Fi that dips when everyone FaceTimes sunsets.

What NOT to Expect:

• Huge lounges—Old Town real estate is tiny.
• Full chef kitchens—most travelers eat out or picnic.
• Dirt-cheap dorms—Dubrovnik is Croatia’s priciest stop.

Short and crisp: The Best Hostels in Dubrovnik

1. Old Town
2. Dubrovnik Backpackers Club - best for Party Hostel, Solo Traveller
3. Hostel Marker Dubrovnik Old Town - best for Solo Traveller
4. Villa Banana - best for Couples, Older travelers (+50), Quiet Rest
5. City Walls Hostel - best for Couples, Digital Nomads, Family-Friendly Hostel, Female Solo Traveller, Groups (10+ people), Quiet Rest, Solo Traveller

Old Town

8.1

"…Rooms are spacious and cozy with awesome brick walls and dark curtains. Beds are large and more

Dubrovnik Backpackers Club

9.3

Babin Kuk

"…just writing this makes me want to go back again, and I only hope I get the chance to visit this more

from

$21.89

Hostel Marker Dubrovnik Old Town

8.7

Old Town

Svetog Ðurda 6... more

Villa Banana

9.1

City Centre

"…If you are there in the summer, be sure to go around the corner into their garden, and although more

from

$33.97

City Walls Hostel

8.7

Old Town

"…All rooms and bathrooms are clean and tidy. Common Spaces There is a small common seating more

from

$21.19

Best Location for Hostels in Dubrovnik

• Old Town (Inside Walls) — Best for First-Timers: Walk everywhere, but beds cost more and stairs never end.
• Gruž (Port Area): Cheaper dorms, big supermarket, 25-minute bus to center.
• Lapad / Babin Kuk: Beach vibes, café strips, night buses back from Old Town.
• Areas to Avoid: Isolated hillside villas with “hostel” in name—no buses after 11 p.m., long climbs in 90 °F heat.

How Much Do Hostels Cost in Dubrovnik

Expect peak-season spikes and big differences between room types. Large dorms save the most; female-only beds and privates cost extra comfort tax.

• Weekends, cruise-ship days, and summer festivals push rates 20 % higher.
• Booking three–six weeks out locks best summer prices; last-minute bargains are rare.

How to Book a Hostel in Dubrovnik Without Overpaying

Open Hostelz.com—its side-by-side view of Hostelworld and Booking prices saves endless tab toggling.

Apply filters for “solo traveler favorite” or “female-only dorm” to dodge party dens if you value sleep.

Pay attention to extras: towel fees, A/C surcharges, late check-in costs, and the nightly city tax.

7 Hidden Gemz in Dubrovnik (by Hostelgeeks)

How it works

Hostel Safety and What to Watch Out For

• Pick places with key-card doors and metal lockers big enough for full packs.
• Plug valuables into lockers—petty theft is rare but heat-of-summer windows invite wandering hands.
• Read reviews for repeated “no staff at night” or “broken A/C” warnings—skip if you see patterns.
• Outside, Old Town is safe; just watch slick stones after rain and keep bags zipped on crowded Stradun.

Final Thoughts

Dubrovnik hostels test budgets and quads, yet they hand you sunrise wall walks, sea-cliff conversations, and instant crew for island hops. Decide if you crave party energy inside the walls or cheaper calm near the port, then book before prices rise with the tide. Pack a padlock, trek-ready sandals, and low expectations for kitchen space—your reward will be cliff-blue water and memories louder than any bar crawl.

Backpacking Dubrovnik? Here’s What You Need to Know

These are the guides I wish I had before visiting. I’ve been there, had fun, did some minor mistakes, and now I’m passing the best tips on to you. Safe travels!

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About the author: Matt Kiefer

Hey, I’m Matt, the founder behind Hostelgeeks.com. My team and I are collecting the absolute best hostels in the world for you. We share the coolest hostels so you can focus on your travels, rather than spending your time trying to pick a good hostel.

Personally, I’ve bunked in over 600 hostels and stamped my passport in more than 70 countries. My heart beats for Vietnam, Spain, and France, and so many more destinations. I’m a Foosball champ but a beer pong amateur.

Last but not least: Hostelgeeks is a proud ambassador of Hostelz.com.