Dubrovnik accomodations: what part of town to stay in?

I'm not answering your question, sorry. I just booked Dubrovnik for the same time. Most places wanted 3 nights or no dice. This is to tell you: hurry up. Prices for the old town went up from $60 to $360 a night again : hurry up. J

We stayed first week of October pre pandemic up the hill from old town in an Airbnb…about a25 minute walk which was fine in cool morning but not so much later in the day. Also took the bus which stopped right outside the old town gate. If I were to go again I would look in the area near Uvala lapad beach (sunset beach is same I believe!) for a daily swim and lots of places to dine. Bus from there is easy connect to old town!

This past May, we stayed in this apartment, not far outside the Old Town. The views were spectacular, and we loved the location, which was close enough to the Old Town that it was an easy walk away, but not right in the midst of the busyness. It's also right on a bus route--either from the Old Town or to the ferry terminal. The cable car up the mountain is right nearby, too. The owner was a joy to deal with.

https://www.airbnb.ca/rooms/5189080?c=.pi80.pkaG9tZXNfbWVzc2FnaW5nL25ld19tZXNzYWdl&euid=2f5f26fa-21b4-8d72-c6f2-779c000525dc&source_impression_id=p3_1679708328_q3pEqBIIw%2FHNZ3U7

I highly recommend getting the Dubrovnik Pass. It easily pays for itself, especially if you plan to walk the walls, and it includes a discount on the ferry to Lokrum Island, as well as rides on the bus that goes by the apartment. You can buy it at the Tourist Information Centre beside the wall entrance that's close to the Pile Gate.

I've stayed in Dubrovnik twice. On the first visit, I didn't have a car (actually, I dropped it as I arrived). I stayed at a little soba (a Croatian word for BnB, basically) close to the Pile Gate of the old town (inside the walls). If you look on a map, the Hilton Imperial hotel is close to where I was staying (I stayed across the street in the little neighborhood there). It was a very easy walk into town from there - and no steps, which can be a challenge in some parts of Dubrovnik. Keep in mind that in the largely car-free old town, many pedestrian streets are up an incline with steps - if you stay in the old town or above it, make sure you are clear exactly what kind of terrain you have to navigate. If you are OK with a lot of steps up/down to get to your front door, then it's less of a worry but it might be for some.

On my second visit, when I had a car, I stayed away from the center in nearby Lapad, which is not an exciting area, but it has some restaurants, and there are some public beaches nearby. This was only a short visit; I was able to park my car at the cheap hotel where I stayed and take the bus into the old town (it ran fairly late). Parking a car near Pile Gate or the old town would be in an expensive parking garage most likely.

I definitely preferred not having a car on the first visit, so if you are starting or ending a trip in Dubrovnik, you probably won't need one. Staying in Lapad was practical and worked fine for that trip but wasn't as desirable.

Some people stay in the nearby town of Cavtat which I hear is charming but I haven't visited. Apparently bus service into the old town of Dubrovnik from there is good too. Dubrovnik itself gets mobbed with tour groups during the days but is much more peaceful and quiet at night (DEFINITELY visit the old town at dusk and night at least once - it's truly magical in there when it's all lit up at night, and at dusk the swallows fly over your head seeking bugs.). Try to watch at least one sunset from the Buza Bar, which is in the town walls.

We really enjoyed staying inside the walls! It is very convenient and we love the ambiance, especially at night when Dubrovnik is quieter and it’s illuminated. It’s very special at night. We stayed at Karmen Apartments which is a 5-minute walk from Ploce Gate.

Thank you for all the great suggestions! Right now we have an apartment reserved in the Lapad area for two nights but I think I'll cancel that and look for something in Old Town.

Follow up question: Is transportation to the airport area easy to access from Old Town area?

Find a place within the walls. Lapad is nice but too far away. There is a bus that you can take to the Airport. It is easy to find. It stops right in front of the entrance to the cable car to Mt. Srd. If you wait there, taxis pass by also. they arent very expensive.

If you’re staying inside the walls of the old town, I can recommend Rooms Vicelic Guest House at 10 Antuninska Street. It’s owned and operated by a Croatian family who live in the building next door. It’s listed on Hotels.com, is very reasonably priced and highly- rated. Two night minimum. You should first nail down your new reservation before canceling the one you have since this is going to be a blockbuster year for Dubrovnik.

If you are searching accommodations by map (as you can do on Booking.com for example), the area just north of old town offers fantastic views. I believe the neighborhood would be referred to as "Ploce."
Sorry, it's been too long for a specific recommendation, but if you prioritize views and do not mind walking up stairs/hills, this is the place for a million dollar view of old town and the sea!

I have been to Dubrovnik twice, and I am a big fan of staying on the hillside outside of the city walls. If you are somewhat fit and able to do stairs, then it could be something to check out. There are a million private apartments through AirBnb or through Google searches that you can find.

The reason I recommend this is because the old town is so beautiful, it's almost better to sit and admire it from the hillside with the sea and Lokrum island in the background. It's also more peaceful as you don't get the late night noise echoing through your windows. We would have our coffee on our balcony and admire the view, and in the evening a glass of wine or some light bites and do the same. While still being close enough to head into town and sightsee at our leisure.

I would agree with cancelling the place in Lapad in order to be in or close to old town. We spent time in Lapad as 2 sets of friends were there at the same time. There is a beach, a TON of cafes and restaurants and definitely more of a hip and late night vibe. It was nice to walk around one evening and grab some gelato. But for us, going all the way to Croatia, we wanted to soak up as much old town as possible. It was a bit far from old town and a bit of a hassle to get back and forth via taxi, especially with some of the August traffic.

Good luck, either way you can't go wrong in Durbovnik in June, you will love it.