Dubrovnik: stay in old town or Lapad.

Many will say old town, and nothing wrong with that, but I like Lapad. An easy 10 minute bus ride to old town, and Lapad is a bit more laid back, with a nice seaside promenade, good restaurants, and swimming if you want that.

Although adding that an extra week is a long time for Dubrovnik. You might want more than one location, or a trip into Bosnia or Montenegro, with that much time.

Thanks Virginia, the plan is to relax after 3 months of travel and do day trips to other areas. Trying to determine if I should stay or relocate to old town.

It may depend on the day trips, with Lapad being closer to the ferry port and bus station at Gruz. But I concur with the above—you may have time to go elsewhere.

Looking at that tour itinerary, you’ll already have seen Split, Korcula, and Mostar, plus a full day (and part of another) in Dubrovnik. You say you want to relax, but also want to do normal tourist things like art, history, daytrips. Dubrovnik is beautiful, but it is the opposite of relaxing. It’s a small city that suffers from very serious overtourism. I thought the four nights my tour spent there were great (two full days seeing and doing things in and around the city, a long day trip to Kotor in Montenegro, then Mostar on the way to our next destination, Sarajevo), but was glad to move on and another week there would not be anything I would have wanted to do or would recommend. Since your tour doesn’t go to Montenegro the logical place to go is there, at least for a daytrip, and if you search forum posts there is a lot of good information from a regular contributor named Mr. E who loves Montenegro and recommends more than just the Kotor daytrip to enjoy that country. Sarajevo is a great destination but way too far for a daytrip from Dubrovnik, and I doubt you want to backtrack all that way back into Bosnia.

If you are staying for a long time and are planning day trips I would stay in Lapad over the old city. If you are only going for a couple nights I would try to stay in the old city. Main advantage of staying in the old city is that you can avoid the crowds during the early morning and evening since many people just come for the day. Disadvantage is entire city is expensive. You could also stay somewhere like Ploče on the hill above the old city (not the port town up the coast, do not make that mistake) which would give you easier access to get out of Dubrovnik and a beautiful relaxing view but less beach access. However if you go too early in the spring it may be too cold to swim.

If you wanted to purely relax I would go back up the coast to a coastal town like Makarska but I do not know how many day trips are possible there.

If you can day trip to Mljet that would be my top choice, I am not sure if that is possible, then Kotor. Lokrum does not need a full day but is worth it as well. Day trips from Dubrovnik are a bit more limited than from Split or maybe even Zadar I would say Make sure to buy Dubrovnik pass as it will get you in almost everywhere you will want to see. You can do everything on the pass in a somewhat but not completely full day.

You really must specify what the intended day trips are to get applicable advice…

For my definition of relaxation; Old Town. Even 10 min bus rides require timing for departure times and another 15 minutes to and from the bus stop. What do you do in the evening? Bus again for the perfect ending to a romantic evening? If I want to relax and unwind, I stay in old town. The cruise day trippers dont arrive in mass until 11am and are gone by 4 and it is pretty sweet in the mornings and evening.

I would look for Croatian day trips. Mostar and Kotor are both miserable and hard day trips by my standards. Both deserve 1 or 2 nights. Wait, you went to Mostar. Never mind.

I answered your question I think, but if I wanted a week to relax after 3 months of travel, it wouldnt be Dubrovnik. It would be in BiH or Montenegro.

If you decide to do a Kotor day trip, then if it were me (and it has been me in the past), while one can save a bunch of money on the bus it takes longer in each direction and the border crossing takes longer so one would miss a little sightseeing; and using the bus will cost the stops at Herceg Novi and Perast, which I really wouldn’t want to do. But if one is on a budget, maybe better than missing Montenegro completely.

I usually stay a few days (7 to 10) in Montenegro and the savings on the hotel (and food and everything else) at least pays for the added cost of a private transfer with a guide and stops in Herceg Novi and Perast.

Here are some videos:
Herceg-Novi https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOqLXoeE_o4
Perast https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fd6ErEHPHmg & Hotel Conte – Perast https://youtu.be/zYJcm2zlXA8?si=w7VstV-oLoVEQLr7
Kotor https://youtu.be/G7QgBl7XNKU?si=pK1etsEr8UcAlofr
P1 Mountain Road https://youtu.be/QSz5hZVNxQ8?si=kAUpMBWDbSSztzt5 & Prosciutto at Zora on the P1 https://youtu.be/08il6EXog3o?si=PkQ6Rrueu6c_-U98
Budva https://youtu.be/TKhHJsb9A0w?si=WsnjJJ_j95TfFAvO & California Hotel https://youtu.be/UcPNf2IK3ys?si=6ido8a-lvTEwrOg9

Is Hotel Lero where you end up? We tried to book our extra night there after the tour ended, but it was booked. We ended up in another nice place closer to the marina for our extra night.

I regret not staying in Old Town. I loved the vibe there.

I would stay in Cavtat. It’s a lovely little town south of Dubrovnik, just minutes from the airport so departure day is easy. But no worries — you won’t be disturbed by airport noise.

From Cavtat you can bus or boat into Dubrovnik, take boat trips to the nearby islands, take a bus trip to Montenegro — all just a few steps from your hotel. We loved sitting by the small harbor at sunset with a glass of wine, watching the yachts dock. Lodging is limited so I’d book soon.

Thank you all for your posts, I appreciate this information.

I thought about Cavtat a few years ago but I couldnt find a hotel that I liked that I could afford. Still might do it some day so any hotel recommendations appreciated.

I'm in a similar boat--I'll be doing the Adriatic tour next May. Planning to fly back from Zagreb three days after the end of the RSE tour. Now I'm trying to decide whether to stay in Dubrovnik longer or head immediately to Zagreb. Suggestions?

Liz Durham, So, let’s say that your tour ends on Monday 24 May. Three days later is the 27th (?)

• 22 May: RS Tour … After lunch we'll continue to Dubrovnik, arriving at our hotel in time for your guide to orient you to this Pearl of the Adriatic. Tonight is all yours to savor the local cuisine and do a little exploring on your own.
• 23 May: RS Tour … walking tour of the architectural treasures within the 800-year-old city walls of Dubrovnik, … Then you'll be free to roam this stone city … Tonight we'll have a feast of local specialties …
• 24 May: RS Tour Breakfast is provided, but there are no group activities today.

Okay at this point you have done pretty much the minimum tour of Dubrovnik. It might be enough for you; only you can decide that.

The drive to Zagreb will take no less than 10 hours. If you did it over 3 days with interesting stops along the way you would miss your flight. For me, its too much to do in two days. The cost would also be horrific. So you are going to fly.

Your RS tour skips Zagreb, so this gives you an opportunity to visit Zagreb. My impression is that it’s a “nice” city. Not to die for, and no where near the best stop on your holiday, but a “nice city”.

I don’t know what time your flight leaves from Zagreb so I will go on the premise that it is somewhat early and you will need to spend a night in Zagreb to be certain to catch your flight.

• 24 in Dubrovnik. Plenty of stuff to do, you just need to decide. Visit an island or go deep sea fishing or paragliding or visit a winery or … lots of stuff.
• 25 fly to Zagreb at 1:45 to 2:40 for 76€ and up. Evening wandering Zagreb.
• 26 in Zagreb. Suggest a guide for at least half the day.
• 27 Fly home

I have no idea what forces were at act that convinced you to fly out of Zagreb so this is not criticism. But I hope that other folks that can make the choice will fly home form at the worst, Dubrovnik and at best Podgorica or Tivat. That may cost a few hundred more than Zagreb, even after buying the ticket from Dubrovnik, but compared to the full cost of the tour, the extra for tickets home from Dubrovnik or Tivat or Podgorica would easily be absorbed. “IF” there is a flight with decent connections to the hometown in the US.

Now, if its possible to change your flights and fly home from Podgorica or Tivat, then you get to spend 3 days in an incrediably beautiful location that waits just a few hours drive away.

I think Mr. E gives good advice, although he is more of a fan of Montenegro than I am. An extra day in Dubrovnik, and a full day in Zagreb, is good. I do get the feeling that while I love Rick Steves and appreciate this forum, his tours have become back door trips at front door prices, such as no option or assistance whatsoever with air arrangements, unlike other companies such as Road Scholar, OAT, Gate 1.

Slate, I think the tours are all very front door. But thats not a criticism, its what people want.

Montenegro. My first trip 10 years ago had some good moments but there was still a lot more world to see so it took about 6 years before I returned to go fly fishing. On that 2nd trip I got some better advice and was blown away by the country. I just kept returning and every trip has been new and as good as the previous. Im up to 6 now. But I will admit they are short trips, usually 8 days. But I live close so I can do it.

I've noticed the Dubrovnik tourists who go to Kotor are often not overly thrilled. I wouldnt be either if I got up too early and made a 3.5 bus trip to a town inundated by cruise ship passengers during the hours i was there, then turned around after 3 hours to make the 3.5 hour return trip. 11 hours, most in a bus.

I think the ideal Adriatic trip is enter at Split and going south to Ulcing. Its a 8 to 14 night trip. Then keep going (north) or fly home from TGD, but sure dont waste a day back tracking to Dubrovnik.

I would say, whether you want to stay in Dubrovnik longer depends on what you would like from your trip.

Zagreb is not traditionally the favourite part of most people's trips to Croatia as everyone wants to visit the coast. It is a nice central European city with lots of parks and museums. Food is much better than the coast as well in my opinion, and cheaper. Dubrovnik is easily explored in a couple of days, so if the tour includes Dubrovnik there may not be much you have missed out on, especially if the tour uses Dubrovnik pass to see the city. However you could also book one of the hotels in Lapad and relax on the beach for an extra day or two, or spend a night in Montenegro.

You could also fly back to Zagreb and do a day tour somewhere on your extra day, I am not too familiar with them but you could visit Slovenia, Varaždin, or northern Croatia wine country.

There is no need to change your flight from Zagreb if you have already booked it, if you are not flying from Dubrovnik I think it is easier to have flight connection through Zagreb than a land connection to the Montenegro airports which are smaller airports with fewer flight options. Podgorica is three hours at least from Dubrovnik on land.

Liz, it’s best to start a new thread, and add exact dates (early May very different from late May in my experience), whether you want to drive or use public transport, and if you want all three days in one place or are ok with splitting it up.

Liz Durham

Every couple of months the same sort of question comes up where someone has painted themselves into a dead end on their trip to Croatia. Sometimes there is no other option, and I suspect that is the case here. In that case this is more food for thought for others that may stumble onto the thread. I imagine that you and I are the same and we try and avoid the lost time and expense of back tracking and that was the premise of my suggestions.

My suggestions are possibilities for a tourist to investigate to be certain that they get as much holiday value out of an investment in $$ and time as possible. It’s not about being territorial based on where one might have business. Just looking and considering every option is just common sense.

All I can do is expose “possibilities” because it’s all going to depend on dates and where the traveler lives. In the case of this thread, it also would depend on what airline the OP is flying and flight change possibilities.

Very random to illustrate the point. I just picked a date at random and an airport in the center of the country. 6 April return flight to DFW.

• Zagreb to DFW: About 800€ economy, one change and about 15 hours + Zagreb to DFW: Dubrovnik to Zagreb with pre and post flight times let’s say 5 hours total (nearly one day lost). Cost about 100€ including the taxis at both ends. Now add about 800€ and 14 hours for the fastest flight with one stop and you have 2 stops and 19 hours and 900€. You also have a few days in Zagreb what was just pointed out by a local tourist professional, isn’t the greatest stop in Croatia. But sometimes circumstances are such that it’s the best option, so no criticism.
• Dubrovnik to DFW: About 800€ economy two changes (so no worse than the Dubrovnik to Zagreb to DFW) and about 17 hours. Faster and cheaper and gives you the time in the south to see an island or two and expand your holiday in a way that is worth the investment. All well worth the time if it’s the right time of the year.

Then the Montenegro airports. I would never suggest driving from Dubrovnik to Podgorica to catch a flight. It’s an extension of the tour. There are no less than 3 good stops between Dubrovnik and the first night stay in Montenegro and it is one of the more beautiful drives in the region.

• Podgorica to DFW (a flight from Tivat is almost identical in time and cost): About 700€ economy, one change and about 17 hours. Now you use your time to see new places and expand your holiday in a way that is worth the investment. To be fair, that one stop option is with Turkish Air. Most of the other airlines will be 2 stops, but at about the same time and price.

I do enjoy Montenegro. It is a bit like Croatia before it became such an intense tours destination. Part of the purpose of the forum is to recommend places one has traveled to as a tourist and has enjoyed. https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1z4-CwCkZCAlH36M42Ul_r9Ae1Dq3xYO_?usp=drive_link