Dubrovnik--stay in the Old Town or just outside?
 

Planning a sort of last minute trip to Croatia and a bit of Slovenia this October (2012). We (husband and me) will start in Dubrovnik and plan on three nights there. We're trying to decide between an apartment in the Old town and one outside. Have looked at various websites and we are taken by some of the views from apartments outside the Old town. but we know we want to spend much of our time in the Old town and are very taken with its obvious charm. One concern about staying in the Old town is the possible noise; concern about staying outside the town are the hikes up stairs which many of the apartments with great views seem to require.

I guess I'd love an apartment in or very near the old town but with a great view---does such a thing exist? And if not what are opinions on staying in the town vs just outside. Thank you so much

How far outside old town? Will you be able to walk into the walled town or need to take a bus. If you need to take the bus I would rule out that location. I would stay in old town.

Old town was really quiet, at least in March this year. I had trouble finding things to do at night.

We stayed here a couple of years ago

http://www.dubrovnik-online.com/villa_adriatica/

We loved it, just outside the walls but the view from the terrace is incredible.

The best views will require a walk up some stairs or at least a bit uphill, but as long as you're fine with that, you can still easily walk to old town. It's all well-lit and safe.
I've stayed up hundreds of stairs (first visit, with a view to die for) and in the old town (only passing through for one night--on a side street to avoid noise). Being inside old town has its charms, but having a balcony or terrace with the view of the town and the sea is worth a walk to me!
Throughout the country I have always just perused websites until I found an apartment I liked, and I never went wrong going that route.

Can you post the links to the places you are thinking of staying? I've been to Dubrovnik 4 times and stayed in different places each time. Up on the hill has fantastic views but is quite a hike up lots of steps. Just outside the walls depends just where outside the walls.... And in the old walled town - well I liked that best but then I'd had the views before.

Tell us where you are considering and we can perhaps offer some more constructive answers.

thanks for all the great input. Here's a link to our current favorite---maybe we're just smitten with the photo! http://www.dubrovnikapartmentsource....D0%26sP%3D9999

The view from that apartment is fabulous, with aspects to both the harbour and across the city, and also to Lokrum.

However... it is maybe 300 steps directly UP from the town. How fit are you and how are your knees?

When I stayed in the Old Town I stayed literally on the walls, overlooking the harbour so I still had a view. Renata's Rooms I think it was. I didn't find it noisy at all at night, and loved being close to everything. It may not suit if you like to sleep in late as once the cruise ship crowds start walking the walls they are right outside your window!

http://www.dubrovnik-area.com/eng/de...ajID=RZ-A-0459

Renata has several rooms/apartments to rent.

agree with judy above-- the adriatica. one of our fav places ever! barely outside of old town-- it is next to the entrance. you will have the most amazing view of the town, harbor and islands from the rooftop. i will never forget one night when the owner started showing the soccer game from his laptop against the rooftop wall. with the amazing city and harbor behind us-- we enjoyed that game like none other! also-- it's just a 5 minute walk from the little beach-- and we loved going there to cool off with a quick dip.

I've been looking at the Villa Adriatica too for my aunt because of the wonderful views. However, she has back problems and has a difficult time with steps and steep hills. Is this a place that would be suitable for her? She realizes that Dubrovnik is mostly hills and steps, but just doesn't want her room too difficult to get to.

julia_t - How about the access to Renata's Rooms? They look interesting.

Another place in the city I was considering is Amoret Apartments but they were a little higher than she wanted to pay (not sure the cost of Villa Adriatica either).

Metcarl ... The Villa Adriatica is on the same level as the entrance into Dubrovnik's Old Town. As I recall, there was a small flight of stairs from the ground level to the actual apartments in the villa, but nothing major. I think it would be very difficult to find a place that would involve fewer stairs than the Adriatica. And as others have said, the views are stunning.

i think there are just a few steps (down?) from street level to the actual rooms. however, there would be more steps up to the rooftop -- but just one or two small levels up. (if memory serves.) maybe write to them and ask??

if you want an elevator, i think you will need to go to the other end of the old city??? anyone out there know of a good place with an elevator??

Kawh, I think you're right! Still, I believe it would not be as many stairs as most other places outside the walls and it offers better views than from most places within. But I could be wrong!

Access to Renata's rooms is either along a street (begins with a Z) which runs parallel to the walls, or along the harbour side and through an arch under the walls. There are just a few steps up to the street which runs along to the 3rd small entrance onto the walls. Along this street you go just past the ruins and just before another little archway (which leads to the guillotine and little entrance to the walls)you turn right, then left up a few steps. The entrance to Renata's rooms is literally on top of this archway/bridge.

But it's not many steps and there are flat areas between. There are still steps to Amoret apts. hope this helps - it may seem confusing as I've written it, but will make sense once you are there!