Introduction
As I have mentioned in previous articles, Dubrovnik is one of the most expensive tourist destinations in Croatia.
A meal at a restaurant can easily cost €20–30 per person, and accommodation is far from cheap either.
One option that can help reduce costs is staying in an apartment, similar to a vacation rental.
When people hear “vacation rental,” they may imagine things like:
“It’s cheap, but the facilities might not be very good.”
“I’m worried about getting the keys.”
“What if something goes wrong?”
I had some of the same concerns myself. However, the apartment I stayed at this time was much more comfortable than I expected, to the point that I would actually recommend it over a hotel in some situations.
In this article, I’ll share my experience staying there.
（当ブログの記事をまとめたポータルページはここです）
（オンラインショップを始めてみました。是非こちらからご覧になってください。）
Amazon.co.jp
あなたと一緒に作る海外旅行【トラベル・スタンダード・ジャパン】
Why Dubrovnik Is Great for Apartment Stays
Dubrovnik is home to its famous UNESCO World Heritage Old Town.
The historic area is surrounded by massive city walls, while the areas around it are quite hilly, with houses built densely along the slopes.
Many of these residential properties are rented out to travelers as apartments.
Because the city is built on steep hillsides, many apartments have views of the Adriatic Sea.
In Japan, a first-floor room often means that you won’t have much of a view. In Dubrovnik, however, the steep terrain means that even a first-floor apartment can sometimes sit higher than the rooftops of buildings in front of it.
As a result, there are many apartments with great views of:
- the Adriatic Sea
- Dubrovnik’s Old Town
- the city at night
Hotels with these kinds of views can be quite expensive, while apartments often offer a more affordable way to enjoy the same scenery.
My Stay at Apartment Kuzman
The apartment I stayed at was Apartment Kuzman.
It is located on the eastern hillside of Dubrovnik’s Old Town.
When you step out onto the terrace, you have the Adriatic Sea right in front of you.
If you shift your gaze slightly, you can also see the historic Old Town.
One evening, I bought some beer at a supermarket and relaxed on the terrace while enjoying the view. It was fantastic.
Enjoying a view from a hotel lounge is nice, but having a beer on your own private terrace while looking out over the sea feels completely different.
It was a very Dubrovnik-style experience, and one of my favorite parts of the stay.
The Key Handover Was Easy and Reassuring
One of the things people often worry about with vacation rentals is getting the keys.
Especially when traveling abroad, you might wonder:
“Will I actually be able to meet the owner?”
“What happens if my flight is delayed?”
Fortunately, I barely had to worry about this at Apartment Kuzman.
The owner actually lives in the same building.
More precisely, the owner owns the building itself and was waiting for me according to my arrival time.
Being able to receive the keys directly from the owner made the check-in process very reassuring.
We used WhatsApp to communicate during the stay.
WhatsApp is commonly used for both work and personal communication in Europe, so people living here are very familiar with it. However, it may not be as familiar to travelers coming from Japan.
That said, WhatsApp is useful for all kinds of situations while traveling around Europe, so I think it’s worth installing before your trip.
The Biggest Advantage: You Can Cook
The biggest reason I recommend staying in an apartment in Dubrovnik is the ability to cook for yourself.
As I mentioned in my previous article, eating out in Dubrovnik can be quite expensive.
Of course, you don’t need to cook every meal while traveling. However, being able to prepare even just your:
- breakfast
- snacks or light meals
- late-night meals
can make a noticeable difference to your food budget.
I also went to the supermarket several times during my stay.
Supermarkets in Dubrovnik
Two supermarket chains you will commonly see in Dubrovnik are:
- Konzum
- Studenac
However, many of the stores in the tourist areas are quite small, and the selection can vary significantly from one location to another.
Of the stores I visited, I felt that the Konzum near Ploče Gate had the best selection.
I bought things such as:
- pasta
- tomato sauce
- ice cream
- cherries
- juice
and other basic groceries.
Even pasta with tomato sauce makes a perfectly good dinner, and it is considerably cheaper than eating at a restaurant.
My Recommendations: Cherries and Nectar
One thing I particularly enjoyed was the cherries.
Perhaps I was lucky with the timing of my visit, but they were being sold at a very reasonable price.
They were also delicious, so I ended up buying them several times.
Another thing I recommend is Voćni Vrt MULTI-VITAMIN NEKTAR.
It is a multivitamin-style nectar, but it has a rich fruit flavor and was surprisingly delicious.
It’s easy to lack vegetables and fruit while traveling, so drinks like this can be a nice addition to your diet.
One Important Thing to Know About Apartments in Dubrovnik
There is, however, one major thing you should keep in mind when booking an apartment in Dubrovnik.
And that is:
stairs.
As mentioned earlier, many apartments in Dubrovnik are located on steep hillsides.
In some areas, there are no roads that continue up the hillside, meaning that you have no choice but to walk the final section.
And it can be quite steep.
There are also a lot of stairs.
In my case, carrying a suitcase up to the apartment was quite a workout.
This is particularly worth considering if you are traveling with:
- a large suitcase
- young children
- or traveling alone
I recommend checking the exact location and access route before booking.
In general, apartments with better views tend to be located higher up the hillside, so there is often a trade-off between the view and the number of stairs you have to climb.
（当ブログの記事をまとめたポータルページはここです）
（オンラインショップを始めてみました。是非こちらからご覧になってください。）
Amazon.co.jp
あなたと一緒に作る海外旅行【トラベル・スタンダード・ジャパン】
Conclusion
Hotels in Dubrovnik certainly have their advantages, but personally, I highly recommend considering an apartment as well.
In particular, apartments can offer:
- views of the Adriatic Sea
- views over Dubrovnik’s Old Town
- the ability to save money by cooking your own meals
- a chance to experience a little of the local lifestyle
These are advantages that you don’t always get with a hotel stay.
Of course, the steep hills and numerous stairs can be a disadvantage, but even after taking that into account, I found the combination of comfort and incredible views very appealing.
If you’re planning a trip to Dubrovnik, don’t limit your search to hotels. Apartments are definitely worth considering as well. Sitting on your own terrace with a drink while looking out over the Adriatic Sea could easily become one of the best memories of your trip.
コメント