Dubrovnik's majestic Old Town transports you back centuries. Aristocratic Baroque townhouses line marble-paved streets, deliveries are made by handcart, stall holders vend seasonal fruit at the open-air market, and church bells mark the hour. Add a backdrop of glistening blue sea, and the modern-day pleasures of beach clubs and fine dining, and you see why it is Croatia's most glamorous destination.
The Byron (named after Lord Byron, the Romantic poet who dubbed the city 'The Pearl of the Adriatic'), has been a venture of true passion. The owners carried out a lengthy renovation project with incredible attention to detail, fashioning seven bright white guest rooms with city or garden views, and most with kitchenettes. Step outside and you'll be right beside Dubrovnik Cathedral, with a vast array of restaurants and sights at your fingertips. This is a fabulous base from which to explore this gorgeous, medieval city.
Highs
- A fantastic central location, next to the Cathedral, within walking distance of all the main sights
- Just 7 light and airy rooms with characterful exposed wooden beams and cool white décor; some can interconnect
- Delightful hosts who provide a warm welcome and highly personalised service, always on hand via Whatsapp
- Most rooms have kitchenettes so you can self-cater breakfast and light meals, plus there are great restaurants all around
- There's a great beach bar hidden around the corner, but we'll leave it to you to find
Lows
- Summer nightlife can be noisy, but window shutters and double glazing afford good sound-proofing
- Be aware there are no rooms on the ground floor and there's no lift; choose a first-floor room if that's an issue, or pack light...
- ... especially because Dubrovnik's Old Town is car-free, so you'll need to walk the final stretch when you arrive
Best time to go
Spring and autumn are the best times to visit – the weather is sunny, the Old Town isn't overcrowded, and the Adriatic sea is (just) warm enough to swim. In summer (Jul-Aug), Dubrovnik does get very busy, but on the plus side you have lots of open-air cultural events and a buzzing nightlife. The Byron informs guests about cruise ship arrivals, so you can plan sightseeing to avoid the crowds (most ships depart by 4pm, so the evenings are quieter).
Our top tips
The Byron can arrange a Dubrovnik Card for you. A cost-effective way to explore the city (valid for one, 3 or 7 days), it offers free entry to major attractions, including the City Walls, the Cultural Historical Museum, the Franciscan Monastery and the Maritime Museum, as well as discounts at various restaurants and shops.
Location
The Byron lies in a narrow stone alley, between the cathedral and the seaward walls in Dubrovnik’s pedestrian-only Old Town, in southern Croatia.
By Air:
Most fly into Dubrovnik. An airport transfer can be arranged or there’s an airport bus (journey time 20-30 minutes) to Pile Gate, just outside the city walls.
By Car:
The Old Town is pedestrianised, so a car is not required in Dubrovnik itself, but you may want to explore further afield. If you rent a car, bear in mind that parking in Dubrovnik is a problem, especially in summer. The situation has improved slightly with the opening of a new 24-hour public garage at Ilijina Glavica (Zagrebaèka ulica bb), a 5-minute walk from Pile Gate, but this is hugely expensive in high season; you may be better off parking at the airport and taking the shuttle bus to and fro.
By Sea:
If you are arriving from Italy, Jadrolinija operates ferries from Bari. From Dubrovnik’s Gruž harbour, take a bus to Pile Gate, the entrance to the Old Town.
Detailed directions will be sent when you book through i-escape.
More on getting to Croatia and getting around
Airports:
- Dubrovnik 21.0 km DBV
- Split 241.0 km SPU
Other:
- Beach 0.3 km
- Shops 0.2 km
- Restaurant 0.2 km
Our guests' ratings...
Based on 5 independent reviews from i-escape guests
The Byron was a great experience from start to finish. Check in at the shop was easy. Nice woman escorted us so that we didn’t get lost. She gave us a city map which she’d annotated to show her recommendations. The room - cathedral facing - was divine. Spotless airy and light. Great little kitchen tucked away. All the stuff was pristine. 10 seconds to supermarket to get provisions. Location amazing. The little hole in wall swimming spot was my favourite.
Check out similarly unhassled. I liked the un-hotel feel. No reception desk in the building. Simple. Enough info but not a million little notes. Made me feel it was my cool apartment.
The manager was very helpful, he not only showed us to our room, he also told us about restaurants to go to, particularly one where we got 10% discount as a client of The Byron. He was very proud of Dubrovnik and all its sites and showed us around very enthusiastically. He also booked a car to take us out one day!
Lovely hotel. Perfectly placed in the centre of Dubrovnik. The Byron staff are brilliant at recommending restaurants etc and could not have been more helpful. Rooms were immaculate and beautiful.
Lovely accommodation, nice coffee (no breakfast), good location in the old town,
Good communication pre-check-in, great recommendations for eating out, and places to visit. A little surprised at having to pay to store bags after checkout on final day.
Really great place to stay in the heart of Dubrovnik. Jon the host was excellent and provided us with some great recommendations for dining, trips out and things to see. Nothing was too much trouble. The room was lovely and was kept perfect with lovely little touches like fresh fruit and biscuits. Would definitely stay here again.
Feedback is only from guests who have booked and stayed through i-escape