This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel.
Dubrovnik has become widely famous, especially in recent years, for being a stunning gem on the Adriatic. The city's Stari Grad (old town), built out around a harbor, is indeed a must see if you're in the region. Though the city center is more overfilled at midday during peak season than infamously touristy Venice, you can take up the city in peace if you bother getting up early or come out of season. Though Stari Grad is the center attraction, there are a few side-shows going on in and around town. Beach-going guests of Dubrovnik hostels will be able to enjoy the clear waters -- expect to pay for sandy beaches; for rocky ones head south along the coast and look for public beaches. There's a great view of the old town from here.
Dubrovnik hostels are limited. In summer you ought to book well in advance if you want to have a choice. Hostels, as along much of the Adriatic in ex-Yugoslavia, are in the upper floors of tall family houses. This means you'll have good air even without air conditioning and may well score a view of the sea and/or of town. Most have small kitchens for the couple rooms on each floor. Most of the hostels in Dubrovnik are located up the bluff behind the old town. Rule has it, the longer the walk uphill, the cheaper but the better view.
Check up with Dubrovnik hostel to see if they have a free pick-up service from the bus station. Although the station isn't very far south of town, you'll likely have to tackle a maze of steep dead-end streets and winding staircases to find your way up to your hostel, so it might actually be useful to not have to try and find your hostel on your own.
Written by local expertz for Dubrovnik
Carl
