
Base yourself where you might actually live: for Croatia that means Zagreb, Split, Istria — and the smaller towns in between. Every stay below was picked by our editors and links to the property's own website. Book two to four weeks if you can: long enough to test commutes, groceries and weekday noise.
Villa Dubrovnik
Villa Dubrovnik sits on the cliffs east of Dubrovnik's Old Town, built into the rock above its own beach and bathing platforms, with the city walls and Lokrum island in view from its terraces. It is a member of The Leading Hotels of the World and one of the small set of five-star addresses that define the top end of the Dubrovnik coast.
The hotel works in terraces down the cliff: rooms and suites face the sea, the Villa Spa occupies its own level with an indoor pool and sundeck, and the beach below is reached by lift and steps cut into the rock. A hotel boat and shuttle connect guests to the Old Town harbour, a few minutes away.
Dining runs from Pjerin, the fine-dining restaurant on the main terrace, to the Giardino restaurant and the bars by the beach and pool. The kitchen leans on Dalmatian produce — Adriatic fish, olive oil and wines from the Pelješac peninsula and Konavle valley.
For a scouting trip, the location does double duty: Lapad's residential streets and the local bus routes into town start just behind the hotel, while Gruž harbour, the main bus station and the ferry port are a short drive west. It is a useful base for reading Dubrovnik as a place to live, not just to visit.
- Member of The Leading Hotels of the World
- Cliff-top site east of the Old Town, above its own beach and bathing platforms
- Restaurants Pjerin and Giardino, plus beach and pool bars
- Villa Spa with indoor pool and sundeck
- Hotel boat and shuttle to the Old Town; Gruž ferry port and bus station a short drive away



Visit Villa Dubrovnik Villa Dubrovnik official site
This featured showcase is an editorial selection by our editors. We have not stayed at this property and it is not a paid placement; no rating is implied. Paid placements never influence the Croatia liveability score, safety rating or warnings.
Luxury stays20 stays
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Hotel LoneRovinj · Istria
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Hotel PodstineHvar Town · Hvar Island
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Hotel EdenRovinj · Istria
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Hotel AcademiaZagreb · Central Croatia
Best Western Premier Hotel AstoriaZagreb · Central Croatia
Hotel ContinentalRijeka · Kvarner
Hotel NeboderRijeka · Kvarner
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Hostels, guesthouses and family-run hotels that keep a scouting trip affordable — plus serviced apartments and residences tagged Long-stay, for testing a move or a retirement before you commit.
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HI Hostel DubrovnikDubrovnik · Dalmatia
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Dink's Place HostelHvar Town · Hvar Island
Boutique Hostel ForumZadar · North Dalmatia
HI Hostel ZadarZadar · North Dalmatia
HI Hostel PulaPula · Istria
HI Hostel RijekaRijeka · Kvarner
Main Square HostelZagreb · Central Croatia
HI Hostel ZagrebZagreb · Central Croatia
Hedera Estate Apartments — Dubrovnik Apartment SourceDubrovnik · Dalmatia
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Valamar Riviera Hotel & ResidencePoreč · Istria
Resort AmarinRovinj · Istria
Resort PetalonVrsar · Istria
Doma Zagreb AparthotelZagreb · Central Croatia
LOOX Serviced ApartmentsZagreb · Central Croatia
Zagreb ApartmentsZagreb · Central CroatiaScouting checklist
- Stay in at least two neighbourhoods.
- Choose somewhere with a kitchen: it reveals daily costs.
- Visit a supermarket, a clinic and a school during the stay.
- Ask the manager where they would and wouldn't rent.
Every listing links to the property's own website. Listings are editorial picks; a Partner tag marks a paid placement, and a Long-stay tag marks places set up for longer stays.