The neighbourhood of Gruz, situated about 2km to the west from the Old Town has many advantages as location for staying while in Dubrovnik.
This is residential area with small family houses and from the port you can catch local ferries to islands, such as Elaphit islands, Mljet, Korcula as well as Hvar, Brac and port of Split (on the mainland).
From Gruz you can easily reach the Old Town as well as beaches in Lapad and Babin Kuk by frequent city buses.
The main bus station with buses to numerous destinations in Croatia is situated here. From here you can catch also buses to Cavtat and the rest of suburban places in the area (Konavle, Ston and Peljesac).
The neighbourhood offers numerous accommodation options, starting from hotels to privately run apartments.
We can recommend Hotel Porto and City Hotel, two newly opened hotels as well as The Berkeley Hotel (modern spacious rooms and excellent service) for a wonderful stay.
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Along the coast in Gruz there are rent-a-car offices, exchange offices, tourist agencies, souvenir shops, small craft stores, bakeries, restaurants, café bars, department store, pharmacies and many other facilities.
Also there is the largest open market in Dubrovnik when you can buy supplies of fresh fruit and vegetables, freshly caught fish and other tasty seafood.
For a unique experience, visit Red History Museum, situated in the last factory complex in Dubrovnik, close to the port. In this museum visitors can explore and experience what it was like under the Yugoslav regime.
Staying in Gruz make it easy to catch local ferries/catamarans ideal for day trips.
The Elaphite islands (Lopud, Kolocep and Sipan) are great choice for escaping the city crowds during the hot summer days (the fare to the most popular island - Lopud, with beautiful Sunj beach is €4.90).
These islands are dotted with fisherman villages and beautiful beaches. Take the morning ferry from the Gruz pier and return in the early evening.
The Mljet island is another great destination for those who are active (you can walk, hike or ride a bike there, or even take a swim).
For those who continue their travel to the places to the north, such as Korcula, Brac, Hvar or Split, catching a catamaran from here is easy.
If staying in Gruz, we recommend taking this speed-boat tour to explore Mljet and Elaphite islands in one day! True summer adventure!
Or take this full-day boat tour on historic galleon to the Elaphite islands! This tour is ideal for families with children!