16 July 2026 · 3 min read
Few cities were built for honeymoons the way Dubrovnik was — marble streets glowing at dusk, walls rising from a violet sea, dinners in candlelit courtyards that haven't changed since the Republic. The hotels match the setting: a short cliffside row east of the Old Town holds some of the Mediterranean's most romantic addresses.
This is the shortlist we send to honeymooners, with honest notes on who each hotel suits.
Villa Dubrovnik — The Honeymoon Hideaway
If the honeymoon has one splurge, make it this. Villa Dubrovnik is carved into the cliffs facing Lokrum island: intimate, adults-oriented, with a private beach below and a boat that delivers you to the Old Town harbour like visiting royalty. Rooms face the sea, breakfast stretches past noon, and the whole property runs at honeymoon tempo.
Book it for: seclusion, sunrise over Lokrum, the feeling that the hotel is yours.
Hotel Excelsior — The Grand Romance
The classic choice since 1913. Hotel Excelsior puts the Old Town on your balcony — the definitive Dubrovnik view — with a sea-view spa, private bathing platform and the walls a five-minute stroll away. It's the pick for couples who want the city woven through the honeymoon: morning walks on empty marble, afternoon swims, black-tie-worthy dinners.
Book it for: iconic views, walkability, five-star polish with history.
Hotel Bellevue — The Cove for Two
Perched above the sheltered Miramare bay, Hotel Bellevue trades the hotel-row bustle for a quieter cliff and the most beach-like private cove in the city. Fewer crowds, dramatic sunsets into the open sea, and a glass elevator that drops you from lobby to water. Slightly gentler rates than its famous neighbours make it the smart-romance pick.
Book it for: swimming-centred honeymoons, sunset west-facing views, value at the five-star level.
Rixos Premium — The Resort Honeymoon
For couples who measure romance in pools, spa hours and never needing to leave, Rixos Premium on the Lapad side delivers the full-resort version: multiple restaurants, big spa, sea access below — with the Old Town a 10-minute drive for evening wanders.
Book it for: resort lovers, longer stays, honeymoons that prioritize lounging over logistics.
How to Honeymoon in Dubrovnik Well
- Time it for June or September. Warm sea, golden light, half the crowds — September especially is honeymoon weather perfected.
- Walk the walls at 8am. Two hours of the world's most romantic city walk, before the heat and the day-trippers.
- Take one private boat day. The Elaphiti Islands — hidden coves, a waterside konoba lunch — is the day every couple rates highest.
- Say the word "honeymoon" when booking. Upgrades, champagne and spa credits are standard at this tier — or ask us to arrange them.
- Add an island. Three nights in Dubrovnik plus four on Hvar is Croatia's definitive honeymoon — our Dubrovnik vs Hvar comparison explains the split.
More detail on each hotel's beach and sea access is in our Dubrovnik private beach guide.
