SB Apartment No 3

Look, I’ve stayed in a lot of places around Dubrovnik over the years, and SB Apartment No 3 on Korčulanska ulica is honestly one of those finds that makes you want to keep it secret. You know that feeling when you discover something great and you’re almost reluctant to share it? That’s this place.

First thing you notice when you arrive in Lapad – and I mean this in the best way – is how refreshingly normal it feels compared to the tourist circus in Old Town. Don’t get me wrong, the historic center is stunning, but try finding a decent meal there for under 20 euros. Lapad peninsula is where actual Dubrovnik residents live, and Korčulanska ulica sits right in this sweet spot where you’re close enough to walk to the bay beaches (seriously, maybe 8-10 minutes to some gorgeous pebble shores) but far enough from the main drag that you won’t hear drunk tourists stumbling home at 2 AM. The apartment itself – well, it’s got that 9.5 rating for a reason. Everything just works the way it should, which honestly feels like a minor miracle sometimes when you’re dealing with vacation rentals. The place has this lived-in comfort that makes you feel like you’re staying at a friend’s place rather than some sterile hotel room. I mean, there’s actual thought put into the setup – good lighting where you need it, plenty of outlets (thank god), and a kitchen that’s actually equipped for cooking real meals, not just heating up leftovers.

What really sold me on this spot was the location’s practicality. You’ve got the local bus that’ll get you to Old Town in maybe 15 minutes, but more importantly, you’re walking distance to Gruž market – that’s where you want to go for fresh produce and to see how locals actually shop. The neighborhood has this authentic Croatian residential vibe, complete with elderly ladies hanging laundry on balconies and kids playing football in the side streets. It’s the kind of place where you’ll actually hear Croatian being spoken more than English or German, which is getting rarer in Dubrovnik these days. Parking isn’t a nightmare here either, which anyone who’s tried to drive in Old Town will appreciate. The whole area stays pretty quiet in the evenings – you’ll hear the occasional scooter or maybe some neighbors chatting on their balconies, but nothing that’ll keep you awake. And honestly, after spending days walking those polished limestone streets dodging cruise ship crowds, coming back to this peaceful corner of Lapad feels like exhaling after holding your breath all day.