My Honest HI Hostel Dubrovnik Review for 2026

​Many of Croatia’s most popular cities, including Dubrovnik, aren’t as cheap as you might expect, which is why hostels are a budget-friendly way to stay somewhere central. Hosteling International (or HI) is one of the more well-known hostel chains out there, but the experience definitely varies between locations. In this review, I’ll cover the HI Hostel Dubrovnik, giving you my honest thoughts on the pros and cons about this hostel based on my recent experience staying here.

What’s It Like Staying at the HI Hostel Dubrovnik?
Of course, the staff are often the first impression you get of a hostel, and the one here was definitely a highlight. Mostly made up of Argentinians, the staff here were very welcoming and friendly. Another perk about this hostel is its location, and I would argue it’s the biggest advantage to staying here. The hostel is a 20-minute walk to Old Town Dubrovnik, the port where the ferries are located, and the bus stop for those traveling in from other cities. Additionally, the hostel is just a 10-minute walk to Bellevue Beach, and it’s only 10 minutes walking from the airport shuttle bus stop.

Something to consider is that this is an older hostel, so it doesn’t have the convenient amenities you might find at newer hostels, such as privacy curtains, charging outlets, and lighting at dorm beds. However, the rooms are equipped with shared power strips that have three outlets so you can still charge your phone. 

Towels are 2 euros, and unfortunately, it’s not a deposit that you get back. I also wasn’t a big fan of their shower set-up. It’s very college-dorm-like, so there’s no place to change in private unless you change in the toilet stall. Although they had places to hang your clothes while you shower, the floors outside the showers would flood easily, so you had to hope your nice clean clothes didn’t fall on the ground. This was also the only hostel I’ve been to where you had to make your own bed, which doesn’t seem like a big deal until you’re stuck with a top bunk.

As far as the crowd, it definitely skews very young, so I wouldn’t recommend this for those over 30 if you’re looking for people closer in age to hang out with. Overall, I think this hostel is great for the location, but I wouldn’t recommend it for more than two nights as it’s not the most comfortable option out there.

HI Hostel Dubrovnik Prices
The cost of staying at the HI Hostel Dubrovnik is largely dependent on the time of year you stay here. For two people and two nights during summer, I paid 142.56 euros, which is equivalent to roughly $163. That’s generally higher than people might expect for a hostel, but it’s also during Croatia’s busiest travel season. You’ll likely see lower prices in the fall through spring.

Pros About This Hostel

• Friendly staff
• 20-minute walk to Old Town Dubrovnik, ferry port, and bus stations
• 10-minute walk to Bellevue Beach 
• 10-minute walk to airport shuttle bus stop
• Easy to find
• Air conditioning in bedrooms
• Large common area and patio

Drawbacks to Consider

• Older hostel
• No personal charging outlets, privacy curtains, or lighting at beds
• Towels are 2 euros to purchase, not rent
• Younger demographic, so not as great for those 30+
• Small showers that tend to flood easily
• You have to make your own bed

Frequently Asked Questions

What does "hi hostel" mean?
HI Hostel just means Hosteling International Hostel. HI is the shorthand abbreviation for the Hosteling International chain of hostels around the world.

What problems is Dubrovnik facing?
I can’t speak to local politics or economic circumstances, so I would say some things that might be considered problems could be rising costs and high tourism. Summer is always busy around Europe since that’s when people often do the most traveling there, and for cities like Dubrovnik, summer can be easily busy with travelers looking to enjoy nearby islands and swimming in the Adriatic.

How much do hostels cost in Croatia?
The cost of hostels in Croatia will depend on factors such as the time of year, how many nights you stay there, the type of room you pick, and the city you stay in. You can expect higher prices in popular cities like Split and Dubrovnik during the peak summer travel season.