Dubrovnik is one of Europe's most visited cities — and one of its most paradoxical urbex destinations. Just 10km from the UNESCO old town, seven Yugoslav military hotels have stood empty since the 1991 siege. The Hotel Belvedere, abandoned the same year despite sitting directly above the Adriatic 1km from the Pile Gate, filmed Game of Thrones scenes in its derelict pool while the city below was overrun with tourists. Discover the 5 best abandoned places in Dubrovnik, selected from our Croatia Urbex Map — 400+ verified GPS locations.
Why Dubrovnik Has a Uniquely Dramatic Urbex Landscape
The 1991 Siege of Dubrovnik — when the Yugoslav People's Army shelled the city from the sea and surrounding hills — emptied functioning hotels and military resorts overnight. Three decades of ownership disputes and tourism pressure focused elsewhere have preserved the abandonment in extraordinary contrast with the tourist bustle of the old town just minutes away.
1. Kupari Hotel Complex – 10km from Dubrovnik — 7 Hotels, Grand Hotel 1923, JNA Military Resort, Shelled 1991, Bay of Abandoned Hotels, 4,500 Capacity at Peak (Known Location)
The Kupari "bay of abandoned hotels" contains seven abandoned hotels — Grand, Goričina I & II, Kupari, Pelegrin, Mladost and Galeb. The Grand Hotel (1923) was the first hotel built in the Dubrovnik area; post-war, the complex became a Yugoslav People's Army military resort with capacity for 4,500 guests. Hotel Pelegrin was shelled a particularly high number of times during the Siege of Dubrovnik; every floor was gutted. The complex has been abandoned since 1991, with reconstruction works beginning in 2025. Bus 11 from Pile Gate, 35 minutes.
🔗 Sources: Kathmandu and Beyond – Kupari | Wikipedia – Kupari
2. Hotel Belvedere – Dubrovnik — 5-Star Hotel Abandoned 1991, Game of Thrones Filming Location (Oberyn vs Mountain), Cliff Above Adriatic, 1km from Old Town (Known Location)
The Hotel Belvedere Dubrovnik opened in 1985 as a five-star marvel with sweeping terraces, a private beach and nearly 200 rooms. When the Croatian War of Independence broke out in 1991, the Yugoslav People's Army shelled Dubrovnik from the sea and the hotel was abandoned. HBO filmed the Game of Thrones fight between Oberyn and the Mountain in its derelict grounds. A vast abandoned swimming pool opened up before visitors, the blue long gone, concrete walls plastered with graffiti — cats now the only regular inhabitants. 1km south of the old town on foot.
🔗 Also read: Top 5 Abandoned Places in Croatia →
3. Derelict Coastal Villa – Župa Dubrovačka, Between Dubrovnik and Kupari — Pre-War Adriatic Residence, Stone Construction, Overgrown Sea Terrace, Cypress Garden
The coastal strip between Dubrovnik and Kupari holds pre-war Adriatic holiday villas abandoned in 1991 and never reclaimed — stone-built residences with cypress allées, stone terraces and the sea below. Several are in advanced dereliction between functioning properties, their interiors consumed by vegetation through open terrace doors. The Adriatic setting and the specific Dalmatian stone construction quality make these among the most photogenic villa ruins on the coast. All GPS in our Croatia Urbex Map.
4. Derelict Coastal Villa – Župa Dubrovačka, Between Dubrovnik and Kupari — Pre-War Holiday Residence, Stone Construction, Sea Terrace, Adriatic Garden (Exclusively on Our Map)
The Župa Dubrovačka coastal strip between Dubrovnik and Kupari contains numerous pre-war Adriatic holiday villas whose owners left in 1991 and never returned — stone-built 1950s–70s residences with the coastal Dalmatian garden typology: cypress allée, stone terrace, the sea visible below. Several are in states of advanced dereliction between functioning properties on the coastal road, their interiors consumed by vegetation through open terrace doors. Find it on our Croatia Urbex Map. Find it on our Croatia Urbex Map.
5. Abandoned Military Position – Dubrovnik Hinterland Hills — 1991 Siege Artillery Position, Concrete Emplacements, Karst Hillside, Old Town Views (Our Map Only)
In the karst hills above and around Dubrovnik — from Srđ to the Konavle range — the 1991 siege left a landscape of abandoned military positions: concrete artillery emplacements, observation posts and field infrastructure from both the attacking Yugoslav forces and the Croatian defenders. Several of these positions are accessible via hiking trails through the maquis above the D8 coastal road, their concrete gun pits and command positions now consumed by vegetation but still structurally intact, with extraordinary views of Dubrovnik's old town below. GPS in our Croatia Urbex Map. GPS in our Croatia Urbex Map.
Safety Tips
- Kupari war damage: 30+ years of dereliction and 1991 shelling mean unpredictable structural conditions — avoid heavily damaged upper floors of Hotel Pelegrin
- Hotel Belvedere cliff edge: the cliff-side setting means any fall from external terraces is severe — extreme caution near all exterior edges
- Hillside positions: the karst hills above Dubrovnik may retain unexploded ordnance from the 1991 siege — never leave marked paths
- Never explore alone — always bring at least one other person and share your location
❓ FAQ
What is the most famous abandoned place near Dubrovnik?
Kupari — seven abandoned Yugoslav military hotels in a single bay 10km from Dubrovnik, freely accessible from the beach. The Grand Hotel (1923), the Goričina (1962) and the Pelegrin (1978) are the most atmospheric. Reconstruction works began in 2025 — visit soon.
Can I visit Hotel Belvedere Dubrovnik?
As of 2024, Hotel Belvedere is accessible — a 1km walk south of the old town along the coastal path. The derelict pool, terraces and former guest rooms are explorable. Its famous Game of Thrones filming location status makes it the most visited derelict building in Dubrovnik itself.
How do I get to Kupari from Dubrovnik?
Bus 11 from Pile Gate (near the old town) runs hourly to Kupari (35 minutes). Alight at the Kupari stop, then walk 5 minutes to the bay. By car: follow the D8 coastal road south, 10km from Dubrovnik centre.
Croatia Urbex Map
- ✓ 400+ verified GPS locations across Croatia
- ✓ Dubrovnik, Kupari, Belvedere and beyond
- ✓ Instant download after purchase
- ✓ Free updates forever
9,99€
Explore All 400+ Locations →
