Dubrovnik is the postcard end of Croatia, with a walled Old Town, clear Adriatic water and a coast that rewards slow driving. It is also a good base for a motorhome because three very different trips start here: a wine-and-island route on the Pelješac Peninsula, a quick loop into Bosnia and Montenegro, and a longer drive north towards Split.

We live in Rovaniemi, so this is a researched guide rather than a trip report. We have read the live data on the CampervanPlanet Dubrovnik page (prices from the November 2026 index) and added the stable local knowledge that is useful when you plan a summer 2027 trip.

Why Dubrovnik works as a motorhome base

The airport is close to the coast road, the old town is a short drive from the main campsites, and the roads out of the city lead to almost everything you will want. A motorhome also solves a problem that Dubrovnik has in summer: accommodation is expensive and fills quickly, so sleeping in your own vehicle can ease the budget.

There are caveats. The Old Town is for walkers, with access for vehicles strictly limited, and parking in the centre is tight, so you leave the motorhome at a campsite or a larger car park and take a bus or taxi in. Summer crowds are heavy when cruise ships are in port, so go early or late in the day. Croatian law also bans wild camping, so plan to use campsites or designated motorhome stops.

Route 1: Pelješac Peninsula and Korčula (4 to 5 days)

CampervanPlanet describes this as a drive of about 230 km round trip plus ferries, rated easy for two-wheel-drive and best in June and September. It is Croatia’s wine route: you start at Ston, famous for its long defensive walls and its oysters, then follow the spine of the Pelješac Peninsula past vineyards that grow the Plavac Mali grape, to Orebić.

From Orebić, the Jadrolinija car ferry crosses to Korčula in about 15 to 20 minutes. Korčula town is a small walled place on a peninsula, easy to explore on foot. Book the ferry slot early in July and August, because a motorhome takes more deck space than a car and may be charged accordingly. Check the current timetable and vehicle rates on the day, since they change by season.

The Pelješac Bridge, opened in 2022, links the mainland section of southern Croatia and removes the need to cross a short stretch of Bosnia and Herzegovina at Neum when you drive between Dubrovnik and the north. That makes the drive smoother, but you should still carry passports for the other trips in this guide.

Route 2: Dubrovnik to Mostar and Kotor (4 to 5 days)

This is a three-country taster loop of about 380 km. CampervanPlanet describes it as easy and best in May and October. From Dubrovnik you pass Cavtat, cross into Bosnia and Herzegovina for an espresso in the laid-back town of Trebinje, climb to the Ottoman bridge town of Mostar on the Neretva, then swing back south through Trebinje into Montenegro to wind around the Bay of Kotor before returning along the coast.

Carry your green insurance card for the border crossings, and ask your rental company in advance whether you may take the motorhome out of Croatia and what cross-border fee or extra cover applies. Some companies restrict countries or charge a fee, and driving into one without permission can void your cover. Border queues in July and August can be long, so allow extra time and keep passports within reach.

Mostar and Kotor are both busy in peak season, and Mostar’s old bridge area gets hot, so we would do them in May or October if your dates allow. Parking a motorhome in the centre of either town is difficult, so use the larger car parks on the edge and walk in.

Prices and seasons in southern Dalmatia

According to the November 2026 index, the peak price from June to August is a typical €317 a day, with highs of 26 to 30°C, 14 to 15 hours of daylight and the Old Town packed with cruise crowds. May and September are the best value at about €237 a day, with 18 to 26°C and good swimming at Banje Beach. April and October are mild at about €237, and November to March is the budget option at about €196, but the winter is wet, with heavy rain and the southerly jugo wind, and campervan availability is limited.

For most people we would pick late May, June or September. June has long days and warm sea, and September has the best light and slightly cheaper prices than July and August. If you are planning summer 2027 now, you are in good time, because the best motorhomes in peak weeks are the first to go.

Compare against other Croatian pick-ups. Because the country is long and thin, a one-way hire from Zagreb or Split to Dubrovnik can be interesting, but one-way fees vary, and the Croatia campervan rental page lets you test different pick-up and drop-off points quickly. Our Split motorhome guide covers the coast north of Dubrovnik, and our wider Croatia campervan rental guide compares the regions.

Campsites, ferries and driving

Campsites are plentiful along the coast, but in July and August the best ones near the sea sell out, so book ahead. Motorhome-friendly sites often have electric hook-up and water, and some offer a bus or boat link into town. Many Croatian campsites close from late October to April, which fits the limited winter availability.

The main roads are good. The coast road (the Adriatic Highway) is scenic but slow, with narrow sections and hairpins, and a larger motorhome needs patience. Tolls apply on the motorway north of Ploče, so keep some cash or a card handy. Drive on the right, and note that speed limits are strictly enforced and that driving with any alcohol is treated seriously.

Fuel is available along the coast, but stations on islands and quiet stretches can be few, so top up when you pass one. Check your motorhome’s height and width for older towns, and use the navigation setting for large vehicles where you can.

How to book well

Compare companies and check what is included. CampervanPlanet lists many brands for each pick-up, and the same style of motorhome can be priced very differently. Our reader coupon HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY20 takes €20 off at checkout. Read the rules for kilometres, cross-border trips, deposits and insurance excess, and use our campervan rental guide if you want the basics explained.

Frequently asked questions