Discover this useful travel guide to the 15 best beaches in Dubrovnik! From sandy shores to pristine pebble-shore gems, discover why Dubrovnik has so much more to offer travelers than just its Old City!
After a long, hot day of exploring the City Walls and famous historic sites, beach hopping is one of the best things to do in Dubrovnik to cool off!
It’s no secret that Croatia has some of the most beautiful beaches in Europe, and the country’s southernmost city is no exception. In this guide, I’ll reveal to you some of my favorites, from the stoney shores of Lokrum Island to secret sandy cave beaches you didn’t know existed.
Dubrovnik Beaches Map
Ready to dive into the list of amazing Dubrovnik beaches? Here's a useful map to help you navigate this post.
15 Best Dubrovnik Beaches
1. Beach Banje (Plaža Banje)
Banje Beach (Plaža Banje) is the closest beach to Dubrovnik's Ploče Gate and therefore one of the most popular beaches in the city.
This is a broad, fine-pebble beach lined with lounge chairs and sun umbrellas. As you'd expect, the water is crystal clear and great for swimming. During the summer months, you'll find a small floating platform to swim out to and relax under the warm Dalmatian sun.
There's also a famous establishment on the western tip called Banje Beach Restaurant and Night Club, or Banje Beach Club for short. Here you can enjoy a meal or grab a cocktail as the sun sets.
Banje Beach is also a popular place to book water sports activities like kayaking and hiring jet skis, with many vendors lining the shores.
Travel Tip: Ploče in front of Banje Beach is one of the best places to stay in Dubrovnik! The incredible Grand Villa Argentina in Ploče even has its own private beach!
2. Sveti Jakov Beach
While all of the tourists flock to Beach Banje, the locals hang out at Sveti Jakov.
This beach is less than 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) from the Pile Gate and is easy to reach on foot or via Uber or the public bus.
Sveti Jakov is arguably one of the most beautiful beaches in Dubrovnik. Here, you'll discover tall pine trees surrounding a small cove lined with fine pebbles and crystal clear water.
3. Betina Beach Cave
Looking for one of the most unique beaches in Dubrovnik? Look no further than Dubrovnik's very own secret sea cave, just a few hundred meters from the Old City walls!
The Betina Beach Cave is a magical cave with its very own small pebble beach with clear, shallow waters. However, travelers can only access this secret cave via the sea, as there isn't a path down from the road.
To get here, hire a kayak or embark on a sea kayaking tour from town, which will also take you to some of the other coastal wanders near Dubrovnik and Lokrum.
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4. Donje Celo - Koločep Island Beach (Elaphiti Islands)
The first sandy beach on this list is the beautiful Donje Celo beach on Koločep Island, just northwest of Dubrovnik.
This is a beautiful stretch of soft sand lined with sunbathing chairs and sun umbrellas. The water is quite shallow, making it a great beach for swimming.
The beach backs onto a small spa resort called TUI Blue Kalamota Island, with its white shade sails and iconic blue pool a standout at this location.
The easiest way to get here is to book an Elaphiti island hopping trip from Dubrovnik. This is one of the top-rated activities in the city and will get you to many more beautiful beaches just like this one.
5. Lokrum Island Beaches
Lokrum Island is the large green island directly in front of Dubrovnik, just 500 meters out from the Adriatic Coast. Visiting the island is a great way to spend your day, with highlights including the famous botanical garden, Fort Royal, and Benedictine Monastery.
But, since it's beaches you're after, the island of Lokrum has them too.
The Lokrum Main Beach is the most well-known, found on the southwest corner of the island. This is a mostly rocky beach with some small stretches of fine pebbles. There are also some small cliffs to jump off!
Another beach on Lokrum is "FKK Beach " on the southeast corner. This is famous for being Dubrovnik's nudist beach!
Want to visit the iconic Blue Cave? - While it is far from Dubrovnik, there is one speedboat tour running daily trips to the amazing natural phenomenon known as Croatia's Blue Cave on Biševo Island.
6. Danče Beach
Another local favorite, Danče Beach is hidden away at the end of a short downhill track leading from the Gradac Park, just west of Dubrovnik.
This beach is mostly a rocky shore and features a roped-off area with deep water that is perfect for swimming. Additionally, there’s a Franciscan convent church Sv Marija right next to the beach.
7. Šulic Beach
Šulic Beach is one of my favorite beaches in Dubrovnik. While the strand isn't wide or impressive, it's the atmosphere that makes this one so unique!
Both sides of this beach are edged by high cliffs and rocky outcrops, dropping into clean, blue water. The cove forming the beach is also very narrow, meaning it's a great spot to swim in Dubrovnik, no matter the weather!
Also, the rope indicating the safe swimming area is quite far out, meaning this is a great beach if you want to swim laps!
Additionally, there's a small bar/cafe on the western side of the cove which is the perfect place to grab a cocktail and enjoy a warm summer afternoon.
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8. West Harbor Beach (Kolorina)
West Harbor is a small jetty area tucked between the Pile Gate entrance to the Dubrovnik Old City and the famous Fort Lovrijenac. While most famous for kayak tour departures and for being one of the main Dubrovnik Game of Thrones filming sites, you'll also find a quiet beach here, called Kolorina.
This is a small, pebble beach with mostly shallow water surrounded by the City Walls and the steep cliffs beneath Fort Lovrijenac. The harbor sees a little boat traffic, so don't expect the most pristine swimming beach, although it is a nice spot to sit and relax close to town.
9. Copacabana Beach
Often named Dubrovnik's best beach, Copacabana Beach is a sandy-pebble beach dropping into deep, blue water. If you're looking for a beach to drink and party at, this is the one. It's a private beach club and a very popular place to visit in large groups.
You can hire your own private cabana, or rent some inflatables to go out and float in the clear, blue water.
Copacabana Beach is located approximately a 10 - 15-minute drive from Dubrovnik via Bus 10 or an Uber in the Babin Kuk peninsula.
10. Bellevue Beach
Bellevue Beach, also known as Miramare, is a great place to go if you're looking to soak up some rays, swim in clear water, and cliff jump, without the hoards of tourists you'll find at some of the closer Dubrovnik beaches.
To get here, you can either walk the short 1.4-kilometer (0.9-mile) road from Pile Gate to Hotel Bellevue or simply get an Uber or Taxi there for less than 10 euros. Bus 10 also has a stop near the hotel. From here, simply walk down the staircase to its pristine shores.
This beach is also one of the best spots in Dubrovnik for cliff jumping. You'll find some great spots on the left side of the beach, accessible via a short swim. Additionally, if you're into water polo, you can even catch local athletes playing here.
Don't miss Croatia's Most Beautiful Beach: Stiniva Beach on Vis Island
11. Uvala Lapad Beach (Sunset Beach)
Uvala Lapad Beach, also known as Sunset Beach is another excellent choice for beachgoers looking for a mix of a sandy and pebble beach.
Located in Lapad Bay (Lapad Peninsula), Sunset beach features a waterslide and several bars and restaurants, making it a great spot for couples and families alike.
Of course, the beach lives up to its reputation as well! Uvala Lapad is one of the best beaches in Dubrovnik to watch the sunset as its shores face west, directly in front of Grebeni Island.
12. Buža Bar (Bard Mala Buza & Buza Beach)
Dubrovnik is famous for its iconic beach bars, which remain a mix between an icon and a bit of a local secret. That's because while everyone knows about them, few find these awesome cliffside drink spots.
Buža Bar (Buza Beach) is tucked on the outside of Dubrovnik's city walls facing the Adriatic Sea. It's a small, rocky outcrop where locals have built a small bar. This is an excellent place to swim, have a drink, and even launch some flips off the cliff jumping spot.
To get here from the Stradun, walk past the Church of St Blaise, and continue down past the Hemingway Bar and the cathedral towards the wall. Enter the door and turn left. From here, you'll walk down a set of steps to the beach.
13. Coral Beach Club
Another great public beach on the Lapad Peninsula is the popular Coral Beach Club.
This is a famous fine pebble beach with iconic square shade umbrellas, rocky foreshore, and curved pier. There's also a nice wooden deck with comfortable lounges to relax on beneath the palm trees.
While the beach is known for its bar, this isn't a private beach, meaning you can come down here for a swim even if you don't want to buy a drink.
However, Coral Beach Bar is known to play great music and serve delicious cocktails, so if that's what you're into, it's worth a trip!
14. Sunj Beach
Sunj Beach, located on the island of Lopud is one of the only sandy beaches near Dubrovnik. This wide cove is protected by far-reaching headlands and its waters are crystal clear!
This region of Lopud Island is inhabited and is usually visited by travelers on an island-hopping boat trip. If you're looking for a Dubrovnik beach for kids, then this is a great option since the swimming area features shallow waters and a soft, sandy bottom.
15. Porporela
The last swimming spot on this list of Dubrovnik Beaches is the iconic breakwall located next to Dubrovnik's Old Harbour, right beneath the City Walls.
Porporela pier is a great spot to stroll down to if you're in Dubrovnik Old Town and looking for a place to swim. You'll find a small roped-off area just off the rocks which serves as the local swim spot beneath the historic St John Fortress.
About the Beaches in Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik is located on the Dalmatian Coast of the Adriatic Sea, one of the world's premier beach destinations. The water here is crystal-clear almost all year round and there are several great beaches to check out when you visit.
However, don't expect too many fine white sand beaches here. While there are a couple of fine sand beaches in Dubrovnik but most of the swimming spots near the Old City are either pebble beaches or rocky coves.
If you're in a rush, below I've given you a quick summary of the different beach options to choose from around Dubrovnik.
However, read on for more photos and information on how to get to each beach!
Pebble Beaches
Pebble beaches usually consist of rocky shores with small to medium-sized stones. These stones are usually quite smooth and are great to lay on. However, they're not quite as comfortable to walk on as sandy beaches.
Some of the best fine pebble strands include:
- Banje Beach
- Coral Beach Club
- Bellevue Beach
- Sveti Jakov
- Betina Beach Cave
- Šulic Beach
- West Harbor Beach (Kolorina)
- Coral Beach Bar
- Bellevue Beach
Dubrovnik Travel Tip: Many of the beaches closest to the Old City including Banje Beach and Šulic Beach, and Kolorina can get crowded during the peak season (Summer Months). Therefore, if you want to find some more secluded beaches, I highly recommend this popular guided sea kayaking tour, which visits some of the beautiful small coves in the area!
Sandy Beaches
If you're looking for fine sand beaches in Dubrovnik, you'll need to book an Elaphiti Islands boat trip to nearby Lopud and Koločep islands or get transport to Uvala Lapad Beach on the Lapad Peninsula.
The best sandy beaches near Dubrovnik are:
- Beach Sunj (Lopud Island)
- Koločep Island Beach (Donje Celo)
- Uvala Lapad
Famous Beach Bars & Rocky Coves
Chances are, if you're looking for a beach, you'll also be interested in finding some awesome swimming spots!
Below are some awesome beach bars, cliff bars, and rocky coves for swimming and cliff jumping in Dubrovnik:
- Danče Beach
- Coral Beach Bar
- Porporela
- Buža Beach
Where to Stay in Dubrovnik
With a population of only around 42,000, Dubrovnik isn't a large city. However, it does attract over 1.5 million tourists every year. As a result, you can expect many great places to stay in Dubrovnik, including resorts, hotels, and hostels for every budget.
The best area to stay is in or close to the Old Town (Stari Grad, or Walled City). This is where you'll find most of the attractions and highlights. However, staying just outside the city, or in one of the beautiful cliffside resorts and hotels is also a great option.
Below are my top-rated accommodation picks for the city of Dubrovnik, Croatia.
- Bota Palace - Located in the center of the Old Town and a 3-minute walk from Buza Beach. This Bed and Breakfast offers beautifully decorated rooms, wifi, a kitchen, fridge, oven, and a la carte breakfast. A great pick for couples wanting to explore the city within the walls.
- Hostel Petra Marina - With direct access to the local bus stop right outside, this hostel is just 200 meters away from the port and the perfect place to stay for backpackers wanting to explore Dubrovnik.
- Rixos Premium Dubrovnik - A luxury choice for those wanting to relax in ultimate style. Modern-styled rooms with sea views and only a 2-minute walk to the beach. It offers a 2-story spa with features a Turkish bath and indoor pool.
After the Dubrovnik Beaches: More Croatia Travel Inspiration
I hope you've enjoyed this Dubrovnik beach guide to the top swimming and lounging spots in Croatia's Pearl of The Adriatic.
Below I've linked some additional travel guides and useful resources that I'm sure you'll find useful for your travels!