The Best Beaches in Dubrovnik, Croatia

Sun-soaked Dubrovnik has culture in spades – stupendous medieval walls, beautifully preserved monasteries and palaces, and a whole slew of museums and galleries. However, it also has plenty of beaches (most of them quite small) both close to the Old Town itself and in the surrounding area. Some of these are very well known and extremely popular, others a little more remote and well-hidden.

Whether you’re after a refreshing dip or a place to lounge by the water’s edge with a cocktail, read on and discover some of the best beaches in and around Dubrovnik. To beat the crowds, join a kayak tour and paddle to one of the less-accessible swimming spots, such as the rocky coast of the nearby Elafiti Islands.

Many of our recommendations are pebble beaches with plenty of exposure; pack sturdy beach footwear and reliable sun protection. To start planning your trip, download the Lonely Planet app or check out our Croatia guidebooks for local tips, maps and more.

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1. Banje Beach

Best for families

Just a hop and a skip from the harbor, this pebble beach has stunning views of the Old Town and plenty of facilities including restaurants and sun-loungers. This is Dubrovnik’s main city beach, so it’s also enormously popular. Get here early before it fills up. It’s good for families, and in the evening it transforms into a lively beach bar and party spot.

How to get there: Just walk along from the Ploče Gate past Lazareti.

2. Sveti Jakov Beach

Best local beach

A little way past Banje but still less than a 25-minute walk from the Old Town, this local favorite is set below cliffs and is accessed by a flight of steps leading down from the Sveti Jakov Church. The alluring stretch of shingle and pebble beach has sun-loungers for rent, and there’s a restaurant, bar and toilets. Like Banje, it also has stunning views of the Old Town.

How to get there: If you don’t feel like walking, take the 5 or 8 bus from the Old Town. As with any public transportation, check current schedules.

3. Copacabana Beach

Best for activities

Located on the northern shore of the Babin Kuk Peninsula at Seka Bay, the chic Copacabana is much smaller than its Brazilian namesake – but is still a good spot for a swim, sunbathing and enjoying that requisite cocktail. You’ll find a small armada of white sun-loungers and cabanas, and a gentle arc of pebble beach – and there’s a restaurant and bar. Keep busy here by renting a personal watercraft, getting a massage and renting sports equipment.

How to get there: Take bus 6 in the Old Town from Pile Gate.

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4. Buža

Best for swimming

These rocks below the city walls, accessed by a doorway off Ulica od Margarite, are something of an iconic spot for swimming and sunbathing (or sipping a drink or two), though they’re not quite the (relative) unknown they once were. There are a few small tables with sun umbrellas, served by a small bar, and a few concreted areas where you can try to fit a towel or just jump off into the sea. The rocks at Buža are not sheltered, so it’s not the best choice for kids.

How to get there: You can only access Buža by passing through the hole in the town's walls. Walk up the stone steps from Gundulić Square (you may recognize them from Game of Thrones) and at the top of the stairs, continue left toward the wall. Follow the wall a short distance to the right and you'll eventually see an iron gate through the walls to the bar and beach.

5. Šulići Bay

Best for snorkelling and kayaking

This little pebble beach is right next to the Pile Gate, sandwiched between the Lovrijenac and Bokar fortresses. Nevertheless, it’s less busy than Banje and is quite sheltered, and the water is just as clean. There are no facilities on the beach, but you’ll find cafés and restaurants nearby.

How to get there: Just make your way to Pile Gate and slip on in.

6. Šunj Beach

Best for sand

Šunj is a sandy beach – one of the very few in the Dubrovnik area – on the island of Lopud, one of the Elafiti Islands. The water is quite shallow, making it a fantastic place for families. You’ll find loungers for hire, and there’s a restaurant set in the woods just behind the beach.

How to get there: If you're already on the island, walk across to the beach from the small town of Lopud. If you're in Dubrovnik, Jadrolinija runs ferries to Lopud from Dubrovnik several times a day. Take a one-hour ferry and then make the 30-minute walk to the beach. There are also golf carts that will taxi you there, too.

7. Lokrum

Best for naturists

The little island of Lokrum, just a 15-minute boat ride from the Old Town. It has a rocky shoreline, which makes for some lovely swimming spots, and there’s also a shallow saltwater lake in the center of the island, which due to its high salt content has earned the nickname, the Dead Sea Lake. The southern part of the island is a naturist beach.

How to get there: Lokrum can be reached by ferry or private boat. Either way, the trip is short (about 15 minutes) and may be seasonal, so check availability.

8. Pasjača Beach

Best for peace and quiet

For something a bit more wild and isolated, try this: Pasjača is a narrow, pebble beach that comes with a stunning setting at the base of a sheer cliff. It is accessed by a somewhat long path that tunnels through the rock in places, and steps. The beach was actually man-made in the 1950s, though you’d never guess it. Pasjača lies out beyond Cavtat and Dubrovnik airport, a good 30km from Dubrovnik near the village of Popovići. It is well worth the effort of getting there; the beach has become increasingly popular in recent years. There are no facilities on the beach, so take water and food with you and carry all litter back to the parking area.

How to get there: There's no public transport to Pasjača so take a car or taxi.

9. Veliki žal

Best for shallow water

Around 30km northwest of Dubrovnik facing the island of Šipan, Veliki žal is a beautiful stretch of stones and pebbles backed by a narrow band of greenery, just below the Jadranska magistrala (the main coastal highway, D8). It’s a good choice for families, and is a little less busy than the beaches close to Dubrovnik itself. There’s a small bar and restaurant, and a few water sports.

How to get there: Take bus 12, 15 or 21 from Dubrovnik.