For a fairly small town, Dubrovnik, Croatia sure does have an abundance of beaches. Even though the Old Town gets packed with tourists in the summer months, there are surely enough Dubrovnik beaches to go around for everyone.
The secret to finding the best beaches in Dubrovnik is venturing beyond the Old Town. You’ll be pleasantly surprised that if you hop on a bus or take a walk a bit outside of the city. Plus, you’ll be able to explore more of the surrounding region, which is equally breathtaking!
As an American living in Dubrovnik, here are the top beaches near Dubrovnik to discover:
The 15 Best Dubrovnik Beaches:
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Beaches near Dubrovnik Old Town
Unlike many other Croatian cities, there are plenty of beaches in Dubrovnik central to the main part of town. Most of these are within 10-15 minutes walking of the Old Town.
Banje Beach
How to get there: 5 minutes from the Old Town
Beach type: Pebbles
Best for: Cooling off after wandering the Old Town, lounging at night.
Chairs: Yes
Banje beach is definitely the most popular in Dubrovnik among tourists. It’s the beach you see on all of the Dubrovnik post cards, and maybe what inspired you to visit in the first place!
While it does have a stunning view of the Old Town, Lokrum Island, and the Adriatic, I usually avoid this place in the summer because of the crowds. For some it’s a must while in Dubrovnik, in which case I say, go for it. Otherwise, they do have some fun parties here in the summer.
The area near Banje Beach is called Ploce, near the Ploce Gate into the Old Town. If you’re looking to stay as close to the Old Town as possible, I recommend staying in one the various Ploce apartments for the best view of the Old Town!
Sveti Jakov Beach
How to get there: 15 minute walk from the Old Town
Beach type: pebbles
Best for: Tanning with a view, Instagram shots, and family fun
Chairs: Yes
If you’re looking for a scenic beach easily accessible from the Old Town, Sveti Javoc Beach is my personal favorite. This area around the beach is filled with cliffs, lush forests, and gorgeous villas, including the luxurious Villa Dubrovnik.
Not only is this one of the most Instagrammable places in Dubrovnik, it is also very family friendly. Unlike beaches like Dance, this pebbled beach is perfect for the little ones learning to swim. You’ll have to watch them though, as there isn’t any lifeguard.
There is also a beach bar and restaurant near here where you can take a break throughout the day. Otherwise, it is a perfect place to pack a picnic.
Sulic Beach
How to get there: 7 minutes from Old Town
Beach type: Pebbles and rocks
Best for: Swimming and drinking at the beach bar
Chairs: No
If you’re a game of thrones fan, Sulic beach is a must. This beach is one of the best hidden places to swim and only 5 minutes outside of the Old Town, behind the Lovrijenac Fortress. You can choose between sitting on the pebbled beach and swimming from the concrete area.
What I love about this beach the most is that there is a beach bar next to it that has swings, called Beach Bar Dodo. It’s one of my favorite places to have drinks while taking in the gorgeous view.
You can also rent kayaks here, or take a kayaking tour in this area. Kayaking is one of the most popular activities in Dubrovnik, and well worth it!
Dance Beach
Area: Pile
How to get there: 10 minute walk from Old Town
Beach type: Rocky
Best for: Swimming and meeting locals
Sun chairs: no
This Dubrovnik beach is ideal for in-the-know travelers that want to have a swim and a beer with locals. It is quite possibly one of the most authentic beaches in Dubrovnik, and it also happens to be the oldest. Because of its hidden location, it is mainly known as a hotspot among locals for swimming and getting a nice tan on the rocks.
Though it’s not a sandy beach, it’s one of the best places to swim in the Dubrovnik area. There is even a small cave that you can swim into and a beach bar that runs during the day.
If you like this area, and of course being a 10 minute walk to the Old Town, I recommend staying at the nearby Rixos Hotel. It has a gorgeous view of this entire bay, with a secluded swimming area of its own. Rixos is definitely one of the best hotels in Dubrovnik because of it’s prime and serene location!
Beaches in Lapad
Lapad is an area outside of Dubrovnik, about 20 minutes walking or a short bus ride. This area is known for the Uvala seaside promenade, spotted with countless cafe bars, restaurants, and also beaches!
Sunset Beach
How to get there: 25 minute walk from Dubrovnik, or bus
Beach type: Pebbles
Best for: Luxury beach experience, traveling with kids
Chairs: Yes
Sunset beach is in the center of Lapad. It’s quite a combination of families, couples, and friends drinking cocktails at this beach. Here you can rent sun beds, cabanas, have a bite at sunset beach cafe, or relax in the water. Even though the beach does offer luxury, it’s also a popular place to bring kids.
The picture above was taken from the hotel bar Kompas, which has a great view of the beach. A bit further down, you’ll find Hotel More, which yep, is home to the legendary Cave Bar restaurant!
Bellevue Beach
How to get there: 25 minute walk from Dubrovnik, or bus
Beach type: Pebbles
Best for: Meeting new people, traveling with kids
Chairs: No
Bellevue beach is a hidden oasis with a laidback vibe that locals love. Taking the street down behind the Rixos Hotel, you’ll follow the stairs all the way down until you reach this bay view from above.
The beach has a cave, water polo area, pebbled beach, and some area for cliff jumping. In addition to Dance Beach, it is one of the most laidback beaches in the Dubrovnik area.
Copacabana Beach
How to get there: Bus 10 from Old Town or 20-minute walk
Beach type: Sand/pebbles
Best for: Luxury vacationing and partying
Chairs: Yes
Cococabana is a private beach club and the “it” place if you’re looking to party or sip cocktails in a private cabana. This place is also a mix with locals and tourists, because of the frequent beach and summer parties. You can usually find some type of DJ or summer party going on, and it’s a great place to meet people.
They also sometimes have those huge unicorn or flamingo floaties if you are keen to take some dreamy #croatiaholiday Instagram shots.
The Babin Kuk area is definitely one of the most luxurious places to stay in Dubrovnik, secluded from the hustle and bustle of the Old Town. I recommend staying at the Valamar Lacroma Resort if you’re looking for a relaxing, luxury vacation.
Beaches in Zupa
Srebreno Beach
How to get there: Bus 10 or 16 from Dubrovnik. Or by boat from Dubrovnik’s Old Town Port.
Beach type: Pebbles
Best for: Relaxing and shopping
Chairs: Yes
Most people know Srebeno as the area with Dubrovnik’s biggest mall. However, this area also boasts a gorgeous bay and a great beach for relaxing and sun bathing. Located just behind the Sheraton Hotel, the beach here is surrounded by shops, coffee bars, and seaside walkways.
You’ll find a few beach boutiques and of course the mall, if you’d like to do a little shopping too. There is also a restaurant called Lokal, a part of the One Suite Hotel, which is where you may even find me working on my computer many days!
I also love Ruzmarin Bistro Bar in the area, right across from the Sheraton Hotel. I actually have stayed at the Sheraton for a stay-cation, and I LOVE the views and delicious breakfast buffet especially!
Mlini Beach
How to get there: Bus 10 or 16 from Dubrovnik. Or by boat from Dubrovnik’s Old Town Port
Beach type: Rocks and pebbles
Best for: Walking along the beach, fun with the family.
Chairs: Yes
There aren’t just one but several beaches in the Mlini area. Though they are popular for vacationers that stay in various hotels in the Zupa area, some tourists that stay on the other side of town completely miss them.
These beaches are all connected by walkway and easily accessible by bus or by car. You simple just have to walk down near Hotel Astarea and you’ll find a stretch of them.
There is both a beach bar and restaurant to enjoy here and also a nice outdoor park if you are traveling with kids. You can also check out Caffe Bar Gusar (Pirate Club), pictured above, which is a bar right on the water that often has live music or beach parties.
Mlini is definitely one of the most beautiful areas of Dubrovnik that is very popular among other European travelers, and less promoted to North Americans. If you like this area Hotel Astarea and Hotel Mlini are great options!
Plat beaches
How to get there: Bus 10 or 16 from Dubrovnik. Or by boat from Dubrovnik Old Town port.
Beach type: Pebbles
Best for: Escaping the crowds, and being with kids
Chairs: Yes
Plat in the Zupa region of Dubrovnik may be one of the most underrated areas in Croatia. Yes, this place has a special place in my heart, but objectively speaking it also probably has the most beaches per square meter than area other small village or town in Croatia.
Plat is fairly small, boasting a few restaurants and a beach bar/club, but the area has a total of 5 public beaches.
- One of the beaches has a great local restaurant right on the water called Poseydon.
- Another beach has a small local beach bar called Coco Beach Club right next to it.
It’s a great area to go and meet locals and escape the crowds. It is also extremely accessible by bus or car.
Islands and other beaches near Dubrovnik
Lokrum Island Beach
How to get there: Boat from Dubrovnik’s Old Town Port.
Beach type: Rocks
Best for: Adults, tanning in solitude
Chairs: No
If you’re looking to get rid of those tan lines while having an island adventure, I recommend checking out the nude beach on the island of Lokrum. Of course there are many other “beaches” on the island, which mainly consist of large rocks right on the water. But towards the tip of the island you have one of the only beaches in the area where you can bear it all.
However, because of the lay out of this rocky beach, you usually won’t be able to see many people behind the various layers of rocks. This is perfect if you are a little bit shy and want to be left alone. My one piece of advice is to stay away from the rocks down right on the water, because sometimes kayakers and tour boats go by. Unless you don’t mind.
Sunj Beach, Lopud Island
How to get there: Boat from Old Town Port or ferry from Gruz.
Beach type: sand
Best for: Day trip, family
Chairs: Yes
Sunj beach is probably the only sandy beach that you will find in the Dubrovnik area. Lopud is the most popular of the neighboring Elaphiti islands along the coast, and is a short boat ride from Dubrovnik.
This beach is ideal if you’d like to spend a day trip outside of the city for the day, and the island itself is perfect for couples and families. If you’re planning on spending the entire day at this beach, it’s best to go to this island individually.
Visiting these islands is one of the most popular day trips from Dubrovnik.
Kayaking the Elaphiti Islands is perfect if you’re an adventure junkie looking to check “exploring the hidden gems of the Croatia’s coast” off your bucket-list. Otherwise, the boat tours (especially the legendary Karaka ship) are a relaxing alternative popular for families and groups of friends. You can book either of these tours below.
Štikovica Beach, Zaton
How to get there: Bus or car
Beach type: Pebbles
Best for: Going with car and enjoying the surrounding area
Chairs: Yes
A hop, skip, and a jump over the Dubrovnik Bridge will take you the neighboring seaside village of Zaton. You’ll find that Štikovica is the most popular of the beaches, and in a prime location for sun all day long.
There are a few restaurants and a pizzeria in the area as well as a parking area. This beach would be perfect for spending the day with the family.
Beaches in Cavtat and Konavle
Pasjača Beach
How to get there: 30 minutes drive or Uber from central Dubrovnik
Beach type: Pebbles
Best for: Swimming and taking in the gorgeous scenery. Also family friendly.
Chairs: No
Pasjača Beach used to be a local secret, but recently won best beach in Europe, so I guess the secret is out! The beach is located in Konavle, near Dubrovnik’s airport. A cliff-side walk will take you along the Adriatic to this beach, surrounded by cliffs.
The beach itself is not that big, however, the incredible scenery makes up for it. Most tourists don’t bother making the trek out here, it is completely worth it. You won’t find any beaches in Croatia quite like this one.
While you’re at it, you might at well make a day trip out of exploring the Konavle region, like a traditional wine tasting in the region. Otherwise, you can also book your own private tour and stop by Pasjaca beach as well!
Ključice Beach
How to get there: Bus 10 or 16 from Dubrovnik. Or boat ride from Dubrovnik’s Old Town port.
Beach type: Pebbles and rocks
Best for: Getting off the beaten path
Chairs: No
While you’re in Dubrovnik, make sure you take at least a day to check out the area of Cavtat. Not only is it a quainter and less crowded version of Dubrovnik, it also has the best walking trails along the water in the entire area.
Along these trails you’ll find Ključice beach, which is usually a combination of locals and tourists alike. There are many shops, restaurants, and coffee shops in the area, so it is best to make a day out of it.
Where to stay in Dubrovnik
Many of these beaches below highlight the areas of Dubrovnik beyond the Old Town walls that are begging to be explored. In fact, many of these areas are perfect places to stay in Dubrovnik. You can check out this Dubrovnik accommodation guide for alllll my local secrets!
A few of these beaches you can simply get to on your own by either walking or public transport. However, some beaches like Sunj or Konavle are perfect Dubrovnik day trips!
Whether you are traveling kids, as a couple, or on a girls’ trip of a lifetime, you’ll surely find your sweet spot here.
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These are gorgeous.
Wow amazing photos. I have been to Croatia once but it is definitely not enough. After looking at your list, I have to visit there soon. Thanks for this list of stunning beaches.
Nice post. This was really helpful post, Thanks!
Great nice article! Dubrovnik has amazing beaches and islands to get around. Specially Cavtat is a nice little town, 20 km away from the city and very near the border with Montenegro.
Excellent post. Good information about the beaches of Dubrovnik, Croatia