by Best known for its impressive medieval fortifications, Dubrovnik is a destination where you can happily combine cultural sightseeing with a lazy afternoon on the beach. With a balmy Mediterranean climate and a generous stretch of sparkling Adriatic, beaches here range from swish resorts with sun-tanned glitterati frolicking in designer swimwear, to hidden rocky coves on castaway islets without a soul in sight.
According to Croatian law, beaches are public and open to all. Entrance fees cannot be charged, although some beaches are concessionary, where you will pay to use facilities such as sunbeds, umbrellas and water sports equipment.
Read on to discover the best beaches in Dubrovnik. And for more inspiration, check out our guide to a weekend in Dubrovnik, the best hotels, restaurants, things to do and nightlife.
Banje beach
With glorious views of the turquoise Adriatic and the medieval fortifications of Dubrovnik, Banje is stylish and idyllic. A row of fine pebbles, it is lined with sunbeds and white parasols, and four poster with chiffon drapes (not expensive; reservations recommended). Vendors also offer drinks and snacks, DJ music, massages, kayaking, water skiing and parasailing.
How to get there: Just east of the old town, a five minute walk from the Plock Gate.
Insider tip: On a waterfront wooden deck, the Banje lounge restaurant serves Champagne in silver ice buckets and refined Mediterranean cuisine. After dark, a party mood occurs with flickering candles and live music, creating an unforgettable venue for celebrations and wedding receptions.
Betina cave beach
Located between Banje and Sveti Jakov, Betina is backed by cliffs and hidden inside a large gaping cave, which can only be accessed from the sea. This will be your Robinson Crusoe minute, marooned on pebbles lapped by translucent turquoise water – cause that castaway Betina faces southeast, so get only sunlight until noon.
How to get there: Go on an early morning sea kayaking trip (2hr 30min; €40) with Adventure Dubrovnik. You will paddle around the old town walls of Dubrovnik and over to Betina, stop for a swim and sunbathe, then back (just over two miles in total).
Insider tip: Adventure Dubrovnik also offers a longer tour, which includes the island of Lokrum (see below).
Sveti Jakov beach
Enjoying distant but delightful views of Dubrovnik’s town walls rising out of the deep blue Adriatic, this little cove is backed by rocky cliffs, pine trees and the 13th-century Church of St. James (Sveti Jakov) . There are sunbeds and umbrellas for hire, as well as a beach bar.
How to get there: A 25-minute walk east from the Ploče Gate, then down steep stone steps (not recommended for those with poor mobility) to the shore.
Insider tip: Sveti Jakov is great but gets crowded – bring your own towel for an early morning swim, then bask on the pebbles to dry in the sun.
Lokrum Island
This uninhabited island is planted with pines, cypresses, palms, eucalyptus, cacti and agave, and inflated peacocks. An expanse of flat, flat rocks off the south coast makes it a great relaxing spot for swimming and sunbathing – there are no facilities, except for a shower and step ladders that give easy access into the sea.
How to get there: Regular daily boats (€7; journey time 10 min) depart from Dubrovnik’s old town harbor May-October. It is forbidden to stay on Lokrum after sunset.
Insider tip: The abandoned 11th century Benedictine monastery of Lokrum hosts a Game of thrones exhibition, which contains a replica of the Iron Throne, where many visitors like to take their photos.
Lapada Bay Beach
On the Lapad peninsula, in a deep, sheltered bay, facing west, this pebbly beach was concessioned, urbanized, partially paved and renamed Sunset Beach in 2017. It had about 200 sunbeds, and had a concrete platform with international support . lounge-bar-restaurant The company that managed Sunset Beach from 2017-23 is in liquidation. But the local authorities will clean the beach and keep it open for swimming until the concession issue is resolved.
How to get there: Bus number 6 from Pile (old town) to Lapad, get off at the roundabout, walk down Šetalište kralja Zvonimira to Lapad Bay.
Insider tip: Look for orange-purple sunsets – the former beach club’s biggest selling point.
Val President Relaxing beach
Overlooked by the President of the Valamar Dubrovnik Hotel, with dreamy views of the Elafiti islands, this large beach is lined with sunbeds and umbrellas (free for hotel guests) and backed by a dozen palm trees. Expect pedal boats and canoes for hire, banana boat rides, water skiing and a beach bar.
How to get there: Bus number 6 from Pile (old town) to Babin Kuk, boarding at the last stop in front of the hotel.
Insider tip: On the beach, Abyss Diving Center offers scuba diving instruction at all levels (including underwater photography) and trips to dive sites such as the Taranto wreck and red coral reef.
Coral Beach Club
There are two arches of fine gravel in rows of large black parasols, shaded sunbeds (price), baldachins and lounge furniture. There’s a fancy bar-restaurant on a wooden deck, serving cocktails and Mediterranean fare, with a resident DJ playing chilled house music. Extras include massages, jet skis, stand up paddleboards and glass bottom kayaks.
How to get there: Bus number 6 from Pile (old town) to Babin Kuk, alighting at Hotel President Valamar Dubrovnik, then a five-minute walk north along the coast.
Insider tip: Coral uses a cashless system – when you enter you will be given a wristband to load with funds, which is scanned every time you buy.
Srebreno-Mlini beach
This gorgeous natural shingle beach goes around the Srebreno Bay, all the way to the village of Mlini. Away from the Dubrovnik crowds and hype, it is bordered by a 1¼-mile waterfront promenade, with several cafes and restaurants that hire sun loungers and parasols – peaceful and relaxing, with a quiet shallow sea, it is suitable for families.
How to get there: Srebreno and Mlini are served by regular boats that run between Dubrovnik and Cavtat, departing from Dubrovnik’s old harbor (€10; 45 min), as well as public buses (7 miles).
Insider tip: There are several hotels overlooking the beach, including the Dubrovnik Sheraton, Hotel Mlini and the Hotel Astarea, which make a fine alternative to stay in Dubrovnik.
Šunj beach
You’ll find one of Croatia’s rare sandy beaches on the car-free island of Lopud, in Dubrovnik’s Elafiti archipelago. Ideal for families, this glorious cove offers a sheltered bay with warm shallow water and a soft seabed, backed by several beach bars serving drinks, snacks and lounges.
How to get there: Take the Jadrolinija catamaran (€5; 45 mins) from Gru&zcaron Dubrovnik; port to Lopud Town, then hike across the island (1¼ miles) or catch a golf-buggy tour.
Insider tip: Art lovers should visit Do Black Horizon, a pavilion displaying a contemporary lighting installation, by Olafur Eliasson and David Adjaye in the gardens of Lopud Town.
Bow
A dozen sunbeds in a smooth pebble cove, a terrace shaded by wings, as well as seven wooden cabins built into the rocky shore – this is Bowa in Vrbova Bay on the island of Šipan. Backed by pine woods and overlooking turquoise waters, this rustic-chic beach retreat is also a yacht-loving gourmet bolthole.
How to get there: Most guests arrive by private sailing boat, but BOWA offers round-the-clock speedboat transfers from Bray, 13½ miles northwest of Dubrovnik.
Insider tip: The owners farm oysters in Ston Bay and are big game fishing enthusiasts, so Bowa serves up such delights as fresh oysters with samphire, tuna tartare and prawn risotto.
