The 10 best beaches in Dubrovnik

Best known for its impressive medieval fortifications, Dubrovnik is a destination where you can happily combine cultural sightseeing and lazy afternoons on the beach. With a balmy Mediterranean climate and a generous stretch of the sparkling Adriatic, beaches here range from swish venues patronised by sun-tanned glitterati sipping cocktails in designer swimwear, to hidden rocky coves on castaway islets with not a soul in sight.

By Croatian law, beaches are public and open to everyone. Entrance fees cannot be charged, though some beaches are under concession, where you will pay to use facilities such as sunbeds, umbrellas and watersports equipment.

Read on to discover the best beaches in Dubrovnik. And for more inspiration, see our guide to a weekend in Dubrovnik, the best hotels, restaurants, things to do and nightlife.

Banje beach

With glorious views onto the turquoise Adriatic and Dubrovnik’s medieval fortifications, Banje is stylish and idyllic. A swath of fine pebble, it is lined with sunbeds and white parasols, and four-posters with chiffon drapes (rather pricey; reservations recommended). Vendors also offer drinks and snacks, DJ music, massage, kayaking, water-skiing and parasailing.

How to get there: Immediately east of the old town, a five-minute walk from Ploče Gate.

Insider’s tip: On a waterside wooden deck, Banje lounge-restaurant serves champagne in silver ice buckets and refined Mediterranean cuisine. After dark, a party mood ensues with flickering candles and live music, creating an unforgettable venue for celebrations and wedding receptions.

Betina Cave beach

Lying between Banje and Sveti Jakov, Betina is backed by cliffs and hidden inside a huge gaping cave, accessible only from the sea. This will be your Robinson Crusoe moment, marooned on pebbles lapped by translucent turquoise water – note that castaway Betina faces southeast, so only gets sunshine till noon.

How to get there: Join an early-morning sea kayaking tour (2 hr 30 mins; €40) with Adventure Dubrovnik. You’ll paddle around Dubrovnik’s old town walls and over to Betina, stop for a dip and sunbathe, then return (a little more than two miles in all).

Insider’s tip: Adventure Dubrovnik also offers a longer tour, which includes Lokrum island (see below).

Sveti Jakov beach

Affording distant but delightful views of Dubrovnik’s town walls rising from the deep blue Adriatic, this small pebble cove is backed by rocky cliffs, pine trees and the 13th-century Church of St James (Sveti Jakov), after which it is named. There are sunbeds and umbrellas to hire, plus a beach bar.

How to get there: A 25-minute walk east of Ploče Gate, then down steep stone steps (not recommended for those with poor mobility) to the shore.

Insider’s tip: Sveti Jakov is gorgeous but does get crowded – come with your own towel for an early-morning swim, then bask on the pebbles to dry in the sun.

Lokrum islet

This uninhabited islet is planted with pines, cypresses, palms, eucalyptus, cacti and agave, complete with strutting peacocks. An expanse of smooth flat rocks off the south coast makes a lovely restful spot to swim and sunbathe – there are no facilities, except for a shower and step-ladders affording easy access into the sea.

How to get there: Regular daily boats (€7; journey time 10 mins) depart from Dubrovnik’s old town harbour May-Oct. Staying on Lokrum after sunset is forbidden.

Insider’s tip: Lokrum’s abandoned 11th-century Benedictine monastery hosts a Game of Thrones exhibition, which includes a replica of the Iron Throne, where many visitors like to have their photos taken.

Lapad Bay beach

On Lapad peninsula, in a deep, sheltered, west-facing bay, this pebble beach was put under concession, urbanised, partly paved and renamed Sunset Beach in 2017. It had some 200 sunbeds, and was backed by a concrete terrace with an international lounge-bar-restaurant The company that managed Sunset Beach from 2017-23 has gone into liquidation. But 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, disembark at the roundabout, stroll down Šetalište kralja Zvonimira to Lapad Bay.

Insider’s tip: Look for orangey-purple sunsets – the former beach club’s biggest selling point.

Val President Relax beach

Overlooked by the Valamar Dubrovnik Hotel President, with dreamy views onto the Elafiti islands, this pebble beach is lined with sunbeds and umbrellas (free for hotel guests) and backed by a dozen palm trees. Expect pedal boats and canoes to hire, banana boat rides, waterskiing and a beach bar.

How to get there: Bus number 6 from Pile (old town) to Babin Kuk, disembarking at the final stop in front of the hotel.

Insider’s tip: On the beach, the Abyss Diving Centre offers scuba diving tuition at all levels (including underwater photography) and trips to dive sites such as the Taranto shipwreck and a red coral reef.

Coral Beach Club

Rows of big black parasols line two arcs of fine gravel, shading (pricey) sunbeds, baldachins and lounge furniture. There’s a fancy bar-restaurant on a wooden deck, serving cocktails and Mediterranean fare, and a resident DJ playing chilled house music. Extras include massage, jet-skis, standup paddleboards and glass-bottomed kayaks.

How to get there: Bus number 6 from Pile (old town) to Babin Kuk, disembarking at the Valamar Dubrovnik Hotel President, then a five-minute walk north along the coast.

Insider’s tip: Coral uses a cashless system – on entry you’ll be given a wristband to upload with funds, which will be scanned each time you make a purchase.

Srebreno-Mlini beach

This gorgeous natural shingle beach curves around Srebreno Bay, all the way to the village of Mlini. Away from Dubrovnik’s crowds and hype, it’s rimmed by a 1¼-mile waterside promenade, with several cafés and restaurants hiring sun-loungers and parasols – peaceful and relaxing, with calm shallow sea, it’s ideal for families.

How to get there: Srebreno and Mlini are served by regular boats running between Dubrovnik and Cavtat, departing from Dubrovnik’s old harbour (€10; 45 mins), plus public buses (7 miles).

Insider’s tip: The beach is overlooked by several hotels, including the Sheraton Dubrovnik, Hotel Mlini and the Hotel Astarea, making a fine alternative to staying in Dubrovnik.

Šunj beach

You will find one of Croatia’s rare sandy beaches on the car-free islet of Lopud, on Dubrovnik’s Elafiti archipelago. Ideal for families, this glorious crescent of provides a sheltered bay with warm shallow water and a soft sea bed, backed by several beach bars doing drinks, snacks and loungers.

How to get there: Take a Jadrolinija catamaran (€5; 45 mins) from Dubrovnik’s Gruž port to Lopud Town, then hike across the islet (1¼ miles) or catch a golf-buggy ride.

Insider’s tip: Art lovers should visit Your Black Horizon, a pavilion displaying a contemporary lighting installation, by Olafur Eliasson and David Adjaye in gardens in Lopud Town.

Bowa

A dozen sunbeds in a fine pebble cove, a terrace shaded by awnings, plus seven wooden cabanas built into the rocky shore – this is Bowa in Vrbova Bay on Šipan island. Backed by pinewoods and overlooking turquoise waters, this rustic-chic beach retreat is also a gourmet bolthole loved by yachters.

How to get there: Most guests arrive by private sailing boat, but BOWA also offers round-trip speedboat transfers from Brečine, 13½ miles northwest of Dubrovnik.

Insider’s tip: The owners cultivate oysters in Ston Bay and are big-game fishing enthusiasts, so Bowa serves delights such as fresh oysters with samphire, tuna tartar and shrimp risotto.