If you’re heading to Dubrovnik soon, you might be wondering what the best beaches are nearby. Unlike other holiday destinations, Dubrovnik doesn’t have long, sandy beaches filled with sunbeds. Instead, it boasts smaller, rocky beaches with some of the clearest water in Europe. I’ll show you my favourite beaches from two years of visiting- and going for a third (it’s really that nice).
Before visiting, remember that these beaches are rocky and sea urchins are common residents in the water. I’d recommend buying water shoes before your trip (although it’s not required- I’ve seen plenty of people swimming without them). But don’t let that turn you off- let’s look at some of my favourite beaches near Dubrovnik.
Plaža Sveti Jakov
Plaža Sveti Jakov is one of the most famous beaches near Dubrovnik, and for good reason. This is probably one of the first beaches you’ll see when searching for inspiration, and it’s definitely not one to miss. The water is crystal clear, and the views of Dubrovnik’s Old Town are unreal.
How To Get There:
The beach is about ten minutes in an Uber from the Old Town of Dubrovnik- Ubers are reliable and way cheaper than taxis. When we were going home, our Uber driver checked with us to see if we were wearing wet swimsuits, so definitely get changed into dry clothes before ordering (I though this would be common sense, but according to our Uber driver- it’s not).
You need to go down a couple of stairs to get to the beach, which might not be accessible for everyone. There’s a free toilet, a bar and restaurant which also plays some music- but it wasn’t too loud, and it kept the vibe relaxing.
There’s plenty of space to put down a towel, which is what we opted for, but there’s also sunbeds for €18. Bear in mind the beach is rocky (as are most near Dubrovnik) so it’s not the most comfortable to lie on with a towel, but we managed. This beach is really popular and can get busy, but it’s big and we didn’t feel suffocated by the people around us.
Overall, Plaža Sveti Jakov is a beach that definitely can’t be missed if you’re in Dubrovnik and was definitely one of my favourites.
Plaža Belvedere Badestelle
If you’re at Plaža Sveti Jakov and it’s feeling a bit too busy, there’s hidden swimming spot just a short walk away.
How To Get There:
From the main beach head left past the abandoned hotel. I know it looks a bit dodgy, and I thought I was going the wrong way, but just trust the process.
A few minutes later you’ll find crystal-clear water, plenty of space, and a much calmer vibe- it was practically empty in the middle of July. There are tropical-looking rock pools that you might have seen on TikTok, and there’s lots of ways to get in and out of the water- stairs, ladders, and spots to jump in. There’s a shower nearby and plenty of room to put down a towel and chill.
Plaža Banje
This is definitely one of the busiest beaches near Dubrovnik, but it’s easy to see why. With crystal-clear water and stunning views right by the Old Town, it’s one of the few ‘proper’ beaches in the area, so it’s a must-visit.
How To Get There:
It’s just a short walk outside the Old Town walls which means in peak season the beach can get pretty packed, but it’s definitely still worth going in my opinion.
You can either find a spot for your towel or rent a sunbed for about €25, which is what we did. I know it’s overpriced, but it would be expected from one of the only big beaches near the Old Town. If you’re not planning on renting a sunbed, definitely get down early to secure a spot for your towels. There are toilets and a restaurant serving food and drinks, which also plays pretty generic pop-music- that might turn some people off.
It’s not the most peaceful spot in peak summer, but it’s definitely worth checking out.
Beach Šulić
This is another beach located in walking distance from the Old Town, but I found it to be way quieter than everywhere else we visited. In June we basically had it to ourselves.
The beach is small and rocky with some ladders to access the water. To get to the beach you need to go down some stairs, which leads you to the bottom of a cliff with stunning views of Fort Lovrijenac. The water here is perfect for swimming because the ladders lead you into the deep water straight away. As someone terrified of sea urchins this is what I prefer- no need to walk over rocks where one might be hiding away. The water here is stunning (I mean honestly it is everywhere around there) and there’s also a cute bar overlooking the beach, a restaurant, and free toilets in the area.
Beach Kamen Mali
Although this beach isn’t necessarily near Dubrovnik, I still had to include it. If you’re sick of the crazy crowds in the Old Town I’d highly recommend visiting Cavtat for an evening. It’s way quieter (although still busy- but nothing compared to Dubrovnik) and has plenty of restaurants on the harbour with unreal views.
How To Get There:
It’s just 20 minutes in an uber from Dubrovnik, or you can get the number 10 bus which goes from Dubrovnik Central Station every hour.
Cavtat gives you a stunning vantage point to see the mountains along the water. In my opinion, it also has far more options for swimming than the Old Town, and this one was my favourite.
This beach is perfect for sunset and there’s a beach bar to grab a drink, some sunbeds, and gorgeous crystal-clear water. It wasn’t too busy here and had such a chill vibe we even came back the next day. It’s also a stunning walk along the water to access this beach. There are no toilets there, but it’s just a short walk outside Cavtat’s centre where you’ll find some.
Bard Mala Buza
This is one of the few places to swim that’s actually located inside the Old Town. It’s a beach bar located through a hole in the wall- the more famous one of these is Buza Bar, but I way preferred the vibe of Bard Mala Buza. Although it’s a bar, you don’t need to buy anything to swim and you can just walk down to the rocks and find a place for your towel. It offers stunning views of Lokrum Island, and this is another beach that’s perfect for sunset.
There are no toilets here, and if you’re interested in the bar it’s definitely overpriced, but the views are unmatched.
Between the crystal-clear water, cliffs and mountains, and sunset swims- Dubrovnik really delivers. Whether you’re after hidden spots or buzzy beach bars, there’s something for everyone.
Trekora 
Leave a comment