Dubrovnik's coast is mostly pebble and rock rather than sand, but the water is some of the clearest and bluest on the whole Adriatic. Within minutes of the walls you can swim off the iconic Banje beach with the Old Town as a backdrop; a little further afield lie quieter coves, a family water-park beach, the salt lake and rocks of Lokrum, a sunset-facing cove and, out on the islands, a genuine sandy beach. Here are the best, with how to reach each and what to expect.
FreeBanje Beach
Area
Ploče
Facilities
Beach club, watersports, bar
“The city's iconic beach, 3 minutes from Ploče Gate, with a free public zone and a paid beach club — the view back to the walls is unbeatable.”
FreeSveti Jakov Beach
Area
Ploče (SE)
Facilities
Beach bar, loungers
“A quieter local favourite reached by 160-odd steps down the cliff — the effort keeps crowds away, and the afternoon view of the sunlit Old Town is the best of any beach.”
FreeCopacabana Beach (Babin Kuk)
Area
Babin Kuk (Lapad)
Facilities
Watersports, bar, accessible
“The best family beach — on the Lapad/Babin Kuk peninsula with shallow water, waterslides, jet-skis and a wheelchair-accessible entry. Bus 6 from the Old Town.”
€27 boatLokrum Island Beaches
Area
Lokrum (10 min by boat)
Facilities
Salt lake, rocks, café
“Swim off the rocks or in the buoyant 'Dead Sea' salt lake, and find the naturist FKK zone on the far side. Bring water shoes and a picnic; last boat back ~19:00.”
FreeBellevue (Miramare) Beach
Area
Miramare Bay
Facilities
Sheltered cove, sunset views
“A sheltered pebble cove beneath the Hotel Bellevue, reached by a stairway down the cliff — west-facing, so it catches Dubrovnik's best beach sunsets.”
FreePasjača Beach
Area
Popovići (Konavle)
Facilities
Dramatic cliffs, no facilities
“Regularly voted one of Europe's most beautiful beaches — a hidden pebble strand at the foot of towering cliffs, reached by a steep path and tunnel. Bring everything; there are no facilities.”
FreeŠunj Beach (Lopud)
Area
Lopud (Elaphiti)
Facilities
Sand, shallow water, beach bars
“One of the region's only true sandy beaches, on car-free Lopud island — shallow, warm and perfect for kids. Take the ferry to Lopud, then a 20-minute walk across the island.”
FreePlat Beach
Area
Plat (Konavle)
Facilities
Quiet coves, loungers, bar
“A string of quiet pebble coves south of the airport, near Cavtat — far calmer than the city beaches, with clear water and a relaxed, resort-village feel.”
Dubrovnik beaches in detail
1.Banje Beach
Banje is Dubrovnik's most famous and convenient beach — a roughly 200-metre pebble strand just three minutes' walk east of Ploče Gate, with the unbeatable bonus of a postcard view across the water to the Old Town walls and Lokrum island. Its proximity to the historic centre makes it the easiest place for a swim between sightseeing, and it neatly splits into two halves: the section closest to town is run by the East West Beach Club, where around €25 gets you a lounger, parasol and access to a restaurant, bar, towels and clean facilities, while the far end is a free public zone where you spread your own towel and go without service. The water is clear and turquoise, shelving to about five metres a short way out, which makes it good for swimming and snorkelling, and there are pedalos, kayaks, paddleboards and gentle watersports to hire. As a pebble beach, water shoes help, and as the city's signature beach it gets busy in high summer, so early arrival pays. By night the beach club morphs into a stylish cocktail-and-DJ venue with the walls floodlit across the bay. Snacks and drinks are available but pricey. For the classic Dubrovnik beach experience, that iconic wall view and services close at hand right beside the Old Town, Banje is the essential choice.
Hours
Always open
Price
Free public zone; beach-club lounger + parasol ~€25
Getting there
A 3-minute walk east of Ploče Gate on the edge of the Old Town
Insider tip: The city's iconic beach, 3 minutes from Ploče Gate, with a free public zone and a paid beach club — the view back to the walls is unbeatable.
2.Sveti Jakov Beach
Sveti Jakov (St James) is a beautiful, comparatively peaceful pebble beach tucked beneath the cliffs about two kilometres south-east of the Old Town, and a firm favourite with locals and in-the-know visitors seeking to escape the crowds at Banje. Getting there involves a little effort — a short bus ride (route 5 or 8) or walk followed by a descent of around 160 steps down the cliffside — and it is precisely this that keeps the beach quieter and more relaxed than the city-centre options. The reward at the bottom is a lovely stretch of pebbles and beautifully clear, turquoise water that is excellent for swimming and snorkelling, backed by greenery and enjoying a stunning, slightly distant view of the Old Town and Lokrum, which is especially magical in the afternoon and evening when the walls are bathed in golden light. There is a beach bar and restaurant above and loungers to rent, so you need not go without refreshments, though it retains a mellow, natural feel. The afternoon sun stays on the beach later than at many others, making it a great spot for a lazy day culminating in a scenic sunset swim. The climb back up the steps is the main drawback, so it suits the reasonably mobile rather than those with heavy gear or mobility issues. For a quieter, scenic and more local beach experience with a gorgeous outlook, Sveti Jakov is one of Dubrovnik's best.
Hours
Always open
Price
Free; loungers & parasol rental available
Getting there
About 2 km south-east of the Old Town; bus 5/8 then a stairway of ~160 steps down
Insider tip: A quieter local favourite reached by 160-odd steps down the cliff — the effort keeps crowds away, and the afternoon view of the sunlit Old Town is the best of any beach.
3.Copacabana Beach (Babin Kuk)
Copacabana Beach, on the Babin Kuk peninsula north-west of the centre in the Lapad area, is Dubrovnik's most family-friendly and activity-oriented beach, offering a completely different, more resort-style experience from the Old Town strands. A mixture of pebble and concrete terraces set on the peninsula facing the Elaphiti islands, it is geared squarely towards fun and convenience: the shallow, gently shelving water is ideal and safe for children, and there is a huge range of activities on offer, from inflatable waterslides and a floating aqua park to jet-skis, banana boats, pedalos, kayaks and stand-up paddleboards, plus loungers, parasols, showers, changing facilities and beach bars and restaurants. It is also one of the few beaches in the area with good accessibility, including a ramp and facilities enabling wheelchair users to reach the water. The abundance of things to do keeps children and teenagers thoroughly entertained, making it a top choice for families, though it means the beach has a busier, more commercial atmosphere than the quieter coves. It is reached easily by the number 6 bus from the Old Town/Pile (around 20 minutes), and pairs well with the leafy Lapad area's promenade, restaurants and other beaches. Sunsets here, looking out towards the islands, are lovely. For families wanting shallow water, plentiful activities, full facilities and easy access, Copacabana is Dubrovnik's premier family beach.
Hours
Always open
Price
Free; loungers, watersports & activities extra
Getting there
On the Babin Kuk peninsula (Lapad); bus 6 from Pile/Old Town (~20 min)
Insider tip: The best family beach — on the Lapad/Babin Kuk peninsula with shallow water, waterslides, jet-skis and a wheelchair-accessible entry. Bus 6 from the Old Town.
4.Lokrum Island Beaches
Lokrum island, a lush green nature reserve just ten minutes by boat from the Old Town harbour, offers some of the most enjoyable and characterful swimming near Dubrovnik, combined with a lovely day of exploration. Rather than a single sandy beach, Lokrum's bathing is spread around its rocky coastline: flat rocks and small pebbly inlets where you can lay a towel and slip into gloriously clear, deep water, ideal for swimming and snorkelling, with some spots offering ladders for easier access. The island's most famous swimming feature is the Mrtvo More (Dead Sea), a small saltwater lake connected to the sea through underground channels, whose calm, warm, buoyant and shallow water is safe and fun, particularly good for children and less confident swimmers. There is also a designated naturist (FKK) area on the island's far, quieter side for those who wish to swim without costumes. Beyond the water, the island rewards with wild peacocks, a botanical garden, an atmospheric ruined monastery, shady pine forest trails and a Game of Thrones exhibition, so swimming can be interspersed with wandering and picnicking. Facilities are limited to a restaurant and a café, so bring water, snacks, sun protection and water shoes for the rocks. The €27 return boat ticket includes island entry, and the last boat back leaves around 19:00. For scenic, clear-water rock swimming combined with nature and history on a beautiful car-free island, Lokrum is a Dubrovnik highlight.
Hours
Boats every 30 min in season; last boat back ~19:00
Price
€27 return boat (includes island entry)
Getting there
10-minute ferry from the Old Town harbour
Insider tip: Swim off the rocks or in the buoyant 'Dead Sea' salt lake, and find the naturist FKK zone on the far side. Bring water shoes and a picnic; last boat back ~19:00.
5.Bellevue (Miramare) Beach
Bellevue Beach (also known as Miramare) is a pretty, sheltered pebble cove tucked beneath the cliffs of Miramare Bay, a short distance west of the Old Town, and one of the best spots near the city to enjoy calm swimming and a spectacular sunset. Enclosed by high cliffs on either side — with the dramatic Hotel Bellevue perched above — the cove feels secluded and protected, and its position makes the water pleasantly calm and sheltered from wind, good for swimming. It is reached by descending a fairly steep flight of steps down the cliff from the road above (the hotel has a lift for its guests), which keeps it a little quieter than the central beaches. The pebbles and clear water are lovely, and there are some facilities including loungers, though a good portion is oriented towards the hotel. The cove's key distinction is its westerly aspect: it faces the setting sun, making it arguably the finest beach near Dubrovnik for watching the sky blaze orange and pink over the Adriatic in the evening, a magical way to end a beach day. Because of the steps it is less suited to those with mobility difficulties or lots of gear, and space is limited so it fills up. It sits within a roughly 15-minute walk of the Old Town, or a short bus/taxi ride. For a sheltered, scenic cove swim crowned by the best sunset of any city beach, Bellevue is a beautiful choice.
Hours
Always open
Price
Free (hotel loungers for guests; public access via steps)
Getting there
Below the Hotel Bellevue at Miramare Bay; ~15-min walk west of the Old Town, then steps down
Insider tip: A sheltered pebble cove beneath the Hotel Bellevue, reached by a stairway down the cliff — west-facing, so it catches Dubrovnik's best beach sunsets.
6.Pasjača Beach
Pasjača Beach, dramatically set at the foot of towering cliffs below the village of Popovići in the Konavle region south of Dubrovnik, is one of the most spectacular beaches in Croatia and has repeatedly been voted among the most beautiful in Europe. Utterly different from the city beaches, it is a wild, remote and breathtaking spot: a strand of pale pebbles hidden beneath sheer, dizzying cliffs, lapped by exceptionally clear, deep turquoise water, and accessed only by a steep, winding path and a tunnel originally carved by locals to reach their fishing spots — an adventurous descent that is part of the experience and rewards the effort with a sense of secluded, dramatic beauty. Because of its remoteness and difficult access, it has no facilities whatsoever — no loungers, bars, toilets or shade — so you must bring everything you need, including water, food, sun protection and sturdy footwear for the path, and take all rubbish away. The steep access and lack of amenities make it unsuitable for young children, those with mobility issues or anyone wanting an easy beach day, and it can be dangerous or inaccessible in rough seas or bad weather, so check conditions. It is reached by car (around 30–40 minutes) or an organised trip, often combined with a visit to nearby Cavtat. For adventurous travellers seeking a jaw-dropping, unspoilt natural beach and a memorable swim beneath the cliffs, Pasjača is unforgettable, and worth every step of the journey down.
Hours
Daylight hours (steep access; unsafe in rough weather)
Price
Free; no facilities
Getting there
~15 km south near Popovići/Cavtat; drive, then a steep path and tunnel down the cliff
Insider tip: Regularly voted one of Europe's most beautiful beaches — a hidden pebble strand at the foot of towering cliffs, reached by a steep path and tunnel. Bring everything; there are no facilities.
7.Šunj Beach (Lopud)
Šunj, on the car-free Elaphiti island of Lopud, is a genuine rarity on this predominantly pebbly and rocky coast: a proper natural sandy beach, and one of the best in the whole Dubrovnik region for families and anyone who prefers sand between their toes. Set in a sheltered, south-facing bay backed by pine, cypress and olive groves, it boasts a broad crescent of soft sand and, crucially, water that stays shallow and warm a long way out, gently shelving so that children can paddle and play safely — perfect for building sandcastles and easy swimming, a world away from the deep drop-offs at the city's rock beaches. The beautiful, relaxed setting and the absence of cars on Lopud lend it a wonderfully peaceful, away-from-it-all atmosphere. There are a couple of laid-back beach bars and restaurants and loungers to rent in season, so you can spend a full, comfortable day, though it retains a natural, low-key feel. Reaching it is part of the appeal: take the scheduled Jadrolinija ferry from Gruž harbour to Lopud (around 55 minutes), then either enjoy a pleasant 20-minute walk across the island or hop on one of the golf-buggy taxis. Many Elaphiti island-hopping boat tours also stop here. Bring sun protection and water. For families and sand-lovers willing to make the lovely journey out, Šunj offers the region's finest sandy-beach day, and a taste of tranquil island life.
Hours
Always open
Price
Free; beach bars and loungers in season
Getting there
Ferry to Lopud from Gruž (~55 min), then a 20-min walk or golf-buggy ride across the island
Insider tip: One of the region's only true sandy beaches, on car-free Lopud island — shallow, warm and perfect for kids. Take the ferry to Lopud, then a 20-minute walk across the island.
8.Plat Beach
Plat is a quiet coastal resort village in the Konavle region south of Dubrovnik, near Cavtat, and its string of pebble coves offers a calmer, more laid-back beach experience well away from the crowds and bustle of the city beaches. Backed by pine woods and dotted with a few hotels, the beaches at Plat are a series of small pebble and shingle coves with beautifully clear, clean water that is excellent for swimming and snorkelling, and the sheltered setting keeps things peaceful and relaxed. The area has a gentle, unhurried, family-friendly holiday atmosphere, with loungers and parasols to rent, a beach bar or two and pleasant seaside walking paths connecting the coves, yet it remains far less busy than Banje or Copacabana, making it appealing for those seeking a tranquil day by the sea. Its location, roughly 15 km south of Dubrovnik and a short distance from Cavtat, means it works well as a quieter beach base or a day trip, reachable by local bus or car in around 30 minutes, with some hotels offering shuttle services. Facilities are more limited than at the main city beaches, so it has a natural, restful character rather than a busy commercial one. It pairs nicely with a visit to charming Cavtat just up the coast. For travellers wanting clear water, peaceful pebble coves and a relaxed, resort-village atmosphere away from the Dubrovnik crowds, Plat is a pleasant and underrated choice.
Hours
Always open
Price
Free; loungers and beach bar in season
Getting there
~15 km south near Cavtat; bus or car (~30 min); some hotels run shuttles
Insider tip: A string of quiet pebble coves south of the airport, near Cavtat — far calmer than the city beaches, with clear water and a relaxed, resort-village feel.