Dubrovnik is a walled city on Croatia's southern Adriatic coast, home to about 41,500 people. Its car-free Old Town (Stari Grad), a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979, is ringed by nearly 2 km of medieval walls and sits beside clear swimming coves, Lokrum island and the Elafiti islands.
Top beaches
A ranked editor’s shortlist of the coastline worth planning a day around in Dubrovnik.
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- lively beach club with Old Town views
- Beach club section with loungers, day beds and parasols (about EUR 33, ~$38, for two loungers and a parasol; varies by season)
- Free public section on gravel, pebbles and rocks
- Jet-ski and water-equipment rental
- Restaurant and bar
- Direct view of the Old Town walls and Lokrum
Banje Beach
The best-known city beach, just outside Ploče Gate, with the walled Old Town as backdrop.
Editor’s tip. Arrive before 10:00 in July and August to secure a spot in the free public section
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- quiet local cove below the cliffs
- Toilets and beach showers
- Sveti Jakov Beach Bar
- Loungers and parasols for hire (price not published)
- Pebbles and rock: water shoes recommended
Sveti Jakov Beach
A calmer local beach below cliffs, reached by a long staircase.
Editor’s tip. Wear water shoes, as the shore is pebbles and rock
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- family-friendly, shallow water and water park
- Managed section with loungers, day beds and parasols (about EUR 33, ~$38, per day for two)
- Public section
- Beach bar
- Inflatable water park
- Showers (EUR 0.50, ~$0.60, per 30 seconds)
- No steps to reach the shore
Copacabana Beach (Babin Kuk)
A family beach on the Babin Kuk peninsula with shallow water and a floating water park.
Editor’s tip. Bring coins for the showers, which cost EUR 0.50 (~$0.60) per 30 seconds
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- relaxed resort bay with a lively promenade
- Well-tended pebbles with a sandy patch
- Sunset Beach rents loungers and sells drinks and snacks
- Kanteneri restaurant and trattoria nearby
- Slides, trampolines and inflatable toys in season
- Promenade with cafes behind the beach
Lapad Beach (Uvala Lapad)
The easiest beach to reach from Lapad hotels, with a long promenade behind it.
Editor’s tip. Use Libertas buses from Pile Gate or Gruž; timetables are at libertasdubrovnik.hr
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- small, informal cove under the fortress
- Small pebble beach plus a concrete platform with sea ladders
- Large beach bar
- Free access
- Clear water, fewer visitors than Banje
Sulić Beach
A tiny cove directly beneath Fort Lovrijenac, within sight of the walls.
Editor’s tip. Visit in the early morning or late afternoon to avoid the busiest hours
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- calm, sheltered lake on a car-free island
- Sheltered saltwater lake connected to the sea by a narrow channel
- Warmer and calmer than the open sea, suitable for younger swimmers
- Rocky shore for entry
- Return ferry ticket includes island entry
Lokrum Dead Sea (Mrtvo More)
A small, calm saltwater lake on Lokrum and the island's most popular swim.
Editor’s tip. Arrive before 10:00 or after 16:00 to avoid the busiest hours
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- unhurried sandy bay on a car-free island
- Rare sandy beach with shallow water for a long way out
- Toilets, showers and changing areas in peak season
- Sunbed and umbrella rental about EUR 5-10 (~$5.75-11.50) per item per day
- Beach bar serving drinks and simple meals in season
- Limited natural shade
- Nudist area on the northern side of the bay
Šunj Beach (Lopud)
One of the few sandy beaches near Dubrovnik, on the car-free island of Lopud.
Editor’s tip. Check the last ferry back to Gruž before settling in for the day
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- remote, wild and cliff-backed
- No facilities: no toilets, showers, bar or shops (shops in Popovići)
- Small car park of about 10-15 spaces that fills quickly in summer
- About 200 steps down, 20-25 minutes each way
- Narrow strip of smooth white pebbles about 60-70 m long beneath steep cliffs
- No lifeguards: deep water immediately
Pasjača Beach
A hard-to-reach pebble beach below the Konavle cliffs, known for its dramatic setting.
Editor’s tip. Arrive early, as the car park holds only about 10-15 cars and fills in summer
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- relaxed family beach in a harbour town
- Largest and most accessible beach in Cavtat
- Small pebbles with a gentle slope: good for families and less confident swimmers
- Pine and cypress shade
- Sunbeds and parasols in season
- Cafes and hotels nearby
Žal Beach, Cavtat
Cavtat's main family beach, a short walk from the harbour.
Editor’s tip. Take Libertas bus line 10 from Dubrovnik; the fare is EUR 4 (~$4.60) one way
Things to do at the beach
Beyond swimming and sunbathing — the activities that make a coastal day in Dubrovnik memorable.
Practical beach info
What to know before you head to the coast — season, getting there, facilities, and what it costs.
Lifeguards
Lifeguard cover varies by beach and season; Pasjača has no lifeguards or buoys and suits only confident swimmers. Visitors should look for lifeguard flags on arrival.
Water Quality
Croatian bathing waters are monitored through the summer; results are published on the national seawater-quality portal (vrtlac.izor.hr).
Cost
Public shores are free; two loungers and a parasol cost about EUR 33 (~$38) at Banje and Copacabana; Lopud sunbeds about EUR 5-10 (~$5.75-11.50) per item; Lokrum ferry EUR 30 (~$34.50) return for adults.
What To Bring
Water shoes for pebbles and rock, sun protection, water and cash; Pasjača has no shop and little shade apart from morning cliff shadow.
Getting Around
Libertas city buses (libertasdubrovnik.hr) reach Lapad, Babin Kuk (lines 5, 6, 7) and Cavtat (line 10); island beaches need the Lokrum boat from Luža pier or Jadrolinija ferries from Gruž.
What to bring
A short packing list for a comfortable beach day — adjust for season and the specific spot.
- Sun protectionHigh-SPF sunscreen, hat, polarised sunglasses, light long-sleeve cover-up.
- HydrationReusable bottle, salty snacks for longer days, electrolyte sachets if it’s hot.
- FootwearWater shoes for pebble or rocky entry, flip-flops for sand, dry pair for the trip home.
- Swim & coverQuick-dry towel or sand-resistant mat, change of swimwear, light cover-up for restaurants.
- Cash & valuablesSmall notes for beach clubs and rentals; waterproof pouch for phone, keys, cards.
- ExtrasReef-safe sunscreen near protected coastline, a book, a small first-aid kit for jellyfish or scrapes.
Beach safety
Hard-earned guidance — read this before you swim, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the coast.
Critical
Swim where lifeguards are posted and follow flag warnings — green is safe, yellow is caution, red means no swimming. Rip currents are the leading beach hazard worldwide.
Caution
Watch for tide changes and marine life — jellyfish blooms, sea urchins on rocky entries, occasional shark or stingray advisories. Don’t swim alone, especially at dawn or dusk.
Tip
Reapply sunscreen every 90 minutes and after every swim. Take shade between 11 am and 3 pm — the sun is harsher than people expect, even when the air is cool.
Practical
Keep valuables out of sight or back at the accommodation. Beach theft is a small-but-real risk at busy beaches; never leave bags unattended while you’re in the water.
Common questions
Quick answers to the questions we get asked most about Dubrovnik’s coast.
Is Banje Beach free to use?
The public section on gravel, pebbles and rocks is free. The beach-club section charges for loungers and parasols, around EUR 33 (~$38) for two loungers and a parasol, with prices varying by season.
From the Banje Beach editorial.
How far is Banje Beach from the Old Town?
It is about 10 minutes on foot east of Ploče Gate along Frana Supila, followed by steps down to the shore.
From the Banje Beach editorial.
How do visitors get to Sveti Jakov Beach?
On foot east past Hotel Argentina and down the stairway from the Church of St James, about 25 minutes from the Old Town. Libertas buses 5 or 8 and a seasonal Old Port boat also serve the area.
From the Sveti Jakov Beach editorial.
Does Sveti Jakov Beach have facilities?
Yes. There are toilets, beach showers, rental loungers and parasols, and the Sveti Jakov Beach Bar.
From the Sveti Jakov Beach editorial.
Is Copacabana Beach good for children?
Yes. The water is shallow, there is an inflatable water park, and the shore can be reached without steps.
From the Copacabana Beach (Babin Kuk) editorial.
How much do loungers cost?
About EUR 33 (~$38) per day for two loungers and a parasol in the managed section. A public section is also available.
From the Copacabana Beach (Babin Kuk) editorial.
Is Lapad Beach sandy?
It is mainly well-tended pebbles with a sandy patch rather than a fully sandy beach.
From the Lapad Beach (Uvala Lapad) editorial.
Is Lapad Beach good for families?
Yes. The bay is sheltered, and slides, trampolines and inflatable toys are set up in season.
From the Lapad Beach (Uvala Lapad) editorial.