10 Best Beaches in Dubrovnik (2026 Guide + Hidden Gems)
The beautiful beaches of Dubrovnik are a true highlight in Croatia and are considered some of the best in the country. Both within the old town and in the surrounding area, you’ll find an incredible number of dream beaches that guarantee an unforgettable beach holiday in southern Dalmatia with their stunning sea colors. We’ve visited the beaches around Dubrovnik on several trips and were impressed every single time. Along this truly spectacular coastline, you’ll discover beautiful pebble coves, rocky beaches, and even sandy beaches. Many swimming spots have been awarded the Blue Flag, and you’ll also find cool beach clubs as well as a wide range of water sports activities. But where exactly are the best beaches in Dubrovnik, what are the real insider tips, and which bays are perfect for unforgettable days by the sea?
In this beach guide, we introduce you to the 10 best beaches in Dubrovnik and its surrounding area. This article is based on our many years of experience in the region. You’ll also find plenty of beautiful images along with exclusive tips and information that will definitely help you plan your trip!
Banje Beach
The most famous beach in Dubrovnik is undoubtedly Banje Beach—a pebble beach with some rocky sections that even flies the Blue Flag. It’s perfectly located right next to the historic old town, and while swimming in the clear sea, you can enjoy a fantastic view of the city walls, the old harbor, and the island of Lokrum. Along this stretch of coast, the sea shines in the most beautiful turquoise colors, creating a spectacular contrast with the red rooftops of the old town. There is very little natural shade, but sun loungers and umbrellas can be rented on-site for a fee.
Just behind the bay, you’ll find the Banje Beach Restaurant, a well-known beach club that attracts a younger crowd with DJs and cool drinks. “See and be seen” is definitely the motto here! There are also plenty of accommodations nearby—perfect if you want to combine sightseeing with beach time.
Tip: Highly recommended for a special beach vacation in Dubrovnik is the beautiful 5-star Hotel Excelsior with a magnificent view of the stunning coast.
Sunset Beach
One of our favorite beaches in Dubrovnik is Sunset Beach, also known as Uvala Lapad Beach. It’s located on the Lapad Peninsula, the tourist center of the city. This charming pebble beach with fantastic sea colors lies in a long, sweeping bay, where you’ll also find several other great swimming spots. There’s a lovely promenade, numerous restaurants and cafés, and plenty of beach activities such as jet skiing, SUP, and even a water park.
The scenery is especially magical at sunset—this is undoubtedly how the beach got its name. What stood out to us right away: Sunset Beach is a fantastic place to combine a beach holiday with sightseeing in Dubrovnik. Thanks to excellent transport connections by bus or Uber, you can reach the old town in no time, and other beautiful beaches on the Lapad Peninsula are also easily accessible.
Tip: Close to the beach you will find many good accommodations, like the fabulous, very clean, and top-equipped Apartment Timy or the beautiful Hotel More.
Beach Sveti Jakov
Sveti Jakov Beach is truly one of a kind in Dubrovnik and has been ranked by several magazines as one of the most beautiful beaches in Croatia. And it’s easy to see why—this is a true dream beach, surrounded by dramatic cliffs and offering breathtaking views of Dubrovnik.
While swimming in the crystal-clear water, you’ll enjoy stunning turquoise sea colors and top-notch water quality. To reach the beach, you descend a series of steps, which already offer spectacular views of the coastline. At the bottom, a beach bar and restaurant provide refreshments, and sun loungers and umbrellas are available for rent. For us as Croatia lovers, Sveti Jakov is the most spectacular beach in Dubrovnik—and definitely not to be missed!
Tip: Just above the dream beach, there are some charming accommodations like the Guest House Carevic with a magnificent view and nice rooms.
Betina Cave Beach
Betina Cave Beach is a real hidden gem among Dubrovnik’s secret beaches. This beach jewel is located slightly north of the old town and, from our experience, can only be reached by sea—either by kayak or by boat. Once you arrive, you’ll be amazed by the unique setting: this magical natural bay is surrounded by a pine-covered rock cave. The sea glows in the most beautiful colors, and thanks to the natural surroundings, it’s perfect for snorkeling and discovering an interesting underwater world.
Betina Cave Beach is quite rocky, so water shoes are definitely recommended. There are no restaurants or bars here, so be sure to bring your own food and drinks for the day.
Tip: Really fantastic tours by kayak from Dubrovnik, which also stop at this natural bay, can be found here on GetYourGuide!
Old Town Beaches (Bard Mala Buza & Buza Beach)
Even within Dubrovnik’s old town, along the massive city walls, you’ll find a few small bathing spots perfect for a refreshing dip. These are rocky stone beaches with deep blue water, accessed via ladders or stone steps. What we often noticed: the high cliffs make these spots ideal for cliff jumping. Couples especially love coming here to enjoy the wild and romantic atmosphere at the beach bars.
The two best beaches in Dubrovnik’s old town are the famous Buža Beach and the even more charming Bard Mala Buža. Both have beach bars serving cocktails, and sun loungers are also available for rent.
Tip: If you would like to spend your holiday directly in the old town, then we can recommend the Apartment La Petite in the historic center.
Coral Beach Club
One of the most beautiful beaches is located at the Coral Beach Club on the Lapad Peninsula. A young and trendy crowd gathers here to enjoy unforgettable summer days in an exclusive setting. This dreamlike pebble beach has been transformed into a cozy and stylish paradise, with elegant design and plenty of wooden elements. The turquoise sea is simply stunning and perfect for swimming and snorkeling.
If you like, you can rent a sun lounger and umbrella at the beach bar and indulge in delicious cocktails and great food. What many people don’t know: the beach at Coral Beach Club is also open to the public, meaning you can visit without having to purchase anything. In the upper part of the beach, there are plenty of free spots for your own towel.
Šulić Beach
The small Šulić Beach is located in the neighborhood Pile, very close to the old town, and is a top swimming spot among Dubrovnik’s best beaches. This hidden gem lies picturesquely below Fort Lovrijenac, so while swimming, you can enjoy fantastic views of the historic fortress. Thanks to its secluded location, Šulić Beach is never overcrowded, offering a peaceful atmosphere with spectacular surroundings.
You can also rent kayaks here and paddle along Dubrovnik’s coastline—a great way to discover even more bays and beaches. Just above the beach, there’s a lovely beach bar and a cozy restaurant with beautiful views.
Bellevue Beach
One of the most beautiful bays is Bellevue Beach, located right in Dubrovnik below the Hotel Bellevue. Even the walk down the steps behind the hotel gave us several “wow” moments—the view from above is absolutely breathtaking.
Here, you’ll find a true dream beach surrounded by steep cliffs, with crystal-clear water and fine pebbles. While swimming, you’ll enjoy excellent water quality, and the many rocks around the bay make it perfect for snorkeling. With a bit of luck, you might even spot adventurous cliff jumpers diving into the deep blue sea!
Tip: Right next to Bellevue Beach is the phenomenal Rixos Premium Dubrovnik, one of the best hotels in town for spending a holiday by the sea!
Beach Pasjaca
Pasjača Beach is one of the most spectacular beaches in the Dubrovnik area and a truly unique hidden gem. If you love swimming in extraordinary locations, this is the place for you! It’s located about 25 kilometers east of the city and is best reached by car. The descent from the parking area—along a path carved into steep cliffs and through a small tunnel—is already an adventure in itself.
Once you arrive, you’ll be rewarded with a picture-perfect beach setting. The towering red cliffs are especially striking, creating a stunning contrast with the beautiful sea colors.
Sandy Beach Sunj (Lopud Island)
One of the most beautiful sandy beaches in Dubrovnik is Sunj Beach, located on Lopud Island, which belongs to the amazing Elaphite archipelago. This dream beach is a natural, extremely fine sandy beach that slopes gently into the sea, making it also an ideal choice for families with children. Here you can wade in the warm water, play ball in the sea and enjoy the golden sand between your toes. There is only a little shade on this sandy beach, but umbrellas and sunbeds can be rented on site.
The fantastic beach of Sunj is very easy to reach from Dubrovnik. You can either take the public ferry to Lopud or book a day trip. With some of the guided excursions, you can explore all 3 Elaphite islands in one trip.
Tip: If you love the silence, you also have the possibility to stay overnight on the island Lopud, for example, in The Little Prince, which inspires with a wonderful view.
Beaches of Mlini, Plat, and Cavtat
In the surrounding area of Dubrovnik, along the Dubrovnik Riviera, you’ll find many other beautiful seaside towns, each offering stunning beaches. Particularly popular are Mlini (10 km), Cavtat (20 km), and the quieter village of Plat (13 km). These are wonderful places to spend your holiday, and thanks to excellent public transport connections, you can easily visit Dubrovnik on a day trip.
Buses and boats run several times a day between the Riviera’s towns, taking visitors to the most beautiful spots in the region. At the same time, it’s also worth taking a trip from Dubrovnik to explore these surrounding beaches.
Conclusion
We’ve personally visited the most beautiful beaches around Dubrovnik and can confidently say: the beaches in the Dubrovnik region are truly exceptional.
If it’s your first time here, you should definitely visit famous spots like Banje Beach or Sveti Jakov Beach. For a beach holiday combined with sightseeing, Sunset Beach is a top choice.
At the same time, it’s well worth venturing a bit further out or exploring the nearby islands. We highly recommend Pasjača Beach in the south of the Dubrovnik Riviera, as well as Šunj Beach on Lopud Island.
More about Dubrovnik:
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Where to Stay in Dubrovnik: Top 7 Areas & Hotels
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Top 20 Amazing Things to Do in Dubrovnik, Croatia
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The 10 Best Luxury Hotels in Dubrovnik
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Dubrovnik City Walls: All you have to know
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Top 10 UNIQUE Day Trips from Dubrovnik
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