City breaks with beaches are the ultimate holiday pick to please everyone – enter, Dubrovnik. Croatia’s capital is famous for its Old Town, Game of Thrones legacy and Medieval history, but this spot on the Dalmatian Coast has idyllic beaches down, too.
You can already take in the Adriatic Sea from the city walls and it’s tempting to just dive in – you actually can through a hole in one of the walls. Ladders lead down stone steps at Bard Mala Buza, which is complete with a beach bar, too. But if you’re after something sandier or a sunlounger setup, check out this list of the best beaches in and around Dubrovnik…
The central pick – Banje Beach
This is the closest beach to the city – you can see the Old Town and Lokrum Island from here. It’s easy to get to, right in front of the eastern entrance to the Old Town – Ploče Gate – but that means it’s super popular, too. Get down here early to bag your spot and then chill out for the whole day. It’s pebbled, so you won’t get covered in sand. Families love it for the no-fuss travel. In the evenings, it becomes a bit of a lively beach bar and party spot for the late-night crowd.
The local pick – Sveti Jakov Beach
Further along from Banje, Sveti Jakov Beach is less than half an hour’s walk from the Old Town and is the local’s fave. If you don’t fancy walking, you can take bus 5 or 8 from the town. It’s set below cliffs, so you’ll then need to walk down some steps from the Sveti Jakov Church to reach this pebbled patch. There are sunloungers to rent, a restaurant, a bar and toilets but because it’s a bit harder to get to than Banje, it’s usually less crowded. You even still have those stunning Old Town views…
The chic pick – Copacabana Beach
This one’s up on the north coast of the Babin Kuk peninsula in Seka Bay but it’s still a Dubrovnik beach. You can get the number 6 bus to Lapad and get off a Orsan Sailing Club for a 15-minute walk along the sea or stay on until the last stop to get closer. Its half-moon shingle shore is studded with white sunloungers and you can sort your meals at the beachside restaurant – they do breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as fresh smoothies and juices. If you’re hanging around for golden hour, you’ve got to check out the cocktail menu… maybe even earlier, it’s your holiday! There are watersports like paddleboarding to try and inflatables for kids, too. But if you fancy a real treat, we recommend a post-swim massage and then a boat trip for sunset – they’re amazing here.
The sandy pick – Šunj Beach
Okay, so this is one of Dubrovnik’s very few sandy beaches. It’s on Lopud, which is one of the Elafiti Islands, so the water is quite shallow and perfect for families. You catch the ferry with Jadrolinija from the harbour in Dubrovnik to the town of Lopud. The island is so small you can walk across to the southern side in around 30 minutes – that’s where the beach is. There are also golf cart-style taxis to take you if you’d prefer. It’s a lovely oasis away from the city and offers an island escape, so you can really squeeze different holiday types into one. There are a couple of restaurants and toilets so you can spend the whole day here – it’s worth going before midday to claim your space.
The family pick – Lapad Beach
Lapad Beach can be reached on the number 2 or 6 bus and it’s overlooked by lifeguards. The waters are safe to splash around in and there’s a shady play area, too. Being close to the hotels in the area, there are also a few restaurants to pick from, plus cafés, bars and tennis courts nearby. There are plenty of umbrellas and loungers to rent as well, so you can easily spend the whole day here.
The secret pick – Betina Cave Beach
This is a real hidden gem. You can only reach Betina Cave Beach by boat or kayak, so it’s an adventure as well as a chance to snooze in the sun. Not many make the effort and it’s a bit of a more stoney spot – reef shoes could be handy – but the scenery and peace and quiet are worth it. Bring your snorkel or goggles as the sea is super clear. There aren’t any restaurants or bars here, which is part of the charm, and a picnic is more budget-friendly anyway.
Ready to add some beach to your city break? Pick a great deal and get planning!
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Author: Lily Owen
Last updated: 20/05/2024
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