Top 5 beaches in Dubrovnik, according to visitors

Dubrovnik is undoubtedly the most desirable tourist destination in ​​Croatia. It’s a city in southern Dalmatia well known for its rich history and heritage under UNESCO protection. If you visit Dubrovnik, you will want to visit Dubrovnik’s Old Town, City Walls, and see the filming locations of Game of Thrones. You definitely won't forget to visit Mount Srđ, the islands of Lokrum and Lopad, top-notch restaurants with the finest seafood specialties, and many more locations.

Between visits to all these beautiful locations, we suggest taking some time to rest on one of Dubrovnik's best-rated beaches. In Dubrovnik, you can find many beaches surrounded by beautiful, untouched nature and warm sea. Whichever beach you choose for your vacation and enjoyment, we're sure you won’t regret it.

Best-rated beaches in Dubrovnik

Based on beach reviews on Google My Business, we’ve highlighted the top five highest-rated places you must visit. While Dubrovnik offers a variety of beaches, these five have truly captivated visitors. Discover below what makes these beaches stand out as the top-rated choices.

Bellevue Beach

4.1  out of 3,100 reviews

When it comes to Bellevue Beach, there’s truly no competition. Currently the most popular and sought-after beach in Dubrovnik - one of the most beautiful in Croatia. 

Location: Bellevue Beach is located in a secluded cove, hidden under rocky cliffs, near  the Old Town. Anyone can reach this beach via charming stairs that descend from the nearby promenade. All mentioned makes this beach easily accessible for both locals and tourists. 

Characteristics: This beach is pebbly and the view of the Adriatic Sea from this beach is incredible. Visitors can rent deck chairs and umbrellas and enjoy the peace and nature. The water by the beach is crystal clear, perfect for swimming and other aquatics. Best of all, if you want to grab a drink or a bite to eat, there are plenty of bars and restaurants nearby. 

Bellevue Beach is perfect for sunbathing and for all kinds of water sports. It’s considered a quieter alternative to some of the more crowded beaches in Dubrovnik - an ideal place for families, couples, and everyone who’s looking for relaxation.

One of the best places in Dubrovnik with exceptional service. Very professional with fantastic views. The restaurant food and service was top quality. - Chris D. (Australia)

Lapad Beach

4.4 out of 2,000 reviews

If we tell you that another name for this beach is Sunset Beach, it will be clear why it’s often chosen for relaxation and leisure. This beach offers the most beautiful sunset views. 

Location: Lapad Beach is located in the bay of the same name, a beloved area of Dubrovnik for both locals and tourists.  Access to this beach is very convenient, as Lapad is close to the Old Town. Apart from the fact that the beach is easy to reach on foot, there is also public transport that goes right to its location.

Characteristics: Sunset Beach represents the perfect combination of sandy and pebbled areas, which is the main reason why it’s recommended for all age groups, especially for families with children. Visitors can easily rent loungers and umbrellas and soak up the sun, or they can also enjoy a meal or a drink in some of the cafes and restaurants nearby. Adventurers can engage in watersports such as kayaking and paddle boarding, while others can stroll around and enjoy the sunset. 

Sunset Beach is perfect for everyone. Both adventurers and those who just want to lie down and enjoy the picturesque scenery can have fun on this beach. 

Its very peaceful & pretty, although the beach is rocky. There are lots of chairs & many food places nearby.  Getting free wifi on the beach was a pleasant surprise, too. - JenStAlbert (Canada)  

Sveti Jakov Beach

4.5 out of 1,600 reviews

Sveti Jakov Beach is considered a hidden gem for all peace lovers. It’s close enough to be easily accessible, yet far enough away so as not to be overcrowded. 

Location: Sveti Jakov Beach is located on the eastern side of Dubrovnik, about a kilometer from the Old Town. It can be reached in a 20-minute walk. The beach is accessed by steps from the main road, which helps to keep it away from the hustle of the city. It also provides a quieter atmosphere than other, more popular beaches in the center. Due to its distance from the city center, Sveti Jakov often remains less crowded and is considered a hidden beach.

Characteristics: Sveti Jakov is a pebbly beach with sandy areas. This beach offers rentals for water sports gear, such as kayaks, as well as rental of lounge chairs and umbrellas. Additionally, there is a small restaurant for light meals, drinks, and snacks, as well as a beach bar. Sveti Jakov is also known for its stunning views of Lokrum Island and the Old Town walls of Dubrovnik.

The beach is perfect for everyone who likes uncrowded spots, peaceful sunbathing, and water sports like kayaking. One more thing is important to emphasize - there are amazing sights on this beach for anyone hoping to see a stunning sunset.

It is quiet because difficult to reach, it has its own monestary (same name) above and it has probably the best view on the City of Dubrovnik. - European Diversity (Germany)

Danče Beach

4.6 out of 478 reviews

Danče Beach is one of Dubrovnik's oldest beaches and is considered a true treasure of the city. A place where generations of locals have come to swim holds a special place in the hearts of visitors.

Location: This beach is located on the west side of the city, near the historic Lovrijenac Fortress. It takes about 10 to 15 minutes to walk from the Old Town to get to this place, which makes it easily accessible to both residents and tourists.

Characteristics: Danče Beach is a rocky beach with concrete areas for sunbathing. It’s not a beach with sandy areas like the other popular spots, but Danče beach is still pleasant because the rocks are flat and suitable for lounging. The sea around Danče is known as calm and very clean, perfect for all kinds of water sports, especially for swimming and diving.

Danče beach is perfect for anyone who loves the historical architecture and heritage of the city of Dubrovnik. This beach is not surrounded that much by commercial places, but is surrounded by important cultural spots like The Church of St. Mary. Unfortunately, this beach does not have shallow areas so it’s not suitable for children, but it’s ideal for enjoying diving and swimming.

We were warned that this was tricky to get to and that the water would be cold but neither of those things turned out to be true thankfully! - Irish Pete 

Beach Banje 

4.2 (1.500 Google reviews)

Banje Beach is a place for great entertainment and fun, one of the liveliest beaches in Dubrovnik - a great spot to socialize.

Location: Banje Beach is located just a short walk from The Old Town. It can be accessed via a path from the Ploče Gate, making it easily reachable for tourists and locals. 

Characteristics: This beach is a pebbly beach with some sandy areas. Besides fine gravel, it has sunbathing platforms, which makes it suitable for walking and lounging. This beach is considered a special place where locals and tourists gather and socialize, as it hosts events and various parties during the summer months.  There are several beach bars and restaurants that also offer a range of food and drinks for everyone's taste. In addition to good food and parties, it’s also possible to engage in various sports on this beach; jet skiing, parasailing, paddle boarding, etc.

Beach Banje is ideal for all age groups. All those who like a mix of relaxation and social activities with stunning views of the city’s historical sites will enjoy this place.

Banje Beach is a gem! The beach staff managing the sunbeds and umbrellas are top-notch! They're friendly, efficient, and always ready to help. - Dario D.

Does Dubrovnik have sandy beaches?

In Dubrovnik, you can mostly find pebble beaches, or beaches that are a combination of pebbles and sand. Most beaches are well-maintained and pleasant to stay on, although there are not many that are exclusively sandy. Therefore, we are going to mention one popular sandy beach in Croatia - Šunj Beach.

.Šunj Beach is a sandy beach located in a quiet bay on the south side of Lopud Island. It’s surrounded by a pine forest that you have to pass through if you want to get to the beach, or you can also get to the beach by boat. It’s known for its shallow bottom, which makes it perfect for children and non-swimmers, but also for being suitable for various sports. In addition to all the above, there are bars and restaurants for food and drink consumption for everyone who wants to have a good meal or drink.

Part of the beach is also set aside for people who prefer nudism, making it suitable for different preferences.

This is the place to swim, for kids to play or hangout with your friends and family. Worth a visit. They have café, bars and food if you are hungry and a live DJ. -  Thomas K (Sweden)!

What is the price of beaches in Croatia?

Most beaches in Croatia are considered public property and, according to Croatian law, they are free of charge. Those privately owned beaches are in the minority and access to them is generally prohibited. This means that if you can get to the beach, there is a high probability that this beach is publicly accessible.

What is usually not free, and for which you will have to pay if you come to the beach, are:

• parking space for your car
• food and drinks that you will consume
• sun loungers and umbrellas
• showers and toilets
• private beach clubs and event tickets
• water sports and other activities.

The price of all these additional services and amenities depends on the popularity of the place you are visiting.