Dubrovnik is definitely the most popular Croatian city. Even if you’ve never visited it, you’ll probably recognize it from numerous TV shows and movies. It’s a go-to location for historical dramas because of its breath-taking old town core, as well as any seaside scene. This is due to it being one of the most beautiful parts of the Adriatic Sea with a number of amazing beaches, ranging from sandy and pebbled to rocky.
No matter whether you’re visiting Dubrovnik to see your favorite movie locations or you’re on a rest and relaxation trip, you’ll want to visit some of its beaches. The sea around Dubrovnik is heavenly clear, so even a walk on the seaside will be a wonderful experience, not to mention swimming in the crystal-clear water. To make it easier for you, we’ve composed a list of the most beautiful beaches in and around Dubrovnik so you can plan your trip ahead.
St Jakov’s Beach for a natural experience
St Jakov’s Beach is a pebbled beach with an amazing view of the old town and the island of Lokrum. Being located a little bit further from the town makes it crowd-free and a great beach for resting and sunbathing. It’s a locals’ favorite, and there aren’t many tourists on it.
One thing that should be taken into account before visiting is the way to get there. To get to St Jakov’s Beach, you’ll have to take 160 stairs and go through a really narrow street. This should be no problem for young people on vacation, but it might be a problem if you’re taking a stroller with you or if you’re an older person.
There is a wide offer of sports activities near the beach, so you can have an active holiday as well. On the other hand, if you’re looking for ultimate relaxation, you can rent one of the amazing villas in Dubrovnik and alternate between resting by a pool or on a beach.
Pasjača Beach is an award-winning beach
This beach has been recognized as the best European beach in 2019. It’s a great sandy beach with large rocks surrounding it, only a short ride from Dubrovnik. It’s one of the reasons why it’s great to rent a car in Dubrovnik. This is not a regular beach for tourists because some might find it hard to get to it, but that actually adds to its charm.
If you’re searching for a natural-looking beach, this one is it. Just like St Jakov’s Beach, it’s hard to visit for some people because you have to pass a number of steep stairs to get to it. It’s also not accessible by boat, so there’s never a crowd on it.
The Rat Beach
If you’re a fan of rocky beaches rather than sandy and pebbled, Rat Beach is the best choice for you. It’s located on a small peninsula near some great cultural points such as the birthhouse of Vlaho Bukovac (a famous painter) or a beautiful Franciscan monastery.
There are a bunch of sports activities offered on this beach, such as snorkeling, fishing, or water sports, so it’s a great family beach. It’s also more easily accessible than some of the aforementioned beaches.
A great benefit to it is that there is a marvelous villa of the same name in its vicinity, so you and your family can spend your holidays near one of the top beaches in Dubrovnik.
Lokrum beaches for a unique experience
Lokrum is a small island located only a 10-minute ferry ride from Dubrovnik. It’s actually a special forest vegetation reserve, and the daily ticket for a ferry ride includes a ticket for entering the reserve. You can’t spend a night on the island, which makes it an even more special trip. Apart from the amazing vegetation everywhere around you, Lokrum has a number of great swimming spots.
There is a lot of natural shade thanks to the numerous pine trees around the beaches. The beaches are all rocky, with an amazing natural look, and you’ll get a feeling of ultimate peace. Surrounded by the sound of waves and critters, you can enjoy any of its rocky swimming spots for a whole day. There is space for everyone, so you can rest assured that you’ll find a private place away from the people.
Štikovica beach
There are also great pebbled beaches for those who don’t feel comfortable jumping from rocks. One of those is Štikovica beach in Zaton, near Dubrovnik. It’s a smaller beach, mostly covered in pebbles, but with a few rocks on one of its ends. There is natural shade for when you’re done sunbathing, as well as a number of cafes and restaurants.
One of its great benefits is that it’s located near our Villa Antoan which offers a wonderful view of Zaton Bay. This part of Dubrovnik is not so crowded, so you can find peace and quiet while swimming in a pool only a few meters from the sea.
Danče Beach for adrenaline junkies
If you’re looking for a beach close to the old town, look no further. Danče Beach is great for young, adventurous people searching for fun. It has rocks as high as 30 meters (98 feet), jumping from which will get anyone’s blood rushing. The sea on this beach is deep and colder, and there are mostly locals, so it’s a great choice for those wanting an authentic Dubrovnik experience.
