Dubrovnik is without a doubt a city of culture, but with the sparkling blue Adriatic here we’re sure you’re going to want to have a dip. Here’s where.

In the city itself, the town beach is Banje, just outside the Ploče gate of the city walls. The expanse of white pebbles has a super view of the Old Town and is suitable for children and non-swimmers. Here, the Banje Beach Club is a classy venue for cocktails and after beach shenanigans, and there’s a restaurant upstairs offering tempting Mediterranean specialities. Or you could creep through the “Buža” hole in the southern city walls and take a dive off the rocks there – the crystalline water is truly tempting.
 

You could take a taxi boat from the Old Town’s harbour to Lokrum island (7€ return), where the beaches are immersed in lush greenery, plus there’s a naturist beach and shallow saltwater lake, plus more besides.

Just west of town is the Danče promontory, a rocky beach a little more exposed to the open sea, offering refreshing waves. Further east is the beach below Hotel Bellevue – a spectacular stretch of pebble and shingle backed by cliffs.

About 15min walk east of town is the Sveti Jakov beach, under the abbey of the same name. The pebble and shingle beach offers great views of the city and of Lokrum. You can get here by taking bus no. 5 to the end of the line. You need have no fear as to the quality of the water near the Old Town; the water quality is constantly monitored and is excellent. If, however, you would like to get away from the centre, you can head for the Lapad peninsula. The deep Lapad bay is ringed with beaches, all different. Uvala Lapad is sandy, while others are pebbly, rocky or concrete. There are plenty of facilities such as showers, toilets, watersports and refreshments.

On the side of the Babin kuk (“grandmother’s hip”) peninsula, the Copacabana beach has water slides and other fun stuff. If you don’t fancy taking the coast path and finding your own personal piece of heaven, you could always hire a pedalo and take the scenic route…

Another option is to take a ferry and take a day trip to Koločep or Lopud islands, both of which have fine sandy beaches and opportunities to explore.

Or, head south of the city to the resorts of Župa Dubrovačka, which have some of the most attractive white pebble beaches in the country (take bus no. 10 or 16).