Beaches, Dubrovnik

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On the outside of the fortress after passing the restaurants, Dubrovnik has a little surprise to offer: a place where you can take a dip. When it’s hot it is the perfect place to refresh. The landscape is beautiful and the water is perfect (at least it was in June)

One Monday, I and my family moved for a week from London to Croatia. Booked flights to Dubrovnik through flybe.com, arrived as planned. Our hosts at at the villa we booked organized our transfer from the airport and back. Although our flight from London was late, when we arrived at the villa, the owners who were very kind and welcoming during our stay offered us a welcome drink and fruit! The Villa Avantgarde is located in Mlini near Dubrovnik, was all new and breathed clean as it seemed a pleasant and peaceful place to stay! The apartment was spacious with a large terrace. We liked the design, modern rooms and kitchen, and especially colors that give the villa a special charm. In the morning we were offered breakfast, we enjoyed it. We ate delicious fruit, bread and other foods that hosts told us they purchased from local producers! Everything was delicious and abundant! The first day we spent on a pebble beach near the villa which was particularly nice for our children, they have enjoyed playing and swimming there! In the evening we decided to go into one of local restaurants where we ate excellent sea bass, at an incredible price of 15 Euro per kilogram. The next day we decided to visit Dubrovnik, about 10 min bus ride away from Villa. The bus station is near the Villa and it halts the bus to Dubrovnik, which departs every half hour from Cavtat. This we liked because we could visit some other nearby places as well. Mornings we spent in Dubrovnik, a walk through Stradun, we visited the Maritime Museum, we admired old models of sailing ships from the Republic of Dubrovnik, Aquarium, where we saw huge water turtles, saw other nice places as well. We walked the city walls, enjoyed a magnificent view of the old cruisers moored outside the harbor and the island of Lokrum, which we decided to visit in the afternoon. Nature on Lokrum island is beautiful. One evening receptionist at the Villa arranged our trip to Mostar! The day we spent sightseeing in Mostar was impressive for us, especially the old part of town where there is the Old Bridge and many small specialized manufacturers. In a small restaurant that overlooks the Old Bridge, we sat on small chairs as in an old movie ate kebabs (remembered the name because they were so delicious). All the time available to us was the driver of the car, which we organized at the Villa, a price of 140 Euros for 4 people. On return trip from Mostar we stopped for dinner at Ston, which was recommended by our hosts from the Villa. Had delicious oysters, local specialty, with the famous red wine of Peljesac, I think it's called Postup. The next day we spent in the pleasant atmosphere of our apartment in the Villa Avantgarde, pleased that our vacation runs exactly as we expected. Sunday, the last day of our stay, we spent on the trip by boat from Mlini and Cavtat, admiring the sea and islands that surround us around the ship trying to figure out where exactly Avantgarde and Mlini are located, searching the pink façade on the horizon. On this boat we experienced a beautiful sunset that we will remember for a long time. With recharged batteries by the end of our vacation, with thoughts of coming back again, I remember this as one of our most relaxing vacations in such a lovely country and can’t wait to come back!

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My best swim in Croatia was at Plat.

A pebble beach, but safe to enter, without any remarkable rock and wide enough to swim in any direction without disturbing the other bathers. It's some kilometers south of town, taking a few minutes by car (or by boat)

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Yes, they say there are beaches where you can swim, and not have to venture out to the suburbs. I found some "rustic" and hard to get to, but below are the locations. Few have sand, since the coast is mostly rock.

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Babin Kuk has the most popular beach in Dubrovnik. But it's not much space in front of the water, so make sure to be there before 11 AM to get closer to the water. All the beds and parasols are occupied after this time.

Babin Kuk is also a calm and well visited place for families with children and retired people. But wonder how it can be so popular for children when it's no sandy beaches there. I saw a lot of small children with problems when they walked on the rubble stones to get into the water. They were standing there, screaming for their dad to carry them into the water. All the beaches in Dubrovnik has rubble stones.

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All the beaches in Dubrovnik has rubble stones. No sandy beaches. Dubrava is on the other side of the headland north of Babin Kuk. The area is a popular recreation place, and the waterside is nice. But it's maybe too far away from the city.

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I loved the uncrowded rocky beaches!! There are tons to chose from and most have nearby accomodations. If this isn't your cup of tea, then there are plenty of little hidden wild beaches that will satisfy your needs.

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My hotel was situated on Lapad Bay which is about 4 km from the old town, it takes about 15 mins by bus. The area is a mixture of hotels & residential properties. The rocky bay has pebble beaches, which weren't too packed when I was there. A path goes round the bay giving views of the area, the bay is an ideal place to watch the sunset. Lapad has plenty of bars & cafes to sit at, it is a relaxing area within easy reach of the city.

Our favorite beach during a visit to Dubrovnik was Copacabana beach. No swathes of sand but enough space and a few activities that your sons will enjoy.
http://www.croatia-beaches.com/family/dubrovnik_copacabana_beach.htm

The Lapad beach is bigger but we found it too crowded to enjoy, still it is worth exploring. The weblink states that Lapad beach is sandy but we only found the sand in the water, good for paddling though.

I recommend a trip to Lopud island for a real treat, two beaches on the island, one in the main settlement is a mix of shale/sand and another-sunj bay- is a really good sandy beach. We did this as part of a three island tour which was a great day out. The three island tour will not give you the chance to explore all of Lopud and get on the beaches but you can decide which is best - a 3 island trip or stick to Lopud. Many operators offered this from the harbour where I guess you will dock but the one we took left from outside the Hotel Lapad and was great. This will be on the opposite side of the Graz harbour where I expect you will dock.

Make sure you take beach shoes with you or buy them there and snorkel&mask for the boys. The beaches without sand are crystal clear and great for exploring.

You can find just about every type of beach in and around Dubrovnik. Here were my favorites:

Rock Beaches: These beaches had large rocks, going directly into fairly deep water. Some had ladders as well. Watch out for sea urchins!! They can ruin a trip
LOKRUM: Closest island, cheapest to get to. Great rock beaches with peackocks and nice view of the coast. Ladders as well.
OLD TOWN: If you walk along the city walls and look down, you can see people swimming just off the rocks. Unbelievable setting and convenient!

Pebble Beaches: Large pebbles, can make for an uncomfortable walk to the water, so beach-friendly sandals are a great bet.
NORTH OF DUBROVNIK: We found some great pebble beaches on a drive up the coast, about 20 minutes north (?). One of them had a small bar and restaurant. All were visible from the road. Beautiful, clear water. Kid friendly, no urchins.
CITY BEACH: I'm not sure if this is the correct name, but the beach visible from the old town, just south(?) of the walls, is a very family-oriented, LOTS of kids. Too crowded for some but probably good for family's due to its close location.

Sandy Beaches: My personal favorite, and probably the typical image conjured by thoughts of a beach vacation. No urchins, no pebbles, just pure (hot!) sand.
LOPUD: My favorite beach of all, shallow water for 50m out, pure, clear water, a few fish, Green hills surrounding, chairs and umbrellas for rent as well as a bar with food. When you get to Lopud, go to the opposite side of the island. There are signs to guide you. Great bet for everyone.