11 Best Beach Hotels In Dubrovnik Croatia

Dubrovnik is certainly having a moment: whether it’s because of increased flight routes, the arrival of cruise ships, or the continuing Game of Thrones mania. The town is home to a fantastic food culture, spectacular architecture, and even more amazing beaches. While some beaches lie right outside the historic walls of the Old Town, the ones right outside the town along the Dalmatian Coast are fantastic. Nevertheless, the best beach hotels in Dubrovnik, Croatia, are a fantastic mix of converted 16th-century palaces brimming with period charm, boutique boltholes, and sprawling resorts, all sitting seaside and taking advantage of the coast outside of the town. Not only did they boast amazing views, but they also boasted a slew of amenities that made our holiday as memorable as it was comfortable. What’s more, they range across budgets, which means that everyone gets to stay by the water on their own terms.

Of course, staying by the beach was the perfect antidote after exploring the centuries of history condensed into the ancient walls and warren of limestone streets that make up Dubrovnik’s Old Town. So, what are you waiting for? Pack

President Hotel, Valamar Collection

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We begin with the President Hotel, Valamar Collection, a five-star hotel with a lovely sandy beach just a 20-minute drive from Dubrovnik’s Old Town. Since we wanted to sightsee and relax on the beach, this hotel, which sat on a sheltered west-facing bay at Babin Kuk, was perfect. The pebbled cove and private slice of beach were our favorite, as it was lined with palm trees, parasols, baldachins, and sunbeds. Did we mention the stunning sunsets and the bay being illuminated with underwater lights at night? Sigh, yes.

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The shoreline is also where the Abyss Diving Center is, where we could book scuba diving classes, snorkeling trips, e-foil surfboards, sea bobs, stand-up paddleboards, and jet skis. Of course, we reserved time for the Balance Mediterranean Spa by Valamar, which had an amazing menu of treatments, a bar, an outdoor pool and whirlpool, an indoor pool, and infrared, Turkish, and Finnish saunas. Besides concierge services, the hotel also has a kids club nearby, two restaurants, and an all-day piano bar with a lovely sea-view terrace.

The rooms and suites are designed such that all of them “cascade” towards the coast, with every single one of them featuring a terrace and a sea view. In fact, they all had sliding glass doors opening onto furnished sea-view terraces! Moreover, all rooms are a nautical dream in silvery-blue, beige, and cream, sleek mod-cons, and equally luxe bathrooms with bathtubs and Rituals bath products. If you want to splurge, the 50 V-Level rooms have special extras – access to an exclusive restaurant and lounge and beach baldachins.

Grand Villa Argentina

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Imagine staying at a hotel perched on a cliff, which also allows access to the gorgeous, private beach down below by virtue of its location. Welcome to Grand Villa Argentina, which sits amidst lush, terraced gardens on a steep hillside high above the Adriatic. In fact, it’s a lovely 10-minute stroll along the coast from Dubrovnik Old Town’s eastern entrance, the Ploče Gate. We loved that steps from the terraced gardens led down directly to the sea, where spacious stone platforms allowed us to swim in the sea. After that, we’d head down to the huge outdoor pool, which was lined with huge white parasols and comfy wicker sunbeds.

We were impressed by the amenities at this hotel. For one, the Energy Clinic Spa & Wellness Centre offered not only treatments and massages, but also a fitness center, a salon, a small indoor pool, a whirlpool bath, and a sauna. Three restaurants serve all drinks and meals, but the sea-view terrace restaurant close to the pool and shaded by pine trees was our favorite.

We had the choice of 131 rooms and suites, of which the Superior ones with sea views of French balconies were the nicest. While rooms in the old wing are more traditional and the ones in the new wing are more contemporary, they’re all comfortable and feature mod-cons and modern bathrooms with L’Occitane bath products.

Sheraton Dubrovnik Riviera Hotel

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Overlooking the stunning Srebeno Bay, Sheraton Dubrovnik Riviera Hotel is a peaceful escape from the bustle of Dubrovnik’s Old Town. We especially love the property’s serene waterside location overlooking the Adriatic Sea, with the almost private hotel beach right out front. When we wanted to unwind, we’d head down to the pebbled beach that was lined with parasols and sunbeds, with hydrocycles, paddleboards, and kayaks to hire. The best bit is that the hotel was easy to reach not only via local buses, but also by a shuttle boat in the summer. If that wasn’t enough, a 20-minute stroll along the seafront promenade brought us to the lovely seaside village of Mlini.

We loved a ton of other things about the hotel. Firstly, the staff was fantastic, warm, and welcoming. Besides the pebble beach and the turquoise freeform pool, we’d usually be at the Shine Spa, which also had a whirlpool, Turkish and Finnish saunas, and even an indoor pool. When the weather was lovely, the garden with rosemary and mimosa bushes, and pines was gorgeous for a lie-in. Two tennis courts, a kids’ pool, two restaurants, and two bars completed the amenities here.

Choose from 250 spacious rooms and suites, all of which have floor-to-ceiling doors that open onto glass-fronted balconies. Our Deluxe room had a sea view, but they all had “Sheraton Sweet Sleeper” beds, zany designs and colors, and lovely framed black-and-white photos and sketches of Dubrovnik’s Baroque structures. Finally, all boast bathrooms with bathtubs and Gilchrist & Soames bath products.

Maistra Select Mlini Hotel

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The modern Maistra Select Mlini Hotel sits in Srebreno Bay, a few miles southeast of Dubrovnik Old Town. It overlooks a stunning turquoise bay as well as the lovely pebbled Astarea Beach. Even though it’s away from old town, local buses run here, and during the summer, there are even regular shuttle boats. Tons of natural light, gorgeous sea views, and a fresh, easygoing seaside ambiance are all what drew us to this property.

Besides a professional yet friendly staff, our top place to chill on the property was the stone bathing platform, which allowed easy access to the sea. After a swim, we’d relax on the sunbeds underneath the parasols. Additionally, we could use the amenities at the nearby sister hotel, the three-star Hotel Astarea, which had a fitness center, a sauna, an indoor pool, a freeform outdoor pool, and even a restaurant. Back at the Mlini, the ground-floor restaurant with a front patio served all meals, while the pizzeria out front served excellent salads, pasta, and pizza on a romantic sea-view terrace.

Choose from 85 rooms and suites, all of which have glass-fronted balconies and garden or sea views. Notwithstanding the views, all rooms came with slick bathrooms, neutral-hued drapes and carpets, minimalist, modern furnishings, and a centerpiece — a huge wall canvas of a hazy seascape in turquoise and emerald-green above the bed.

Rixos Premium Dubrovnik

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The modern, luxurious Rixos Premium Dubrovnik is set into the cliffs above a deep blue bay, and is a mere 15-minute walk from Dubrovnik’s Old Town. Its chief feature is that it sits on a private slice of beachfront, where a vast wooden deck is sprinkled with sunbeds and parasols. Moreover, there are steps that lead into the water, and you can even hire jet skis here. Did we mention that this is where there’s also a gorgeous outdoor pool? What could be better?

We loved the marvelously amazing amenities here, starting with the peaceful Anjana Spa. It boasted not only an ultra-modern fitness center, a lovely indoor sea-view pool, a salt room, an ice room, a sauna, and even a white marble Turkish hammam. What’s more, the resort also had a hair salon, car hire desks, and boutiques stocking Turkish and Croatian craftwork and design items. We had the choice of five restaurants and bars, which include a sea-view terrace restaurant serving breakfast, a fish restaurant, a sushi bar, a sports bar, and an all-day lounge bar.

Choose from 300+ rooms and suites, all of which boast floor-to-ceiling windows with superb views. Our sea-view Deluxe room even had sliding doors that opened onto a blissful terrace with uninterrupted sea views. Moreover, they all had bathrooms with Bulgari bath products, espresso machines, and flat-screen TVs.

Villa Dubrovnik

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Most luxurious. If beachside luxury is what you’re looking for, then Villa Dubrovnik, perched on a cliff overlooking the Island of Lokrum and the Adriatic Sea, is perfect. This contemporary, relaxed, and sophisticated five-star retreat also has a complimentary motorboat and minibus ferrying us guests directly to the secluded slice of a beach. It was our favorite place to lounge on the property, where a series of concrete-and-rock bathing platforms were sprinkled with parasols and sunbeds, with steps providing easy access into the sea. What could be better?

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The hotel, which is enveloped in a secluded sea-view world of its own, boasts a series of stone terraces, softened by cypresses and Aleppo pines, stepping down towards the glistening blue sea. Besides excellent and impeccable service, the place offered a carefully curated list of private excursions. We especially loved the Villa Spa with its fitness center, sauna, and an indoor pool with sliding glass doors that opened onto a sea-view terrace. Two sea-view restaurants serving all meals and a spectacular rooftop wine bar round up the amenities here.

Choose from 56 rooms and suites, all with floor-to-ceiling sliding windows opening onto sea-view terraces, sea-inspired hues and fabrics, teak wood floors, and glass-walled en-suite bathrooms with bathtubs, heated floors, and customized La Bottega of Italy bath products. Did we mention that all rooms came with Franck espresso coffee machines? Yep. No wonder it’s one of Croatia’s best beach luxury hotels!

Villa Orsula

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Most romantic beach hotel. A romantic boutique Dubrovnik retreat with a secret beach? Now who can resist that? Welcome to Villa Orsula, which sits in a 1930s white stone villa and is beloved by discerning travelers who like to splurge. With sublime sea views, impeccable service, and discreet luxury, it’s one of the most romantic beach stays in the town. Situated in a terraced garden overlooking the Adriatic, it was a 10-minute walk along the coast from Ploče Gate, the eastern entrance into Dubrovnik’s Old Town. It’s also one of the best boutique hotels in Dubrovnik.

We were treated to a warm welcome by a wonderful staff, who were all about 24-hour room service, excellent concierge services, and superbly customized suggestions on places to eat and things to do. Our favorite thing to do on the property was to walk down the fragrant lavender-and-pine-lined steep stone steps from the garden to the lovely bathing platform. Not only did it have easy access to the beach, but it also had great views, beach towels, and sunbeds. Besides beach access, the hotel also had an outdoor pool and a spa with treatment rooms, a sauna, a jacuzzi, and an indoor pool. Our days began with romantic breakfasts on the garden terrace of the Victoria Restaurant, complete with views and shaded grapevines. Don’t miss enjoying cocktails at the garden lounge-bar with live music.

With just 13 rooms and suites, staying here felt exclusive to the T. However, the best were the ones with stone balconies and panoramic sea views. Nevertheless, they all had slick bathrooms with Bulgari bath products, arched windows, and white, wooden shutters, and refined and elegant decor.

“Sea views, a secret beach, and little extras like bed mints, homemade biscuits, and fresh fruit certainly made this place a favorite with us!”

WOW Travel

Hotel Kompas

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Yet another leafy Lapad sanctuary is Hotel Kompas. Sitting at the base of Babin Kuk in Uvala, this hotel’s standout feature is its views. Sitting right down the road from Lapad Beach and its sun loungers and parasols, this dreamy beachside retreat is worth its weight in gold. We’d hit the beach for some serious sunbed time, followed by a swim and lounge at the outdoor pool, which is surrounded by pine trees. Either way, the sunshine is perfect for getting some downtime, otherwise known locally as fjaka, and the cocktails from Luna Bar certainly helped.

Don’t be fooled by the retro ’60s exterior; on the inside, it’s thoroughly minimalist and contemporary. Besides the pool bar, the top-floor Zenith Bar, and the Mediterranean restaurant were perfect for snacks, meals, and drinks. On sultry evenings, we’d ask for tables underneath the lantern-lit trees in the garden, which is also where we’d enjoy breakfast. Finally, the spa had a steam room, Finnish sauna, and a freshwater pool, along with a fitness center for workouts.

Most digs boasted dreamy panoramas, but we chose the Superior Suite for its superb vantage point. Nevertheless, the nearly 200 rooms and suites were bright, light, and modern abodes with high-tech mod-cons and monochrome palettes.

Hotel Dubrovnik Palace

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Hotel Dubrovnik Palace sits on the edge of the bucolic Lapad Peninsula, amid ancient olive groves, cypresses, and Aleppo pines. However, the standout feature of this sleek hotel is the private beach and PADI diving center. Since it’s open throughout the year, travelers make the most of this hotel’s coastal location and the gorgeous beach with sunbeds and parasols, far from the madding crowds. That’s not all; the spa had everything from a sea-view fitness center, saunas, and steam rooms to two jacuzzis and an indoor pool, all with panoramic Adriatic vistas. Moreover, the two bars and four restaurants were all open during the summer, serving lavish meals.

The interiors radiated a Scandi-inspired aesthetic, with sea-inspired color palettes and mid-century modern-inspired furnishings. Think whites, slate greys, and teal blues with pops of mustard yellow. We had the choice of 300+ rooms and suites, all of which enjoyed west-facing sea views through floor-to-ceiling windows. The bathrooms were especially gorgeous with huge bathtubs and Natura Bissé bath products.

Sun Gardens

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Best family-friendly resort. Less than 30 minutes north of Dubrovnik’s Old Town sits the Sun Gardens, a luxurious family-friendly beach resort. The presence of a kids’ club, along with outstanding sports facilities with well-known guest instructors, makes it a superb choice for families with adventurous kids. Did we mention it’s also considered one of the best hotels in Dubrovnik, Croatia? Yes.

We loved the well-maintained landscaped grounds with olive, palm, cypress, and pine trees, overlooking the Elaphiti and Adriatic islets. While the concierge arranged for excursions, the Spa Center, one of the best in all of Croatia, was the most impressive. Not only did it use Natura Bissé products, but it also offered a wide range of treatments. Moreover, it had a selection of saunas, a thermal area, a hydrotherapy pool with a waterfall, and even an indoor pool. However, the fine pebbled beach with concrete-and-rock bathing platforms, which could be accessed via a stone stairway from the gardens, was our favorite. Besides a small marina and multiple restaurants and bars, the property also had three outdoor pools and an excellent sports center, complete with multiple sports courts and even a children’s sports academy.

Choose from more than 200 spacious rooms and suites, all of which have Mediterranean-inspired turquoise blue hues. What’s more, they had slick contemporary bathrooms, tea and coffee-making facilities, modern minimalist furnishings, and wooden floors. For families, the self-catering residences are ideal.

Hotel Bellevue Dubrovnik

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Best overall. Perched on a cliff above the picturesque Miramare Bay, Hotel Bellevue Dubrovnik probably has what can be called a private beach due to its location. The glassy façade allowed views of the Croatian coast and the piercing blue of the Adriatic Sea from everywhere in the hotel. The best bit was that we were a 15-minute walk from the Ploce Gate to Dubrovnik’s Old Town.

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We had the choice of 91 rooms and suites that ranged from classic sea view rooms to the amazing suites, all with sea views. What’s more, they all boasted dialed-back nautical themes, oversized windows, glassed-in balconies, canvas-white palettes, and dark woods, all complemented by high-tech mod-cons. Our favorite element was the massive bathtub in the better suites.

The hotel’s in a sweet spot in terms of size; it was small enough to feel intimate and large enough to have more amenities than we were ever likely to use. Not only did it have two restaurants, a seafood and an innovative Mediterranean one, but it even had a sleek bar where we’d enjoy drinks before exploring the nightlife. In fact, the Mediterranean restaurant had direct access to the pebbled beach. What’s more, the concierge could arrange for everything from yacht excursions to historic and cultural tours. A fitness center, a luxurious spa with a Mediterranean ambiance, and an indoor pool with superb sea views round up the amenities here.

Our Verdict!

Staying beachside in Dubrovnik is always a delight, so much so that you might be confused as to which hotel to choose. Here’s a specialized list to help you make a choice.

• Best family-friendly resort: Sun Gardens
• Most romantic beach hotel: Villa Orsula
• Most luxurious: Villa Dubrovnik
• Best overall: Hotel Bellevue Dubrovnik

Where to Stay in Dubrovnik Near The Beach?

With nearly 15 amazing beaches in and around Dubrovnik, we were spoilt for choice when it came to beachside living. While some were within walking distance of Old Town, others could be easily accessed by bus, car, or taxi. So, you need to choose where you want to stay.

We begin with the family-friendly Lapad Beach on a peninsula close to the city’s outer walls. Not only does it have a long promenade bar and cafes, but it also has umbrellas and sun loungers. Secondly, there’s Copacabana beach, which is a 10-minute car ride from Dubrovnik Old Town. An excellent beach club, a real chilled-out vibe, and shallow waters make it a fantastic place to spend the day. Next, there’s Banje Beach, which sits right outside Ploče Gate in Old Town, and is one od Dubrovnik’s top things to do. Since the location is excellent and easy to find, it’s a very popular beach with great views and watersports.

Sveti Jacov Beach is one of Dubrovnik’s hidden gems, accessible only via a set of steep stairs winding down the cliff face. Even though it sits a cab ride away, the small pebbly beach is really worth the effort. Danče Beach, one of Dubrovnik’s oldest beaches and a hit with the locals, is a mere five-minute drive outside of the Old Town. Not only does it have ladders to get in and out of the sea, but it also has a jetty for sunbathing. However, the best beachy neighborhoods are those of Mlini and the lovely Srebreno Bay, which lie a 15-minute drive southeast of Dubrovnik’s old town. The sea is clean and shallow, there’s a meandering coastal path, and the beach is dotted with eateries, cafes, and pine trees.

Also read: best hotels in Dubrovnik Old Town.

Which is the most luxurious beachside hotel in Dubrovnik?

Villa Dubrovnik, which sits on a cliff overlooking the Adriatic Sea, has a more secluded section of the coastline and the beach due to its location.

Does any beach hotel in Dubrovnik have a private beach?

There’s no concept of a “private beach” in Croatia, as all beaches are public property under the country’s law. However, some hotels, like Sun Gardens Dubrovnik and Hotel Bellevue, do offer private beach experiences for their guests.