Let me save you some time: Dubrovnik doesn’t really have sandy beaches. The city beaches are pebble or rock, which is beautiful in its own way but not what people picture when they think “beach day.”
The exception is Sunj Beach on Lopud Island, about thirty minutes by speedboat from the Old Town. It’s the only proper sandy beach in the wider Dubrovnik area, and it’s genuinely excellent — wide crescent bay, shallow warm water, south-facing. The kind of beach you’d expect in the Caribbean, except it’s in Croatia and surrounded by pine trees instead of palm trees.
I take people there several times a week during season, and the reaction is always the same: “Why didn’t anyone tell us about this earlier?”
Picture a 900-metre sandy bay shaped like a crescent moon. The sand is fine, the water is shallow for a long way out (great for kids), and the whole beach faces south so you get sun all day. Pine trees line the back of the beach for natural shade.
There are two beach bars — one at each end — serving drinks, cocktails, and simple food. A few sun loungers and umbrellas for rent if you want them, but most people just throw down a towel on the sand.
In peak season (July-August) Sunj gets busy, especially between 11:00 and 15:00 when the ferries arrive. Early morning or late afternoon is quieter and the light is better for photos.
The Jadrolinija ferry goes from Dubrovnik’s Gruz harbour to Lopud village. The crossing takes about 40 minutes and costs around €5.
From Lopud village, you walk across the island to Sunj Beach — about 20-25 minutes on a paved path through the village and then a forest trail. It’s flat and easy, passing through an avenue of palm trees and past a few old villas. Golf carts offer rides for a few euros if you don’t want to walk.
Downside: You’re on the ferry schedule. If you miss the last one, you’re spending the night.
A private boat from Dubrovnik gets you to Sunj Beach in about 30 minutes, drops you right on the beach (no walking), and picks you up whenever you want. No ferry schedule to worry about.
Most of our guests combine Sunj with other stops. Our Blue Cave tour includes 1.5 hours at Sunj Beach after visiting the caves — it’s the most popular combination. The Elaphiti Islands tour stops at Sunj as part of a multi-island day.
Some operators run direct water taxis from Dubrovnik to Sunj in summer. Faster than the ferry, cheaper than a private boat. Ask at the Old Town harbour or check with the Dubrovnik Tourist Board.
Most people head straight to Sunj and ignore Lopud village. That’s a mistake.
The village wraps around a harbour on the north side of the island — no cars, stone houses covered in bougainvillea, palm-lined promenades. It was a major maritime centre during the Republic of Ragusa, and you can still see the grand captains’ houses from the 15th and 16th centuries lining the waterfront.
The Franciscan monastery above the village has a small collection of paintings and a courtyard with views over the harbour. There’s also a ruined fortress higher up the hill for anyone who likes a short scramble with a rewarding vista.
Obala Restaurant — right on the harbour. Fresh fish, seafood risotto, cold local wine. Sit at a table by the water and watch the boats come and go.
Dubrovnik Sun Gardens has a beach restaurant on the other side of the island, but the village restaurants are better value and more authentic.
At Sunj Beach itself, the beach bars serve drinks, burgers, and light food. Fine for a cold beer, less impressive for a proper meal.
The ferry brings waves of visitors at predictable times. If you arrive by private boat, you can time your visit to avoid the rush.
Best strategy: Arrive at Sunj before 10:00 or after 15:00. The beach is three times more enjoyable when it’s half empty. Late afternoon light on Sunj is particularly beautiful — the sand turns golden and the water goes from turquoise to a deeper blue.
In June and September, Sunj is genuinely quiet even at midday. The water is warm, the beach is spacious, and you might wonder why you’d ever fight for space on a pebble beach in the Old Town.
Lopud has more than one beach. The north shore near the village has several rocky swimming spots with deep water and excellent snorkeling. Less pretty than Sunj, but far less crowded and better for underwater exploration.
The island is also excellent for walking. A trail loops around the eastern end through wild Mediterranean landscape — olive groves, abandoned terraces, and coastal viewpoints toward Sipan Island and the open sea.
For the adventurous, a path leads to the ruins of a Spanish fortress on the island’s highest point. The views from the top cover the entire Elaphiti archipelago and the Dubrovnik coastline.
What to bring: Towel, sunscreen, water shoes (the sand is fine but some rocky bits at the edges), cash for beach bars.
Facilities: Two beach bars, toilets, sun lounger rental (approximately €10-15 per pair). No proper shade structures — bring your own if you burn easily, or claim a spot under the pine trees at the back.
Water temperature: Warmest in August (24-26°C). Swimmable from June through October. May is possible but fresh.
Best for kids: Absolutely. The shallow, sandy entry makes Sunj one of the most child-friendly beaches on the Croatian coast. Kids can wade out a long way before it gets deep.
Best for couples: Late afternoon, when the crowds thin and the light turns golden. Bring a bottle of wine from the village.
Visit Sunj Beach on our Blue Cave tour (includes 1.5h at Sunj) or the Elaphiti Islands tour. You can also design a custom day with Sunj as your main stop. Book online or contact us on WhatsApp.
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