Croatia’s been getting a lot of attention in recent years for being a tourist hotspot, largely because of its host of dreamy beaches that rival those in popular Mediterranean countries like Greece and Italy. But with increased tourism comes the need to escape from other tourists. Thankfully, visitors to Dubrovnik can slip away to a secret beach in sight of the city: Sveti Jakov Beach. It might not be as unknown as the remote Štracinska Beach on the Croatian island of Šolta, but it’s more out of the way than beaches in Dubrovnik or Split.
Located about 15 minutes by car or a 35-minute jaunt on foot from Dubrovnik’s city center, Sveti Jakov Beach is what visitors wish all of the bustling city’s beaches were like. While not packed to the gills, it’s not totally vacant, with turquoise water backed by rocky cliff faces. You can see the imposing, 13th-century walls of Dubrovnik’s old town from the beach or gaze out across the Adriatic at the nearby Lokrum island, which has hiking trails, swimming spots, and scenic lookout points. Sveti Beach also allows swimming and water sports.
If you really want to get away, you can keep going south to other, semi-isolated beaches like Kupari and Soline. But like all newfound “secrets,” every day more and more people learn about Sveti Jakov Beach. The area is full of hotels and rentable villas, so get there early or be prepared to face rows of purple beach umbrellas.
Soaking in the sun and sand of Sveti Jakov Beach
Visitors to Sveti Jakov Beach doubtlessly have one main agenda in mind: Soak in the sun, poke around the surf, maybe take a couple of pictures, and pack it up for the day. While you could do this at any beach, the natural beauty of Sveti Jakov makes it stand out. The water is particularly crisp, and the beach is isolated. It’s basically a secluded cove surrounded on three sides by craggy cliffs softened by a thick, green treeline. To get to this paradise, the stairs down are marked by the small stone Church of St. James, after which the beach gets its name.
Beachside rental services are available for visitors, priced at around $75 for two beach chairs and one of those big purple umbrellas we mentioned. You should also bring beach shoes because the surf is full of little pebbles. There’s a restaurant right on the beach, Konoba Sveti Jakov. It has the usual array of salads, sandwiches, and fried foods and isn’t unreasonably priced. A burger will set you back around $16. Like anything else, you’re paying for the convenience and the rare chance to be in such a special, little spot.
For those who want a little activity, you can snorkel and swim to your heart’s content. There are also jet ski and boat rentals, weather permitting. The scenic Lokrum Island sits within view of Sveti Jakov Beach, but you’ll have to take a ferry there from Dubrovnik’s Old Town.
Bulding Sveti Jakov Beach into your Dubrovnik itinerary
