Banje Beach

Banje is the city beach - a 150-metre curve of fine pebble tucked into the coast immediately east of Ploče Gate, with the walls of the Old Town rising directly across the water. Locals have swum here for a century, and the view of the ramparts from a lounger with your feet in the Adriatic is one of the most obviously beautiful you will ever have. Half of the beach is a paid beach club with sunbeds, umbrellas and cocktail service; the other half is free and open to anyone. The water is clean, blue and about 24 degrees in July.

The paid side is run by East-West Beach Club, which rents sunbeds from €25 a pair. It has a restaurant and a bar that becomes a low-key club in the evening. The free side has changing cubicles, showers and a couple of kiosks selling cold drinks and ice cream. The bottom shelves gradually so it is safe for children, though there is a drop-off about 15 metres out. Small kayaks and paddleboards are rentable from the boat next to the changing rooms (€15 an hour).

The three-minute walk from Ploče Gate makes this the natural post-walls swim. Come early (before 10:00) to grab a free-side spot on high summer days, or late (after 17:00) for the sunset light on the walls. It gets busy - if you want quiet, take the boat to Lokrum or bus 4 to Sveti Jakov beach. Banje is not for solitude; it is for the view and the ten-minute walk home.

Hours & entry

Free access, sunbeds paid

Beach open 24 h · Lifeguards May-Oct 9:00-19:00 · Beach club until midnight in summer

What to see

• The Old Town walls from the water — Swim 20 m out and look back
• Free public showers — Behind the changing cubicles, west end
• The view of Lokrum island — East end of the beach, morning light

Tips from the ground

• Free side is on the west (near Ploče Gate); paid loungers on the east.
• Bring water shoes - the pebbles are round but hot underfoot at noon.
• The bar accepts card, but small drinks kiosks are cash only.