Lying beneath Petka Hill, a short distance from the old town of Dubrovnik is Lapad Beach. It is one of several beaches that make up the Lapad Peninsula, a beautiful bay area where you can take part in watersports, relax on the sand and go for seaside walks along the promenade.
Begin on the main beach, a mixture of gravel and sand dotted with pine, palm and olive trees. There is lots to do here in addition to sunbathing and swimming. Hire a pedal boat, sign up for lessons at the diving school and arrange a boat trip to a nearby island. Join a game of volleyball or tennis then relax with a refreshing drink at one of the beachside cafés. The facilities here include showers and changing cabins.
Go for a walk on Lapad Promenade, which stretches all the way around the Lapad Peninsula. The path offers a number of lovely views including panoramas of the Elaphite Islands and the bay’s beaches. You will also find plenty of pastry shops, cafés and ice cream stalls lining the route.
Visit some of the neighboring beaches found along the bay area. Check out the concrete-paved Adriatic Beach, which offers similar amenities to Lapad Beach. Beach Vis I is a perfect starting point for kayaking and canoeing around Lapad Bay. If you are into fast paced water sports, rent a Jet Ski at Beach Vis II. The pebble-covered Splendid Beach is ideal for those seeking a more tranquil area to sit and enjoy the sea vistas. If you want to really get away from the crowds, look for a private space on the rocks.
Lapad Beach is approximately 2 miles (3 kilometres) northwest of Dubrovnik’s old town, and can be reached via a regular bus service running between the two locations. Alternatively, arrive by taxi or rental car.
