Kayak, Lokrum & Cliff Bars

Sea Kayaking Around the City Walls

Seeing the city walls from the water is a completely different experience than walking on the wall. Sea kayaking tours usually start at Banje Beach (east of the Old Town) and lead along the south wall, past cliffs and caves, with a swimming stop at Betina Cave or on Lokrum Island. The most popular tour: the Sunset Tour (3 hours, 40–55€), which paddles along the walls in the golden evening light.

Lokrum Island

The Lokrum Island is only 600 meters from the Old Town and can be reached in 10 minutes by ferry (departure from the old harbor, every 30 min., 15€ round trip). Lokrum is a nature reserve: no hotels, no cars, no buildings — just nature, history, and crystal-clear water.

• Botanical Garden: Exotic plants from around the world, laid out by Archduke Maximilian of Habsburg (later Emperor of Mexico) in the 19th century. Peacocks roam freely.
• Mrtvo More (Dead Sea): A small, natural salt lake in the interior of the island — the water is warmer than the sea and has a higher salt content. Perfect for swimming.
• Rock Bathing Spots: The south side of the island offers spectacular rock platforms for sunbathing and swimming in crystal-clear water. Some areas are nudist.
• Game of Thrones: In the Benedictine monastery stands a replica of the Iron Throne — a must for fan selfies. The gardens served as a filming location for Qarth.
• Rabbits: The island is full of tame rabbits — descendants of a population brought by Maximilian. Especially loved by children.

Cliff Bars: Buža I & Buža II

Dubrovnik's legendary cliff bars are set into the rocks of the south wall — without a roof, without a sign, without pomp. Just rocks, cocktails, and the view of the open sea.

• Buža II (Café Buža): The more famous of the two — through a hole in the city wall (with the sign "Cold Drinks"), you reach the rock terrace. Beer benches on cliffs, cocktails (8–15€), cliff jumpers, sunset. No reservation system — just come and find a spot.
• Buža I: A bit more hidden, a bit quieter, similarly spectacular. Fewer tourists, more local crowd.

From both bars, you can jump directly into the sea — the cliffs are 3–10 meters high. Warning: Only jump where others jump — the underwater rocks are not safe everywhere.