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Pasjaca Beach Near Dubrovnik (Croatia’s Most Beautiful Beach)
Pasjača Beach is one of Croatia’s most unique beaches, and it deserves a spot on your itinerary.
Just south of Dubrovnik, this small, secluded stretch of golden sand sits tucked beneath towering cliffs. Its 80-meter shoreline and turquoise water make it look unlike anywhere else in the country. It’s no surprise Pasjaca Beach was voted most beautiful beach in Croatia in 2019, though it’s still a bit of a hidden gem for tourists.
I visited Pasjaca Beach for the first time in 2021 (after living in Croatia for 7 years!) and it was even more breathtaking than I imagined, so I highly recommend adding it to your Croatia itinerary.
Hi! I’m Olivia, a US-born Croatian who’s been living in Croatia full-time since 2014. I’ve spent over 30 years exploring the country, from childhood visits to now traveling every corner as my job.
📍 Make sure to grab my free Croatia map with 500+ places I’ve personally visited and recommend.
It will take a bit of planning to get there though. That’s exactly why I put together this post to give you all the details you should know about visiting Pasjaca Beach.
From what to bring to how to get to Pasjaca Beach from Dubrovnik or Cavtat, this guide has all the information you need to plan the perfect visit.
Pasjaca Beach: The Most Beautiful Beach in Croatia
Pasjaca Beach is known for its impressive setting beneath a 200-foot cliff. The beach is around 80 meters (262 feet) long and is surrounded by cliff faces on three sides.
This narrow beach has a mix of sandy and gravely shores due to the fact that it is openly exposed to the Adriatic (meaning there are not islands directly in front of it), which often causes it to experience larger waves.
Thanks to its remote location far away from boat traffic, the water at Pasjaca Beach remains immaculate and pure. It is also quite shallow, making it a true paradise for swimming and relaxation.
Where is Pasjaca Beach?
Pasjaca Beach is located in the very southwestern corner of Croatia, just 29 kilometers (18 miles) south of Dubrovnik and only 12 kilometers (7.4 miles) away from Cavtat. The closest village to the beach is Popovići.
On the map below, you can see the location of Pasjaca Beach as well as the free parking lot for the beach.
How to Get to Pasjaca
Given its unusual location, there is a semi-paved trail you’ll need to hike down that is carved into the cliffs in order to reach the beach. You’ll also see some striking views along this walk, so don’t forget your camera!
How to Get to Pasjaca Beach from Dubrovnik
Pasjaca Beach is located 29 kilometers from Dubrovnik. It’s not an exceptionally long journey, but no public transportation will take you directly to this beach. The nearest bus stop is also several kilometers away and not worth the walk in the hot sun.
This leaves only two options for getting to Pasjaca Beach on your own: driving yourself or taking an Uber from Dubrovnik.
My favorite way to reach Pasjača, though, is by boat. Skipping the hike down and swimming straight up to the beach instead is an experience in itself, and it’s how I’d recommend seeing it if you have the option.
I’d point you toward Garitransfer for this. They’ve been running boats out of Dubrovnik since 2008, it’s family-run, and they’ve earned a 4.9 star rating across almost 650 reviews, so I’m clearly not the only one who thinks they’re worth booking. Their license-free boats start around €150 a day.
This is a great way to avoid the trek down and swim up to the stunning beach instead! If you’d rather be behind the wheel yourself, you can also rent a boat if you have your boating license.
How to Get to Pasjaca Beach From Cavtat
In similar fashion to Dubrovnik, there are also no public transportation links to Pasjaca Beach from Cavtat, although the driving distance is shorter since Cavtat is just 12 kilometers away. Due to the shorter drive, taxis will be more affordable from Cavtat to Pasjaca Beach.
Best Time to Visit Pasjaca Beach
The best time to visit Pasjaca Beach is early morning or late afternoon. It gets extremely hot during the day, especially during peak season in July and August, and Pasjaca doesn’t offer much shade (more on this later).
The beach also tends to fill up by around 11:00 AM. Given its size, it doesn’t take many people to feel crowded, so getting there early is your best shot at having it mostly to yourself.
If you can, visit in June or September instead of peak summer. The water is still warm enough to swim, but you’ll deal with far fewer people and cooler hiking conditions on the way down and back up. Late afternoon is also worth considering if you’re after photos, since the light hits the cliffs differently and the worst of the heat has passed.
Things to Know Before Visiting Pasjaca Beach
The Road to the Beach is Very Narrow
There is a paved road leading up to the village of Popovići. Once you turn down the road leading to the beach, it will transform into an unpaved lane with large potholes and bumps. It is also very narrow, which means if a car is coming toward you from the opposite direction, one of you will have to back up.
The best way to navigate the path to the beach is to drive slowly and be aware of your surroundings – especially if you are driving a rental car!
When renting a car in Croatia, I always recommend (and personally use) Discover Cars. They are my go-to because they check both local and international providers in each destination ensuring you get the cheapest rate.
Pasjaca Beach Parking
When you arrive at the beginning of the cliffside path leading down to Pasjaca Beach, you will be greeted with an informal parking lot. Be aware that the parking lot, similar to the road, is unpaved and quite rocky.
But, unlike parking in Dubrovnik, there is plenty of room to leave your car free of charge.
Prepare for the walk down to the beach and back up
Since Pasjaca Beach sits at the bottom of a cliff, the only way down is to hike. The path is semi-paved and moderately steep, so I’d call the difficulty medium. It’s manageable, but not something you want to underestimate.
The first half of the trail is partially paved since this beach is popular, but the second half turns to dirt and rocks.
There’s a series of steps down (and eventually back up), so keep that in mind when you pack your bag for the day. Throwing everything into a backpack instead of a beach bag makes a real difference on the way back up.
Avoid anything bulky that’ll turn that climb into a struggle.
There are parts of the path where those with vertigo might not want to look directly down, but there are barriers and metal railings for your safety.
You could get away with flip-flops, but closed-toe walking shoes are the better call, especially on the rockier, slippery sections of the path.
Bring a Well-Packed Beach Bag
There is no infrastructure or amenities at this beach, meaning no restaurants, bars, or even toilets at (or around) Pasjaca Beach. For this reason, you’ll want to pack all the snacks, meals, fresh drinking water, other beverages, and supplies that you may need for the day.
Due to the nature of the beach, there is a limited amount of shade on Pasjaca. Make sure you at least bring a sun hat and plenty of sunblock with you.
There’s no doubt that swimming and sunbathing will make you thirst and you may be tempted to drink all of the liquids you brought with you. However, you’ll want to save some water for the hike back up to the parking lot at the end of the day (trust me on this one).
Pro tip: I always like to have some Liquid IV with me whenever I travel (especially to the beach!) to make sure I stay hydrated.
This uphill hike can be pretty demanding in the summer heat, and you will have been baking in the sun all day, so you will be thankful to have something to quench your thirst on the way up.
There is no cell reception at Pasjaca Beach
There is spotty reception since you’re quite literally surrounded by rock cliffs. If you are traveling to the beach by taxi or car transfer, it is a good idea to make any pick-up arrangements before hiking down to the beach since you won’t have much luck calling or getting on the internet from this area.
While the lack of cell reception might be a turn off, it really is one of the beautiful things about Pasjaca Beach. With no access to the internet, you can spend the day completely disconnected, enjoying the present moment and the breathtaking landscape all around you.
If you want to stay connected while visiting other parts of Croatia, make sure you get Airalo. Airalo is a super affordable data plan that allows you to have data while traveling (without the high costs of roaming). I’ve used it in Turkey, Thailand, Croatia, and the USA!
Final Thoughts on Visiting Pasjaca Beach
Pasjaca Beach is strikingly beautiful. The water is crystal clear and several shades of blue, so if you have a waterproof phone case or a GoPro, it’s an excellent opportunity to do some snorkeling and take some fantastic photos beneath the sea!
In the heat of July, this beach can get pretty crowded, but in the shoulder months of June and September, you’re likely to experience fewer visitors. Besides that, the beach is open to the public year-round so you can visit Pasjaca Beach any time you like!
Of course, it’s better when the water is warm and swimmable, but you can still enjoy the natural beauty of this secluded beach any time of year.
Before you go…don’t miss these other awesome day trips from Dubrovnik!
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Croatia Travel Planning Guide
💸 What is the currency in Croatia?
As of January 1st, 2023, the official currency of Croatia is the Euro and NOT the Kuna (which is also the name of the national animal of Croatia).
🇭🇷 What language do they speak in Croatia?
Croatian is the official language of Croatia. Learn some phrases in Croatian before your trip with the Ling app!
🚑 Should I buy Croatia travel insurance?
10000% YES – Seriously, don’t leave home without it. You never know what can happen on the road. I like SafetyWing because they provide excellent coverage for as little as $1.50 a day.
📱 Will my phone work in Croatia?
Maybe – check with your provider to see if you’ll have service while traveling Croatia. If you don’t have service (or it’s too expensive) I recommend getting an eSIM like Airalo. Airalo allows you to have data while traveling without the high costs of roaming. They have super affordable plans available for 190+ countries, including Croatia. Download the app and get your plan before you leave home so that you have data as soon as you touch down in Croatia!
🏨 What’s the best way to book my Croatia accommodations?
For Croatia hotels, Booking is by far the best site.
🛫 What’s the best site to buy Croatia flights?
I always use Skyscanner to find the cheapest flights.
🚗 Is it safe to rent a Car in Croatia?
Yes! – In fact, renting a car in Croatia is one of the best ways to see the country! I recommend Discover Cars because they check both local and international rental companies to ensure you get the best deal. (Get your Croatia road trip itinerary here)
💦 Is it safe to drink the water in Croatia?
Tap water in Croatia is completely safe to drink, so bring your reusable water bottle and fill up!
🪪 Do I need a visa for Croatia?
Depending on where you are coming from you may or may not need a visa to enter Croatia. Check the official Republic of Croatia Ministry of Foreign Affairs website for more information on who should apply for a visa.
