4 Best Bars in Southern Dalmatia, Croatia

Walking through an 800-year-old wall to find a secret swimming spot across the sea from a cursed island sounds like a fairy tale, but in Dubrovnik such places actually exist—and there are two of them. One of the Buža (hole-in-the-wall) bars is marked by a wooden sign pointing toward "cold drinks." The other has no signage at all; you just walk through a doorway in the city walls. With tables arranged on a series of terraces built into the rocks and jazzy soundtracks to go along with stunning vistas, both bars make a great place to stop for a drink or a swim; you can jump right off the rocks in front of the bar. Beware that both spots can get very busy in the summer; mornings are the best time to visit.

When the Hotel More was being built, a piece of machinery fell through the ground; it was only then that an 8,000-year-old cave was discovered underneath. It has been carefully converted into a three-story bar, with twinkling lights and stalactites, making it an unforgettable setting for a coffee or cocktail. Outside, just a short walk along the peaceful promenade from the beach in Lapad, the multilevel terrace with easy access to the sea is the perfect spot for a swim.

Built into a cliff overlooking local favorite Šulić Beach and just a 10-minute walk outside Pile Gate, this is the most chill of the beach bars around the city. With its reclaimed wood decor, swings as seats around the bar, and access to the sea where you can swim between sips, it's a rustic place for a light lunch or a sundowner.

Surely among the world's most impressive venues, Cocktail Bar Massimo is located inside one of the turrets of the fortified town walls and offers wonderful sunset views over the peninsula. Drinks are raised up the turret on a pulley, and you have to climb a steep ladder to get to the top.