Buža Bar: Dubrovnik's Hidden Gem on the Cliffs
- Amy Leggett
- Jun 27
- 4 min read
When I was researching things to do for my recent trip to Dubrovnik with my daughters, I stumbled upon some information about this curious little bar situated on the cliffs overlooking the Adriatic. Tucked away on the southern edge of Dubrovnik's ancient city walls, Buža Bar (literal meaning is "hole in the wall" in the local dialect) is a hidden oasis offering breathtaking views of the Adriatic Sea and Lokrum Island. It became a "Must See" on our Dubrovnik Bucket List.
Things to Know About Visiting Buža Bar:
It is not easy to find. It is away from the bustling center of the Old Town and we wandered along the narrow streets until we finally came upon the very low-key sign indicating we had found it! We did enter the location into the GPS, but we all know how that goes when wandering around Europe. In doing further research for this blog, I discovered these directions: Start at Gundulic Square, ascend the Jesuit Stairs (the Cersei Game of Thrones ones!), turn left at the top and follow the path along the City Walls. You will see a yellow wooden sign that says "Cold Drinks With the Most Beautiful View". Keep walking in that direction until you come to a passageway through the wall marked by the sign below. Hopefully these directions make it easier for you to find Buža Bar!
The Low-Key "Your Are Here" Sign For Buža Bar
If you walk the City Walls of Dubrovnik before your Buža Bar visit, you will spy the location from the Walls and can use that to orient yourself as to the general area you need to head to in order to find the bar. Check out my blog about walking the City Walls.
You will enter Buža Bar through a literal hole in the City Wall. Once you walk through to come out on the other side, you will descend some steep stairs to the main bar area. There are additional stairs down to the rocks for sunbathing or cliff jumping. Be advised this is a very rustic place and there is limited accessibility for those with mobility problems.
Lots of Steep Steps Down to the Bar and to the Rocks This bar's charm lies in its simplicity, letting the magnificent views of the Adriatic Sea take the spotlight. There are no fancy cocktails, just the basics...beer, wine, and cider. Snacks are limited to Pringles or peanuts, so don't come here hungry.
Choices Were Limited, But This Cider Was Delicious! There is no running water on site, so amenities are minimal (one porta potty which I thankfully did not have to use!). Make sure to plan ahead and use the restroom before you come.
In line with the rustic vibe of this bar, be prepared to pay with cash. They do not accept credit cards.
One of the unique aspects of the Buža Bar is the ability to jump off the cliffs below the bar or just sunbathe on the rocks next to the water. My girls were so excited to have this experience and were extremely disappointed that the conditions were not safe for jumping in on the day we went. (INSIDE STORY: This was the only fight we had during the 10 day trip. I thought they were actually contemplating jumping in because they really wanted to and I was STRONGLY inserting my opinion that they shouldn't. They were upset that I didn't think they were smart enough to assess the situation and was telling them what to do. But to be fair, they looked like they were still really considering it and you know....mother's protective instinct takes over.). So, bottom line, no jumping in from the Buža Bar cliffs for my girls, but we did get a great shot of the cliffside spot.
Disappointed Cliff Jumpers Assessing the Situation
If you want to swim or cliff jump come with your swimsuit on. There are no changing areas, so also be prepared to leave with your swimsuit on as well.
Even though Buža Bar is located on the south side of the city and the sunset is partially blocked by the City Walls, this is a popular place for people to gather for a drink to watch the sunset. If that sounds like a great idea to you, plan to be there 2-3 hours early to nab one of the limited tables. If you aren't able to secure a table, there is ample sitting space on the rocks.
Due to the rising popularity of this low-key bar, they have opened a second location called (aptly) Buža Bar II. I didn't check out this spot, but it is my understanding they may offer a broader cocktail menu and may accept credit cards. You will have to confirm that for yourself (and let me know!).
Buža Bar Is An Iconic Experience to Have When Visiting Dubrovnik!
Although Buža Bar isn't a fancy spot to grab an Instagrammable cocktail, it is a relaxing place to grab a cool drink with Instagrammable views and potentially an amazing cliff-jumping or swimming experience in Dubrovnik. I highly recommend adding a visit to Buža Bar to your Dubrovnik itinerary. You will be glad you did!
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