Buža Bar

Buža Bar is Dubrovnik's famous "hole-in-the-wall" cliff bar, hidden on the seaward side of the Old Town fortifications at Crijevićeva 9. Step through a small opening in the stone wall and you emerge onto rocks above the Adriatic, with views towards Lokrum and direct access to the sea below.

Come to Buža for the unusual setting rather than a polished bar experience. Drinks and facilities are basic, seating arrangements can change, and summer crowds are common, but having a cold drink on the rocks immediately outside the Dubrovnik City Walls remains one of the Old Town's most distinctive experiences.

Which Buža Bar does this guide cover?

This page covers Buža Bar at Crijevićeva 9. It should not be confused with another nearby cliff bar commonly called Bard, Mala Buža or Buža II, located at Ispod Mira 14.

The names Buža, Buža I and Buža II have been used inconsistently in travel guides and online listings over the years. If you are navigating by map, use the address Crijevićeva 9 rather than relying on the Buža I/Buža II numbering.

Is Buža Bar worth visiting?

Yes, if the unusual location is what attracts you. There are better places in Dubrovnik for elaborate cocktails, comfortable seating or dinner, but very few bars let you step through a medieval wall and drink immediately above the Adriatic.

Buža is deliberately basic. The rocks and sea are more important than the furniture, and the exact seating and shade available can change. In summer it is no longer a hidden corner known only to locals: it is a famous stop and can become very busy.

If you go expecting a simple cliffside drinking spot rather than a conventional cocktail bar, the location is still genuinely memorable.

How to find Buža Bar

Buža can be surprisingly easy to miss even though it is only a short walk from the busiest streets of Dubrovnik Old Town.

One useful route starts at Gundulić Square. Walk up the broad Jesuit Steps towards St Ignatius Church. At the top, continue towards the southern City Walls and follow the streets along the inside of the fortifications.

Look for signs advertising "Cold Drinks" and the small opening through the wall. Once through it, the Old Town streets disappear behind you and the rocky terrace and Adriatic open up ahead.

Navigation apps can be confusing in Dubrovnik's narrow pedestrian streets, so the Jesuit Steps, City Walls and physical signs are often more useful landmarks than trying to follow a map turn by turn.

Swimming at Buža Bar

Buža is not a conventional beach. There is no pebble shore or broad swimming platform; access to the sea is from the rocks and steps below the bar.

Strong swimmers often enter the water here during calm summer weather, making Buža part bar and part informal swimming spot. The water is open Adriatic sea rather than a protected swimming pool, so conditions can change with wind and waves.

If you intend to swim, bring a swimsuit and towel and wear footwear that gives you a good grip on hot or slippery rock. Treat the area as open-water swimming rather than a managed beach.

For an easier beach day, see our wider selection of swimming spots on Lokrum and around Dubrovnik.

Cliff jumping at Buža

You will often see swimmers jumping into the sea from the rocks around Buža. The old Absolute Croatia guide even highlighted a particular local jumping point, but we no longer recommend treating cliff jumping as an attraction that visitors should attempt.

Jumping from height into open water carries a real risk of serious injury, especially if you do not know the depth, entry point or sea conditions. You do not need to jump from the cliffs to swim at Buža or enjoy the bar.

If you choose to enter the water, use an accessible lower entry point and assess conditions for yourself rather than copying other swimmers.

What is the best time to visit Buža Bar?

Late afternoon and early evening offer the best balance for most visitors. The midday rocks can become extremely hot during July and August, while later in the day the temperature becomes more comfortable and the light over the Adriatic improves.

If swimming is your main reason for visiting, daytime gives you better visibility and more daylight. If you are mainly coming for a drink and atmosphere, late afternoon usually makes more sense.

Arrive before the most popular evening period if finding a good place on the rocks matters to you. Buža can become crowded in high season and there is no large conventional terrace with unlimited seating.

Is Buža Bar good for sunset?

Buža is extremely popular around sunset and the late-afternoon light across the Adriatic can be beautiful. However, it is better described as a sunset-time bar than a guaranteed unobstructed sunset viewpoint.

Depending on the date and your exact position on the rocks, parts of the City Walls and coastline can affect the direct view of the sun reaching the horizon. What you reliably get is open sea, changing evening light and views towards Lokrum Island.

If seeing the sun itself drop cleanly into the horizon is your main priority, choose the viewpoint based on the sunset direction for your travel date rather than assuming Buža will provide the perfect angle.

Drinks, food and facilities

Buža is a simple cliff bar rather than a full restaurant. The drinks selection is generally straightforward, with beer, wine, soft drinks and basic mixed drinks forming the core offer.

Do not plan a meal around Buža. Food availability and the exact facilities have changed over time, so eat elsewhere in the Old Town if you need a proper lunch or dinner.

Seating, tables, parasols and shade can also change from season to season. Recent visitors have reported periods when the usual furniture was reduced or absent, so come primarily for the location rather than expecting conventional bar comfort.

Payment reports also vary. Cards have been accepted by some recent visitors while other listings still describe cash payment, so bringing some cash as a backup is sensible.

Accessibility and steps

Buža is not a good choice for visitors who have difficulty with stairs or uneven surfaces. Reaching the bar involves walking through the hilly Old Town, while the bar itself extends over uneven rock outside the City Walls.

Getting closer to the sea requires additional steps and movement over the rocks. There is no conventional flat promenade or beach access.

What to bring to Buža Bar

• Swimsuit and towel: if you plan to enter the sea.
• Suitable footwear: the rock can be uneven, slippery and extremely hot in summer.
• Sun protection: shade can be limited.
• Cash backup: payment arrangements have varied.
• Water: particularly if walking there during the hottest part of the day.
• Realistic expectations: come for the setting rather than luxury service or elaborate food.

Practical tips for Buža Bar

• Use the address Crijevićeva 9: this avoids confusion with Bard/Mala Buža.
• Look for the "Cold Drinks" sign: the entrance through the wall is easy to walk past.
• Late afternoon is a good compromise: cooler than midday but before the busiest evening period.
• Do not count on a particular seat: furniture and shade arrangements can change.
• Swimming is optional: the view alone is the main reason to visit.
• Be cautious around the rocks: especially when wet or after drinking alcohol.
• Check opening hours the same day: current published listings disagree and hours may vary seasonally.

Continue the evening in Dubrovnik

If Buža is the start rather than the end of your evening, Dubrovnik Old Town has bars and nightlife within walking distance once you return through the City Walls.

Address & contact details

Street: Crijevićeva ulica 9
Postcode: 20000
City: Dubrovnik
Telephone: +385 98 361 934
Website: Buža Bar