Porporela

When exploring the Old Town of Dubrovnik, some places stand out with the way they blend daily life, history, and the simple pleasure of sitting in silence by the sea. Porporela is one of those places.

When you first see it, it looks like just another pier. But once you walk past Sveti Ivan Tower and reach the end of the breakwater, you’ll quickly realize Porporela is worth stopping. For ten minutes, an hour, or more. Locals have done the same for generations.

What Is Porporela?

Porporela is a stone pier and breakwater situated at the southeastern edge of Dubrovnik’s Old Harbour. While it was originally built to shield the harbor from strong waves and winds, today it plays a much broader role in everyday life. It’s a casual swimming spot, a local meeting place and a scenic escape just steps from the busy streets of the Old Town.

Porporela was constructed as part of the city’s historic maritime defense system. Positioned directly in front of St. John’s Fortress (Sveti Ivan Tower), it forms a protective barrier between the open Adriatic and the Old Port. For centuries, it helped ensure the safety of smaller boats entering or anchoring in the harbor.

What makes Porporela unique today is its blend of everyday local use and its beauty. While it’s not a formal tourist attraction, it attracts thousands of visitors each year simply by offering space to sit, breathe, swim or just take in the view.

You won’t find signs or souvenirs here. Instead, you’ll see:

• Flat stone surfaces where people lay towels or sit with a coffee
• A low wall ideal for sitting and letting your legs hang above the sea
• The Red Feral warning light, a symbolic meeting point
• A view of Lokrum Island, framed perfectly across the channel

It’s worth noting that Porporela beach, as it’s often called, is not a beach in the sandy or pebbled sense. There are no changing cabins or deck chairs. What it offers instead is spontaneous access to the sea in the very heart of the city.

How to reach Porporela Dubrovnik?

Finding Porporela is quite straightforward. Here’s a step-by-step route to make sure you don’t miss it:

1. Start at Stradun, the main street of the Old Town
2. Walk to the eastern end, toward the Old Port area
3. Just before reaching the water, pass through the Peskarija arch (near the old fish market)
4. Continue to your right along the harbor wall, heading toward the large stone structure of St. John’s Fortress
5. Walk around the outside of the fortress. After about 100 meters, Porporela appears at the end of the promenade

There are no stairs involved, so the route is accessible for most visitors, including those with strollers or mobility aids.

You’ll know you’re in the right place when you spot:

• The low curved breakwater extending into the sea
• Benches facing out to the water
• Locals sitting, chatting, reading or just watching the waves

You can find it on the Google map below.

Important tip: Avoid walking out to Porporela during stormy weather or after heavy rainfall. The stone surfaces get extremely slippery and sea splashes the entire area.

What you can do at Porporela?

Porporela is a space that locals use in simple, natural ways. And visitors can join in just as easily! Sit down, look out to sea, and you’ll understand why so many people pause here.

1. Swim or sunbathe

Porporela acts as a public swimming area, especially in the summer. While there are no lifeguards or ladders, you’ll find stone steps and flat rocks that make it easy to enter and exit the water. Locals, especially teenagers, often jump from the lower parts of the wall.

If you’re planning to swim:

• Bring a towel and swimwear – there are no facilities nearby
• Use water shoes if you have them – the rocks can be slippery
• Watch for boats – swimming outside the safe zone is not advisable

2. Take photos or enjoy the view

The views from Porporela are spectacular in all directions:

• Lokrum Island lies directly across, which is perfect for sunrise shots
• To the west, you’ll see the Old Town walls and harbor from an unusual perspective
• During golden hour, the light here makes for striking photos, even on a simple phone camera

3. Pause, reflect or share a moment

Porporela is also where many locals come to slow down. It’s common to see:

• Someone reading a book or writing in a notebook
• A couple sitting quietly on the bench by the Red Feral light
• Visitors enjoying takeaway food while resting their feet

You can also bring a coffee from one of the cafés just inside the Old Town or simply sit and rest your eyes on the water. In the early morning, Porporela is often empty, so you get to enjoy a rare sense of solitude in the city center.

Watch a local water polo match

If you visit during mid to late summer, you might catch a game from the Wild League, Dubrovnik’s famous amateur water polo tournament. Games often take place near Porporela, especially when the city’s teams practice or compete at the nearby beach courts. The atmosphere is energetic, but still casual.

Swimming at Porporela Beach

Even though it’s an unofficial beach, Porporela is a real local favorite in summer.

There are no facilities – no showers, no lockers, and no sand. What you get instead is:

• Flat stone surfaces for sunbathing
• Deep, clean water for swimming and diving
• The sea just a few steps from the Old Town’s edge

During summer afternoons, locals spread their towels out under the shade of the fortress. You might see someone reading, dozing off, or unpacking a small picnic. Youth groups often take over one corner to play water polo or practice dives off the breakwater wall.

Tips for visiting Porporela

Porporela is open to everyone, every day, and every hour. But, like all local spots, it’s best enjoyed with a little advance knowledge. Here are some useful tips to make your visit smooth, safe and memorable.

Practical advice

• Footwear: Wear flat, non-slip shoes if you plan to walk out along the breakwater, especially if it has recently rained or the sea is rough.
• Bring your own supplies: There are no beach chairs, umbrellas or changing cabins. Bring your own towel, water bottle and anything else you may need.
• No lifeguard service: Swimming is at your own risk. It’s best for confident swimmers or those with local experience.

When to visit?

• Morning: For a peaceful, crowd-free moment and ideal lighting for photography.
• Midday: If you’re looking to swim or sunbathe. Keep in mind that there’s little shade after noon.
• Evening: Perfect for a quiet sit-down with the sound of the sea and a view of the lights coming on across the harbor.

Respect the local use

Porporela is a shared space. Locals use it for daily swimming, relaxing, and even emotional conversations. While taking photos is fine, be mindful of those around you.

Keep your music low, avoid blocking the walking path and clean up after yourself. If you’re staying in Dubrovnik and want a different kind of landmark, one that isn’t that crowded and is authentic, Porporela is it.

Photography: Pixabay

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