Buža Bar: Visitor Guide, Dubrovnik

Buža is Dubrovnik’s worst-kept secret — a bar carved into the rocks outside the southern city walls, where you sit on cushions on bare stone above the Adriatic. There’s no sign on the street, no reservation, no roof, no kitchen, and no real menu beyond drinks and ice cream. Just an opening in the medieval wall, a few steps down the cliff, and one of the best sunset views in the Mediterranean.

The name buža means “hole” in Croatian — referring to the hole knocked through the city wall to access the cliff side. Locals have been drinking out here for decades, but Buža only became internationally famous in the 2010s when travel writers started naming it on lists of best bars in the world. It’s still cash-friendly, still seasonal, and still impossible to find without local guidance.

How to find Buža

From inside the old town, walk south from the Stradun (the main marble street) toward the cathedral and Jesuit church area. From the Jesuit Stairs, weave through the narrow alleys behind the cathedral towards the city walls. You’ll see small hand-painted signs saying “cold drinks” with arrows scrawled on stone. Follow them.

You’ll pass through a literal hole in the city wall — it’s narrow, you have to duck slightly, and you exit onto a cliff terrace above the sea. That’s Buža.

GPS doesn’t help much here. The narrow alleys aren’t on most map apps, and the entrance is not marked on Google Maps with any precision. Ask in the cathedral square — locals all know it.

Buža I vs Buža II — which one?

There are two Buža bars along the cliff, run by the same family but with different feels.

Buža I (also called Buža Vana) is the smaller, older one — to your left when you exit the wall. Slightly more bohemian, smaller crowd, sometimes plays Croatian music in the evening.

Buža II (also called Buža Mala or just Buža) is to your right — larger, lower on the cliff, with multiple terraces stepping down toward the water. This is the dramatic one with the iconic photos. Most travellers want Buža II.

Both serve the same drinks at the same prices. If Buža II is full (likely at sunset in summer), Buža I has the same view from a different angle.

What to expect

Rocky platforms with cushions, plastic tables wedged between boulders, and a bar counter built into the cliff. The sea is directly below — at Buža II’s lower terrace you can dive in for a swim if you’re confident (it’s about 7 metres down, with deep clean water below). Many people do; many also misjudge and hurt themselves. Don’t jump if you’re drunk.

There is no food beyond peanuts, ice cream, and small snacks. Eat first, drink at Buža.

The view is directly south over the open Adriatic, with Lokrum island on your left (a 15-minute ferry from Dubrovnik’s old port — see our Lokrum Island visitor guide). On clear days you can see the silhouette of the Italian coast on the horizon.

Prices

• Beer (Karlovačko, Ožujsko): €6.50–7.50 for a 0.5L
• Mojito (the bar’s signature drink): €7–8
• Aperol spritz / prosecco: around €9
• Wine by the glass: €5–8
• Soft drinks, water: €4–5
• Ice cream, snacks: €3–6

Cash is preferred and faster, but cards are sometimes accepted at peak times. Bring euros — Croatia has been on the euro since 2023, no need for kuna.

It’s not cheap by Croatian standards, but you’re paying for the setting, not the drink. One or two drinks is the sweet spot — settle in for sunset, then move on for dinner.

Sunset timing

This is the single most important thing about Buža. Arrive by 5pm in summer (June–August) if you want a good rocky spot facing the sunset. By 6pm the best lower terrace at Buža II is taken. By 7pm it’s standing room only.

In May and September, sunset is earlier and crowds are lighter — arriving by 6pm is fine. In April and October, the bar might close before sunset depending on weather and season.

The light show: Around 30 minutes before sunset, the western light hits the city walls above you in gold. Then sun drops behind the horizon, the sea turns from gold to dark blue, and the city walls glow rose for another 20 minutes. Stay through the full transition — it’s the best free light show Dubrovnik gives you.

When Buža is open

Buža is seasonal. Roughly May through October, weather depending. In April and late October it operates on reduced hours and closes when the wind picks up. From November through March it’s closed entirely — there’s no shelter and the south wind makes the cliff dangerous.

Within the season, opening is roughly 9am to late (last orders depend on the night and the weather). The morning is a quiet, alternative time to visit — a coffee at Buža with the sun rising over Lokrum is a good photograph if you’re up early.

Tips and warnings

• No shade. Bring sunglasses and a hat in midday summer.
• Slippery rocks. Wet stone after a dropped drink is a fall hazard. Wear shoes with grip.
• Not for small children. Open cliff edges, no railings in places.
• No bathroom. Use one in the old town before you come — the nearest public toilet is a 10-minute walk back.
• Service can be slow at peak times. Don’t expect attentive waiters; flag down the staff.
• Music is variable — sometimes ambient, sometimes loud Croatian pop. Buža II tends louder in the evening.
• Cash is faster than card.
• Photos — the iconic Buža shot is from the lower terrace looking back up at the cliff and the city walls. Best taken in late afternoon golden hour.

Buža in a Dubrovnik day

Buža is a late-afternoon-to-sunset stop, not an all-day hangout. Most travellers fit it between the city walls walk (morning, when it’s cooler) and a late dinner in the old town (after 8pm).

For an hour-by-hour plan that times Buža at golden hour between the City Walls and dinner, see our one day in Dubrovnik itinerary.

For the best Buža photo angles and other Dubrovnik shots, see our Dubrovnik photography spots guide.

More to do near Buža

• Dubrovnik City Walls — walk these in the morning before the heat, then come to Buža at sunset
• Lokrum Island — the island you see from Buža II; 15-minute ferry from the old port
• Things to do in Dubrovnik — the full hub of attractions, photo spots, and day-trip options

Getting to Dubrovnik

Buža is inside Dubrovnik’s old town walls — once you’re in the city, it’s a 10-minute walk from anywhere. Getting to Dubrovnik is the question for most travellers:

• From Split — 3.5 hours by private transfer (200 km coastal drive)
• From Mostar — 2.5 hours (1 border crossing)
• From Kotor / Bay of Kotor — 2 hours (1 border crossing) — see Kotor to Dubrovnik private transfer
• From Dubrovnik Airport (DBV) — 25 minutes — see DBV airport to Dubrovnik old town transfer

See all private transfers from Dubrovnik — Mostar, Kotor, Split, Sarajevo, Tirana, and 24 more routes.

FAQ

Is Buža free to enter? Yes, entry is free. You only pay for what you drink. There’s no minimum spend, but it’s understood you’ll order at least one drink for the seat.

Can I just visit for the view without drinking? Technically yes, but the staff will expect you to order something. A bottle of water (€4) is the cheapest option if you want to see the view without committing.

How early should I arrive for sunset? By 5pm in peak summer (Jun–Aug) for a good spot at Buža II. 6pm in shoulder season. Earlier if you want a specific seat.

Can I jump into the sea from Buža? Yes, from the lower terrace at Buža II, into deep water. Many people do. Don’t jump if you’ve been drinking — the cliff is about 7 metres and people have been seriously injured. There’s no lifeguard.

What’s the difference between Buža I and Buža II? Same family, same prices, different vibe. Buža II (right when you exit the wall) is bigger, lower, more dramatic — most photos are from here. Buža I (left) is smaller and quieter.

Is Buža open in winter? No — closed November through March. April and October operate on reduced hours, weather permitting.

Are there other cliff bars in Dubrovnik? Buža is the most famous, but a few similar spots exist along the south walls. Local recommendation: stick with Buža — the others are imitators with worse views.