Dubrovnik, Croatia
Marble streets, a full circuit of medieval walls and terracotta rooftops above the bluest water in the Adriatic. Here’s how to plan one easy day in Croatia’s most famous port.
The pearl of the Adriatic
Dubrovnik’s Old Town is one of the best-preserved walled cities in Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For centuries it was the capital of the Republic of Ragusa, a merchant state that rivaled Venice. Today you can walk the full circuit of its stone walls, stroll the polished limestone of the Stradun and look down on it all from Mount Srđ.
The city works hard to manage crowds, limiting the number of large ships that call each day, so your time ashore is better than it used to be. The cruise port sits about two miles from the walls, which makes a little planning worthwhile. Below are the shore excursions we’d book, the ship tours worth knowing about and the details that keep a Dubrovnik day easy.
Which pier you’ll dock at
Most ships dock at Port Gruž, and a few anchor off the Old Town. Confirm your arrival details on your itinerary a few days before you arrive.
Port Gruž
The main cruise port, in a sheltered bay about two miles from the Old Town. It’s a busy working harbor, so the area around the berths isn’t the place to linger. Your cruise line will explain the options for getting to the Old Town, often a shuttle that costs extra, and most ship and independent tours meet you right at the port.
Used by: Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Norwegian, MSC, Princess, Viking, Oceania, Regent, Silversea, Seabourn, Windstar and Explora Journeys.
Old Town tender
Some smaller ships, and occasionally a larger one on a busy day, anchor off the Old Town and tender guests into the Old Port, right beneath the city walls. You step ashore steps from the sights. Tenders depend on the sea, and lines can build in the afternoon, so leave extra time to get back.
Used by: smaller ships on some itineraries. Check your itinerary for your pier.
Excursions we’d book
Hand-picked shore excursions from local operators, bookable through our partner Project Expedition. Every tour here carries Project Expedition’s Back to Ship Guarantee. Prices are per person and can change; check the live price when you book.
Private Half Day Shore Excursion: Old Dubrovnik & Medieval Cavtat
A private half day with a driver-guide who meets you at the ship. You’ll stop for the classic view from the slopes of Mount Srđ, walk the Old Town with a licensed guide and visit Cavtat, a small medieval harbor town down the coast.
View on Project ExpeditionDubrovnik City Tour: Panoramic Ride & Sightseeing Walk
A panoramic drive with views over Gruž harbor and from the top of Mount Srđ, a few Game of Thrones filming spots, then a guided walk through the Old Town. One of its meeting points is by the cruise port in Gruž. Rated moderate for fitness.
View on Project ExpeditionDubrovnik Private Shore Excursion: Sightseeing & Cable Car Ride
A private six-hour day that starts near the Gruž cruise port, rides the cable car up Mount Srđ for the big view, then walks the Old Town past the cathedral, the Rector’s Palace and the Church of St. Blaise.
View on Project ExpeditionThe Back to Ship Guarantee and refunds if your ship skips Dubrovnik are covered by Project Expedition’s shore excursion terms. Your advisor can walk you through them.
Cruise line favorites
Book these in your cruise planner. Ship-sold tours cost a bit more, but the ship waits for you if the tour runs late.
- Old Town & city walls. A guided walk along the Stradun and through the squares, often with time to walk the walls. The easiest way to handle the distance from the port and the timing.
- Mount Srđ panorama. A drive or cable car ride to the summit above the city for the view over the Old Town, Lokrum and the Elaphiti Islands.
- Cavtat & Konavle. A quieter harbor town and the vineyards and villages of the Konavle valley, sometimes with a traditional lunch or a wine tasting.
- Elaphiti Islands by boat. A relaxed cruise to the car-free islands northwest of the city, with village stops and a long lunch. A good choice if you’ve already seen the Old Town.
Exploring without a tour
Prefer to explore at your own pace? These are the highlights to know, wherever your day takes you. Keep an eye on the clock.
The Stradun & Old Town
The marble main street runs from the Pile Gate to the Old Port, with the Franciscan Monastery and its centuries-old pharmacy at one end and the Rector’s Palace, the cathedral and the Church of St. Blaise at the other.
Walk the walls
The full circuit is just under two miles of stone ramparts with views over the rooftops and out to sea. Tickets cost extra and include Fort Lovrijenac, the fortress on its own rock just outside the walls.
Lokrum & the Old Port
The little Old Port is the prettiest corner of the city, and the wooded island of Lokrum sits just offshore, with gardens, peacocks and a ruined monastery.
Before you go ashore
- All-aboard is firm. If you book independently, plan to be back at the pier an hour before all-aboard. The Old Town is about two miles from Port Gruž, and traffic between them can be slow on busy days.
- Traveling with mobility needs? Guests often tell us Dubrovnik’s cobblestones and steps are tougher than they expected, and a number of tours here can’t take wheelchairs. The walls involve a lot of climbing with little shade. If you or someone in your party has mobility needs, tell your advisor when you book. Our accessibility specialist can help arrange the right support.
- Go early or late. The Old Town is busiest from mid-morning to early afternoon on cruise days. Walking the walls first thing, or later in the day, is cooler and calmer. Bring water, a hat and shoes with grip for the polished limestone.
- Respect the city. Dubrovnik asks visitors to cover up away from the beach, and fines apply for swimwear in the streets. Churches ask that shoulders and knees are covered.
- Calls can change. Dubrovnik limits how many ships can berth each day, and we see calls here retimed or swapped more often than at most ports. Your cruise line will let you know, and it’s a good reason to keep independent plans flexible.
Sailing to Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik is a highlight of Adriatic and Eastern Mediterranean itineraries, typically sailing round trip from Venice (Trieste or Ravenna), Rome (Civitavecchia), Athens (Piraeus) or Barcelona, often paired with Kotor and Split.Find a cruisePlan with Harr Travel
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