Dubrovnik Cruise Port

The Adriatic city of Dubrovnik, in southern Croatia, has one of Europe’s most picturesque medieval districts, known for its red rooftops and even more famous today for being a filming location of the Game of Thrones TV series. A tour of film sites is even a Dubrovnik shore excursion.

If you’ve already toured Dubrovnik’s Old Town, other shore excursions include kayaking in the clear Adriatic Sea or checking out surrounding coastal towns like Cavtat.

How to Get to Dubrovnik

You’ll dock in one of three places. The port in Gruz, a neighborhood about 2 miles (3 km) north of Old Town, is the most common, but depending on the size of your ship and daily port traffic, you may dock in the Old Town harbor or anchor in the bay and be tendered into Old Town. If you dock at the Gruz port, take a shuttle to Old Town if your ship provides one, or take a bus or taxi, both available outside the port.

One Day in Dubrovnik

Old Town’s marble streets and compactness make it easy to see the UNESCO World Heritage-listed sights during one day in port (wear comfy shoes and beware that some streets are steep). Start at Pile Gate, one of Old Town’s main entrances, which dates back to 1537. Here, begin a clockwise walking tour of the 13th- to 16th-century city walls – they are not to be missed and provide excellent views of the city.

When you get off the walls, meander through the maze of Old Town streets, checking out churches like St Saviour’s and the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin as you make your way to Sponza Palace, a 16th-century Gothic and Renaissance structure that houses the State Archives.

When your legs need a break, walk about five minutes east of Ploče Gate to Banje Beach, a pebble beach where soaking up the sun without comes with a view of Old Town.

Port Information

The language is Croatian, but don’t worry, English is widely spoken in Dubrovnik. The currency is the kuna; don’t count on using euros – they are accepted occasionally but not always. You’ll find ATMs in town, or change money at the Gruz port.