Dubrovnik Cruise Port: Self-Guided Day Guide

Dubrovnik is a major cruise port in the Adriatic, and while many visitors arrive looking for Game of Thrones filming locations, the city offers far more than King’s Landing photo stops.

Based on a cruise visit and time spent navigating Dubrovnik independently, this guide covers exactly what cruise passengers need to know right now: where ships dock, how to reach the Old Town, realistic transport costs, what’s worth prioritizing with limited time, and which experiences work best on a cruise day.

Whether you want history, views, beaches, or an efficient self-guided visit, this is practical Dubrovnik cruise port information you can actually use.

When your cruise stops at Dubrovnik, Croatia, you’ll find yourself in one of the most beautiful and historic cities in the Mediterranean. The Dubrovnik port itself is located on the other side of the City from the old part of Dubrovnik, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

We visited Dubrovnik, known as the “Pearl of the Adriatic,” in August 2022 on Royal Caribbean’s Brilliance of the Seas as part of a Greece and Croatia itinerary, and we instantly fell in love with the City.

When deciding what to do on a port day, I know it’s very easy to pick one of the many shore excursions available from your cruise ship.

But if you want a more authentic experience and save some money, one of our biggest cruising tips is to go it alone and book a custom tour from Dubrovnik.

We really didn’t know what to expect; as Game of Thrones fans, we were focused on the filming locations that turned Dubrovnik’s old City into King’s Landing. However, it turns out that the Dubrovnik cruise terminal has so much more to offer than a couple of Dragons and the Red Keep.

It’s fair to say we had our priorities all wrong, and we instantly changed our plans as soon as we saw what the City had to offer.

On any cruise port visit, time is always limited, so if you really want to get a good flavor of a City, it’s essential to plan ahead. Based on our experience, we’ve compiled a list of the five must-do things to consider if you want to see more than just Game of Thrones locations in Dubrovnik.

Item	Key Info
Cruise Dock Location	Port of Gruž (approx. 3 km from Old Town)
Bus to Old Town	Routes 1A or 1B
Taxi Cost	€15–20 (traffic dependent)
City Walls Duration	1.5–2 hours
Cable Car Ride Time	Approx. 4 minutes
Local Currency	Euro (€)

Visiting Dubrovnik On A Cruise Day

When your cruise ship docks at Dubrovnik cruise port, you’ll usually be docked in the Port of Gruž, about 3km from the Old Town. Occasionally, some cruise ships will drop anchor close to the Old Town and will put you in tender boats and take you over to the Old Port.

Most cruise ships dock at the Port of Gruž. Tendering directly to the Old Port is uncommon today and usually occurs only when port capacity is limited or for smaller ships.

Getting To The Old Town – Dubrovnik Cruise Port To Old Town

When you get off a cruise ship, it is so easy to start walking and take things as they come. But in Dubrovnik, you really owe it to yourself to head to the Old Town.

Getting there on your own is very easy and will save you a fortune compared to the prices for cruise ships’ organized shuttle buses or excursions.

The bus station is directly outside Dubrovnik cruise port, and you can hop on local buses such as No. 1A or No. 1B, which run from the port area to the Old Town. Alternatively, if the queues are long, grab a Taxi, as we did. The taxi fare is typically around 15–20 euros, depending on traffic and time of day.

We got off the ship at 9 am, and the traffic heading towards the Old Town was pretty solid. There is a one-way system, and the streets narrow as you enter the Old Town. What should have been a 15-minute trip turned into a 40-minute ride. Be prepared for some holdups if traffic is busy.

So plan your return trip to the ship very carefully.

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Explore The Old Town

Your Bus or Taxi will drop you off near the Pile Gate, which is the main entrance to the Old Town. Looking out to sea, the Old Town and Pile Gate will be on your left, and the majestic Fort Lovrijenac will be on your right.

The Old Town is a medieval walled city that developed over centuries, with major construction and expansion from the 13th to 17th centuries, and is home to some of the most beautiful architecture in the world.

As you take that short walk through the Pile Gate, you will be taken back in time. The Old Town is just absolutely stunning. It is easy to see why this is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The first sight you will see in the Old Town is the Stradun, which is the wide main street that runs East from the Pile Gate to the Ploče Gate. The Stradun is lined with shops, restaurants, and cafes, and is a great place to people-watch and soak up the city’s atmosphere.

My advice would be to make the best use of your timeby visitingt some of the key sitesinn the Old Town first, before exploring the many shops and Restaurants.

Some must-see sights are the Franciscan Monastery, the Cathedral, and the Rector’s Palace.

The Franciscan Monastery

You’ll notice the Franciscan Monastery immediately on your left before you head properly down the Stradun. As you head in, a lovely courtyard area with an old well is in the middle. The beautiful old building houses a library and a museum and is also home to one of Europe’s oldest pharmacies. The pharmacy is a must-see. It’s like stepping into something out of Harry Potter, except this is real!

The Rector’s Palace

Once you have explored the monastery, continue down the Stradum to the bottom, where the Bell Tower and Orlando’s columns are located. Then, turn right and head up towards the Cathedral.

Before you reach the Cathedral, you’ll see the Rector’s Palace on the left. The Rector’s Palace is a Gothic-Renaissance building that was once the seat of power in Dubrovnik and is now a museum.

Dubrovnik Cathedral

When you first set eyes on Dubrovnik Cathedral, you will be amazed. But wait until you head inside. The place is like a museum, with stunning artwork, and the ceiling is just unbelievable. It’s just incredible.

There are many other things to see within the walls of the Old Town. Try to explore some of the smaller alleyways as you head back from the Cathedral. But remember to keep your eye on the time. Getting back through the Pile Gate can get very congested, and that’s before you get back into traffic.

Walk The Old Town Walls

If you are a bit more energetic and want to get your steps in, you should consider walking around the City Walls. If you are careful with your time, you can easily do this alongside visiting the Old Town itself.

The Dubrovnik City Walls were constructed and expanded over several centuries, primarily between the 12th and 17th centuries, and are amongst the most extensive and well-preserved fortifications in Europe.

Sadly, you can’t help but notice scars from the 1991–1992 Siege of Dubrovnik during the Croatian War of Independence.

Walking the Dubrovnik City Walls is a unique experience that offers a different perspective on the city. There are stunning views over the Adriatic Sea, the Old Town, and the surrounding islands. The walk is not too strenuous, but it does involve a LOT of steps, so wear comfortable shoes and bring plenty of water.

The best way to walk the old town is to start at the Pile Gate. From there, the walk takes approximately 2 hours, and there are several places to stop and take a break.

The City Walls can become extremely crowded between late morning and mid-afternoon on cruise days. For a more comfortable experience, start as early as possible or later in the afternoon if your ship’s schedule allows.

Take The Dubrovnik Cable Car

If you really want to see the stunning views of Dubrovnik and the Adriatic Sea, you need to schedule a trip on the Dubrovnik Cable Car.

The cable car, built in 1969, takes you to the top of Mount Srđ in about 4 minutes, offering breathtaking views of Dubrovnik, the Adriatic Coast, and beyond.

To get to the Cable Car station, it’s easiest to walk from the Old Town toward the Ploče Gate area, or take a taxi. You can also walk it if you prefer.

Ticket prices for the cable car are 30 euros for an adult round trip and 8 euros for a child (4–12) round trip, subject to change.

Note: the local currency is no longer Kuna and is now euros as of January 2023.

Once you reach the top of Mount Srđ, you can explore Fort Imperial, where you can find many details on the Croatian War of Independence.

If you have time, you can also enjoy a meal with an incredible view at the Panorama Restaurant. The restaurant offers a wide variety of dishes, including traditional Croatian cuisine. There was lots of outdoor seating, but it was at a premium when we were there.

The cable car may temporarily close due to high winds or poor weather, even on otherwise sunny days.

Visit Fort Lovrijenac

This medieval fortress, often called “Dubrovnik’s Gibraltar,” is perched atop a sheer rock overlooking the sea.

To get to the Fort, head west from Pile Gate, outside the Old Town walls. It’s pretty steep, so wear comfortable shoes and take your time.

Once you reach the base of the fort area, be prepared for another steep climb up to the Fort. There are about 200 steps to get to the fortress.

My wife had sprained her knee a few weeks earlier and found the climb quite challenging. She agreed that the breathtaking views of Dubrovnik’s Old Town made it all worth it.

The fortress was built in the 11th century and has played a significant role in the city’s defense throughout history, and it has ‘never been conquered’. You can understand why when you look over the edge of the Fort’s walls!

One quick thing, and we got this advice from a local. Don’t be tempted to take a swim in the old port harbor. You will see kids and other tourists in there, but wastewater is piped into the water. Also, many small boats come in and out of the harbor there, which can be quite dangerous for swimmers!

Relaxing on Dubrovnik’s Beaches

Now, if history, stunning buildings, and amazing views are not your thing, then you can ignore the previous four recommendations and just hit the beach!

We spoke to several fellow cruise passengers who preferred a more relaxing day in port, and these beaches kept coming up.

Most Dubrovnik beaches are pebble or rocky rather than sandy, and sun loungers and umbrellas are typically available for paid rental during the cruise season.

Banje Beach

Banje Beach is one of the most popular beaches in Dubrovnik, and for a good reason. It’s located about 15 minutes walk from Pile Gate in Old Town. The beach offers stunning views of the city walls and the harbor below Fort Lovrijenac.

Sveti Jakov Beach

Sveti Jakov Beach is an excellent option if you’re looking for a quieter beach experience. It’s a bit further out from the Old Town area, so it tends to be less crowded. It’s still easily accessible from the Cruise port if you want to head to the Beach for the day. The water is calm and perfect for swimming, and there are plenty of loungers and umbrellas available for rent.

Lapad Beach

Lapad Beach is located in Lapad Bay, which is much closer to the Dubrovnik cruise port. It’s a popular spot for locals and tourists alike, with plenty of restaurants and cafes nearby. It is pretty “pebbly,” though, so bear that in mind. Lapad Beach is about a 10-minute taxi drive from the cruise port.

Map Of Dubrovnik

Book Dubrovnik Tours

Booking Dubrovnik tours for a port day at the Dubrovnik cruise port can be a fantastic idea, as it allows you to make the most of your limited time in the city and experience its highlights. Dubrovnik is a beautiful and historic city with a wealth of cultural and historical sites to explore, so joining a tour can help you navigate the city efficiently and ensure you don’t miss any must-see attractions.

Joining a tour lets you make the most of your time in Dubrovnik. The tour guides are knowledgeable about the city’s landmarks and can help you navigate through the popular tourist spots efficiently. They are often experienced in managing Dubrovnik cruise schedules, ensuring that you return to the port on time. 

By booking a tour, you won’t have to worry about planning an itinerary or navigating the city on your own. The tour operator will handle the logistics, including transportation, entrance tickets, and any necessary reservations. This allows you to relax and enjoy your day without the stress of organizing everything yourself.

 

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Who Needs Kings Landing?

While Game of Thrones tours are popular in the Dubrovnik cruise port, there is much more to see and do in this beautiful city.

With the beaches, the Old Town, and the stunning view from Mount Srd, there are plenty of things to see and do that don’t involve Game of Thrones.

So, when your cruise stops in Dubrovnik, take some time to explore all this fantastic city has to offer and leave your Dragon at home.