Cruises to Dubrovnik

1,128 Reviews
Dubrovnik (Photo:Phant/Shutterstock)

About Cruising to Dubrovnik

For travelers cruising to Croatia, Dubrovnik is a must. It is a great walking city for lovers of culture and history, with centuries-old monasteries, churches, synagogues and even one of the oldest operating pharmacies in Europe. But, if you're looking for a day of relaxation between busy tours in marquee cities, it's also a gorgeous spot to simply sit and watch the world go by amid red-roofed stone buildings and the sparkling, aqua Adriatic Sea.



The medieval-era Old Town is a walled city, and from above -- you can walk the 1.3-mile stretch some 80 feet above ground level for spectacular views -- it is reminiscent of Venice, just on a smaller scale (and with marble alleyways instead of canals). Like the Italian city, which lies just to the northwest, Old Town Dubrovnik is free of vehicular traffic and dotted with Renaissance churches and fountains, with a rich history as a trading port. In lieu of canals, you'll find narrow, cobblestone streets where pedestrians stroll from shop to shop, dine and drink at al fresco cafes and soak up the sun.



Dubrovnik is nestled in the southwestern corner of Croatia, a boomerang-shaped country directly across the Adriatic Sea from Italy's east coast, under which lies Bosnia and Herzegovina. The atmosphere is light and welcoming, due in no small part to the city's gorgeous setting on the Dalmatian Coast, which can be appreciated on one of the many boat tours offered from the Old Town harbor. Nearby beaches are also accessible; tours further inland include country bike rides and wine-tasting.



The port is a mainstay on Eastern Mediterranean cruise itineraries, sprinkled among greatest-hits stops like Athens, Venice and so many Greek Isles. Most Eastern Mediterranean cruises set sail from spring through fall, though winter cruising is gaining popularity.

  • More about Dubrovnik

  • Why Cruise to Dubrovnik?

  • Dubrovnik Cruise Port Facilities?

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Riviera
Riviera

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Mediterranean Cruise

782 Reviews
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Celebrity Constellation
Celebrity Constellation

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Best Of Italy & Croatia

1,828 Reviews
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Viking Star
Viking Star

7 Night
Venice,the Adriatic & Greece

2,051 Reviews
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Viking Sea
Viking Sea

7 Night
Venice,the Adriatic & Greece

1,570 Reviews
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10 Night
Best Of Italy & Croatia

1,828 Reviews
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11 Night
Europe - Western Mediterranean - Barcelona

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7 Night
France, Italy & Greece Cruise

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7 Night
Balkan Jewels

138 Reviews
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10 Night
Mediterranean Cruise

732 Reviews
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10 Night
Best Of Italy & Croatia

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10 Night
Italy, Greece, & France: Mediterranean Jewels

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8 Night
Classic Italy & The Dalmatian Coast 8d Cvv-vce

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11 Night
Best Of Italy & Croatia

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11 Night
Best Of Italy & Croatia

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10 Night
Mediterranean Cruise

782 Reviews
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More about Dubrovnik

Why Cruise to Dubrovnik?

Pros:

Whether you're into exploring cultural and historic sites or prefer to people-watch, Dubrovnik is an ideal place for it

Cons:

Crowds can be heavy when multiple cruise ships are docked at the same time

Bottom Line:

Dubrovnik is a beautiful city to experience on foot, even if you skip the tours

Dubrovnik Cruise Port Facilities?

Gruz Harbor, an open-air terminal building directly opposite the dock, offers some souvenir shopping opportunities, money exchange capabilities and inexpensive Internet connectivity -- both wired and wireless (for those with laptops or smartphones).

Good to Know?

The Old Town can be quite crowded when there are cruise ships in town, but don't let it deter you from visiting -- people-watching is part of the fun. Locals warn of pickpockets. (We didn't hear of any on our visit, however.) This is a walking destination, and the smooth marble streets of the old town can be slick, particularly if it rains. Wear comfortable shoes.

Getting Around?

Free shuttles: Many ships provide free shuttles from Gruz Harbor to the Old Town; it's a 15-minute ride, and you'll be dropped off right at Pile Gate, the main pedestrian entrance into the walled city.



Buses: If your ship doesn't offer a shuttle or you'd prefer to take transportation into your own hands, you'll find a local bus stop just outside the pier gates; look for numbers 1a, 1b and 8. You can purchase tickets at the adjacent newsstand, but you'll need exact change in Kune, so make sure you convert some money at the exchange bureau just inside the port's gates.



Taxis: Expect to pay about 50 Kune to take a taxi to the Old Town; they'll be available at the pier.



Walking: Once in the Old Town, you can easily get around on foot; the Placa is the main pedestrian boulevard. There's really no reason to rent a car as, like Venice, the old city is pedestrian-only.



Excursion boats: Other sightseeing options -- like nearby islands and resort towns with historic appeal -- are accessible via public boat service. These boats depart for various nearby islands from the pier of the old harbor.

Currency & Best Way to Get Money?

The local currency is the Kuna. Merchants and restaurateurs will grudgingly accept euros, but almost none will take U.S. dollars, though we were able to use them to buy lovely painted glass candle holders from a street vendor. Your best bet is to use a credit card wherever possible for the best exchange rate, though you'll probably want to change a small amount of money (for attraction admissions and inexpensive purchases) into Kune.



There are plenty of ATM machines and exchange bureaus, both at the port and in town.

Language?

Croatian, though just about everybody speaks fairly fluent English. German is common, as well.

Where You're Docked?

There are two possible docks, though most (bigger) ships wind up in Gruz Harbor, a suburb of Dubrovnik. Smaller vessels may be permitted to anchor in Old Harbor, right in the heart of the old city.


Dubrovnik Cruise Reviews
Croatia had never been on my bucket list, but boy was I surprised. The scenery is beautiful, the people are friendly, and the history is fascinating. I definitely recommend visiting Split and Dubrovnik if you get tRead More
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Purple Moose
Dubrovnik was a fun port to visit. Enjoy walking the city walls, and walking around and perhaps buy something to eat there. Thtat's what we did and we had a nice visit. The best tip we got was to buy a Dubrovnik passRead More
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kb9mu
Love Dubrovnik did our own jeep tour Read More
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russell jack
This was our 4th time in Dubrovnik, unfortunately there were a total of 5 cruise ships docked. We spent a lot of time dodging other tourists, that’s why I gave it a 3 rating. Without the cruise ships this is a niceRead More
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ncc and jcc

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