Cruises to Dubrovnik, Croatia

Dubrovnik borders the warm Adriatic Sea, with Italy to the west and Montenegro to the east. It helps that this city is genuinely beautiful—its terracotta rooftops, limestone streets, rocky beaches, and bluer than blue waters put Dubrovnik, Croatia in a league of its own as a stop on any Mediterranean cruise. Small boats and cruise ships alike dock in the picturesque harbor, blending the culture of a seaside town with a major Croatian city. Dubrovnik’s Baroque charm will capture you even on the shortest day trip.  

While on your Dubrovnik cruise, walk along the historic streets of Old Town, stopping in at a dive bar or at a sidewalk cafe along the way. Or, take a cable car up Mount Srd for a panoramic view of the city from the summit of a 412-mile high hill. The Old City Walls were featured in HBO’s Game of Thrones, and fans of the show flock to Dubrovnik each year to feel part of the action. Enjoy Dubrovnik’s vibrant arts and museum scene, stopping in at the Rector’s Palace and Cultural Historical Museum, or go island hopping via boat to experience the crystal-clear waters of the Adriatic Sea.

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Restaurant Dubrovnik

Address: Marojice Kaboge 5, Dubrovnik, Croatia

For a higher-end, luxury dining experience, head to Old Town’s Restaurant Dubrovnik. They put a Mediterranean spin on classic Croatian dishes, with a special focus on local seafood. Try the beef tartare, the ceviche “Dubrovnik style”, or mains like the sea bass fillet served with swiss chard and potatoes, or the duck breast with rosemary and dried plum sauce.

Konobo Veranda

Address: Shtikovica 24a, Zaton Veliki, Dubrovnik 20235, Croatia

This family-run restaurant is known as one of the top restaurants in Dubrovnik for their service and their passion for Croatian food. The menu here is inspired by and emulates five regions of Croatia, including their typical dishes and desserts. Truffle pasta, beef stew, fried frog legs, and other local seafood rule the menu.

Oyster & Sushi Bar Bota

Address: Od Pustijerne b.b., Dubrovnik, Croatia

Another gem in Old Town is Oyster & Sushi Bar Bota, which is voted the No. 2 restaurant in Dubrovnik currently. For moderately priced sushi and Japanese food, come here for lunch, dinner, or simply to sling back oysters and have a cold drink while on a break from sightseeing.

Soul Caffe & Rakhija Bar

Address: 5 Uska ulica, Dubrovnik, 20000, Croatia

By day, it’s a sleepy cafe tucked in an alleyway along the Stradun. By night, jazz and cocktails are the primary draw for visitors to Soul Caffe. While you’re on your cruise to Dubrovnik, Croatia, stop in here for date night drinks.

Dubrovnik wasn’t always its name, but the city was established in the 7th century as “Ragusa”. The city’s fortifications and walled structures protected it from invasions, making Dubrovnik a site of refuge from invasions by outside groups. Dubrovnik was an independent republic that traded with major countries and whose significance in trade and commerce rivaled Venice at its heyday.

Dubrovnik was brought under the umbrella of the Byzantine empire during the 12th century, and later was occupied by the Venetians, who completed construction on parts of Old Town Dubrovnik that stand to this day. In 1667, the city was devastated by an earthquake and lost much of its strength. Unable to fight off the French invasion by Napoleon, Dubrovnik fell to the French, and then was bundled into Austria-Hungary in 1815.

The city became part of Croatia after World War I, and was classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979. Then, in 1991, Dubrovnik was heavily attacked once Yugoslavia broke apart. This siege destroyed parts of Old Town, and the city struggled with getting tourists to return in light of the bombings. Today, Dubrovnik has to carefully manage its influx of tourists, as its grown in popularity as a tourist destination steadily throughout the 21st century.

One of the best ways to get around in Dubrovnik is via bus, which run frequently in the city. It’s a 25 minute ride from the bus station back to the Port of Gruz. To get to Pile Gate in Dubrovnik, which is a famous entrance and drawbridge into Old Town, take a 1A, 3, 6, or 9 bus. Taxis are also available to get around locally, too.

Go along Placa Stradun for jewelry shopping and souvenirs, or head into Old Town for more variety of shops offering everything from locally paintings to an entire Museum Shop, where you can buy replicas of famous Croatian art exhibits and plenty of history and art books along with it. Meander through the open air market near the Gruz Port to find locally-sourced, seasonal fruits, vegetables, and natural goods.

ATMs are spread across Old Town Dubrovnik, making it easy to withdraw a little extra cash as you need it. The official currency of Croatia is the Kuna (HRK), and it’s encouraged to carry a little cash to cover a meal, coffee, or a drink out at smaller places. You may not get a good rate of exchange when you pay with Euros while on your Dubrovnik cruise. Tipping isn’t required, but you can tip 10% for excellent service, or round up to the nearest Kuna while at a bar or restaurant.

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