Dubrovnik Croatia, Port Gruz

1663 Cruises availables At departure or passage at this port

Azamara Club Cruises (52 Cruises)

Cruise Aza Azamara Club Cruises Journey ship

Azamara Journey

1114 Passengers
30277 tons
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Azamara Onward

30277 tons
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Celebrity Cruises (48 Cruises)

Cruise CEL Celebrity Ship Constellation

Celebrity Constellation

2184 Passengers
90940 tons
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Celestyal Cruises (54 Cruises)

Celestyal Journey1

Celestyal Journey

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Costa Cruises (21 Cruises)

Costa Deliziosa.

Costa Deliziosa

2826 Passengers
92 tons
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CroisiEurope (31 Cruises)

Cruise CE Croisieurope MS La Belle de L\

MV La Belle de L'Adriatique

195 Passengers
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Cunard (150 Cruises)

Cruise Cunard Queen Elizabeth ship

Queen Elizabeth

2081 Passengers
90400 tons
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2 July 21 days Round-trip Mediterranean Queen Elizabeth Civitavecchia Rome
450-628-6241 Call us
2 July 22 days Round-trip from Civitavecchia-Rome, Italy
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9 July 22 days Round-trip from Civitavecchia-Rome, Italy
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9 July 21 days Round-trip Mediterranean Queen Elizabeth Civitavecchia Rome
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9 July 15 days Round-trip from Civitavecchia-Rome, Italy
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9 July 14 days Round-trip Adriatic Sea Queen Elizabeth Civitavecchia Rome
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16 July 7 days One-way from Trieste to Civitavecchia-Rome
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16 July 8 days One-way from Trieste to Civitavecchia-Rome
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16 July 15 days One-way from Trieste to Civitavecchia-Rome
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16 July 14 days One-way from Trieste to Civitavecchia-Rome
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16 July 22 days Round-trip from Trieste, Italy
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16 July 21 days Round-trip Mediterranean Queen Elizabeth Triest
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23 July 21 days Round-trip Mediterranean Queen Elizabeth Civitavecchia Rome
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23 July 22 days Round-trip from Civitavecchia-Rome, Italy
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30 July 14 days Round-trip Adriatic Sea Queen Elizabeth Civitavecchia Rome
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30 July 22 days One-way from Civitavecchia-Rome to Barcelona
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30 July 21 days One-way from Civitavecchia-Rome to Barcelona
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30 July 15 days Round-trip from Civitavecchia-Rome, Italy
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Emerald Waterways (132 Cruises)

Emerald Azzurra.

Emerald Azzurra

164 Passengers
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Emerald Kaia.

Emerald Kaia

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Explora Journeys (34 Cruises)

Explora II

Explora II

63900 tons
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Holland America Line (27 Cruises)

Cruise HAL Holland America Line ms Oosterdam ship

ms Oosterdam

2024 Passengers
82820 tons
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MSC Cruises (151 Cruises)

MSC Cruises Armonia Ship Thumbnail

MSC Armonia

2679 Passengers
65542 tons
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Norwegian Cruise Line (52 Cruises)

Oceania Cruises (97 Cruises)

Oceania Allura.

Oceania Allura

1200 Passengers
68000 tons
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Princess Cruises (88 Cruises)

Enchanted Princess.

Enchanted Princess

3660 Passengers
145000 tons
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Regent Seven Seas Cruises (69 Cruises)

Seven Seas Grandeur.

Seven Seas Grandeur

1294 Passengers
55500 tons
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Royal Caribbean Cruises (23 Cruises)

Seabourn Cruise Line (118 Cruises)

Seabourn Ovation.

Seabourn Ovation

40350 tons
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SeaDream Yacht Club (26 Cruises)

Silversea Cruises (50 Cruises)

Silver Ray.

Silver Ray

728 Passengers
54 tons
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Star Clippers (18 Cruises)

Viking Ocean Cruises (335 Cruises)

Viking Jupiter1

Viking Jupiter

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Viking Mars.

Viking Mars

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Viking Neptune1

Viking Neptune

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viking sea.

Viking Sea

48000 tons
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Viking Sky.

Viking Sky

48000 tons
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Viking Star

Viking Star

47800 tons
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Viking Vela.

Viking Vela

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Virgin Voyages (16 Cruises)

Windstar Cruises (45 Cruises)

Wind Spirit

Wind Spirit

249 Passengers
5736 tons
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The ship first traces an abrupt, almost austere coast, where limestone falls straight into the Adriatic. Then Gruž Bay opens, bordered by hills covered with cypresses and orange roofs. The old city remains invisible from the quay. Dubrovnik must be earned: it awaits its visitors behind a promontory, enclosed in a stone girdle that seven centuries have polished. It is precisely this moment of anticipation that makes the arrival memorable.

From Gruž Port to Pile Gate

Ships berth at Gruž Port, about three kilometres from the historic centre. The journey takes about fifteen minutes by bus, a little more as traffic tightens approaching the walls. Lines 1A and 1B depart directly from the terminal and drop passengers at Pile Gate, the walled city's main entrance. Taxi remains a simple option, around 15 to 20 euros depending on the hour. A tip from experience: late in the day, the return road uses a one-way system that quickly congests. Better to plan a generous margin before returning aboard.

The Stradun, the City's Backbone

Crossing Pile Gate produces a singular effect. Traffic noise fades at once, replaced by the murmur of footsteps on the polished limestone of the Stradun, the great artery crossing the old city from west to east. Baroque façades line either side, rebuilt after the 1667 earthquake with a sobriety that gives the whole its unity. From the entrance, on the left, the Franciscan monastery shelters a 14th-century cloister and one of Europe's oldest pharmacies, in operation since 1317. Old bottles and mortars still sit beside the modern counter where residents come for their medicines.

At the Stradun's end, the clock tower and Roland's Column mark the civic heart of the old Republic of Ragusa. The Rector's Palace stands steps away, a mix of Gothic and Renaissance where the elected leader of this small merchant republic, which stood up to Venice, resided one month at a time. Its atrium today houses a museum devoted to this singular history. The neighbouring cathedral preserves a treasure of precious metalwork and a polyptych attributed to Titian.

The Ramparts, a Walk Above the Rooflines

The complete circuit of the walls is the experience that distinguishes Dubrovnik from any other Mediterranean port-call. The wall-walk, punctuated by towers and bastions raised between the 12th and 17th centuries, overlooks the sea on one side and a landscape of roofs, bell towers and stepped laneways on the other. Allow about two hours for the full loop, with numerous steps. Attentive passengers will notice the colour difference between old tiles and those laid after the 1991–1992 siege, a discreet scar of a still-recent war. In summer, the ideal is to start at opening, before the heat and crowds settle in.

Mount Srđ and Fort Lovrijenac

To grasp the geography of the port-call at a single glance, the cable car climbs to Mount Srđ's summit in four minutes. From the upper terrace, the old city appears entire, set on its rock between the mountain and the Elaphiti Islands. The imperial fort, built in the Napoleonic era, displays an exhibition on the Croatian War of Independence. Another viewpoint, more maritime in character: Fort Lovrijenac, perched on a 37-metre spur west of Pile Gate. Its roughly 200 steps discourage some visitors, but the reward is real, with the walls and sea answering each other from promontory to promontory. Game of Thrones fans will recognise a familiar setting, the fortress having lent its walls to the Red Keep.

If the Port-Call Stretches

When the ship allows a long day, Banje Beach lies about fifteen minutes' walk from Ploče Gate, with a rare view: you swim facing the fortifications. Pebbles replace sand, as almost everywhere on this coast. Closer to the terminal, the Lapad quarter offers its tranquil bay and terraces frequented by locals, a peaceful way to end the day without straying far from the ship.

The Final Look

As the ship pulls from Gruž Quay, the city withdraws again behind its hill, as it had on arrival. There remains then that particular mix Dubrovnik leaves: the coolness of narrow laneways, the brilliance of limestone under sun, and the impression of having walked in a city that survived earthquakes, empires and shells without ever ceasing to be inhabited. Few port-calls offer such an elegant lesson in endurance.

Frequently Asked Questions

At the port of Gruž, roughly three kilometres from the walled old town. Ships come alongside; the historic city is not visible from the terminal and must be reached by bus, taxi or shuttle.
City bus lines 1A and 1B leave from in front of the terminal and drop passengers at Pile Gate, the main entrance to the walls, in about fifteen minutes. A taxi runs roughly 15 to 20 euros depending on the hour. Late in the day the one-way traffic system clogs up, so leave a generous margin for all aboard.
You can, but it is not recommended. Allow about 45 minutes along a busy road with no shade and little to see. Bus or taxi is the better choice, especially on the return when heat and fatigue add up.
About two hours for the full circuit, with many steps. It is the experience that sets Dubrovnik apart from any other Mediterranean call: the sea on one side, a landscape of rooftops and stepped lanes on the other. In summer, go at opening time before the heat and the crowds.
The walls and the Stradun, without question. Add the Franciscan monastery with its pharmacy operating since 1317, just inside Pile Gate, then the Rector's Palace at the far end of the main street. Save the Mount Srđ cable car for calls longer than six hours.
Yes, if time allows. It reaches the summit in four minutes and the whole old town appears below, set on its rock between the mountain and the Elaphiti Islands. The Imperial Fort up there houses an exhibition on the Croatian war of independence.
Yes, Banje beach, about fifteen minutes on foot from Ploče Gate, with a view of the fortifications. It is pebble, as almost everywhere on this coast. Closer to the terminal, Lapad bay is quieter and more popular with locals.
The euro. Croatia has adopted it and cards are accepted throughout the old town. Keep some cash for the city bus, where tickets bought onboard sometimes cost more.
May to June and September to October. July and August combine heat, several ships in port and queues on the walls. Off season the city breathes and tour prices drop, though some terraces close.
Honestly, it is demanding. The walls involve hundreds of steps, the old town is cobbled and sloping, and Fort Lovrijenac takes some 200 steps. The Stradun itself is flat and accessible: a good day is possible sticking to it, with the Franciscan monastery and the Rector's Palace.