Cruise Port of Dubrovnik - All You Need to Know About Dubrovnik Cruise Terminal

Where is the cruise port of Dubrovnik? How far is it from the Old town? Can I walk from the cruise port to the Old town? - Learn all this and more and be super ready for your Dubrovnik day!

The port of Gruž is in the shadow of Franjo Tudjman bridge

Where is the cruise port of Dubrovnik located?

As your luxurious cruise ship slowly sails into the Dubrovnik port, you will have a chance to enjoy the view of the lush green landscape around Dubrovnik town and charming traditional grey stone houses on one side.

On the other side of the port of Dubrovnik you cannot but notice a relatively new white suspension bridge of Dr. Franjo Tudjman, the first president of Croatia, at the very entrance into Dubrovnik.

If you are standing outside on the open deck, take a deep breath, enjoy the seductive smell of clean sea, pine and cypress trees and get ready for an amazing day in beautiful Dubrovnik, Croatia.

The new, commercial port of Dubrovnik is located in the Gruz neighbourhood. It is about 2,5 km (2,2 miles) northwest from the Old Town of Dubrovnik, which is where you will want to spend your day.

The port of Gruz, and Dubrovnik in general, is one of the busiest cruise ports in Europe.

It is not rare that 5-6 ships visit this amazing town in one day and that way create a lot of pressure on the infrastructure of this relatively small town.

How many cruise ships visit the cruise port of Dubrovnik?

Actually, the number of cruise ship visitors was getting so high they had to limit the number of ships they can take in a day. So in 2016 they had 529 ship visits and almost 800,000 visitors (less than in 2010) to enter the town through this port.

This makes Dubrovnik port third in the Mediterranean and tenth in the world! Also, in 2016 Dubrovnik won the Best Mediterranean Cruise Port Award.

But trust us, once you see this beautiful place you won’t mind sharing it with another 10 000 cruisers walking its narrow streets ☺. Actually, to be able to plan your day better, check how many ships you will be sharing this town with on the day of your arrival. Here's the cruise ships arrival schedule.

Can I walk from the port of Dubrovnik to the Old Town?

We absolutely do not recommend walking as you will spend at least 1 hour trying to get there and all that on your already limited time. Not to mention the heat… you would be tired before even setting foot in the best part of Dubrovnik - the Old Town!

What is the best way of getting from Dubrovnik cruise port to the Old Town?

There are a few options when it comes to getting to Pile gate which is the entrance in the wall taking you into the Old Town Dubrovnik and you can read more about it on our page Getting to Dubrovnik.

Port of Dubrovnik is very close to the local bus station, the ferry port and there is a big supermarket right next to it, but when it comes to sightseeing there is nothing to see there.

The closest ATM machine and money exchange service are at the local bus station, which is just a few steps away from the port.

No matter how you decide to get to the Old town, you simply need to get there! This is not the day to save on transportation money. You would deeply regret it!

When you return back to the cruise ship terminal you will find some souvenir stalls to browse through in front of the ship.

This is just a last minute shopping solution, so make sure you buy your Dubrovnik cruise souvenirs downtown. There, you will find a much larger selection and it will be the only place to get some quality, locally made souvenirs.

Is there a Dubrovnik cruise port shuttle?

Yes, there is a shuttle bus that runs between Dubrovnik Cruise Port in Gruž and the Old Town. The shuttle service is operated by the Dubrovnik Port Authority, and it is available during the cruise season, which typically runs from April to October.

The shuttle bus operates on a regular schedule and runs approximately every 30 minutes, although the frequency may vary depending on the number of cruise ships in port and the demand for the service. The first shuttle bus usually departs from the port in the morning, and the last shuttle bus departs from the Old Town in the evening.

There is a charge for the shuttle bus service, and the cost of a one-way ticket is approximately 2 Euro per person. However, the price may be subject to change, so it's best to check with the Dubrovnik Port Authority or your cruise ship's front desk staff.

How much is a taxi from Dubrovnik cruise port to the old town?

You can take a taxi from Gruz cruise dock terminal to Pile gate of the Old town. Actually, the best way to do it is to call Uber for yourself. Uber network is well ran in Croatia, consistent and quick.

What's also good about it is you can pay electronically. It would be about 16-18 euros. However, with the port shuttles and very inexpensive local buses on hand, not many people will use this option.

What to do in the port of Dubrovnik from a cruise ship?

Dubrovnik is a beautiful city with plenty of things to see and do, even if you're only there for a day on a cruise. Here are some suggestions on what to do in Dubrovnik port from a cruise ship:

1. Walk the city walls: Dubrovnik's historic city walls are one of the city's most iconic landmarks, offering stunning views of the city and the sea. Walking the walls is a must-do activity for any visitor to Dubrovnik. Find out more in our article on Dubrovnik Walls and other attractions or book your tour right now:

2. Visit the Old Town: Dubrovnik's Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with narrow streets, historic buildings, and picturesque squares. It's a great place to explore, shop, and eat, and there are plenty of museums and landmarks to visit, including the Rector's Palace and the Dubrovnik Cathedral. 

3. Take a cable car ride: A cable car ride to the top of Mount Srd offers breathtaking panoramic views of the city and the surrounding coastline. The ride is short but spectacular, and there's a restaurant and souvenir shop at the top.

4. Swim or sunbathe at Banje Beach: if this is your second or third visit to Dubrovnik, you may consider taking a dip at Banje Beach - it is a popular spot for swimming and sunbathing, located just outside the Old Town walls. It's a great place to relax and enjoy the beautiful views of the Adriatic Sea.

5. Explore Lokrum Island: A short ferry ride from Dubrovnik's Old Port, Lokrum Island is a nature reserve with lush gardens, walking trails, and swimming spots. There's also a historic monastery and a botanical garden to explore. It's a pedestrians only area, no cars allowed. In short - it's heaven on earth!

6. Explore Cavtat, Konavle and Trsteno: Dubrovnik Old Town is quite small, so if you get off the ship early, you can book yourself a tour that will take you to one of the charming places just outside the town, too.

Cavtat is a quaint waterfront place with a livery cafe and restaurant scene, Konavle is a countryside area famous for traditional costumes, embroideries and gastronomy while Trsteno is a famous arboretum with a unique collection of trees, plants and flowers from around the world. 

7. Enjoy oyters in Ston: Ston is a small town located on the Peljesac Peninsula, about an hour's drive from Dubrovnik. It's known for its ancient city walls, which are among the longest in Europe, and its delicious oysters and other seafood.

These are just a few suggestions, but there are plenty of other things to see and do in Dubrovnik depending on your interests and preferences.