Top things to do
and see in Dubrovnik Cruise Port:
Review (2023)

The old fortified city of Dubrovnik is in itself the main highlight to visit when calling at this cruise port in the Mediterranean. A small medieval town, impeccably preserved despite natural and man made disasters, it has a number of sites that the cruise traveler must not miss.

Contents

1. Overview
2. Cathedral
3. Rector's Palace
4. Franciscan Monastery and Museum
5. Dominican Monastery and Museum
6. Church of St Blaise
7. City Walls Walks
8. Church of St Ignatius of Loyola
9. Cable Car
10. Cavtat and Lokrum
11. The beaches of Dubrovnik

Overview

The central street (Stradum or Placa) that crosses the city is one of the most impressive in the World, along with landmarks like the Onofrio’s Fountain, the Sponza Palace, the Luža Square with its Clock Tower, and the Forts Revelin, Lovrijenac and St John’s.

But besides these landmarks, the cruise traveler has the possibility to see almost every single highlight during the time your ship will call at the port of Dubrovnik. On this page, nine of the best attractions and sites are highlighted. Naturally, many a cruise visitor will want to have a rest in between all the exploration, be it for a coffee, a quick bite or to taste the local cuisine. You will find excelent places in the Old Town to eat and drink. Explore the Cuisine of Dubrovnik and the Best Places to Have a a Drink, a Quick Bite or Lunch.

It is also in the Old Town, that you will find the best shopping in Dubrovnik. Local crafts, unique shops and boutiques, regional natural products and famous brands can be found all over the walled town. Discover the Best Shops and Shopping in Dubrovnik.

Cruise travelers that plan to visit a couple of these top attractions should look into buying the one day Dubrovnik Card, which for 200 kuna offers free transportation on Public Buses and free entry to 9 Attractions, including the following reviewed below: City Walls, Rector's Palace and the Maritime Museum. A % discount is offered when buying the Dubrovnik Card online.

Cathedral and Treasury
(Katedrala)

The Dubrovnik Cathedral is a Roman Catholic Cathedral officially named "Church of Assumption of the Virgin Mary' and is the seat of the Diocese of Dubrovnik. It is in the exact location where many former cathedrals have stood, which over the years were destroyed and rebuilt.

Within the walls, you find the Cathedral Treasury, containing 138 silver and gold reliquaries made by local goldsmiths in the 11th and 17th century, along with relics of St Blaise. An interesting fact or maybe just legend is that King Richard the Lionhearted was shipwrecked and rescued in Dubrovnik, and he was the one who financed the very first Cathedral. It is said that he donated the funds needed to build upon the ruins of a seventh-century basilica that stood there. Viewing the relics of St Blaise, which include the gold-plated skull, arm and leg of the saint make it worth the visit for the cruise traveler.

Rector's Palace
(Knežev Dvor)

A beautiful building, the Rector’s Palace is a Gothic-Renaissance style building that served as the residence of Dubrovnik’s Republic Rector. In 1435, the original 13th century and not so pretty building of stone was demolished when the gunpowder stored inside exploded. Today’s Gothic-Venetian style palace was built in its place, only to encounter the same fate - an explosion just 28 years later.

What you will visit today, is the remains of the second palace, with remodeling to what survived the explosion. Today, the cruise traveler can visit the Cultural History Museum which is housed in the palace - exhibiting the arsenal, courtroom and prison cells along with works of art, paintings, a numismatic and watch collections, historical costumes and domestic objects.

Franciscan Monastery and Museum
(Franjevački Samostan)

Housed in the Franciscan Monastery is the most valuable library in all of Croatia and, of equal interest, a fantastic apothecary dating back to 1317 - you will be told that this is the oldest working pharmacy in all Europe today. If the cruise traveler is looking for an ancient potion or herb, they are still dispensed here.

Also on display is the old laboratory equipment, with scales and mortars. Inside the monastery, you will discover a 14th-century cloister, a beautiful Romanesque structure, with columns topped by what appears to be human heads, floral arrangements, and animals. Throughout the monastery you can find many an ex-voto collection of jewelry, pieces of fine art along with historical pieces and a head relic of St Ursula dating to the 14th century.

Dominican Monastery and Museum
(Dominikanski Samostan)

When you view this structure, you are looking at one of the city's first multi-functional projects. It served as the residence for the 14th century Dominican congregation but, at the same time, was the defensive position of the city wall for the northeastern flank of the city.

Built in the traditional Gothic-Renaissance style of the times it is a place to view a rich collection of artworks including the recently restored Titian painting of St Blaise, and by Dubrovnik's painting schools of the 15th and 16th centuries (namely by Nikola Bozidarević, Mihajilo, Hamzić and Dobric Dobričević). On display, the cruise traveler will also have the opportunity to view votive jewelery, relics, manuscripts, incunabula and valuable documents. The original structure was built in 1315, and after its destruction in 1667, was totally rebuilt to its present state. Climb the impressive stairway to the entry to the church where you view a statue of St Dominic and the 15th-century Gothic cloister.

Church of St Blaise
(Crkva Svetog Vlaha)

Built between 1705 and 1717, this Baroque church, named after the protector saint of the city, is perhaps the most beloved of Dubrovnik's people. The church was built on the site of a 14th-century Romanesque church that had survived the earthquake in 1667 but was totally destroyed by fire in 1706.

Incredibly a silver statue of St Blaise remained intact in the sacristy, which was at the time considered a miracle. The cruise traveler shouldn't miss the to opportunity appreciate the marble altar sculpted by Marino Groppelli (also the architect of the church) and the golden statue of St Blaise or “Sv. Vlaho”, who is holding in his hand a model of the city.

City Walls
(Gradske Zidine)

When visiting Dubrovnik it is a must to walk above the city along the City Walls, for a view of the colorful buildings, city life as well as awesome views of the ocean. These world famous and magnificent walls were created between the 13th and 16th centuries. However, the first fortifications were built back in the 8th century.

With towers along the way create endless possibilities for photos. Walking the massive wall surrounding the city of Dubrovnik (around 1 ¼ mile in length), you get to see this beautiful city from many angles, and the people as well as tourists in restaurants, shopping or going about their daily lives. The walls built to protect the city from the Turks, and over the years, additional new towers were added to give more strength to the existing forts. These walls are considered to be some of the greatest fortifications built during the Middle Ages, and to this day have never been breached by any foreign invader. When you plan to make this incredible walk, try to give yourself an hour or more because you will find yourself constantly stopping in amazement, and compelled to take photos of the sights here.

Church of St Ignatius of Loyola
(Crkva Sv. Ignacija)

On the south side of the Gundulić Square, as you venture up Jesuit Street, you will find yourself facing a set of Baroque steps, designed by Pietro Passalacqua and reminiscent of Rome’s Spanish Steps. These lead to a wonderful square where the cruise traveler will find the largest house of worship in Dubrovnik, the Jesuit Church of St Ignatius of Loyola, and next to the facade the building of the Jesuit Collegium (Collegium Ragusinum).

The church is the work of famous architect and also painter, Ignazio Pozzo, between 1699-1703. The magnificent church was completed in 1725 and the interior was decorated with trompe l’oeil Baroque frescoes by Spanish artist Gaetano Garcia depicting scenes from the life of St Ignatius, the founder of the Jesuit order. Also, in the church belfry is a cast iron bell from 1355.

Cable Car
(Mount Srd)

For the most outstanding view of the city, mountains and islands the cruise traveler should go to the very top of the Srd Hill. The best way reach the top of the hill is on the Dubrovnik Cable Car, built back in 1969. Or hike the winding footpath, which will take you about 90 minutes.

On top of the mountain, besides the view, you will find a large cross and the Fort Imperial built in 1810 during Napoleon's occupation. The fort also houses the Museum of Contemporary History with exhibits from the Croatian Wars. Take photos with magnificent views of the Old Town, the Adriatic Sea with its numerous islands, have a drink or a quick bite at the snack bar or in the Restaurant Panorama.

If the speed of the wind exceeds the safety threshold on any part of the cable car route, the cable car will stop until the wind speed reduces. In the case of possible lightning, the cable car will temporarily cease operations.

Don't miss: the Heritage Shop
Visit this store for an assortment of antiques, replicas, art and historical pieces from Croatian history.
Petra Kresimira IV, 7, in the close proximity of the Cable Car lower station.
10:00 am -2:00 pm | 5:00 pm - 22:00 pm

Cavtat and Lokrum

The beaches of Dubrovnik