Dubrovnik cruise ships dock at Gruž, about 3km northwest of the Old Town, and you can close that gap by shuttle, public bus, taxi or a 30 to 40-minute walk. The shuttle and bus both drop you near Pile Gate, the main entrance through the city walls, so that’s where you’ll land first.
Dubrovnik cruise terminal facilities
The Dubrovnik cruise terminal at Gruž covers the basics: toilets, a tourist information desk, somewhere to change money and a taxi rank, with the main bus station sitting right opposite the exit.
Want the full picture of the terminal building itself? See the full details on the Dubrovnik port terminal. If you’re driving to the port to drop someone off or pick them up, check the Dubrovnik cruise port parking guide before you set off, since space near the terminal is tight.
Dubrovnik cruise port map
Ships dock at Gruz Cruise Terminal. From Pile Gate, Dubrovnik City Walls is about a 2-minute walk and Fort Lovrijenac about 4 minutes. The old town’s main sights, the cable car up Mount Srđ, Banje Beach and Lokrum island are pinned too. Tap a pin for directions.
- Gruz Cruise TerminalWhere ships dock
- Brsalje Square (shuttle stop)About 2 min walk from Pile Gate
- Dubrovnik City WallsAbout 2 min walk from Pile Gate
- Fort LovrijenacAbout 4 min walk from Pile Gate
- Pile Gate
- Onofrio’s Fountain
- Stradun
- Minčeta Tower
- Sponza Palace
- Rector’s Palace
- Dubrovnik Cathedral
- Dubrovnik Cable Car (lower station)
- Mount Srđ (cable car top)
- Banje Beach
- Lokrum island
- Gruž market
Dubrovnik cruise port shuttle bus
The Dubrovnik cruise port shuttle bus runs from the terminal to Brsalje Square, a couple of minutes’ walk from Pile Gate, taking around 10 to 15 minutes depending on how traffic’s behaving.
Each cruise line runs its own version rather than one standard service, so whether you pay and how much depends entirely on your ship. Some lines fold it into the fare, others charge a small amount each way. There’s no published timetable either, since departures are timed around when your ship actually arrives, so check the noticeboard near the gangway or ask guest services what time it’s running that day.
Public bus from Dubrovnik port to the Old Town
The public bus from Dubrovnik port to the Old Town is run by Libertas, the city network, with lines 1A, 1B, 3 and 8 covering the route.
Buses leave roughly every 10 to 15 minutes, and the ride itself takes about the same again. Buy your ticket at the station kiosk or through the Libertas app before you get on, since paying the driver face to face costs more. Timetables shift from day to day, so checking the app beats trusting a fixed schedule.
Taxi from Dubrovnik cruise port to the Old Town
Taxis from Dubrovnik cruise port to the Old Town pick up at the rank directly outside the terminal exit, a short walk from the gangway, and the drive takes around 10 to 15 minutes along the coast road.
There’s no published tariff, so agree the fare with the driver before you set off, and expect to pay a fair bit more than the bus for the convenience. On days when several ships are in port, the queue at the rank can run to 30 to 60 minutes, so build that in if you’re cutting things fine getting back on board.
Walking from Dubrovnik port to the Old Town
Walking from Dubrovnik port to the Old Town is mostly flat along the coast road, with a few uphill stretches saved for the end.
The walk isn’t as pleasant as the map suggests. Stretches run alongside busy port roads with no proper pavement, which is why plenty of people take the bus or a taxi instead of doing the whole thing on foot.
If you do walk, stick to the marked crossings rather than cutting along the road’s edge, and build in extra time if you’re less steady on your feet. The walking routes from Dubrovnik port cover the route in more detail, and the wheelchair access information for Dubrovnik port is worth a look if mobility’s a concern.
Comfortable, broken-in shoes matter here more than at most ports, since the final stretch into the Old Town is polished limestone. A few blister prevention plasters in your day bag can save you an uncomfortable walk back.
It also gets warm along the coast road with next to no shade, so a collapsible water bottle earns its place in your bag for the walk.
Dubrovnik Airport to the cruise port
Dubrovnik Airport to the cruise port is roughly 20 to 22km, and a taxi or private transfer covers it in about 27 to 35 minutes depending on traffic.
An airport shuttle bus also runs into town; ask the operator which gate it stops at, Pile or Ploče, when you land. Departures are generally timed to leave a set interval after each flight lands rather than running to a fixed timetable.
Taxi fares from the airport vary quite a bit, so it’s worth comparing before you book rather than assuming one price applies. The Dubrovnik airport to port guide covers both options in more depth.
Where to stay near Dubrovnik cruise port
Where to stay near Dubrovnik cruise port depends on what you’re doing either side of the cruise. The Old Town suits anyone who wants to walk everywhere once they’re ashore, while staying closer to Gruž cuts the trip to the terminal if you’ve got an early flight or you’re arriving the night before.
The hotels near Dubrovnik port guide runs through options in both areas, handy if you’re arriving the night before a cruise or staying on afterwards.
Luggage storage at Dubrovnik cruise port
Luggage storage at Dubrovnik cruise port isn’t available at the terminal itself. The practical option is the staffed office inside the main bus station, open daily and charged by the hour.
That suits anyone off the ship early with a late flight home, or arriving in Dubrovnik the night before and not wanting to lug bags round the Old Town. A few lockers are also dotted around the Old Town and bus station through third-party storage schemes if the bus station office is busy.
If you’d rather sort this before you travel, you can book luggage storage near the terminal in advance.
Dubrovnik City Walls and Game of Thrones filming locations
Dubrovnik City Walls circle the whole Old Town and take around two hours to walk, with a different angle on the red roofs, the harbour and the sea at every turn.
Several corners of the ramparts, and the streets beneath them, doubled as King’s Landing, and the Game of Thrones filming locations guide points out exactly where. For the best angles to photograph the walls themselves, take a look at the guide to Dubrovnik city wall viewpoints before you climb up, and if you’d rather head straight there from the ship, the port to city walls walking guide covers that route.
Away from the walls, the Old Town’s quieter backstreets are covered in the Dubrovnik’s historic alleyways guide.
Shopping and day trips beyond the Old Town
Shopping in Dubrovnik’s Old Town centres on Stradun, the main limestone street running through the city, with smaller shops tucked into the side streets off it. The Dubrovnik cruise port shopping guide has the detail.
If you’ve got more time ashore, or you’re on an overnight stay, you can combine the port with a trip further along the coast. The Dubrovnik day trips guide runs through the options, and the Dubrovnik excursions and tours page covers guided alternatives if you’d rather book ahead.
Where to eat near Dubrovnik cruise port
Where to eat near Dubrovnik cruise port depends on your budget and how much time you’ve got. The Old Town has the widest choice if you’re out exploring the sights, while Gruž itself, right by the terminal, is the cheaper option if you’re short on time or watching what you spend.
Meals in Gruž typically cost around a third less than the same dish inside the Old Town walls, which matters if lunch is squeezed between the shuttle and getting back on board. For the fuller picture of Croatian coastal cooking, the guide to Croatian food in Dubrovnik covers what to look for, while the hidden cafés in Dubrovnik Old Town are a quieter option for coffee away from the main squares.
The Dubrovnik cruise port dining guide has more detail on where to go near the ship and in town.
What to wear in Dubrovnik: outfit ideas for a port day
What to wear in Dubrovnik for a port day starts with flat, non-slip shoes, since the limestone paving throughout the Old Town is polished smooth and properly slippery when wet.
Pack something that covers your shoulders and knees if you plan to step inside the Franciscan or Dominican Monasteries, or the Cathedral, since both men and women are expected to dress modestly there. Photography’s fine anywhere in public, but tripods aren’t allowed on the City Walls, so a lighter camera setup makes more sense for the climb.
For more ideas suited to the cobbles and the sun, see the Dubrovnik outfit ideas guide.
Best photo spots in Dubrovnik
The best photo spots in Dubrovnik beyond the port itself include Fort Lovrijenac, Luža Square and the view back over the harbour from Ploče Gate.
- Fort Lovrijenac: an 11th-century fort perched on a 37m rock west of the walls, with views over the City Walls, the Adriatic and the whole Old Town.
- Luža Square: the centre of the Old Town, home to the Church of Saint Blaise, the Rector’s Palace, Orlando’s Column and the Sponza Palace.
- Ploče Gate: a quieter entrance than Pile Gate, with a viewing area looking back over the port.
- Minčeta Tower: near the end of the City Walls walk, giving the widest view of the red roofs, the Old Port and Lokrum island.
Banje Beach, a short walk from Ploče Gate, sits right at the edge of the Old Town with the city walls and Lokrum Island behind it. It’s covered in the beaches near Dubrovnik Old Town guide. For more vantage points across the city, see the Dubrovnik panoramic views guide.
How to spend a port day in Dubrovnik
A port day in Dubrovnik works best if you pick one: a walk round the City Walls, or a longer loop taking in Luza Square and Fort Lovrijenac too.
Before you sail
- Check which cruise line shuttle option and price applies before you dock
- Download the Libertas bus app for live timetables
- Book luggage storage near the terminal in advance if needed
Short port day: under 6 hours
- On dockingShuttle to Pile GateCheck shuttle boardTake the cruise line shuttle or Libertas public bus from the terminal to Brsalje Square, a couple of minutes from Pile Gate, around 10 to 15 minutes depending on traffic.
- +15 minClimb the City WallsEnter through Pile Gate and walk the full loop of the Dubrovnik City Walls, about two hours, taking in red roofs, the harbour and the sea from every angle.
- +2 hrs 15 minLuza Square sightsWalk down to Luza Square to see the Church of Saint Blaise, the Rector's Palace and Orlando's Column, the centre of the Old Town.
- +2 hrs 45 minLunch near StradunStop for a Croatian coastal dish at a spot just off Stradun, the limestone main street running through the Old Town.
- +3 hrs 30 minFort Lovrijenac viewsWalk out to Fort Lovrijenac, perched on a rock west of the walls, for views over the City Walls, the Adriatic and the whole Old Town.
- +4 hrsBack to Pile GateWalk back to Pile Gate and pick up the shuttle or public bus for the 10 to 15 minute ride back to the terminal at Gruž.
- All-aboard minus 30 minReboard at GružArrive back at the terminal with margin in hand in case the shuttle or bus is running behind schedule.
The time on the map is the whole walk, every stop added together.
Open this walking route in Google Maps
If plans change: If the City Walls queue is long, skip Fort Lovrijenac and head straight to lunch to keep the rest of the loop on time.
Long port day: 8 hours or more
- On dockingShuttle to Pile GateCheck shuttle boardTake the cruise line shuttle or Libertas public bus from the terminal to Brsalje Square, a couple of minutes from Pile Gate, around 10 to 15 minutes depending on traffic.
- +15 minClimb the City WallsEnter through Pile Gate and walk the full two-hour loop of the City Walls, pausing at Minčeta Tower for the widest view of the red roofs and Lokrum island.
- +2 hrs 15 minLuza Square sightsWalk down to Luza Square to see the Church of Saint Blaise, the Rector's Palace, the Sponza Palace and Orlando's Column.
- +3 hrsLunch near StradunTake a longer lunch stop just off Stradun for a Croatian coastal dish before heading back out to explore.
- +4 hrsBrowse Stradun's shopsSpend time browsing the shops along Stradun and the side streets off it, working slowly back towards the Pile Gate end of the Old Town.
- +5 hrs 30 minFort Lovrijenac viewsWalk out to Fort Lovrijenac, perched on a rock west of the walls, for views back over the City Walls, the Adriatic and the whole Old Town.
- +5 hrs 50 minBack to Pile GateWalk back to Pile Gate and catch the shuttle or public bus for the 10 to 15 minute ride back to the terminal at Gruž.
The time on the map is the whole walk, every stop added together.
Open this walking route in Google Maps
If plans change: If City Walls tickets are sold out or the queue is long, swap in a walk through Dubrovnik's historic alleyways instead.
Dubrovnik cruise port guides
Each of these goes deeper into one part of a Dubrovnik port day.
Dubrovnik cruise port FAQs
Where do Dubrovnik cruise ships dock?
Dubrovnik cruise ships dock at Gruž, the port suburb about 3km northwest of the Old Town, with the terminal, ferry port and main bus station all within a few steps of each other.
How do I get from Dubrovnik cruise port to the Old Town?
Getting from Dubrovnik cruise port to the Old Town is easiest by cruise line shuttle, public Libertas bus, taxi or on foot, taking around 10 to 15 minutes by vehicle or 30 to 40 minutes if you walk.
Is there a shuttle bus from Dubrovnik cruise port?
A shuttle bus from Dubrovnik cruise port is run by most cruise lines, dropping you at Brsalje Square near Pile Gate, though whether that’s included in your fare or charged separately depends on the line.
How much does the Dubrovnik cruise port shuttle bus cost?
The cost of the Dubrovnik cruise port shuttle bus depends on your cruise line. Some fold it into the fare, others charge a small amount each way, so check with guest services on board.
How long does it take to walk from Dubrovnik port to the Old Town?
Walking from Dubrovnik port to the Old Town takes 30 to 40 minutes, covering around 3km mostly along the flat coast road.
Where’s the taxi rank at Dubrovnik cruise port?
The taxi rank at Dubrovnik cruise port sits directly outside the terminal exit, a short walk from the gangway, though the queue can build fast on days when several ships are in port.
Can I store luggage at Dubrovnik cruise port?
Luggage can’t be stored at the Dubrovnik cruise port terminal itself. Your best bet is the staffed storage office inside the main bus station opposite.
How far is Dubrovnik Airport from the cruise port?
Dubrovnik Airport sits roughly 20 to 22km from the cruise port, around 27 to 35 minutes by taxi or private transfer.
Does the public bus from Dubrovnik port stop at Pile Gate?
The public bus from Dubrovnik port does stop at Pile Gate, with Libertas lines 1A, 1B, 3 and 8 all ending their route there.
Last Updated: 29 October 2026