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Dubrovnik: when your ship stops here

City walls you can walk around, a rector's palace, and a pharmacy open since 1317.

Facts checked Nov 5, 2026, each with its source. No prices on this page.

Dubrovnik had 41,562 people at the 2021 census, and its Old City became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979. A cruise port guide says most large ships dock at Gruz, west of the Old Town and about 3 km (2 miles) from it, and that some calls anchor near Lokrum Island and bring guests to the Old Harbour by tender.

Sources: Wikipedia: Dubrovnik; CruiseMapper (a cruise port guide site): Dubrovnik

Top 3 things to do

  1. 1. The city walls

    The walls run about 1,940 m (6,360 feet) around most of the old city, up to about 25 m (82 feet) high, and were built mainly between the 13th and 17th centuries. Four great fortresses mark the key points, among them the Minceta Tower in the north, begun in 1463. In 1979 the old city and much of the walls joined the UNESCO list.

    Tip: The wall is long and has slopes, so give it more time than you think and keep an eye on your all aboard time.

    Source: Wikipedia: Walls of Dubrovnik

  2. 2. The Rector's Palace

    The seat of the Rector of the Republic of Ragusa from the 14th century until 1808. A fire in 1435 destroyed the earlier building, and the city commissioned a new palace from Onofrio della Cava of Naples. It combines Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque, and today holds the Cultural History Museum.

    Tip: Check opening days on the museum's own page; our sources do not give them.

    Source: Wikipedia: Rector's Palace, Dubrovnik

  3. 3. Onofrio's fountain and the Franciscan pharmacy

    In 1438 Onofrio della Cava built a 20 km (12 mile) water supply for the city, finished with two public fountains. The pharmacy of the Franciscan monastery was founded in 1317 and is described as the oldest still in operation.

    Tip: Both are in the Old Town, so you can see them in one short walk after you arrive at the gate.

    Source: Wikipedia: Dubrovnik

What to skip

  • Walking from Gruz to the Old Town

    A cruise port guide says to allow roughly 40 to 60 minutes each way on foot, with slopes and roadside pavements. It gives about 10 to 15 minutes by Libertas bus or by taxi in light traffic, and says to leave the Old Town at least 60 to 90 minutes before all aboard.

    Source: CruiseMapper (a cruise port guide site): Dubrovnik

Before you go ashore

You do not have to book a tour: you are free to go ashore on your own. Royal Caribbean sets the all aboard time about 30 minutes before the ship sails, posts it near the gangway, and says the ship does not wait for guests touring on their own.

Source: Royal Caribbean FAQ: Do I need to book a shore excursion?

Back-to-backs that stop in Dubrovnik

Back-to-back cruises from these home ports have a stop in Dubrovnik, from the Royal Caribbean sailings we track:

Sources

Read on Nov 5, 2026. Opening days, hours and rules change: check with the place itself before you go. legtolegcruises.com is independent and not affiliated with or endorsed by Royal Caribbean International or any place named here.

Find back-to-backs that stop in Dubrovnik

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