Dubrovnik Cruises, Croatia
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Ancient city walls. Higgledy-piggledy red rooftops. Cobbled streets worn by time. That’s Dubrovnik, a heart-stealing city that you just know you’re going to love the moment you arrive.
- Check out the 17th-century cathedral in the old town, with its striking gold and silver ruins. Then make tracks for Rector’s Palace, the former residence of Dubrovnik’s Republic Rector. It houses an impressive collection of artefacts and furniture.
- Leave the city behind and set sail for the nearby Elaphite Islands. All pine forests, beaches and olive groves, this trio offer up plenty in the way of Kodak-worthy scenery.
SHORE EXCURSIONS View all excursions
Best of Dubrovnik
On this tour you’ll stroll beneath a blanket of terracotta rooftops to discover why Dubrovnik has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You’ll step into the walled city through Pile Gate, where you’ll be transported back in time on a guided walk through the cobbled streets. Afterwards, the time is yours to spend as you like. Pick your own path through the winding lanes, gaze up at the Baroque buildings, and breathe in the scent of freshly-baked pastries from the pavement cafés. You’ll get to explore the medieval town of Cavtat, too, which was once a Roman and Greek colony. Nowadays, it’s a pretty port town that spills down a tree-cloaked peninsula. You can look forward to some incredible views on the drive along the Zupa coastline, too.
Old Town by Land and Sea
Enjoy a scenic drive to Pile Gate, your entrance to the old walled city of Dubrovnik, stopping at a panoramic viewpoint on the way. Once inside, you’ll start a walking tour that takes you right into the heart of this UNESCO World Heritage site. Prepare to be charmed by its narrow, winding streets that are crammed with Baroque architecture. Visit the 17th-century cathedral, with its rich treasury and gold and silver relics. The Rector's Palace, meanwhile, will really dazzle you with its first class collection of artefacts, furniture and arms. Then it’s on to the Dubrovnik Maritime Museum situated in the fortress Sveti Ivan to view the maritime affairs of Dubrovnik and Croatia as a whole. Afterwards you’ll get some free time to soak up the atmosphere of this enchanting city before making your way to the old harbour. Here you’ll set off on a scenic boat ride around the southern part of the old city walls and the beautiful Lapad peninsula on your way back to the ship.
City Walls Kayaking
Here’s a novel way to get to know a place – in a kayak. After a short bus transfer, you’ll set off on a kayaking tour skirting the city’s famous city walls, taking in fortresses, caves and islands along the way. First off, you’ll row between the forts of Bokar and Lovrijenac. One of the oldest of its kind, Bokar served as the protector of Pile Gate and City Bridge. It was even used as a prison at one time. Lovrijenac, meanwhile, guards the west entrance and is the only fortress that stands alone. While all the other fortresses form part of the city wall system, this one stands high on its own rock, a position which earned it the title ‘the Gibraltar of Dubrovnik’. Today, instead of cannon balls, you’ll often hear the words of Shakespeare resonating off its chunky walls – it’s used for Shakespeare productions as well as Dubrovnik’s summer festival. Leaving the forts behind, you’ll steer a course round the city walls to the Betina cave where you’ll stop for a snack. Then it’s time to check out the island of Lokrum. According to legend, Richard the Lionheart was cast ashore here after being shipwrecked in 1192. Luckily a similar fate doesn’t await you! You’ll sail safely back to starting point where your bus will be ready to return you to the port.