An atmospheric harbour packed with busy restaurants, markets and boat trips to the nearby islands.
One of the iconic Dubrovnik sights, Gruž Harbour serves as the main maritime port to the city, and is often bustling with yachts, ferries and cruise ships. Located in a sheltered bay approximately 2 kilometres from Dubrovnik's Old Town, the port boasts great views of the harbour, the mountains and the islands beyond.
Amble along one of the many boardwalks while doing a spot of people watching, before having a rest on one of the benches and watching the boats go about their daily activities. Enjoy dinner with a view of the water at one of the many restaurants, and follow the sun as it sets into the horizon before tucking into a comforting ice cream.
Dive into the region's fresh produce at the daily fruit, vegetable and fish market, one of the harbour's star attractions. Stalls spread out early in the morning near the ferry terminal on the harbourside, and vendors hawk a variety of local goods, from figs, tomatoes and oranges to cabbage and fine fish. Make sure you taste some of the locally made specialties, including goats' cheese, wine and olive oil.
Take advantage of Dubrovnik's close proximity to its beautiful island neighbours, and hop on one of the inexpensive regular boat excursions departing from Gruž to the Elafiti Islands, made up of Koločep, Lopud and Šipan. Although small, these islands are worth a few hours of exploration each, so allocate more than a day to take in the sights.
From Gruž, it is a two-hour ferry ride to the forested national park of Mljet in the west of Mljet Island. Explore the wide landscape filled with caves, isolated coves, salt lakes and thick woods. Visit the official Dubrovnik Tourism Board website for up-to-date information on ferry schedules.
Gruž Harbour is about a 20-minute walk or a short bus ride from the Old Town. For those who are driving, there is a 24-hour paid car park near the harbour or paid parking in the nearby streets.
