09/21/2026
Some places are beautiful in photos—but Dubrovnik is even more impressive when you’re standing inside its ancient walls. 🇭🇷
I had the opportunity to visit Dubrovnik during our cruise through Italy, Croatia and Montenegro, and these are some of my personal photos from that unforgettable day.
If the city looks familiar, there’s a reason. Dubrovnik’s stone walls, forts and narrow streets became King’s Landing in Game of Thrones. Nearby Lokrum Island appeared as Qarth, and the city was also transformed into Canto Bight for Star Wars: The Last Jedi. Parts of Robin Hood were filmed here, too.
But Dubrovnik’s real history is even more fascinating than its fictional one.
Once known as Ragusa, it was a powerful maritime republic that flourished through trade, shipbuilding and diplomacy. The city survived a devastating earthquake in 1667 and later suffered significant damage during the Croatian War of Independence in the 1990s. Today, its beautifully restored Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Walking its polished limestone streets and seeing the massive walls rise above the Adriatic made me understand why filmmakers are drawn here. Around every corner, there’s another view that hardly feels real—terracotta rooftops, historic churches, stone passageways and unbelievably blue water.
Dubrovnik isn’t simply a filming location or another cruise port. It’s a living city where centuries of history, modern Croatian culture and incredible natural beauty come together.
It was one of those destinations that reminded me why I love cruising: you can wake up, step off the ship and find yourself walking through a place you’ve seen on screen—only to discover that the real story is even better.
Would Dubrovnik be on your dream European cruise itinerary? 🇭🇷
