Gastro Cruise | Cruise around Dubrovnik Old Town with Lunch

Dubrovnik’s walls are made for a waterside view, and this short cruise pairs that panorama with a proper fish lunch. You get a look at the Old Town from the Adriatic, then circle Lokrum, all in about two hours.

I like two things about the format: the seafood meal is part of the outing, not an extra stop to arrange, and the compact route lets you see both the walls and Lokrum without giving up half a day. The included drinks and friendly, welcoming service described by those who have taken the cruise add to its easygoing appeal.

One consideration: two hours is a tight window for lunch and sightseeing, and the boat can take up to 40 people. A swim stop is not clearly promised, so don’t book expecting time in the water unless the operator confirms it.

At a glance

• Two sights from the sea: Cruise along Dubrovnik’s City Walls and around Lokrum Island.
• A three-course lunch aboard: Expect a cold starter, grilled seabass or gilthead seabream with side dishes, and dessert.
• Drinks included: The package includes three drinks or a bottle of wine per couple, plus water and soft drinks.
• A short outing: The cruise lasts about two hours and starts at 1:30 pm.
• A small-boat outing, not a private one: The maximum group size is 40.
• Old Town departure and return: Meet at Porat Dubrovnik, at Ribarnica ul. 1, and finish back at the same point.

Lunch with a view of Dubrovnik’s walls

This cruise makes a simple, appealing trade: instead of choosing between a sightseeing boat ride and a sit-down seafood lunch, you get both in one outing. The boat leaves from the Old Town port, where the welcome includes local snacks and appetizers. From there, the route takes you along the waterfront below the famous City Walls.

The view from the sea gives you a different angle on Dubrovnik than you get from the lanes inside the walls. You can take in the scale of the fortifications from outside, with the water and the city in the same frame. The cruise is panoramic rather than a guided walking tour, so think of it as a chance to look, eat, and enjoy the coast, not as a detailed lesson in the city’s past.

Lunch is served on board in front of the Old Town. The three-course meal includes a cold starter, a grilled fish main course, side dishes, and dessert. The listed choices are seabass or gilthead seabream. That gives the meal a clear local-seafood focus, though the menu details provided do not specify the starter, sides, or dessert in advance.

I like that the food is built into the route. You don’t have to find a restaurant between sightseeing stops, and the meal becomes part of the view rather than a separate task. The cruise’s short length also makes it easier to fit around other plans in Dubrovnik.

The trade-off is that this is a fixed-format lunch, not a long meal where you can linger over several courses at your own pace. If you have dietary needs or want to know exactly what is served, contact the operator before booking. The available information names the fish choices but does not describe substitutions or special menus.

The City Walls from the water

The first part of the cruise is described as a panorama of Dubrovnik’s City Walls. From the boat, you see the fortifications from the seaward side, which is useful even if you have already walked the walls. The perspective shifts your attention from the streets and rooftops inside the Old Town to the scale and shape of the defenses along the coast.

This is not a substitute for walking the walls. On foot, you can pause and look down into the city; from the boat, you get a wider view of the walls against the sea. The two experiences serve different purposes, and this one is particularly convenient if you want the coastal perspective without adding a separate boat tour to your schedule.

The cruise lists this part as about one hour, although the overall outing lasts roughly two hours. Treat that timing as an approximate division rather than a promise of exact minutes at each view. The focus is a moving panorama, not a stop where you disembark to explore.

As the boat moves along the coast, you can settle in with your meal and keep the walls in view. That combination is the main draw: you are not simply being ferried past the sights, and the meal is not tucked away indoors. For a short excursion, the two activities reinforce each other well.

Around Lokrum Island

After the City Walls, the boat continues around Lokrum, the island across from Dubrovnik’s Old Town. The itinerary describes this as another hour of panoramic cruising. You remain on the water and see the island from the boat, rather than taking a land visit as part of the stated route.

That distinction matters when you plan your day. If your goal is to step ashore and explore Lokrum, this cruise should not be treated as an island visit. Its stated purpose is a circuit around the island, paired with views back toward Dubrovnik and the coastline.

The route adds variety to the outing. The walls offer a close view of the city’s seaward edge; Lokrum gives the cruise a second landmark and a reason to keep moving beyond the Old Town harbor. If you have limited time, that mix is more satisfying than a short out-and-back view of the walls alone.

The description mentions crystal-clear water and local beaches, but it does not clearly confirm a swimming stop or time ashore. I would ask the operator directly if swimming is a priority. Otherwise, plan on a sightseeing cruise with lunch, not a beach excursion.

What the meal and drinks include

The meal is described as a three-course lunch: a cold starter, a grilled fish main with side dishes, and dessert. You can expect seabass or gilthead seabream as the main dish. Snacks and appetizers are also included, so the meal begins before the formal courses.

The drinks package includes three drinks or a bottle of wine per couple, along with bottled water and soda. The wording does not make clear whether the three drinks are per person or per booking, so check that point with the operator if it affects your decision. Wi-Fi is also listed as available on board.

Food is one of the most praised parts of the outing, with the seafood described as delicious and the activity as authentic. That is encouraging, but taste is personal, and the available menu is focused on fish. If you do not eat seafood, ask about alternatives before paying.

The meal adds real value if you already planned to have lunch and want an easy way to combine it with coastal sightseeing. If you are mainly looking for the cheapest possible boat ride, the price may feel high because you are paying for both the cruise and the meal.

Is $87.12 good value?

At $87.12 per person, this is not a bare-bones sightseeing cruise. The fare includes the approximately two-hour boat trip, a three-course lunch, snacks, drinks, water, soda, and Wi-Fi. The most useful value question is whether you want a seafood lunch as part of your outing. If yes, combining it with the walls and Lokrum can make good use of your time.

You are also paying for convenience. The boat departs from the Old Town port, the route covers two major coastal sights, and the meal is served during the outing. That can be appealing when you have a full schedule and would rather not arrange a restaurant booking and a separate cruise.

On the other hand, the cruise is short, and the group can reach 40 people. You should not expect a private boat or a long, leisurely meal. The tour works best when you value the combination and the views more than flexibility, quiet, or extended time ashore.

The experience receives a five-star rating from three ratings, with praise for the food, the authentic feel, and the operators’ kind, friendly manner. That is a small sample, so I would treat it as a positive sign rather than a guarantee. The consistent point is that the outing’s strongest appeal seems to be the pairing of a warm welcome, a good fish meal, and sightseeing from the sea.

Timing, meeting point, and practical details

The start time is 1:30 pm, and the cruise lasts about two hours. It begins and ends at Porat Dubrovnik, Ribarnica ul. 1, in the Old Town. Allow time to reach the port before departure; the tour’s compact duration leaves little room for a late arrival.

The activity uses a mobile ticket, and booking confirmation is provided at the time of booking. It is generally suitable for most participants, service animals are allowed, and the meeting point is near public transportation. No more specific mobility information is provided, so check with the operator if you need details about boarding or access on the boat.

The maximum group size is 40. That is worth weighing if you prefer a quieter outing, though it is still a defined group rather than an open-ended public ferry. The cruise requires good weather and a minimum number of participants. If poor weather or too few bookings lead to cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund. The experience is often booked about 21 days ahead, so planning a few weeks in advance is sensible, especially if the 1:30 pm departure suits your schedule.

Who should book this cruise?

I’d consider this cruise if you want a concise outing that combines Dubrovnik’s seaward views with lunch, and you enjoy fish. It suits a tight itinerary particularly well: two hours is enough to see the City Walls from the water and circle Lokrum without committing to a half-day tour.

It is also a good fit if you like the idea of a social meal on a boat and value having drinks included. The friendly service and the meal are central to its appeal, not extras to overlook. Couples may find the bottle-of-wine option convenient, though it is worth confirming how the drinks are allocated.

I would choose another activity if your main aim is to swim, spend time ashore on Lokrum, or take a quiet private cruise. Those are not guaranteed parts of this tour. And if you need a non-fish menu, ask before booking rather than assuming there will be an alternative.

For a short, food-focused look at the coast, the combination makes sense. Book it if the seafood lunch and panoramic route are both things you want; skip it if you only need transport or a simple sightseeing boat ride.

FAQ

How long is the gastro cruise?

The cruise lasts about two hours. The route includes a panoramic trip by the City Walls and around Lokrum Island.

What time does the cruise start?

The listed start time is 1:30 pm.

Where does the cruise begin and end?

It starts and ends at Porat Dubrovnik, Ribarnica ul. 1, in Dubrovnik’s Old Town.

What food is included?

The included lunch has three courses: a cold starter, grilled seabass or gilthead seabream with side dishes, and dessert. Snacks and appetizers are also included.

Are drinks included in the price?

Yes. The package includes three drinks or a bottle of wine per couple, along with bottled water and soda. Confirm with the operator how the three drinks are allocated if that detail matters to you.

Which sights does the boat visit?

The cruise offers views of Dubrovnik’s City Walls and continues around Lokrum Island.

Does the tour include a stop on Lokrum?

The stated route is a panoramic cruise around Lokrum. A stop ashore is not specified.

How many people can join the cruise?

The maximum group size is 40 people.

What happens if bad weather cancels the cruise?

If poor weather leads to cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund.

Can I cancel and get a refund?

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours in advance are not refunded.