Dubrovnik

In peak season (June–September) yes, or at least show up at opening. The walls are managed by the Society of Friends of Dubrovnik Antiquities and the standard adult ticket runs €35 in 2026 — it's not cheap, but it includes Lovrjenac Fortress and is good for one entry to the walls on the day of issue. The site has a soft daily cap and entry is one-way along the circuit; if 4,000 cruise passengers all queue at Pile Gate at 10am you will be queueing too. Buy online before you sail or hit the ticket window the moment you arrive.

First thing off the ship, ideally before 9am. The circuit is 2 km of largely shadeless stone and the Adriatic sun in July is not subtle — by 11am you're walking on a frying pan. The walls open at 8am in summer and last entry is around 6:30–7pm depending on the month; the gate at Pile is the busiest entrance, the Ploče gate at the far end is usually quieter. Bring water; vendors inside the walls charge what they can.

Moderate, in line with any heavily touristed Mediterranean port — not dangerous, but real. The U.S. State Department keeps Croatia at Level 1 (exercise normal precautions) and notes petty crime in densely-populated tourist areas. The Stradun at midday with three ships in port is the textbook setup: bag across the chest, phone out of the back pocket, wallet in a front pocket. Violent crime is rare. The bigger risk is honestly the slick limestone of the main street after rain — it's polished by 800 years of feet and it's an ankle-breaker in the wrong shoes.

Yes if you've already done the walls and have three hours. Lokrum is the small forested island visible from the Old Town; the public ferry runs from the Old Town's old harbor (not Gruž) every 30 minutes in season, takes 15 minutes each way, and costs €27 round-trip including the island entry fee. There's a botanical garden, a saltwater lake, the ruins of a Benedictine monastery, peacocks underfoot, and decent rocky swimming. It's the move if Old Town crowds are wearing you down.

Cavtat is the closer call — a small seaside town 17 km southeast, reachable by public bus 10 (about 45 minutes) or by water-taxi from the Old Town's harbor in summer. Quieter than Dubrovnik, decent waterfront, the Račić family mausoleum by Meštrović is genuinely worth seeing. The Konavle valley further south (wineries, traditional villages, the Cilipi folk show on Sundays) is a half-day drive and only realistic with a private driver or organized tour — figure €70–100 per person. For a single-call cruise day, Cavtat is the more honest add-on.

Yes — Croatia switched from the kuna to the euro on 1 January 2023 and joined the Schengen area the same day. Cards work everywhere in Old Town, the cable car, the walls ticket office, restaurants, taxis. Carry €30–50 in small notes for the ferry ticket window at the old harbor, the public bus if you don't have a kiosk ticket, and tipping (10% is generous, not expected). Decline dynamic-currency-conversion at ATMs and card readers — always pay in euros.