Dubrovnik, beautiful historic city on Croatia's southern Dalmatian coast, known as the "Pearl of Adriatic", one of the most prominent destinations in the Mediterranean basin, famous for its rich history and a vibrant culture, boasting outstanding medieval, renaissance and baroque architecture, a distinctive Old Town encircled by majestic stone walls that protected the independent Republic of Ragusa for centuries and are a tangible link to the city’s rich past and declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site is taking actions to stop overtourism in the city.
Dubrovnik Mayor Mato Franković has revealed on the Independent Daily Travel podcast that from 2026, entry the city walls will only possible with an advance booking system, a move that is designed to spread out visitor numbers and prevent overcrowding.
The Dalmatian city has been ranked the most overcrowded city in the world, with 27 tourists to every resident at peak times, the permanent population of the old town is just 1.500, down from 5.000 in 1991 and several homes and flats have been turned over to tourist accommodatio destroying any sense of community and eroding authentic culture.
Overcrowding, traffic congestion, various physical damages, displacement of locals in Old Town, low quality of tourist experiences and lower quality for locals and increased prices are among problems caused by overtourism in Dubrovnik.
For all that Dubrovnik is taking actions to combat the pressures of overtourism and safeguard the quality of life for residents, as well the visitor experience.
The city is turning its attention to accommodation, and an ongoing audit of apartments, restaurants and souvenir shops within the Old Town will determine sustainable numbers for the future.
In addition local authorities are buying back some properties to be offered as affordable housing to families with the goal of revitalising community life. A school has even been created in a historic palace as part of this effort, moves that form part of a wider strategy led by Dubrovnik’s Mayor to bring balance between tourism and everyday life in the city.
A further action concerns cruise ships visit that will remain capped at two per day, each required to dock for a minimum of eight hours. The aim is to stagger passenger flows and encourage longer, more meaningful stays than rather short visits that add to congestion.
Coaches are also subject to stricter controls, with scheduled drop - off times introduced at Pile Gate, the Old Town’s main entrance.
The city is now using the Dubrovnik Pass, priced €40 per day to manage access to cultural landmarks while offering better value for visitors.
Officials stress that tourism remains vital to Dubrovnik’s economy, but now the focus is shifting to sustainability.
The ultimate goal, they say, is a city that remains vibrant and liveable while providing a richer experience for visitors.
Link
https://www.croatiaweek.com/dubrovnik-announces-moves-to-stop-overtourism-in-the-city/
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