Published on
September 6, 2025
Dubrovnik, one of Croatia’s most iconic destinations, is facing a significant challenge with overtourism, leading to overcrowding in its historic Old City. To address this issue, the city is introducing new measures aimed at controlling the flow of visitors and preserving its cultural heritage. With the rise in tourism, especially after the popularity of Game of Thrones, the city’s mayor has revealed plans such as booking requirements for the city walls and limiting the number of cruise ships. These actions are essential for maintaining a balance between tourism and sustainability, ensuring Dubrovnik remains a vibrant destination without sacrificing the quality of life for its residents.
Dubrovnik, the historic gem of Croatia, is renowned for its breathtaking beauty, attracting millions of visitors each year. However, this influx of tourists has led to a growing concern: overtourism. With its UNESCO-listed Old City, Dubrovnik is now considered the most overcrowded city in the world by Responsible Travel, with the staggering statistic of 27 tourists for every local resident at peak times. This overwhelming number of visitors has strained the city’s resources and altered its very essence, with tourism becoming an overwhelming presence in daily life.
The tipping point for Dubrovnik’s tourism boom came with the global success of Game of Thrones, which used the city as the backdrop for its fictional King’s Landing. The show’s massive fanbase now floods the city, eager to walk the same streets and view the iconic locations. While tourism undoubtedly brings economic benefits, it also comes at the cost of local life and cultural integrity. The pressure is particularly intense within the Old City, where most visitors tend to congregate, causing overcrowding and congestion in the narrow streets, famous landmarks, and historical sites.
To address these issues and protect the city’s heritage, Dubrovnik has introduced a series of new measures aimed at alleviating the pressure on both the city and its residents. These regulations are designed to strike a balance between tourism and sustainability, ensuring that Dubrovnik remains a vibrant destination while preserving the quality of life for its citizens.
One of the significant changes involves limiting access to the iconic city walls. Starting next year, visitors wishing to walk along these historic walls will need to make a reservation in advance. This measure aims to control the flow of tourists and ensure that the experience is not marred by overcrowding. As one of the most recognizable attractions in the city, the walls have always been a magnet for visitors, but without regulation, they have become a bottleneck for tourism.
Another change concerns the number of cruise ships allowed to dock in Dubrovnik each day. Currently, massive cruise ships carrying thousands of tourists flood the city in short bursts, overwhelming local infrastructure. To combat this, Dubrovnik will now limit the number of cruise ships to just two per day, and each ship will be required to stay for at least eight hours. This initiative is designed to spread out the flow of passengers throughout the day and reduce the congestion that occurs when large numbers of tourists arrive and depart within a short time window.
The city’s authorities are also conducting a comprehensive audit of rental accommodations, restaurants, souvenir shops, and cafes. The goal is to find a sustainable balance between the needs of the local population and the demands of the tourism industry. The audit will help determine the optimal number of tourist-oriented businesses, ensuring that they do not overcrowd the area or displace local services. Additionally, the city has begun purchasing apartments, which will then be rented out to local families at affordable rates. This initiative is part of the city’s strategy to combat rising property prices, which have been driven up by the influx of tourists seeking short-term rentals.
Furthermore, the city is investing in social infrastructure to improve the quality of life for its residents. A new school is being established in a historic palace, ensuring that Dubrovnik’s future generations can continue to live and thrive in their hometown. This focus on long-term sustainability underscores the city’s commitment to maintaining its cultural and community-oriented atmosphere, despite the pressures of tourism.
To further encourage responsible tourism, Dubrovnik is introducing the Dubrovnik Pass, a daily ticket priced at €40, which will grant access to museums, galleries, monasteries, and the city walls. This pass aims to streamline the visitor experience, making it easier for tourists to explore the city’s historic attractions while contributing to the preservation of its heritage. By introducing a unified ticketing system, Dubrovnik hopes to reduce congestion and manage the flow of visitors more effectively.
The measures reflect the city’s deep concern over the impact of tourism on its historic fabric. Responsible Travel, a sustainable travel agency, has highlighted the alarming decline in the local population of Dubrovnik’s Old City. The number of residents has plummeted from 5,000 in 1991 to just 1,500 today. The transformation of homes into tourist accommodations has eroded the sense of community, diminished local culture, and driven up property prices. Many locals have been priced out of the market and forced to relocate to other parts of the city or beyond.
Despite these challenges, Dubrovnik remains a safe and welcoming destination for tourists. Recently, the city was recognized as Europe’s safest city, due to its low crime levels and the effective measures taken by local authorities to maintain public safety. Riviera Travel’s study, which analyzed crime rates and trends over the past five years, revealed that Dubrovnik is one of the most secure destinations for visitors in Europe.
While the city’s measures to combat overtourism are still in the early stages, they represent a step toward a more sustainable and balanced approach to tourism. By limiting overcrowding, improving infrastructure, and preserving local culture, Dubrovnik aims to protect its unique charm and ensure that it remains a vibrant destination for both residents and visitors alike. These efforts not only serve the local community but also contribute to the global movement towards responsible and sustainable travel, offering a model for other popular destinations grappling with similar issues. As Dubrovnik continues to evolve, it stands as a reminder that protecting the integrity of a destination is essential for its future success and for the well-being of its inhabitants.
