The ‘ultimate’ European seaside city that’s facing a huge problem

Dubrovnik's Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site (Image: Getty)

A European city favoured by British tourists is facing a big problem as high season approaches. Described as the “ultimate” European seaside city, the destination is gearing up for another busy summer as warm weather and keen tourists approach.

Dubrovnik sits in the southern tip of Croatia on the Adriatic Sea, one of the most prominent tourist destinations in the Mediterranean. Its Old City was designated a UNESCO WOrld Heritage Site in 1979 and some parts date back to the 7th century, though a devastating earthquake almost destroyed the entire place in 1667.

After sustaining significant damage during the Croatian War of Independence in the early 1990s, it was repaired and rose as one of the area’s top tourist hotspots. Visitors from all over the world are drawn to its beaches, one of which is named Copacabana Beach after the famous spot in Rio de Janeiro, as well as its historic sites.

The city’s Sponza Palace dates from the 16th century and houses the National Archives, a Renaissance highlight in the heart of the city.

Meanwhile, the 18th-century St Blaise’s Church was built in honour of Dubrovnik’s patron saint, while the city’s baroque cathedral dates from the same time period and houses relics of the favoured saint.

Dubrovnik is also a favourite for cruise ships, with passengers from these vessels growing to 632,000 in 2024 between the city’s port and the docking site in nearby Korcula.

Since 2018, the city has been forced to take action to manage an excessive number of tourists, particularly in the historic Old Town.

Methods of controlling visitors have included staggering the arrival and departure times of cruise ships, spreading tourist numbers across the week, while in 2023, the local mayor closed the terrace of a city bar because of its effect on the neighbourhood and announced a ban on wheeled luggage to limit street noise.

According to holiday accommodation company Holidu, Dubrovnik was the most “over-touristed” destination in Europe during 2023, welcoming 27.4 tourists for each inhabitant.

Many are attracted by the success of the television series Game of Thrones, partly filmed in the area, and other location filming hits, which bring in around 60,000 tourists each year.

In contrast, only around 1,500 people live in the Old Town, with huge numbers of houses and flats converted into tourist accommodation.

To help calm visitor numbers, tourists are advised to travel outside the peak summer months of July and August if possible, visiting hotspots such as the Old Town at the start or end of the day when cruise passengers are out of the way, and invest in other parts of the city as well.