June 7, 2022, 4:22 am | Read time: 6 minutes
Ever since Dubrovnik served as a filming location for the cult series “Game of Thrones,” the Croatian city has been overwhelmed by tourists. In addition to vacationers arriving by plane, thousands of cruise ship passengers disembark in Dubrovnik almost daily. However, there are ways to have the stunning old town (almost) to yourself or at least avoid the peak tourist times. TRAVELBOOK visited Dubrovnik and shares four tips!
Dubrovnik clearly has a problem with too many tourists. The popularity of the Croatian city with cruise ships, partly due to “Game of Thrones,” has reached such proportions that even the old town was threatened. In 2017, more than 61,000 cruise tourists arrived monthly in the town, which itself has just over 43,000 residents. The crowds of vacationers pushing through the narrow streets of the historic old town even endangered its status as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
However, the city has since pulled the emergency brake: Since 2019, only a maximum of two cruise ships with up to 5,000 passengers each are allowed to dock in Dubrovnik daily. Together with vacationers arriving by plane, train, or car, that’s still a lot of people often visiting the old town at the same time. But with careful planning and by following the tips below, you can enjoy Dubrovnik without the crowds.
All tips and inspiration from this article are also available in the following podcast episode of In 5 Minutes Around the World, narrated by Susanne Resch:
Here you can find an overview of all episodes of “In 5 Minutes Around the World.”
1. Choose the Right Time to Travel
It’s clear that during vacation periods or around long weekends, more vacationers are on the move than usual. If you have the option, you should definitely avoid these times. In spring, Dubrovnik already enjoys pleasant temperatures, and in the fall, there are still many sunny days, and with a bit of luck, you can even swim in the sea. The winter months are really quiet, as many cruise ships are in more southern latitudes during this time. If a few rainy days and cooler temperatures don’t bother you, you can have the city almost to yourself between November and February.
The off-season is also worth a visit to Dubrovnik for other reasons: In October, for example, the Good Food Festival takes place every year, focusing on the region’s specialties and featuring numerous workshops and other activities. The highlight is the famous Dubrovačka trpeza (Dubrovnik Table): In the Stradun, the long main street in the old town, a table hundreds of meters long is set up, where restaurants, patisseries, and winemakers offer their specialties. On cue, everyone who has purchased vouchers in advance can dive into the delicacies and feast to their heart’s content. The exact date of this year’s festival is not yet set. Food vouchers are available shortly before the start of the Dubrovačka trpeza directly in the Stradun at special stands.
During Advent, Dubrovnik hosts the Winter Festival, with the old town beautifully decorated and various stands offering gifts and food for sale. More events in Dubrovnik for all months can be found here.
2. Choose the Right Time of Day
Many cruise ships typically dock in Dubrovnik between 7 a.m. and 12 p.m. and leave in the late afternoon or sometimes not until 9 p.m. If you like to get up early, you can explore the old town in peace in the morning hours, as it takes at least an hour for passengers to disembark at the port of Gruz and reach the city walls before they flood into the old town. But it’s also beautiful to wander through the illuminated streets in the evening and watch the hustle and bustle in the many restaurants and bars.
It’s also worth leaving the classic tourist paths within the city walls and exploring the alleys south and north of the famous main street Stradun. These areas are usually much less crowded, yet still offer numerous beautiful photo opportunities.
Also interesting: The filming locations of “Game of Thrones” in Dubrovnik
Game of Thrones Filming Locations in Dubrovnik
As Beautiful as Dubrovnik but Without the Crowds
3. The View of the Old Town Is Worth It!
Of course, the old town is the highlight of Dubrovnik and should not be missed on any visit. But especially during peak times, when many vacationers are there, there are many places outside the historic center offering fantastic views of the city walls and tightly packed houses. The advantage: These spots are often less crowded because many cruise ship passengers don’t have the time to see more than the old town during their shore excursions.
It’s worth taking the cable car to Dubrovnik’s local mountain, Srd. In the gondola, try to get a spot right at the window, as this is where you can take the best photos. From the Lovrijenac Fortress, which was transformed into the king’s residence for “Game of Thrones,” you also have a wonderful view of the bay and Dubrovnik’s old town. Opposite the fortress is Gradac Park. From here, you can also see the red roofs of the old town, Mount Srd, and the Adriatic Sea.
And if you want to see the old town from the water, you should head to the island of Lokrum, located southeast of Dubrovnik. Boats depart from the old town harbor every half hour. The island is also worth visiting for its beautiful nature and free-roaming peacocks and rabbits. “Game of Thrones” fans can also sit on the Iron Throne at Lokrum’s visitor center.
Also interesting: The best tips for Croatia’s most beautiful peninsula
4. Know When It’s Busy
As the city strives to better manage visitor numbers, there is a website where you can see how many tourists are currently in the old town. You can easily access this information here. This makes it easier to find a good time for a stroll in the old town.
The trip was supported by the Croatian National Tourist Board. Our standards of transparency and journalistic independence can be found at www.axelspringer.de/unabhaengigkeit.