Top 10 Tourist Mistakes in Dubrovnik

In the more than 30 years since I have been travelling and spending my time in Dubrovnik, I’ve seen visitors make the same mistakes over and over again, often at a considerable cost not only in money but in a waste of time, energy as well as in holiday enjoyment. To prevent such setbacks in the future I hope you’ll find this list useful.

List:

So, here is the list of my top 10 tourist mistakes in Dubrovnik (with suggestions on how to avoid them) – click on each to read more:

1. A very short visit to Dubrovnik – in this article I just refer to the length of your possible visit. My suggestion is to stay for more than just a day or two – read more

2. Overspend on transportation from Dubrovnik airport to the city – in this article, you will find some tips on how to not overspend money – read more

3. Staying in the wrong location (check your hotel’s location carefully before you book unless you’re prepared for a long walk) – too much travelling and time wasting is a false economy.

4. Commuting to town from neighbouring places – try not to, but if you have to commute in the town from neighbouring places then read my post about visiting Dubrovnik for just a few hours.

5. Overpacking (luggage can be a burden) – here is an article that I wrote about what to pack and what to take with you when you are visiting Dubrovnik. Some Amazon links are included in the text, just in case you need to buy yourself something.

6. Trying to find the perfect beach (and never finding one) – the best beach in Dubrovnik is your nearest one, especially if you are visiting for a short time or in the high season. Keep it simple and enjoy your nearest rock jumping spots (as locals do).

7. Searching for authenticity – well, unfortunately, Dubrovnik lost a large part of its authenticity when local people moved out of the Old Town to give space to tourists and visitors. If you are looking for last bits of authentic Dubrovnik, get out of the Old Town and explore Gruz and Kantafig. Unless you consider waiters and Stradun cafes is authentic local scene.

8. Annoying the locals – I will just mention one thing – try to be as quiet as possible between 2 pm and 5 pm. It is local siesta time. If you are listening to music, put headphones on.

9. Buying worthless souvenirs – oh, I hope you will avoid this one on all costs!

Popular routes: Split to Dubrovnik, Dubrovnik to Split, Hvar to Dubrovnik, Dubrovnik to Hvar

10. Not looking after valuables – beware of pickpockets. They mix with tourists in busiest parts of the town. Keep your valuables safe and out of their reach.

More info:

• When is the best time to visit Dubrovnik?