Dubrovnik's Old Town is stunning — but its popularity (especially since Game of Thrones) has attracted a wave of overpriced tours, fake guides, and tourist traps. Here's how to enjoy King's Landing without emptying your treasury.
Overpriced Game of Thrones Tours
The problem: GoT tours are Dubrovnik's biggest tourist draw, and prices vary wildly. Some operators charge €80-120 per person for a 2-hour walk that covers the same spots you can visit yourself for free.
How to save money: - Self-guided tours are perfectly feasible — download a free GoT filming locations map - Key locations: Fort Lovrijenac (Red Keep exterior), Pile Gate (King's Gate), Minčeta Tower (House of the Undying), Jesuit Stairs (Walk of Shame) - If you want a guided tour, book through Viator or GetYourGuide (€25-40 per person) - Avoid booking tours from cruise port touts — they charge 2-3x the going rate
Fake or Unlicensed Tour Guides
People approach tourists offering "personal tours" without any official guide license. They may provide inaccurate information and charge inflated prices.
How to spot legitimate guides: - Licensed Croatian guides carry an official badge with photo ID - Book through established companies or your hotel - Check reviews on Google, TripAdvisor, or Viator before booking
Old Town Restaurant Traps
Restaurants inside the Old Town walls, especially along the Stradun (main street), charge eye-watering prices for mediocre food.
How to eat well: - Walk a few streets off the Stradun for better prices and quality - Check menus posted outside BEFORE sitting down - Look for the "cover charge" (coperto) — some restaurants add €3-5 per person - Recommended: Eat in Lapad or Gruž neighborhoods for local prices - Fresh seafood at the Gruž market area is excellent and affordable - A beer inside the walls: €6-8; outside: €3-4
The City Walls Ticket Scam
The Dubrovnik City Walls walk is a must-do, but: - Touts sell "skip the line" tickets at inflated prices - Official tickets are available at the entrance (no need to skip the line in most seasons)
How to visit: - Buy tickets at the official entrance (Pile Gate or Ploče Gate) - Official price: approximately €35 for adults (2027) - Go early morning (8 AM opening) or late afternoon to avoid cruise ship crowds - The Dubrovnik Card includes city walls access plus museums — often better value
Cable Car Overcharges
The Dubrovnik cable car to Mount Srđ is a popular attraction, and unofficial sellers sometimes offer tickets at markup.
How to buy: - Buy tickets at the official cable car station near Pile Gate - Official price: approximately €25 return for adults - Consider hiking up (free!) and taking the cable car down - Visit at sunset for the best experience
Cruise Port Taxi Scams
When cruise ships dock at Gruž port, taxi drivers charge inflated prices for the short ride to Old Town.
How to avoid it: - Walk from Gruž port to Old Town (about 30-40 minutes along the coast) - Take local bus #1A, #1B, or #3 (€2 with the Dubrovnik Card, €2 without) - If taking a taxi, the ride should cost no more than €10-15 - Use Uber (available in Dubrovnik)
Beach Chair Extortion
Some beaches charge exorbitant prices for sun loungers and umbrellas — €30-50 per set per day.
Free or cheap alternatives: - Banje Beach has free areas alongside the paid section - Sveti Jakov Beach (a short walk east of Old Town) — free and beautiful - Lapad beaches are less crowded and cheaper - Lokrum Island has free rocky beaches (ferry: €15 return)
Day Trip Scams
Dubrovnik is a gateway to Montenegro, Mostar (Bosnia), and nearby islands. Tour operators charge wildly different prices:
Fair prices for day trips (2027): - Montenegro (Kotor/Perast): €35-55 per person - Mostar (Bosnia): €35-50 per person - Elaphiti Islands boat trip: €30-50 per person - Mljet National Park: €40-60 per person
Book through Viator/GetYourGuide or local agencies with good reviews, not from cruise port touts.
Money-Saving Tips for Dubrovnik
- Croatia uses the Euro (joined eurozone in 2023)
- The Dubrovnik Card (1-day, 3-day, or 7-day) includes city walls, museums, buses, and discounts
- Water from public fountains is safe to drink — bring a refillable bottle
- Visit in shoulder season (May, June, September, October) for lower prices
- Avoid visiting when multiple cruise ships are in port (check cruisemapper.com)
Emergency Contacts
- Emergency: 112
- Police: 192
- Tourist information: Dubrovnik Tourist Board offices at Pile Gate and Gruž
- Report online: Avoid Travel Scams
Dubrovnik is genuinely one of Europe's most beautiful cities. Visit early or late in the day, eat off the beaten path, and you'll have an incredible experience at a fraction of what the tourist traps charge.
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