Dubrovnik is the latest city to crack down on overtourism after a surge in visitor numbers, due in part to its use as a filming location for Game of Thrones.
Mato Frankovic, the mayor of the Croatian city, told The Independent he was introducing changes to make sure tourists had the “best experience”.
From 2026, he said, people would only be able to visit the city’s iconic historical wall by booking in advance, and there would be caps placed on the numbers allowed to visit the wall at one time.
The wall, which encircles the Old Town, is 1.2 miles long and up to 25 metres high in some places. It’s a popular tourist spot due to its breathtaking views and interesting history as a defensive barrier.
Frankovic said cruise ships had also been limited to two per day with a minimum stay of eight hours to spread the flow of passengers entering the city.
He said he was also conducting an audit of rental accommodation, restaurants, cafes and souvenir shops to reach a sustainable number.
“Tourists do not want any more to be in overcrowded cities. Step by step, the overcrowded cities will be pushed to the margins of tourism. The cities that are prepared for sustainable tourism will be leaders,” he said.
“Our main goal is for Dubrovnik to be alive.”
Several other cities, including Venice and Barcelona, have introduced rules to tackle the number of tourists due to overcrowding and the rising cost of living.
Anti-tourism protests have taken place in Italy, Spain and Portugal.
