Why is Dubrovnik so expensive?
While Dubrovnik is certainly expensive by Croatian standards, it’s still affordable for most “Western” tourists and those not looking for the cheapest travel destination.
Higher prices are generally expected in Dubrovnik. After all, it is one of the best places to visit in Croatia. Plus, its beauty and charm bring in large crowds of wealthy tourists, which means higher prices in the long term.
Another thing to know about Dubrovnik is that many locals have moved out of the Old Town. So, the rental and operational costs for restaurants, ice cream shops, and similar businesses have increased significantly.
Therefore, you need to accept to pay more for your drinks and meals in Dubrovnik, especially in the Old Town.
Also, social media is full of posts about Croatia no longer being cheap. It was never cheap!
Did you know?
Croatia is one of the most expensive places for grocery shopping in Europe by wage (yes, more expensive than many “richer” countries).
Read more: Croatia’s Food 2nd Most Expensive in EU by Wage (Total Croatia News)
But is Dubrovnik really that popular?
Dubrovnik is one of the most visited destinations in Europe, with 4.5 million overnight stays recorded in 2023, so it’s safe to say it’s incredibly popular.
Not only that, Dubrovnik was even named the busiest tourist city in Europe in 2024.
Considering all that, it’s illogical to expect a cheap vacation in Dubrovnik, a destination of such fame and fascinating historical significance.
What are the prices like in Dubrovnik?
As locals (from Croatia and Slovenia) who spent many years exploring tourist destinations outside our countries, we can say that prices in Dubrovnik are really not that crazy expensive compared to many other popular destinations.
Want to spend less and see more on your Dubrovnik visit? Read our detailed Guide to Dubrovnik on a Budget.
Comparison of ticket prices in Dubrovnik to other popular destinations
We traveled extensively around South East Asia, of which a good chunk was in Thailand. So, we’d like to use our knowledge and experience to compare Bangkok and Dubrovnik.
So let’s compare Dubrovnik, one of Europe’s busiest destinations, and Bangkok, one of Asia’s most visited cities.
For example, on your first visit to Bangkok, you likely want to check out the Grand Palace (500 THB – 14 EUR), Wat Arun (200 THB – 5.5 EUR), Wat Pho (300 THB – 8.5 EUR), coming to a total of 28 EUR for just three of the main places (mostly temples). And you’re still missing out on a few attractions.
In comparison, when you visit Dubrovnik and get the Dubrovnik Pass (one day costs 40 EUR), you get to see the City Walls, a must-do unmissable attraction, Fort Lovrijenac with stunning views and history, and then a significant number of museums and galleries, like Rector’s Palace, Maritime Museum, and more.
Plus, in addition to all the covered tickets to attractions, you also get access to free local transport (bus) and restaurant and shop discounts! Sounds like a pretty good deal to us.
Hotel prices
Regarding hotel prices, it is true that there is only a small amount of budget accommodations on offer in Dubrovnik.
Budget rooms and apartments start at around 50 EUR per night in Dubrovnik, which is the standard for other destinations in Croatia and Europe.
Of course, you must book your Dubrovnik hotel far in advance to secure a good deal. But that’s the same with any extremely popular tourist place.
We recommend reading our Guide to Dubrovnik Hotels, which covers options for all budgets.
Food prices
Much like for hotels, there are few budget food options in Dubrovnik, especially in the Old Town. However, if you plan your trip well, you can pay only about 20% to 30% more for food in Dubrovnik than in other popular Croatian destinations.
So is there any chance to visit Dubrovnik on the cheap?
Absolutely. If you’re careful with where you stay, eat, and how you buy tickets, you can avoid spending an enormous amount while in Dubrovnik.
On the lower end, you should expect to spend between 100 and 150 EUR per day in Dubrovnik, including hotels, food, and tickets.
We wrote four detailed guides to help you organize a budget trip to Dubrovnik.
Personal thoughts on Dubrovnik being expensive
Coming from low-income families in Croatia and Slovenia, we especially feel and understand the fact that Dubrovnik is an expensive destination to travel to.
And many of “our people” just don’t want to visit Dubrovnik because it’s known for being so expensive. This is a shame because Dubrovnik is absolutely stunning and a great part of our history.
However, the theme of Dubrovnik being so crazy expensive is in the news every single year, so no wonder. Plus, unlike other destinations (we’re looking at you, Thailand!), Dubrovnik does not give discounted tickets to citizens (only Dubrovnik locals).
On our last visit to Dubrovnik, we chatted about the prices with another couple from Croatia, and they also shared that it took them a long time to finally decide on visiting Dubrovnik properly. But they loved it. As did we!
So, with all that in mind, if Croatia is on your list, don’t miss out on Dubrovnik just because it’s slightly more expensive!
Continue reading
- Dubrovnik Travel Guide (things to do)
- One Day Dubrovnik Itinerary (24 hours trip)
- Free Things To Do in Dubrovnik
- Travel to Dubrovnik on a Budget
- Guide to Dubrovnik Old Town
- Best Beaches in Dubrovnik
- Dubrovnik Pass Review (must-have for saving money)
- Where to stay in Dubrovnik (best areas & hotels)
- Best Dubrovnik Bars & Beach Clubs