Anyone planning to visit Dubrovnik this summer should keep a new rule in mind when packing for their vacation. Wheeled suitcases / trolleys are no longer accepted in the old town of the charming Croatian citadel.
Annually, Dubrovnik attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists, many of whom choose to visit the old town as well. And the noise of the wheels is complained by locals who have come to be irritated by the sound made by the wheels of the trollers pulled on the cubic stone in the old citadel.
The authorities are taking steps to reduce noise in Dubrovnik
Newly introduced regulations state that suitcases must be carried and not dragged through city streets. For now, wheeled suitcases will still be allowed, but without the use of wheels. Anyone caught lugging their luggage faces a $290 (€265) fine. It is still not clear what happens in the case of people with disabilities, but surely the authorities have a solution.
In fact these measures are taken to stop the noise made by the wheels of the trollers as they are pulled on the pavement in the old town. And let's face it, it really is an annoying sound.
Respect the City / City of Dubrovnik
The initiative is part of a wider plan to ban all luggage in Dubrovnik's Old Town. Beginning in the fall, visitors will be required to leave their luggage at a designated location outside the city walls before visitors are allowed to enter the Old City. Visitors will need to pay a courier to have their luggage delivered to their accommodation.
Dubrovnik has a population of 41.000 inhabitants, and in 2019 (before the pandemic) received 1,5 million tourists. An additional noise abatement measure will see bars and cafes reduce their noise levels or face being closed for a minimum of 7 days.
The Dubrovnik tourism organization also launched a video under the slogan "Respect the City / City of Dubrovnik". It will run on board cruise ships bound for Dubrovnik, but also on Croatia Airlines planes.
The video outlines the best behavioral practices for anyone visiting Dubrovnik: don't ride your bike or electric scooter in the historic center and don't climb or interact with the monuments.
Unesco has warned in the past that Dubrovnik's World Heritage status was at risk due to large numbers of tourists destroying the beautiful city. In 2017, the city made efforts to make the city more sustainable, including limiting the number of tour buses and cruise ships that dock at the port. However, given the post-pandemic travel boom, Dubrovnik has seen an increase in visitors.