Dubrovnik, Croatia

• Dubrovnik is on Croatia's southern Adriatic coast and has very low crime rates - pickpocketing is 38% less common than Barcelona and 62% less than Rome. The Old Town has medieval stone walls you can walk around and marble streets that look impressive in photos but get dangerously slippery when wet. Violent crime against tourists is rare.
• Summer brings cruise ship crowds that can overwhelm the city - sometimes over 10,000 passengers arrive in a single day. The narrow Old Town streets become uncomfortably packed. May, early June, or September have better weather-to-crowd ratios. The marble and stairs are everywhere, so you need shoes with good grip.
• Croatia uses the Euro, though many small shops still prefer cash. English is common in tourist areas and among younger people. Emergency services (112) have English-speaking operators. You can walk most places in the Old Town, but staying in outer neighborhoods like Lapad or Gruž means using buses to reach the center.
• Eating alone is normal here - you'll see people dining solo at cafes without anyone thinking twice about it. The Libertas bus system covers all neighborhoods with buses costing €1.99 onboard or €1.73 from kiosks.

Croatian is the official language. English is widely spoken in tourist areas, hotels, and restaurants, especially by younger people. The emergency service (112) has English-speaking operators. Tourist police (020) 312 015 can assist in multiple languages.

• Tank tops and shorts are fine at beaches, but cover shoulders and knees for churches. Walking around Old Town in swimwear is actually illegal - you can be fined. Keep swimwear at the beach.
• Pickpockets work crowded tourist areas like the ramparts and Stradun. Keep valuables in a zipped bag in front of you. Avoid the 'Gentleman's Club' scam where you're massively overcharged for drinks - skip any club with aggressive street promoters.
• Croatians dress up for dinner more than you might expect, especially at nicer restaurants. Casual works for daytime cafes, but bring something smart for evening dining.
• Greeting people with 'Dobar dan' helps. Tip 10-15% at restaurants or round up in cafes and bars - it's standard but not mandatory. Many small places prefer cash or have minimum card amounts despite using the Euro.

The first hour after landing is when you're tired, carrying everything, and easiest to take advantage of. Three things to sort before you fly:

• Your ride from the airport. A driver who meets you in arrivals, at a price fixed before you fly — no haggling at the taxi rank.

  Book an airport pickup

• Data the moment you land. Maps, ride apps and a way to call for help as soon as you switch your phone on. An eSIM installs at home.

  Get a good eSIM

• The emergency number. Emergency Services (All): 112. Save it in your phone, not just on this page.

  All emergency contacts

• The Libertas bus network has 13 lines running every 10-30 minutes depending on the route. Tickets cost €1.99 on the bus or €1.73 from kiosks. Buses 1A, 1B, and 3 connect the port and Old Town (Pile Gate). Buses 2, 4, 5, and 9 run from Lapad to Old Town.
• The Old Town is pedestrian-only with marble that gets slippery when wet - you need shoes with good grip. Hundreds of stairs everywhere and no elevators in most buildings. Walking the city walls means climbing stairs in the heat, so bring water and sunscreen.
• Uber or Bolt work for evening transport. Use official taxis with meters or apps - unmarked cars and street offers charge abusive rates. The airport is 22km from Old Town with regular buses for about €8.
• The Dubrovnik Pass includes unlimited bus rides plus entry to museums and the City Walls. The 1-day pass gives 24 hours, 3-day gives 72 hours, 7-day gives a week. Worth it if you're visiting multiple attractions.
• If you're planning day trips outside the city, consider renting a car.

Explore Dubrovnik with local guides and curated experiences.