Destinations › Croatia › Dubrovnik › Scams
Dubrovnik, Croatia
11 reported scam patterns travellers run into in Dubrovnik, what they look like, and how to sidestep them.
"Gentleman's club" trap: a friendly stranger invites a tourist to a bar that turns out to be a hostess venue; the bill for a round of drinks can reach hundreds of euros, enforced by intimidation.
Old Town restaurants on Stradun and Prijeko display a cheap item on a chalkboard outside, then hand over a menu 2–3x more expensive once seated.
Fake Airbnb/holiday-rental listings collect a deposit or full payment for a property that doesn't exist.
Taxis outside the cruise port and airport quote flat fares well above the metered rate — agree a price before getting in, or use the airport shuttle bus.
A friendly stranger offers to help find a landmark, then steers the conversation toward a shop with an aggressive sales pitch.
Unofficial "guides" outside the Old Town walls charging large fees for tours with no official accreditation.
Restaurants near the Old Town harbor add an unlisted cover charge or overcharge for seafood priced "by weight" with no clear quote upfront.
Short-term rentals near the Old Town double-booked during peak cruise-ship season, leaving travelers without the room they paid for.
Souvenir stalls selling mass-produced goods marked up as "handmade" local crafts.
Fake QR code stickers placed over legitimate parking-meter codes send scans to a phishing page that captures card details.
A stranger hands over a camera for a photo, deliberately drops it, and blames the tourist for the "damage."
