In Dubrovnik, a quick look at the conditions can help before you commit. An invitation to eat or a promising apartment advert may leave a few details unsaid. These five traps show you when it pays to ask another question.
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The 5 most common Dubrovnik tourist traps
Restaurant extras and missing drink prices
How it worksThe bill is higher than expected. Extras per person and drink prices that were not checked beforehand raise the total. Requests to see prices may be refused.
WhereAt individual restaurants in Dubrovnik Old Town.
How to protect yourself
- Ask for both the food and drinks menus before ordering.
- Check explicitly for extras per person.
- Compare each item on the bill with your order.
- Ask for an explanation of unclear items and keep the receipt.
Inflated taxi demands
How it worksThe driver demands an unexpectedly high fare after the journey. On a ride from Dubrovnik Airport, the meter was not running and the receipt was incorrect.
WhereOn taxi journeys in Dubrovnik and transfers from the airport to accommodation.
How to protect yourself
- Confirm your exact destination before getting in.
- Establish whether you are paying a fixed total or a metered fare. Keep a written record of an agreed price.
- Check the payment method before departure.
- Keep the receipt and note the vehicle details for any complaint.
Fake apartment adverts
How it worksAn apartment online looks suitable. After contact by email, the supposed owner sends a payment link for a deposit. You later discover that the advertised apartment does not exist.
WhereWhen searching online for an apartment to rent in Dubrovnik.
How to protect yourself
- Check the address and owner independently of the advert.
- If possible, ask someone you trust to check the property in person.
- Do not rely on photos or a payment link alone.
- Do not pay while details remain unclear. Save the advert and messages.
ATM skimming
How it worksDevices for reading card data were inserted into card slots at several ATMs, with parts fitted above keypads to capture PINs. Other card slots were blocked with silicone objects to steer users towards the manipulated machines.
WhereAt ATMs inside Dubrovnik Old Town.
How to protect yourself
- Check the card slot and keypad for unusual or added parts.
- Cover the keypad with your hand when entering your PIN.
- Do not use a suspicious machine. If a card slot is blocked, inspect any alternative machine before using it too.
- Contact your bank and the police immediately if you suspect card misuse.
Pickpocketing in crowds
How it worksThieves follow visitors in crowds and take wallets unnoticed from bags or closed backpacks worn on the back. Stolen bank cards are then used for online transactions.
WhereAt busy tourist spots in and around Dubrovnik Old Town.
How to protect yourself
- Keep your backpack and bag closed and in front of you.
- Keep your belongings under constant watch in crowds. A closed backpack on your back is not enough.
- Contact your bank immediately to block your card if it is lost or stolen.
Explore Dubrovnik with fewer surprises
A clear price and a moment to check can help with everyday travel decisions. TravelCheck on iPhone builds your personalized scam report for Dubrovnik, matched to your travel profile, available offline, with Croatian phrases you can play aloud.
FAQ
How do I check a restaurant bill in Dubrovnik?
Ask for the drinks menu before ordering. Check whether there are extras per person and compare the itemised bill with your order. Choose another venue if the conditions remain unclear.
What should I agree before a taxi ride in Dubrovnik?
Confirm the exact destination and whether the fare is a fixed total or calculated by meter. Check the payment method before departure. Ask for a receipt and keep the vehicle details in case you need to complain.
How do I check an apartment advert in Dubrovnik?
Compare the address, photos and contact details with independent information. Verify that the person is entitled to rent out the property. A payment link does not prove that. Do not send a deposit while those details remain unclear.
How do I spot a tampered ATM in Dubrovnik?
Check the card slot and the area above the keypad for unusual or added parts. Cover the keypad with your hand when entering your PIN. Do not use a machine that looks suspicious. If a card slot is blocked, inspect any alternative machine before using it too. Contact your bank and the police immediately if you suspect card misuse.
How do I avoid pickpocketing in Dubrovnik?
Keep your backpack and bag closed, in front of you and under constant watch in crowds. Wallets can be taken unnoticed even from closed backpacks worn on your back. Pay particular attention at busy tourist spots in and around the Old Town. Contact your bank immediately to block your card if it is lost or stolen.
