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Instead of Dubrovnik, try Šibenik.

Šibenik has everything Dubrovnik has in structural terms — a medieval walled town, Adriatic position, historic UNESCO heritage — with a fraction of the visitor numbers. The Cathedral of St James is more architecturally significant than anything in Dubrovnik's old city.

78%

How comparable the experiences are

84%

Estimated pressure reduction

84%

Overall editorial confidence

Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik

Walled City · Croatia

Heat 90/100
Algorithmically Overexposed

The old city walls walk is so congested in summer that a daily visitor cap has been introduced. Cruise ships can deposit up to 8,000 passengers a day. Game of Thrones filming locations are besieged.

Cost: $$$

Šibenik

Šibenik

Medieval Town · Croatia

Fresh Air 84/100
Excellent Alternative

Noticeably quieter than Dubrovnik or Split. The old town is walkable without jostling in all but August.

Cost: $$

Layers

Region

Hot SpotFresh Air

Travellers who want Dalmatian medieval town character, good food, and Adriatic scenery without the cruise ship crowds.

Less famous, which means less tourist infrastructure. No dramatic city walls walk comparable to Dubrovnik's. But the town itself is more liveable and less processed.

Dubrovnik and Šibenik are approximately 235 km apart. Both are in the same country.