Budget — Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is the most expensive city in Croatia — count on 30 to 50% more than Split or Zadar for equivalent service. The baseline budget of €130/day/person covers a comfortable stay: 3-4* hotel in Lapad or apartman inside the walls, lunch in a konoba, dinner in a good restaurant, walls entry and one day trip.

Accommodation spans the full range. Hostel (Old Town Hostel, Hostel Angelina): €35-55/night in a dorm. Apartman with locals inside the walls: €80-150/night for two (simple rooms, sometimes no AC). 3-4* hotel in Lapad (Hotel Kompas, Hotel Adriatic): €140-220/night. 4-5* hotel inside the walls (Pucić Palace): €350-600/night. Villas Dubrovnik and Excelsior (5* outside the walls with Old Town views): €450-900/night. Prices double in July-August vs May-June/September.

Dining varies sharply by area. Local konoba (off the Stradun): €25-35 per person for a full meal with wine. Tourist restaurant inside the walls: €40-70 per person (often mediocre quality, inflated prices). Fine dining (Restaurant 360°, Nautika, Proto): €80-150 per person. Local specialities to try: Mali Ston oysters (60 km north, among the best in Europe), whole grilled fish, peka (octopus or veal under the bell), plavac mali red wine from Pelješac. Avoid restaurants directly on the Stradun — pick the side alleys instead (Prijeko Street, the Buža climbs).

Entry fees add up fast. City walls: €35/adult (often the day's main expense). Mount Srđ cable car: €27 return adult. Lokrum island (boat return + entry): €27. Rector's Palace: €15. Franciscan Monastery: €6. Dominican Monastery: €5. The Dubrovnik Pass (€35/45/55 for 1/3/7 days) covers the walls, several museums and the bus — pays off from two paid sites visited.

Local transport is cheap. Libertas city buses (Pile-Lapad, Pile-Gruž, etc.): €2 per ticket, €6 day pass. Fixed-rate airport taxi to the centre: €35 (25 km, 25 minutes). Airport bus to Pile Gate: €10 (40 minutes). Uber and Bolt operate in Dubrovnik.