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With its remarkably steep hills and bumpy cobbled streets, the Croatian city of Dubrovnik isn’t the easiest place to lug around a wheeled suitcase. Even so, visitors pulling noisy suitcases along the city’s streets as they make their way to hotels and Airbnbs is a common sight – until now.
Thanks to new rules, even if you wanted to try and drag a wheeled suitcase through Dubrovnik, you won’t be able to. The city has officially banned wheelie suitcases from the streets of its old town, meaning travellers will have no choice but to carry their bags instead.
The new policy was announced by the city’s mayor Mato Franković, who says that it’s an attempt to curb the amount of noise pollution in the city. For now, visitors will be still permitted to have wheeled suitcases, but they won’t be allowed to actually use the wheels. Those caught wheeling their suitcases (and let’s be honest, they’re not hard to miss) could be lumped with a sizeable €265 (£228, $290) fine.
The wheelie ban comes into effect this summer, but it’s apparently part of a bigger plan to ban tourists from carrying any suitcases in Dubrovnik. From November, the local government intends to set up a system whereby travellers deposit bags outside the city. The bags will then be transported directly to guests’ addresses by couriers.
One thing to note is that not everyone can physically carry a bag – and until the proper storage and delivery system is implemented in November, there doesn’t seem to be a plan in place for visitors that are less able.
Currently, Dubrovnik is one of the most popular destinations in Croatia. Known for its walled old town, sublime sea views and picture-perfect nearby beaches, it’s also rammed with tourists and was recently named Europe’s most overcrowded spot.
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