Tourists heading to Dubrovnik should know that wheelie bags have been banned in the holiday hotspot - and they could face penalties for disobeying the rule.
The Croatian city sees huge visitor numbers each year and while this is great for the hospitality industry, it can be a bother to locals' day-to-day lives.
Under a new law, suitcases must be carried through Dubrovnik's old city and anyone caught rolling their carry-on faces a £230 fine, the Mirror reports. The move aims to help reduce the irritating noise caused by wheels clacking on the historic centre's cobbled streets which can be a headache for residents.
The destination plans to further tighten its anti-bag legislation, as all suitcases and bags will soon be barred for the old town entirely.
In November, visitors will have to leave their bags and suitcases by the walled entrance. Those staying in accommodation in this area with lots of luggage will have to pay a courier to deliver it by electric vehicle
Mayor of Dubrovnik Mato Franković wants to reduce the impact of tourism on the small town that sees 1.5 million visitors annually - nearly 40 times the 41,000 full-time residents.
A video urging tourists to “respect the city” will be shown on cruise ships docking at Dubrovnik and on Croatian Airline flights arriving in the country, Lonely Planet reports.
Walking around shirtless, riding bikes or e-scooters in the city centre, and climbing on statues are all behaviours that will be discouraged in the public announcement.
The city is currently trying to keep its world-heritage status six years after UNESCO warned disrespectful hordes were ruining the city. In a bid to make Dubrovnik more sustainable, the number of tour buses and cruise ships docking in the port have been limited.
Despite this, the reputation of the city has only grown, capturing large numbers of the post-coronavirus-lockdown crowd looking to visit new places now that travel restrictions have been lifted.
Mayor Franković, who is trying to get the still rising tourist numbers to fall, said: “The most important thing is that Dubrovnik has stopped being a city of excessive tourism, although we still have a lot of work left.”
This UNESCO World Heritage site is one of the city's biggest highlights thanks to its eye-catching architecture, picturesque cobbled streets and beautiful Baroque churches.
If you are one of the 1.5million who make it there annually, a walking tour can be a great way of seeing the highlights.
Surrounding the Old Town are impressive walls which make for a scenic stroll as you can enjoy some great views of Dubrovnik and the ocean. The 1940 metres-long walls boast six fortresses.
Rector's Palace is one not to be missed off the itinerary with its intricate Gothic architecture, heaps of fascinating exhibits and plenty of artwork. If you're short on time it is possible to explore it about under an hour, so if you are nearby it's still worth popping in.
If you're planning to spend a few days in the city it's worth leaving space on the itinerary for a trip to Banje Beach. Here you'll find everything from high end bars and beach clubs to families tucking into picnics on towels along the shore.
The beach can get quite busy during peak seasons but it offers some pretty views of Dubrovnik, not to mention there are heaps of boat tours you can take to visit the islands.
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