From sunshine and sea swims in October to Dubrovnik’s global recognition for sustainable tourism, it’s been another busy week across the region. Our readers clicked, shared, and commented on stories that capture everything from local achievements to national economic trends.

Here’s a look back at the five most-read articles of the week — the ones that had everyone talking.

Sun, Sea and Swimming: October Shines in Wider Dubrovnik Region

Who says beach season is over? The wider Dubrovnik region has been basking in glorious sunshine, with locals and tourists alike soaking up the rays in Mlini and Srebreno. Some even took a dip in the Adriatic, proving that summer in southern Croatia likes to linger a little longer than elsewhere.
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Dubrovnik Mayor Showcases City’s Sustainable Tourism at OECD Meeting

Dubrovnik’s reputation as a leader in sustainable tourism reached an international stage this week as Mayor Mato Franković addressed the OECD Tourism Committee in Paris. Presenting the city’s “Respect the City” strategy, he highlighted how Dubrovnik turned its story from overtourism to a global model of smart, sustainable development.
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Dubrovnik Hospital Receives New Ultrasound Device Worth €74,350

A significant donation has upgraded Dubrovnik’s healthcare facilities. Thanks to Hrvatska Lutrija’s €50,000 contribution, the city’s General Hospital has received a cutting-edge ultrasound device for its Gynecology and Obstetrics Department. The new technology will allow more precise diagnostics and better care for expectant mothers and female patients.
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UniCredit Forecasts Stronger Croatian Growth Than EU Average

Good news for the economy — analysts at UniCredit Group expect Croatia’s GDP to grow by 3.1% in 2025 and 3.2% in 2026, outpacing both the EU and the Central and Eastern Europe region. Growth will continue to be driven by personal consumption, a robust labour market, and ongoing investments through EU recovery funds.
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Croatian Property Prices Jump 13.2% Year-On-Year in Q2 2025

Croatia’s real estate market remains on fire. Property prices surged by 13.2% year-on-year in the second quarter of 2025, driven by high demand and limited supply, especially along the coast and in Zagreb. New builds are also getting pricier, confirming that Croatia’s housing boom shows no signs of slowing down.
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@dubrovnik_times Off season in Dubrovnik isn't so off this year ☺️ #dubrovnik #adriatic #croatia #traveltiktok #unesco ♬ original sound - The Dubrovnik Times

Starting Sunday, October 12, Croatia will implement a new Entry/Exit System (EES) at all border crossings for citizens of non-Schengen countries — a move that could cause delays at crossings with Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro, the Ministry of the Interior (MUP) has announced.

The EES is an EU-wide digital border control system that replaces passport stamps and automatically records the time and place of entry and exit for travellers from third countries. It also tracks the duration of short stays and collects biometric data, including facial images and fingerprints from four fingers of the right hand.

Children under 12 are exempt from fingerprint collection. During future crossings, traveller identity will be verified by comparing a live image with the one stored in the EES, helping speed up checks over time.

The system will initially operate for at least four hours a day, gradually extending to 24-hour use within six months. Special EES lanes will be available for non-EU travellers, but during busy periods the system will function across all lanes.

Croatia is also introducing a National Facilitation Programme (NPO) for frequent travellers from third countries who are considered low-risk, allowing faster crossings without repeated biometric registration.

At airports in Zagreb, Split, Dubrovnik, Pula, Zadar, and Rijeka, self-service EES kiosks will be available for travellers entering the Schengen Area for the first time. The process includes scanning a passport, collecting biometric data, and answering a short multilingual questionnaire.

While officials expect longer queues initially, they say waiting times will improve once more travellers are registered in the system and border officers adapt to the new procedures.

Dubrovnik Mayor Mato Franković has intervened to stop a fireworks display planned by the company Smart & Simply between the city’s coast and Lokrum Island, stressing that such events are forbidden under the city’s regulations.

“In Dubrovnik, fireworks are only permitted on two occasions – New Year’s Eve and the opening of the Dubrovnik Summer Festival,” said Franković.

He confirmed that the company had officially requested approval, but the City rejected the application, citing the existing municipal rules. After seeing promotional posts about the planned event, the Mayor personally contacted the organisers and stakeholders, warning them of serious penalties for violating city regulations.

Franković thanked local property owners and boat operators who promptly reached out to clarify that they were misinformed about the event’s permits.

“The rules are clear and exist to maintain order and mutual respect,” he said. “Unfortunately, there will always be those who believe the rules don’t apply to them.”

He added that the city administration will continue to enforce regulations to preserve the order and character that make Dubrovnik unique.

Hot off the presses — Hotel Supetar in Cavtat has been awarded a Michelin Key, one of only ten in Croatia, as part of the newly released 2025 hotel honours. 

The recognition is more than just a badge — it underscores Supetar’s dedication to exceptional hospitality, putting the boutique waterfront hotel in the spotlight for travellers seeking refined stays.

Housed in a restored early-20th century villa right on Cavtat’s promenade, Hotel Supetar combines old-world charm with modern comforts, featuring individually styled rooms, a wine bar, relaxing terraces, and lush surroundings.

This accolade arrives just as the Michelin Key awards were unveiled for 2025, drawing renewed attention to standout hotels globally. 

For Cavtat and the Dubrovnik region, this recognition helps reinforce their reputation as destinations worthy of international attention — not just for their scenery, but for top-tier hospitality, too.

@diningindubrovnik Hidden gem in Cavtat ✨#cavtat #cavtatcroatia???????? #adriaticluxuryhotels #cavtatcroatia #enjoylife #alhdubrovnik #drinks #funtimes ♬ Music Sounds Better with You - NEIL FRANCES

Big news for the Adriatic! United Airlines is launching direct flights from Newark to Split next summer — the first ever long-haul route to the Dalmatian city.

Starting April 30, 2026, flights will run three times a week until September 5. United’s Boeing 767-300ER will whisk passengers between Croatia and the Big Apple, offering Polaris business class, Wi-Fi, and plenty of legroom for beach-bound travellers, reports EX-YU Aviation. 

“United connects people to destinations no other US airline serves,” said network boss Patrick Quayle, as Split joins the carrier’s expanding European network alongside Dubrovnik, Bari, and Santiago de Compostela.

It’s a major boost for Croatian tourism, with more than 260,000 Americans visiting in the first half of this year alone — and now, getting here just got easier.

@united butterfly effect is crazy because what if we never created polaris then we wouldn’t have upgraded it (and the whole plane) #UnitedAirlines #UnitedPolaris #BusinessClass #traveltiktok ♬ Rhapsody in Flight - United Airlines

Croatia’s electric vehicle numbers could double by the end of next year, thanks to a newly announced €21.2 million funding call from the Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund, the Strujni Krug Association said on Friday.

The current programme targets businesses and crafts, while another call worth around €45 million will soon open for taxi operators and delivery vehicles. Together with market purchases, these incentives are expected to significantly boost e-mobility in the country.

“This is a key moment for e-mobility in Croatia. Incentives are a strong push, and our goal is to make the transition to greener transport simple and accessible to everyone,” said Hrvoje Prpić, president of Strujni Krug.

Grants will cover up to 40% of vehicle costs, with a maximum of €90,000 per applicant (up to 10 vehicles). Applications open on October 15 via the eFZOEU platform. Unlike previous years, customers must now apply directly rather than through dealerships, making the process more transparent but also more demanding.

Foreign cruise ships made 505 trips along the Croatian Adriatic in the first eight months of this year, a 9.1% increase compared with the same period in 2024, according to the Croatian Bureau of Statistics (DZS). These cruises carried 692,000 passengers, up 3% year-on-year.

August was the busiest month, with 128 cruises (+21%) bringing 175,600 passengers (+11.6%), making it the strongest month for the sector so far this year, just ahead of July.

In total, 76 foreign cruise ships visited Croatia between January and August, eight more than last year. The majority sailed under the flags of Malta, the Bahamas, Panama, and Norway.

The Dubrovnik-Neretva County saw the most cruise activity, accounting for 47% of all visits, followed by Split-Dalmatia with 22%. The most frequently visited ports were Dubrovnik, Split, and Zadar, with Korčula, Hvar, Rovinj, and Šibenik also popular stops.

Croatia recorded another strong month of tourism in September, welcoming 2.5 million visitors who achieved 13.8 million overnight stays, both up 5% compared with September 2024, according to the Croatian National Tourist Board (HTZ).

Overall, in the first nine months of 2025, the country registered 19.7 million arrivals (+2%) and nearly 104 million overnight stays (+1%). Foreign visitors made up the majority, with 17.1 million arrivals and 91.3 million overnight stays, while domestic tourism also grew by 8%, with 2.6 million Croatians generating 12.4 million overnight stays.

Foreign guests dominated September traffic, accounting for 92% of arrivals (2.3 million) and 91% of overnight stays (12.3 million). Germans led the way with 488,000 arrivals and 3.9 million overnight stays, followed by Austria, Slovenia, Poland, and the UK.

Family accommodation remained the most popular choice, representing 37% of all overnight stays, followed by hotels (29%) and campsites (25%), all showing growth compared to last year.

Among regions, the Adriatic coast accounted for 96% of overnight stays, with Istria leading at 28.5% (up 8.2%), followed by Split-Dalmatia County (20.2%) and Kvarner (16.3%). Continental destinations also grew, with Zagreb recording a 6.2% rise in overnight stays.