The fifth and final season of Netflix’s hit teen adventure series Outer Banks will be filmed in Dubrovnik from late October to mid-November, the production has confirmed.

The action-packed series, which became a global sensation during the pandemic, will conclude its story in the historic Croatian city. Writers have promised the finale will be the most exciting season yet.

Outer Banks follows a group of friends from North Carolina as they embark on a treasure hunt, blending adventure, mystery, and romance. Its fast pace and youthful energy made it hugely popular among younger audiences worldwide. The arrival of the cast and crew is also expected to attract more visitors to Dubrovnik, already famous as a filming location for Game of Thrones.

@outer.banks._a.me

♬ som original - Outer Banks _a melhor série ????

If you’ve ever wanted to test the limits of human patience, try filming a promotional video in Dubrovnik for a month.

My friend, a cameraman with an admirable tolerance for both heat and my creative directions, and I have spent the past few weeks scuttling around every corner of this limestone labyrinth. From sunrise on Mount Srđ to late-night shots in Gruž, we’ve covered more ground than a Game of Thrones location scout on double overtime.

And here’s the thing: Dubrovnik doesn’t make it difficult.

The city is almost offensively photogenic. I’ve long said you could lob a camera in the air, let it spin a few times, and wherever it lands, you’d still get a postcard shot.

The cobbled streets, the Adriatic glinting like it’s auditioning for a jewellery advert, the baroque façades that practically scream “Zoom in on me!” — all of it is ready-made cinema.

Our daily routine became something of a surreal dance. “Shall we shoot by the Rector’s Palace today?” I’d ask, as though there were any risk of it not looking good on film.

Dubrovnik doesn’t need filters, touch-ups or digital wizardry. It’s the kind of place that makes a director feel smugly talented just by showing up with a tripod. It’s easy to see why international production companies keep landing here like seagulls on a fishing boat.

The city’s Old City is essentially a ready-made medieval set that doesn’t demand a CGI budget. You want a dramatic city wall? Done. A brooding fortress? We’ve got three. A picturesque harbour where extras can look wistfully out to sea? Pick your side of the bay.

Hollywood figured this out years ago, of course.

The cameras arrived, the cash flowed, and suddenly Dubrovnik was starring in blockbuster after blockbuster. You could hardly walk down Stradun without bumping into an assistant director whispering into a walkie-talkie.

And yes, the global exposure did wonders for the city’s fame, even if it did mean locals had to politely explain for the hundredth time that King’s Landing is, in fact, called Dubrovnik and has been here for centuries.

Could the city attract even more productions?

Absolutely.

The ingredients are there: jaw-dropping visuals, reliable sunshine, and an airport that can just about cope with the influx of cast, crew, and catering vans. Add to that the sheer convenience of being able to film a medieval siege in the morning and a champagne-soaked Adriatic cruise in the afternoon, and it’s a wonder more directors haven’t camped out permanently.

At some point, somebody floated the idea of setting up a dedicated film office in Dubrovnik.

The logic seems sound: a one-stop shop where producers can navigate permits, location fees, and how not to enrage the local population by closing the Pile Gate during rush hour.

Would it actually help? Possibly.

At the very least, it might save film crews from the Kafkaesque delight of Croatian paperwork.

But here’s the rub: film offices tend to be judged not on their logistical genius but on whether the city still looks good when the cameras roll. And Dubrovnik, bless it, is in no danger there. Even on a bad hair day (and August humidity provides plenty of those), the place still glows like it’s been lovingly lit by a Hollywood gaffer.

Over the course of the past month, my cameraman friend and I have become experts in Dubrovnik angles. We’ve shot the Old City from above, below, sideways, and upside down. We’ve captured boats gliding into the harbour, cats lounging imperiously on marble steps, and waiters who’ve perfected the art of balancing three cappuccinos while dodging a tourist with a selfie stick.

Some days we’d spend hours waiting for the perfect light, only to realise that in Dubrovnik, the light is always perfect. The Adriatic bounces sunshine like a reflector board, and even the shadows seem art-directed.

By the time we wrapped filming earlier this week, I’d started to suspect the city might actually be in on the act, deliberately rearranging itself to look more cinematic just as we hit “record.” Of course, the real secret of filming in Dubrovnik is that it doesn’t actually need us.

Yes, the promotional video will be polished, edited, and sprinkled with suitably uplifting music.

But the essence of Dubrovnik — the way the sea shimmers against the stone, the hum of conversation on Stradun, the timeless silhouette of the walls at dusk — that’s all there already, waiting for anyone with eyes.

The truth is, we’re just curators.

We point the camera, press the button, and hope we don’t trip over a stray pigeon. The city does the rest. It’s a humbling reminder that sometimes, the best promotional campaign is simply letting reality speak for itself. But what have I learned? That Dubrovnik is both a joy and a tease.

A joy, because it gives itself up so generously to the camera.

A tease, because no matter how many shots you take, you’re always convinced there’s a better one around the corner.

Read more Englishman in Dubrovnik…well, if you really want to

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

About the author

Mark Thomas (aka Englez u Dubrovniku) is the editor of The Dubrovnik Times. He was born and educated in the UK and moved to live in Dubrovnik in 1998. He works across a whole range of media, from a daily radio show to TV and in print. Thomas is fluent in Croatian and this column is available in Croatia on the website – Dubrovnik Vjesnik

Croatia’s Foreign Minister Gordan Grlić Radman has highlighted the importance of the Croatian community in the United States, describing it as a valuable bridge that connects the two countries.

During a visit to New York ahead of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly, Grlić Radman met with members of Croatian clubs including the Kardinal Stepinac Cultural Club, the “Hrvatska Zemlja” club in New Jersey, and associations of Bosnian Croats and Istrians in New York.

“Their dedication to preserving language, faith, and culture shows that distance does not weaken belonging, but instead strengthens it,” Grlić Radman stated in a post on X.

The minister thanked the diaspora for their commitment to maintaining Croatian identity and for promoting the country’s name far beyond its borders.

Croatia’s airports handled 2.3 million passengers in July, a 5.5 percent increase compared to the same month last year, according to the latest figures from the Croatian Bureau of Statistics. Dubrovnik Airport ranked second in the country, welcoming 538,000 travellers, an increase of 3.3 percent year-on-year.

Split Airport led the way with 783,000 passengers (+4.7%), while Zagreb Airport came in third with 467,000 passengers, marking the strongest growth among the three largest airports at +8.4%. Most other Croatian airports also saw positive trends in July.

Germany remained the largest international market, with 371,000 passengers flying between Croatian airports and German destinations, up 18.6 percent on last year. The UK followed closely with 355,000 passengers (+26.1%), and France with 181,000 (+20.9%).

Overall, flight operations at Croatian airports grew by 5.8 percent in July, totalling nearly 22,000 aircraft movements. However, cargo traffic went in the opposite direction, falling by 14 percent year-on-year to 906 tonnes.

Looking at the first seven months of 2025, Croatian airports have handled more than 7.6 million passengers, up 6.8 percent compared to the same period in 2024. Aircraft operations have also risen, with 81,800 flights recorded (+4.9%).

Dubrovnik’s July performance once again underlines its position as one of the country’s busiest international gateways, particularly driven by strong demand from Germany, the UK, and France during the peak summer season.

A new global survey has highlighted Dubrovnik as one of the least affordable cities in Europe when it comes to everyday dining and drinks, underlining the city’s heavy reliance on international tourism.

The study, conducted by Chef’s Pencil, ranked 177 cities worldwide by comparing the cost of restaurant meals, coffee and beer against average local wages. While Zagreb fared relatively well in comparison to Central European capitals, Dubrovnik’s results placed it near the bottom of the European table.

Dining Out
In Dubrovnik, a mid-range three-course meal for one person costs around €44, which equates to 3.2 percent of the city’s average monthly salary (€1,350). This ratio ranks Dubrovnik 152nd in the world, making it one of the least affordable cities in Europe to dine out.

Coffee Costs
The price of a daily cappuccino takes an even steeper toll. In Dubrovnik, enjoying a coffee each day amounts to 8.5 percent of the average monthly income—among the highest rates in Europe.

Beer Prices
Beer lovers also face steep costs. A monthly habit of 10 beers at local prices (€4.85 each) consumes 2.4 percent of average wages. That figure ranks Dubrovnik 149th globally, again near the bottom of the scale.

A City Shaped by Tourism
The findings reflect a familiar reality: Dubrovnik’s economy is strongly driven by international visitors, whose spending power far exceeds that of the local population. While tourists continue to enjoy the city’s dining and café culture, the study shows the financial burden on residents, who face some of the highest relative costs for everyday pleasures in Europe.

@knowbeforeyougo And honestly? It can be. €8 beers, €40 wall tickets, €300+ hotels — it adds up fast. But there are ways to beat the “spenny” label. These are my top tips to save you some pennies whilst still making the most of your time in this incredible city! #Croatia #Dubrovnik #BudgetTravel #TravelTips #TravelHacks ♬ On The Beach - Mauro Picotto's CRW Remix - YORK

Dubrovnik and its surrounds have been buzzing this past week with big stories drawing reader interest — from economic data to tourism milestones and major redevelopment projects. Here are the five most-read pieces and what people found so compelling.

1. End of an Era: Kupari Hotels Reduced to Rubble as Four Seasons Project Advances
   This article covers the dramatic demolition of the old Kupari hotels as the Four Seasons redevelopment moves forward. More than just being torn down, the old foundations are being repurposed—the rubble is being stored and even sorted on site, likely to be used in the foundations of the future luxury resort.  For many, this marks the symbolic end of decades of decay, and the start of a major transformation for Kupari and the Župa Dubrovačka area. thedubrovniktimes.com
   

2. Dubrovnik Among World’s Top 15 Gluten-Free Cities
   This article highlights Dubrovnik’s rising status as a gluten-free friendly travel destination. According to a global study by travel insurers InsureandGo, Dubrovnik stood out for the number and quality of gluten-free restaurants — 129 in total, with many holding high ratings. For travellers with dietary restrictions, this is a strong point of reassurance and another draw beyond the usual sun, sea, and heritage. thedubrovniktimes.com

3. Flydubai Surges on Zagreb Route with 22% Passenger Growth in First Half of 2025
   Charting Flydubai’s strong performance on its Zagreb route. Passenger numbers increased by about 22.1% over the first six months of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, with capacity also up. Though encouraging, traffic is still below pre-pandemic levels, which provides both hope and a reminder of how far recovery has to go. thedubrovniktimes.com

4. Over 350 Vespas Roar Through Dubrovnik for Annual Cro Vespa Gathering
   The Cro Vespa 2025 event brought together over 350 Vespa riders from across Europe. The procession moved from Dubrovnik’s port through scenic routes including Župa Dubrovačka and Eagle’s Fort in Konavle, ending with a gala dinner and live music at Lazareti. The event was not just about scooters—it was a vivid display of culture, international friendship, and promotion of Dubrovnik as more than just a summer destination. thedubrovniktimes.com
   

5. Employment and Wages Rise in Dubrovnik-Neretva County in 2024
   This article reports that employment in Dubrovnik-Neretva County increased by about 5% in 2024 compared to 2023, with the number of employed people reaching over 22,700 in key sectors. Wages also saw a notable rise: average monthly net salary jumped about 14%, though still slightly below the national average. The tourism and seasonal work sectors remain crucial drivers. thedubrovniktimes.com

A Canadian-based digital artist has recreated Dubrovnik’s Cathedral and its surrounding streets in a breathtaking 3D project that has already caught the eye of art and gaming enthusiasts worldwide.

Amir, a graduate of Think Tank Training Centre specializing in environment art for games, titled the piece A Sunday Afternoon in the Old Town “Ragusa”. Using modular architecture, custom-designed materials, and intricate lighting, he set out to capture the quiet charm of a Sunday in Dubrovnik’s historic heart.

“I wanted to bring to life one of Dubrovnik’s most iconic and beloved landmarks,” Amir said, adding that the Cathedral was the perfect inspiration for his final project.

Check it out here - https://www.artstation.com/artwork/XJ8LBl

The Port of Ploče has dispatched its first container train to Belgrade, marking a new logistics route linking the Adriatic with Southeast Europe.

The shipment followed the arrival of the vessel Contship Eco carrying MAERSK containers for the Serbian market. From Ploče, the train set off on a challenging route through Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, crossing multiple railway systems and technical standards.

In total, eight trains are planned, each with 22 wagons. The inaugural train measured 456 meters in length, weighed 1,434 tonnes, and was operated by ENNA Transport, which coordinated the complex logistics of the journey.