Mark Thomas - The editor and big chief of The Dubrovnik Times. Born in the UK he has been living and working in Dubrovnik since 1998, yes he is one of the rare “old hands.” A unique insight into both British and Croatian life and culture, Mark is often known as just “Englez” or Englishman. He is a traveller, a current affairs freak and a huge AFC Wimbledon fan.
Email: mark.thomas@dubrovnik-times.com
According to data from the eVisitor tourist registration system, just under 1,400 visitors are currently staying in Dubrovnik from midweek to the weekend, which is a 7% increase compared to the same period last year.
In addition to domestic tourists, the most numerous visitors came from the United States, Germany, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and France.
Since the beginning of the year, Dubrovnik has recorded 21,200 arrivals and 54,100 overnight stays, which is 5% less than in the same period in 2024.
The construction of the new Maksimir Stadium was one of the topics at today’s government session, where Prime Minister Andrej Plenković addressed the attendees. The Prime Minister also highlighted his recent conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Plenković shared that he had just spoken with President Zelenskyy.
“We discussed the security situation in Ukraine, ongoing negotiations, and European efforts toward peace. We all support peace and an end to casualties, but we want that peace to be principled. Croatia strongly advocates for this position,” said Plenković, as reported by tportal.
After work began in Pile Park, a contract was also signed for the reconstruction and comprehensive renovation of Gradac Park. This long-awaited project will bring freshness, new elements, and features that will enhance the existing park space.
The reconstruction contract was signed by Dubrovnik Mayor Mato Franković, Antonio Deranja, director of Texo Molior as the contractor, and Mato Lučić from Empora, responsible for professional supervision. The work is expected to start within the next month and should last for 14 months.
The project includes the restoration of the existing fountain and the renovation of the children's playground. It also involves the evaluation and revitalization of 350 existing trees and the planting of 388 new trees of more than 30 different species. Additionally, over 13,000 various perennials, shrubs, succulents, ornamental grasses, hedges, climbing plants, aquatic and hydrophilic plants, and plant carpets will be introduced, comprising more than 100 different species.
The park will be enhanced with a hydrant network to improve fire protection and an irrigation system fed by underground reservoirs that store rainwater from drainage surfaces. The project also includes the restoration of stone sculptures, historical boundary walls, the renovation of the sanitary facilities with a new public drinking fountain, the redesign of the existing rest area, and the addition of two new viewpoints. The park will be furnished with new benches, and the existing lighting will be replaced and upgraded with modern LED lighting. The plan includes 22 new tall lamps, 67 new low lamps, and 42 new wall-mounted fixtures.
All existing pathways, which are complexly and harmoniously integrated into the terrain's topography, will be retained, restored, and functionally improved. Additionally, a multifunctional, formally designed, and infrastructurally equipped public stage will be created, enabling more frequent use and the organization of various temporary events. The planned works are fully aligned with conservation guidelines.
The project, covering approximately 17,000 square meters, has a total value of €4,414,625 (including VAT). It is part of the Green Infrastructure Network project, funded through the ITU mechanism, which also includes the reconstruction of Pile and Platana parks in Brsalje. The total non-repayable ITU funding for this purpose amounts to €5,558,382.
The authors of the conceptual urban-architectural-landscape design for Gradac Park and its wider urban landscape area, which won first prize in a public competition, are Antun Sevšek, Melita Čavlović, Damir Gamulin, and Vesna Hrga Martić.
The 26th Dubrovnik Carnival began this morning with a lively Masked School Day on Stradun and will continue until March 4th. One of the most joyous times of the year is organized by the City of Dubrovnik and the Dubrovnik Tourist Board, with a rich program for all ages supported by cultural institutions and other valued partners.
Following the ceremonial parade, outdoor entertainment, and the announcement of the best-costumed school classes, the carnival festivities will continue into the evening for the older crowd. This year, for the first time, participants can take part in the Masked Dub Pub Quiz, hosted in Dubrovnik’s bars. The fun continues on Saturday, February 22nd, with the traditional Masked Ball Under the Dome at Lazareti Club, bringing together dance and costume lovers for a night of celebration.
The Dubrovnik Carnival once again promises plenty of laughter, joy, and unforgettable moments, especially for the youngest participants. The Masked Kindergarten Day will take place on Friday, February 28th, in Nova Mokošica, featuring a dance party and DJ set at the Naš Dom sports field. The following day, March 1st, the Grand Children's Masquerade Ball, hosted by the Naša Djeca Dubrovnik Society, will be held at the Academis Student Dormitory.
On Sunday, March 2nd, the Little Mask Parade will march from Onofrio’s Fountain to Lazareti, accompanied by the Dubrovnik City Music and the Dubrovnik Majorettes. The fun will continue at Lazareti from 3 PM, where both kids and adults can enjoy entertainment, and prizes will be awarded for the best individual and family costumes. The highlight of the children's program will be the Masked Kindergarten Day on Stradun, set for Monday, March 3rd, when Dubrovnik’s little ones will parade through the city in their creative costumes, with the best groups receiving awards.
One of the tastiest events of the Dubrovnik Carnival is the famous Masked Competition in Making Šporki Makaruli, which will once again take place in front of Luža on Saturday, March 1st. Before the competition, visitors will enjoy a vibrant performance by the Dubrovnik City Music, Linđo Folklore Ensemble, Dubrovnik Majorettes, and Lazareti Dance Studio.
The grand finale of the carnival will be the Traditional Ultimi od Karnevala (Last Night of the Carnival) on Tuesday, March 4th. This year, the Veljun Ball returns to Gradska Kavana Arsenal, where the Taliri band will provide the music from 8 PM onwards. Attendees can expect an exciting atmosphere, attractive prizes for the best costumes, and specially priced tickets.
Thanks to a collaboration with the Hospitality and Chamber of Commerce Guilds, Dubrovnik’s restaurants and bars will also join in the celebrations. Alongside participating in the Masked Culinary Competition, they will offer special discounts for costumed guests and groups throughout the carnival period.
In addition to a rich cultural and entertainment program, this year’s carnival will feature street performers and jugglers, bringing even more joy to the city's streets! Those looking for a unique carnival experience can also visit the Veljun Installation at the Rector’s Palace, available for viewing daily from 9 AM to 10 PM, starting from Monday, February 24th, until the Last Night of the Carnival.
Support the long-standing tradition of masking up and transforming Dubrovnik into a vibrant stage of joy, laughter, and playful disguises! Come as you are – or as someone completely different – and be a part of the Dubrovnik Carnival 2025!
For the full Dubrovnik Carnival program, click HERE.
Passenger and vehicle traffic on state-operated coastal maritime transport lines in the Adriatic increased in 2024 compared to 2023, according to the Coastal Liner Maritime Transport Agency. A total of 14,518,620 passengers and 4,157,959 vehicles were transported, marking a 3.3% rise in passengers and a 4.7% increase in vehicles.
The highest number of passengers traveled on the Supetar – Split ferry route (2,107,585), while the most vehicles were transported on the Preko – Ošljak – Zadar/Gaženica ferry route (562,146).
State lines were operated by 11 shipping companies with a fleet of 88 vessels.
Jadrolinija recorded the highest traffic, carrying 12,404,392 passengers (85.4%) and 3,721,092 vehicles (89.5%) in 2024.
Ships operating on seasonal routes, which are not subject to public service obligations but whose schedules are approved by the Coastal Liner Maritime Transport Agency, transported 945,907 passengers in 2024.
Six shipping companies operated 16 non-obligatory service routes, including 13 fast ferry routes and 3 standard ferry routes.
International maritime routes, which require approval from the Coastal Liner Maritime Transport Agency, saw a decline in passenger and vehicle traffic in 2024 compared to 2023.
A total of 275,911 passengers and 49,754 vehicles were transported on 15 international routes, reflecting a 4.1% drop in passengers and a 0.9% decrease in vehicles compared to 2023. Five shipping companies operated these routes with a fleet of seven vessels.
The consortium of two Chinese companies has been selected for the construction and commissioning of the Korlat photovoltaic power plant, with the project set for completion by April 23, 2028. HEP has already secured a €31.6 million loan from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) for this power plant, reports tportal
The tender for the construction of the 99MWp Korlat photovoltaic power plant, valued at €59.96 million, was won by a consortium of two Chinese companies—Shandong Electric Power Engineering Consulting Institute and China North Industries Group International Corporation (Norinco), as revealed by the EBRD.
Under the signed contract, the companies are responsible for engineering, procurement, construction, testing, and commissioning of the facility, with a deadline of April 23, 2028. To support the project, EBRD has granted a €31.6 million loan to the Croatian national electricity company HEP for the financing of construction and commissioning, according to Poslovni dnevnik.
The Korlat solar power plant is part of a larger energy complex in northern Dalmatia, which also includes a 58-megawatt wind power plant of the same name. The expected annual output of the Korlat photovoltaic power plant is 165 million kilowatt-hours, sufficient to supply approximately 50,000 households. In the next phase, the site will also see the installation of an energy storage battery system and an additional 40-megawatt solar power plant.
Ryan Pyle is a name more often associated with extreme adventures—trekking across unforgiving deserts or scaling some of the world’s most challenging mountain peaks—than with traditional travel reporting. But in a rare departure from his usual adrenaline-fueled expeditions, the Canadian explorer and television presenter turned his attention to a rather different kind of destination: Dubrovnik.
Back in November 2020, Pyle spent time in the historic coastal city, capturing its charm and character for his latest project, The Nomad, a travel series now streaming on Amazon Prime. The show sees him swap survival gear for a more relaxed approach, exploring some of the world’s most celebrated holiday hotspots. And among the picturesque locations featured, Dubrovnik takes its rightful place.
"The Nomad series is all about what I do when I’m not climbing mountains or walking across deserts—essentially, hanging out in cool cities like Dubrovnik and meeting inspiring people," Pyle explained. "The show airs on Amazon Prime in the US, UK, and Germany, and I hope it gives viewers a fresh perspective on these incredible destinations."
While Dubrovnik is no stranger to international attention—frequently topping travel wish lists and serving as a filming location for Game of Thrones—Pyle’s perspective brings a new dimension, blending an adventurer’s curiosity with an appreciation for culture, history, and the people who bring a place to life.
For those looking for a different take on well-known destinations, The Nomad promises a mix of personal storytelling and immersive travel experiences, offering viewers a chance to see Dubrovnik through the eyes of a world traveler more accustomed to the wild than the well-trodden tourist trail.
The Dubrovnik episode has also been released on YouTube (check it out below) and highlights a different side to the city in the south of Croatia, one more based on an authentic experience. “The idea was to explore the city and cross paths with locals and local businesses,” commented Ivan Vukovic, a local guide who was involved in the project.
The average monthly net salary paid per employee in legal entities in the Republic of Croatia for December 2024 amounted to 1,361 euros, which is nominally 0.4% lower and in real terms 0.5% lower compared to November 2024, according to the Croatian Bureau of Statistics.
The average monthly gross salary per employee in legal entities in the Republic of Croatia for December 2024 amounted to 1,877 euros, which is nominally 1.2% lower and in real terms 1.3% lower compared to November 2024, according to the CBS report.
Highest and lowest salaries by industry
The highest average monthly net salary paid per employee in legal entities for December 2024 was recorded in the Coke and Refined Petroleum Products Manufacturing sector, amounting to 2,562 euros, while the lowest was in the Clothing Manufacturing sector, at 846 euros.
The highest average monthly gross salary per employee in legal entities for December 2024 was also in the Coke and Refined Petroleum Products Manufacturing sector, amounting to 3,885 euros, while the lowest was in the Clothing Manufacturing sector, at 1,082 euros.
Annual salary growth
The average monthly net salary paid per employee in legal entities in the Republic of Croatia for December 2024 was 14.3% higher nominally and 10.5% higher in real terms compared to the same month in the previous year.
The average monthly gross salary per employee in legal entities in the Republic of Croatia for December 2024 was 15.9% higher nominally and 12.1% higher in real terms compared to December 2023.
For the period from January to December 2024, the average monthly net salary paid per employee in legal entities in Croatia amounted to 1,318 euros, which is 14.8% higher nominally and 11.5% higher in real terms compared to the same period in 2023.