April the 30th, 2025 – The Daily Telegraph has spotlighted beautiful Ston after deeming Dubrovnik “destroyed by tourists”.
As Dubrovacki vjesnik writes, the Daily Telegraph recently wrote about ten places allegedly destroyed by tourists, and offered recommendations as to where people should go instead. Of course, Dubrovnik, which sadly became the poster child for overtourism, ended up on the list, writes Jutarnji.
“Tourists at the busiest points in Europe face crowds, hostile locals and high prices – but there are excellent alternatives,” the newspaper pointed out.
One of the 10 examples the Daily Telegraph cites is that Dubrovnik should be replaced by the small, nearby settlement of Ston. Also famed for its walls, as well as for its oysters and salt, Ston has been a firm favourite for years, but hasn’t fallen victim to the same fate as Dubrovnik.
“Dubrovnik’s Adriatic beaches are getting busier. The city was already known for its crowds during the month of August, but they increased by three percent compared to 2024,” writes the paper.
What is the hit alternative? “Ston”, they point out. It is a city that is highly recommended by Emma Heywood, the founder of the “Undiscovered Balkans” agency, which organises tourist arrangements for active holidays in the Balkans. She’s also a contributor to the media outlet.
“Ston is known to Croats as a mini-Dubrovnik but without the cruisers and yachts. On one side of the town is a protected marine park for oyster farming, and on the other are salt pans. The town is also surrounded by pedestrian, spacious and medieval city walls. There are the Ston Walls, the longest in the world after the Great Wall of China. A week-long holiday with multiple activities in this city where you can set up your new base costs around 1,400 euros per week, including various activities and some meals, but excluding airfare,” Emma Haywood writes for The Telegraph.
