The main reason for the higher entrance fee is to have the number of daily visitors to the city walls reduced to more reasonable figures. This is certainly in line with the issues of overtourism and the sometimes overwhelming number of people who flood the streets of the old town.

The high cost of walking the Dubrovnik City Walls—currently priced around €35 (approx. $38) in 2026—is a deliberate strategy by the city to combat overtourism. As a UNESCO World Heritage site and a primary filming location for Game of Thrones, the walls have seen a crushing volume of visitors over the last decade. By raising the price significantly from its 2010 rate of roughly €10, the "Society of Friends of Dubrovnik Antiquities" (which manages the walls) aims to limit daily foot traffic to sustainable levels while generating massive revenue for the ongoing, meticulous restoration of the 13th-century fortifications. While many travelers complain that it is the most expensive "walk" in Europe compared to the Colosseum or the Eiffel Tower, the city justifies the price by including entry to the Lovrijenac Fortress and using the funds to maintain the unique limestone infrastructure against the harsh Adriatic salt and wind. For 2026 visitors, the "Dubrovnik Pass" is the best way to offset this cost, as it includes the walls and several other museums for a similar flat fee.