Game of Thrones Dubrovnik Guide: Locations, Tours, & More

If you’re Game of Thrones obsessed and have to choose one place in Croatia to visit, make it Dubrovnik! This Game of Thrones Dubrovnik Guide will show you why.

I was literally STUNNED when we arrived in Dubrovnik during our 7 days in Croatia because it felt like we had been transported into the show. Once you visit, it’s easy to see why HBO chose Dubrovnik as the heart of the Game of Thrones universe!

In this Game of Thrones Dubrovnik Guide, I’ll provide everything you need to know about visiting Dubrovnik as a Game of Thrones fan. I break down every single film location, including which scenes were filmed there, what the locations are called in real life, and how to get them!

I’ll also cover the top Game of Thrones tours available in Dubrovnik and whether or not I recommend going on one! So, if you’re looking to dive into the Game of Thrones universe during your time in Dubrovnik, keep reading!

Note: This post contains affiliate links. If you click an affiliate link or book through an affiliate program, I receive a small commission at no cost to you! 

A Complete Guide to Dubrovnik for Game of Thrones Fans: Film Locations, Episodes to Watch, Tours, & More

Game of Thrones Film Locations In Dubrovnik (with Map)

Below, we will dive into each Game of Thrones film location in Dubrovnik! But first, here is a Google map with all of these locations pinned. Make sure to save this map before your trip!

Fort Lovrijenac (Red Keep)

• Real-life name: Fort Lovrijenac
• Show location: Red Keep in King’s Landing
• Notable Episodes: Season 2 Episode 1 (“The North Remembers”) Season 3 Episode 1 (“Valar Dohaeris”), Season 3 Episode 5 (“Kissed by Fire”)

One of the most iconic sites in Dubrovnik is Fort Lovrijenac, which looms tall over the West Harbor right outside of the city walls. In the show, Fort Lovrijenac serves as the inside of the Red Keep several times.

Most notably, Season 2 Episode 1 was filmed throughout the Fort for King Joffrey’s name day. In addition, the famous “Power is Power” scene between Cersei and Littlefinger (Season 3 Episode 5) and the scenes where the giant map of Westeros is painted on the ground were all filmed here.

You can check out my photos from around the fort below, where those scenes took place!

Note: Although Fort Lovrijenac was often used as the inside of Red Keep, the actual location of the Red Keep changes multiple times throughout the show. Because the Red Keep was created with CGI, its placement throughout the city moved often depending on which angles they were filming from.

(You’ll learn more about this and other fun facts if you do a Game of Thrones tour in Dubrovnik! More on that later)

Speaking of tours, you will almost certainly visit Fort Lovrijenac as part of a GoT tour. However, the entrance cost may or may not be included, which is 15 euros per person. I recommend purchasing a Dubrovnik City Pass, which is ~35 euros and includes entry to Fort Lovrijenac, as well as the City walls and other attractions!

Dubrovnik City Walls (General King’s Landing Shots)

• Real-life name: Dubrovnik City Walls
• Show location: King’s Landing
• Episodes: Various episodes throughout the series, including Season 2, Episode 8 (“The Prince of Winterfell”) and Season 5 Episode 3 (“High Sparrow”)

If you’ve never been to Dubrovnik, walking along the Old Town Walls should be one of the top things on your itinerary. Not only are there multiple Game of Thrones film locations along the wall, but they offer insane, 360º views of Dubrovnik!

Since Old Town Dubrovnik serves as King’s Landing, there are multiple shots throughout the series of characters walking along the walls. Seeing Old Town from above transports you right into King’s Landing.

One of the most iconic scenes on the City Walls is in Season 2 Episode 8 when Tyrion and Varys are planning the defense of King’s Landing. In the episode, Tyrion and Varys are standing on Fort Bokar, a cylindrical structure along the City Walls.

You can actually see the structure best from Fort Lovrijenac, which is where the scene was filmed from! Check out the picture below of Fort Bokar (right) which was taken from Fort Lovrijenac. Also, the water in front of the Fort is Blackwater Bay (more on that later!)

Read more about walking the City Walls in my 2 Day Dubrovnik Itinerary here!

Minčeta Tower (The House of the Undying)

• Real-life name: Minčeta Tower
• Show location: House of the Undying (Exterior)
• Episodes: Season 2 Episode 10 (“Valar Morghulis”)

Located along the City Walls is Minčeta Tower, which stood in for the House of the Undying in Game of Thrones. You probably remember the scene where Daenerys goes looking for her dragons after they are stolen in Season 2 Episode 10.. She walks around the circular tower while Ser Jorah follows her until she disappears into the temple!

This scene was filmed at Minčeta Tower, which you can access along the City Walls! In real life, the tower is one of the highest point of Croatia’s defense system and has a strong history. The climb up the tower can be brutal, but it is worth it!

Pile & Ploče Gates (Outskirts of Red Keep)

• Real-life name: Pile & Ploče Gates
• Show location: Outskirts of Red Keep
• Episodes: Season 2 Episode 6 (“The Old Gods and the New”), Season 3 Episode 10 (“Mhysa”)

To get into Dubrovnik Old Town, you’ll need to enter through one of 3 gates: Pile, Ploče, or Buza! These gates are still in tact today and look straight out of the 16th century (because they are)! So, it was an easy film choice for various scenes throughout the series.

The two most featured in the show are Pile & Ploče Gates. Pile Gate is located on the west side of Old Town and is the more commonly used entrance. After entering through the gate, there’s a large entry area before you get into Old Town.

This area appears most prominently in Season 2 Episode 6 when Cersei, Sansa, Joffrey, Tyrion and others are returning to the Red Keep and are attacked by commoners. In addition, you’ll also recognize this area in Season 3 Episode 10 when Jamie and Brienne of Tarth return to King’s Landing!

On the other side of Old Town, Ploče Gate is featured in Season 5 Episode 10 when Cersei returns to the Red Keep after her walk of shame, which brings us to the next section!

Jesuit Staircase (Walk of Shame Stairs)

• Real-life name: Jesuit Church of St. Ignatius of Loyola
• Show location: Sept of Baelor Stairs
• Episodes: Season 5 Episode 10 (“Mother’s Mercy”)

One of the most visited spots in Dubrovnik thanks to Game of Thrones is the Jesuit Church of St. Ignatius of Loyola. More specifically, the staircase in front of the Church!

These stairs, located within Dubrovnik Old Town, are where Queen Cersei starts her famous Walk of Shame in the Season 5 finale. In the show, these stairs are in front of the vast Sept of Baelor, which unfortunately is CGI’ed in.

However, these steps are still worth a visit and will definitely be a stop on any Game of Thrones tour in Dubrovnik. We loved learning about the filming of this scene from our tour guide, who told us HBO had to pay all the residents on the street to keep their windows closed!

The businesses around this area have certainly capitalized on the popularity of these stairs. At a bar next to the stairs, you’ll find Game of Thrones themed cocktails like “the walk of shame mojito”.

(P.S. If you are hoping to get photos of these stairs without anyone in the background, I recommend going as early as possible. We arrived just after sunrise and there was only 1 other person there!)

Rector’s Palace (Spice King’s Home)

• Real-life name: Rector’s Palace
• Show location: The Home of the Spice King (Qarth)
• Episodes: Season 2 Episode 6 (“The Old Gods and the New”)

Just around the corner from the Jesuit Staircase you will find Rector’s Palace in Old Town Dubrovnik. With its stunning Gothic and Renaissance architecture, this 15th century palace is worth a visit even if you aren’t a Game of Thrones fan.

The Palace used to serve as the administrative center for the rector of Dubrovnik. Now, it is a Cultural History Museum, where you can learn more about this incredible city. Entrance is included in the Dubrovnik City Pass!

Surprisingly, only one short scene from Game of Thrones was filmed inside the palace. In Season 2 Episode 6, while Dany is in Qarth, she visits the home of the Spice King to ask for ships. You might remember the Spice King standing on a beautiful staircase as he lectured Dany. This was filmed inside Rector’s Palace!

West Harbor (Blackwater Bay)

• Real-life name: West Harbor / Pile Bay
• Show location: Blackwater Bay, Waterfront outside Red Keep
• Episodes: Season 2 Episode 1 (“The North Remembers”), Season 2 Episode 6 (“The Old Gods and the New”), Season 3 Episode 1 (“Valar Dohaeris”), Season 6 Episode 1 (“The Red Woman”), Season 8 Episode 6 (“The Iron Throne”)

My personal favorite Game of Thrones filming location in Dubrovnik is the West Harbor (also called Pile Bay), which stood in as Blackwater Bay in the show. Located right in between Dubrovnik Old Town and Fort Lovrijenac, the West Harbor is a stunning bay with crystal clear water. In fact, we went swimming here several times!

You’ll certainly recognize it from the show, as it was featured in several different prominent scenes. For example, the episode when Princess Myrcella leaves King’s Landing for Dorne against Cersei’s wishes, as well as when her body is returned in Season 6.

The most famous, however, is probably the scene in the series finale where the Stark children say goodbye to each other for the last time!

Another very short scene that was filmed in the West Harbor that you might not remember is when the City Watch soldiers are hunting down Baratheons in Season 2 Episode 1. They knock on some doors along a rocky cliff, as shown in the photo below!

This spot is extremely popular in Dubrovnik and is typically the first stop for many Game of Thrones tours. It’s also a great place to base yourself if you’re visiting Dubrovnik! We stayed right in the Harbor in this tiny Airbnb during our two days in Dubrovnik!

Gradac Park (King’s Landing Gardens)

• Real-life name: Gradac Park
• Show location: Wedding of King Joffrey and Margaery Tyrell
• Episodes: Season 4 Episode 2 (“The Lion and the Rose”)

Located right behind Fort Lovrijenac in Dubrovnik is Gradac Park! This park was used to film almost all of Season 4 Episode 2, also known as the “Purple Wedding”.

If you don’t remember what episode this is… (spoiler alert): it’s the one where King Joffrey dies on his wedding day to Margaery Tyrell!

We did not visit the park on our Game of Thrones tour; however, you could see it very clearly from Fort Lovrijenac, and our guide still talked about it!

If you have time, Gradac Park is a beautiful spot to visit, especially in the early morning, as it offers stunning views of Dubrovnik!

Lokrum Island (Qarth Gardens)

• Real-life name: Lokrum Island
• Show location: Qarth Gardens
• Episodes: Season 2 Episode 5 (“The Ghost of Harrenhal”)

Last but certainly not least on this list of Game of Thrones film locations in Dubrovnik is the stunning Lokrum Island. Located 10 minutes by ferry off the coast of Dubrovnik, Lokrum Island is a must-visit spot, whether or not you like the show!

Our Game of Thrones tour had an optional add-on for Lokrum Island, and I am so glad we did it!

We learned HBO had to rent out the entire island to film on it, which is crazy since it is only featured in one episode. If you remember in Season 2 Episode 5, Dany arrives in Qarth and attends a party in the gardens.

In addition to being a filming location, Game of Thrones fans have another reason to visit Lokrum Island: it has one of the real-life versions of the Iron Throne! It’s located inside a small Game of Thrones Visitor Center on the island, which also showcases facts about filming the show and videos of cast members talking about their experiences in Croatia!

Aside from seeing Game of Thrones locations, you could easily spend the majority of one day exploring Lokrum Island! There are several trails, gardens, forts, swimming spots, and even a restaurant on the island.

The entrance fee for the island is only $20, which also includes the roundtrip ferry ride. This may or may not be included in your Game of Thrones tour.

BONUS: Trsteno Arboretum (Tyrell Gardens)

• Real-life name: Trsteno Arboretum
• Show location: Gardens of King’s Landing where Tyrells hang out
• Episodes: Season 3 Episode 2 (“Dark Wings, Dark Words”), Game of Thrones Season 3 Episode 4 (“And Now His Watch Is Ended”), Season 3 Episode 10 (“Mhysa”)

Okay, I couldn’t finish up this list of top Game of Thrones film locations in Dubrovnik without mentioning Trsteno Arboretum. While this spot is not technically in Dubrovnik, it’s less than 30 minutes outside of the city! So, you can easily visit on a day trip, or it makes a great stop on the way to Split.

P.S. If you are planning to visit other areas besides Dubrovnik, don’t miss my complete Game of Thrones Croatia Guide for other film locations around Croatia!

These gardens are easily recognizable as a Game of Thrones film location as soon as you arrive. The gardens are heavily featured in Season 3, when the Tyrell family arrives in King’s Landing. Remember all those famous scenes with Lady Olenna, Margaery Tyrell, and Sansa having lunch in the gardens? Those are all filmed here!

Although the gardens aren’t huge, they are absolutely stunning! The cost to enter the gardens is ~10 Euros for adults. We loved stopping here to stretch our feet on the drive from Split to Dubrovnik!

Game of Thrones Dubrovnik Tours

Should you go on a Game of Thrones tour in Dubrovnik?

Before we wrap up this guide, I wanted to touch on the various Game of Thrones tours available in Dubrovnik! If you visit Dubrovnik, you’ll see MANY Game of Thrones walking tours around town! It’s one of the most popular things to do in Dubrovnik.

In this blog post, I’ve given you a list of all the Game of Thrones film locations in Dubrovnik, so you might be wondering.. do I really need to go on a tour?!

Well, I actually highly recommend it!!

Our Game of Thrones walking tour was my favorite part of our 7 days in Croatia. Sure, you can visit all of these spots yourself, but going on a walking tour with a local guide adds a whole new element to it!

We had an amazing guide on our Game of Thrones tour. She was a Dubrovnik local and had so many incredible stories about what it was like for Croatians while Game of Thrones was filming in Dubrovnik. In addition, she shared incredible behind the scenes knowledge, fun facts, and personal anecdotes that you certainly won’t find in a guidebook.

So, if you’re a true Game of Thrones fan, I highly recommend booking a tour during your time in Dubrovnik, as it really elevates the experience!

Below, I’ll cover a few different tour options to choose from!

Tour Option 1: 2-Hour Game of Thrones Dubrovnik Walking Tour

For those looking for a quick taste of Game of Thrones while in Dubrovnik, this 2-hour Game of Thrones Walking tour is the perfect option!

The tour starts outside the city gates and takes you to Fort Lovrijenac (Red Keep), Pile Gate (entrance to King’s Landing), and the famous Jesuit Staircase (Walk of Shame stairs).

The cost of the tour is only $27 and is a great introduction to Dubrovnik Old Town and the main Game of Thrones film locations around the city!

Check prices and availability for this tour here! ⚔️🐉

Tour Option 2: Dubrovnik 3-Hour Walking Tour + Lokrum Island

If you’re Game of Thrones obsessed like me, but have limited time in Dubrovnik, I highly recommend this 3-hour Game of Thrones Dubrovnik + Lokrum Island tour. This is the tour that we personally went on and absolutely loved!!

The tour costs $38 per person and visits the most famous Game of Thrones locations including the Jesuit Staircase (Walk of Shame Stairs), West Harbor (Blackwater Bay), Fort Lovrijenac (the Red Keep), Pile Gate (entrance to King’s Landing), and more.

In addition, it also includes a trip to Lokrum Island, which was one of my favorite parts of Dubrovnik! (The cost of the ferry is not included in the tour ticket, but they help you purchase your tickets and continue the tour once you’re on the island).

The tour does not include a trip to the City Walls or Minčeta Tower; however, these are easy to visit on your own, and I recommend saving them for your second day so you can get an early start.

Tour Option 3: Ultimate 7-Hour Dubrovnik Game of Thrones Tour

For those looking for the most in-depth tour in Dubrovnik, this 7-hour Game of Thrones tour is the one to book! This tour includes a 2-hour walking tour around Dubrovnik and a trip to Lokrum like the one above; however, it also includes a visit to Trsteno Arboretum AND a bonus location: the abandoned Hotel Belvedere.

This abandoned hotel is where the famous Oberyn Martell met his end against the Mountain in Season 4 Episode 8, The Mountain and the Viper.

Because this tour is so much longer, the cost is much more than other Game of Thrones tours in Dubrovnik, starting at $270 for adults.

However, if you are a huge Game of Thrones fan, it’s probably worth it! In addition, the cost of the tour includes entrance fees to Fort Lovrijenac and Trsteno Arboretum and the cost of the ferry to Lokrum Island.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, visiting Dubrovnik offers Game of Thrones fans an immersive experience into King’s Landing and beyond! From walking the streets of Fleabottom to wandering through the gardens of Qarth, a trip to Dubrovnik will feel magical to Game of Thrones lovers.

If want to learn as much as possible, I highly recommend booking a Game of Thrones tour while in Dubrovnik. Guided by local experts who bring the series to life with behind-the-scenes anecdotes and insider knowledge, these tours offer a deeper understanding and appreciation of Dubrovnik’s role in the epic series.

I hope this Game of Thrones Dubrovnik Guide helped you understand all there is to see in this magical city that stood in as King’s Landing! And if you are planning to spend more than a few days in Croatia and visit other areas, make sure to check out my Ultimate Game of Thrones Croatia Guide!

Don’t forget to pin this post for future planning!