Imagine walking the exact streets where Cersei took her Walk of Shame, standing on battlements where Tyrion defended King’s Landing from Stannis’s fleet, or gazing from towers where Daenerys entered the mystical House of the Undying to face her destiny – that’s what Game of Thrones Filming Locations Dubrovnik offers, turning this sunny Croatian gem into the most immersive Seven Kingdoms adventure you’ll ever have. Dubrovnik was chosen by HBO because its massive, perfectly preserved city walls, dramatic forts perched on cliffs, polished marble main streets, and sparkling turquoise bays looked more like a powerful medieval capital than any other location they scouted around Europe.
Dubrovnik’s real history as the Republic of Ragusa – a clever merchant city that played Venice and the Ottomans against each other for centuries – made it ideal for King’s Landing’s scheming politics. Every Game of Thrones fan should come here because you get the thrill of stepping on actual sets from Seasons 2 through 8, but with bonus real-world history, fresh Adriatic breezes, and peacocks strutting where dragons might have perched. Come for the Iron Throne moments, stay for views that make every episode look tame by comparison – this is Westeros with sunshine and rakija.
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Why HBO picked Dubrovnik for Game of Thrones King’s Landing
HBO needed a real, walled city for King’s Landing that screamed power and ancient drama, and Dubrovnik delivered perfectly. Northern Ireland handled the snowy North, Malta’s walls were too damaged, but Dubrovnik had 2 kilometers of unbroken 15th-century fortifications circling a gleaming Old Town, forts on cliffs like natural castles, and a huge bay perfect for naval battles like Blackwater. Filming started in summer 2012 for Season 2, with crews closing streets for weeks to film Joffrey’s wedding, Cersei’s shame, and city riots – locals became extras, bura winds knocked over props, and HBO spent millions boosting the economy.
The choice paid off: Dubrovnik’s stone felt alive underfoot, its walls provided epic scale for sieges, and Lokrum Island’s jungles fit Qarth’s exotic mystery. By 2019, HBO gifted a full Iron Throne replica to the city, now on Lokrum. Fans flock because these aren’t recreated sets – they’re living locations where you walk the same paths as Tyrion, Cersei, and Daenerys, feeling the history that inspired the fantasy.
Fort Lovrijenac: Red Keep where Lannisters ruled
In Game of Thrones: Fort Lovrijenac was the iconic Red Keep, Lannister stronghold in Seasons 2-7 – Tyrion commanded Blackwater defenses from its battlements overlooking the burning bay, Joffrey held sadistic court inside its massive halls, Littlefinger schemed in shadowed corners, and Tyrion faced brutal family trials amid stone vaults that echoed with accusations.
Real Dubrovnik: Perched on a 37-meter cliff above Pile Bay, Fort Lovrijenac (St. Lawrence Fortress) was built in 1617 specifically to protect Dubrovnik from Venetian invasion – its three terraced levels once housed 200 soldiers and cannons that could sink any approaching fleet. The fortress entrance bears the proud inscription “Non bene pro toto libertas venditur auro” (Freedom is not sold for all the gold in the world), a defiant motto against tyrants. Today it’s also a summer concert venue with acoustics that make every note boom across the bay.
GOT fan must-do: Your €40 City Walls ticket includes entry – climb early morning when it’s quiet, stand on the battlements where Tyrion surveyed the fleet, and imagine wildfire exploding in the water below. The views of Old Town roofs tumbling to the sea are even better in person.
City Walls & Minčeta Tower: King’s Landing battlements
In Game of Thrones: Dubrovnik’s City Walls became King’s Landing’s defensive ramparts – Season 2 smallfolk rioted in streets below while guards patrolled the tops, Tyrion paced these stones directing Blackwater strategy, archers loosed flaming arrows from towers. Minčeta Tower specifically was the eerie House of the Undying, where Daenerys wandered ruined halls seeing visions of dead kings, her dragons, and her future empire.
Real Dubrovnik: Constructed between the 13th and 16th centuries, these UNESCO-listed walls stretch 1.94km around the entire Old Town, up to 25 meters high and 6 meters thick at the base, with 15 towers, bastions, and forts that successfully defended the merchant Republic of Ragusa from pirates, Venetians, and Ottomans for centuries. Minčeta Tower, the highest and roundest, was engineered in the 1460s to withstand cannon fire – spiral stairs lead to a windy platform with 360-degree views of terracotta rooftops, Lokrum Island, and the endless Adriatic.
GOT fan must-do: Buy the €40 ticket at Pile or Ploče Gate, walk counterclockwise 1.5-2 hours. Pause at Minčeta imagining Daenerys destroying the warlocks – the height and isolation match the scene’s otherworldly feel perfectly.
Pile Gate & Stradun: Main gates to Walk of Shame street
In Game of Thrones: Pile Gate served as one of King’s Landing’s main entrances, where Cersei rode in triumph after victories and where Ned Stark’s men were slaughtered in the streets. Stradun was the heart of the city for Season 5’s Walk of Shame – Cersei walked barefoot the full length, bells tolling from towers, smallfolk jeering and throwing filth as she headed to the Great Sept.
Real Dubrovnik: Pile Gate is the Old Town’s grand western portal, built in the 1530s with a drawbridge over a moat, outer bastion, and Neptune statue warding off evil – it’s the busiest entry where everyone funnels in from buses and cruises. Stradun, the 300-meter-long main street of polished white limestone, stretches straight from Pile to Ploče Gate, lined with 18th-century baroque palaces where Ragusa’s wealthy merchants lived and traded spices, silk, and salt – Onofrio’s Fountains at each end still provide fresh drinking water from a 15th-century aqueduct.
GOT fan must-do: It’s completely free – start at Pile Gate imagining Cersei’s processions, walk the full Stradun route at sunset recreating her shame. Rewatch Season 5 Episode 10 as you go; the bells from nearby towers will give you goosebumps.
Jesuit Stairs: Where Cersei’s shame began
In Game of Thrones: The Jesuit Stairs were the dramatic starting point for Cersei’s Season 5 Walk of Shame – she climbs these wide steps after her “confession” to the High Sparrow, stripped of her finery, about to face the city’s wrath as bells peal from the towers above and the crowd waits below.
Real Dubrovnik: Constructed in 1667 after the devastating earthquake that destroyed much of the city, these impressive baroque stairs connect the lower Old Town near Stradun to the Jesuit Monastery and Church high above, rivaling Rome’s Spanish Steps in grandeur but on a more intimate scale. The steps are framed by elegant buildings and flower baskets, leading to one of Dubrovnik’s best rooftop terraces with views over the rooftops and sea – the monastery itself houses a library and church with stunning frescoes.
GOT fan must-do: Free access anytime. Head there early morning when the light is soft like in the scene – stand at the top where Cersei emerged, look down at the “jeering” square below, and feel the vulnerability. It’s a quick but powerful stop.
Rector’s Palace: Qarth Spice King’s palace
In Game of Thrones: In Season 2, the elegant atrium of Rector’s Palace was where Daenerys met the Spice King of Qarth, desperately begging passage to Westeros while the treacherous warlocks plotted her downfall nearby – the light-flooded courtyard with its arcades and fountain screamed exotic wealth hiding deadly secrets.
Real Dubrovnik: Dating from the 14th century and rebuilt after explosions and the 1667 earthquake, this Gothic-Renaissance masterpiece was the seat of the Republic of Ragusa’s government – the Rector (president-like figure) lived and worked here for one-month terms under strict surveillance to prevent corruption. Today it’s the Cultural History Museum filled with paintings, weapons, furniture, and documents showing life in the merchant elite – don’t miss the baroque staircase and courtyard where concerts still happen.
GOT fan must-do: €15 entry. Sit in the atrium where Daenerys stood negotiating – the echoing stone and fountain make it easy to picture the Spice King’s smug refusal. Combine with a quick museum peek for double value.
Gradac Park: Purple Wedding feast grounds
In Game of Thrones: Season 4 Episode 2’s Purple Wedding unfolded here – lavish tents and tables spread across the lawns for Joffrey and Margaery’s feast, musicians playing, wine flowing, until poison turned the king’s face purple in the most satisfying royal demise ever filmed.
Real Dubrovnik: This peaceful 19th-century park sits just outside the southern city walls, offering rare green space in the stone-dominated Old Town with manicured lawns, statues, benches, and elevated views over the Rector’s Palace, harbour, and Lokrum Island. It’s a favourite local picnic spot and quiet escape from crowds, with paths winding through gardens planted long after Ragusa’s heyday.
GOT fan must-do: Completely free. Visit at sunset when the light turns golden like the wedding feast – bring a drink, sit where the high table was, and toast “to the happy couple” with a knowing smile. Perfect post-walls cooldown.
Lokrum Island: Qarth gardens with Iron Throne
In Game of Thrones: Lokrum was Qarth in Season 2 – Daenerys wandered its overgrown botanic gardens, sat at the twisted Dead Tree for warlock meetings, and explored the “cursed” isle’s mysteries before heading to the House of the Undying. HBO placed a full Iron Throne replica in the visitor center as a thank-you gift.
Real Dubrovnik: Just a 15-minute ferry (€27 round-trip) from the Old Harbour, Lokrum has been uninhabited since 1023 when Benedictine monks were forced to leave (locals say it’s cursed). Napoleon planted its famous botanic gardens, wild peacocks and rabbits roam freely, there’s a saltwater “Dead Sea” lake for floating, and a clothing-optional beach on the far side. The Iron Throne sits in the visitor center amid ruins of a monastery and botanical exhibits.
GOT fan must-do: Take the hourly ferry (summer schedule). Throne photos are a must – pose like Daenerys claiming it. Swim in the lake where “warlocks schemed,” chase peacocks through Qarth paths. Full morning adventure.
Practical guide for Game of Thrones Filming Locations Dubrovnik
Most Game of Thrones Filming Locations Dubrovnik are free street spots like Stradun and Jesuit Stairs. City Walls and Fort Lovrijenac require a €40 ticket (buy online to skip lines, valid 1 day). Rector’s Palace is €15 separate. Lokrum Island is €27 round-trip ferry plus park fee (departs Old Harbour hourly in summer). Tours range €25 for 2-hour walks to €100+ full-day with kayaking or Lokrum.
Best season is May to October for warm weather and full access – walls open 8am to 7pm summer. Plan 4-6 hours for major sites. Download free GOT maps from VisitDubrovnik.hr or apps like GPSmyCity. Dubrovnik Pass covers some museums but skips walls.
Best Game of Thrones tours vs DIY exploring
For DIY fans, start at Pile Gate, follow Stradun to Jesuit Stairs and Rector’s Palace, then hit the City Walls counterclockwise to Minčeta and end at Fort Lovrijenac – about 3-4 hours with breaks, using free maps and your phone for scene screenshots. It’s flexible and cheap, perfect if you know the episodes well.
Guided tours add insider stories – 2-hour walking tours cost €25 and include props, exact filming angles, and production anecdotes like how bura winds delayed Blackwater shoots. Full-day adventures (€100+) bundle Lokrum ferry, kayak Pile Bay as “Blackwater fleet,” or bus to Trsteno Arboretum (Kingswood). Book ahead for popular ones like Kings Landing Tours.
If you are starting your journey on the Croatian coast, besides Game of Thrones locations, you should to read this comprehensive Ultimate Dubrovnik Travel Guide: Everything You Need to Know Before You Go.
GOT fan tips: maximum Seven Kingdoms immersion
Time your City Walls walk for 8am opening at Ploče Gate to beat crowds and catch soft morning light on Minčeta Tower. Hit Stradun and Jesuit Stairs at golden hour sunset for Walk of Shame vibes without midday heat. Wear comfy walking shoes and layers – stairs everywhere, bura winds whip up suddenly. Carry a water bottle to refill at Onofrio Fountains along Stradun.
Download episode playlists or use apps to match screenshots on-site – rewatch Cersei’s walk live. Kayak Pile Bay solo (€40/hour) to paddle where the Blackwater battle “happened.” Avoid cruise ship peaks 10am-2pm; midweek off-season is paradise. Locals love sharing stories – say “Valar Morghulis” for smiles and rakija invites. Pro photo tip: Minčeta summit sunrise, Fort Lovrijenac bay midday sparkle.
FAQ about Game of Thrones Filming Locations Dubrovnik
What are the best Game of Thrones Filming Locations Dubrovnik?
The top spots are Fort Lovrijenac as the Red Keep, City Walls and Minčeta Tower for battlements and House of the Undying, Pile Gate and Stradun for the main gates and Walk of Shame, Jesuit Stairs for Cersei’s confession climb, Rector’s Palace for Qarth intrigue, Gradac Park for the Purple Wedding, and Lokrum Island for Qarth gardens with the Iron Throne replica.
Where is Fort Lovrijenac in Dubrovnik and what was it in Game of Thrones?
Fort Lovrijenac is the cliffside fortress above Pile Bay that served as the Red Keep – Lannister power center where Tyrion planned defenses and faced trials. Your City Walls ticket (€40) includes entry; climb early for empty battlements matching the show’s siege views.
What is the Walk of Shame route in Dubrovnik?
Cersei’s Season 5 Walk of Shame follows Stradun from near Jesuit Stairs through the main street to the Great Sept area – it’s free to walk anytime, best at sunset with the same bell towers ringing overhead for full immersion.
Where can I see the Iron Throne replica in Dubrovnik?
The HBO-gifted Iron Throne replica is on Lokrum Island in the visitor center – take the 15-minute ferry from Old Harbour (€27 round-trip), pose like Daenerys amid peacocks and botanic gardens that doubled as Qarth.
How do I visit Minčeta Tower for Game of Thrones?
Minčeta Tower on the City Walls was the House of the Undying – buy the €40 Walls ticket at Pile or Ploče Gate, walk counterclockwise 45 minutes to reach it, and climb for Daenerys-vision panoramas over the Old Town and sea.
Are Game of Thrones tours in Dubrovnik worth booking?
Game of Thrones tours are great for behind-the-scenes stories and exact filming spots – 2-hour walks cost €25 and include props, while full-day options with Lokrum or kayaking run €100. DIY works well with free maps if you’re a series expert.
Our Most Popular Tours To Sarajevo
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