Dubrovnik Game of Thrones Tour & Optional Lokrum Island Visit

Dubrovnik’s Old Town becomes King’s Landing on this walking tour, but the best part is seeing how the real city shaped the show. You’ll trace Joffrey’s riot, Blackwater Bay, the Red Keep, and Cersei’s Walk of Shame, with scene photos and filming stories to match the actual streets.

I like the way the tour mixes Game of Thrones locations with Dubrovnik history, so it works even if you only know the show casually. I also like the guide-led route: guides such as Joseph, Jelena, Ana, Edi, and Josip are praised for humor, local insight, and patience on the stairs.

The main drawback is physical: Fort Lovrijenac requires a climb, and its €15 entrance fee is extra unless you have a Dubrovnik Pass or City Wall Ticket. The optional Lokrum extension also adds €30 for adult ferry transport and island admission.

Key points to know before you book

• Pile Gate starts the story immediately: The first filming locations sit close to the meeting point, so you do not waste time finding the show’s main spots.
• Fort Lovrijenac is the tour’s big payoff: The fortress served as the Red Keep and brings wide views, steep steps, and major scenes together.
• The guide adds more than scene labels: Expect filming tricks, local stories, and explanations of how Dubrovnik residents experienced the show’s production.
• The Walk of Shame staircase is the best photo stop: The Church of St. Ignatius of Loyola provides the tour’s most recognizable photo setting.
• Lokrum changes the tour from a walk into a half-day outing: The island adds Qarth locations and Dubrovnik’s official Iron Throne, but costs extra.
• Plan for roughly two hours without Lokrum: With the island option, allow closer to three hours, plus the ferry portion.

Starting beside Onofrio’s Fountain

The tour begins at the Large Onofrio Fountain inside Dubrovnik’s Old Town, near the western entrance and next to the Hard Rock Cafe. Look for the representative with a red umbrella marked Dubrovnik Walking Tours.

This is a practical meeting point. You are already inside the historic center, and the first stop is only a short walk away. The group gathers for an introduction before following the guide toward Pile Gate.

The advertised walk lasts about two hours, though the overall experience is described as two to three hours depending on the option you choose. The standard route is a walking tour. It does not include transport between the Old Town locations, because the stops are connected on foot.

The maximum group size is listed as 70 people. That is a fairly large possible group for narrow Old Town streets, but the tour can use audio guides and may divide the group to keep the guide easier to hear. If you prefer quiet, private sightseeing, this is not the format to expect. If you want a simple route with a guide handling the navigation, it is useful.

Pile Gate and the first King’s Landing scenes

Pile Gate is a strong opening stop because it shows how easily Dubrovnik became King’s Landing. The gate, bridge, and approach appear in scenes from Seasons 2 and 3, including the royal procession with King Joffrey and the angry crowd.

Your guide explains the riot sequence, Joffrey’s order to his guards, and Jaime Lannister’s return to the city with Brienne of Tarth. Scene images help you match the television shots to the real setting. That comparison is important here, since the filmed version often uses camera angles and added detail to make familiar streets feel larger and more threatening.

The stop itself is free, but it can be crowded around the western entrance. A guide helps you focus on the exact locations instead of simply passing through the gate with the rest of the foot traffic.

You also get a quick orientation to Dubrovnik’s layout. That makes the later stops easier to understand, especially when the guide explains how the harbour, fort, walls, and Old Town were rearranged to represent several parts of Westeros.

Kolorina, the docks of King’s Landing

From Pile Gate, the route passes under the drawbridge toward Kolorina. This beach and waterfront area represented the docks of King’s Landing in several scenes.

The guide points out the place where Joffrey, Cersei, Tyrion, and Sansa see Myrcella leave for Dorne. Other scenes connected to the area include the search for King Robert’s bastards and Tyrion’s discussion with Lord Varys about the defence of Blackwater Bay.

Kolorina gives you a useful change of pace. The Old Town streets can feel enclosed, while the water opens the view and makes the filming choices easier to understand. You can see why the production used Dubrovnik as a stand-in for a powerful port city.

This stop lasts only about 10 minutes, so do not expect time for a long break. It is a viewing and storytelling stop, not a beach visit. Wear shoes suited to walking rather than planning to treat this as a swim stop.

West Harbour and the Blackwater Bay scenes

The route continues to Dubrovnik’s West Harbour, where several scenes connected with Blackwater Bay and wildfire were filmed. The harbour also appears in conversations involving Sansa and Shae, along with Littlefinger’s plans to help Sansa leave King’s Landing.

The setting matters because the show repeatedly used Dubrovnik’s water, piers, and fortified edges to suggest a city under threat. Your guide can show how the same small area served different story purposes, depending on the characters and camera position.

This is also where the climb toward Fort Lovrijenac begins. The walk is not a flat stroll from one landmark to the next. You move through the harbour area and then face a series of steps toward the fortress.

That transition is part of the tour’s character. It gives you a sense of the fort’s position above the water, but it also makes comfortable walking shoes essential. Several people specifically praise guides for stopping when needed and helping older participants manage the stairs.

Fort Lovrijenac, Dubrovnik’s Red Keep

Fort Lovrijenac is the central stop and the only major admission charge on the standard route. Entry costs €15 per person, though it is free with a Dubrovnik Pass or a City Wall Ticket.

The fortress represented the Red Keep, including exterior scenes and locations associated with the royal court. The tour connects it with the Purple Wedding, King Joffrey’s name-day tourney, and other scenes set around the seat of power in King’s Landing.

The guide does more than point out a wall and name a scene. You learn how the fortress was used for different parts of the fictional castle and how filming techniques helped turn a real coastal fort into a larger royal stronghold.

The climb is the main physical test. One description calls the hike no joke, while also saying the views of Dubrovnik and the Old Town make it worthwhile. That is a fair way to plan it. You do not need to treat the steps as a race, and guides such as Jelena and Joseph are praised for keeping a considerate pace, but anyone with limited mobility should think carefully before booking.

Allow about 45 minutes here. That is enough time for the fort, the filming explanations, and the views without turning the visit into a long historical tour. The entrance fee is not hidden, but it is easy to overlook when comparing the low starting price, so budget for it in advance.

Old Town streets after the fortress

After descending from Lovrijenac, the route returns through Dubrovnik’s Old Town. The streets now represent more scenes from King’s Landing, including the unrest after Joffrey’s order to attack the crowd.

The guide also identifies settings connected with the aftermath of the Purple Wedding, Sansa’s escape, Jaime’s return, Littlefinger’s brothel, and Tyrion’s conversation with Prince Oberyn Martell. The exact pleasure here depends on how closely you followed the series, but the locations remain interesting because they show how the production reused ordinary streets for different purposes.

I like this part for a practical reason: it turns the Old Town into a visual puzzle. A staircase or alley that seems ordinary can suddenly become recognizable once the guide places a scene photograph beside it.

The standard walk does not require you to navigate these locations alone. Dubrovnik’s streets can be confusing, especially when several routes look similar and crowds fill the main lanes. The guide keeps the story moving and helps you spend your time looking rather than checking a map.

Cersei’s staircase at St. Ignatius

The final major Old Town stop is the Church of St. Ignatius of Loyola. Its staircase is the setting for Cersei’s Walk of Shame, one of the show’s most memorable Dubrovnik scenes.

This is the tour’s best photo opportunity. The staircase gives you a clear visual match to the screen, and the guide explains the fictional punishment and how the scene was staged.

The stop lasts around 15 minutes. That is enough for photos and explanation, but the staircase may not feel private or quiet. You are in a public part of the Old Town, so expect other people using the same space.

Even if you have not watched the series, this stop works as part of the city walk. The church and steps provide a strong architectural moment, while the guide connects them to both the show and Dubrovnik’s local setting.

Adding Lokrum and the Iron Throne

At the end of the Old Town route, you can continue to Lokrum Island. The ferry leaves from the area near Veliki Muo, and the extension adds roughly 30 minutes on the island, not counting the ferry ride itself.

Lokrum represented Qarth in Season 2. The guide explains how the island was adapted for filming and takes you to Dubrovnik’s official Iron Throne, where you can take a photo.

This option suits a dedicated fan who wants more than a city walk. It also works well if you have extra time in Dubrovnik and want to combine filming locations with a green island setting. The tradeoff is cost and timing: round-trip ferry transport and Lokrum admission cost €30 for adults and €5 for children aged 5 to 17.

The Lokrum option is not simply a free add-on after the walking tour. It involves separate transport and an admission charge, so check the exact option you book and allow enough time for the extension. If you mainly want the Old Town scenes and the Red Keep, the standard route gives you the most important locations for much less money.

Guide style and how much local detail you get

The strongest part of this experience is the guide. The route depends on stories, timing, and scene comparisons, not just on looking at buildings.

Guides named in the feedback include Joseph, Jelena, Ana, Edi, Ivica, and Josip. The recurring strengths are clear explanations, humor, enthusiasm for the show, and local knowledge. Joseph is praised for explaining filming tricks and what it was like for Dubrovnik residents during the period of Game of Thrones production. Jelena is praised for helping people handle the stairs and for adding local history.

That mix matters. A guide who only recites episode names would make the tour less useful for anyone who is not a serious fan. Here, the route also covers Dubrovnik’s fort, streets, harbour, and local involvement in the production.

You can enjoy the tour without having watched the series. You will simply get less from the character references than a devoted fan. If you have seen the show, bring a little knowledge of the main characters and locations, but you do not need to memorize episodes beforehand.

Price, timing, and practical value

The advertised price is $24.19 per person. At that price, the tour is good value if you want a structured route and a guide who can identify locations that would be hard to find on your own.

The low starting price needs one adjustment. Add €15 for Fort Lovrijenac unless your Dubrovnik Pass or City Wall Ticket covers entry. Add €30 for an adult if you choose Lokrum, or €5 for a child aged 5 to 17. These extras can make the final price much higher than the headline figure.

The standard tour runs for about two hours, with the full experience described as two to three hours. It is a good fit for a morning or afternoon plan, but do not place it immediately before a fixed activity if you want room for delays, crowds, or the climb.

The tour is offered in English and includes a mobile ticket, a local professional guide, and the Iron Throne photo opportunity when the Lokrum option is selected. Group discounts are available. Confirmation arrives at booking, and service animals are allowed.

Free cancellation applies if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded. The tour also requires good weather, with a different date or full refund offered if poor weather causes cancellation.

Who should book this Dubrovnik tour?

Book it if you are a serious Game of Thrones fan, especially if you want scene photographs, filming stories, and the chance to stand inside the settings used for King’s Landing. It is also a good first orientation to the Old Town because the route covers the western gate, harbour, fort, central streets, and a famous church staircase.

I would also recommend it to mixed groups. One person can follow the show references while another focuses on Dubrovnik’s fortifications, architecture, and local stories. The guides’ humor and explanations help keep the tour from becoming a list of episode names.

Think twice if stairs are difficult for you or if you dislike group walks. The route includes the climb to Fort Lovrijenac, and the largest possible group is 70 people. You can skip the Lokrum extension if you want a shorter, cheaper outing.

For the best value, use a Dubrovnik Pass or City Wall Ticket if you already plan to visit other paid sites. If you want the Iron Throne and Qarth, pay for Lokrum. If not, the Old Town and Lovrijenac route covers the show’s most important Dubrovnik locations.

Should you book it?

Yes, if the show is one of your reasons for visiting Dubrovnik. The tour finds the key locations, adds useful scene context, and saves you from hunting through the Old Town with screenshots on your phone.

Choose the standard walk for the best balance of price and time. Add Lokrum only if the island, Qarth, and the Iron Throne matter enough to justify the extra €30 and longer outing. Bring water, wear shoes with a firm grip, and keep the €15 fortress fee in mind. That small bit of planning makes this a fun and well-focused way to see Dubrovnik through King’s Landing.

FAQ

Where does the Dubrovnik Game of Thrones tour start?

It starts at the Large Onofrio Fountain, Poljana Paska Miličevića, inside Dubrovnik’s Old Town. The meeting point is next to the Hard Rock Cafe, where you should look for a red umbrella marked Dubrovnik Walking Tours.

How long does the tour last?

The walking tour takes about two hours. The overall activity is listed as lasting approximately two to three hours, depending on whether you add the Lokrum Island option.

Is Fort Lovrijenac included in the tour price?

No. Admission costs €15 per person, unless you have a Dubrovnik Pass or City Wall Ticket that includes entry.

What Game of Thrones locations are visited?

The route includes Pile Gate, Kolorina, Dubrovnik’s West Harbour, Fort Lovrijenac, several Old Town streets, and the staircase outside the Church of St. Ignatius of Loyola. The Lokrum option adds Qarth locations and the official Iron Throne.

How much does the Lokrum option cost?

Round-trip transportation and Lokrum Island admission cost €30 for adults and €5 for children aged 5 to 17.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in English.

Does the tour involve stairs?

Yes. The route includes a climb to Fort Lovrijenac and other steps in Dubrovnik’s Old Town. Comfortable shoes are recommended.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded. If bad weather cancels the activity, you will be offered another date or a full refund.