Total Game of Thrones Shore Excursion

Dubrovnik’s Game of Thrones connection makes much more sense when you see the actual places: Trsteno’s gardens become King’s Landing, Lovrijenac becomes the Red Keep, and Lokrum supplies the setting for Qarth. This private 5.5-hour tour links those spots by air-conditioned van, boat, and foot.

I like the custom itinerary, especially for cruise passengers with limited time, and I like having both a guide and professional driver. Guides such as Andrea and Mihaela have been praised for explaining Dubrovnik and the show clearly. The main catch is cost: at $248.53 per person, plus several admission fees, this is a premium outing.

Key points to know before booking

• Five filming locations in one outing: Visit Trsteno Arboretum, Lovrijenac Fortress, Dubrovnik’s Old Town, Lokrum Island, and Mount Srd.
• Private service: Your group travels with its own guide and driver, so the pace and amount of walking can be adjusted.
• Lokrum costs extra: The island entrance fee is €30 per person, and the tour includes a 10-minute boat ride to reach it.
• The tour ends on Lokrum: Plan how you will return to Dubrovnik afterward. One past group used an inexpensive Uber back to the ship.
• Expect stairs and walking: You need moderate physical fitness, although the guide can skip some sections if stairs are a problem.
• Best for time-pressed groups: Port pickup, a comfortable van, and a flexible route make this useful for cruise visitors and small private parties.

Why this private Game of Thrones tour works

This is not simply a drive past a few recognizable backdrops. You move through several different parts of the Dubrovnik area, with the screen locations tied to real places in the city and nearby islands. That gives the day more variety than a single Old Town walk.

The private format is the strongest feature. You are not locked into the pace of a large group, and the guide can adjust the visit if you want more filming details, more city history, or less stair climbing. A group of six adults previously had several options offered to them because their time in Dubrovnik was limited.

That flexibility matters here. The route includes gardens, a fortress, city streets, a boat ride, an island, and a mountain viewpoint. Those stops do not all demand the same level of energy, and a private guide can help you decide where to spend your time.

The tour is offered in English. Named guides include Andrea and Mihaela, although your guide will depend on the date and availability. Both have been praised for clear explanations and an easygoing approach.

Trsteno Arboretum, the gardens of King’s Landing

Your first stop is Trsteno Arboretum, where the gardens used for King’s Landing were filmed. You have about 45 minutes here, enough for a focused visit to the filming areas and a few photographs rather than a long garden tour.

This is a good opening stop because it gives you a quieter setting before the stone walls and crowds of central Dubrovnik. The gardens add a different feel to the day, and fans can match the location to scenes connected with the royal court.

Admission is not included. The stated fee is €10 per person, so add that to the tour price. It is also worth knowing that a short stop will not cover every corner of the arboretum. If gardens are more important to you than the show, you may wish you had extra time here.

The road trip to Trsteno also makes pickup timing important. If you are coming from a cruise ship, confirm exactly where the driver will meet you. One group had trouble finding the van because there was no visible sign with their name and the vehicle was not marked. Arrive early, and ask for a clear meeting description before the day begins.

Lovrijenac Fortress and the Red Keep

Lovrijenac Fortress supplied the Red Keep, making it one of the most satisfying stops for fans of the series. You have roughly an hour to see the fortress and hear about scenes such as Joffrey’s Name Day and the Purple Wedding.

The fort is perched above the sea, so the setting itself does much of the work. You can connect the real defensive building with the fictional palace while also seeing why the location photographs so well.

Admission costs €15 per person and is not included. The physical side of the visit matters. Fortresses usually involve steps and uneven surfaces, and this tour specifically requires a moderate level of fitness. If you do not want to climb, tell the guide early. A previous group skipped some places because the stairs were not suitable for them, and the guide adjusted the day.

This is where a private tour has a practical advantage. In a large group, you may have to follow the full route. Here, you can focus on the most important viewpoints and scenes without feeling that you are slowing everyone else down.

Dubrovnik Old Town and the Walk of Shame route

The Old Town portion lasts about 40 minutes. Along the way, the guide points out historical sights before taking you to the location used for the Walk of Shame and scenes of unrest in the streets.

This is the shortest stop, so keep your expectations in check. You will not get a full Dubrovnik city tour in 40 minutes. Instead, you get a compact introduction to the streets that served the production, with some local context added along the route.

That distinction is important. The tour is built around Game of Thrones locations, not a full examination of Dubrovnik’s churches, museums, walls, and daily life. If this is your first visit and you want a broad city tour, you may need extra time before or after the excursion.

The Old Town is also the section where your walking pace matters most. The guide can tailor the route, but you should expect to walk on historic streets and possibly deal with steps. Wear shoes that are comfortable for that kind of surface.

Lokrum Island and the Iron Throne

Lokrum takes about two hours, making it the longest stop. You take a 10-minute boat ride to the island, which represented the city of Qarth, and the main fan moment is a photograph on the Iron Throne.

For many people, this is the tour’s payoff. You get the island setting, a boat crossing, and the chance to take the signature photograph rather than only viewing a street or building from outside. The extra time also lets you explore beyond a quick photo stop.

Lokrum admission is €30 per person, the largest added entrance cost on the tour. Along with Trsteno and Lovrijenac, the listed fees total €55 per person. Lunch and bottled water are also excluded, so your real cost is noticeably higher than the advertised tour price.

Pay close attention to the ending point. The tour description says transport is provided from your Dubrovnik accommodation or port, but the day ends on Lokrum. One group returned to the Old Town and used an Uber to reach the ship. That worked well for them, but you should not assume that a return transfer from Lokrum to your ship is included.

If you are on a cruise, allow extra time for the trip back and confirm the plan with the operator. If you are staying in Dubrovnik, ending on Lokrum may be convenient if you want to continue exploring the island or return to the Old Town independently.

Mount Srd and Dubrovnik from above

The final listed stop is Mount Srd, reached by vehicle. You get about 45 minutes at the top, with time to take photographs and look across Dubrovnik from above.

This is not a filming-location stop in the same way as the fortress or gardens. It is included for the view, and it gives you a useful sense of how the Old Town sits beside the sea and surrounding hills. For a first visit, that broad outlook helps tie the separate stops together.

Admission to Mount Srd is included. The stop is also easy to fit into a busy cruise-day schedule because the driver handles the climb by road and you have a defined period to explore at the top.

The order of the stops may vary in practice, especially if your pickup time or local conditions require adjustments. Ask your guide when Mount Srd will occur so you can plan photographs and manage your energy.

The vehicle, guide, and pickup arrangement

The tour includes an air-conditioned vehicle, a private guide, and a professional driver. That combination is valuable in summer, when moving between distant sites by public transportation would take more planning and may leave you with less time at the locations.

Pickup is available from your Dubrovnik hotel or accommodation. Pickup outside the city can be arranged for an extra charge. Port pickup is also offered, which makes the experience a natural fit for cruise passengers.

The meeting details deserve attention. One past group arrived early but spent 10 to 15 minutes searching because the van had no clear marking and there was no sign with their name. Before departure, get the exact pickup point, the guide’s name, and a description of the vehicle.

The tour is private, so only your group participates. That means the $248.53 price is charged per person, but the value improves if you are traveling with several people who would otherwise need separate taxis, tickets, and a guide. For one or two people, the total cost is harder to justify unless the private format and flexible pacing are especially important.

What the $248.53 price really covers

The price covers a private guide, professional driver, air-conditioned transport, and the route between the main stops. It does not cover three substantial entrance fees, lunch, bottled water, or the cost of getting away from Lokrum at the end.

For a group of six, the private arrangement can make practical sense. You share the vehicle and guide, avoid organizing several separate rides, and can ask for adjustments based on your interests and mobility. The guide can also help you use limited port time more efficiently.

For a smaller group, calculate the full amount before booking:

• Tour price: $248.53 per person
• Lokrum entrance: €30 per person
• Trsteno Arboretum: €10 per person
• Lovrijenac Fortress: €15 per person
• Food, drinks, and any return ride from Lokrum: extra

I would treat this as a specialty tour rather than a low-cost sightseeing option. You are paying for privacy, transport, and a tailored route. If you mainly want to see the Old Town and take a few Game of Thrones photographs, a cheaper shared outing or self-guided visit may suit you better. If you want all five areas in one half-day, the cost buys convenience.

Walking, weather, and timing

You need moderate physical fitness. The route includes a fortress, Old Town streets, gardens, and Lokrum, and at least some locations involve stairs. The guide can adapt the visit, but this is not a seated sightseeing drive.

Good weather is required. If poor weather forces cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time, but cancellations or changes made inside that window are not refunded or accepted.

The duration is about five and a half hours, but you should leave room around it if you are sailing on a fixed schedule. Pickup delays, the boat ride, walking between points, and your return from Lokrum can all affect the day.

Bring water, since bottled water is not included, and plan food around the schedule. The tour does not include lunch, and the long Lokrum stop may leave you ready for a meal afterward.

Who should book this Dubrovnik experience?

I would recommend it most strongly to a private group, a cruise party with limited time, or fans who want the major filming sites without arranging several transfers. It also suits people who value a guide’s explanations and want the route adjusted for stairs or personal interests.

It is less suitable if you want a full historical tour of Dubrovnik, dislike paying extra entrance fees, or need a fully guided return to the ship after Lokrum. The tour gives you historical sights along the way, but its focus remains the show and the locations connected with it.

The strongest praise has gone to the guides’ flexibility, the comfortable van, and the way the day can be shaped around the group. Andrea and Mihaela are specifically associated with warm, clear guiding, but guide assignments can vary.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if Game of Thrones is a main reason for your visit and you want Trsteno, Lovrijenac, the Old Town, Lokrum, and Mount Srd in one private day. It is especially useful when your Dubrovnik stop is short and you would rather pay for a driver and a flexible guide than piece the route together yourself.

Skip it if the total cost, added admissions, and independent return from Lokrum feel inconvenient. Before paying, confirm the pickup point, the guide’s name, the order of stops, and how you will get back after the island. With those details settled, this is a well-planned specialty tour that gives fans both the screen locations and a strong first look at Dubrovnik.

FAQ

How long does the Total Game of Thrones Shore Excursion last?

The tour lasts approximately 5 hours and 30 minutes.

Where does pickup take place?

Pickup is available from your accommodation in Dubrovnik and from the port. Pickup outside the city can be arranged for an extra charge.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates, with a private guide and professional driver.

Is transportation included?

An air-conditioned vehicle is included for the tour, along with round-trip transportation from the port or your Dubrovnik accommodation. The tour ends on Lokrum, so confirm how your return from the island will be handled.

Is the Lokrum boat ride included?

The route includes a 10-minute boat ride to Lokrum Island. The Lokrum entrance fee is not included and is listed as €30 per person.

Which entrance fees are not included?

Trsteno Arboretum costs €10 per person, Lovrijenac Fortress costs €15 per person, and Lokrum Island costs €30 per person. These fees are separate from the tour price.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch and bottled water are not included.

How much walking is involved?

You should have a moderate level of physical fitness. The tour includes walking at Trsteno, Lovrijenac, Dubrovnik’s Old Town, and Lokrum, and some locations may involve stairs.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.