Dubrovnik: Game of Thrones Tour & Optional Lokrum Island

Dubrovnik served as King’s Landing, and this tour puts you on the actual streets, stairs, and fortress walls used in Game of Thrones. The best moment comes early, at Fort Lovrijenac, where views over the Adriatic meet the show’s Red Keep scenes and the old defensive story of Dubrovnik.

I like the mix of behind-the-scenes filming details and everyday city history. I also like the optional Lokrum extension, which turns a two-hour walking tour into a half-day outing with a ferry ride, swimming time, and a photo on the official Iron Throne.

The main catch is cost and effort beyond the advertised $28. Fort Lovrijenac costs €15 unless your Dubrovnik Pass covers it, and the Lokrum option has its own ferry charge. Expect steps, sloping streets, and slippery stone, so this is not a good fit for anyone with limited mobility.

Key points to know before booking

• Fort Lovrijenac comes first: You get strong views of Dubrovnik and one of the tour’s most important filming locations, but entrance is extra unless covered by a DU Pass.
• Blackwater Bay is Pile Bay: The familiar view from the show is just below the fortress, making this one of the best early photo stops.
• The tour blends fiction with real history: You see Stradun, the Franciscan Monastery, Rector’s Palace, the Cathedral, and the Jesuit Steps while learning about Dubrovnik’s 1667 earthquake and Renaissance buildings.
• Lokrum is optional: The ferry takes about 10 minutes, and the island adds swimming, walking, gardens, sea views, Qarth filming sites, and the official HBO Iron Throne.
• Guide quality matters: Katarina, Petra, Kat, Ivan, Indira, Dubravka, and other local guides are praised for humor, clear explanations, personal filming stories, and good photo help.
• A small group makes a difference: Some departures have only four to six people, while others may be larger. Smaller groups allow more questions and easier movement through narrow streets.

Starting at Nautika and climbing to Fort Lovrijenac

Meet at the entrance of Nautika Restaurant on Brsalje ul. 3, just outside the Old Town. This is a practical starting point because you are close to Pile Gate, Pile Bay, and Fort Lovrijenac, the three places that give the tour its strongest opening.

The guide leads you past the Aphrodite and Pan statue before taking you up to the fortress. The ascent involves steps, and the old stone can be uneven. Wear shoes with a firm sole rather than smooth sandals. In July and August, a hat, water, and sunscreen are not optional extras. They are sensible equipment.

Fort Lovrijenac is often called Dubrovnik’s Gibraltar because of its position above the sea. On this tour, it matters for two reasons. You see the fortress as a real piece of medieval defense, and you recognize it as one of the main places used for King’s Landing scenes.

The views are a reward in themselves. From the upper levels, you look toward the red roofs of the Old Town, the water below, and the walls wrapping around Dubrovnik. The guide connects those views to the show, then explains how filming changed or used the site.

You should budget €15 for entry to St. Lawrence Fort unless you have a valid DU Pass. This extra charge is easy to overlook when comparing tour prices. A Dubrovnik Pass can be useful here because it includes access to several city sights and can cover the fort entrance. Check the current terms before buying, but it is worth comparing the pass with the separate entrance fees you plan to pay during your stay.

Guides such as Katarina, Petra, and Indira have been praised for making this stop more than a photo pause. They explain production details, point out alterations made for the series, and add stories about Dubrovnik itself. Some guides have had personal connections to filming or appeared as extras, which can add a more unusual angle to the usual location talk.

Pile Bay, the real Blackwater Bay

After the fortress, the route comes down toward Pile Bay. In the series, this became Blackwater Bay, a location tied to major King’s Landing scenes. The real setting is smaller and more open than it may appear on screen, which makes this a good place to understand how camera angles and digital effects shape the show.

Your guide should allow time for photographs here. The location is close to the Old Town entrance, so it can be busy, especially when cruise ships bring large numbers of people into Dubrovnik. An early start is helpful if you want cooler weather and fewer bodies in your pictures.

This is also where the tour begins to work for someone who is not a serious Game of Thrones fan. You are not simply moving from one fictional reference to the next. You are seeing Dubrovnik’s harbor, fortifications, and old approach to the city, with the television connection adding a second layer.

Through Pile Gate and along Stradun

The group enters the Old Town through Pile Gate, then continues past the Large Onofrio’s Fountain and along Stradun, Dubrovnik’s main stone-paved street. The walking itself is manageable for most active visitors, but the paving can be slick and crowded. Keep your hands free for photographs and stay close enough to hear the guide.

Stradun gives you the clearest sense of Dubrovnik as a working city rather than a film set. It links the western gate with the eastern side of the Old Town and passes historic buildings, shops, cafés, and churches. The show references are fun, but the city’s real story gives the route more substance.

The guide also points out the Franciscan Monastery, Orlando’s Column, the Church of St. Blaise, Rector’s Palace, and the Cathedral. You may pass some of these rather than go inside, so do not book this tour expecting a full interior visit to every landmark.

The discussion of the 1667 earthquake is especially useful. It explains why Dubrovnik’s architecture has a mix of older surviving structures and later Renaissance work. You get a quick but helpful introduction to how the city was rebuilt, rather than hearing only filming trivia.

I like this part because it gives you orientation for the rest of your Dubrovnik visit. After the tour, you will know where the main street runs, how to reach the port, and which buildings deserve a return visit.

The Jesuit Steps and the Walk of Shame

The Jesuit Steps are one of the clearest Game of Thrones photo locations in the Old Town. They were used for Cersei’s Walk of Shame, and the guide usually stops here for photographs and a scene explanation.

The stairs are grand and steep, which explains why the scene has such visual force. They also attract many people who are not on this particular tour, so you may need patience when composing a picture. The guide can help you recreate the angle, but the exact result depends on crowds and timing.

This stop shows the value of having a guide with printed scene images or a well-prepared visual reference. Katarina was praised for using a book to place the filmed scene beside the real location. That simple comparison helps you see what was physically present and what was changed for the series.

You will also get a chance to ask questions. Several guides, including Katarina and Kat, use trivia and direct questions to keep the group involved. That approach works better than a long speech, particularly when the route is hot or the streets are noisy.

Old Port and the optional ferry to Lokrum

The walking portion ends near Dubrovnik’s Old Port. If you choose the basic Game of Thrones tour, this is effectively the end of the main route, followed by the Iron Throne photo opportunity where available. If you choose the Lokrum option, you continue to the ferry.

The ride takes about 10 minutes. It is short, but it changes the pace nicely. You leave the tight stone lanes behind and get views back toward Dubrovnik from the water.

The ferry charge is included with selected Lokrum options, not necessarily with the basic tour. The supplied pricing information lists Lokrum ferry tickets at €30 when purchased separately, so confirm exactly which package you are booking. Advance ferry arrangements can save time, since queues may be long at popular periods.

Lokrum is not just an extra filming stop. It is a nature reserve with gardens, walking paths, sea views, swimming places, and cafés. The island served as Qarth in the series, and the guide connects the setting to those scenes before giving you time to explore.

You can walk toward the old fort, but the route includes a long and sometimes steep hill. Bring proper shoes if that is part of your plan. If you prefer a slower visit, you can spend time near the water, swim, use the café facilities, or wander through the gardens instead.

The island can easily occupy several hours, even though the advertised activity lasts two to three hours. That timing appears to describe the guided route and ferry segment, not a full day of structured guiding on Lokrum. Plan accordingly, especially if you want to swim or walk to the fort.

The Iron Throne photo stop

The official HBO Iron Throne is one of the most popular parts of the Lokrum option. It gives you a clear souvenir from the tour, and the photo is more memorable than another ordinary city landmark picture.

The throne is also available as a fallback if bad weather or an incident prevents the ferry from running. In that case, the tour finishes in the Old Town, where you can still take a photo on an Iron Throne replica. You would miss Lokrum, but the main walking tour would continue to provide the filming locations and city sights.

Queues can vary. One useful tip is to take the throne photo later in the afternoon, when the line may be shorter. That fits well with a Lokrum visit, since you can spend the earlier part of your time walking, swimming, or resting before taking the picture.

A public holiday may affect access to the throne. One booking group missed the photo because the throne area was closed that day, so it is wise to treat the photo as a strong possibility rather than an absolute guarantee.

Guides, group size, and the feel of the tour

The guide is the key variable. The most praised guides include Katarina, Petra, Kat, Ivan, Indira, Dubravka, Marija, and Ilir Sufaj. Their strengths are similar: clear Game of Thrones explanations, local history, humor, good timing, and a willingness to stop for photographs.

Katarina is repeatedly singled out for interactive questions, scene comparisons, and production details. Petra is praised for behind-the-scenes information and personal filming connections. Ivan has been valued for small-group attention, city suggestions, and food and drink recommendations. Indira is noted for combining show details with Dubrovnik’s history and island legends.

Group size can vary. A group of four or six feels far easier on narrow streets than a large crowd, and you can ask more questions without holding up dozens of people. One useful point is that headsets are not always provided. If your group is large or the streets are noisy, staying near the guide matters.

This is a live tour in English or Croatian. It is not a private tour by default, though small departures can feel quite personal. If you are traveling with someone who has never watched the series, the historical side of the route keeps the experience worthwhile. Guides have adjusted explanations for mixed groups, rather than assuming everyone knows every character.

Is $28 good value?

At $28 per person, the basic tour is fairly priced for a guided walk through several important Dubrovnik locations. You get a licensed local guide, the Old Town route, Fort Lovrijenac guiding, filming stories, and the chance to connect famous scenes with real streets and buildings.

The price needs a little unpacking. Fort Lovrijenac entry is €15 unless covered by a DU Pass. The Lokrum extension costs more, with ferry tickets included only in selected options. Once you add those costs, the trip is no longer a simple $28 outing.

Still, the value is good if you want context rather than a map and a list of locations. A guide helps you notice filming changes, understand which scenes were shot where, and avoid spending your whole visit guessing at locations.

I would compare the total cost with the Dubrovnik Pass before booking. If you plan to visit several museums, walls, or historic sites, the pass may reduce separate entrance fees and cover the fortress. It can also make the tour feel less expensive because one purchase handles several sights.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would choose this tour if you have watched Game of Thrones and want to see King’s Landing in person without arranging every filming location yourself. It is also a good choice if you want a quick introduction to Dubrovnik’s Old Town, because the guide adds useful city context at nearly every stop.

The Lokrum option suits you if you have half a day, want time in nature, or like the idea of swimming after a walking tour. Pack swimwear, sun protection, cash, and shoes suitable for uneven paths.

The basic version suits you better if you are short on time, already plan to visit Lokrum separately, or mainly want Fort Lovrijenac, Blackwater Bay, the Jesuit Steps, and the Old Town.

I would not choose it if stairs are difficult, if you dislike hot outdoor walking, or if you expect a slow interior tour of every historic building. The route uses narrow, sometimes slippery streets, and the fortress requires an uphill section.

Should you book it?

Book the basic tour if the show is important to you and you want a guide who can explain what the camera hid. Katarina, Petra, Kat, Ivan, and Indira are especially strong names to look for when selecting a departure, though guide assignments can change.

Choose the Lokrum option if you want more than filming locations. The ferry, island paths, swimming, sea views, Qarth connections, and Iron Throne make it a fuller day, but check the exact ferry inclusion and allow time beyond the stated two to three hours.

For the best value, compare the tour’s extra charges with a Dubrovnik Pass, book the ferry ahead when possible, and start early to reduce heat and cruise-ship crowds. With those details handled, this is a fun, practical way to combine Dubrovnik’s real history with one of television’s most recognizable settings.

FAQ

Where does the Game of Thrones tour meet?

The meeting point is at the entrance of Nautika Restaurant on Brsalje ul. 3, near Pile Gate and Fort Lovrijenac.

How long does the activity last?

The listed duration is two to three hours. Adding Lokrum can extend your visit because the island includes time for swimming, walking, dining, and sightseeing.

Is Fort Lovrijenac included in the price?

The guided visit is included, but the €15 entrance fee is not. Entry can be free with a valid DU Pass.

Is the Lokrum ferry included?

Ferry tickets are included with selected Lokrum options. They are not included in the basic walking tour, so check the package details before booking.

What happens if bad weather stops the ferry?

If the ferry cannot operate because of bad weather or another incident, the tour ends in the Old Town. You can still take a photograph on an Iron Throne replica there.

Is the tour suitable for people with mobility impairments?

No. The route includes steps, uphill sections, narrow streets, and old stone paving that can be slippery. Comfortable shoes are recommended for all participants.