Legendary Game of Thrones & Lokrum Island Tour

Dubrovnik served as King’s Landing, and this tour makes that connection unusually clear. You walk through the Old Town with scene photos in hand, climb to Lovrijenac Fortress, the Red Keep, then cross to Lokrum Island, where the Iron Throne waits in the old City of Qarth. Guides such as Femi, who worked as a Game of Thrones extra, bring a useful insider angle.

I like two things in particular: the guide connects filming tricks with the real streets, and the tour adds Lokrum Island rather than stopping after the usual Old Town walk. The views from Lovrijenac are another strong point. The main drawback is physical: this is a walking tour with more than 180 stairs to the fortress, plenty of pavement, and extra costs for both the fort and boat.

Key points at a glance

• Lovrijenac is the Red Keep: Climb the fortress for filming stories and superb views over Dubrovnik.
• Scene photos make locations easier to recognize: Guides show images from the series beside the real places.
• Lokrum adds the Iron Throne: The tour ends at the City of Qarth, where you can pose for a photo.
• The guides bring different strengths: Femi, Marko, Roko, Darko, Michaela, Mikayla, and Sonja have all led memorable versions of the walk.
• The tour is active: Expect stairs, Old Town walking, a boat ride, and a group of up to 30 people.
• Budget for extras: The Red Keep ticket is listed at 15 euros per person, and the return Lokrum boat ticket at 30 euros per person.

Why Dubrovnik works so well for Game of Thrones

Dubrovnik is not simply a backdrop that looks vaguely medieval. Its stone walls, narrow streets, fortress views, and sea setting gave Game of Thrones a ready-made King’s Landing. Once you know where to look, ordinary corners of the Old Town become recognizable scenes.

That is the value of taking a guide instead of walking around with a list of filming spots. A good guide can show you a still from the show, point out the exact place, and explain how the production changed the view with costumes, camera angles, or set dressing. The locations are easier to appreciate when you see both versions together.

You also get more than television trivia. Guides including Roko, Darko, Marko, and Sonja have mixed the show with stories about Dubrovnik and local life. That balance matters. Without it, the tour could feel like a long scavenger hunt for fictional characters. With it, the old city remains the main subject, while Game of Thrones gives you a fresh way to read its streets.

The group can reach up to 30 people. That is not an intimate private walk, but it keeps the price moderate and gives the tour a social feel. If you enjoy meeting other fans, this setup works well. If you want quiet photography or a slow private pace, a smaller tour may suit you better.

Meeting beside the Amerling Fountain

The morning begins at Experience Dubrovnik and Dubrovnik Tours, at Brsalje 2 beside the Amerling fountain and near the Dubravka gift shop. The stated start time is 9:30 a.m., so arrive with enough time to find the fountain and settle in.

This is a practical central meeting point near the Old Town and the approach to Lovrijenac. There is no hotel pickup, so you need to make your own way there. The first few minutes are used to gather the group and begin the walk.

The activity is offered in English. A mobile ticket is accepted, and confirmation is provided when you book. Since the group may be full, keep your phone handy and make sure you know the exact meeting address rather than relying only on a broad search for Dubrovnik’s Old Town.

Lovrijenac Fortress, Dubrovnik’s Red Keep

The first major stop is Lovrijenac Fortress, also known as St. Lawrence Fortress. In the series, it became the Red Keep, and this is one of the most rewarding parts of the walk for both fans and photographers.

Before going up, the guide points out scenes filmed at the foot of the fort. Then comes the climb. The route includes more than 180 stairs, according to the most important practical warning from the tour experience. The description mentions stairs, but the number and the amount of walking deserve serious attention.

You should have a moderate level of physical fitness. Wear shoes with a firm grip, carry water, and do not treat this as a flat city stroll. The guide is expected to keep a relaxed pace, and you can tell the guide if you cannot manage the climb. Still, the fortress visit is a central part of the experience, not a minor optional stop.

The reward is the view. From Lovrijenac, you look back toward Dubrovnik’s walls and the Old Town with the Adriatic beyond. It is a strong photo stop even if you care little about the show. For a Game of Thrones fan, seeing the Red Keep site from this angle makes the filming feel more tangible.

The entrance ticket costs an additional 15 euros per person. That extra charge changes the value calculation. At the advertised tour price of $42.33, the guide-led walk is reasonably priced, but you should not assume the fort is included. If you want the full Red Keep experience, add the admission cost before booking.

Finding King’s Landing in the Old Town

After the fortress, the walk continues through Dubrovnik’s Old Town, which served as King’s Landing. This section lasts about 45 minutes and brings the show into the city’s lanes, steps, and stone squares.

The best part is the comparison between the real place and the filmed version. A doorway or stairway may look familiar only after you see the scene image. The guide can then explain what happened there, identify the characters involved, and point out how the production used the location.

Expect a steady walk rather than a single dramatic viewpoint. The Old Town portion is where the scale of filming becomes clear. Several streets and public spaces were adapted for different scenes, and moving between them lets you see how Dubrovnik changed its role from street to street.

One especially memorable location for many fans is the route connected with Cersei’s Walk of Shame, often called the Shame stairs. The experience is more effective when the guide presents the screen image beside the actual steps. It gives you a better sense of how the scene was staged without requiring a long lecture.

The walking route also has value for anyone in your group who is only a casual fan. Guides have included local stories and general information about Dubrovnik, so companions do not need to know every character or plotline to enjoy the outing. Still, the show is the focus, and serious fans will get the most from the scene-by-scene detail.

The boat to Lokrum and the City of Qarth

The final part takes you by boat to Lokrum Island. The return boat ticket is listed separately at 30 euros per person, so include it in your budget. Boat seating is not assigned. You take available seats on a first-come, first-served basis.

Lokrum played the City of Qarth, giving the tour a change of mood after the crowded stone streets. The island portion lasts about 45 minutes as part of the guided experience, though you can stay afterward for as long as you like.

The main attraction is the Lokrum Visitor Center and its Iron Throne. The photo opportunity is simple but effective: after spending the morning seeing fictional locations around Dubrovnik, you finish with a direct Game of Thrones souvenir. It is also a good reason to keep your phone charged.

Lokrum offers more than the throne. You can swim, eat at one of two restaurants, or grab something at the snack bar. Bring swimwear if you want to make the island a longer outing. Check the final boat departure before settling in, since overnight stays are not available on Lokrum.

Weather and boat availability matter here. A poor-weather cancellation can remove the island section, and one reported version of the experience had the Lokrum portion canceled because a boat was unavailable. In that situation, you may find yourself completing the Game of Thrones walk and handling the island independently. This is the biggest uncertainty in an otherwise clearly planned day.

What the guides add to the experience

The guide can make or break a filming-location tour. Here, the strongest versions depend on a guide who enjoys the material rather than simply reciting names and dates.

Femi receives special mention for being local and having worked as a Game of Thrones extra. That combination gives her a useful perspective on both the production and Dubrovnik’s response to the show. Marko is described as funny, friendly, and especially strong on filming details and actor stories. Roko has been praised for organization and for adding local history to the television material.

Other named guides include Darko, Michaela, Mikayla, and Sonja. The consistent strengths associated with these guides are enthusiasm, clear English, personal attention, and an ability to keep the walk interactive. Your exact guide is not guaranteed, so book this for the format and subject rather than for one specific person.

The scene images are important. Without them, several Old Town locations might look like ordinary historic streets. With them, you can match the camera angle and understand what changed between real life and the finished episode.

Price, extra costs, and overall value

The advertised price is $42.33 per person. That covers local taxes and a professional local guide, but not the Red Keep admission, the Lokrum boat, food, drinks, lunch, or hotel transportation.

For a three-hour guided activity in Dubrovnik, the base price is fair, especially if you want a fan-focused guide and a group setting. The extras are substantial, though. Adding 15 euros for Lovrijenac and 30 euros for the return Lokrum ticket brings the required activity costs to 45 euros per person before food or personal spending.

That makes this less of a $42 experience in practical terms. It is closer to the listed price plus 45 euros if you want both major paid elements. Check the current exchange rate and ticket terms before you commit, since the dollar price and euro charges may not line up neatly.

I still see value in the package because it combines three separate elements: a guided Old Town walk, a fortress visit, and an island trip. You could visit the locations independently, but you would need to research the filming spots and organize the boat yourself. The guide is most useful for the scene comparisons and behind-the-scenes stories.

Timing, pace, and what to bring

The stated duration is approximately three hours, beginning at 9:30 a.m. The exact pace can vary with group size, stairs, photographs, and boat timing. One version of the experience was shorter, so keep your wider Dubrovnik plans flexible rather than scheduling a tight appointment immediately afterward.

You should bring:

• Comfortable walking shoes
• Water for the fortress climb
• Sun protection as needed
• A fully charged phone or camera
• Swimwear if you plan to use Lokrum’s swimming areas
• Money for the fort, boat, food, and drinks

The tour ends at the Lokrum Visitor Center, not back at the original meeting point. That matters when planning your next activity. You can remain on the island, but you must monitor the last boat departure because there are no overnight stays.

The experience requires good weather. If poor weather cancels it, you are offered another date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not met. For ordinary cancellation, you can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time.

Who should book this Dubrovnik tour

I would choose this tour if you want the stories behind the filming locations, not just a quick photo at a famous stairway. It is particularly suited to serious Game of Thrones fans, families with mixed levels of interest, and visitors who want a guide to connect the show with Dubrovnik’s local setting.

It also works well for people who would not otherwise visit Lokrum. The island ticket adds cost, but the boat ride and Iron Throne give the morning a proper finish. The chance to swim or stay longer makes the island useful beyond the guided portion.

I would think twice if stairs are difficult for you, if you dislike group walks, or if you have a firm budget. More than 180 steps to Lovrijenac, Old Town walking, and the additional tickets are not small details. You can tell the guide about mobility limits, but the route remains physically active.

Should you book it?

Book it if Game of Thrones is a major reason you came to Dubrovnik, and you like the idea of pairing filming stories with real local places. The scene photos, Red Keep views, and Iron Throne stop give the tour a clear shape, while the guides add humor and local context.

Skip it if you only want a brief photo stop or a cheap sightseeing walk. The fort admission and Lokrum boat make the real cost higher than the headline price, and weather or boat problems can affect the island portion. For fit fans who plan for those limits, this is a lively and useful way to see Dubrovnik through both television and local life.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

It begins at Experience Dubrovnik and Dubrovnik Tours, Brsalje ul. 2, beside the Amerling fountain and near the Dubravka gift shop in central Dubrovnik.

What time does the tour start?

The stated start time is 9:30 a.m.

Where does the tour end?

It ends at the Lokrum Visitor Center on Lokrum Island, where the Iron Throne is located.

Is Lovrijenac Fortress admission included?

No. Entrance to the Red Keep, or Lovrijenac Fortress, is listed as an additional 15 euros per person.

Is the boat to Lokrum included?

No. The return ticket to Lokrum is listed separately at 30 euros per person.

How much walking is involved?

The tour includes walking through Dubrovnik’s Old Town and climbing more than 180 stairs to Lovrijenac Fortress. A moderate level of physical fitness is recommended.

Can I stay on Lokrum after the guided tour?

Yes. You can remain on the island after the tour, swim, and use the restaurants or snack bar. Check the final boat departure because overnight stays are not available.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You are offered a different date or a full refund. The same choice applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached.