Dubrovnik Game of Thrones Tour & Optional Lokrum Island Visit

King’s Landing is closer than you think. This two to three-hour walking tour links Dubrovnik’s most famous Game of Thrones filming sites with local stories, filming details, and fine views over the Old Town. I like the clear route, which saves you from hunting for locations on your own, and I like that the guides add Dubrovnik history instead of treating the city as one large TV set. The main catch is the climb to Fort Lovrijenac, plus an extra €15 entrance fee unless you have a Dubrovnik Pass or City Wall Ticket.

The tour begins beside the Large Onofrio Fountain, near the Hard Rock Cafe and Pile Gate. You meet a guide carrying a red umbrella marked Dubrovnik Walking Tours, then walk through and outside the Old Town. The base price is $24.19 per person, which is fair for a guided outing of this length, but you should budget more if you want to enter the fort or continue to Lokrum Island.

Key points to know before you book

• Fort Lovrijenac is the physical high point: The fortress represents the Red Keep and gives you some of the best views of Dubrovnik and the sea.
• The Walk of Shame staircase is the final Old Town highlight: The Church of St. Ignatius of Loyola provides the tour’s most recognizable photo stop.
• You see real filming locations, not just screen grabs: Pile Gate, Kolorina Beach, the West Harbour, and several Old Town lanes all played parts in the series.
• Guides add local context: Guides such as Jelena, Joseph, Ana, Edi, Ivica, and Josip have been praised for mixing show trivia with Dubrovnik history and humor.
• The Lokrum upgrade changes the length and cost: The island option adds a ferry ride, an Iron Throne photo opportunity, and the Qarth filming setting.
• Comfortable shoes matter: There are many steps, especially on the way to Lovrijenac, and the route is not a flat stroll.

Starting beside the Large Onofrio Fountain

The meeting point is easy to find inside Dubrovnik’s Old Town, beside the Large Onofrio Fountain at Poljana Paska Miličevića. Look for the red umbrella with the Dubrovnik Walking Tours sign. This is a practical starting place because Pile Gate, the main western entrance, is only a short walk away.

The tour is offered in English and accepts mobile tickets. The advertised maximum is 70 people, so the group can be fairly large. Group size may affect how easily you hear and how many questions you can ask. One particularly useful detail from the tour experience is that guides may split a group in half and use audio equipment to keep the commentary clear.

That approach matters in Dubrovnik, where narrow lanes, stone walls, and passing foot traffic can make a large walking group awkward. You should still expect some waiting at busy spots, especially around Pile Gate and the popular staircase near the church.

The route lasts about two hours without Lokrum, though the overall experience is described as two to three hours. Pace depends on the group, the fort visit, and the time spent taking photos. The guide usually keeps the walk moving while pausing for scene comparisons and questions.

Pile Gate and the first King’s Landing scenes

Pile Gate is an excellent first stop because it immediately connects Dubrovnik’s real defensive entrance with the show’s version of King’s Landing. Here, the guide points out scenes from Seasons 2 and 3 involving King Joffrey, the starving crowd, and Jaime Lannister’s return to the city with Brienne of Tarth.

The value of this stop comes from seeing how much the production relied on the existing city. The gate, drawbridge, stone walls, and tight approach already look like a place where power and public anger might collide. With a guide, you can compare the real view with images from the show rather than trying to remember every scene from memory.

If you have not watched Game of Thrones, this stop still works as a quick introduction to Dubrovnik’s fortifications and urban layout. The tour does not depend entirely on obscure plot details. Several guides, including Ana and Joseph, have been praised for making the walk enjoyable for people who knew the series well and people who had not watched it.

Kolorina Beach, the docks of King’s Landing

From Pile Gate, you walk under the drawbridge toward Kolorina, a small coastal area used for several important scenes. It represents the docks of King’s Landing, including the departure of Myrcella for Dorne and scenes involving Joffrey, Cersei, Tyrion, and Sansa.

The location also connects with the storyline about the Gold Cloaks and King Robert Baratheon’s bastards. The guide explains how one compact stretch of shoreline became several different places on screen. That is one of the more useful parts of the tour, since the production often changed the apparent setting through camera angle, costumes, and story context.

Kolorina is also a reminder that Dubrovnik’s filming locations are not confined to the polished heart of the Old Town. The route steps outside the walls and shows you the coastal edges that helped create the look of Blackwater Bay and King’s Landing.

Allow about 10 minutes here. You will likely spend part of that time listening and part taking photos. The stop is short, but it helps you understand how the city’s harbor areas fit into the show.

The West Harbour and Blackwater Bay

The walk continues to Dubrovnik’s West Harbour, where the guide discusses scenes linked with Blackwater Bay, wildfire, Sansa Stark, and Shae. The pier conversation between Sansa and Shae, followed by Littlefinger’s appearance, is one of the locations covered here.

This stop is especially good for learning about filming tricks. The real harbor is much easier to understand when you see the exact angle used for a scene. Guides often bring photos from the series to show what the camera captured and what remained outside the frame.

I also like this part of the tour because it slows the focus from palace intrigue and famous characters to the physical work of filming. A harbor, a wall, and a pier can be reused for different storylines when the camera is placed carefully.

The stop takes about 15 minutes and leads toward the steep climb to Fort Lovrijenac. If you have limited mobility or dislike stairs, this is the moment to assess your energy. The tour includes several stair sections, and the fort is not optional if you want the full route experience.

Fort Lovrijenac, the Red Keep above the sea

Fort Lovrijenac is the centerpiece of the walking tour. This massive fortress represents the Red Keep, the seat of royal power in King’s Landing. It was used for exterior scenes and locations connected with the Purple Wedding, King Joffrey’s name-day tourney, and other parts of the Red Keep.

The climb takes effort. One direct comment about the tour called the hike no joke, but also said the views and stories made it worthwhile. Other guide feedback notes that the stairs were manageable, though you should not mistake that for a flat or easy walk.

At the top, the reward is a broad view back toward Dubrovnik’s Old Town and across the water. The setting explains why the producers chose the fortress. It has the hard military outline needed for the Red Keep, while its position above the harbor gives scenes a strong sense of power and exposure.

Admission is not included in the base price. The listed fee is €15 per person, though entry is free with a Dubrovnik Pass or a City Wall Ticket. This changes the value calculation. If you already plan to buy a City Wall Ticket, the tour becomes more attractive because the fort visit may not require another payment.

The guide’s explanations are the main reason to enter with the group instead of seeing the fort alone. You get the filming connection, the scene locations, and the local background together. Keep your ticket budget and water handy, especially in warm weather.

Old Town lanes, riots, brothels, and political plots

After Fort Lovrijenac, the route descends into the Old Town and continues through streets used for scenes after the Purple Wedding, Jaime’s return, Littlefinger’s brothel, and Tyrion’s conversations with Prince Oberyn Martell.

This part can feel less dramatic than the fortress, but it fills in the texture of King’s Landing. Dubrovnik’s streets are compact, enclosed, and easy to transform on camera. A short lane can become part of a chase, a political meeting, or a tense public scene.

The guide also uses these passages to talk about the city itself. That balance is important. A pure fan tour might rush from one screen location to another without helping you understand Dubrovnik. The strongest guides, such as Jelena, Joseph, and Edi, have been praised for adding local history, humor, and stories about how residents experienced the show’s arrival and filming activity.

You should expect about 15 minutes for this section, but it may feel longer if the guide pauses for questions or scene photos. This is a good point to ask about filming logistics, local involvement, and the difference between what appears on screen and what exists around the camera.

The Church of St. Ignatius and Cersei’s Walk of Shame

The staircase outside the Church of St. Ignatius of Loyola is the tour’s most famous photo stop. It represents the route used for Cersei’s Walk of Shame, the public punishment in which she walks naked while a septa rings a bell and calls out Shame.

The staircase is visually powerful because it rises in a long, formal sweep above the surrounding streets. It gives you an immediate connection to the scene, even if you only remember the broad image rather than every detail of the plot.

This is usually the best place to take a photo, but be polite about blocking the steps. The area is also a real religious and public space, not a theme-park prop. A little patience helps when other people are using the staircase.

The stop lasts around 15 minutes. The tour ends in a different location from the fountain, so do not assume you will finish where you started. From here, the route can continue toward Veliki Muo if you have selected the Lokrum option.

Adding Lokrum Island and the Iron Throne

The optional Lokrum extension takes you beyond the Old Town by ferry. The island was used as Qarth in Season 2, and the upgrade includes the locations from the walking tour, ferry transportation, Lokrum admission, and a visit to Dubrovnik’s official Iron Throne.

The island adds a different mood to the experience. The city portion focuses on walls, fortresses, stairs, and tightly packed streets. Lokrum gives the tour a more open natural setting tied to Daenerys Targaryen’s storyline in Qarth.

The extension lasts about 30 minutes once you reach the island, but allow additional time for the ferry and movement between the city and island. The listed round-trip transportation and Lokrum admission cost €30 for adults and €5 for children aged 5 to 17. That is a major extra expense compared with the $24.19 base tour.

I would choose Lokrum if the Iron Throne photo matters to you or if you want a second setting from the series after the Old Town walk. I would skip it if you mainly want the famous Dubrovnik scenes and have limited time. The base tour already covers the strongest city locations, including the Red Keep and Walk of Shame staircase.

How good are the guides?

The guide can make or break a themed walking tour, and this one receives especially strong praise for guide energy and subject knowledge. Names that appear in the tour feedback include Jelena, Joseph, Ana, Edi, Ivica, and Josip.

The repeated strengths are clear: guides explain both Game of Thrones and Dubrovnik, use scene photos, add filming stories, and keep the tone light. Joseph is praised for humor and for explaining filming tricks. Jelena is noted for pausing when needed on the stairs and helping people through the climb. Ana is praised for enthusiasm and local insight.

You should not assume you will receive a particular guide unless your booking confirms it. Still, the consistency of the comments suggests the company has a strong guide team rather than depending on one star performer.

I especially value the local angle. The best part is not simply standing where a character stood. It is hearing how the city was used, how one location became several fictional places, and what filming meant for people living in Dubrovnik.

Price, group size, and practical value

At $24.19 per person, the base tour is reasonably priced for a guided two-hour route through several hard-to-find locations. You are paying for the route, the guide, the explanations, and the time saved by not searching for filming spots yourself.

The fort admission changes the final cost. Add €15 per person unless you have a Dubrovnik Pass or City Wall Ticket. Since Fort Lovrijenac is the strongest stop, I would not judge the tour’s value without including that fee in your budget.

The group maximum of 70 is worth noting. That is a large possible group for a walking tour, though audio guides and group splitting can help. If you want a quiet, highly personal experience, a private tour may suit you better. If you want a social outing and do not mind standing with a crowd, the standard tour offers better value.

Book at least a day ahead if possible. The tour is often reserved about 28 days in advance, which suggests that popular departure times can fill early. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded, and poor weather can lead to a new date or full refund.

Who will enjoy this tour most?

This is an easy choice for serious Game of Thrones fans who want to connect screen scenes with real places. It also suits casual fans because the guide supplies enough context to make the stops understandable without a perfect memory of every season.

You may enjoy it even if you have never watched the show. The route provides a useful introduction to Dubrovnik’s walls, harbor, fortress, and Old Town streets, and several guides have been praised for making the experience work for mixed groups.

I would think twice if stairs are a serious problem, if you want to explore at your own pace, or if you dislike group tours. The fort climb is central to the route, and the group may be large. Wear comfortable shoes, expect steps, and bring money for the fort if your city pass does not cover it.

Should you book the Dubrovnik Game of Thrones tour?

Book it if you want an entertaining route through Dubrovnik with a clear Game of Thrones focus and useful local context. The combination of Pile Gate, the harbor, Fort Lovrijenac, Old Town filming lanes, and the Walk of Shame staircase gives you a solid two-hour introduction to the city’s role in the series.

The base tour is the better value for most people. Add Lokrum if the Iron Throne and Qarth scenes are high on your list, but remember that the island option adds €30 for adults and takes more time.

My practical advice is simple: reserve ahead, wear shoes with a good grip, check if your Dubrovnik Pass covers the fort, and arrive ready for stairs. If those conditions suit you, this is a fun and useful way to see Dubrovnik through both its real past and its most famous fictional identity.

FAQ

Where does the Dubrovnik Game of Thrones tour start?

It starts beside the Large Onofrio Fountain inside Dubrovnik’s Old Town, near the Hard Rock Cafe. Look for the representative holding a red umbrella marked Dubrovnik Walking Tours.

How long does the tour last?

The walking tour lasts about two hours. The full experience takes approximately two to three hours, depending on the option selected. The Lokrum extension adds a ferry ride and about 30 minutes on the island.

Is Fort Lovrijenac included in the tour price?

No. Entrance to St. Lawrence Fortress costs €15 per person. Entry is free with a Dubrovnik Pass or a City Wall Ticket.

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. This applies only when you choose the Lokrum option.

Is the tour suitable for people who have not watched Game of Thrones?

Yes. The route still includes Dubrovnik history and local context, and the guide explains the scenes filmed at each location. You may not catch every plot reference, but the city and fortress remain interesting on their own.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the experience for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded or accepted. If poor weather causes a cancellation, you can receive a different date or a full refund.