Dubrovnik: Game of Thrones Tour & Optional Lokrum Island

King’s Landing begins above the Adriatic. This Dubrovnik Game of Thrones tour blends famous filming locations with the city’s own story, and I like that it starts at Fort Lovrijenac, where sweeping sea views make the setting worthwhile even if you are only a casual fan. I also like the guide-led storytelling, which connects the show’s scenes to Dubrovnik’s 1667 earthquake, medieval defenses, and Renaissance buildings. The main drawback is that the base price does not include the fort entrance, and the Lokrum option requires extra time and a separate ferry arrangement.

For about $28 per person, you get a two to three-hour walk with a licensed local guide, filming-location explanations, and an Iron Throne photo opportunity. Guides such as Katarina, Petra, Indira, Ivan, Dubravka, and Marija have been praised for mixing production details with local history and keeping groups involved. Bring good shoes, though: Dubrovnik’s polished stone streets, steps, and the climb at Lovrijenac can be slippery or tiring.

Key things to know before you book

• Fort Lovrijenac opens the tour with the best view: The clifftop fortress looks over Pile Bay, used as Blackwater Bay in the series.
• The Old Town works as both film set and real city: You will pass Stradun, the Franciscan Monastery, Rector’s Palace, the Cathedral, and other historic sites.
• The Jesuit Steps recreate the Walk of Shame: This is one of the clearest photo stops on the route.
• Lokrum changes the outing into a half-day or full-day plan: The ferry takes about 10 minutes, and the island offers swimming, walks, cafés, gardens, and the Iron Throne.
• The Dubrovnik Pass can save money: A valid DU Pass includes entry to Fort Lovrijenac, helping offset the separate €15 fort fee.
• Small groups make the storytelling better: Several bookings had only a handful of people, allowing more questions, photos, and flexibility.

Starting beside Pile Gate at Nautika Restaurant

Meet at the entrance of Nautika Restaurant on Brsalje ul. 3, near Pile Gate. This is a practical starting point because Pile is the main western entrance to Dubrovnik’s Old Town, and it puts you close to the first major stop.

The guide may first point out the Aphrodite and Pan statue before leading you toward the fortress. This short opening walk helps set the scene without wasting time on a long transfer. You are already at the edge of the old city, where the stone walls, sea, and steep rock immediately explain why Dubrovnik made such a convincing King’s Landing.

The tour is offered in English or Croatian. Guides use questions, scene comparisons, and printed images to keep the walk active. Katarina, in particular, was praised for asking about each group’s familiarity with the show and for using images to place filmed scenes beside the real locations. That approach helps if one person in your group is a devoted fan and another has barely watched an episode.

Fort Lovrijenac, the first major payoff

Fort Lovrijenac is the tour’s most important paid stop. It sits outside the western walls on a high rock and was built as a defensive position above the sea. From here, you get broad views of Dubrovnik’s walls, Pile Bay, and the open Adriatic.

The fortress carries much of the Game of Thrones connection, but it is not merely a backdrop. The guide explains how the structure was used during filming and points out the angles that became part of King’s Landing. Several guides also share behind-the-scenes stories about production, set changes, filming mistakes, and the practical challenge of working in a historic city.

You need to budget €15 for the entrance fee unless you have a valid Dubrovnik Pass. The DU Pass can also cover other Dubrovnik sights, so it may be a smart purchase if you plan to visit more museums, walls, or historic buildings during your stay. Do the arithmetic before buying it, but do not assume the tour price covers the fort.

This section involves stairs and uneven footing. The activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, and even fit visitors should wear shoes with a firm grip. In hot weather, the exposed stone and uphill approach can feel demanding. Guides such as Katarina have been praised for stopping in shaded areas and adjusting the pace, but you should still carry water and sun protection.

Blackwater Bay at Pile Pier

After Lovrijenac, the group returns toward Pile Bay. The pier is instantly recognizable to fans as Blackwater Bay, and it gives you one of the tour’s easiest photo opportunities.

The location works because Dubrovnik’s setting needs little decoration. The sea, fortress, and old walls provide the drama. Your guide can explain how the show framed the area and how the real geography fits the fictional city.

This is also a good point for less committed fans. You are not simply being shown a television prop or a temporary set. You are seeing one of Dubrovnik’s most attractive waterfront viewpoints, with a clear connection to the city’s defensive past.

Walking Stradun through Dubrovnik’s Old Town

The route enters the UNESCO-listed Old Town through Pile Gate, then follows the main streets toward Stradun. The broad limestone street is Dubrovnik’s central pedestrian route, lined with historic buildings and busy with everyday city life.

The Game of Thrones details are the hook, but the Old Town story gives the walk weight. Your guide discusses the 1667 earthquake and the rebuilding that shaped the city’s Renaissance appearance. You also pass the Large Onofrio’s Fountain, Orlando’s Column, the Church of St. Blaise, Rector’s Palace, the Franciscan Monastery, and the Cathedral.

The tour does not give you a full interior visit to every building. Most are viewed from outside as you move through the streets. That keeps the schedule moving, but it means you should not book this expecting a museum tour or a walk on Dubrovnik’s famous walls. The focus is the connection between filming locations and the city itself.

I like this part because it prevents the experience from becoming a single-theme photo hunt. Guides including Ivan and Dubravka have added restaurant suggestions and local context, while Indira was praised for balancing show details with the story of Dubrovnik. You get a better sense of why the city was chosen for King’s Landing in the first place.

The streets can become crowded, especially when cruise ships are in port. A morning start may help with heat and congestion, though exact times depend on availability. The old paving can also be slick, particularly on polished stone or narrow side streets. Sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen, and comfortable clothes are sensible rather than optional extras in summer.

The Jesuit Steps and the Walk of Shame

The Jesuit Steps are the tour’s most theatrical stop. Their broad staircase is used for Cersei’s Walk of Shame, and the guide gives you time to take photos and compare the setting with the finished scenes.

The steps are visually impressive even without the television connection. They rise between tightly packed old buildings and create a strong view back into the city. Your guide may use scene images to show what was altered for filming and what remained exactly as you see it.

This is one of the places where the tour can feel crowded. You may need patience for photos, especially at popular times. Still, the stop is well chosen because it combines a memorable show location with a striking piece of Dubrovnik architecture.

Old Port, then the optional ferry to Lokrum

The walking portion leads to the Old Port. From here, people on the Lokrum option take a ferry across to the island. The ride lasts about 10 minutes, so the transfer itself is easy and scenic.

The Lokrum visit is scheduled at the end, which gives you a useful choice. If you only want filming locations, you can choose the walking tour alone. If you want swimming, gardens, sea views, and more time outdoors, add Lokrum.

The ferry cost is included with the selected Lokrum option, but the supplied pricing information also lists ferry tickets at €30 when purchased separately. Check exactly which option you are booking and what is included before paying. Ferry lines can be long, so advance arrangements can make the transition smoother.

Bad weather or another incident can stop the ferry. In that case, the tour ends in the Old Town, and you can still take a photo with an Iron Throne replica. That backup is useful, but it is not the same as visiting Lokrum, so avoid scheduling a tight connection immediately afterward.

Lokrum Island, Qarth, and the Iron Throne

Lokrum is the largest addition to the experience. The island was used as Qarth, and the guide explains its connection to the show while taking you through the site.

This part is less about checking off scenes and more about having free time. You can walk, swim, eat at a café, and enjoy the gardens and sea views. Some bookings turned the island visit into several extra hours, with time for swimming and a walk to the fort. If you want to reach the fort, bring proper shoes because the route includes a long, steep hill in places.

The official HBO Iron Throne is the star photo opportunity. The throne gives you a clear souvenir from the tour, and the queue may be shorter later in the afternoon. However, opening arrangements can change. One booking could not use the throne because it was a holiday, so treat the photo as a planned feature rather than an absolute guarantee on every date.

Lokrum is worth adding if you have enough time. It makes the tour less rushed and gives non-fans something to enjoy. A companion who has never watched Game of Thrones can swim, walk, or relax while you follow the filming stories.

How the guides shape the experience

The guide is the deciding factor in a tour like this. The route itself is easy to find on a map, but the production stories, scene comparisons, local anecdotes, and timing make the difference.

Katarina received especially strong praise for humor, clear explanations, questions, and her ability to include people with different levels of interest. Petra was praised for behind-the-scenes detail and, in some cases, direct connections to the production. Indira was noted for combining Dubrovnik’s past with filming stories, while Ivan was appreciated for a witty approach, local tips, and small-group attention.

Some guides had personal links to filming, including work as an extra or relatives involved in the production. That can add a rare local angle, though the exact guide is not guaranteed when you book. One useful criticism was the lack of earphones and the need for clearer, newer scene images. In a very small group, this may not matter. In a larger group or a noisy Old Town, it could make hearing harder.

The group size is not fixed in the information provided. Several outings were intimate, including groups of four, six, or just a few people. That is ideal for questions and photos, but you should not assume every departure will be private.

Is $28 good value?

The base price is fair for a guided two to three-hour walk, especially because you are getting Fort Lovrijenac, the Old Town route, filming explanations, and a local guide rather than only a list of locations.

The value depends on the extras. Add €15 for the fort unless your DU Pass covers it. Add the Lokrum option if you want the ferry, island guiding, swimming time, and the official throne. The island can easily turn a short tour into a much longer outing, so calculate the value in both money and time.

For a Game of Thrones fan, the combination is strong. You see many of the best-known locations and gain context about how scenes were made. For a casual viewer, the walking tour alone may be enough, since Fort Lovrijenac, Blackwater Bay, Stradun, and the Jesuit Steps are worthwhile Dubrovnik stops in their own right.

You can reserve now and pay later, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Those terms help if your Dubrovnik schedule depends on cruise timing, weather, or a changing ferry plan.

Who should book this Dubrovnik tour?

I would choose the walking tour if you want a guided introduction to Dubrovnik with a strong television theme. It suits first-time visitors who want to see major Old Town sights but prefer a story-driven route to a standard city tour.

Choose the Lokrum option if you can spare several more hours and want a break from stone streets. Pack swimwear, sunscreen, cash, and shoes suitable for hills. The island is especially useful for mixed groups, since fans get filming information while everyone else gets nature, sea views, and free time.

I would be cautious if you have difficulty with stairs, steep climbs, or slippery paving. I would also avoid booking the tour immediately before another fixed activity, since crowds, heat, fort access, and ferry timing can affect the pace.

FAQ

Where does the Game of Thrones tour meet?

Meet at the entrance of Nautika Restaurant on Brsalje ul. 3, near Pile Gate.

How long does the tour last?

The stated duration is two to three hours. The optional Lokrum visit takes place at the end and can extend your outing, especially if you stay to swim, eat, or walk around the island.

Is the Lokrum Island visit included?

Lokrum is optional. Guiding and ferry tickets are included only with the selected Lokrum option.

How long is the ferry ride to Lokrum?

The ferry crossing takes about 10 minutes.

Do I have to pay to enter Fort Lovrijenac?

Yes. The entrance fee is €15 when purchased on site, unless you have a valid DU Pass that includes entry.

Can the Dubrovnik Pass be used for Fort Lovrijenac?

Yes. A valid DU Pass provides free entry to the fort.

Is the Iron Throne photo included?

A photo opportunity on an Iron Throne is included. The official HBO throne is on Lokrum, while an Iron Throne replica remains available in the Old Town if the ferry cannot operate.

What happens if bad weather stops the ferry?

The tour ends in the Old Town, where you can still take a photo on the Iron Throne replica.

What languages are available?

The live tour is offered in English and Croatian.

Is the tour suitable for people with mobility impairments?

No. The route includes steps, uneven and sometimes slippery paving, and the climb to Fort Lovrijenac. The Lokrum fort also requires a long, steep walk.

Should you book it?

Book this if you want Dubrovnik history with a strong Game of Thrones angle, not just a quick collection of photo stops. The best parts are Fort Lovrijenac, Blackwater Bay, the Jesuit Steps, and the guides’ behind-the-scenes stories.

For the strongest value, check the DU Pass before paying the €15 fort fee, then add Lokrum only if you have time for a longer island visit. Fans should choose the combination. Casual viewers can save money with the walking tour alone and still see some of Dubrovnik’s most memorable places.