Dubrovnik: The Original Game of Thrones Tour & Lokrum Option

King’s Landing is Dubrovnik in disguise. This original Game of Thrones tour turns the Old Town into a walk-through film set, linking famous scenes with Dubrovnik’s own past. I like the way guides such as Tihomir, Jelena, Joseph, Eddie, and Karmen blend show trivia with local stories, so the tour works even if your knowledge of Westeros is a little rusty. I also like the practical use of scene photographs and camera angles, which helps you see why an ordinary stairway or city gate looked so dramatic on screen. The main drawback is cost beyond the advertised $26: Lovrijenac Fortress and the Lokrum option require extra payment.

The basic walk lasts about two hours and covers the Old Town, Pile Gate, Stradun, the Jesuit Stairs, and the fort used as the Red Keep. The three-hour version adds Lokrum Island, Qarth filming sites, and a chance to sit on the official replica Iron Throne. You should be comfortable with steps, uneven streets, and a short ferry ride if you choose the island.

The key details at a glance

• Cersei’s Walk of Shame: Follow the route used for one of the series’ most memorable scenes, with photos showing how the production framed it.
• Lovrijenac Fortress: See the real-world Red Keep above the sea, with excellent views and a separate €15 entrance fee unless your Dubrovnik Pass or City Walls ticket covers it.
• Lokrum’s Iron Throne: The extended tour includes the official Iron Throne on Lokrum, plus time for swimming, gardens, shade, or a meal.
• Two useful tour lengths: Choose a focused two-hour Old Town walk or a three-hour version with Lokrum Island.
• Local guides make the difference: Guides including Tihomir, Joseph, Jelena, Eddie, and Karmen are praised for humor, clear explanations, and strong knowledge of both Dubrovnik and the show.
• Meeting point made simple: Look for the red umbrella by Large Onofrio’s Fountain, next to the Hard Rock Cafe.

Why Dubrovnik makes such a good King’s Landing

Dubrovnik does not need much help looking cinematic. Its stone walls, narrow lanes, sea views, steep stairways, and grand entrances already have the stern beauty that Game of Thrones needed for King’s Landing. The tour gives those familiar sights a second layer, showing you where production crews placed actors and cameras.

That is the real value here. You are not only ticking off filming locations. You are learning how a working Croatian city became a fictional capital, and how streets used every day were adapted for riots, royal ceremonies, political plotting, and public punishment.

The strongest guides keep the balance right. They explain the scenes, then connect them to Dubrovnik’s buildings and civic spaces. Several guides are praised for adding local history without letting the television material disappear under a lecture.

If you have never watched the series, you can still enjoy the architecture and views. The tour is also a handy introduction to the Old Town because it moves through several major places in a short time.

Starting at Large Onofrio’s Fountain and Pile Gate

Your meeting point is Large Onofrio’s Fountain, beside the Hard Rock Cafe. Find the representative with a red umbrella. This is a busy part of Dubrovnik, so the bright marker matters, especially if you are arriving during a crowded period.

From there, the walk heads toward Pile Gate, one of the Old Town’s grand entrances. In the show, this area helped create the sense of entering King’s Landing. In real life, it is a useful orientation point, giving you an immediate feel for Dubrovnik’s walls, stone streets, and compact layout.

The guide uses photographs from the series to place scenes in context. That makes a big difference. Without them, you may recognize a general location but miss the exact corner, stairway, or camera position that appeared on screen.

Pile Gate is also a reminder that the tour takes place in a living city, not a preserved studio set. People pass through, shops operate, and the Old Town continues its daily work around the fantasy world.

Lovrijenac Fortress, the Red Keep above the sea

Lovrijenac is one of the tour’s major highlights. The fortress sits outside the main Old Town walls on a rocky rise and was used as the Red Keep. Its setting gives you the sort of broad coastal view that television producers love, while the thick stone walls provide an imposing backdrop for court intrigue.

The guided visit explains where Tyrion and Varys plotted and schemed. You also get scenic views on the way, making this part worthwhile even if your Game of Thrones memory has faded.

The entrance is not included in the $26 tour price. It costs €15 per person, while children under seven enter free. You can avoid that separate fee if you hold a valid City Walls ticket from the same day or previous day, or a Dubrovnik Pass.

This is an important budget detail. If you already plan to walk Dubrovnik’s city walls, the fort may fit neatly into your sightseeing costs. If you are buying the tour alone, add €15 before deciding if the package still suits your budget.

The climb and fortress access involve steps. You should also think twice if you have vertigo or a strong fear of heights, since the setting and views may feel uncomfortable rather than enjoyable.

Stradun and the streets of King’s Landing

The route continues through Stradun, Dubrovnik’s main street. Its polished limestone surface and long, straight view make it one of the city’s easiest places to recognize from photographs, but the guide adds the film connection.

Here, you get a sense of how the production used Dubrovnik’s scale. A short stretch of street could become part of a much larger fictional city once costumes, extras, set dressing, and camera angles were added.

The walking pace is generally manageable. The tour lasts about two hours, and the route includes several stops rather than one long talk while moving. Guides have been praised for keeping the experience lively, with humor and clear explanations rather than a constant stream of dates and names.

I would still wear comfortable shoes. Dubrovnik’s stone paving can be hard underfoot, and the route includes stairs later in the walk.

Orlando’s Column, the markets, and the Purple Wedding

Orlando’s Column is another stop tied to the show and to Dubrovnik’s central public spaces. The guide points out locations linked with the Purple Wedding, market scenes, and other moments around King’s Landing.

These stops are useful because they show the range of locations selected by the production. Not every filming site is a fortress or a dramatic viewpoint. Some are ordinary civic spaces that became memorable through costumes, crowd scenes, and editing.

The tour also gives you a better sense of how Dubrovnik’s central streets connect. You move from the main avenue to smaller passages and public squares, gradually building a mental map of the Old Town.

If you enjoy behind-the-scenes details, pay close attention when the guide explains camera positions. Several highly praised guides are valued not just for naming a filming site, but for showing how the shot was made and where cast members stood or walked.

The Jesuit Stairs and Cersei’s Walk of Shame

The Jesuit Stairs are one of the most recognizable locations on the walk. They were used for Cersei’s Walk of Shame, and the steep steps give you a powerful sense of the scene’s physical setting.

The guide helps you compare the real place with the televised version. Scene photographs are especially useful here because they let you see the angle, framing, and changes made for filming.

This is also one of the tour’s less comfortable sections for anyone with mobility problems. The Old Town has many stairs, and the experience is specifically not recommended for wheelchair users, mobility scooter users, pregnant women, or people with mobility impairments. Respiratory issues may also make the climbs difficult.

The steps are surrounded by attractive streets, restaurants, and market activity, so you can return later if you want a slower look. Some visitors use this area as a convenient place to eat after the tour.

The Lokrum option: Qarth, gardens, and the Iron Throne

The extended tour adds a 15-minute ferry ride to Lokrum Island. In Season 2, Lokrum helped represent Qarth, giving the production a very different setting from the stone streets of Dubrovnik.

Lokrum brings more breathing room into the experience. After the guided portion, you have free time to stroll through botanical gardens, find shade, swim in hidden coves, or stop for a drink or lunch. You can return to Dubrovnik at your own pace after the island visit.

The official replica Iron Throne is the main fan attraction. You can sit on it and take photographs, which is more satisfying than simply looking at a plaque or a location from behind a barrier.

The island option is not just for dedicated fans. If you have only a short time in Dubrovnik, it combines a film-location tour with a little outdoor time. That said, it changes the character of the outing. The two-hour walk is focused and efficient. The three-hour version is slower and includes transport, admission, and free time.

The ferry ticket and Lokrum admission are not included. The combined cost is €30 for adults and €5 for children aged five to 17. A three-day Dubrovnik Pass gives you 20 percent off the Lokrum ferry, while a seven-day pass gives you 30 percent off.

Food and drinks are also your responsibility. Plan accordingly if you want to eat on the island rather than return to Dubrovnik.

How the two options compare

The two-hour walking tour is the better choice if you want the main filming sites without extra planning. It covers Pile Gate, Lovrijenac, Stradun, Orlando’s Column, the Jesuit Stairs, the Walk of Shame route, markets, and streets connected with King’s Landing scenes.

It is also the sensible option for a cruise stop or a tightly planned day. You get the main story, the local setting, and the fortress without committing to a ferry and island visit.

The three-hour Lokrum tour makes more sense if you want the Iron Throne and a relaxed break outdoors. It gives you more than a standard city walk, but the added costs are substantial. Check the ferry and island admission before booking, especially if you are traveling with children or several adults.

The extended option may also suit you if you have already seen Dubrovnik’s main streets and want a different setting. Lokrum provides time away from the Old Town’s stone lanes and crowds.

The guides are the main strength

The tour’s high rating, 4.8 from more than 5,000 bookings, fits the pattern of praise for the guides. The most consistent compliments focus on clear storytelling, humor, patience, and the ability to connect the show with Dubrovnik itself.

Tihomir is repeatedly singled out for being entertaining, patient, and well prepared. Joseph is praised for making the tour funny and easy to follow. Jelena receives strong marks for her clear, engaging delivery, while Eddie is valued for humor and detailed knowledge of both the city and filming.

Karmen is also praised for being friendly, informative, and generous with photo opportunities. In low season, a booked group may even become a private tour, as happened for one December visitor.

A private group is available if you want a more personal format. The standard experience is in English, with a live guide.

Price, timing, and practical value

At $26 per person, the two-hour tour is fairly priced for a guided walk through several major Dubrovnik locations. You are paying for local interpretation, scene photographs, and a route that connects places you could visit independently but might not identify on your own.

The value is strongest if you want both Game of Thrones material and an introduction to Dubrovnik. It is weaker if you only want to photograph the streets and are happy researching locations yourself.

Remember the possible additions:

• Lovrijenac Fortress costs €15 unless covered by a Dubrovnik Pass or City Walls ticket.
• The Lokrum option adds €30 for adults or €5 for children aged five to 17 for the round-trip ferry and island admission.
• Food and drinks are not included.

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and you can reserve now while paying later. Starting times vary, so check availability for your date.

Who should book this experience?

I would choose this tour if you watched Game of Thrones and want the real places explained properly, rather than simply collecting photographs. It is also a good fit if you want a short guided introduction to Dubrovnik’s Old Town.

You do not need to be a superfan. The strongest part of the experience is the mix of filming details, local stories, and city views. One guide even received praise for making the tour enjoyable for someone who had not watched the series.

I would skip it if stairs are a serious concern, if you use a wheelchair or mobility scooter, or if heights and motion sickness are likely to spoil the day. The fortress and ferry option add physical and financial demands.

Should you book the Dubrovnik Game of Thrones tour?

Yes, especially if you want a well-paced two-hour walk with a guide who can show you exactly how Dubrovnik became King’s Landing. Choose the basic option for the best value and simplest schedule.

Add Lokrum if sitting on the official Iron Throne matters to you, or if you want swimming, gardens, and free time after the walking tour. Just budget the extra €30 for adults and check how the ferry discount works with your Dubrovnik Pass.

The best booking tip is simple: if you plan to visit the City Walls, do that on the same day or the previous day so Lovrijenac entry can be free. Meet by the red umbrella at Large Onofrio’s Fountain, wear shoes suited to stone steps, and let the guide handle the story.

FAQ

How long does the Dubrovnik Game of Thrones tour last?

You can choose a two-hour walking tour or a three-hour version that includes Lokrum Island.

What is included in the basic tour?

The tour includes an English-speaking guide, the Game of Thrones walking tour, and a photo opportunity on a replica Iron Throne.

Is Lovrijenac Fortress included in the tour price?

No. Entrance costs €15 per person. Entry is free for children under seven and for visitors with a valid City Walls ticket or Dubrovnik Pass.

How much does the Lokrum option cost?

The ferry and Lokrum Island admission are not included. They cost €30 for adults and €5 for children aged five to 17.

Does a Dubrovnik Pass reduce the Lokrum ferry price?

Yes. A three-day Dubrovnik Pass gives 20 percent off the Lokrum ferry, while a seven-day pass gives 30 percent off.

Where does the tour meet?

Meet at Large Onofrio’s Fountain, next to the Hard Rock Cafe. Look for a representative holding a red umbrella.

Is the tour available in English?

Yes. The tour has a live English-speaking guide.

Is the tour suitable for people with mobility issues?

It may not be suitable because the route includes steps and stairs. It is not recommended for wheelchair users, mobility scooter users, or people with mobility impairments.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.