Legendary Game of Thrones & Lokrum Island Tour

Game of Thrones comes alive in Dubrovnik. This three-hour tour connects familiar scenes with the real places behind them, from the Red Keep at Lovrijenac Fortress to the streets of King’s Landing and the Iron Throne on Lokrum Island. I especially like the scene photos shown at each location and the chance to learn from guides who treat the show as a passion, not just a script.

I also like the easy central meeting point and the relaxed pace. Guides such as Femi, Marko, Roko, Darko, Sonja, and Michaela have been praised for mixing filming stories with local history. The main catch is practical: the fortress has many stairs, and the entrance fees and boat fare are extra, which makes the final cost much higher than the advertised tour price.

Key points to know before you book

• The Red Keep is Lovrijenac Fortress, reached by a substantial flight of stairs and priced separately at 15 EUR per person.
• Lokrum finishes the tour with the Iron Throne, plus time for swimming, food, and exploring if you stay after the guided portion.
• Scene comparisons make the tour work, since guides show images from the series beside the real Dubrovnik locations.
• The guides are the star of the experience, with several praised for personal GoT knowledge, local stories, humor, and even work as show extras.
• The advertised price does not include Lokrum transport, listed at 30 EUR per person for a return boat ticket.
• Weather and boat availability matter, and some departures have ended without the Lokrum portion.

Why Dubrovnik works so well as King’s Landing

Dubrovnik is not merely a backdrop for this tour. Its stone walls, narrow lanes, steep stairways, sea views, and old fortifications give the show’s capital city a convincing sense of place. The tour helps you see how production teams turned familiar corners into royal gates, prison steps, palace approaches, and scenes of public punishment.

You begin beside the Amerling Fountain at Brsalje 2, near the Dubravka gift shop. This is a useful meeting point because it sits close to central Dubrovnik and near the route toward Lovrijenac Fortress. The start time is 9:30 a.m., so you should arrive a little early and look for the Experience Dubrovnik and Dubrovnik Tours office.

The group can include up to 30 people. That is not a tiny private walk, but it is still small enough for a guide to address the group and keep everyone together. If you want the best view of the guide’s screen or scene photos, stay near the front.

The show focus attracts dedicated fans, but you do not need to know every family tree in Westeros. The best guides also explain Dubrovnik itself, local reactions to the production, and the difference between what you see on screen and what was actually filmed. That wider context keeps the tour useful for a companion who has only watched a few episodes.

Lovrijenac Fortress and the Red Keep

Lovrijenac Fortress is the tour’s big visual reward. In Game of Thrones, it became the Red Keep, home of the ruling family and the setting for several important scenes. In real life, it sits above the sea on a rocky rise outside the western edge of the old city.

Before heading upward, the guide shows scenes filmed near the base. This is a smart introduction because you can compare the production’s camera angles with the real setting before tackling the steps.

The climb deserves honest warning. The official description says there are stairs, but one unhappy account counted more than 180 steps and reported that two people could not complete the full route. The pace is described as relaxed, and the guide can adjust the experience if you explain your limits, but this is still a walking tour with a real climb.

Once you reach the fortress, the payoff is not only for GoT fans. You get a broad view toward Dubrovnik’s old walls and the sea, making this one of the best spots for photographs during the walk. The fort’s position also helps explain why it worked so well as a royal stronghold on screen.

The entrance ticket is not included. The stated price is 15 EUR per person for the Red Keep, so bring extra money or arrange your budget before arriving. If you have limited mobility, tell the guide in advance rather than waiting until the group is already climbing.

Walking through the old city as King’s Landing

After the fortress, the tour moves into Dubrovnik’s old city for about 45 minutes. This section is less about one grand attraction and more about spotting the many ordinary-looking corners that became important television locations.

Your guide uses still images from the series to show how the set was altered. A staircase can become a place of public humiliation. A quiet lane can turn into a tense royal passage. A familiar wall can look completely different once costumes, extras, props, and camera angles are added.

The Walk of Shame stairs are a major stop for fans. You can also hear about the setting where Joffrey met his end, along with other locations used around King’s Landing. The fun comes from seeing how much the show reshaped the city without removing its basic stonework and layout.

This part involves plenty of walking on old paving and through streets where stairs appear whenever you leave the main route. Wear firm shoes and expect to move at a steady pace. The tour is not designed as a museum lecture, so the guide typically keeps the group moving while adding short stories at each location.

The strongest guides give you more than filming trivia. Femi was praised for local knowledge and for having worked as an extra on the show. Marko was repeatedly described as funny, personable, and full of behind-the-scenes detail. Roko was praised for adding local stories alongside the GoT material. These details matter because a good guide turns a list of locations into a shared conversation.

Lokrum Island and the Iron Throne

The final portion takes you across the water to Lokrum Island, the setting used for the fictional city of Qarth. The boat ride adds a pleasant change after the uphill walking and tight old-city streets. It also gives you a fresh view of Dubrovnik from the water.

The tour ends at the Lokrum Visitor Center, where the Iron Throne is located. This is the classic photo opportunity, and for many fans it is the emotional finish. You can sit on the throne, take photographs, and mark the moment without needing a full day at a theme park or studio attraction.

The tour description allows you to remain on Lokrum after the guided visit. That flexibility adds real value if you want to swim, eat, or walk around the island at your own pace. Two restaurants and a snack bar are available, but food and drinks are not part of the tour price. Pack swimwear if you may want a dip.

Pay close attention to the last boat back. Overnight stays are not available on Lokrum, so you should not treat the island as an open-ended stop. The boat seats are unassigned and offered on a first-come, first-served basis, which means arriving early helps if you care where you sit.

The return ticket to Lokrum is listed separately at 30 EUR per person. That is a significant addition to the $42.33 tour price. It also explains why you should compare the headline price with the actual total before booking. Add the fortress ticket and boat fare, and this becomes a much more expensive half-day outing.

There is also a risk outside your control. Bad weather can cancel the experience, and boat availability has caused the Lokrum portion to be missed on some departures. In that situation, you may end up doing only the Dubrovnik walking section or arranging your own visit to the island.

The guides make or break the experience

This is a guide-led experience, so the person holding the group’s attention matters more than the printed route. The most praised guides bring three things: strong show knowledge, clear storytelling, and a friendly way of handling a mixed group.

Femi’s work as a Game of Thrones extra gives her an unusual connection to the production. That kind of personal experience can add color to stories about filming and actors. Marko has been praised for humor and a warm manner, while Roko received credit for keeping the tour organized and adding Croatian history. Darko was described as funny and well informed, and Sonja was recommended for both show material and local history.

You should not assume you will get a particular guide. Names can change by date and availability. Still, the pattern is clear: the experience succeeds when the guide treats Dubrovnik as more than a collection of filming points.

The best guides also keep nonfans included. The show becomes a doorway into the city’s fortifications, streets, and local culture. If your group includes a reluctant companion, the history and views may be just as valuable as the screen connections.

Price, timing, and what you really receive

At $42.33 per person, the advertised tour price covers the local guide and local taxes. It does not cover the Red Keep admission, the return boat to Lokrum, food, drinks, lunch, or hotel pickup and drop-off.

That means the tour’s value depends on what you want from it. If you are a serious fan and would visit the filming locations anyway, having a guide connect the scenes can save you from researching each spot yourself. The visual comparisons and behind-the-scenes anecdotes are the main reason to pay for the organized walk.

If you are mainly seeking a cheap way to reach Lokrum, this is less attractive. The boat ticket alone adds 30 EUR, and the fortress adds another 15 EUR. You are paying for interpretation and organization, not simply transportation.

The total duration is about three hours, though one account described a shorter two-hour version. Allow extra time if you intend to stay on Lokrum, eat there, swim, or explore. The scheduled meeting time is 9:30 a.m., and the end point is on the island rather than back in central Dubrovnik.

The tour is usually booked well ahead, with an average booking lead time of about 33 days. That does not guarantee that every date sells out, but it is a useful signal for anyone visiting during the busy season. If your schedule is fixed, book early and check the final departure details.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Poor weather or an insufficient number of bookings can also lead to cancellation, in which case you are offered another date, another experience, or a full refund.

Who should take this tour

I would choose this tour if you want the stories behind the locations rather than a self-guided list of places. It suits GoT fans who enjoy scene details, production anecdotes, and a photo on the Iron Throne.

It also works for families and mixed-interest groups. The route includes major Dubrovnik sights, sea views from Lovrijenac, local history, and a short island outing. A companion who is not a superfan may still enjoy the fortress and Lokrum, provided the walking and extra fees are clear.

You should think twice if stairs are difficult for you. The route includes the climb to Lovrijenac and additional steps around Dubrovnik’s old city. You can tell the guide if you cannot reach the top, but the tour’s main experience is built around walking.

I would also avoid booking it as your only Lokrum plan if the island is your priority. Boat problems and bad weather can remove that portion, and the cost is not small. Treat the island as a valuable extra, not an absolute guarantee.

Smart tips for a smoother morning

Wear comfortable shoes with good grip. The route includes old streets, stairs, and the fortress climb, and the walking is more demanding than the three-hour duration may suggest.

Bring water, sun protection, and a little extra money for both admissions and refreshments. If swimming appeals to you, pack a bathing suit because the tour can leave you on Lokrum after the guided portion.

Arrive early at Brsalje 2. The guide needs to gather the group before moving toward the fortress, and a central meeting point is easier to find when you are not rushing.

Ask about the day’s Lokrum arrangements at the beginning. Confirm whether the boat ticket is being handled as part of the group and when the return boat is expected. Since seats are not numbered, early boarding gives you more choice.

If anyone in your party has trouble with stairs, contact the operator at least a day before the tour. The guide may be able to adjust the pace or explain which parts can be skipped, but that conversation is much easier before the group sets off.

Should you book the Dubrovnik GoT and Lokrum tour?

Book it if you want a lively, guide-led look at Dubrovnik’s filming sites, especially if behind-the-scenes stories matter as much as photographs. The strongest part is the combination of scene images, real locations, local history, and guides who clearly enjoy the subject.

Skip it if you want a low-cost island transfer, a short accessible walk, or a guaranteed Lokrum visit in uncertain weather. The extra 45 EUR for the fortress and boat can change the value calculation quickly.

For a prepared GoT fan who is comfortable with stairs, this is a strong way to connect the series with the real city. Just budget for the add-ons, wear proper shoes, and keep your Lokrum plans flexible.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

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

What time does the tour start?

The scheduled 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.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately three hours. One account described a two-hour version, so you should allow additional time if you stay on Lokrum afterward.

Is the Lovrijenac Fortress ticket included?

No. The Red Keep, represented by Lovrijenac Fortress, costs an additional 15 EUR per person.

Is the Lokrum boat ticket included?

No. The listed return ticket to Lokrum costs an additional 30 EUR per person.

Are boat seats assigned?

No. Boat seats are not numbered and are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Can I stay on Lokrum after the tour?

Yes. You can remain on the island afterward for swimming, food, or additional exploring. Check the last boat departure because overnight stays are not available.

Is the tour physically difficult?

You should have a moderate fitness level. The route includes walking through Dubrovnik and stairs to Lovrijenac Fortress. One account reported more than 180 steps to the fort.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience can be canceled because it requires good weather. You will be offered another date or a full refund.

What is included in the tour price?

The price includes local taxes and a local professional guide. Food, drinks, lunch, entrance tickets, boat transport, and hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.