Trsteno Arboretum: Game of Thrones gardens and how to visit

The gardens Olenna Tyrell used as her private council chamber

Trsteno Arboretum is one of the most unexpected places on the Croatian Adriatic coast. Perched above a small village 25 kilometres north-west of Dubrovnik, it was established in 1494 by the Gučetić family of Ragusa as a summer estate garden. The plane trees planted in that era are now among the largest in Europe — with trunks several metres in circumference and canopies that shade the path for what feels like a green tunnel — and the whole garden looks broadly as it did five centuries ago.

This is where Game of Thrones filmed its King’s Landing garden scenes across Seasons 2 through 5. For those scenes, Trsteno was the gardens of the Tyrell family: the place where Olenna and Margaery Tyrell plotted, where Sansa Stark received counsel, and where the political machinations of the capital played out among flowering walks and Renaissance fountains.

The GoT connection brought new visitors to what was already one of Croatia’s finest green spaces. But the arboretum’s interest goes far beyond any television association.

What was filmed here

The arboretum appears most prominently in the following scenes:

Season 2: The opening garden-setting scenes in King’s Landing that establish the Tyrells as players in the capital’s politics. The rose garden walk and the pergola areas along the cliff edge were used for wide establishing shots.

Season 3: The most celebrated scenes here are the extended conversations between Olenna Tyrell (Diana Rigg) and Sansa Stark (Sophie Turner) in the garden. These scenes were filmed in several sections of the arboretum, primarily near the Neptune fountain and along the cliff-edge path with the sea visible behind.

Season 4: Margaery and various characters meeting in the gardens, with the arboretum’s distinctive long walks providing background depth.

Season 5: Garden scenes continued until Trsteno was largely replaced by studio sets for later seasons when the production moved more interior sequences to Belfast.

The location is not signposted specifically for Game of Thrones. Fans identify scenes by matching plant species, stone features, and the Neptune fountain.

The arboretum beyond Game of Thrones

The plane trees. Two enormous oriental plane trees (Platanus orientalis) stand at the entrance to the arboretum, planted according to tradition in 1494. The larger of the two has a circumference of over 10 metres and a canopy that shades most of the entrance plaza. They are genuinely extraordinary specimens and worth the visit alone.

The Renaissance garden layout. The Gučetić family designed the garden in the Italian Renaissance style, with geometric box hedges, a central fountain axis, and terraced levels descending towards the cliff. The bones of this design are still visible despite damage from a fire in 1991 during the Croatian War of Independence.

The Neptune fountain. The baroque Neptune fountain at the garden’s centre is the arboretum’s most photographed feature and appears clearly in multiple GoT scenes. Water channels running from the old aqueduct feed the fountain continuously.

The cliff-edge walk. The garden’s southern edge is a cliff above the Adriatic. A path along the cliff offers views straight down to the sea and back towards Dubrovnik in one direction and towards the Pelješac Peninsula in the other. The combination of mature trees, sea air, and silence makes this one of the more atmospheric walks near Dubrovnik.

The plant collection. The arboretum is managed by the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts and contains around 300 plant species, including many subtropical trees not usually found on the Croatian coast. It is a working botanical collection as well as a historic garden.

Game of Thrones driving tour: Dubrovnik Old Town + Trsteno Arboretum

Getting to Trsteno from Dubrovnik

By car. The drive takes approximately 30–35 minutes via the coastal road (D8) heading north-west. Parking is available at the village. This is the most practical option for a half-day trip.

By bus. Bus 12 departs from Dubrovnik’s main bus station at Gruž and passes through Trsteno. The journey takes about 45–60 minutes. The bus runs only a few times per day, and the schedule is not traveller-friendly — you may have a long wait for the return bus. Check the schedule carefully before committing to this option.

By guided tour. The most convenient option without a car. Several Dubrovnik tour operators offer half-day driving tours that combine the Old Town Game of Thrones locations with Trsteno. The tour handles all transport and gives you guide commentary at both sites. This is especially useful if Trsteno is the specific GoT location you most want to see.

By taxi. A one-way taxi from Dubrovnik to Trsteno costs approximately €30–40. For two or more people, a return taxi booked directly with a driver (ask them to wait) is roughly comparable to a guided tour in cost and more flexible.

The best day trips from Dubrovnik page has more context on reaching sites along the coast without a car.

Combining Trsteno with other Game of Thrones locations

The most natural full-day Game of Thrones itinerary from Dubrovnik combines a morning walk through the Old Town filming locations with an afternoon excursion to Trsteno:

• 8:00–11:30 — Self-guided Old Town walk: Lovrijenac, city walls, Minčeta, St Dominic Street (see the walking map)
• 12:00–13:00 — Lunch in the Old Town or near Gruž
• 13:30–17:00 — Trsteno Arboretum by car, taxi, or guided tour
• Evening — Lokrum ferry for the Iron Throne replica (last ferry approximately 6–7pm depending on season)

The Dubrovnik Game of Thrones 2-day itinerary builds on this structure across two days.

Game of Thrones tour with optional Lokrum Island and Trsteno extension

Practical information

Location: Trsteno village, approximately 25 km north-west of Dubrovnik on the coastal road.

Opening hours: Approximately 8am–7pm in summer; 8am–4pm in winter. Confirm before visiting as hours vary by season.

Entry fee: Approximately €5–8 per person.

Time needed: Allow 2–3 hours to see everything properly, including the cliff walk.

Facilities: A small café and toilets are on site. The village has a couple of restaurants for lunch.

Photography: Permitted throughout. No tripod restrictions.

Accessibility: The main garden paths are suitable for most visitors, but the cliff path and some terraced sections involve steps.

Frequently asked questions about Trsteno Arboretum

Were any interior scenes of the King’s Landing gardens filmed at Trsteno?

All the Trsteno filming used the actual outdoor garden. The interior of the Gučetić manor house was not used for filming. The distinctive features you see on screen — the Neptune fountain, the long walks, the cliff edge — are all outdoor locations.

How much of Trsteno was damaged in 1991?

A significant section of the western garden was destroyed or damaged by fire during the Croatian War of Independence. Restoration work has continued since, and most of the areas used for filming are in good condition. The 500-year-old plane trees were not damaged.

Is Trsteno suitable for children?

Yes. The garden has ample space to explore and the cliff walk is fenced. Children who have watched Game of Thrones will enjoy recognising the locations. The plane trees are a reliable source of wonder for any age.

Can I visit Trsteno and Lokrum on the same day?

It is possible but requires an early start and efficient transport. Trsteno in the morning (ideally by car, leaving Dubrovnik by 9am), back to the Old Town for lunch, then the Lokrum ferry in the afternoon (runs until 6–7pm). This is a full day with little room for delays.

Does Trsteno arboretum feature any Game of Thrones signage or exhibitions?

There is no permanent Game of Thrones exhibition or signage at Trsteno. Fans identify filming locations using their own knowledge. The garden staff are familiar with the GoT connection and can point out the main filming areas informally.

Is there anywhere to eat near Trsteno?

The arboretum café is small and basic. A few restaurants in Trsteno village serve traditional Dalmatian food. The coastal restaurants along the D8 road are generally good quality and offer better choice than the village itself.