Dubrovnik Game of Thrones filming locations in 2 days

King’s Landing in two days: the complete filming locations tour

Dubrovnik stood in for King’s Landing — the capital of Westeros — for eight seasons of Game of Thrones. The match between the show’s medieval vision and the Old Town’s genuinely medieval architecture was so complete that the production returned year after year, until the city became as famous for the series as for its own history.

The locations are not difficult to find; many are labelled and some are overrun. This two-day itinerary covers them all, including the less-visited ones that require a boat to Lokrum and a day trip to Trsteno. It also covers the actual history of the filming locations — because Dubrovnik’s walls and palaces predate Westeros by 700 years, and both stories are worth knowing.

Day 1: King’s Landing — the Old Town filming locations

Morning: the Jesuit Staircase and the shame walk

Start with the most notorious. The Jesuit Staircase (Ignacijeviće stepenice, south side of the Old Town) is where Cersei Lannister’s walk of shame was filmed — a long, steep flight of stone steps descending from the Church of St Ignatius. The steps in the show were lined with a crowd; in reality they lead from the upper town down through a residential neighbourhood.

The Minčeta Tower at the northwest corner of the walls appeared as the exterior of the House of the Undying (Qarth). The tower dates from the 15th century; its distinctive circular form and height above the rest of the walls made it visually distinctive in both contexts.

Game of Thrones driving tour of Dubrovnik filming locations with a specialist guide and behind-the-scenes context

Late morning: the walls as the city walls of King’s Landing

Walk the city walls from the Pile Gate entrance. The walls themselves — particularly the section above the eastern harbour, seen from the sea — formed the visual identity of King’s Landing throughout the series. The view of the walls and towers from outside the city mirrors dozens of arrival shots in the show.

City walls guided tour including Game of Thrones filming context alongside the genuine medieval history

The best GoT views from the walls: looking west from the Fort Bokar section (the fort appears in multiple battle sequences), looking north from the Minčeta Tower, and looking east from the St Luke’s Tower over the small harbour.

Afternoon: the Fort of St John and Pile Gate area

The Fort of St John at the Old Town harbour entrance appeared as Blackwater Bay fortifications. The Pile Gate itself — the main western entrance to the Old Town — was used as a city gate set in numerous episodes.

The stairs descending from the Stradun towards the harbour, the lanes around the Rector’s Palace, and the Dominican Monastery cloister all appeared as King’s Landing interior locations in various scenes.

Old Town guided walking tour combining the GoT filming locations with the city’s actual 15th-century history

The Game of Thrones locations guide lists every major site with scene references and photographs for comparison.

Evening: the Stradun and Fort Lovrijenac

Fort Lovrijenac — the detached fortress west of the Pile Gate, accessible by a short walk along the cliff — appeared as the Red Keep exterior in multiple episodes and is one of the most photographed Game of Thrones spots in the city. It also appears in the show as the setting for Joffrey’s nameday tournament.

The fort has its own entry fee (combined with the walls ticket). The view from the fort’s upper level back to the Pile Gate and the Old Town is particularly cinematic and one of the best views of Dubrovnik from outside the walls.

End the day with a sunset drink at the Buža cliff bar — find the “cold drinks” sign carved into the wall south of the Old Town’s southern rampart. The view here was not filmed in GoT but would not look out of place.

Day 2: Lokrum island (Qarth) and Trsteno arboretum (King’s Landing gardens)

Morning: ferry to Lokrum

Take the 9 am ferry from the Old Town harbour to Lokrum. The island served as the exterior locations for Qarth in seasons two and three — the Royal Gardens (around the ruined Benedictine monastery) and the surrounding stone paths appeared as the wealthy city’s streets and gardens.

Lokrum island and Game of Thrones tour — the Qarth filming locations, the Iron Throne, and island history

The monastery ruins contain a permanent Game of Thrones exhibition with a replica Iron Throne, original series costumes, and photographs documenting the production. This is worth 45 minutes even for viewers who already know the locations well.

After the exhibition, explore the rest of the island: the Dead Sea lake (the best swimming on the island), Fort Royal at the summit, and the peacocks. Return by noon.

Lokrum island visit with the Betina sea cave and swimming at the island’s rocky south coast

Afternoon: Trsteno arboretum (King’s Landing gardens)

Trsteno is 25 km northwest of Dubrovnik — a 30-minute drive or approximately 1 hour by local bus (bus 12 from the Pile Gate area). The Trsteno arboretum is a 15th-century Renaissance garden containing two of the oldest and largest plane trees in Croatia (over 500 years old, 60 metres tall).

The garden appeared as the gardens of the Red Keep in multiple seasons — the loggia, the fountain, and the vine-covered paths are all recognisable to GoT viewers. The garden also provides genuine botanical interest for non-fans: the Italian Renaissance layout, the aqueduct that still irrigates the terraces, and the sea view from the upper garden are all worthwhile in themselves.

Entry is modest (approximately €7). The arboretum closes by late afternoon — aim to arrive by 2:30 pm.

Return to Dubrovnik by 5 pm.

Evening: the night watch

The Old Town at night has a different quality — the marble Stradun glows under the street lights, the tourists thin out, and the city recovers some of its centuries-old atmosphere. Walk the lane to the Old Town harbour and look back at Fort St John; watch the ferries heading out to the islands. King’s Landing felt like a city that was always plotting; Dubrovnik feels like one that survived.

Practical notes

Getting to Trsteno: Bus 12 from Pile Gate runs to Trsteno village in approximately 50 minutes. Departure times are infrequent — check the schedule before setting out. A taxi from Dubrovnik takes 30 minutes and costs approximately €25–30. There is no regular organised GoT tour that combines Lokrum and Trsteno in the same afternoon; doing both requires careful timing or a car.

GoT filming dates and accuracy: Most Dubrovnik GoT filming took place in the off-season (October–November) when the city was quieter. The production used permits, set extensions, and CGI extensively — not every location looks precisely as it appeared on screen. The specialist guided tours provide the most detailed context.

What is open when: The Lokrum ferry runs May–October only. The Trsteno arboretum is open year-round. GoT tours run year-round, though fewer tours operate in winter.

City walls ticket: Buy online in advance for July–August. The walls are the central GoT filming location and also the most popular paid attraction in Dubrovnik — early entry avoids queues.

Crowding at GoT sites: Some locations (the Jesuit Staircase, the Pile Gate) are so associated with Game of Thrones that they attract photographers doing re-enactments. Visiting before 9 am gives cleaner shots.

Frequently asked questions about this itinerary

Which is the most recognisable Game of Thrones filming location in Dubrovnik?

The city walls — particularly the Fort Bokar section on the western wall and the section above the eastern harbour — are the most visually dominant locations. But the Jesuit Staircase (the shame walk) is the single most-photographed individual spot. Fort Lovrijenac (the Red Keep exterior) is the most dramatic standalone location.

Is the Game of Thrones exhibition on Lokrum worth visiting?

Yes — the permanent exhibition is substantial and includes original series artefacts, not just photographs. The replica Iron Throne in the monastery garden is the best (and free) photo opportunity in the region. The exhibition admission is included in the Lokrum island entry fee.

Can I do the Trsteno arboretum on a day trip from Dubrovnik without a car?

Yes, by local bus (bus 12 from Pile Gate, 50 minutes, infrequent). Alternatively, the specialist GoT driving tours include Trsteno. A taxi return trip costs approximately €50–60. See the full Game of Thrones locations guide for transport options.

Is there a single guided tour that covers all GoT locations including Lokrum and Trsteno?

Most guided GoT tours focus on one area per session — Old Town walking tours, boat tours to Lokrum, or driving tours to Trsteno and the outer locations. The driving tour option offers the broadest single-session coverage. Combine with an independent Lokrum visit for the complete picture.

Do I need to be a Game of Thrones fan to enjoy this itinerary?

No. Every filming location is also a genuinely excellent historical or natural attraction. The city walls, Lokrum, and Trsteno are worth visiting entirely on their own terms. The GoT context is an additional layer that enhances the experience for fans and provides interesting historical comparison for everyone else.