Game of Thrones Locations in Croatia to Visit

Croatia’s Mediterranean landscape became the fictional world of Westeros that captivated millions of Game of Thrones viewers worldwide. Dubrovnik emerged as the perfect setting for King’s Landing, Westeros’s capital city in HBO’s hit series. This UNESCO World Heritage site’s ancient walls created an authentic backdrop for many memorable scenes.

Fans can explore several Game of Thrones filming spots beyond Dubrovnik’s Old Town that bring the Seven Kingdoms to life. The Jesuit Staircase gained fame through Cersei’s unforgettable “walk of shame” scene. The massive Fort Lovrijenac sits atop 120-foot cliffs with 40-foot thick walls and served as the Red Keep where King Joffrey’s name day tournament took place. The Kings Landing experience extends beyond Dubrovnik. Trsteno Arboretum lies just 20 minutes away and portrayed the palace gardens. Split’s historic Diocletian’s Palace, built 1,700 years ago, became both Daenerys’ throne room and dragon keep.

Dubrovnik: The Heart of King’s Landing

The ancient stone walls and terracotta rooftops of Dubrovnik created the perfect setting for the capital of the Seven Kingdoms. Fans who walk through this UNESCO World Heritage site can easily imagine the political intrigue and dramatic moments that played out in these medieval streets.

Fort Lovrijenac – The Red Keep

This imposing fortress sits on a 120-foot cliff outside the city walls and became the formidable Red Keep in Game of Thrones. The fortress walls stretch 40 feet thick and set the stage for many crucial scenes, including King Joffrey’s name day tournament. You can stand on the same battlements where Tyrion and Lord Varys made their plans. The fort gives you stunning views of Dubrovnik’s Old Town and the Adriatic Sea.

Jesuit Staircase – Cersei’s Walk of Shame

The Jesuit Staircase hosted one of the show’s most unforgettable moments – Cersei Lannister’s walk of atonement. These baroque steps link Gundulic Square to St. Ignatius Church and look exactly like they did in the show. Tourists often crowd these stairs to recreate the famous scene, though they keep their clothes on.

Pile Gate – Entrance to King’s Landing

Pile Gate, the western entrance to Dubrovnik’s Old Town, appears throughout the series as the gateway to King’s Landing. This 15th-century structure features a stone bridge and wooden drawbridge that connects the fictional capital to the rest of Westeros.

Minceta Tower – House of the Undying

Minceta Tower stands as the highest point in Dubrovnik’s defense system and became the mysterious House of the Undying in Qarth. Daenerys searched for her dragons here in season two. The distinctive round fortress shows up in many King’s Landing cityscape shots throughout the series.

Trsteno Arboretum – Palace Gardens

The beautiful Trsteno Arboretum lies just 20 minutes from Dubrovnik and served as the palace gardens where Olenna Tyrell and Sansa Stark shared their secrets. This 15th-century Renaissance garden showcases exotic plants, winding paths and a Neptune fountain that fans will spot from several key scenes.

Bokar Fortress – Tyrion’s Defense Planning

Bokar Fortress played a key role in scenes where Tyrion and Lord Varys planned King’s Landing’s defense against Stannis Baratheon. Visitors to this western corner of the city walls can look out over the same waters where the Battle of Blackwater Bay unfolded.

Weather in Croatia in June.

Split and Beyond: The World of Daenerys

Split, Croatia’s second-largest city, sits just three hours up the coast from Dubrovnik. The city brought Daenerys Targaryen’s Essos storyline to life and features some of Croatia’s most spectacular Game of Thrones locations.

Diocletian’s Palace – Dragon Training Grounds

The heart of Split houses this UNESCO-protected 1,700-year-old palace. Roman Emperor Diocletian built this massive structure during the fourth century. The palace’s huge basement halls created the perfect setting for one of Daenerys’ most memorable storylines – where she kept and trained her dragons. The ancient Roman architecture and the building’s enormous scale made an ideal backdrop for these fantasy scenes. The palace’s narrow streets and passageways also set the stage for several Meereen sequences. These included the “Kill The Masters” slave revolt and the tragic murder of Ser Barristan Selmy.

Klis Fortress – City of Meereen

Klis Fortress perches 360 meters above sea level between Mosor and Kozjak mountains, looking down on Split. This 2,000-year-old medieval stronghold dates back to ancient Illyrian times. The fortress became the slave city of Meereen in season four. The dramatic hillside location set the scene for one of the series’ most powerful moments – Daenerys punishing Meereen’s rulers by nailing them to crosses. Visitors can take in stunning views of Split, the Adriatic Sea and nearby islands like Brač, Hvar and Šolta from this spot. The fortress now features a special “Game of Thrones room” with filming photos and props that fans will love.

Žrnovnica – Missandei’s Bathing Scene

The peaceful village of Žrnovnica near Split hosted one of the series’ intimate moments. A private property with a medieval watermill became the setting where Missandei bathes in the river. This scene shows the growing attraction between Missandei and Gray Worm as he watches her. She notices his gaze and shows “herself in all her glory”. A nearby abandoned quarry also served as another Meereen location. This spot captured Daenerys approaching the city, her army throwing chains on the walls and Daario Naharis fighting the Meereenese champion.

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Island Escapes: Qarth and Braavos

Croatia’s stunning islands and coastal cities set the stage for some of the most exotic Game of Thrones locations beyond King’s Landing. These unique settings brought the mysterious eastern lands of Essos to life with their distinctive architecture and rich landscapes.

Lokrum Island – The City of Qarth

A beautiful island sits just 600 meters off Dubrovnik’s coastline. Lokrum became the magnificent city of Qarth in season two. This “greatest city that ever was or will be” became home to Daenerys Targaryen and her Dothraki followers after they nearly died of thirst. The island’s botanical gardens and old Benedictine monastery became the perfect backdrop for grand garden party scenes where Daenerys tried to get ships from merchants.

You can reach Lokrum by a quick 15-minute boat ride from Dubrovnik’s old city harbor. The island has so much more to show than its Game of Thrones connections. It spans 72 hectares and Fort Royal Castle stands proudly at its peak, 96 meters above sea level. The French built this fortress in 1806. The climb to the top is steep but rewards you with amazing views of Dubrovnik and its coastline.

The Visitor’s Center holds a special surprise – the original Iron Throne, a gift to Dubrovnik from HBO. Fans can sit on the throne and feel like rulers of the Seven Kingdoms.

The island comes with its own fascinating tale. Legend says Benedictine monks cursed it. They were forced to leave in 1798 and walked around the island three times with upside-down candles. They chanted curses on anyone who would use it for their own pleasure.

Sibenik – The Iron Bank of Braavos

Up the Croatian coast, the historic Šibenik became the mighty free city of Braavos in three episodes of season five. The UNESCO-listed Cathedral of St. James stood in as the exterior of the powerful Iron Bank of Braavos, the biggest bank in the Game of Thrones world.

The cathedral stands as an architectural wonder. It’s said to be the world’s largest church built completely from stone without any brick or wooden supports. Work started in 1431 and took almost 100 years to finish, creating its unique Gothic-Renaissance style.

St. John’s Fortress towers 115 meters above Šibenik’s center. The show turned it into a fighting pit in Meereen where Jorah beats several fighters as Daenerys watches from above. The fortress took just six weeks to build in 1646 to guard against Turkish attacks. Today, it gives visitors stunning views of the city below.

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Planning Your Game of Thrones Tour in Croatia

Planning ahead makes a huge difference when you visit the captivating Game of Thrones locations in Croatia. The right transportation choices, timing and guided tours will improve your Westeros adventure by a lot.

Join a Game of Thrones Walking Tour in Dubrovnik

Walking tours are a great way to get the most immersive experience of Dubrovnik Game of Thrones sites. These guided tours usually run for 2 hours and come with headsets that let you hear your guide clearly through the crowds. The tours become extra special because many guides worked as extras, porters or stand-ins during filming. They share personal stories and behind-the-scenes details about the actors and locations. Some tours even show multimedia presentations that match show scenes with the actual locations you visit.

How to Travel Between Split and Dubrovnik

You can choose from several ways to travel between these two major Game of Thrones filming spots in Croatia:

Bus: The cheapest option starts at €15 and takes 3.5-4.5 hours
Ferry: Passenger-only catamarans cost €23-50 with a trip time of 4.5-6 hours
Car rental: Flexible travel costs about €40 daily with a 3-hour drive time
Private transfer: Pricier at €150-300 but more convenient

Best Time of Year to Visit Filming Locations

The shoulder seasons work best to avoid crowds at Kings Landing Croatia. Spring (April to June) and fall (September to October) bring nice weather and fewer tourists. You’ll get a more personal experience at famous spots like Dubrovnik’s city walls during these months. Summer (July-August) draws the biggest crowds and comes with higher prices.

Tips for Booking GoT-Themed Cruises

The Dalmatian Coast features several companies that run specialized Game of Thrones cruises. Sail Croatia offers week-long themed voyages from $1139, which include daily breakfast and three-course lunches. These ships leave from Split and stop at major filming locations. You can join optional walking tours in Split and Dubrovnik, plus visit islands like Lokrum. These themed cruises tend to fill up fast, so book well ahead of time.

Enjoy Game of Thrones Locations in Croatia

Croatia brings the world of Westeros to life in ways that exceed what you see on television. These filming locations are a great way to get deep into Game of Thrones’ rich world while experiencing Croatia’s stunning historical architecture and natural beauty. Fans can stand where Cersei made her walk of shame on Dubrovnik’s Jesuit Staircase and learn about the dragon dungeons of Split’s ancient Diocletian’s Palace. Each site tells its own story beyond fiction’s boundaries.

Game of Thrones has reshaped the scene of Croatian tourism and created a lasting legacy that goes way beyond the reach and influence of the show’s final episode. Local economies now thrive with specialized tours, themed restaurants, and souvenir shops that cater to visitors seeking their Westerosi adventure. The historical significance and authentic charm of these UNESCO-protected sites still remain untouched despite commercialization.

Smart timing can boost your experience. The shoulder seasons offer comfortable temperatures and let you enjoy these iconic locations without summer crowds. On top of that, local guides who worked during filming share insider knowledge that you won’t get from exploring alone.

Croatia’s blend of fantasy and reality creates an atmosphere unlike any other filming location tour worldwide. Die-hard fans who know every line and architecture enthusiasts will find something special in Croatia’s Game of Thrones locations. The realm may be fictional, but visitors feel real magic while standing in the “real” King’s Landing.

FAQs

Q1. What is the best time to visit Game of Thrones filming locations in Croatia?
The ideal time to visit is during the shoulder seasons of spring (April to June) and fall (September to October). These periods offer pleasant weather and fewer crowds, allowing for a more intimate experience at iconic sites like Dubrovnik’s city walls.

Q2. Can I take a Game of Thrones walking tour in Dubrovnik?
Yes, you can join Game of Thrones walking tours in Dubrovnik. These guided experiences typically last about 2 hours and often include guides who worked as extras or crew members during filming, providing unique insider knowledge and anecdotes.

Q3. Which Croatian city served as the main filming location for King’s Landing?
Dubrovnik was the primary filming location for King’s Landing, the capital of Westeros. Its UNESCO World Heritage Old Town, with ancient city walls and distinctive architecture, provided the perfect backdrop for many iconic scenes from the series.

Q4. Are there any Game of Thrones-themed cruises available in Croatia?
Yes, several companies offer Game of Thrones-themed cruises along the Dalmatian Coast. These week-long voyages typically depart from Split and include stops at major filming locations, optional walking tours and visits to islands like Lokrum. It’s advisable to book well in advance due to their popularity.

Q5. What Game of Thrones locations can I visit near Split?
Near Split, you can visit Diocletian’s Palace, which served as Daenerys’ dragon keep and Klis Fortress, which was transformed into the city of Meereen. Additionally, the village of Žrnovnica, just outside Split, was the filming location for Missandei’s bathing scene.