Game of Thrones Filming Locations in Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik: The Real King's Landing

When HBO's production team needed a city to stand in for King's Landing — the seat of the Iron Throne and the political heart of Westeros — they chose Dubrovnik, and it's easy to see why. The Croatian coastal city's massive medieval walls, terracotta rooftops, limestone streets, and sparkling Adriatic backdrop provided the perfect canvas for the fictional capital. From Season 2 through the series finale, Dubrovnik served as the primary filming location for King's Landing scenes, and the city has since become one of the most popular pilgrimage sites for fans of the show. This guide maps out every major filming location so you can walk in the footsteps of Cersei, Tyrion, and Daenerys.

The City Walls — Ramparts of King's Landing

Dubrovnik's city walls stretch nearly two kilometres around the Old Town, rising up to 25 metres high in places. These walls featured prominently throughout the series as the defensive ramparts of King's Landing. The scene where Tyrion leads the defense during the Battle of the Blackwater was filmed along these very walls, and many dialogue scenes between characters took place on the wall walk with the sea stretching out behind them.

Walking the walls takes about 1.5 to 2 hours and offers sweeping views over the Old Town rooftops, Fort Lovrijenac, and Lokrum Island. Entry costs around 35 euros and is one of Dubrovnik's must-do experiences regardless of your feelings about the show. Arrive early in the morning (the walls open at 8am in summer) to beat the cruise ship crowds and get the best photographs.

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Fort Lovrijenac — The Red Keep

Perched on a 37-metre cliff just outside the western wall of the Old Town, Fort Lovrijenac served as the exterior of the Red Keep, the royal castle of the Lannister dynasty. The fortress courtyard was used for several key scenes, including King Joffrey's name day tournament in Season 2, where the crossbow-wielding boy king tormented his subjects from the battlements above.

The fort is included in the city walls ticket and offers some of the most dramatic views in Dubrovnik — looking back at the Old Town on one side and out to the open sea on the other. Inside, the multi-level stone chambers and narrow staircases feel exactly like the Red Keep corridors from the show. During summer, the fort hosts performances as part of the Dubrovnik Summer Festival, including open-air Shakespeare productions — watching Hamlet performed where Joffrey once held court is a surreal experience.

Minčeta Tower — The House of the Undying

The distinctive round Minčeta Tower at the highest point of the city walls stood in for the exterior of the House of the Undying in Qarth, where Daenerys went to retrieve her stolen dragons in Season 2. The tower's imposing circular form and thick stone walls made it the perfect visual match for the mysterious warlock stronghold. Climb to the top for the best panoramic viewpoint on the entire wall circuit — you can see the Old Town, Lokrum Island, and the Elafiti Islands stretching into the distance.

Pile Gate Area — City Gate Scenes

The Pile Gate, the main western entrance to the Old Town, appeared in numerous scenes as the gates of King's Landing. The drawbridge and arched gateway were used for scenes showing characters entering and leaving the capital. Just inside Pile Gate, the large Onofrio's Fountain and the nearby streets served as busy King's Landing market scenes. The wide staircase leading up from Pile Gate toward the Jesuit Church was used for crowd scenes and processions throughout the series.

The Jesuit Staircase — Cersei's Walk of Shame

Perhaps the most infamous scene filmed in Dubrovnik: Cersei Lannister's Walk of Shame in the Season 5 finale. The baroque staircase leading up to the Church of St. Ignatius in the Old Town was the location for the harrowing sequence where Cersei walks naked through jeering crowds from the Great Sept to the Red Keep. The staircase is one of the most photographed Game of Thrones locations in the city, and visitors frequently recreate the scene (clothed, thankfully) while their companions shout "Shame!" behind them.

The Church of St. Ignatius at the top of the stairs served as the exterior of the Great Sept of Baelor. The grand baroque interior is worth visiting in its own right — the frescoed ceiling and ornate altarpiece are some of the finest in Croatia.

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Gradac Park — The Purple Wedding

The scene of King Joffrey's dramatic poisoning at his own wedding feast — the Purple Wedding in Season 4 — was filmed in Gradac Park, a terraced garden just outside the Pile Gate with views over the sea and Fort Lovrijenac. The park's stone terraces and lush Mediterranean vegetation provided the outdoor wedding feast setting. Today the park is a quiet green space popular with locals — a peaceful spot to rest after walking the walls, with no hint of the regicide that once took place there (fictionally speaking).

Lokrum Island — Qarth Scenes

A short 15-minute ferry ride from the Old Port, Lokrum Island was used for several Qarth scenes in Season 2, including the garden reception where Daenerys meets the merchant prince Xaro Xhoan Daxos. The island's lush botanical garden, Benedictine monastery ruins, and the small saltwater lake called the Dead Sea all featured in these exotic Qarth sequences. Lokrum is also a nature reserve and a wonderful half-day escape from the Old Town crowds — pack a swimsuit and snorkelling gear for the rocky coves, and look out for the island's famous peacocks roaming freely through the gardens.

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Rector's Palace — Spice King's Palace in Qarth

The Rector's Palace, a Gothic-Renaissance masterpiece in the heart of the Old Town, served as the interior of the Spice King's Palace in Qarth. The palace's elegant arcaded courtyard and ornate stone balconies made perfect backdrops for the opulent scenes set in the wealthy eastern city. Today the palace houses the Cultural History Museum with exhibits spanning Dubrovnik's history. The atrium and courtyard are particularly photogenic and frequently host classical music concerts in summer.

Trsteno Arboretum — The Tyrell Gardens

Located about 20 kilometres northwest of Dubrovnik, the Trsteno Arboretum doubled as the gardens of the Tyrell family in King's Landing. The scenes where Lady Olenna Tyrell (the Queen of Thorns) and Margaery plot and gossip were filmed among the arboretum's Renaissance gardens, ancient aqueduct, and a stunning Neptune fountain overlooking the sea. The 500-year-old arboretum is one of the oldest in this part of Europe, with towering plane trees, exotic plants, and terraced gardens tumbling down to the Adriatic. It's well worth the short drive from Dubrovnik.

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St. Dominic Street — Streets of King's Landing

Many of the "everyday" King's Landing street scenes were filmed along St. Dominic Street and the surrounding lanes in the eastern part of the Old Town. The narrow limestone streets, worn steps, and medieval doorways required minimal set dressing to transform into Westeros. Scenes of Arya chasing cats through the streets, Sansa being rescued from a mob, and various Small Council members walking through the capital were all filmed in this area. Walk these streets in the early morning or late evening when the crowds thin out and the atmosphere feels most authentic.

Bokar Fortress — Tyrion's Seaside Scenes

Bokar Fortress, a cylindrical tower at the southwestern corner of the city walls, was used for several scenes showing Tyrion and Varys looking out over Blackwater Bay and strategizing about the capital's defense. The fortress offers a unique vantage point where you can see Fort Lovrijenac (the Red Keep) from the city walls, replicating the view seen in many wide shots of King's Landing. It's one of the less crowded stops on the wall walk and worth pausing at for photographs.

Practical Tips for Your Game of Thrones Pilgrimage

Guided Tours vs. Self-Guided

Guided GoT tours typically last 2-3 hours, cost €30-50, and include a knowledgeable guide who carries a tablet with screenshots from the show to compare with the actual locations. This is highly recommended for a first visit — it's surprisingly hard to recognize some locations without the visual reference, and the guides share fascinating behind-the-scenes stories. Self-guided visits work well for repeat visitors or those who want to linger at specific spots.

Best Time to Visit

Dubrovnik gets extremely crowded in July and August, especially when cruise ships are in port. May, June, September, and October offer warm weather with far fewer tourists. Visit filming locations early in the morning (before 10am) or in the late afternoon for the best experience and photographs.

Beyond Game of Thrones

Dubrovnik's history long predates the show. As the Republic of Ragusa, it was a major maritime power rivalling Venice. Take time to appreciate the city's genuine history — the Franciscan Monastery with Europe's third-oldest pharmacy, the Sponza Palace, and the beautiful Stradun (main street) are all remarkable in their own right. The cable car up Mount Srđ offers panoramic views over the entire city and coastline.

Getting There

Dubrovnik Airport receives direct flights from across Europe. Budget airlines like EasyJet, Ryanair, and Wizz Air serve the route seasonally. From the airport, a shuttle bus runs to the Old Town in about 30 minutes. Within the Old Town, everything is walkable — cars are not permitted inside the walls.

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