All 17 Game of Thrones Filming Locations in Dubrovnik + Map
Come for Game of Thrones? Like many across the globe, you tuned in on a Sunday night or on catch-up to watch pure box office TV, enjoying the spectacle of all the twists and turns Westeros had to offer.
And from your watch, you wondered, where was King’s Landing filmed?
Since season 2 premiered in 2012, Dubrovnik was the feature filming location for the iconic capital of The Seven Kingdoms.
From its first showing of the city on the big screen, record numbers have hit its streets every year to find all the Game of Thrones filming locations in Dubrovnik, but where exactly are they?
This guide will take you through all the Game of Thrones filming locations in Dubrovnik, showing where they are and the scenes filmed there.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links that earn me a small commission if you use them at no extra cost to you.
Map of Game of Thrones Locations in Dubrovnik
Here is a map of all the Game of Thrones filming locations in Dubrovnik, which will help you navigate the city and its surroundings during your self-guided tour.
All Game of Thrones filming locations in Dubrovnik
1. Fort Lovrijenac
Fort Lovrijenac is a 37m high cliff-top fortress located just outside the Old Town. Its tall vantage point was beneficial for spotting invaders coming from the Adriatic Sea and acted alongside the City Walls as Dubrovnik’s defence.
While the fortress is now used for the city’s summer theatre festival, its connection with performing arts dates back to its role as the filming location for the Red Keep in Game of Thrones.
The fortress was used for some very important scenes in the early years of Game of Thrones, for one episode in particular, Season 2 Episode 1, ‘The North Remembers’.
It served as the filming location for Joffrey’s name day, particularly for battles between the knights.
One notable battle was filmed here on the outer walls, where The Mountain defeats his opponent during the opening scene of Season 2.
In the same episode, we saw an iconic scene filmed in this spot between Cersei and Littlefinger, filmed in the courtyard below.
As we all know, Littlefinger was stupid enough to try power-playing Cersei with the line “Knowledge is power. ”
This saw Cersei pull the UNO card on Littlefinger, put him through his paces, and eventually fire back with her iconic line, “Power is power.”
Other Game of Thrones scenes filmed here:
- Game of Thrones Season 3 Episode 1 ‘Valar Dohaeris’: After Bronn gets knighted from the Battle of Blackwater Bay, Bronn states to Tyrion that although he sees him as a friend, he should now pay double for his services as a sellsword.
2. The City Walls
The City Walls are one of the city’s most remarkable features and a key Game of Thrones filming location in Dubrovnik.
If you only have a day in Dubrovnik, prioritise visiting this monument!
First constructed in the 7th century and continuously undergoing development centuries later, the formidable structure has since inspired and influenced artists, architects, and filmmakers alike for its medieval ambience.
It’s no surprise HBO thought it would be fitting for Game of Thrones to serve as a filming location for the Walls of Kings Landing.
While you picture the walls as a standalone shot, much of it was topped off with CGI to best fit the vision for George RR Martin’s world.
However, that being said, the City Walls still heavily inspired the final outlook and gave the showrunners their much-needed prototype.
The City Walls are featured in countless scenes throughout the series, from filler scenes with soldiers roaming the wall to iconic storyline starters that set the foundations for the story to progress.
One popular filming location is along the western walls, on this green patch to the right.
This location was featured in Season 4 Episode 7, ‘Mockingbird’, when the mountain is seen killing prisoners with a giant sword while Cersei oversees.
She then makes her way over to greet him, thanking him for accepting to become her champion in the Trial By Combat between Tyrion.
It is also featured in Season 5 Episode 4, ‘Sons of the Harpy,’ when Loras Tyrell is arrested by the Faith Militant led by Lancel Lannister.
Other Game of Thrones scenes filmed along the City Walls:
- Season 5 Episode 3, ‘High Sparrow’: Tommen suggests to Cersei that she should return to Casterly Rock, believing it would reignite her happiness, as she previously spoke so fondly about how she loved it there.
This Game of Thrones tour includes entry to both City Walls and Fort Lovrijenac.
3. Fort Bokar
Located along the City Walls, Fort Bokar was built as a defensive structure to help protect the country from invaders. Its high build allowed guards to spot invaders coming across the Adriatic Sea.
For Game of Thrones, the fort was used to film an iconic scene in Season 2 Episode 8, ‘The Prince of Winterfell’.
Here is where Tyrion and Varys discuss defence strategies and arrive at the conversation regarding Stannis and the Houses of Westeros God’s treatment of their enemies.
This then cues up Tyrion’s famous line, ‘Where is the God of….’ I’ll let you finish this one. I’m trying to keep it as PG as possible. Which, by Game of Thrones standards, is impossible.
4. Pile Harbour
Pile Harbour is located on the western side of the Old Town, just outside Pile Gate. While it is a notorious hotspot for kayaking enthusiasts, it was also used as a key location for filming Game of Thrones in Dubrovnik.
And, of course, while they were filming, this completely put a stop to the kayaking tours for the time being!
As the pivotal location for the capital’s harbour in Game of Thrones, many of the scenes filmed in this location were of characters departing or arriving in Kings Landing by ship.
Here, they filmed the scene in Season 2 Episode 6, ‘The Old Gods And The New’ when Princess Myrcella leaves King’s Landing for Dorne, seen off by Joffrey, Cersei, Prince Tommen, Tyrion and Sansa.
Other Game of Thrones scenes filmed in this location:
- Season 6 Episode 1, ‘The Red Woman,’ – Cersei is seen standing at the harbour overlooking the sea and the ship in the far distance, awaiting Myrcella’s return from Dorne. Unfortunately for Myrcella, she received the kiss of death!
- *Deleted scene* Season 3 – Maester Pycelle and Tywin have a conversation down by the bay while Tywin is fishing.
5. Dubrovnik West Harbour and Pier
The Dubrovnik West Harbour and Pier used to be one of the most important entrances into Dubrovnik. In its current form, it is often left untouched with plenty of picturesque views from its position, looking out into the Adriatic Sea.
In Game of Thrones, this Dubrovnik location doubled down as Blackwater Bay, where many characters come to either depart the capital of King’s Landing or discuss plans for their escape.
Game of Thrones scenes filmed in this location:
- Season 2 Episode 1 ‘The North Remembers’: The Gold Cloaks of King’s Landing are seen here hunting for Robert Baratheon’s bastard children on Joffrey’s orders.
The pier
- Season 3 Episode 1 ‘Valar Dohaeris’: Littlefinger discusses a plan with Sansa to help her escape King’s Landing, with Shae watching in from behind.
- Season 8 Episode 6 ‘The Iron Throne’: The final scene between the Starks and Jon was filmed here! Jon says goodbye to Sansa, Arya and Bran before departing back to Castle Black.
6. Gradac Park
Gradac Park is the city’s recreational park located just a short walk away from the Old Town and was a key Game of Thrones filming location in Dubrovnik.
It was used as the filming location for the Purple Wedding when Joffrey was poisoned to death – by far one of the fan’s favourite scene in the show.
Various scenes are filmed inside the park, including the build-up to the wedding, with guests making their way towards the ceremony and also for the big scene where Joffrey comes to his fatal death.
Little trivia: A set was built right by the area of the pond, where all the Lords and Ladies sat during the sequence where Joffrey was poisoned.
7. Pile Gate
Pile Gate is one of the main entrances to the Old Town and was used at night to prevent unwanted guests from entering its vicinity.
This location is used for the scene in Season 2 Episode 6, ‘The Old Gods and the New, ’ when King Joffrey makes his way to the Red Keep after the scene where Myrcella sails off to Dorne.
As the locals are frantic from starvation because of the tribulations of war, mobs turn their aggression towards Joffrey and his guards, throwing cow dung at Joffrey and causing a huge riot to break out.
Joffrey then orders the person who threw it to show himself and then shouts, “Kill them all, Kill them all.”
It was a massive overreaction, but I’m sure cow dung being thrown on you would ruin your week…at least.
Other Game of Thrones scenes filmed here:
- Season 3 Episode 10, ‘Mhysa’: Jamie finally returns to King’s Landing after being captured by Robb Stark in Season 1, accompanied by Qyburn and Brienne of Tarth. This is filmed at the inside entrance area of the Pile Gate.
8. Minceta Tower
Minceta Tower is the highest point of the city walls and was used for the city’s defence as a strategy to spot invaders from afar.
The tower was the filming location for the exterior of the House of the Undying during Season 2, “Valar Morghulis,” when Daenerys goes on a mission to rescue her dragons from Pyat Pree.
As you walk around the exterior, you’ll put yourself straight in Ser Jorah Mormont’s shoes, hopelessly searching for Daenerys after she mysteriously disappears inside the House of the Undying.
9. Jesuit Stairs
“Shame,” “Shame,” “Shame.” Yes, I think you know where I’m going with this.
Jesuit Stairs was the filming location in Season 5 Episode 10, “Mother’s Mercy”, where Cersei begins her Walk of Shame.
During the sequence, Cersei makes her way down from the Great Sept of Baelor (Jesuit Staircase) and continues through the streets of Kings Landing, screamed at and abused by watchers as she does her Walk of Atonement.
To film the opening scene by Jesuit Stairs, every cafe and restaurant along the street towards Gundulic Square was shut down to allow camera crews and extras to set up and film.
For the main shot from the top, only a small handful of extras filled up the first part of the street next to Jesuit Stairs. The rest of the crowd was generated through CGI.
Little trivia: A church in the Old Town, previously planned to be a key filming location for the Walk of Shame, attempted to block HBO from filming it in the Old Town due to the nudity of the scene.
As a word of warning, this is by far the busiest Game of Thrones location in Dubrovnik. The Jesuit Stairs are covered from top to toe by visitors and tour guides all day.
You’ll even see tour guides imitate a budget version of the Walk of Shame by ringing a fake bell on a mobile app as tourist make their way down the stairs.
If you want a clear photo or video, I recommend visiting early in the morning before 7:30 am.
Other Game of Thrones scenes filmed here:
- Season 5 Episode 1 ‘The Wars to Come’: Cersei and the people of King’s Landing are waiting on the stairs before they head up to the Great Sept of Baelor for Tywin Lannister’s funeral.
- Season 5 Episode 4 ‘The Sons of the Harpy’: Tommen tries to head to the Great Sept of Bealor to speak to the High Sparrow, but The Faith Militant stops him in his tracks.
10. St Dominic Street
St Dominic is a charming cobblestone street located right near Ploce Gate, which serves as the pathway towards the Stradun and the main part of the Old Town.
It was featured in Game of Thrones ever so faintly in scenes where you only get snippets of the street.
In Season 2 Episode 1, ‘The North Remembers,’ one of the Gold Cloaks is seen carrying one of Robert Baratheon’s bastards during their massacre on Joffrey’s orders.
Also, in Season 5 Episode 10, ‘Mother’s Mercy,‘ it was used as a filming location for some shots of Cersei’s Walk of Shame.
11. Dominican Monastery (Outside)
The Dominican Monastery is one of Dubrovnik’s most famous religious buildings. Its filming location was just outside on the steps, along St Dominic Street, where they filmed a scene for Season 2 Episode 5, ‘The Ghost Of Harrenhal’.
Here, Bronn and Tyrion overhear a protest speech against Joffrey as a king and blame Tyrion for the city’s downfall.
12. Rector’s Palace
Rector’s Palace served as the residence of the Rector of the Republic of Ragusa (Dubrovnik) from 1358 until 1808, when it was its own country.
This Dubrovnik Game of Thrones location was used for the Spice King’s mansion in Season 2 Episode 6, ‘The Old Gods And The New. ‘
The Spice King is seen walking down these very stairs to meet Daenerys. During the scene, Daenerys requests ships to help carry her army across the Narrow Sea.
13. Ethnographic Museum
The Ethnographic Museum, also known as the Rupe Museum, is a granary dating back to the 16th century. It shows the life of Dubrovnik through the centuries with costumes, textiles, and household equipment.
This location was used for Littlefinger’s Brothel in King’s Landing, filming just outside and was used as a filming location numerous times throughout the series.
One notable scene, in particular, was in Season 4 Episode 1, ‘Two Swords’, between Prince Oberyn and Tyrion Lannister.
This is when Oberyn heavily implies his intentions to Tyrion about avenging his sister and her children – implying he’s going to murder The Mountain and any Lannisters involved in their deaths.
Other Game of Thrones scenes filmed here:
Season 5 Episode 3 ‘High Septon’: Lancel Lannister humiliates the High Septon by calling him out on his crimes in the Brothel and making him walk along the street naked.
14. Ploce Gate
Ploce Gate is one of the key drawbridge entrances into Dubrovnik’s Old Town, just located on the eastern side of the Old Town.
The entrance was used as the filming location for the end sequence of the Walk of Shame in Season 5 Episode 10, ‘Mother’s Mercy.’
Cersei can be seen helplessly walking across this drawbridge, battered and broken, towards the entrance of the Red Keep.
15. Hotel Belvedere
The Hotel Belvedere is featured once in Game of Thrones during the iconic sequence of Tyrions’ Trial By Combat, where The Mountain and Oberyn battle in Season 4 Episode 8, ‘The Mountain and the Viper’.
‘Who gave you the order?’ Oberyn kept saying. Judging by his head, it looks like Cersei ordered an apple crumble from The Mountain.
16. Lokrum Island
Lokrum Island is a beautiful little island located just off the coast of Dubrovnik. In the Game of Thrones series, it was used as a filming location for the city of Qarth.
The Benedictine Monastery’s botanical gardens were used in Season 2, episode 5, ‘Ghost of Harrenhal’, for the garden party hosted by Xaro Xhoan Daxos. The garden and the monastery’s cloisters were featured.
Fun fact: Hbo gifted Lokrum Island a replica of the Iron Throne, which sits in the visitor centre in Benedictine Monastery. Visitors can come and take pictures of themselves on the throne.
Just inside the visitor centre is also a Game of Thrones exhibition. It showcases plenty of the lore around Game of Thrones and also features video clips of the actors reminiscing about their time filming in Dubrovnik.
Including snippets of behind-the-scenes with them filming!
Planning to visit Lokrum Island from Dubrovnik? Check out this Lokrum Island guide.
17. Trsteno Arboretum
Trsteno Arboretum is one of the best places to visit near Dubrovnik and is the perfect setting to continue your Dubrovnik Game of Thrones location hunt.
This scenic retreat was used as the filming location for the Tyrell Highgarden and was featured numerous times throughout the show.
Game of Thrones scenes filmed here:
- Season 3: It was used multiple times to film characters walking around the gardens. For example, in episode 4, ‘And Now His Watch Is Ended‘, Lord Varys and Olenna Tyrell walk around High Garden and discuss how dangerous Littlefinger is – agreeing that Sansa should be kept away from him.
- Season 4: Again, it was used multiple times to film different scenes of Highgarden, including buildings in Trsteno Arboretum like the pavilion. The famous scene in season 4 episode 4 ‘Oathkeeper’ was filmed in this spot, when Olenna Tyrell heavily implies to Margaery that she was involved in King Joffrey’s death.
Note: The moral of the story is that many Game of Thrones scenes were filmed in Trsteno Arboretum!
Useful information for your Game of Thrones visit
Best time to visit
The best time to visit Dubrovnik for your Game of Thrones experience is during the shoulder months, particularly around May – June.
This is just before the summer when it is warm enough to navigate around the city in summer clothing and has far fewer crowds.
With fewer crowds, you’ll experience the Game of Thrones locations in Dubrovnik in a better light. You won’t have to constantly manoeuvre around people, making it easier to appreciate and take clearer photos of the locations.
Top recommendation: One of my most important Dubrovnik travel tips is to avoid cruise schedules.
Dubrovnik is a prime cruise destination, especially in the summer, so I highly recommend checking the cruise schedule and planning your visit around that time to avoid large masses of crowds!
Should you book a Game of Thrones tour?
Absolutely! If you want an experienced guide and lots of trivia about the filming of Game of Thrones, then joining a tour is a great option for you.
Many of the tour guides who run the tours were extras on the show. They have insider knowledge of behind-the-scenes trivia, so you’ll learn things that aren’t available as an online resource.
They are also good experiences for even non-fans of the TV show. These guides have in-depth knowledge of all of the Dubrovnik monuments and history – so expect to hear more than just the tales of Westeros.
The only downside to opting for a tour is that not every tour includes each location. Trips to Lokrum Island or Trsteno Arboretum, in most cases, will need to be booked separately.
Note: A lot of tour guides, from previous experience and research, don’t include the City Walls in their Game of Thrones tour – Some do. However, it is 100% worth a visit, so I recommend doing it nonetheless.
Best Game of Thrones tours in Dubrovnik
With so many Game of Thrones tours in Dubrovnik to choose from, here are the top highlights, differentiating between the locations you visit.
Best tours:
- Game of Thrones Walking Tour and Cruise (2 hours and 15 minutes): During your tour, you’ll sail into the Old Town for an exclusive experience on the same ship Daenerys used on Game of Thrones. Also, enjoy a Dragon Blood Cocktail on board, and then explore the main Dubrovnik Game of Thrones locations.
- Game of Thrones Extended Tour: Enjoy an extended tour of Game of Thrones, exploring the locations more in-depth. Dive into more of the lore and how it was showcased in Dubrovnik. You’ll also play with the replicas of props on the show. This is for the massive fans of Game of Thrones!
- Game of Thrones and City Walls Walking Tour (3 hours): Venture around all the Game of Thrones locations in Dubrovnik and take a tour of the City Walls. As previously mentioned, this is rare for a Game of Thrones tour and includes tickets to both the City Walls and Fort Lovrijenac.
- Full-Day Total Game of Thrones Experience (7 hours): In this ultimate tour, you’ll see many major Game of Thrones filming locations in Dubrovnik, including a trip to Trsteno Arboretum and Lokrum Island. Plus, there is a fantastic view of Dubrovnik from Mount Srd!
Note: Unfortunately, you will still need to pay entry fees to some of the attractions on this tour. Please check this with the tour first.
Final thoughts
Well, there you have it! Your Game of Thrones tour of Dubrovnik awaits. Or maybe you have already been but are here out of curiosity to find more locations?
Besides, there is so much of Westeros to see in Dubrovnik. While you’re walking around hunting for the spots, take your time and enjoy the surroundings.
Much of the Old Town and its quaint surroundings are aesthetically beautiful in every sense. I’ve taken a tour and ventured on my own to explore the locations, much preferring the latter.
Not because the tours weren’t helpful, but out of personal preference. I could appreciate and enjoy all the Game of Thrones filming locations in Dubrovnik for much longer and without time constraints.
This self-guided tour guide and map should help explore the entirety of the Game of Thrones side of Dubrovnik because, well, you wouldn’t want to miss it!
Looking for more Croatia-related posts? Check out:
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Dubrovnik to Bosnia: Ultimate Guide for the Best Day Out
21 Most Beautiful Places To Visit In Croatia: What to See & More
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