Dubrovnik: Game of Thrones & Lokrum island Tour

Dubrovnik’s stone lanes and sea-facing fortress become King’s Landing on this three-hour tour, but the best part is that the show is only half the story. You’ll see Lovrijenac Fortress, the Walk of Shame location, the old port, and Lokrum Island while learning how real Dubrovnik was reshaped for television. Alexandra, often called Alex, is a particularly engaging guide, and Adrianna also leads some departures.

I like the small group limit of 12, which makes it easier to hear the guide and ask questions. I also like the Lokrum finish: you get the Iron Throne photo, then the choice to leave with the group or stay on the island for swimming, gardens, and a break from the crowded Old Town. The main catch is cost and effort. The fort and boat are extra, and the route includes plenty of stairs and walking.

Key things to know before booking

• Lovrijenac Fortress supplies the big views: Allow 30 to 40 minutes for the fort, a major filming site for the Red Keep and Blackwater Bay.
• The tour blends fiction with Dubrovnik’s past: Even if you have never watched Game of Thrones, the fortress, harbor, and Old Town stories give the walk value.
• Lokrum is more than a photo stop: The island has gardens, swimming spots, and room to linger after the guided portion ends.
• The 9:15 a.m. start is smart: Early morning means less heat and fewer people at the meeting point and filming sites.
• Extra fees affect the real price: The listed price is $42.33 per person, but fort admission is €15 and the return boat is listed at €30 per person.
• You need moderate fitness: Expect stairs, uneven Old Town streets, and walking between the city, fort, harbor, and island boat.

From Dubrovnik to King’s Landing

The tour begins outside the Old Town at Dubrovnik Walks, Brsalje ul. 8, under an orange umbrella. This is near Pile Gate, one of the city’s main entrances, but the meeting area can be busy with several groups gathering at once. I would arrive early and look along the sidewalk rather than waiting only at the fountain.

At 9:15 a.m., the guide gives a short introduction before leading the group toward Pile Gate. This opening helps you understand the shape of the morning: first the fort and Pile Bay, then the Old Town, followed by a boat ride to Lokrum.

A guide such as Alex typically carries a book of scene photographs. The useful part is the side-by-side comparison. You can look at the actual wall, steps, harbor, or fortress while seeing how lighting, camera angles, sets, and computer effects changed it on screen.

That approach is more useful than simply pointing at a place and naming an episode. You see how much of King’s Landing is genuinely Dubrovnik, and how much was adjusted for the camera.

Lovrijenac Fortress and the Red Keep views

The most substantial stop is Lovrijenac Fortress, also called Fort Lawrence. The route allows about 30 to 40 minutes here, and this is where the tour earns much of its appeal.

The fortress was used for scenes connected with the Red Keep and Blackwater Bay. Its position above the water gives you broad views toward Dubrovnik’s walls and the coast. Even without any interest in television production, this is a strong place to learn why the city works so well on screen.

The fort visit is not included in the tour price. Admission is listed as €15 per person, although it is free for people with a valid Dubrovnik Pass using its 24-hour benefit or a City Walls ticket with 72-hour validity. If you already plan to walk Dubrovnik’s walls, check the ticket terms before paying separately, since this can change the value calculation.

There are stairs and elevation here. One person who had never watched the series still found the climb worthwhile because of the views and the fort’s military story. That is a good guide for deciding if this stop suits you: the fort is not just a fan display, but it does require some effort.

The guide’s photo book makes this section concrete. Instead of trying to remember a scene from a vague location, you can match the real setting with the finished shot. The scale of the production also becomes clearer when you see how a compact fortress and bay were presented as a much larger fictional realm.

Pile Bay and the old small port

After the fort, the walk continues to Ulica od Tabakarije, the pier in Pile Bay. This quieter-feeling waterfront location was used in the show, and it gives the tour a change of pace after the uphill fort visit.

The stop lasts about 10 minutes. You will not spend a long time here, but the pier helps connect the filming locations to Dubrovnik’s working harbor spaces. It is also a useful reminder that the production relied on ordinary corners of the city, not only grand monuments.

Alex and the other guides add production stories and behind-the-scenes details throughout the route. These can include the practical problems of filming with crews in a heavily visited city during peak season. That local angle gives the tour more substance than a list of scenes.

The Walk of Shame location in Gunduliceva Poljana

The tour then heads into the Old Town and reaches Gunduliceva Poljana Market, the setting associated with Cersei’s Walk of Shame. The market square looks very different when it is full of daily life rather than dressed for a dramatic scene.

The stop lasts around 10 minutes. This is a good point for the guide’s photographs, since the difference between the real square and the production version can be striking. You get the location, the scene context, and an explanation of how the show used the surrounding streets.

The Old Town portion continues for about 45 minutes. Rather than treating the city as a backdrop only, the guide mixes Game of Thrones locations with information about Dubrovnik itself. That balance matters if your companions are not fans. Several people who knew little or nothing about the show still enjoyed the tour because the city’s story, architecture, and filming history were woven together.

You should expect a walking tour, not a seated presentation. The route uses stone streets and stairs, and the group moves between several locations. Wear shoes with a firm grip, especially if rain is possible.

Dubrovnik’s port and the short boat to Lokrum

The tour eventually reaches Porat Dubrovnik, the Old Town port. Here, the group buys boat tickets and boards for the short ride to Lokrum. The crossing takes about 10 minutes, though the overall port section is scheduled for roughly 20 minutes.

The boat ride is not included in the $42.33 tour price. The provided cost for the return Lokrum boat is €30 per person. Since the tour ends on Lokrum, you need to keep track of the final boat back if you decide to remain on the island after the guide finishes.

This transfer is one of the tour’s practical strengths. You get out of the narrow streets and see Dubrovnik from the water, then reach a place with a different feel. It also breaks up the walking portion before the final section.

The boat cost is the largest issue for budget planning. Add the €15 fort admission and the €30 boat fare, and the total can be far higher than the headline price. The fort may be covered by the qualifying Dubrovnik Pass or City Walls ticket, but the boat remains an additional expense according to the tour details.

Lokrum Island and the Iron Throne

Lokrum is the final stop, with about 40 minutes devoted to Game of Thrones locations and the Iron Throne photo opportunity. The tour includes the chance to take a free photo on the throne, giving you a simple souvenir without another fee for the photograph itself.

The island section is also where you can choose how much structure you want. The guided portion ends at Lokrum, but you may stay and explore independently. You must make sure you catch the final boat back to Dubrovnik.

That flexibility makes Lokrum a better ending than a quick return to the city. You can follow the guide, take the throne photo, and leave, or turn the island into a longer break. The supplied experience details specifically point to gardens and swimming spots, and one useful tip is to bring a towel and swimsuit if you want to spend time in the water.

Lokrum also helps with the crowds. After a morning among Dubrovnik’s famous streets, the island offers space to slow down. You will still need to watch the clock and boat schedule, but the option to stay gives you control over the rest of your day.

Do not treat Lokrum as an automatic add-on if you have a tight schedule. It is best when you can spare extra time after the guided three hours. If you need to return immediately for a museum visit, lunch booking, or departure, the timing may feel less relaxed.

The guides make the difference

The strongest part of this experience is the guiding. Alex, also identified as Alexandra, receives repeated praise for her storytelling, warmth, and practical help. She explains Game of Thrones locations, adds Dubrovnik history, and offers suggestions for restaurants and other city activities.

One especially useful detail is the audio setup used on some departures. Alex has used a speaker system with headphones, allowing the group to hear clearly even when people are a few yards away. That matters in a city where narrow streets, passing groups, and harbor noise can make a walking guide hard to follow.

Adrianna is another named guide associated with the tour. She is described as friendly and well informed, with the same clear warning about extra expenses and the amount of walking.

Guide quality can vary by departure, as it does with any walking tour, but the format gives the guide room to add value. You are not only moving from one photo point to another. You get stories about actors, filming logistics, scene changes, and the way computer effects altered the final image.

If you are a serious fan, the production details will likely be the main attraction. If you are traveling with people who have not watched the series, the Dubrovnik history and views keep the morning from becoming a three-hour inside joke.

Timing, crowds, heat, and rain

The 9:15 a.m. departure is worth choosing. Early morning is cooler than the middle of the day, and the Old Town locations are generally easier to see before the city reaches its busiest point. One direct tip from the experience is simple: earlier is better for crowds and sun.

The route takes about three hours, but Lokrum can extend your outing if you stay. Build in extra time for the island rather than planning your next activity immediately after the guided finish.

Weather matters. The tour requires good weather, and poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund. Rain has caused a departure to miss Lokrum, although the guide provided rain covers for the group. That is generous and practical, but it cannot replace the island portion.

Bring water, sun protection, and shoes suited to stairs. A towel and swimsuit make sense if you plan to use Lokrum’s swimming areas. If rain is in the forecast, keep your plans flexible.

The maximum group size is 12. That is small enough for a more personal walk, while still large enough that the guide may need to pause before showing the photo book. The headphone system, when used, helps solve that problem.

Is the $42.33 price good value?

At $42.33 per person, the base price is reasonable for a licensed local guide, a three-hour walking route, the fort area, the Old Town locations, the boat transfer point, Lokrum, and the Iron Throne photo opportunity.

The real price requires closer attention. Lovrijenac Fortress admission is €15 unless your Dubrovnik Pass or qualifying City Walls ticket covers it. The return Lokrum boat is listed at €30 per person. Those additions can turn a modest tour into a costly morning for a couple or family.

Still, you are paying for more than a photo at a famous step. The route includes several connected locations, a fort with major views, an island visit, and a guide who explains both the television production and the city. I consider the tour good value for fans who would otherwise spend time trying to identify filming spots on their own.

The value is weaker if you only want the Iron Throne photo. In that case, you are also paying for the walking route, the fort, and the boat. It is stronger if you want a first look at Dubrovnik and like the idea of combining sightseeing with screen history.

Who should book this Dubrovnik tour?

I would choose this tour if you watched Game of Thrones and want the locations explained in context. The photo comparisons, filming stories, and Iron Throne stop give fans plenty to look forward to.

I would also recommend it to mixed groups. The city history, harbor views, fortress, and Lokrum break keep the experience worthwhile for people who have not seen the show. One person with no knowledge of the series still enjoyed the morning mainly for the fort and Dubrovnik itself.

Families with older children may like Lokrum, especially if they bring swimwear. The walking and stairs make it less suitable for anyone who struggles with moderate physical activity.

Book it if you can handle the extra fees and have enough time to catch the boat back from Lokrum. Choose the early start for cooler conditions and smaller crowds. Skip it if you dislike organized walking tours, need a low-cost activity with no add-ons, or have no spare time after reaching the island.

With free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start, you have some room to adjust plans. A late cancellation or late change is not refundable, and a weather or minimum-group cancellation is handled with a new date, another experience, or a full refund.

FAQ

Where does the Dubrovnik Game of Thrones tour start?

It starts at Dubrovnik Walks, under the orange umbrella at Brsalje ul. 8, near Pile Gate in Dubrovnik. The meeting area can have several groups, so look around the fountain and nearby sidewalk.

What time does the tour begin?

The stated start time is 9:15 a.m.

How long does the experience last?

The guided experience lasts approximately three hours. It concludes on Lokrum Island, and staying longer on the island can extend your outing.

Is Lovrijenac Fortress included in the price?

No. Fort admission is listed at €15 per person. It is free for holders of a valid Dubrovnik Pass with 24-hour usage or a City Walls ticket with 72-hour usage.

Is the Lokrum boat included?

No. The return Lokrum boat is listed at €30 per person. The tour ends on Lokrum, so you must make sure you do not miss the final boat back to Dubrovnik.

Is the Iron Throne photo included?

Yes. The tour includes a photo opportunity on the Iron Throne on Lokrum Island.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.