Dubrovnik: The Original Game of Thrones Tour & Lokrum Option

Dubrovnik played King’s Landing so convincingly that its stone lanes now come with two layers of meaning: medieval Adriatic history and Game of Thrones drama. This tour connects the two, taking you from Pile Gate and Blackwater Bay to Cersei’s Walk of Shame route, the Jesuit Steps, and the fortress used as the Red Keep.

I like the way the guides use scene photos to match the television shots with the real streets, and I like the mix of filming trivia with practical stories about Dubrovnik. Guides such as Tihomir, Jelena, Eddie, Joseph, and Karmen are praised for keeping the pace lively and adding local context. The main drawback is the climbing: Lovrijenac Fortress means stairs, and the optional Lokrum extension adds separate ferry and island charges.

Key points to know before you book

• Cersei’s Walk of Shame route: Follow the Old Town streets and Jesuit Steps used for one of the show’s most famous scenes.
• Lovrijenac Fortress: See the real-life Red Keep from a dramatic clifftop setting, but budget €15 unless your Dubrovnik Pass or City Walls ticket covers entry.
• Two tour lengths: Pick the two-hour Old Town walk or the three-hour version with a ferry ride to Lokrum.
• Official Iron Throne: The Lokrum option includes time to photograph yourself on the replica Iron Throne.
• Scene photos at each stop: Guides use images to show camera angles and explain how Dubrovnik was changed for filming.
• Strong local storytelling: The best part is the blend of Game of Thrones details, Dubrovnik history, humor, and everyday city knowledge.

Why Dubrovnik makes such a good King’s Landing

Dubrovnik gives the show something a studio set cannot: real defensive walls, polished stone streets, sea views, steep stairways, and a compact Old Town where one short walk can represent several places in Westeros.

The tour is not only a hunt for familiar backdrops. Your guide explains how the same area could become different parts of King’s Landing, depending on the camera angle and the story. A market street may appear in one scene, while a nearby staircase becomes the setting for a tense royal moment.

That is why this experience can work even if you are not a devoted fan. The television references give the walk a theme, but the city itself supplies the substance. You get an introduction to Dubrovnik’s layout, important streets, viewpoints, and historic buildings along the way.

The guides also bring printed or displayed scene images, which matters more than you might expect. Without them, some locations simply look like attractive old streets. With the images, you can see where the actors stood, which direction the camera faced, and how much the production team altered the setting.

Meeting at Large Onofrio’s Fountain

The meeting point is by the Large Onofrio’s Fountain, next to the Hard Rock Cafe. Look for the representative carrying a red umbrella. This is a useful landmark in the Old Town, but give yourself time to find it because Dubrovnik’s lanes can feel confusing when you first arrive.

There are three listed starting-location references around the fountain, all pointing to the same general meeting area. Confirm the exact starting time and meeting instructions when you book, especially if you are arriving from a cruise ship or another part of the city.

The tour is conducted in English. A private group option is available, which can be worthwhile if your party wants to linger over filming details, ask frequent questions, or keep the pace more personal.

Pile Gate and the road into King’s Landing

Pile Gate is one of the strongest opening stops because it immediately links Dubrovnik’s real fortifications with the fictional capital. Your guide sets up the role of the gate in the show and helps you understand how the production used the approach, walls, and nearby views.

This is also where the walk begins to feel like a city tour rather than a simple television checklist. You start to see Dubrovnik as a fortified maritime town, not just a substitute for King’s Landing.

The route then moves toward the area associated with Blackwater Bay. The dramatic name belongs to the fictional story, but the views and defensive setting are very real. Your guide uses scene references to point out the position of the camera and explain how the city’s natural setting helped create the battle sequence atmosphere.

Expect other people in this part of the Old Town, especially at popular times. The tour does not put you inside a closed film set. You are walking through working public streets, so photography sometimes requires patience.

Lovrijenac Fortress, the real Red Keep

Lovrijenac Fortress is the visual high point of the standard tour. Built on a rock above the sea, it provided the setting for the Red Keep and scenes involving Tyrion and Varys. The climb also rewards you with scenic views back toward Dubrovnik’s walls and coastline.

The entrance fee is not included and costs €15. Entry is free if you have a valid Dubrovnik Pass or a City Walls ticket from the same day or the previous day. Children under seven enter free.

That ticket detail can change the value calculation. If you already plan to walk Dubrovnik’s City Walls, this tour becomes easier to budget because the fortress may cost nothing extra. If you do not have either pass or ticket, add the fee before deciding that the advertised $26 price is your full cost.

The fortress includes steps and uneven walking. It is not suitable for wheelchair users, people with mobility impairments, or visitors who have trouble with heights or vertigo. Pregnant people and those with respiratory issues should also consider the physical demands listed for the activity.

Stradun and Dubrovnik’s central stage

Back inside the Old Town, the tour continues along Stradun, Dubrovnik’s main pedestrian street. This broad stone avenue gives you a better sense of the city’s scale and provides a contrast to the narrower lanes used for many scenes.

Your guide points out filming connections while also explaining how the street fits into daily Dubrovnik life. That local detail is valuable because the show was filmed in a living city, not an isolated attraction. Production crews, residents, shops, and restaurants all shared the same compact setting.

The route is well suited to people who want orientation as well as fandom. Several people who took the tour with guides such as Joseph, Tihomir, and Jelena found that the walk helped them understand Dubrovnik generally. I would schedule this early in your visit if you want a useful introduction before exploring alone.

Orlando’s Column and the Purple Wedding locations

Orlando’s Column brings you to another central Old Town landmark connected with the show. The column itself is part of Dubrovnik’s civic setting, while the surrounding streets and open spaces were used for scenes linked to the Purple Wedding and other King’s Landing moments.

This is a good place to appreciate the guide’s role. A list of locations would not tell you much, but a guide who can place a scene within the surrounding architecture makes the stop memorable. Several guides, including Eddie, Josip, and Karmen, are praised for combining clear explanations with humor and frequent chances to take photos.

The tour does not rush from one point to the next. The standard walk lasts about two hours, and the pacing is designed to leave room for scene comparisons, questions, and views. Still, if you want lengthy visits inside every location, you may find the schedule brisk.

Jesuit Steps and Cersei’s Walk of Shame

The Jesuit Steps are among the most recognizable stops. Their steep stone staircase formed part of Cersei’s Walk of Shame, and the setting makes the scene easy to recall even before your guide shows the matching images.

This is also one of the more demanding parts of the route. The steps are steep, and the Old Town has plenty of other stairs and sloping streets. Wear shoes with a firm grip, carry water, and avoid bringing a bulky bag if you can.

The nearby area also connects with market scenes and places to eat. That makes the Jesuit Steps a practical stopping point after the tour, though the activity itself does not include food or drinks.

For fans, this is likely one of the most satisfying locations because the connection is immediate. For non-fans, it is still a striking staircase in a beautiful historic setting, and the guide’s explanation gives it extra context without requiring you to remember every plot detail.

What the guide adds to the experience

The quality of this tour depends heavily on the person leading it. The strongest descriptions of guides such as Tihomir, Jelena, Eddie, Joseph, Josip, Karmen, Ivo, Bruno, and Boris focus on three things: clear storytelling, local information, and a good sense of humor.

Tihomir is repeatedly singled out for keeping people entertained while explaining both the show and Croatia. Jelena is praised for being clear and engaging, while Eddie is often described as funny and well informed about the city and filming. Karmen is noted for patience, friendly explanations, and helping with photographs.

You may not have any one of these guides, but the pattern tells you what to expect from the format. This is not designed as a silent photo walk. You should expect active narration, scene images, questions, and stories about how filming affected Dubrovnik.

The best guides also explain the camera work. Seeing the exact angle used for a scene helps you understand why a familiar television location may look different in person. It also prevents the common disappointment of arriving at a place that seems ordinary without its screen treatment.

Choosing the three-hour Lokrum option

The extended option adds Lokrum Island after the Old Town route. The ferry crossing takes about 15 minutes, and Lokrum represents Qarth in Season 2.

This option includes the same main stops as the two-hour tour before continuing to the island. On Lokrum, the guided portion covers the Qarth filming locations and the way the island was adapted for the production. You also get a photo opportunity on Dubrovnik’s official replica Iron Throne.

The Iron Throne is the clearest reason to choose the extension if you are a serious fan. It gives you a concrete souvenir photo rather than only viewpoints and street corners. The island itself adds a change of pace after the busy stone streets.

After the guided section, you have free time. You can swim in hidden coves, walk through the botanical gardens, sit in the shade, or stop for a drink or lunch. You return to Dubrovnik at your own pace, according to the activity details.

The extra time is not simply three more hours of guided commentary. It combines the ferry, island sights, a guided portion, and unstructured time. That is useful if you want a slower afternoon, but less useful if your schedule is tight or your main goal is only the Old Town filming sites.

The real cost of the Lokrum upgrade

The Lokrum option has separate costs that you need to include in your budget. The round-trip ferry ticket and Lokrum Island admission are listed as €30 for adults and €5 for children aged five to 17.

A Dubrovnik Pass can reduce the ferry cost. The three-day pass gives 20 percent off, while the seven-day pass gives 30 percent off. The pass may also cover entry to Lovrijenac Fortress, so it can make sense if you already plan to visit the City Walls and several paid sights.

Do not choose the Lokrum version solely because it sounds like the bigger tour. Choose it if you want the Iron Throne, Qarth, and free island time, and if the ferry cost fits your plans. If you are visiting Dubrovnik for a short time, the two-hour walk covers the main screen locations without adding transport or island admission.

The island portion may also be less appealing if you are prone to motion sickness. The activity specifically lists motion sickness among the conditions for which it may not be suitable.

Who will get the most from this tour

This is an easy choice for a committed Game of Thrones fan who wants scene locations explained by someone who knows Dubrovnik. The official Iron Throne and Qarth extension make the three-hour version especially attractive for fans who want more than a quick walk through the Old Town.

I also recommend the two-hour option to curious visitors who have watched some of the series but do not remember every scene. The history and city orientation prevent the tour from becoming a string of obscure references.

It is less suitable if you dislike stairs, have mobility limitations, fear heights, or want a relaxed, level walk. The fortress and Jesuit Steps are central to the experience, so skipping the demanding sections would remove much of the tour’s character.

The activity is also not intended for people carrying alcohol or drugs, and mobility scooters are not allowed. Plan for walking outdoors, stone surfaces, steps, and changing conditions.

Timing, cancellation, and practical planning

The advertised duration is two to three hours, depending on the option. Starting times vary, so check availability for your date. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the tour for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later.

I would avoid scheduling this immediately before a non-flexible cruise departure or airport transfer. The walking route, fortress visit, and possible crowd levels can make the timing feel less predictable than the headline duration suggests.

Bring water, comfortable shoes, sun protection in warm weather, and a phone or camera. The guides provide scene references, but you will want your own photos at the fortress, steps, viewpoints, and, with the Lokrum option, the Iron Throne.

The tour has a strong record of operating beyond the main season. If you visit in autumn or winter, you may find a smaller group, and private-group availability can make the experience feel especially personal. Weather still matters, so check the forecast and use the flexible cancellation terms if needed.

Should you book the Dubrovnik Game of Thrones tour?

Book it if you want the show’s locations explained rather than merely pointed out. The combination of Cersei’s route, Lovrijenac Fortress, the Old Town streets, printed scene images, and local stories gives the two-hour walk solid value at $26, provided you account for the fortress fee.

Choose Lokrum if the official Iron Throne, Qarth locations, and island free time justify the added €30 adult transport and admission cost. Skip the extension if your schedule is short or you mainly want King’s Landing.

My practical pick is the standard two-hour tour for most people, especially if you already hold a Dubrovnik Pass or City Walls ticket. Fans with an open afternoon should add Lokrum, while anyone with mobility concerns should think carefully before booking because the stairs are not a minor detail.

FAQ

Where does the tour meet?

Meet by the Large Onofrio’s Fountain in Dubrovnik’s Old Town, next to the Hard Rock Cafe. Look for a representative with a red umbrella.

How long does the tour last?

The Old Town walking tour lasts about two hours. The extended version with Lokrum Island lasts about three hours.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The live guided tour is conducted in English.

Is Lovrijenac Fortress included in the price?

The fortress entrance is not included and costs €15. Entry is free for children under seven and for visitors with a valid Dubrovnik Pass or a City Walls ticket from the same day or the previous day.

What does the Lokrum option include?

It includes the Old Town Game of Thrones locations, a ferry ride to Lokrum, Qarth filming locations, a photo opportunity on the official replica Iron Throne, and free time on the island.

How much do the ferry and Lokrum entrance cost?

Round-trip transportation and Lokrum Island admission cost €30 for adults and €5 for children aged five to 17. A three-day Dubrovnik Pass gives 20 percent off the Lokrum ferry, while a seven-day pass gives 30 percent off.

Is the tour suitable for people with mobility issues?

The tour may not be suitable because Dubrovnik has many steps and stairs, including the route to Lovrijenac Fortress and the Jesuit Steps. Wheelchair users, people with mobility impairments, people afraid of heights, and people with vertigo are specifically advised against taking it.