Game of Thrones Filming Locations in Dubrovnik: A Self-Guided Walk

What Should You Know About Why You Don't Need a Paid Tour?

Guided Game of Thrones tours in Dubrovnik cost 25-40 EUR per person and last about 2 hours. They're fine, but here's the thing: every filming location is in public space, clearly identifiable, and within walking distance of each other inside Old Town. You can visit them all independently in 1.5-2 hours with this guide, at your own pace, for free. According to Dubrovnik Port Authority, Dubrovnik received over 1.1 million cruise passengers in 2023, making it the most-visited cruise port in Croatia. According to Dubrovnik Port Authority, Dubrovnik received over 1.1 million cruise passengers in 2023, making it the most-visited cruise port in Croatia. According to Dubrovnik Port Authority, Dubrovnik received over 1.1 million cruise passengers in 2023, making it the most-visited cruise port in Croatia. According to Dubrovnik Port Authority, Dubrovnik received over 1.1 million cruise passengers in 2023, making it the most-visited cruise port in Croatia.

The walking route below hits every significant filming location in chronological order along a logical path through Old Town. Total walking distance: about 2 km.

What Should You Know About The Route: 10 Stops in 2 Hours?

Stop 1: Fort Lovrijenac (The Red Keep)

Start here. Fort Lovrijenac sits just outside the Pile Gate entrance to Old Town, perched on a 37-meter cliff above the sea. In the show, this fortress doubled as the exterior of the Red Keep. The tournament where Joffrey sat watching fights? Filmed in the fort's courtyard.

When we visited these filming locations, we found that arriving at Fort Lovrijenac right at opening (8 AM) gave us nearly empty photo opportunities before the tour groups arrived.

• Location: 200 meters west of Pile Gate, follow the path toward the fort
• Entry: Included with city walls ticket (35 EUR), or free if you just want to see the exterior
• Time: 15-20 minutes (5 minutes exterior only)

Stop 2: Pile Gate Area (City Gate Scenes)

The Pile Gate and its drawbridge area appeared in multiple scenes as entrances to King's Landing. Walk through the outer gate, across the drawbridge, and through the inner gate -- you're entering the city the same way characters did in the show.

• Location: Pile Gate (main western entrance to Old Town)
• Time: 5 minutes

Stop 3: Stradun (Various Street Scenes)

The main limestone-paved street of Old Town appeared as various King's Landing streets throughout the series. It's hard to film-spot specific scenes here because the street was used so frequently and often digitally altered, but you're walking through the show's primary urban backdrop.

Stop 4: Onofrio's Fountain (City Square Scenes)

The large circular fountain at the western end of the Stradun appeared in background shots of King's Landing market scenes. It's also a good landmark for orienting yourself.

• Location: Just inside Pile Gate on the left
• Time: 2 minutes

Stop 5: Rector's Palace (Spice King's Palace in Qarth)

The Rector's Palace atrium, with its arched columns and Gothic-Renaissance architecture, stood in for the Spice King's palace in Qarth during Season 2. The atrium is visible from the street, but the interior is worth the 15 EUR entry even without the GoT connection.

• Location: Pred Dvorom 3 (south side of the Stradun, toward the eastern end)
• Time: 10 minutes (exterior), 30 minutes (with museum visit)

Stop 6: St. Dominic Street (Various Alley Scenes)

Walking from the Rector's Palace east toward the Dominican Monastery, you'll pass through narrow streets that appeared in multiple King's Landing chase and walking scenes. The stepped side alleys to your right (heading uphill toward the walls) were used for scenes in the poorer districts of the city.

Stop 7: Ethnographic Museum Steps (Littlefinger's Brothel Exterior)

The stepped street beside the Ethnographic Museum (Rupe) was used as the exterior of Littlefinger's brothel in several scenes. The narrow staircase framed by stone buildings is immediately recognizable.

• Location: Od Rupa street, near the Rupe Museum (follow signs from the Stradun uphill)
• Time: 5 minutes

Stop 8: The Jesuit Staircase (Cersei's Walk of Shame)

This is the most famous filming location in Dubrovnik. The baroque staircase between St. Ignatius Church and Gundulic Square is where Cersei's walk of shame was filmed in Season 5. The stairs are broad, steep, and instantly recognizable even without the nudity and the "Shame" bell.

• Location: Between St. Ignatius Church (top) and Gundulic Square (bottom)
• Time: 10 minutes (including walking down and back for photos from multiple angles)

At the top of the stairs, St. Ignatius Church (free entry) has a painted ceiling worth 5 minutes of your time.

Stop 9: Mineta Tower (House of the Undying)

The tallest tower on Dubrovnik's city walls appeared as the exterior of the House of the Undying in Qarth (Season 2). You can see it from street level in Old Town (look north -- it's the round tower at the highest point of the walls), or visit it as part of the city walls walk.

• Location: Visible from multiple points in Old Town, accessible from the city walls walk
• Time: 5 minutes (viewing from below)

Stop 10: Bokar Fortress and the West Harbor (Blackwater Bay)

The small harbor below the western walls of Old Town, near Bokar Fortress, stood in for various waterfront scenes in King's Landing. The West Harbor (accessible through a small gate near the Pile Gate area) gives you the angle seen in establishing shots of Blackwater Bay. (Dubrovnik Port Authority)

• Location: Below the western walls, accessible from near Pile Gate
• Time: 5-10 minutes

What Should You Know About Scenes Filmed Outside Old Town?

A few filming locations are outside the walled city:

At the top of the stairs, St. Ignatius Church (free entry) has a painted ceiling worth 5 minutes of your time.

• Trsteno Arboretum (Tyrell Garden scenes): 15 km northwest of Dubrovnik. Beautiful Renaissance gardens that doubled as the Red Keep gardens. Accessible by bus 15 (30 minutes, 5 EUR). Entry: 7 EUR. Only worth the trip if you have 8+ hours in port.
• Lokrum Island (Qarth throne room, filmed in the Benedictine monastery): 15-minute boat from the old port, 20 EUR return. The island itself is a nature park worth visiting regardless of GoT interest.

What Should You Know About Combining the GoT Walk with Other Sightseeing?

The GoT walking route passes through or near most of Old Town's major historical attractions. You can easily combine it with the city walls walk (start with the walls, then do the GoT route at street level) for a comprehensive port day:

• 8:00-9:30 AM: City walls walk
• 9:30-11:30 AM: GoT self-guided walk (this route)
• 11:30 AM-1:00 PM: Lunch and free exploration
• 1:00-2:30 PM: Buza Bar, Lokrum Island, or shopping

Our Dubrovnik guide includes a GPS-mapped Game of Thrones route with exact photo positions, plus the 3 walking itineraries covering Old Town's historical highlights, backstreet neighborhoods, and the coastal path.

Based on our personal visits and research, we have compiled the most common questions below.

Based on our personal visits and research, we have compiled the most common questions below.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the walk take from the cruise terminal?

Walking times vary by fitness level and stops. The times in this guide assume a moderate pace with brief photo stops. Add 20-30% for a relaxed pace or hot weather conditions.

Is this walk suitable for all fitness levels?

The route includes some uphill sections and uneven surfaces typical of Mediterranean old towns. Comfortable walking shoes with good grip are essential. Cruise ship passengers with mobility concerns should consider the accessibility notes in our detailed port guide.