Dubrovnik: Game of Thrones Extended Tour

Kings, spies, and stairs await in Dubrovnik. This 150-minute walking tour turns the old city into King’s Landing, with stops at Fort Lovrjenac, the city gates, the Sept of Baelor, Qarth, and several waterfront filming sites. I especially like the small groups of up to nine and the chance to handle replica weapons such as Longclaw, Needle, and a Dothraki arakh.

The guides add real personality. Robert, who worked as an extra on the series, has earned repeated praise for his humor, set stories, and strong knowledge of Dubrovnik and Croatia. Toni and Parco have also led memorable tours. The main drawback is physical: you will climb about 300 steps, and the entrance ticket to Fort Lovrjenac is not included in the $64 price.

Key things to know before you book

• The tour begins at Pile Gate: Meet your guide outside the walls near Amerling’s Fountain, where the guide carries a Lannister banner.
• Fort Lovrjenac provides the opening view: You climb toward the Red Keep and look back over Dubrovnik’s orange roofs and walls.
• Props make the stops more playful: You can pose with replicas of famous swords and other weapons during the walk.
• Guides bring set experience: Robert appeared as an extra, while other guides add personal stories about filming in Dubrovnik.
• The route covers more than the old city: Expect views toward Lokrum Island, the port, Revelin Fortress, and several coastal locations.
• You need steady legs: The tour lasts two and a half hours and includes roughly 300 steps, with no hotel pickup.

Why this tour works in Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is already a dramatic place. Its thick stone walls, steep lanes, sea views, and compact old city need little help from television to make an impression. Game of Thrones simply gave familiar corners new identities.

That is the real value of this tour. You are not only ticking off filming locations. You are comparing the Dubrovnik you see with the fictional King’s Landing, Qarth, and Dorne created on screen. A good guide explains what was filmed on location, what was changed digitally, and how the city’s real history fits around the fantasy.

The small-group format matters here. With a maximum of nine people, the guide can usually answer questions, help with photographs, and keep the walk personal. In quieter periods, the group may be much smaller. One February booking became a private tour because only one person had reserved, and the tour still went ahead.

You do not need to be a serious Game of Thrones fan to get something from the outing. The route also brings you to some of Dubrovnik’s best viewpoints and introduces you to parts of the city through its architecture and local stories. Still, if you have never watched the show, some character references and scene recreations will mean less to you.

Starting at Pile Gate and climbing to the Red Keep

Your meeting point is outside Pile Gate, near Amerling’s Fountain. Look for a guide holding a Lannister banner, then ask to see your name on the guide’s list. That simple check helps you confirm that you have found the correct tour.

From here, the route heads toward Fort Lovrjenac. In the series, the fortress serves as the Red Keep, the stronghold at the center of King’s Landing. The climb is one of the first tests of your legs, and the roughly 300 steps are spread across the full route rather than presented as one single staircase.

At the top, the reward is a broad view of Dubrovnik’s old city. You can look across the walls, roofs, sea, and fortress surroundings while your guide points out filming areas. This is one of the tour’s strongest moments even if you care nothing about the show. Dubrovnik’s setting becomes easier to understand from above.

The Fort Lovrjenac entrance ticket is extra, so keep that cost in mind when calculating the day’s budget. The tour can still explain the site from the approach and surrounding viewpoints, but you should not assume the $64 includes entry inside the fortress.

Wind can also be a factor at the fort. A past October tour was hit by very strong winds, so bring a light layer even on a warm day. Comfortable shoes are essential. Sandals with poor grip will make the steps less pleasant.

Recreating the Starks’ farewell by the water

After the fort, the walk returns toward the city and a waterfront spot used for the Starks’ final reunion and farewell in the series finale. It is only a short distance from Pile Gate, but it feels separate from the main route through the old city.

This is where a guide with production experience can help. Instead of simply pointing at a wall or pier, the guide can show how the scene was arranged and explain what the location looked like during filming. Robert’s work as an extra gives him a useful connection to the production, and his stories often become one of the most memorable parts of the tour.

You will have chances to recreate scenes and take photographs. The tone is informal and playful, not a solemn history lecture. That suits the subject. You are standing in a real Croatian city, but for a few minutes you can stage your own farewell at King’s Landing.

The nearby beach also connects with Myrcella’s departure for Dorne and her return. These locations help you see how the show used Dubrovnik’s shore in different ways. A short stretch of coast could become a royal departure point, a port, or part of another kingdom depending on the camera angle and editing.

Entering King’s Landing through Dubrovnik’s gates

The old city gates provide one of the clearest links between Dubrovnik and King’s Landing. As you walk through them, the fortified entrance feels convincing without much screen magic. The stone passage narrows the view, then opens into the lanes of the old city.

The route follows streets used for scenes involving Jaime’s return and Joffrey’s tense public world. Your guide uses printed visuals to compare the real location with the television frame. This is far more useful than trying to remember every scene from memory.

The old city is compact, but the lanes can be confusing when you first arrive. A guided walk gives you a quick orientation while tying each turn to a familiar story. I like that the tour does not treat Dubrovnik as a film set only. The guides also explain local and Croatian history, which gives the stone streets a life beyond the show.

You will pass locations associated with Littlefinger’s brothel and the Sept of Baelor. The famous walk of shame scene is tied to Dubrovnik’s streets, though the full television sequence also relied on set work and careful filming. This is a useful lesson in how screen locations function. A real lane may provide the setting, while the finished scene combines several places.

Bring water before you start. Food and drinks are not included, and the route involves stairs and walking rather than long stops for refreshments.

Finding the Chancellor’s Palace and Qarth

The route then moves to locations used for the Chancellor’s Palace and the Spice King of Qarth’s palace. Here, the tour crosses from the politics of King’s Landing into Daenerys’ time across the Narrow Sea.

Dubrovnik makes this change in setting feel surprisingly natural. Stone palaces, courtyards, and sea-facing views can suggest several different worlds once costumes, props, and editing are added. Your guide helps separate the real building from the fictional place shown on screen.

The printed visuals are particularly useful at these stops. You can see the production image, then look at the current view and identify the same arch, wall, steps, or roofline. That comparison gives the tour more substance than a string of quick photo stops.

The guide also discusses the Spice King, Qarth, and Daenerys’ scenes. If you are watching the series again before your visit, note the palace and port episodes in advance. You will get more from the explanations if the names and storylines are fresh.

Drogon’s Skybridge and Cersei’s Red Keep

One of the more striking stops is the location used as Drogon’s Skybridge. The guide explains the scene and lets you compare the built television setting with the actual Dubrovnik location.

This is a good point to remember that Game of Thrones often enlarged or rearranged places through digital effects. The real site may be smaller, plainer, or shaped differently than it appears on screen. That contrast is part of the fun, and it also prevents false expectations.

The walk continues through locations linked with Cersei and the Red Keep. You will have time to handle the tour’s weapon collection, including replicas of Longclaw, the Dothraki arakh, and Needle. These props give you something to do between explanations and make family or group photos more entertaining.

The swords are replicas, not production originals. Their purpose is hands-on fun and scene recreation. If you enjoy costume photographs, this is one of the tour’s best extras. If you prefer a quiet architectural walk, the prop session may feel a little theatrical.

The route stays focused on the show, but the guide’s personal stories help it avoid becoming a simple list of names. Robert has been praised for being funny, easygoing, and able to explain what it was like to be present during filming. Toni has also added his own stories, while Parco has been praised for clear explanations and taking photographs.

Revelin Fortress, Lokrum, and the last view of King’s Landing

The final section reaches the terrace in front of Revelin Fortress. From here, you can look toward Lokrum Island, the old city port, and the area used as a duel arena. The view gives the tour a strong finish because it connects several parts of Dubrovnik at once.

Your guide covers more stories at this point, including Oberyn, the Mountain, the Dothraki deserts, Qarth, and the closing moments of King’s Landing. You can look over the port while hearing about Jon Snow’s final scenes before he returns to the Night’s Watch.

Lokrum deserves special attention. The tour includes a printed map showing the island’s Game of Thrones locations in Qarth, along with directions. The island is not part of this walking route, so treat the map as a useful add-on for a separate visit.

If you have time after the tour, Lokrum can extend the television theme beyond Dubrovnik’s walls. The printed directions help you plan that follow-up without needing another guide. The famous Iron Throne on Lokrum is also a popular photo stop, but the separate island visit is not included in this tour.

What the $64 price really covers

At $64 per person, the tour is not the cheapest way to walk around Dubrovnik. You can see the city walls and many streets without paying for a guide. The price makes more sense if you want the filming context, set stories, scene photographs, and organized route.

The group limit is a major part of the value. Nine people is small enough for questions and photographs, and off-season bookings may feel almost private. A solo participant in February received a private experience at the group-tour price, though you should not count on that happening.

You also receive the guide’s time, printed map, visuals, and access to the prop collection. The Fort Lovrjenac admission is not included, so budget for that separately. Food, drinks, and transport from your hotel are also outside the price.

Flexible booking helps if your Dubrovnik schedule is uncertain. You can choose among several start times, reserve now, pay later, and cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Check the available times for your date rather than assuming the 09:00 meeting time applies to every departure.

Who should book this walk

I would choose this tour for:

• Dedicated Game of Thrones fans who want exact filming places and character context.
• First-time Dubrovnik visitors who want a guided introduction to the old city.
• Couples and small groups who value a personal guide rather than a large crowd.
• People interested in film production, especially behind-the-scenes stories.
• Visitors who want Dubrovnik views and local history alongside television locations.

I would think twice if you have mobility limits, are pregnant, or dislike steep climbs. The tour is specifically not suitable for people with mobility impairments, and the 300 steps are not a minor detail.

It is also less useful if you want to explore the old city at your own pace. The guide keeps the group moving across a set route, and the show references naturally take priority over museums, churches, or food stops.

The language is English. Start times vary, and you should arrive at Pile Gate early enough to find Amerling’s Fountain and identify the Lannister banner.

Practical ways to enjoy the tour more

Wear shoes with a secure grip. Dubrovnik’s stone steps can be tiring, especially in hot weather, and the route includes uphill sections.

Carry sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sun hat. The fort and terraces are exposed, and the tour can feel bright and warm even when the narrow lanes are shaded.

Watch or revisit key Game of Thrones episodes before you go. You do not need to memorize the series, but recognizing Cersei’s walk, the Starks’ farewell, and the Qarth scenes will make the explanations more rewarding.

Leave room in your schedule after the walk. The tour does not include Lokrum, but the printed map gives you directions to the island’s Qarth sites. You may also want time for Dubrovnik’s old city, port, or fortifications after the filming stops.

Finally, let the guide take photographs. The small group makes it easier to pose with the props and recreate scenes without holding up a large crowd.

FAQ

Where does the Game of Thrones tour meet?

The meeting point is outside Dubrovnik’s Pile Gate, near Amerling’s Fountain. The guide will be holding a Lannister banner, and you can ask to see your name on the guide’s list.

How long does the tour last?

The walking tour lasts 150 minutes, or two and a half hours.

Is the Fort Lovrjenac entrance included?

No. The entrance ticket to Lovrjenac Fortress, which represents the Red Keep, is not included in the tour price.

How many people can join the tour?

The tour is limited to nine participants, making it a small-group experience. In quieter periods, the group may be much smaller.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, sunglasses, a sun hat, and sunscreen. You should also be prepared to climb around 300 steps.

Is Lokrum Island part of the tour?

No. The walking route includes views toward Lokrum and comes with a printed map showing the island’s Game of Thrones sites and directions. You need to visit Lokrum separately.

Should you book the Dubrovnik Game of Thrones Extended Tour?

Book it if you want more than a quick photograph at a famous filming spot. The combination of Dubrovnik views, scene comparisons, props, and guides with set experience gives the walk real character. Robert receives especially strong praise for his humor and personal stories, but Toni and Parco have also led highly enjoyable outings.

At $64, the tour earns its price through the small group and the guide’s added context, not through transport or included attractions. Add the separate fortress ticket, wear proper shoes, and accept that the route is a workout.

For a Game of Thrones fan, this is an easy choice. For everyone else, it remains a useful Dubrovnik walking tour, provided you are happy to trade some independent wandering for a lively, screen-focused story of the city.