Dubrovnik: Game of Thrones & Lokrum island Tour

King’s Landing is real enough. This three-hour Dubrovnik tour links famous Game of Thrones filming spots with the city’s own stories, then crosses by boat to Lokrum Island for the Iron Throne. I like the small group limit of 12, and I especially like the guide’s use of scene photos so you can compare the television set with the actual streets, walls, and fortress around you.

I also like that the experience does not end in the Old Town. Lokrum gives you a calmer change of pace, along with the free Iron Throne photo. The main drawback is cost clarity: the advertised price is $42.33, but the Fort St. Lawrence entrance and return boat to Lokrum are extra, so your final cost can be higher.

Key things to know before you book

• Fort Lovrjenac supplies the best views and biggest climb: You get about 30 to 40 minutes inside the fortress, with striking views over Pile Bay and the coast.
• The tour blends television trivia with Dubrovnik history: Even if you have never watched Game of Thrones, the Old Town and fortress material still gives the walk real value.
• A small group makes the guide easier to follow: The maximum is 12 people, and guides may use a speaker with individual headphones.
• Lokrum is an optional extension in practice: The tour ends on the island, but you can stay and explore independently if you watch the boat schedule.
• Morning is the smart choice: The 9:15 a.m. start means cooler conditions and fewer people at the famous sites.
• Budget for added admissions: Fort St. Lawrence costs €15 unless you have a valid Dubrovnik Pass or a City Walls ticket, and the return boat is listed at €30 per person.

Starting outside Pile Gate at 9:15 a.m.

The meeting point is the Dubrovnik Walks orange umbrella at Brsalje ul. 8, outside the Old Town near the fountain. This area can be confusing because several groups gather nearby, so do not stop at the first crowd you see. Walk around the fountain and check for the orange umbrella.

The tour begins with a short introduction before moving toward Pile Gate. That opening matters because it gives you a quick outline of the morning: fortress scenes first, then filming spots through the Old Town, followed by the boat to Lokrum.

The group size is capped at 12. That is a useful limit in Dubrovnik, where narrow lanes and busy squares can make a large guided group feel like a parade. Guides Alexandra, often called Alex, and Adrianna have been praised for being friendly, clear, and entertaining. Alex, in particular, is noted for offering restaurant suggestions and practical advice about avoiding tourist traps.

One smart feature is the audio setup used by Alex. She has used a small speaker and headphones so everyone can hear even when the group spreads out by several meters. That is helpful in a city full of street noise and hard stone walls, though one person found it occasionally difficult to see the guide’s printed pictures. Stay close when the scene comparisons begin.

Pile Gate sets the stage

Pile Gate is more than a meeting point. It is your first lesson in how Dubrovnik’s real defenses became the setting for King’s Landing.

The guide explains the route and points out some of the filming locations ahead. This is a brief stop, but it helps you understand the basic trick behind the tour: the show often used Dubrovnik as itself, then added digital effects or changed the action around it.

If you know the series well, this opening will trigger memories quickly. If you do not, you can still enjoy seeing how a working medieval entrance became part of a giant television production.

Fort Lovrjenac delivers the main event

The walk to Lovrjenac Fortress includes stairs, and this is the most physically demanding section of the morning. You need a moderate level of fitness, especially in warm weather. The climb is worth it for the views and for the sense of place.

The fortress supplied locations associated with the Red Keep and Blackwater Bay. You spend roughly 30 to 40 minutes here, enough time for the guide to connect the stone walls and open viewpoints with scenes from the show.

Alex and other guides use a photo book during the tour. You can look at a television image, then see the same angle in front of you. This is one of the most useful parts of the experience because it reveals how much of the final image came from camera position, set dressing, and computer effects.

The fortress also works for people who are not Game of Thrones fans. You get broad views across the water, a closer look at Dubrovnik’s defensive setting, and stories about the city beyond the television production. One person who had never watched the series still enjoyed the fortress, views, and local background.

Admission is not included. The stated price is €15 per person, but entry is free with a valid Dubrovnik Pass providing 24-hour use or with a City Walls ticket valid for 72 hours. If you already plan to buy one of those, this part of the tour offers better value.

Pile Bay and the famous pier

After the fortress, the route returns toward Ulica od Tabakarije, a pier beside the old small port in Pile Bay. It is a short stop, about 10 minutes, but it helps connect the dramatic fortress scenes with the waterfront used in the series.

The setting is also a welcome pause after the stairs. Your guide may explain how the production used the harbor, nearby walls, and surrounding buildings to create the visual world of King’s Landing.

Do not expect a long free period here. This is a guided viewing stop, not a beach break or a separate port visit.

Gunduliceva Poljana and the Walk of Shame

The route continues into the Old Town and reaches Gunduliceva Poljana Market, known to fans as one of the Walk of Shame filming locations.

This square is a good example of the tour’s wider value. You see a familiar scene location, then return your attention to a real Dubrovnik public space with its own daily life. The guide explains what was filmed here and how the show used the existing architecture.

The stop lasts about 10 minutes. Crowds can make scene matching harder, so keep an eye on the guide and the photo book. The morning departure helps, but Dubrovnik’s best-known streets can still fill quickly.

Old Town scenes with more than television trivia

About 45 minutes are devoted to Old Town locations. This is the longest walking section and the part where the tour most clearly combines film facts with city history.

You move through streets and squares connected with the show, while the guide explains how scenes were staged and how filming affected Dubrovnik during a busy tourist season. The behind-the-scenes material adds interest because you learn about the practical problems of bringing a production crew into a working historic city.

The guide may also point out how computer-generated imagery changed the final scenes. Seeing the actual lanes beside the finished television images helps you understand the difference between Dubrovnik as it is and King’s Landing as the show presented it.

I would not book this solely as a rapid checklist of filming sites. The Old Town section works best if you enjoy stories, visual comparisons, and a little context about the city itself. The walking route covers familiar ground, but the production details give it a new angle.

The short boat ride to Lokrum

At Porat Dubrovnik, the old city port, the group buys boat tickets and crosses to Lokrum. The ride takes about 10 minutes according to the route details, while another description places the crossing at about 15 minutes. Either way, it is a short transfer rather than a major boat excursion.

This is where you should pay close attention to what is included. The tour price does not cover the return Lokrum boat, listed at €30 per person. The tour ends on Lokrum, so you are responsible for arranging your return and making sure you do not miss the final boat back to Dubrovnik.

That arrangement has a benefit: you can stay on the island after the guided portion and explore at your own pace. It also creates a practical obligation, especially if you are tired, traveling with children, or planning another activity later in the day.

Lokrum and the Iron Throne

The Lokrum portion lasts about 40 minutes with the guide. You follow the Game of Thrones connections and finish with the free photo opportunity on the Iron Throne.

The throne is the clear souvenir moment. It gives you a simple, memorable photograph without an additional charge, and it is one reason I would include Lokrum rather than stopping after the Old Town. The island also offers a break from Dubrovnik’s packed stone streets.

The guided visit only covers part of what you can do there. You may stay after the tour and explore independently, and one useful tip is to bring a swimsuit and towel if you want time near the water. The island has places to relax and swim, according to the experience details shared by the guide and tour participants.

Do not treat Lokrum as just an extra filming location. It changes the rhythm of the morning. After several hours of streets, stairs, and scene comparisons, the boat and island give you open space and time to slow down.

The catch is timing. Since the tour concludes on Lokrum, check the return boat schedule before you wander off. The experience provider specifically places that responsibility on you.

How much value do you get for $42.33?

At $42.33 per person, the tour is fairly priced if you want a guide, the fortress visit, the filming locations, and the Lokrum extension. The small group and three-hour route make it more useful than simply walking around with a list of filming spots.

The advertised price does not tell the whole story. Add €15 for Fort St. Lawrence unless your Dubrovnik Pass or City Walls ticket covers admission. Add the €30 return boat fare to Lokrum as well. Ask yourself if the full cost still fits your plans before booking.

The value improves for Game of Thrones fans who want more than photographs. The guide’s scene book, filming stories, and explanations of computer effects help you see the locations with fresh eyes.

It can also work for nonfans, but only if you value Dubrovnik’s fortifications, Old Town, views, and island setting. The television theme is present throughout, so someone seeking a purely historical city tour may prefer a different format.

The guides make the difference

The strongest part of this experience is the guiding. Alex is repeatedly described as lively, helpful, and good at telling stories. She brings in both production details and local history, rather than reciting only names and episode references.

She also gives practical suggestions about food and other things to do in Dubrovnik. That kind of advice can be worth a great deal in a city where location and price do not always line up. Adrianna is also praised for being warm and well informed.

The audio equipment is another plus when available. Clear sound lets you stand slightly apart for photographs without losing the explanation.

There are small limits. Printed images can be difficult to view when the group is moving or the square is crowded. If comparing the scene with the real location matters to you, stay near the guide and ask for a moment to look closely.

Heat, rain, stairs, and the best time to go

The 9:15 a.m. departure is the safest choice. Early morning usually gives you a better chance at cooler temperatures and less crowd pressure, and the route includes a fortress climb and a long Old Town walk.

Wear practical shoes. The tour requires walking and stairs, and the stone surfaces can be tiring in heat or rain. A moderate fitness level is expected.

The experience depends on good weather. In rain, the island portion may be canceled, as happened on one occasion, with rain covers provided for the group. If poor weather cancels the experience, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Sunset departures can also work. One person found the later timing ideal, but the morning option remains better if you want fewer people and less sun.

Who should book this Dubrovnik tour?

I would recommend it to:

• Fans of Game of Thrones who want recognizable locations and behind-the-scenes stories
• First-time Dubrovnik visitors who want an introduction to the Old Town with a clear theme
• Couples and small groups who value a capped group size
• Families with enough energy for stairs and several hours of walking
• People who want to pair city sightseeing with a short island visit

I would think twice if you dislike organized walks, have difficulty with stairs, or want a relaxed beach day from start to finish. Lokrum can become a relaxed extension, but the first part moves at a guided walking-tour pace.

Book at least a day ahead if your plans are fixed. The experience is often reserved well in advance, with an average booking time of about 46 days. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start, but late cancellations and late changes are not accepted.

Should you book the Game of Thrones and Lokrum tour?

Book it if you want a lively, focused way to see Dubrovnik through both television and local eyes. Alex and the other guides add personality, the fortress provides the best views, and Lokrum makes the morning feel broader than a standard Old Town walk.

Before you commit, budget for the fort and return boat, wear shoes suited to stairs, and plan your day around ending on Lokrum. For fans, the Iron Throne and filming comparisons make the extra cost worthwhile. For nonfans, book only if Dubrovnik’s fortifications, stories, and Lokrum appeal as much as the show itself.

FAQ

How long does the Dubrovnik Game of Thrones and Lokrum tour last?

The guided experience lasts about three hours.

Where does the tour begin?

It begins at the Dubrovnik Walks orange umbrella at Brsalje ul. 8, outside Pile Gate in Dubrovnik.

What time does the tour start?

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

Where does the tour end?

The guided tour ends on Lokrum Island.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The tour is offered in English.

Is the Iron Throne photo included?

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

Is admission to Fort St. Lawrence included?

No. Admission is listed at €15 per person, although entry is free for holders of a valid Dubrovnik Pass with 24-hour usage or a City Walls ticket with 72-hour usage.

Is the return boat from Lokrum included?

No. The return Lokrum boat from Porat Dubrovnik is listed at €30 per person.

Can I stay on Lokrum after the guided tour?

Yes. You may remain on Lokrum and explore independently, but you must not miss the final boat back to Dubrovnik.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You are offered a different date or a full refund if the experience is canceled because of poor weather.