Dubrovnik: Epic Game of Thrones Tour + Lokrum Island Option

Dubrovnik makes a convincing King’s Landing, and this tour shows you why. You’ll walk from the West Harbour through Pile Gate, the Jesuit Staircase, and Stradun, while your guide holds up scenes from the series so you can match fantasy to stone, steps, and sea.

I like two things especially: the scene comparisons make familiar moments easy to place, and the tour adds useful Dubrovnik history instead of talking only about television. The Lokrum option is another strong point, since it takes you to the island used as Qarth and its official Iron Throne.

The main catch is cost and effort. The advertised price covers the guided walk, but Lovrjenac Fortress costs another €15, and the Lokrum option adds €30 for the round-trip ferry and island admission. Expect about 10 flights of stairs, sun, and a fairly quick pace.

Key points at a glance

• Walk through the real King’s Landing: Visit the West Harbour, Pile Gate, the Jesuit Staircase, and Stradun.
• Climb to Lovrjenac Fortress: Pay €15 extra, or use a valid Dubrovnik Pass or city-wall ticket.
• Add the real Iron Throne: The Lokrum option includes a photo on the official throne in the Benedictine Monastery.
• Compare fiction with reality: Guides show images from the series at the locations where scenes were filmed.
• Plan for heat and stairs: The route includes roughly 10 flights of steps and requires moderate fitness.
• Choose your ending carefully: The Lokrum option finishes on the island, where you can stay for swimming, hiking, food, or a drink.

Why Dubrovnik works so well as King’s Landing

The appeal here is not simply spotting a staircase or gate from a television show. Dubrovnik’s Old Town already has the hard, weathered look that made it useful on screen: thick stone walls, narrow lanes, polished limestone, and an Adriatic setting that needs little decoration.

The guide helps you see the difference between the actual place and the filmed version. At several stops, you’ll be shown images from the series and then asked to look at the same angle in front of you. That small detail matters. Without it, some filming points can look like ordinary corners in a very handsome city.

The strongest guides add stories from filming and explain how Dubrovnik was used for different scenes. Alex, Bogdan, Davor, Darko, Ivan, and Ivor are among the guides praised for being friendly, funny, and well informed. One guide had worked as an extra, and another had been in the city during filming, giving the television side of the tour a personal edge.

You do not need to be a serious fan to enjoy the walk. The route also works as a brisk introduction to the Old Town, with background on Dubrovnik and Croatia woven between the screen locations. If you know little about the show, you’ll still get attractive views, city stories, and a clear path through the historic center.

Starting at Dubrovnik’s West Harbour

The tour begins at the City of Dubrovnik Tourist Board on Brsalje Street, near the western entrance to the Old Town. From there, the route reaches the West Harbour, one of the major filming areas.

This is a good opening because the harbor gives you space to look back at the walls and see how the city meets the sea. Several scenes from different seasons were filmed here, so your guide can show how one location was dressed and framed for different parts of the story.

The stop lasts about 20 minutes and has no admission charge. Bring your camera, but keep it ready rather than expecting long pauses. The full experience lasts only two to three hours, and the group moves on a schedule.

Lovrjenac Fortress and the price of the best view

Lovrjenac Fortress is the major physical climb of the outing. It was used as a filming setting, but its real reward is the view back toward Dubrovnik’s walls and across the Adriatic.

The fortress stop lasts about 45 minutes, making it the longest visit on the main walking route. You’ll have time to hear about its role in the series and take in the setting, but you must pay attention to the entrance fee. Admission is not included and costs €15 per person.

There is a useful money-saving detail. The fortress ticket gives you €15 off the city walls for 72 hours. A Dubrovnik Pass or a valid city-wall ticket also covers entry to the fort. If you plan to walk the walls or visit museums, check the value of a Dubrovnik Pass before the tour. One three-day pass costs €40 according to the tour information and may be a better deal than buying several sights separately.

If you decide not to enter, you may have to wait outside while the group visits the fortress and then reunites. That makes the extra fee more than a minor footnote. I would budget for Lovrjenac if you want the complete route, especially since the views are a major part of the experience.

The climb is also where the physical demands become clear. The full route includes around 10 flights of stairs. People with knee problems or mobility limits should think carefully before booking, since the tour is not recommended for those with mobility issues.

Pile Gate, the Jesuit Staircase, and Stradun

After the fortress, the tour moves through Pile Gate, the main western entrance to Dubrovnik’s Old Town. It is a short 10-minute stop, but it helps you understand the route into the walled city and the way the entrance appears in the series.

The Jesuit Staircase is likely the most recognizable stop for many fans. This is where Cersei’s walk of shame was filmed. The staircase has a strong visual identity, and the guide’s scene image makes the connection immediate.

You’ll spend about 15 minutes here. That sounds generous, but it goes quickly when a group is taking photos and listening to filming details. Set your camera or phone to hand before you arrive, especially if you want a clear picture without holding up the group.

Stradun, Dubrovnik’s main street, comes next for about 10 minutes. The broad limestone street is a useful contrast to the tight lanes and steep stairs visited earlier. It also gives the guide room to explain how the Old Town functions beyond its role as a film set.

I like this section because the tour does not treat each location as an isolated photo stop. You move through the center in a sensible order, seeing parts of Dubrovnik that you might otherwise pass while hunting for famous scenes.

The Lokrum option and the real Iron Throne

The Lokrum add-on changes the shape of the experience. Instead of ending in the Old Town, you continue to Veliki Muo, where the ferry leaves for Lokrum Island. The boat crossing takes about 15 minutes, and ferries run every half hour or hour depending on the season.

The island was used as Qarth. The highlight is the official Iron Throne in the throne room of the island’s Benedictine Monastery. This is not the replica throne available in Dubrovnik’s Old Town. If the Iron Throne is the main reason you are booking, choose the Lokrum option and confirm the added fee before paying.

The Lokrum package includes the chance to take a photo on the throne and the opportunity to remain on the island after the guided portion ends. That free time is valuable. You can swim, hike, stop at a restaurant or bar, or try the island’s cliff-jump spots. The tour information allows around 30 minutes for the guided island visit, but you can stay afterward under the Lokrum option.

This makes Lokrum especially appealing on a hot day. The Old Town route is exposed, and the stone streets and stairs can feel demanding in summer. Finishing beside the water gives you a chance to slow down rather than returning directly to city traffic and crowds.

The drawback is the price. Round-trip ferry travel and island admission cost €30 for adults, payable on the spot by cash or card. Children aged 5 to 17 pay €5. Three-day and seven-day Dubrovnik Passes provide a 20 or 30 percent discount, depending on the pass.

Weather also matters. The ferry may not run in poor conditions. If that happens, the Lokrum part can be canceled and the extra fee reimbursed, as occurred on one departure. The operator offers a different date or a full refund when bad weather cancels the experience.

What the guides add to the walk

The guide makes or breaks a tour built around familiar locations. The best version is not a list of filming facts. It is a moving comparison between the show, the city, and the practical business of filming in an old stone town.

Alex has been praised for clear instructions and insider filming details. Bogdan is known for humor, kindness, and a strong mix of show facts and Croatian history. Davor has been described as engaging and careful with the group, while Ivan brought stories from being in Dubrovnik during filming. Darko has also led tours that combine the Old Town with Lokrum.

Guide assignments can change, so do not book solely for one particular name. Instead, expect an English-speaking licensed guide who uses scene images and adds background about Dubrovnik. The tour is offered in English, and a maximum group size of 110 is listed. That is a large possible group, so ask about the day’s headsets if you are joining a busy departure. On one large walk, headsets worked well and made it easier to hear.

The mix of television and local history is important. A pure fan tour can become repetitive, especially if you have already watched location videos online. Here, the strongest guides explain the city as well as the show, giving the outing value even for someone who has not seen every episode.

Timing, stairs, and summer heat

The advertised duration is two to three hours, though the Lokrum option includes time on the island after the guided section. The exact pace depends on the group, the fortress visit, ferry timing, and how long people spend at each photo stop.

You should wear shoes that handle stone streets and stairs. The route is not described as a strenuous hike, but 10 flights of stairs can feel like one in July. Bring water and some form of sun protection. A hat, sunglasses, and a small bottle of water will make the walk much easier.

The tour is near public transportation, and it begins by the Tourist Board at Brsalje Street. The end point differs from the start, particularly with the Lokrum option, since that version ends on Lokrum Island. Keep this in mind when arranging your next activity.

Do not schedule a tight appointment immediately afterward. The ferry runs at seasonal intervals, and the island option may take longer if you stay for lunch or swimming. The Old Town-only version is easier to fit into a fixed day.

Is the €24.19 starting price good value?

At €24.19 per person, the starting price is fair for a guided walk through several major filming points, especially if your guide also provides solid Dubrovnik context. You are paying for the route, the scene comparisons, and the guide’s ability to connect locations that are easy to miss alone.

But the headline figure is not the full cost of the most complete version. Add €15 for Lovrjenac Fortress unless your Dubrovnik Pass or city-wall ticket covers it. Add another €30 per adult for Lokrum, including the ferry and admission. For one adult choosing both extras, the total is roughly €69.19 before any pass discount.

That can still be good value if you want the complete Game of Thrones experience and would visit Lovrjenac and Lokrum anyway. It is less attractive if you only want a short walk through the Old Town or if you are trying to keep paid sights to a minimum.

The Lokrum option offers the better day for fans who have time. You get the Old Town locations, the fortress, Qarth, and the real Iron Throne, followed by free island time. The walking-only choice makes more sense for a tight schedule, a cooler short visit, or anyone who does not want the extra ferry cost.

Who should book this experience?

I would recommend it first to fans who want the real locations rather than a self-guided list on a phone. The scene images, guide stories, and route order help you see more than you would by wandering from one famous stairway to another.

It also suits someone who wants a structured introduction to Dubrovnik’s Old Town. The show is the hook, but the city itself gets enough attention to make the tour worthwhile for a companion who is not a fan. Several guides have a warm, funny style, which keeps the walk from becoming a dry lecture.

Families with older children may enjoy it, but the stairs and heat need honest consideration. The ferry and island add-on is a good fit for anyone who wants swimming, hiking, food, or a slower end to the day. It is not the best choice for people with mobility issues or anyone who dislikes steep climbs.

The 99 percent recommendation rate and 4.9 rating from 973 ratings point to a consistently strong experience, but the key is booking with clear expectations. This is a walking tour with paid admissions added on, not an all-inclusive attraction pass.

Final verdict: book the walk or add Lokrum?

Book the tour if you want an easy way to find Dubrovnik’s less obvious filming places and hear the city explained by an English-speaking guide. The Old Town route earns its price through the location comparisons and the added Croatian context.

Choose Lokrum if you have enough time for a half-day feel, want the official Iron Throne, and like the idea of swimming or lunch after the guided tour. Skip the add-on if your schedule is tight, the weather is uncertain, or the extra €30 per adult does not fit your plans.

Before you go, budget for Lovrjenac, check your Dubrovnik Pass, wear shoes with a good grip, and carry water. With those details settled, this is a lively and practical way to see both Dubrovnik on screen and Dubrovnik as it really is.

FAQ

How long does the Game of Thrones tour last?

The guided experience lasts approximately two to three hours. The Lokrum option can take longer if you remain on the island afterward for swimming, hiking, lunch, or drinks.

Is the Lokrum Island option included in the starting price?

No. The Lokrum option requires an additional €30 adult fee for round-trip ferry travel and island admission. Children aged 5 to 17 pay €5.

Is Lovrjenac Fortress included?

No. Entry costs €15 per person. A Dubrovnik Pass or a valid city-wall ticket covers admission, and the fortress ticket provides €15 off the city walls for 72 hours.

Can I visit the real Iron Throne?

Yes, but only with the Lokrum option. The official Iron Throne is located in the throne room of Lokrum Island’s Benedictine Monastery.

Is the tour suitable for people with mobility issues?

The tour is not recommended for people with mobility issues. It includes approximately 10 flights of stairs and requires a moderate level of physical fitness.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather cancels the experience, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time.