Dubrovnik: Game of Thrones & Lokrum island Tour

Dubrovnik makes a convincing King’s Landing, and this tour shows you why one stone stairway, fortress, harbor, and city wall scene looks so familiar. You’ll visit Fort Lovrjenac, used as the Red Keep and the setting for Blackwater Bay, then cross to Lokrum Island for the Iron Throne photo.

I like the way the tour mixes Game of Thrones filming stories with Dubrovnik’s own past. I also like the small group limit of 12, the guide’s photo book for scene comparisons, and the option to remain on Lokrum after the guided portion ends.

The main catch is cost and effort. The $42.33 tour price does not include the €15 Fort Lovrjenac admission or the €30 return boat ticket to Lokrum. Expect stairs, heat, and plenty of walking, though the early 9:15 a.m. start helps.

Key points to know before you book

• Fort Lovrjenac gives you the best wide views: Allow 30 to 40 minutes for the fortress, filming stories, and views over the sea.
• The tour finishes on Lokrum Island: You can return with the group or stay longer, but you must catch the final boat back to Dubrovnik.
• Alex is a frequent guide: Alex, also called Alexandra, is praised for her storytelling, restaurant tips, and use of a speaker and headphones.
• The Iron Throne photo is included: You can take home a free souvenir photo opportunity at the Lokrum visitor area.
• A Dubrovnik Pass can reduce the fort cost: Fort entry is free with a valid 24-hour Dubrovnik Pass or a 72-hour City Walls ticket.
• The 9:15 a.m. start is the smart choice: Morning brings fewer crowds and less punishing sun at the exposed fortress.

King’s Landing begins outside Pile Gate

Meet Dubrovnik Walks under the orange umbrella at Brsalje ul. 8, just outside Pile Gate. This area can be crowded with tour groups, so do not stop only at the first fountain you see. Walk around the nearby sidewalk and look for the orange umbrella.

The guide starts with a short introduction before leading you toward Pile Gate. This opening is useful even if you have seen the series many times, since you learn where the group is going and how the three-hour route fits together.

At Pile Gate, the guide sets up the basic story of Dubrovnik as King’s Landing. You’ll hear which locations are ahead and get your first filming details before the group moves toward Fort Lovrjenac.

The tour is offered in English and has a maximum of 12 people. That size matters here. Dubrovnik’s Old Town streets can be tight, and a small group is easier to keep together than a large flag-following crowd.

Fort Lovrjenac is the tour’s big payoff

Fort Lovrjenac is the strongest part of the walking route. It sits above the water outside the western edge of the Old Town, giving you broad views back toward Dubrovnik and the Adriatic.

On screen, the fortress became the Red Keep and part of Blackwater Bay. On site, it is a substantial stone fort with steep approaches and open views. The fun comes from comparing the real place with the finished scenes. Your guide carries a book of production photos, allowing you to match the filmed image with the wall, harbor, or courtyard in front of you.

Plan on 30 to 40 minutes inside the fort. The time is long enough to hear filming stories without turning the stop into a full military-history visit. Still, the fort has value beyond television. You get a clear sense of why Dubrovnik was such a useful set: the fortress, sea, walls, and Old Town sit close together but offer very different visual backdrops.

Admission is not included. The listed price is €15 per person, but you can enter free with a valid Dubrovnik Pass that covers 24 hours or a City Walls ticket valid for 72 hours. Check what you already plan to buy before paying separately. If you intend to walk Dubrovnik’s walls, the ticket may save you money here.

The climb is not extreme for most people with moderate fitness, but this is not a flat stroll. The route includes stairs, and the stone can feel tiring in hot weather. I would wear firm shoes, bring water, and choose the morning departure whenever possible.

Pile Bay shows the working side of the set

After the fort, the group heads to Ulica od Tabakarije and the small port at Pile Bay. This pier is one of those places that can look ordinary until the guide points out how it was used on screen.

The stop lasts about 10 minutes, so expect a focused explanation rather than a long break. It also gives you a change of pace after the fortress stairs. You are close to the water and outside the most crowded Old Town lanes, with time to look back at the fort and understand the geography of the scenes.

This part of the tour works best when you pay attention to location rather than expecting a major attraction at every stop. The guide explains how a real Dubrovnik harbor can become a fictional waterfront once the camera angle and set dressing do their work.

The Walk of Shame route runs through the Old Town

Gunduliceva Poljana Market is the next notable stop. The square and steps were used for the famous Walk of Shame sequence, one of the show’s most recognizable Dubrovnik locations.

It is a lively place during the day, with market activity and people crossing through. That makes the scene comparison especially interesting. The real square is part of everyday Dubrovnik, while the series turned it into a tense public spectacle.

From here, the tour continues through the Old Town for about 45 minutes. This is the longest part of the city walking section, and the guide covers several scenes rather than focusing on a single famous frame.

You will also get Dubrovnik context along the way. That balance is important if you are traveling with someone who has never watched Game of Thrones. Several people who had not seen the series still enjoyed the tour because the guide connected the filming locations with the city’s past, architecture, and daily life.

Alexandra, often referred to as Alex, is especially well suited to this format. She is praised for telling behind-the-scenes stories, explaining filming methods, and adding practical advice about places to eat and tourist traps to avoid. Adrianna has also led the tour and is described as friendly and well informed.

A small speaker and individual headphones may be used, which solves a real problem in Dubrovnik. Streets can be noisy, and a guide who is easy to hear makes the difference between following the story and missing half of it. One useful limitation remains: the printed filming photos can be hard to see at times, especially when the group is gathered in a bright or crowded spot.

From Porat to Lokrum by boat

The route finishes in Dubrovnik’s Old Town port, Porat Dubrovnik. Here, the group arranges the short boat ride to Lokrum Island.

The crossing takes about 10 minutes according to the tour schedule, while the overall Lokrum boat experience is often described as roughly 15 minutes. Either way, it is a quick transfer, not a major cruise. It gives you a pleasant break from walking and a different view of the city.

The boat ticket is an extra expense. The listed return price is €30 per person. That makes the Lokrum extension a meaningful addition to your budget, especially for a family or group. I would decide before booking if you want the island portion, since it is the part that changes the total cost most.

Weather matters here. Rain has caused the Lokrum portion to be missed on some departures, and the experience requires good weather. If poor weather cancels the tour, you are offered another date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of people is not reached.

Lokrum adds a welcome change of scene

Lokrum is not simply a final photo stop. The island gives you a quieter, more open part of the experience after the close streets of Dubrovnik.

The guided portion lasts about 40 minutes and focuses on Game of Thrones locations. The main prize is the Iron Throne, where you get a free photo opportunity. It is a playful souvenir, and the guide can take individual photos for couples or small groups who want one.

The island also has value for people who are not devoted fans. The setting provides a break from the Old Town crowds, and you can continue exploring independently after the official tour ends. Bring a swimsuit and towel if you want to use the island’s swimming spots. Families may especially appreciate having room to relax after the city walk.

You must plan your return carefully. The official tour concludes on Lokrum, not back at the Dubrovnik meeting point. You are welcome to stay, but you are responsible for catching the final boat to the city. Do not treat the island extension as a flexible drop-off without checking the boat schedule.

I like this ending because it avoids rushing everyone straight back into Dubrovnik. You can finish the guided activity, take the Iron Throne photo, and then choose how long to remain. If you have a full afternoon free, Lokrum becomes a useful half-day add-on rather than a quick checkbox.

What the $42.33 price really covers

At $42.33 per person, the base price is fair for a three-hour small-group tour with a licensed local guide and the Iron Throne photo opportunity. The group limit of 12 keeps the experience more personal than a large coach excursion.

But the advertised price is not the complete cost if you follow the full route. Add €15 for Fort Lovrjenac unless you have the qualifying Dubrovnik Pass or City Walls ticket, plus €30 for the return Lokrum boat. The full outing can therefore cost much more than the starting figure.

That extra spending can still be worthwhile. Fort Lovrjenac is one of the most visually impressive stops, and Lokrum changes the mood of the day. If you only want the Old Town filming locations, you should look for a shorter city-only option. If you want the fortress, boat ride, island, and Iron Throne, budget for the add-ons from the start.

I would also compare the fort fee with your wider Dubrovnik plans. A City Walls ticket or Dubrovnik Pass may already fit your sightseeing schedule. In that case, the tour can become better value because the fort admission is covered.

Timing, comfort, and practical planning

The 9:15 a.m. departure is a strong choice. Dubrovnik’s famous locations become harder to enjoy as the day grows hotter and more groups enter the Old Town. Morning also helps at Fort Lovrjenac, where much of the visit is exposed to the sun.

Allow three hours for the guided experience, then add extra time if you want to remain on Lokrum. The walking is steady, with stairs at the fort and movement through uneven Old Town streets. Moderate physical fitness is required.

Wear shoes with a solid grip. Bring water, sun protection, and a rain layer when the forecast looks uncertain. The tour has continued in wet conditions with rain covers, but poor weather can also cancel the activity or prevent the Lokrum portion.

The mobile ticket is convenient, and confirmation arrives when you book. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Who will enjoy this Dubrovnik tour most

You should book this if you want a guided introduction to Dubrovnik with a strong television connection. Fans will recognize the Walk of Shame location, Red Keep settings, Blackwater Bay views, and Lokrum’s Iron Throne. The guide’s scene photos and production stories give you more than a list of places.

You do not need to have watched the series. The fortress views, Old Town walk, harbor, and island make the route worthwhile on their own. The tour is particularly useful for mixed groups, since a fan can enjoy filming details while everyone else gets local history and city orientation.

It is less suitable if you dislike stairs, want a completely independent visit, or have only a short window before another activity. The extra admissions also mean this is not the cheapest way to see Dubrovnik’s locations.

Should you book the Game of Thrones and Lokrum tour?

I would book it if you can handle the walking and are prepared for the extra €45 in fort and boat costs. The strongest combination is the early start, Fort Lovrjenac, a small group, and Lokrum at the end.

Choose the island extension if you want more than a quick filming-location walk. You get the Iron Throne photo, a short boat ride, and the chance to swim or relax before returning on your own schedule.

Skip it if you only want a fast look at the Old Town scenes or if your budget cannot absorb the add-ons. For most fans, though, the tour turns familiar television images into real places, and the Lokrum finish gives the morning a pleasant second act.

FAQ

Where does the Game of Thrones and Lokrum tour begin?

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

What time does the tour start?

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

How long does the tour last?

The guided experience lasts approximately three hours. You may stay on Lokrum after the guided portion, but you must arrange your own return by catching the final boat to Dubrovnik.

Is Fort Lovrjenac included in the tour price?

No. Fort admission is listed as €15 per person. Entry is free for people with a valid 24-hour Dubrovnik Pass or a 72-hour City Walls ticket.

Is the Lokrum boat included?

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

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you will be offered another date or a full refund. Free cancellation is also available up to 24 hours before the scheduled start time.