Dubrovnik: Game of Thrones&Lokrum Island Walking Tour

Dubrovnik supplies the stone walls, steep lanes, sea views, and medieval corners that made it the show’s King’s Landing. This three-hour tour links the Red Keep, Walk of Shame, Blackwater Bay, and Purple Wedding locations before crossing to Lokrum Island, the show’s City of Qarth.

I like the mix of screen lore and Croatian history. Guides such as Michaela, Ines, Josip, Alex, Andrea, Marko, and Davor have been praised for keeping even non-fans interested. I also like that the tour ends on Lokrum Island, so you can leave with the group or stay for a swim and a little quiet time among peacocks, rabbits, and old monastery ruins.

The main catch is the extra cost. The Lovrijenac entrance ticket is €15 and Lokrum entry is €30, both separate from the $41 tour price. Add hot summer sun, steep steps, and a ferry schedule, and this is not a carefree stroll for everyone.

Key points to know before you book

• The tour begins at Pile Square: Meet at the Amerling Fountain, outside the Old Town, near Dubravka restaurant. Look for the blue DUtheTour umbrella.
• Lovrijenac is the big opening scene: You spend about an hour at the fortress used as the Red Keep, with a separate €15 entrance fee.
• The Old Town route covers major filming spots: Pile Gate, Stradun, the Jesuit Stairs, Rector’s Palace, and the Old Port all bring different scenes to life.
• Lokrum changes the pace: A 15-minute ferry ride leads to the island, where the tour visits the Benedictine Monastery and official Iron Throne.
• You can stay after the tour: Bring swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen, but leave by the last ferry because overnight stays are not allowed.
• The guide makes the difference: English and German tours are available, and the strongest guides balance show trivia with local history and humor.

Why Dubrovnik works so well as King’s Landing

You do not need elaborate scenery to recognize Dubrovnik as King’s Landing. The Old Town gives you pale stone walls, narrow lanes, monumental gates, and a dramatic position above the Adriatic. The show’s production team made good use of what was already there.

That is the strength of this experience. You are not walking through a purpose-built attraction. You are seeing real streets and fortresses, then matching them with scenes from the series. The guide supplies the missing piece by explaining how each location was used and what happened there on screen.

The tour also has enough local context to work for mixed groups. If one person in your party can recite every family alliance and another has never watched an episode, both can still get something from the walk. The Croatian and Dubrovnik history helps prevent the experience from becoming a string of television snapshots.

The guides are often the heart of the outing. Michaela has been singled out for passion and humor, while Ines, Josip, Alex, Andrea, Marko, and Davor have all been praised for their preparation, friendliness, and ability to answer questions. That range matters because the same route can feel flat with a guide who only points at buildings, or lively with someone who explains the filming stories behind them.

Starting at Pile Square and climbing to the Red Keep

Meet outside the Old Town at the Amerling Fountain in Pile Square. The location is easy to identify if you use the blue umbrella with the DUtheTour logo, and it is close to Dubravka restaurant. Arrive with enough time to find the group before setting off.

The first major stop is Lovrijenac, the fortress used as the Red Keep. The visit lasts about an hour, making it the longest stop of the tour and one of its most important. You get a strong introduction to Dubrovnik’s film role before entering the tighter streets of the Old Town.

Lovrijenac is valuable even if you are not a dedicated fan. Its position gives you a sense of why the site works so well on camera, and the guide can connect the fortress to both the show and Dubrovnik’s past. The fortress also adds a physical element that a simple photo stop cannot provide.

The drawback is the €15 entrance ticket, which is not included in the tour price. You should also expect steps and uneven ground. Wear shoes that can handle old stone rather than smooth sandals, especially if the day is hot or wet.

From Pile Gate to the Walk of Shame

After Lovrijenac, the group returns toward Pile Gate for a short guided visit. This is one of the most recognizable entrances into Dubrovnik’s Old Town, and it gives the guide a useful place to explain how the city’s walls and gateways became part of King’s Landing.

From there, the route continues along Stradun, the Old Town’s main street. You spend about 15 minutes here. Stradun is not just a television location, it is also the practical spine of Dubrovnik, so this stop helps you get your bearings before the tour turns into smaller lanes and stairways.

The Jesuit Stairs are one of the most memorable stops. The visit lasts about 15 minutes, and the stairs are tied to Cersei’s Walk of Shame. Even if you remember the scene well, the real setting gives it a different force. The steep flight, worn stone, and surrounding buildings make clear why the production chose this spot.

This is also where the walking conditions become more important. Dubrovnik’s old streets are beautiful but not flat. You will be climbing and standing on stone, so bring water and give yourself room to move at an easy pace.

Rector’s Palace and the Old Port

Rector’s Palace receives about 10 minutes of guided attention. The building adds a more formal setting to the tour, contrasting with the fortress, main street, and narrow stairways. It was used for scenes connected with the show’s political world, so the guide can explain how the real building helped frame those moments.

The short visit means you should not expect a long museum-style exploration. This is a location tour, not a full architectural tour of every interior. The value comes from seeing the place in sequence with the other filming sites and understanding how the production moved around Dubrovnik.

The final Old Town stop is the Old Port, also covered in about 10 minutes. Here the show’s Blackwater Bay connections come into focus. The port provides a different view of the city, with open water replacing the enclosed lanes and courtyards you have just walked through.

I like this part of the route because it keeps the tour from becoming too repetitive. You move from fortress to gate, street, stairs, palace, and harbor. Each setting has a different shape, and the guide can show how Dubrovnik supplied several parts of King’s Landing without needing much alteration.

The ferry to Lokrum and the City of Qarth

After the Old Port, you board a ferry for the roughly 15-minute crossing to Lokrum Island. This short ride is more than a transfer. It gives your legs a break and shifts the mood from crowded stone streets to a protected island setting.

Lokrum played the part of City of Qarth in the show. The tour visits the Benedictine Monastery, with about 15 minutes of guided time. The monastery ruins bring a change of atmosphere and add a real historical site to the fictional trail.

The island is also one of the reasons this tour offers more than a standard Dubrovnik film walk. You are not simply checking off another location. You are entering a forest reserve where peacocks and rabbits roam, and where you can continue exploring after the guide finishes.

There is a separate €30 entrance fee for Lokrum. That cost is substantial when added to the $41 tour price, so check your total budget before booking. Still, the fee also gives you access to the island for the rest of the day, subject to the ferry timetable.

The Iron Throne and your choice after the tour

The Iron Throne is the final listed stop, with about 10 minutes for a visit and photographs. HBO gifted the throne to Dubrovnik, and it is displayed at the island’s Game of Thrones visitor center. This is the classic souvenir moment, so have your camera ready and expect a short photo opportunity rather than a long exhibit visit.

The tour finishes on Lokrum instead of returning you immediately to Dubrovnik’s Old Town. That is a useful design choice. You can board a ferry back when you are ready, or stay and make an afternoon of the island.

If you plan to remain, pack swim gear, a towel, and sunscreen from the start. Lokrum’s beaches are rocky, so do not expect a broad sandy shoreline. The island is suited to swimming, sitting by the water, walking among the trees, and seeing the monastery ruins and friendly animals.

You must leave by the last ferry. Overnight stays are not allowed because Lokrum is a protected forest reserve. Ask your guide or check the day’s ferry timing before settling in, especially if you are tempted to stay for a long swim.

How much value do you get for $41?

The $41 price covers the three-hour guided walking tour and a professional guide. It does not cover the €15 Lovrijenac ticket or the €30 Lokrum entrance fee. In practice, you should view this as a $41 guiding fee plus two separate site charges if you want the full route.

That total can become expensive, but the tour does combine several elements in one outing: a substantial fortress visit, a guided Old Town route, a ferry crossing, Lokrum, and the Iron Throne. Booking each part separately would require more planning, and you would lose the guide’s explanations and the link between the real sites and the show.

The value is strongest for people who want both entertainment and context. A guide who only identifies filming locations would not justify the added cost as well. Here, the best experience comes from the balance of Game of Thrones details, behind-the-scenes stories, Croatian history, trivia, and humor.

Group size can affect that value. A small group gives you more room to ask questions and makes photo stops less rushed. A private group is available if you want a more personal arrangement, though the supplied information does not give a private-group price.

Who will enjoy this three-hour route?

I would choose this for committed Game of Thrones fans who want to stand in the actual settings rather than view them only on a screen. You get many of the big names in one compact route, including the Red Keep, Blackwater Bay, the Walk of Shame stairs, the Purple Wedding setting, City of Qarth, and the Iron Throne.

It also works well for a mixed group. Several guides have blended show details with Dubrovnik and Croatian history, which is useful if only one member of your party has watched the series. You can enjoy the city’s architecture, fortifications, and island setting without knowing every plot twist.

Families and friends should note the walking demands. The tour includes old stone streets, stairs, standing, a fortress, and time outdoors. On a hot day, the combination of sun and stone can be tiring. Water, sunscreen, and sensible footwear will make the three hours easier.

I would be more cautious if your main goal is a slow visit to Dubrovnik’s museums or a full day at the beach. The schedule moves through many locations, and the fortress and island visits are relatively focused. It gives you a strong overview rather than long, unstructured time at each stop.

Languages, timing, and cancellation flexibility

The live tour is offered in English and German. Starting times vary, so you need to check availability for your chosen date. The listed duration is three hours, though staying on Lokrum afterward can turn it into most of a day.

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now-and-pay-later option also helps if your plans are still shifting, though you should still check the final booking terms for your date.

Because the tour ends on Lokrum, plan the rest of your day around the island rather than assuming you will finish back at Pile Square. If you have a fixed dinner reservation or a timed departure, allow extra time for the ferry back.

Should you book the Dubrovnik Game of Thrones and Lokrum tour?

Book it if you want a lively guide, major filming locations, and a pleasant island extension in one outing. The strongest reason to choose it is the guide-led storytelling. Michaela, Ines, Josip, Alex, Andrea, Marko, and Davor have all been praised for making the route fun while explaining Dubrovnik beyond the television show.

Think carefully about the extra fees. At $41 before the €15 fortress ticket and €30 island admission, the full experience is not the cheapest way to spend three hours. Still, you receive a well-connected route, professional guiding, the ferry crossing, and access to Lokrum for the rest of the day.

For a fan, the Iron Throne photo and real filming locations make the cost easier to accept. For a non-fan, the mix of history, views, fortress architecture, and island nature keeps the tour worthwhile. Bring water, sun protection, sturdy shoes, and swim gear, then decide on Lokrum whether you want to return to town or stay until the last ferry.

FAQ

Where does the tour meet?

Meet at the Amerling Fountain in Pile Square, outside Dubrovnik’s Old Town and close to Dubravka restaurant. Look for the blue umbrella with the DUtheTour logo.

How long does the tour last?

The guided experience lasts three hours. It ends on Lokrum Island, where you may stay longer before returning by ferry.

Which languages are available?

The live tour is available in English and German.

Is Lovrijenac included in the tour price?

No. The entrance ticket to Lovrijenac, the Red Keep filming location, costs €15 and is not included.

Is Lokrum Island included in the tour price?

No. The Lokrum entrance ticket costs €30 and is not included in the $41 tour price.

Can I take a picture on the Iron Throne?

Yes. The tour includes a visit and photo stop at the official Iron Throne on Lokrum Island.

Can I swim on Lokrum Island?

Yes. You can stay on the island after the guided portion and use its rocky beaches. Bring swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen.

Can I stay overnight on Lokrum?

No. Overnight stays are not allowed. Everyone must leave the island by the last ferry.

Is the tour suitable for someone who has not watched Game of Thrones?

Yes. The route also includes Dubrovnik and Croatian history, so you can enjoy it without having seen the show.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now-and-pay-later option is also available.