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Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast is a Game of Thrones filming location, a coastal road lined with red-roofed stone houses, thousand-year-old ancient cities, and the crystal-clear waters of the Adriatic — a coastline where you could drive or sail for a month.
Dubrovnik: The Real-Life Model for King’s Landing
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Dubrovnik is the southernmost city on the Dalmatian Coast, known as the “Pearl of the Adriatic.” The old city is enclosed by 3 km of walls; it was shelled during the 1991 war and has since been fully restored — a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Must-see attractions:
- City walls: Walking the full circuit of the city wall takes about 1.5 hours; the best panoramic view is from Mount Srđ
- Pile Gate: The main entrance to the old city — the city gate of King’s Landing in Game of Thrones
- Lokrum Island: A small island opposite the old city, reachable by boat in 10 minutes, with free peacocks and a sea fortress
Parking: Parking around Dubrovnik Old Town is extremely expensive (about €1–2/hour). Recommended: stay outside the city or take the bus in.
Split: A Thousand Years of Echoes from Diocletian’s Palace
Split is Croatia’s second largest city, centered around the Diocletian’s Palace (built by Emperor Diocletian). The palace ruins are integrated into modern city life — residents drink coffee inside the 2,000-year-old white stone walls, with modern and ancient times seamlessly intertwined.
Game of Thrones landmarks:
- Diocletian’s Palace underground (Daenerys’ judgment scene)
- Quayside (Meereen harbor scenes)
- Prince’s Garden (replacing Braavos)
Hvar: Croatia’s Sunshine and Party Scene
About 2 hours from Split by ferry, Hvar Island has the most sunshine in Croatia (2,700 hours per year), lavender fields, Venetian architecture, and party beaches.
Saplunara Beach: Nudist beach, favored by European celebrities.
Split–Hvar ferry: During peak season, advance booking is required. Cars cost about €80–120/vehicle, one-way journey about 2 hours.
Krka National Park: Croatia’s Jiuzhaigou
Krka National Park is famous for its series of travertine waterfall cascades — the water turns a breathtaking turquoise color. It has been called Croatia’s Jiuzhaigou.
Special feature: You can walk right up to wooden walkways at the base of the waterfalls and feel the impact of the water close up — this is also the only place in Europe where you can jump into a waterfall for a swim.
Recommended Self-Drive Route (7-Day Highlights)
| Day | Itinerary | Highlight |
|---|---|---|
| D1 | Arrive Dubrovnik | Old city night walk |
| D2 | Dubrovnik → Montenegro | Border town Kotor |
| D3 | Dubrovnik → Split | Via Makarska stone town |
| D4 | Split → Krka → Split | Waterfall day trip |
| D5 | Split → Hvar | Ferry + island sunset |
| D6 | Hvar → Brač | Most distinctive beach |
| D7 | Return from Split | Morning walk through Diocletian’s Palace |
Car Rental and Self-Drive Tips
- Rental platforms: Croatia car rental approximately €40–70/day; June–August peak season requires booking 1 month in advance
- Parking: Hard to park in old city areas; B&Bs with parking spots are essential
- Road conditions: The Adriatic Highway (A1) is in excellent condition, but coastal mountain roads are narrow — drive carefully
- Ferries: Taking a car to the islands requires a ferry; check the Croatia Ferries website in advance
- Fuel prices: €1.50–1.80/liter, slightly more expensive than neighboring countries
Food Recommendations
- Dubrovnik: Restaurant Proto (seafood, mixed platter about €60–100)
- Split: Konoba Fife (family-style restaurant, seafood pasta about €12–18)
- Hvar: Dalmatian plateau specialties (roast lamb and lavender honey are the highlights)
Practical Information
- Visa: Croatia is in the Schengen Area; a Schengen visa is sufficient for entry
- Best time: May–June and September–October are best (fewer people, lower prices, good weather); July–August is overwhelmingly crowded
- Currency: Croatia now uses the Euro (joined Eurozone in 2023)
- Language: Croatian, but English is widely spoken in tourist areas
- Time difference: 6–7 hours behind China
The right way to experience Croatia’s coast: slow down, get lost in the alleys of old cities, spend a whole day staring at the Adriatic, and drink a glass of Malvasia wine in the sea breeze. This is the Mediterranean’s most underrated vacation paradise.
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