Croatia Dubrovnik: The Real Face of Game of Thrones Filming Locations

If you’ve watched Game of Thrones, standing below Dubrovnik’s city walls for the first time produces a surreal sense of time travel. The imposing “King’s Landing” from the screen overlaps startlingly with the real ancient city at your feet. But Dubrovnik’s value goes far beyond being a TV pilgrimage site — it is one of the best-preserved medieval cities in the Mediterranean, with breathtaking walls, rooftops of red brick, and limestone islands scattered outside the city.

Ancient City Fortifications: Two Hours to Walk the Circuit

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Dubrovnik’s city walls are the soul of this city. Walking along 2 km of walls, 14th-century granite lies beneath your feet while the Adriatic stretches before your eyes. The walls are divided into three sections: the landward side, the coastal side, and the harbor side — each offering a unique viewing angle.

The best time is just as the gates open at 6 AM. Sunlight streams from the east, tourists are scarce, and you can leisurely find on the walls those angles that appear repeatedly in Game of Thrones — especially the classic shot looking down over the red rooftops from Minceta Tower. After noon the old city becomes crowded, particularly when cruise ships dock.

City wall tickets are about €35; advance online booking is recommended to avoid queuing. If you want to understand the old city’s history more deeply, a local guide’s historical walk (about €50) reveals stories behind the walls — the shrapnel marks left by the 1991 bombardment of Dubrovnik are still clearly visible today.

Lokrum Island: First Stop for Island-Hopping

A 15-minute boat ride from the old city harbor brings you to Lokrum Island. This small island is Dubrovnik residents’ private retreat — on the island there’s a 12th-century monastery, a botanical garden, and a nudist beach.

Lokrum’s appeal lies in its tranquility. The noise of the ancient walled city is cut off by the sea; the island’s pine forest paths are cool and pleasant, with wild peacocks strolling leisurely by the roadside. Most distinctive is the “Napoleon’s Fortress” at the island’s north end — climbing to the top of the fortress gives a panoramic view of all of Dubrovnik Old City, a perspective more spectacular than any point on the city walls.

The ferry runs hourly; round-trip tickets are about €25 and include entry to the botanical garden. If time permits, there are several hidden coves on the island suitable for swimming and snorkeling.

Surrounding Fjords: Cavtat and Mount Srđ

Dubrovnik’s charm extends beyond the old city itself. A 30-minute drive north to Mount Srđ allows you to look down over the entire old city from this high vantage point; the war museum at the summit documents the history of Croatia’s 1990s war of independence.

Even more worth recommending is the small town of Cavtat, 1.5 hours’ drive north. This seaside town was once part of the Venetian Republic, with an old city similar to Dubrovnik’s but much quieter. Restaurants by the sea are 30% cheaper than the ancient city while quality is equally good. An evening stroll along Cavtat’s waterfront promenade, watching the old city light up in the dusk, is the most unforgettable image of the entire trip.

If self-driving, heading north along the coastal road from Dubrovnik takes you all the way to Zadar, passing multiple small towns and beaches. This stretch is about 280 km; recommended to split over two days, with an overnight stop in Split to rest.

Split: Another Living Ancient City

About a 3.5-hour drive from Dubrovnik brings you to Split, Croatia’s second-largest city, centered on Diocletian’s Palace. The Roman emperor’s retirement residence is now one of the best-preserved medieval old cities in Europe — not museum-style preservation, but residents truly living their lives within it.

Weaving through the palace’s narrow alleys, you’ll see laundry hanging under Roman arches and local children kicking a football in the square. As evening falls, performances begin in the palace underground, with tourists and locals gathering together in a lively atmosphere. Climbing the palace bell tower (about €20) gives a panoramic view of Split; the layers of color at sunset are remarkably rich.

Practical Travel Information

Dubrovnik’s best tourist seasons are May–June and September–October. July–August is peak season; accommodation prices are more than double the off-season, and cruise crowds are at their largest.

Accommodation recommendations: stay in the area just outside the old city walls — prices are more reasonable than inside the city, and the city gates are within a 5-minute walk. Restaurants inside the old city are pricey; the main street and harbor area outside the walls have more local restaurant options.

Dubrovnik Airport is about 20 km from the city center. The airport bus is about €17 and takes about 40 minutes to reach the old city. A taxi to the old city costs about €30.

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