Dubrovnik: Game of Thrones Complete Tour

Dubrovnik makes a convincing King’s Landing because its stone lanes, sea walls, forts, and steep hills need very little help from television magic. This tour takes you beyond the obvious photo stops, pairing Old Town scenes with Trsteno Arboretum and the high viewpoint of Srđ Hill. The best feature is the set insight from guides who worked on the show, especially guides such as Katja, who has shared stories about filming and actors.

I like the small groups, limited to 10 people, and the useful split between walking and driving. I also like the way guides such as Mario and Joseph bring in Croatian history instead of treating Dubrovnik as one large television set. The main catch is the price: at $88, you still pay separately for Lovrijenac Fort and Trsteno Arboretum, and the day involves stairs, walking, and a long afternoon in a vehicle.

Key points

• Set stories from a former crew member: Guides such as Katja explain how scenes were made, how extras were managed, and what the actors were like away from the cameras.
• Two different touring styles: The morning covers Old Town on foot, while the afternoon reaches Trsteno Arboretum and Srđ Hill by minivan.
• A real break between sections: The morning and driving portions are separated by lunch time, giving you room to eat, shop, or walk the city walls.
• Strong Old Town coverage: Expect the Blackwater Bay area, King’s Landing port, the Purple Wedding location, the Red Keep setting, and the Walk of Shame route.
• The best views come late: Srđ Hill gives you broad views toward Dubrovnik, its walls, Lokrum, and the coast.
• Extra costs matter: Lovrijenac costs 15 euros and Trsteno costs 10 euros unless your city wall ticket or Dubrovnik Card covers Lovrijenac.

Starting at Brsalje with a Targaryen banner

Meet at the Amerling Fountain on Brsalje Street, just outside Dubrovnik’s Old Town. Your guide carries a Targaryen banner, which helps in a crowded meeting area where many guides gather with signs and flags. I would arrive a little early and keep the meeting point clear on your phone. One person nearly missed the group because so many guides were waiting nearby.

The group is capped at 10 people, though the actual number can be smaller. Groups of four, seven, or even just two have taken part, so the experience can feel more like a private walk than a standard city tour.

The tour is in English. The guides change by date, but the team has included Katja, Mario, Joseph, Petra, Jelena, Dennis, and others. The most useful pairing is often a walking guide with filming experience followed by a driver who knows Dubrovnik’s past and the roads above the city.

Old Town scenes from Blackwater Bay to the Red Keep

The first section takes place in and around Dubrovnik’s Old Town. This is the part I would value most if you want scene-by-scene explanations, because you can stand in the actual streets and compare them with images from the show.

You return to the area used for Blackwater Bay and King’s Landing port. The guides use photographs from the production to show how an ordinary stone passage or harbor edge was framed for television. That visual comparison helps when a location looks smaller or plainer than it did on screen.

Expect plenty of context about how filming worked in different countries, how extras were handled, and how production teams solved practical problems. Katja is particularly useful here because she worked on the set. Her stories cover the actors, the filming process, and the small details that never appear in the finished episode.

This is also where the tour connects the show to the Republic of Dubrovnik. The city’s political past, defensive walls, and trading traditions add meaning to the locations. You are not simply ticking off a list of steps from the series. You are learning why this particular city could play a powerful medieval port.

Lovrijenac Fort and the Red Keep

The Red Keep scenes were filmed at Lovrijenac Fort, a dramatic stone fortress on a rock above the sea. Reaching it adds stairs and some uneven walking, so this is not a good choice for wheelchair users. Bring water, especially in summer.

The entry fee is not included and costs 15 euros. There is an important saving: entry is free if you already have a Dubrovnik city wall ticket or a Dubrovnik Card. If you plan to walk the walls separately, that can make this stop better value.

From the fort, you get more than a television location. The position explains why the site worked so well as the Red Keep, with open sea on one side and Dubrovnik’s fortified core nearby. Guides point out the filming angles and connect them with stories about Joffrey and the actors who played the royal court.

You also get views toward Lokrum Island and the city walls. The island itself is not part of this tour, so do not book expecting a boat ride or a visit to the Iron Throne on Lokrum. You still get a free photo on an Iron Throne during the tour, but the experience does not include Lokrum.

The Purple Wedding and the Walk of Shame

The tour visits the spot used for the Purple Wedding and explains how the scene relates to the Old Town around it. This section is strongest for fans who remember the show well, but the guides keep it lively enough for people who have only watched part of the series.

You also follow the route used for Cersei’s Walk of Shame. Your guide helps recreate the walk and explains how the scene was meant to look before production choices changed it. That kind of behind-the-scenes detail is more useful than simply posing at a familiar staircase.

There is a short break of about 10 minutes during the walking portion. That matters in Dubrovnik, where summer heat and stone streets can wear you down faster than expected. Bring a reusable water bottle and wear shoes suited to stairs and old paving.

Lunch time that lets you see more of Dubrovnik

The tour’s two-part design is practical, but the published timing needs a close look. The 10 AM option begins with the walking tour, followed by a lunch break, then continues by car around 2:30 PM. The supplied schedule describes the break as about two to two and a half hours, while the full outing is advertised as five hours. Confirm the exact timing when booking.

This pause is useful rather than wasted. You can eat on your own, browse shops, visit part of the city walls, or simply sit down before the driving section. One reason I like the format is that you are not rushed from a fort straight into a van.

The 12:30 option is listed as a five-hour tour without a lunch break. That may suit you if you want one continuous outing, but the morning option gives you more control over your meal and free time. If you are visiting Dubrovnik from a cruise ship, check the timing carefully against your departure. One guide team has helped guests adjust the second part when schedules changed, but you should not rely on that.

Trsteno Arboretum, the gardens of King’s Landing

The afternoon drive reaches Trsteno Arboretum, used as the gardens of King’s Landing. This is one of the most worthwhile additions to the complete tour, especially if you enjoy gardens, old estates, and quieter settings.

The entry fee is 10 euros and is not included. You should budget for it before deciding that the $88 tour price is the full cost. The arboretum adds a different mood from the crowded stone lanes. You get greenery, planted gardens, and a location that shows how the production used Dubrovnik’s wider surroundings rather than relying only on the Old Town.

The guides also talk about the plants and trees, along with the local setting and filming details. That makes the stop useful even if you are not a devoted fan. I would choose the complete tour over a short city-only option largely for this reason.

The drive itself is part of the experience. Guides such as Mario and Joseph explain the coast, local culture, and Croatian history while taking you between locations. The minivan is also practical because you would otherwise need to arrange separate transport to Trsteno and Srđ Hill.

Srđ Hill and the King’s Road view

The final major stop is Srđ Hill, where scenes connected with the King’s Road were filmed. The high position gives you the tour’s widest view of Dubrovnik, the walls, Lokrum, and the coast.

This stop is especially good for photographs. Several guides also take pictures for guests, which is handy when you are traveling as a couple or small group. The view can be memorable even in overcast weather, though clear conditions will naturally give you more distant detail.

Taking the tour to Srđ Hill can save you a separate trip by cable car or road. It also puts the view into context: you see how the city sits below the mountain and why wide shots of King’s Landing look so imposing.

The road portion lasts about three hours and covers the outside locations. That is a substantial amount of time in a vehicle, but the commentary keeps it from feeling like a simple transfer. If you dislike car tours or want every minute on foot, choose a shorter Old Town experience instead.

How the guide team shapes the day

The strongest part of this tour is the combination of two guide styles. Katja and other walking guides bring humor, production stories, and close knowledge of the filming. Their work on or around the set gives you details about actors, extras, locations, and the way scenes were built.

The second guide often takes over for the driving section. Mario has been praised for explaining Croatian history, culture, and local traditions alongside the television locations. Joseph and other drivers have also been described as helpful, funny, and careful on the mountain roads.

The result is a good balance. You get the fan service you came for, but you also leave with a better sense of Dubrovnik as a real city. I especially like that the guides do not use whisper audio devices. In a group of 10 or fewer, direct conversation works better and leaves room for questions.

Guide assignments vary, so do not book with the expectation that one exact person will lead every date. Katja, Mario, Joseph, Petra, Jelena, and Dennis have all been part of the guiding team at different times.

What the $88 price really covers

At $88 per person, the tour is not the cheapest way to see Game of Thrones locations. The value comes from the amount of ground covered and the included transport. You get the Old Town walk, the fort area, Trsteno, Srđ Hill, a small group, and a guide who can discuss both filming and local history.

Add 15 euros for Lovrijenac and 10 euros for Trsteno unless your existing city wall ticket or Dubrovnik Card covers the fort. The extra 25 euros changes the total cost, so include it in your budget.

I consider the price fair if you want the complete route and would otherwise pay for transport to the gardens and mountain. It is less attractive if you only want a few Old Town photo spots. In that case, a shorter walking tour may leave more money for the city walls, food, or a separate visit to Lokrum.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start and reserve-now, pay-later booking make the purchase less risky. The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users, and the stairs, fort access, and walking route may be tiring for anyone with limited mobility.

Who should book this complete tour

I would book this for a committed Game of Thrones fan who wants filming details rather than a quick photo stop. It also works well for couples, families with older children, and mixed groups where one person loves the show and another prefers history and scenery.

You do not need to be a fan to enjoy the day. The Old Town, fort, gardens, mountain view, and Croatian stories give the experience wider appeal. If you have never watched the series, the guides can still explain the locations, though some references will naturally mean more after you know the characters.

I would skip it if you want a relaxed beach day, have serious mobility limits, or have only a narrow window before a ship departure. The day is active, and the driving section takes time. Also, do not expect Lokrum Island to be included.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want the full Dubrovnik filming circuit, a small group, and guides who can explain what happened behind the scenes. The standout combination is Katja-style set insight in the Old Town followed by Mario-style local history on the road to Trsteno and Srđ Hill.

Before paying, check the start time, confirm the length of the lunch break, and set aside money for the two entry fees. If those details suit your schedule, the complete tour gives you much more than a collection of Game of Thrones photo stops. It connects the show to the city that made King’s Landing believable.

FAQ

Where does the tour meet?

Meet at the Amerling Fountain on Brsalje Street, Dubrovnik. The guide carries a Targaryen banner.

How long does the tour last?

The activity is advertised as five hours. The 10 AM option includes a walking section, a lunch break, and a driving section, so confirm the exact timing when booking.

What time does the walking tour start?

The walking tour starts at 10 AM for the option that includes a lunch break.

Is there a lunch break?

Yes. The 10 AM option includes a break for lunch of about two to two and a half hours before the afternoon driving portion.

Does the 12:30 option include lunch?

No. The 12:30 option is listed as a five-hour tour without a lunch break.

Is transport included?

Round-trip transport from Dubrovnik’s Old Town to Trsteno Arboretum and two additional locations is included.

Are Lovrijenac Fort tickets included?

No. Entry costs 15 euros. It is free if you have a city wall ticket or Dubrovnik Card.

Is entry to Trsteno Arboretum included?

No. Entry costs 10 euros.

Does the tour visit Lokrum Island?

No. The tour includes views and photographs of Lokrum Island, but it does not include a visit to the island.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users.