Top 10 Game of Thrones Filming Locations in Dubrovnik (The Real King's Landing)

Dubrovnik didn't just play King's Landing — for millions of fans, it is King's Landing. Here are the ten filming locations you can actually stand in, and exactly how to reach each one.

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Some cities host a film shoot. Dubrovnik became one. When HBO chose this walled city on Croatia's Adriatic coast to play King's Landing from Season 2 onward, it changed how millions of people see its streets — and it changed the city itself, which now welcomes a steady stream of visitors who arrive humming the opening theme.

The good news for travelers: almost every major filming location sits inside or just outside the compact Old Town, so you can cover this entire list on foot in a single day. Here are the ten locations worth your time, with the practical details most guides skip.

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1.‍ ‍

Fort Lovrijenac — The Red Keep

Perched on a 37-meter sea cliff just west of the city walls, this 11th-century fortress played the exterior of the Red Keep, hosting Joffrey's name-day tournament in Season 2 and countless views across "Blackwater Bay." The fortress is real, the views are better than on screen, and your city walls ticket usually includes entry — keep the ticket and show it at the fort's gate. Climb it early: the stone terraces are shadeless by midday.

How to visit: 10 minutes on foot from Pile Gate. Included with the Dubrovnik City Walls ticket (roughly €35–40; check the official Dubrovnik walls website for current pricing, as it changes seasonally).

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2.‍ ‍

The Jesuit Staircase — The Walk of Shame

The baroque staircase leading up to St. Ignatius Church is where Cersei's infamous walk of atonement began in the Season 5 finale. It's freely accessible at all hours, which means it's also never empty — arrive before 8 a.m. if you want the steps to yourself. The staircase was modeled on Rome's Spanish Steps, and the church at the top is worth the extra two minutes.

How to visit: Poljana Ruđera Boškovića, Old Town. Free, open 24/7.

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3.‍ ‍

Minčeta Tower — The House of the Undying

The highest point of Dubrovnik's city walls doubled as the exterior of the House of the Undying in Qarth, which Daenerys circles searching for her stolen dragons in Season 2. In reality there's no door to steal dragons through — but the 360-degree view over terracotta rooftops is the single best photo spot in the city.

How to visit: Part of the City Walls walk. Enter the walls at Pile Gate and go counter-clockwise to reach it faster.

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4.‍ ‍

Stradun — The Streets of King's Landing

Dubrovnik's limestone-paved main street, polished to a shine by centuries of footsteps, appears throughout the series: the riot of King's Landing in Season 2 erupted here, and Cersei's walk continued along its length. Unlike a film set, Stradun is the city's living room — locals still take their evening stroll (the đir) along it.

How to visit: It's the main artery of the Old Town; you cannot miss it. Free.

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5.‍ ‍

Fort Bokar — The Walls of King's Landing

This round bastion at the southwestern corner of the walls appears in Season 2 as Tyrion and Varys walk the battlements discussing the city's defenses before the Battle of the Blackwater. It's one of the oldest preserved casemate fortresses in Europe, finished in the 16th century to guard Pile Gate.

How to visit: On the City Walls route, a few minutes from the Pile Gate entrance.

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6.‍ ‍

Pile Bay — Blackwater Bay

The small harbor below Fort Lovrijenac, with its wooden pier and kayak rental stands, played Blackwater Bay. This is where Myrcella departed for Dorne, and where the smoking ruins of Stannis's fleet drifted after the wildfire battle. Today it's the launch point for sea kayaking tours — a genuinely great way to see the walls from the water.

How to visit: Directly below Pile Gate, outside the walls. Free to walk down; kayak tours from around €30.

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7.‍ ‍

Rector's Palace — The Spice King's Mansion in Qarth

Step inside this Gothic-Renaissance palace and you're standing where Daenerys petitioned the Spice King for ships in Season 2. The atrium's staircase and columned courtyard are instantly recognizable. Off-screen, this was the seat of government of the Ragusan Republic for centuries — the rector who lived here wasn't allowed to leave during his one-month term.

How to visit: Pred Dvorom 3, Old Town. Entry around €15, or included in the Dubrovnik Pass.

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8.‍ ‍

Trsteno Arboretum — The Gardens of King's Landing

The one location on this list that requires transport, and the one most visitors skip — their loss. This 15th-century Renaissance garden 20 minutes north of the city played the palace gardens where the Tyrells schemed over lemon cakes. Olive groves, a monumental fountain of Neptune, and viewpoints over the Adriatic make it worth the half-day.

How to visit: Local buses 12, 15, 21, 22 or 35 from Dubrovnik's main station toward Split stop at Trsteno (about 25 minutes). Entry around €10.

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9.‍ ‍

Lokrum Island — The City of Qarth

A 15-minute ferry ride from the old harbor, Lokrum hosted Qarth's garden party where Daenerys met Xaro Xhoan Daxos. The island's Benedictine monastery now houses a small Game of Thrones visitor center — complete with a replica Iron Throne you can actually sit on, donated by the production. The island is also a nature reserve with peacocks, a small salt lake, and swimming spots.

How to visit: Ferries leave the Old Town harbor every 30 minutes in season; around €27 return including the island entrance fee. Last boat back is early evening — check the schedule.

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10.‍ ‍

Gradac Park — The Purple Wedding

This quiet pine-shaded park just west of the Old Town staged one of the show's most satisfying scenes: Joffrey's wedding feast, and his memorable exit from the series. There's no signage and usually no crowd — just benches, sea views, and the smug feeling of standing where the bells tolled.

How to visit: 5 minutes' walk from Pile Gate, above Danče beach. Free, always open.

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Planning your Game of Thrones day in Dubrovnik

Do the city walls circuit (Minčeta, Bokar) first thing at opening time, before the heat and the cruise-ship crowds arrive. Follow with Fort Lovrijenac on the same ticket, then Pile Bay, Gradac Park, and the Old Town locations (Stradun, Jesuit Staircase, Rector's Palace) in the afternoon. Save Lokrum for a second morning and Trsteno for a half-day trip — ideally combined with your onward journey toward Split, which has its own set of Game of Thrones locations, including the cellars where Daenerys kept her dragons.

Guided Game of Thrones walking tours run daily from Pile Gate (around €25–30, two hours) and are worth it if you want behind-the-scenes stories; this guide covers everything you need if you'd rather explore at your own pace.

Prices and schedules listed were accurate at the time of writing and change seasonally — always check official websites before you go.

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