Dubrovnik: Game of Thrones & Lokrum island Tour

Dubrovnik makes an unusually convincing King’s Landing: its old stone streets and imposing fortifications appear on screen with little need for make-believe. This three-hour tour links familiar Game of Thrones locations with the real city behind them, then heads by boat to Lokrum Island for a photo on the Iron Throne.

I like two things in particular: guides use scene photos to help you compare the show with the actual locations, and they weave Dubrovnik’s history into the filming stories. The small group, capped at 12, also makes it easier to hear and ask questions.

The main trade-off is cost beyond the $42.33 tour price. Lovrijenac Fortress admission and the return boat to Lokrum cost extra unless you have a qualifying Dubrovnik Pass or City Walls ticket. Expect stairs and plenty of walking, too.

• Lovrijenac Fortress was used as the Red Keep and for Blackwater Bay scenes, with time to compare screen images to the real setting.
• Gundulićeva Poljana Market is tied to the Walk of Shame sequence.
• Lokrum Island adds a boat ride, more filming locations, and the Iron Throne photo opportunity.
• The guide’s scene book makes it easier to spot how real Dubrovnik locations were used in the series.
• You finish on Lokrum, so check the final boat schedule before deciding how long to stay.
• The 9:15 a.m. start can help you get ahead of the day’s heat and Old Town crowds.

From the orange umbrella to King’s Landing

Meet Dubrovnik Walks at Brsalje ul. 8, outside Pile Gate. Look for the orange umbrella. The meeting area can be hectic, with several tour groups gathering nearby, so check around the fountain and along the sidewalk rather than waiting in one spot and hoping your guide finds you.

After a short introduction, your guide sets the route and gives you a sense of what the tour covers. The advertised group limit is 12, a useful size for a walking tour through busy streets and for stopping to look at photographs together. Guides named in the tour’s guest information include Alex, Alexandra, and Adrianna. Alex is especially praised for storytelling, practical restaurant suggestions, and tips on avoiding tourist traps.

You’ll hear about the TV production as well as the city. The filming stories include the work involved in bringing a large production to Dubrovnik during peak tourism season, along with details about how CGI changed what appeared on screen. Even if you haven’t watched the series, the city’s fortifications, harbor, and old streets give the tour plenty to talk about.

Lovrijenac Fortress: the Red Keep above the sea

The longest early stop is Lovrijenac Fortress, where the group spends about 30 to 40 minutes. It served as the Red Keep and as a setting for Blackwater Bay scenes. Here, the guide’s book of photographs helps you compare a scene from the show with the view in front of you. That simple side-by-side approach turns a familiar-looking wall or courtyard into a specific filming location.

The fortress is also a strong stop if you’re more interested in Dubrovnik than in the show. It offers views over the sea and the city, and guides add local history to the production anecdotes. One practical point: reaching and exploring the fort involves stairs. The tour recommends a moderate level of fitness, and the climb may feel more demanding in heat or rain.

Admission is listed at €15 per person. It is free for people with a valid Dubrovnik Pass with 24-hour usage, or a City Walls ticket with 72-hour usage. Check that your pass is valid for the visit before budgeting on a free entry. If you don’t have one, add the fee to the tour price.

Pile Bay and the Old Town filming trail

The route continues to Ulica od Tabakarije, a pier in Pile Bay’s old small port. It’s a short stop, about 10 minutes, but it helps connect the walled city to its working waterfront and the show’s harbor scenes. The guide continues to bring out photographs, which are useful when the real setting looks less dramatic than its filmed counterpart.

At Gundulićeva Poljana Market, you’ll see the location associated with the Walk of Shame. The market is part of daily Old Town life, making this a good example of how the series used real public spaces rather than relying only on studio sets. The stop is brief, so expect a location visit and explanation, not a long pause to browse.

The tour then spends about 45 minutes covering scenes around the Old Town. This is where the guide can link multiple streets and corners to the show, while filling in more of Dubrovnik’s history. The pace includes frequent stops, but it is still a walking tour through a city with uneven streets and steps. Wear shoes you’re comfortable walking in, and bring water in warm weather.

The Old Town can get crowded, especially later in the day. The 9:15 a.m. departure is a practical choice if you prefer cooler temperatures and a little more breathing room. A guide may use a speaker and headphones to make commentary easier to hear; that setup was used on one tour, but it should not be treated as guaranteed for every departure.

The Lokrum boat ride and Iron Throne photo

From Porat Dubrovnik, the group buys boat tickets and takes a ride of about 10 minutes to Lokrum. The island is a welcome change of pace after the stone streets and stairs of the Old Town. The tour spends about 40 minutes exploring Game of Thrones locations there, ending with the included photo opportunity on the Iron Throne.

The ticket for the return boat is not included and is listed at €30 per person. This is a significant extra, so calculate the full cost before booking: the $42.33 tour price, plus the boat fare and any fortress admission. If you already have a qualifying pass, the fort may be free, but the Lokrum boat remains a separate expense.

The tour ends on Lokrum, not back in Dubrovnik. You can stay on the island and explore independently, but you’re responsible for catching the final boat back to the city. The island is also more than a photo stop: you may want extra time to wander, rest, or take a swim. Bring a swimsuit and towel if that appeals, and plan your return rather than assuming the guide will bring the group back.

Weather matters. The experience requires good weather, and a rainy day can disrupt or prevent the island portion. If poor weather cancels the tour, you’ll be offered another date or a full refund. Ask how the day’s conditions affect the Lokrum plan if the forecast looks uncertain.

What the price buys, and who will get the most from it

At $42.33 per person, the base price covers a licensed local guide, the walking tour, and the Iron Throne photo opportunity. The value lies less in simply being shown places than in having someone connect the locations to scenes, production choices, and the city’s own past. The scene book is a practical aid, and the small group makes the experience feel more personal than following a large flag through the streets.

Still, the advertised price is not the whole bill if you plan to visit the fortress and Lokrum. Add €30 for the return boat and, if needed, €15 for Lovrijenac. That means the extras can exceed the base tour price. The City Walls ticket or a 24-hour Dubrovnik Pass covers the fort admission under the stated conditions, so compare what you already plan to buy before paying separately.

This tour suits Game of Thrones fans who want more than a checklist of photo stops. The stories about filming and the scene comparisons give the locations context, and Lokrum adds a memorable finish. It also works well for mixed groups: people who haven’t watched the series can still enjoy the fortress, city history, and island outing.

You should be comfortable walking for most of three hours and tackling stairs at the fort. If you dislike group walking tours, want a slow visit to every location, or don’t want to pay separately for the boat, this may not be the right fit. For a compact introduction to Dubrovnik’s screen locations with a guide to do the connecting, it offers a good half-day plan.

Bookings are made, on average, 46 days ahead, so reserve early if you have a fixed date. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time; changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Should you book this Dubrovnik tour?

Book it if you’re curious about how Dubrovnik became King’s Landing and want a guide to link the locations, filming stories, and local history. The strongest reasons are the fortress visit, the scene-photo comparisons, and the Lokrum finish. Just budget for the boat and possibly the fort, wear shoes for stairs, and remember that the tour ends on the island. If you’d rather explore Lokrum at your own pace, the option to stay there makes this a particularly useful way to reach it.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

It lasts about three hours, including the walking route, the boat ride to Lokrum, and the island stop.

Where is the meeting point?

Meet Dubrovnik Walks at Brsalje ul. 8 in Dubrovnik. Look for the orange umbrella near Pile Gate.

What time does the tour start?

The listed start time is 9:15 a.m.

What language is the tour in?

The tour is offered in English.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $42.33 per person. The return boat to Lokrum costs an additional €30 per person, and Lovrijenac Fortress admission is €15 unless you have a qualifying pass or ticket.

Does the tour include the boat to Lokrum?

The boat fare is not included. The group buys tickets at Porat Dubrovnik for the ride to Lokrum, and the listed return fare is €30 per person.

Where does the tour end?

It ends on Lokrum Island. You can stay and explore independently, but you must make sure you catch the final boat back to Dubrovnik.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather leads to cancellation, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.