Dubrovnik: Game of Thrones Full-Day Private Tour

Dubrovnik makes a convincing King’s Landing, but this tour takes you beyond the old town’s famous stone steps. In one full day, you’ll travel to Trsteno’s gardens, take in the city from Mount Srđ, visit filming sites inside the walls and cross by boat to Lokrum, the screen setting for Qarth.

I like the mix of Game of Thrones locations and Dubrovnik history, and the private format gives you room to ask questions and move at your own pace. I also like that the route includes both the city’s narrow lanes and quieter green spaces beyond the walls.

One thing to plan for: the $494 price covers a group of up to two, but entrance tickets are extra. If you’re travelling by cruise ship, confirm the pickup and return details before booking, since a taxi back to the port may not be included.

At a glance

• Trsteno’s gardens served as the Gardens of King’s Landing, and the arboretum is one of the oldest in this part of Europe.
• Mount Srđ gives you a high view over Dubrovnik, with the old town spread below like King’s Landing.
• The old town includes filming sites such as the Walk of Shame steps and the Red Keep.
• Lokrum adds a short boat ride, a botanical garden, a Benedictine monastery, peacocks, the Iron Throne and the Dead Sea.
• The private tour costs $494 for up to two people, with admission charges for Trsteno, Lovrijenac and Lokrum extra.
• Guide quality can shape the day. Nino has a personal connection to the show as a former extra, while Matea and Anne-Femica have also led tours.

A full day beyond the old town walls

This is more than a walk around Dubrovnik’s famous filming locations. You start with a coastal drive to Trsteno, continue to a viewpoint above the city, spend time in the old town, then take a boat to Lokrum. That range is useful if you want the screen locations but also want to understand how Dubrovnik fits together as a real place.

The private format is central to the experience. You book for a group of up to two at $494, rather than paying a per-person rate for a shared group. For two people who want a dedicated guide and a vehicle between distant stops, the cost may make sense. If you’re travelling alone, or mainly want a short walk through the old town, a full-day private tour is a more substantial commitment.

The included air-conditioned vehicle and hotel pickup and drop-off help connect the stops. The itinerary spans locations outside the old town, so transport matters: Trsteno and Mount Srđ are not simply more corners of the same walking route. Still, confirm exactly where pickup and drop-off apply, especially if you’re arriving by cruise ship. One visitor had to pay for a taxi from the old town back to the cruise port.

Trsteno, the Gardens of King’s Landing

The first major stop is Trsteno Arboretum, reached by a panoramic drive along the coast. Its gardens appeared as the Gardens of King’s Landing, and the tour connects the real setting with scenes from the series. Your guide also uses photos from the Game of Thrones book to help compare the location with its screen version.

That comparison makes the stop more than a quick photo opportunity. You can look at the actual gardens, then see how the show’s images relate to the place in front of you. The arboretum is also described as one of the oldest in this part of Europe, giving the visit an interest beyond television.

Admission is not included. The stated entrance price is €10 for the arboretum, so factor that into your budget. Comfortable shoes are a good idea for a day that includes walking in gardens, on old-town streets and around Lokrum.

Mount Srđ and the city below

From Mount Srđ, you get the tour’s broadest view of Dubrovnik. The old town, coastline and surrounding setting are laid out below you, making it easier to understand why the city can stand in for King’s Landing on screen.

This is a different kind of stop from the close-up filming locations. At street level, you’ll notice steps, walls and lanes; from above, you can take in the whole city at once. If you’re interested in photography, this is a natural place to capture the view, though the exact conditions will depend on the day.

The viewpoint also gives the tour a useful pause between the garden visit and the old town. The show’s fictional city may draw you here, but the real Dubrovnik is the subject of the view. Your guide can put the filming references in context while also explaining the city’s history.

Finding King’s Landing in the old town

Inside Dubrovnik’s old town, you’ll visit locations used during filming, including the Red Keep and the steps associated with Cersei’s Walk of Shame. The tour also winds through narrow side streets and gives you an overview of the city’s history and main sights.

The advantage of having a guide is not just knowing which staircase appeared on screen. Dubrovnik’s old town has many lanes and corners, and a guide can connect the filming sites with the city around them. This is especially helpful if you’re a fan who wants the scene-by-scene context, but it also works if you’re curious about the place and only know the series by name.

There is an additional cost if you want to enter Lovrijenac, the fortress associated with the Red Keep. Its listed ticket price is €15, and it is not included in the tour price. The supplied details do not say that entry is part of the standard itinerary, so ask whether a visit inside is planned or whether the stop is for viewing the location from outside.

The old town portion involves walking on streets and steps. Comfortable shoes are worth bringing, particularly if you want to enjoy the lanes rather than focus only on reaching each filming spot. The guide can also take photos of you at locations, a small practical bonus if you want pictures together instead of taking turns behind the camera.

Lokrum, screen setting for Qarth

A short boat ride takes you to Lokrum, which served as the City of Qarth. The island offers a change of pace after the old town: a botanical garden, an old Benedictine monastery, peacocks, the Iron Throne and the Dead Sea are among the sights to see.

The island’s appeal is not limited to the show. Its greenery and monastery give you something different from Dubrovnik’s stone streets, while the Iron Throne gives fans a clear photo stop. If you bring a swimsuit, you can stay on the island after the tour and spend more time by the water. The tour information specifically suggests bringing one for a swim in the clear water.

Lokrum’s entrance ticket is not included, and the stated price is €30. Since the tour price also excludes the arboretum and Lovrijenac admissions, these extras can add a noticeable amount to the day. Check the current ticket costs when planning, and make sure you’re comfortable with the added charges before you book.

The island stop is a good reason to choose the full-day outing rather than a short old-town walk. It brings a boat ride and a green setting into a day otherwise focused on streets, viewpoints and filming history. If you want to linger and swim, however, make sure you understand how much free time is available after the guided portion. The itinerary says you can stay on Lokrum after the tour, but does not give a specific departure or return time.

Guides make the stories personal

The guide is a major part of what you’re paying for, and the tour has had several guides with different strengths. Nino, who worked as an extra on the show, can add firsthand perspective to the filming stories. One visitor also valued his knowledge of Dubrovnik’s history and his help with restaurant suggestions and other activities, including bungee and zip-line options.

Matea has been praised for connecting Game of Thrones details with the tour’s history, while Anne-Femica was described as friendly and helpful, taking photos at the filming sites along the way. These examples point to what can make a private tour worthwhile: not just getting from one location to another, but having a local who can respond to your interests and fill the day with context.

The tour is listed in English. If you need a different language, check before booking rather than assuming it can be arranged. One person who expected Spanish found the guide’s command of the language insufficient. That is a relevant caution if language fluency is important to your experience.

What the price covers, and what it doesn’t

At $494 per group of up to two, this is best judged as a private, transport-supported day rather than a cheap way to see a single filming site. The price includes an air-conditioned vehicle, hotel pickup and drop-off, and a professional local guide. The route covers several distinct locations, including places outside the old town that would take more effort to connect independently.

Admission tickets are extra: €10 for Trsteno Arboretum, €15 for Lovrijenac and €30 for Lokrum. Lunch is also not included. Those costs are worth adding to your budget, along with any transport you may need if your pickup or drop-off point is a cruise port rather than a hotel.

The private format is likely to offer the most value to two people who want a dedicated guide, enjoy the series and also want a broader introduction to Dubrovnik. If your main goal is a quick walk to the Walk of Shame steps, you may not need a full day or private vehicle. If you want the gardens, viewpoint, old town and island in one outing, the longer format does more for you.

Is this Dubrovnik tour right for you?

Book it if you want a full-day look at Game of Thrones filming sites, but don’t want the day to stop at the old town walls. Trsteno, Mount Srđ and Lokrum add variety, and the private guide can link the fictional settings with Dubrovnik’s history. The tour can also suit a mixed-interest pair: one person may love the series, while the other enjoys the city, gardens and island.

Think twice if you have little interest in the show, want to keep added costs low, or only have time for a short visit. Even though the locations are worth seeing in their own right, the day’s theme is built around the series. Before paying, confirm your pickup and return point, ask how the Lovrijenac visit works, and check the time available on Lokrum if you hope to swim.

FAQ

How much does the tour cost?

The price is $494 per group of up to two people. Entrance tickets, lunch and any transport not covered by the hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

Which languages are available?

The tour is listed in English. Confirm directly before booking if you need another language.

Are entrance tickets included?

No. The stated charges are €10 for Trsteno Arboretum, €15 for Lovrijenac and €30 for Lokrum.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included. If you’re travelling from a cruise port, confirm whether the port is covered, since a return taxi from the old town may be needed.

Can I swim on Lokrum?

Bring a swimsuit if you want to swim. You can stay on the island after the tour and enjoy the water, but the tour details do not specify how long you’ll have there.

What should I bring?

Wear comfortable shoes. Bring a swimsuit if you plan to swim on Lokrum.