Greetings, fellow travelers and protectors of the Realm,
It has been quite a while since the final credits rolled on the last episode of Game of Thrones, yet here in Croatia, the magic of Westeros is as alive as ever. I’ll be honest with you: every single year, I think to myself, “This is it, the interest will finally start to fade,” and every year, I am proven wrong. The bookings for our tours keep coming, and travelers from all over the world still arrive asking one main question: “Where was Game of Thrones filmed?”
To help you plan your journey, I’ve put together this guide on exactly where in Croatia Game of Thrones was filmed.
Where in Croatia Game of Thrones was filmed: The Journey Begins
The journey began with Season 2. In the first season, Malta served as King’s Landing, but the production needed something more monumental—more “stone and sea.” They found it here in Dubrovnik.
One of the first things people ask me on a tour is: “Was the city completely shut down during filming?” The answer is a loud NO! Dubrovnik isn’t a museum; it’s a living, breathing city. You can’t just lock the gates. Instead, the crew would close off a specific street, while the rest of the city carried on with its daily Mediterranean chaos just a few meters away.
North of the Capital: Split, Klis, and Kaštela
When people research where in Croatia Game of Thrones was filmed outside of Dubrovnik, the map leads us north to the region of Dalmatia.
- Diocletian’s Palace (Split): Deep in the substructures (the cellars) of this 1700-year-old palace, Daenerys kept her dragons locked away. It’s also where the Unsullied patrolled the dark corridors.
- Klis Fortress: This imposing stronghold became the city of Meereen. It’s the site of one of the show’s most brutal scenes—where the city leaders were crucified along the road as a message.
- Kaštela: Specifically Kaštel Gomilica, which served as the Braavos fish market. This is where Arya Stark, disguised as an oyster seller, famously poisons her enemy.
King’s Landing: The Heart of the Empire (Dubrovnik)
Dubrovnik provided the backdrop for nearly every major political betrayal. Here is a breakdown of where was Game of Thrones filmed within the city walls:
The Gardens and the Royal Weddings
- Trsteno Arboretum: These lush gardens are where Lady Olenna Tyrell plotted the “Purple Wedding” over lemon cakes. It’s also where Jaime Lannister practiced swordfighting with his left hand.
- Park Gradac: The actual site of the Purple Wedding. If you visit, you can almost see Joffrey gasping for air after that fateful glass of wine.
The Fortresses of Power
- Lovrijenac Fortress (The Red Keep): Home to Joffrey’s nameday tournament and that epic “Power is Power” showdown between Cersei and Lord Baelish.
- Bokar Fortress: Here, Varys and Tyrion planned the defense against Stannis Baratheon’s fleet. Interestingly, the interior was also used for the House of the Undying.
- Minčeta Tower: The highest point of the walls, where Daenerys ran in circles searching for the entrance to her stolen dragons.
The Streets of Betrayal
- Pile Bay & Pier: The spot where Sansa and Littlefinger whispered about escape, and where Myrcella was sent off to Dorne.
- The Jesuit Stairs: You know them better as the site of the Walk of Shame. “Shame! Shame! Shame!” still echoes there every time a tourist walks down these steps.
The Hidden Gems
- Rector’s Palace : Where Daenerys met the Spice King of Qarth, who famously turned down her request for ships.
- Hotel Belvedere: The abandoned amphitheater where the Mountain crushed Oberyn Martell’s skull in a trial by combat.
- Lokrum Island: This lush island just offshore became the city of Qarth, where the spice king hosted a welcome dinner for the Mother of Dragons.
There are so many more nooks and crannies, secret stairways, and “blink-and-you’ll-miss-it” spots that we only reveal during the walk itself. If you want to see exactly where was Game of Thrones filmed and how cinematic magic met real-world history, you know where to find us.
Want to walk the path of the Kings? Join us for one of our Game of Thrones walking tours and see the Realm for yourself!
Sincerely,
Vesna