Dubrovnik: Game of Thrones & Lokrum island Tour

Dubrovnik becomes King’s Landing on this compact walking tour, but the real pleasure is seeing how much of the television world grew out of the city’s actual walls, fort, harbor, and stone lanes. You’ll visit filming sites in the Old Town, climb to Lovrjenac Fortress, then cross to Lokrum Island for the Iron Throne.

I like the small maximum group of 12, which makes a big difference on narrow streets and busy steps. I also like the guide’s use of scene photos, letting you compare the finished show with the real location in front of you. The main catch is cost: the advertised $42.33 does not cover the fortress admission or the return Lokrum boat.

Key points before you book

• Lovrjenac Fortress supplies the best views and the most stairs, along with filming sites used for the Red Keep and Blackwater Bay.
• Alexandra, often called Alex, is a major strength if you want lively storytelling, production details, restaurant tips, and Dubrovnik history mixed together.
• The tour ends on Lokrum Island, so you can stay longer on your own, but you must catch the final boat back.
• The Iron Throne photo is included, while the fortress and boat require separate payment.
• The 9:15 a.m. start is smart, especially in hot weather and during crowded periods.
• You do not need to be a dedicated fan. The Old Town, fortress, views, and Croatian history give the tour value even without watching the series.

Starting outside Pile Gate at 9:15 a.m.

You meet the guide beneath a Dubrovnik Walks orange umbrella at Brsalje ul. 8, outside Pile Gate. This area can be hectic because several walking groups gather near the fountain, so give yourself time to look around the sidewalk and nearby meeting points rather than waiting only at the fountain.

The opening is brief. The guide explains the route and sets up the King’s Landing theme before leading you toward Pile Gate. This early introduction matters because the tour is not simply a parade of famous spots. It connects the show’s locations with Dubrovnik’s fortifications, port, streets, and past.

The group is limited to 12 people. That is a useful size for a walking tour in a city where lanes can be tight and stairways quickly become crowded. Some guides use a speaker and individual headphones, which helps you follow the commentary when the group spreads out.

The tour is offered in English and lasts about three hours. You need a moderate level of fitness, mainly because Lovrjenac Fortress involves stairs and uphill walking. Wear shoes with a good grip, and bring water, particularly in the warmer months.

Pile Gate sets the scene

Pile Gate is both a practical starting point and a fitting first stop. It is one of the most recognizable entrances into Dubrovnik’s Old Town, and the guide uses it to explain where the group will go and how the filming locations fit together.

You’ll get a broad outline of the day here, including the Old Town scenes, the fortress visit, the short boat crossing, and Lokrum. That overview helps you decide how much energy to save for the later climb.

This part is more orientation than sightseeing, so do not expect a long stop. The value comes from getting the story straight before the streets become busy.

Lovrjenac Fortress delivers the main payoff

The fortress visit takes about 30 to 40 minutes and is the strongest part of the tour for many people. Lovrjenac was used for scenes involving the Red Keep and Blackwater Bay, and its position above the water gives you wide views over the coast and Dubrovnik’s walls.

The guide brings a book of production photos. You can look at the show image, turn toward the real setting, and see what was changed with camera angles, set design, and digital effects. That comparison is far more useful than simply being told that a scene was filmed there.

The fort also works for people who never watched Game of Thrones. You get high views, stone defenses, and a sense of why this location was so useful to the production. One person who had not seen the series still enjoyed the fortress, views, and historical side of the visit.

The drawback is the extra entrance charge. Lovrjenac Fortress costs €15 per person unless you have a valid Dubrovnik Pass with 24-hour usage or a City Walls ticket with 72-hour usage. Check what you already have before paying again. The fort is also the point where the physical demands become clear. There are stairs, exposed areas, and a climb, so this is not a flat city stroll.

The early departure helps here. At 9:15 a.m., you have a better chance of walking before the day’s heat and heavier crowds build. If you book a later departure when available, expect the climb to feel harder in strong sun.

Pile Bay and the old small port

After the fortress, the route returns toward Ulica od Tabakarije and the old small port in Pile Bay. This is a shorter stop, about 10 minutes, but it gives you another look at the waterfront settings used in the show.

The guide points out how the production used Dubrovnik’s harbor edges, walls, and stone surfaces to create the atmosphere of King’s Landing. I like this part because it shows that the series relied on real spaces rather than one isolated landmark.

It is also a welcome breather after the fortress. You are still walking, but the route shifts from the uphill fort to lower streets and waterfront views.

Gunduliceva Poljana and the Walk of Shame

Gunduliceva Poljana Market is the stop tied to the famous Walk of Shame sequence. The guide explains what happened in the scene and helps you place the action within the everyday Old Town around it.

This is a good example of why a guide adds value. On your own, you may see a pleasant square with market stalls. With the scene photos and filming details, you can understand how the same space was framed for television.

The stop lasts around 10 minutes. It is not a full market tour, and the focus remains on the filming location rather than shopping or food.

Old Town scenes, history, and production stories

The longer Old Town portion lasts about 45 minutes. Here, the guide covers several scenes and links them to Dubrovnik’s streets, gates, walls, and public spaces.

The best guides keep the show from taking over the entire morning. Alex, in particular, is described as mixing production facts with the history of Dubrovnik and practical advice about restaurants and activities. That combination makes the walk useful even if your interest in the series is casual.

You may hear about the actors, filming logistics, and the challenge of bringing a production to Dubrovnik during the busy tourist season. The guide also explains how camera work and computer-generated effects changed the final appearance. Those details help you see the city with more care, rather than simply ticking off recognizable locations.

The scene-photo book is especially helpful here, although you may need to move close to see every image clearly. One drawback is that photos can be harder to view when the group is standing in a crowded street. The small group helps, but the guide cannot always hold the book where everyone gets a perfect look.

The walking route also gives you a useful first orientation to Dubrovnik. If this is your first morning in town, you will learn where the Old Town port, market, Pile Gate, and major approach routes sit in relation to one another.

Taking the boat from Porat Dubrovnik to Lokrum

The group reaches Porat Dubrovnik, the Old Town port, and buys tickets for the short boat ride to Lokrum. The crossing takes about 10 minutes according to the route details, though one account describes it as roughly 15 minutes. Either way, it is a brief transfer, not a long cruise.

The return Lokrum boat costs €30 per person and is not included in the tour price. This is the biggest cost detail to understand before booking. The boat is part of the experience if you choose the island portion, so add it to the advertised $42.33 when comparing this outing with other Dubrovnik tours.

The boat ride gives you a change of pace after the walking route. It also opens a second setting that you might skip if you only book an Old Town Game of Thrones walk. If you are already planning to visit Lokrum, the guided connection can make good sense. If you have limited interest in the show and little time, you may prefer to spend the afternoon inside Dubrovnik.

Lokrum Island and the Iron Throne

The Lokrum section lasts about 40 minutes with the guide. The island was used for Game of Thrones scenes, and the tour finishes with a photo opportunity on the Iron Throne.

The photo is included, so you do not need to pay an additional fee for that souvenir. Guides may also take individual photos for couples or small groups, which is useful if you want more than a quick self-timer picture.

Lokrum gives the tour a different feel. The Old Town is dense and heavily visited, while the island offers space to pause and change scenery. The tour does not end with a forced return to the city. You are free to remain on Lokrum and explore independently.

That freedom is useful, but it comes with a firm responsibility: you must keep track of the final boat back to Dubrovnik. The tour operator does not take responsibility for you missing it. Confirm the return schedule before separating from the group.

Bring a swimsuit and towel if you want to make use of the island’s water spots. The supplied information specifically points to places where you can relax and play in the water, making Lokrum more than a film-location add-on for families and anyone needing a break from the Old Town.

The guided island visit is fairly short. If you want a long swim, a slow walk, or more time outdoors, plan to remain after the formal tour. That is one of the best features of the ending, provided your schedule allows it.

What guides Alex and Adrianna add

Alexandra, commonly called Alex, receives the strongest praise in the supplied material. Her approach combines Game of Thrones facts, behind-the-scenes stories, Dubrovnik history, and practical recommendations for food and sightseeing.

That last point is not minor. A good local suggestion can save you from an overpriced meal in a busy center, and Alex has offered restaurant recommendations that people found useful. She has also pointed out tourist traps to avoid.

Adrianna is another named guide associated with the experience. The key qualities to look for are clear explanations, friendly delivery, and the ability to keep the group together through busy streets and stairs.

Some departures use a speaker system with headphones. I consider that a real advantage. Dubrovnik can be noisy, and a guide who is several meters ahead is otherwise easy to lose. The equipment also means you can look at a location while still hearing the explanation.

Weather can affect the route. One rainy departure used rain covers and could not continue to Lokrum. If poor weather forces cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. If the tour goes ahead in rain, confirm how the island portion will be handled.

Price, extra charges, and overall value

The listed price is $42.33 per person. For roughly three hours with a licensed local guide, a fortress visit, a guided Old Town walk, the Lokrum connection, and an Iron Throne photo, that is a reasonable base price.

It is not the final cost if you follow the full route. Add €15 for Lovrjenac Fortress unless your Dubrovnik Pass or qualifying City Walls ticket covers it. Add €30 per person for the return Lokrum boat. These charges can make the outing feel much less inexpensive than the headline price suggests.

The value is strongest when you want both Dubrovnik’s major filming locations and Lokrum in one morning. You receive a guide, route planning, scene comparisons, and local recommendations instead of having to research each place yourself.

The value is weaker if you have already visited the fortress and Lokrum, or if you dislike television-themed tours. In that case, the extra charges may be better spent on a standard city walk or another activity.

The experience is booked, on average, 46 days ahead. That suggests planning early, especially if you need the 9:15 a.m. departure or are visiting during a busy season.

Who should book this tour?

I would choose it if you watched Game of Thrones and want to see the real settings behind the scenes. The fortress photo comparisons, Walk of Shame location, Old Town route, and Iron Throne make the show feel connected to the actual city.

I would also recommend it to mixed groups. Several people can enjoy the history, views, fortifications, and island even when only one person is a serious fan. The walking route gives nonfans enough Dubrovnik context to make the morning worthwhile.

Families and active couples should consider adding time on Lokrum after the guided portion. The island offers a chance to slow down, swim, or sit outdoors. Just keep the final boat schedule in mind.

You should think twice if stairs are difficult for you, if you want a completely flat walk, or if the extra costs will strain your budget. Lovrjenac is not optional in the route, and the boat charge is significant.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a well-organized blend of Game of Thrones locations, Dubrovnik history, and Lokrum Island rather than a quick photo hunt. The small group, scene-photo comparisons, clear audio equipment, and guides such as Alex give it substance.

Choose the early start, budget for the fortress and boat, wear practical shoes, and bring water. If you want to stay on Lokrum, pack a towel and check the last boat before you settle in. With those details handled, this is a strong half-day introduction to Dubrovnik’s screen locations and real-world setting.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

It starts at the Dubrovnik Walks orange umbrella at Brsalje ul. 8, outside Pile Gate in Dubrovnik.

What time does the tour begin?

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

Where does the tour end?

The guided tour ends on Lokrum Island. You may stay and explore independently, but you must return on a scheduled boat before the final departure.

Is the Lokrum boat included?

No. The return boat from Porat Dubrovnik costs €30 per person and is paid separately.

Is Lovrjenac Fortress included?

The fortress admission is not included. It costs €15 per person, unless you have a Dubrovnik Pass with 24-hour usage or a City Walls ticket with 72-hour usage.

Is the Iron Throne photo included?

Yes. The tour includes a photo opportunity on the Iron Throne.

How large is the group?

The tour accepts a maximum of 12 travelers and is offered in English.