Blog / Travel tips

Game of Thrones in Croatia: the filming locations and a four-day route

Travel tips · 7 min read

From King's Landing in Dubrovnik to Meereen near Split and Braavos in Šibenik: how to visit the best-known locations from the series.

From the second season onwards, much of Game of Thrones was filmed in Croatia. Dubrovnik played King's Landing, and Meereen and Braavos lie around Split and Šibenik. Below you'll find the best-known locations you can actually visit, plus a four-day route from Dubrovnik to Šibenik.

King's Landing: Dubrovnik

From season 2, Dubrovnik's old town played King's Landing, the capital of the Seven Kingdoms. You will recognise the city walls, the forts and the steep stepped streets from many scenes. In one morning you can walk past the best-known spots, and Lokrum is just a quarter of an hour away by boat.

Qarth, Meereen and Braavos

Part of Essos was filmed in Croatia too. Qarth was shot in Dubrovnik and on Lokrum, Meereen in and around Split, and Braavos in Šibenik and Kaštel Gomilica. That makes the route below a good fit for a trip along the Dalmatian coast.

The route in 4 days

11places

4days

280km by car

Day 1 · Dubrovnik: King's Landing on foot

On foot · ± 1.5 km on foot

Gradac Park
In the series: The Purple Wedding (season 4): guests walk here to Joffrey's wedding feast, where he is poisoned.
A quiet park with pine trees and views of Lovrijenac, just outside the Pile Gate.
On the map ↗
Fort Lovrijenac
In the series: The Red Keep in King's Landing, including the tournament for Joffrey's name day (season 2).
The fort stands on a rock 37 metres above the sea. Your city walls ticket also gets you in here.
On the map ↗
City walls and Minčeta Tower
In the series: The walls of King's Landing. Minčeta Tower was the outside of the House of the Undying in Qarth (season 2).
The walk along the walls is almost 2 km. Go early or late in the day: at midday it is hot and busy.
On the map ↗
Jesuit Stairs
In the series: This is where Cersei's walk of shame through the city begins (season 5).
The baroque staircase climbs from Gundulić Square to the Jesuit church.
On the map ↗
Rector's Palace
In the series: The courtyard was the Spice King's palace in Qarth (season 2).
Now the city museum. During the Summer Festival, concerts are held in the courtyard.
On the map ↗

Day 1 in Google Maps ↗

Day 2 · Lokrum: Qarth and the Iron Throne

By boat

Lokrum
In the series: Qarth: Xaro Xhoan Daxos's garden party in the monastery cloister (season 2).
Boats leave from Dubrovnik's old harbour; the crossing takes about 15 minutes. In the monastery there is an Iron Throne you can have your photo taken on. Staying overnight on the island is not allowed.
On the map ↗

Day 3 · Via Trsteno to Split

By car · 190 km · 3 h driving

→ 15 km · 15 min
Trsteno Arboretum
In the series: The palace gardens of King's Landing, where Olenna Tyrell and Sansa take a walk together (season 3).
One of the oldest arboretums in Europe, about 20 km north-west of Dubrovnik and on the way to Split.
On the map ↗
→ 175 km · 2 h 45 min
Cellars of Diocletian's Palace
In the series: Daenerys's throne room in Meereen, and where she chains up her dragons (season 4).
The vaulted cellars lie beneath the palace, with the entrance on the Riva side. Part is free to walk through; the side halls need a ticket.
On the map ↗

Day 3 in Google Maps ↗

Day 4 · Meereen and Braavos: Klis, Kaštela and Šibenik

By car · 95 km · 1 h 45 min driving

→ 10 km · 15 min
Klis Fortress
In the series: Meereen: the slaver city Daenerys conquers before crucifying the masters (season 4).
A medieval fortress on a rocky ridge above Split, about 15 minutes' drive from the city.
On the map ↗
→ 15 km · 20 min
Kaštilac in Kaštel Gomilica
In the series: The coast of Braavos, where Arya arrives by boat (season 5).
A small fort on a rocky islet, linked to the village by a bridge.
On the map ↗
→ 70 km · 1 h
Šibenik old town
In the series: Braavos: the streets of the old town and the square in front of the cathedral (season 5).
The Cathedral of St James is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
On the map ↗

Day 4 in Google Maps ↗

Distances and driving times are estimates. Allow plenty of time at each place.

Map of Croatia

Tips for the road

Start early in the morning, when the Jesuit Stairs and the city walls are still quiet and it is cooler.
Your city walls ticket also gets you into Fort Lovrijenac.
From Dubrovnik to Split you drive over the Pelješac Bridge, so you don't have to pass through Bosnia and Herzegovina at Neum.
Fewer boats run to Lokrum in winter. Check the timetable before you go.
Dubrovnik is very busy in July and August. The route is most pleasant in May, June and September.

Game of Thrones tours

With a guide you hear which scene was filmed at each spot, often with photos from the shoot.

Book via GetYourGuide ↗Viator ↗

See the best time to visit →

Destinations

Dubrovnik

Dalmatia

A walled old town on the sea, with marble streets and fortresses. Walk the city walls early in the morning, before the cruise ships arrive.

Split