Dubrovnik: Game of Thrones Walking, Car and Boat Tour

Dubrovnik wears Westeros well. This seven-hour experience combines three ways to explore the city’s filming sites: a walking tour through the Old Town, a boat trip to Lokrum, and a car ride into the countryside. You see the Red Keep, Blackwater Bay, Qarth, the King’s Road, and more than 15 locations used in Game of Thrones.

I like the way the tour connects the TV scenes to real places, especially with side-by-side screenshots that show how Dubrovnik was changed on screen. I also like the variety: you are not stuck walking narrow stone streets all day. The guides add local detail, and recent guide team members Mikki and Dorotea earned especially warm praise for their wit, enthusiasm, and strong knowledge of both the show and Dubrovnik.

The main drawback is the pace. Seven hours is a long stretch, with plenty of walking, steps, road travel, and a boat ride. The experience is not a good match for people with mobility problems, back trouble, or seasickness, and the $294 price makes the most sense if you want a full Game of Thrones day rather than a quick photo stop.

Key points at a glance

• Three separate tours in one day: Walk through Dubrovnik, cruise to Lokrum, and ride by car to Trsteno and the King’s Road.
• More than 15 filming locations: See places used for the Red Keep, Blackwater Bay, Qarth, the Walk of Shame, and the Mountain versus Oberyn Martell fight.
• A real Iron Throne photo: On Lokrum, you can sit on the throne and take a memorable souvenir picture.
• Useful scene comparisons: Your guide carries a book of screenshots so you can match TV images with the actual streets, walls, gardens, and coastline.
• Strong guide presence: Mikki and Dorotea were praised for friendly banter, quick wit, and detailed explanations.
• Flexible scheduling: The walking, boat, and car portions can be taken on separate days instead of all at once.

Why the three-part format works

A single walking tour can show you Dubrovnik’s famous walls and alleys, but it cannot reach every filming site. This experience solves that problem by using three forms of transport, each suited to a different part of the region.

The walking portion handles the Old Town and St. Lawrence Fortress. The boat reaches Lokrum, where gardens and a monastery became Qarth. The car takes you beyond Dubrovnik to Trsteno Arboretum, the abandoned Hotel Belvedere, and the King’s Road viewpoint.

That variety gives the day a natural change of pace. You begin among stone lanes and historic fortifications, spend time on the water, then head into greener surroundings and wider views. If seven hours feels too long, the tours can be split across separate days. That is a useful option if you want time for Dubrovnik itself.

The English-speaking guide is included for each section. That matters here because the value is not just getting from one place to another. The guide explains which scenes were filmed where, how the locations were used, and what happened behind the scenes. The strongest praise has gone to the guide team’s friendly style and quick humor, which can make a long day feel lighter.

Starting near Pile Gate and entering the Old Town

The meeting point is near Dubrovnik’s Pile Gate, by the Amerling Fountain next to Dubravka restaurant. This is at the west entrance to the Old Town, an easy landmark if you are already visiting the historic center.

The first section lasts about two hours and is done on foot. You visit several major landmarks and filming sites linked to the Red Keep, Blackwater Bay, and the Walk of Shame. St. Lawrence Fortress is included, along with its entry fee.

This is the part most closely tied to Dubrovnik’s stone architecture. The city’s walls, steps, gates, and fortifications provided much of the visual identity for King’s Landing. Seeing the real locations helps you understand how the series used Dubrovnik’s compact streets and fortress walls to create a much larger fictional capital.

The Walk of Shame location is likely to be a highlight for fans, but the guide’s screen comparisons are what make the stop useful. A familiar scene can look surprisingly ordinary in real life. The screenshot book helps you line up the camera angle and notice what the production added, removed, or changed.

Expect steps and uneven stone underfoot. Comfortable shoes are not just a suggestion here. You should also avoid bringing large luggage or a big bag, since narrow streets and a long walking section make bulky belongings inconvenient.

Crossing to Lokrum for Qarth and the Iron Throne

The second section begins with a ferry ride to Lokrum. The boat ride takes about 15 minutes, giving you a short break from the streets and a different view of the Dubrovnik coast.

On the way, you pass Villa Šeherezada, the setting associated with Tyrion’s time spent conspiring on a balcony. It is a quick visual reference rather than a lengthy stop, but fans will recognize why the guide points it out.

Lokrum is used for scenes set in Qarth. You walk through gardens that appeared in the series and visit a Benedictine Monastery, where the guide explains the fictional Westeros connections. The gardens offer a change from the hard stone of the Old Town, and the island visit gives the tour a more relaxed middle section.

The Iron Throne is the main photo opportunity. You can sit on it and take your picture, which gives you a clear souvenir rather than just another view of a filming location. For many fans, this is the most playful part of the day.

You also get free time on Lokrum and can return by boat when ready. The information provided does not specify how long that free time lasts, so ask your guide about the return arrangement at the start. Bring only what you need, and remember that people prone to seasickness may find even a short crossing uncomfortable.

Lokrum is not only a TV stop. The included National Reserve entry gives you time to enjoy the island itself, and the Benedictine setting adds a real historical place beneath the fictional story. Still, if you are not a fan of the show, this section may feel less essential than the Old Town and Trsteno portions.

Trsteno Arboretum and the gardens of King’s Landing

The car portion takes you beyond central Dubrovnik to Trsteno Arboretum. This was used for many garden scenes in King’s Landing, and it offers one of the best reasons to choose the full package instead of only a city walking tour.

The arboretum is worth visiting even if you have never watched Game of Thrones. It is described as the oldest botanical garden in the world and contains exotic plants, giving you a more peaceful setting after the busy Old Town. The entry fee is included.

This stop also shows how much a production can change the feeling of a place. In the show, the gardens serve royal plots and private conversations. In person, you see the actual plants, paths, and views, then compare them with the guide’s screenshots. That contrast is more interesting than simply being told that a scene was filmed there.

The car ride matters because Trsteno is outside the Old Town. You do not have to work out separate transport to reach it, and the guide can explain the connection between the real garden and the fictional setting along the way.

There is no information about the exact vehicle, group size, or time spent at each car-tour stop, so you should not expect a private chauffeur experience unless that is confirmed when booking. Think of the car as practical transport between locations, with the guide providing the real value.

Hotel Belvedere and the Mountain versus Oberyn scene

The route continues to the abandoned Hotel Belvedere, used for the dramatic battle between the Mountain and Oberyn Martell. For fans, this is one of the more memorable locations because the setting is tied to a major fight rather than a background view.

The abandoned hotel also brings a different mood to the day. Unlike the polished Old Town or carefully maintained arboretum, this stop shows a rougher, more weathered side of the area. The exact condition of an abandoned building can change, so you should follow the guide’s instructions and avoid assuming every area is open for close exploration.

The guide’s screenshot book is especially useful here. Battle scenes can be difficult to recognize once actors, props, costumes, and camera angles are gone. Comparing the filmed version with the real site helps you see where the action took place.

This stop may be less appealing if you prefer conventional sightseeing. It is included for its connection to the show, not because it is a standard Dubrovnik monument. Fans will appreciate the context. Others may find it a brief, visually stark stop.

The King’s Road viewpoint and the final panorama

The final stop is on the King’s Road, where you get a broad view over Dubrovnik’s Old Town. After hours among walls, courtyards, and gardens, the panorama gives you a chance to see how the city fits together.

This is a smart way to finish. The earlier stops focus on individual filming sites. The final view lets you place the Old Town, its fortifications, and the surrounding coast into one picture. It also gives you a strong photo opportunity without requiring another detailed explanation of a scene.

The viewpoint is one of the clearest benefits of taking the car tour. A walking tour inside the city cannot easily provide the same wide perspective. If you are choosing between the full package and a shorter fan tour, this broader view is part of the extra value.

Is $294 a fair price?

At $294 per person, this is not a budget activity. The price is easier to justify if you want an organized full-day experience with transport, several entrance fees, and three distinct types of sightseeing.

Included costs cover the guide for each tour, St. Lawrence Fortress, Trsteno Arboretum, the round-trip boat ticket to Lokrum, and Lokrum National Reserve admission. Food and drinks are not included, and there is no hotel pickup or drop-off.

The real question is how much of Dubrovnik’s Game of Thrones history you want to cover. If you only want a photo at the Iron Throne or a quick look at city filming sites, a shorter tour may offer better value. If you want the Old Town, Lokrum, Trsteno, Hotel Belvedere, and the King’s Road without arranging separate transport, the package is more convincing.

You can also split the walking, boat, and car tours across different days. That may make the price feel more worthwhile because you can combine each section with other plans instead of spending one demanding seven-hour stretch on the same theme.

Who should book this experience?

I would recommend it most to Game of Thrones fans who want more than a few recognizable streets. You get a broad look at how Dubrovnik and its surrounding area became King’s Landing, Qarth, Blackwater Bay, and other parts of Westeros.

It also suits visitors who value a guide’s explanation over simply checking off locations. Mikki and Dorotea were praised for their friendly conversation and quick wit, and that kind of personal style matters during a long tour. A guide who can discuss both the show and Dubrovnik helps connect the fictional story to the real place.

You should think twice if you have back problems, mobility limitations, or seasickness. The tour includes walking, steps, car travel, and a ferry. Comfortable clothes and shoes are essential, and large bags are not allowed.

Book it if you want the complete version and can handle the pace. Skip it if you prefer independent sightseeing, dislike a full schedule, or only want one or two filming locations.

Practical details before you go

The experience lasts seven hours, though starting times depend on availability. The guide language is English. The meeting point is near Pile Gate, at Brsalje bb, by the Amerling Fountain and next to Dubravka restaurant.

Bring comfortable shoes and clothes. Do not bring luggage or large bags. Infant seats are available if requested at booking, but you should provide that information in advance.

The tour allows free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Print the complete confirmation document with all details, not only the ticket portion. That small instruction could save confusion at the meeting point.

Should you book the Dubrovnik Game of Thrones tour?

Book this experience if you want the full story of Dubrovnik’s screen career, not just a city walk. The combination of St. Lawrence Fortress, Lokrum, Trsteno, Hotel Belvedere, and the King’s Road gives you more range than a standard fan tour, while the screenshot book helps make each location easier to recognize.

The strongest reasons to go are the variety, the Iron Throne photo, and the guides’ praised mix of detail and humor. The strongest reasons to hesitate are the high price and demanding pace.

If you have seven hours, a healthy walking tolerance, and a serious interest in Game of Thrones, this is a well-filled day. If you are unsure, split the sections across separate days so the experience feels less like a marathon.

FAQ

How long does the Dubrovnik Game of Thrones tour last?

The complete experience lasts seven hours.

Where does the tour meet?

It meets near Pile Gate, at the west entrance to Dubrovnik’s Old Town, by the Amerling Fountain next to Dubravka restaurant.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The live tour guide speaks English.

Can I take the walking, boat, and car tours on different days?

Yes. The three parts can be taken separately on different days.

Does the tour visit the Iron Throne?

Yes. On Lokrum, you can sit on the Iron Throne and take a photo.

Is the boat ride to Lokrum included?

Yes. A round-trip boat ticket to Lokrum is included.

Are entrance fees included?

Yes. Entry to St. Lawrence Fortress, Trsteno Arboretum, and Lokrum National Reserve is included.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off provided?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes and comfortable clothes. Large bags and luggage are not allowed.