Game of Thrones Shooting Locations Guided Walking Tour

Dubrovnik turns television fantasy into real stone. This three-hour walking and boat tour links Fort Lovrijenac, Blackwater Bay, and the Walk of Shame steps with the streets, churches, and old harbor that give Dubrovnik its true character. You get the screen locations, but also a useful introduction to the city that survived war, earthquakes, and centuries of change.

I like the way the tour joins film stories to places you might otherwise pass too quickly, and I like the short boat ride to Lokrum, where you can sit on the official HBO Iron Throne. The main consideration is cost: the advertised price is $57, but the fort entrance and Lokrum ferry may cost extra unless your selected option includes them.

Key points to know before you book

• Lovrijenac sets the mood: Begin at the massive fortress above the sea, used as the Red Keep in Game of Thrones.
• Blackwater Bay is close to Pile Gate: Pile Bay and the old small port are easy to recognize from the show.
• The Old Town portion is packed: Expect churches, fountains, palaces, filming stories, and plenty of uneven stone underfoot.
• The Walk of Shame location is real: The Jesuit Steps offer one of Dubrovnik’s most memorable film connections.
• Lokrum adds a boat ride and nature: The island served as Qarth and includes the official HBO Iron Throne.
• Guides receive the strongest praise: Petra and Tea are singled out for clear explanations, local insight, warmth, and careful attention to group needs.

Starting beside Nautika and climbing to Lovrijenac

Meet your guide at the entrance to Nautika Restaurant, near the western side of Dubrovnik’s Old Town. This is a practical meeting point because the tour begins outside the walls and heads first to Fort Lovrijenac rather than sending you straight into the busiest lanes.

A brief stop at the Aphrodite and Pan statue comes before the fortress. The statue gives you a quick visual marker near the start, while the real opening scene comes at Lovrijenac.

Fort Lovrijenac sits on a rocky rise above the sea, with broad views back toward Dubrovnik and the coast. Its thick walls and commanding position explain why it works so well on screen as the Red Keep. Even without the television connection, it is one of the most striking places on this route.

The guide provides context about the fortress and its role in the city. You should expect steps and uphill walking here, so comfortable shoes are not optional advice. The old stone can be slippery, and the tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments.

The entrance fee to St. Lawrence Fort is €15. You can pay at the site, or enter free with a valid DU Pass. Check your budget before the tour, since this charge is separate from the advertised $57 unless your booking arrangement says otherwise.

Blackwater Bay at Pile Bay

From Lovrijenac, the route continues toward Pile Gate and the old small port. This is Pile Bay, the Dubrovnik setting used for Blackwater Bay. The harbor, stone walls, and open water make the connection easy to picture, especially if you remember the busy coastal scenes from the series.

I like this part because it gives you a clear sense of how production teams used Dubrovnik. The show did not need to invent a fantasy port from scratch. It found one in a compact corner of the real city, then used camera angles and story context to make it feel much larger.

The stop is also useful for getting your bearings. Pile Gate is one of the main entrances to Dubrovnik’s Old Town, and you will soon move from open views and sea air into narrow lanes and polished stone streets.

Old Town streets, churches, and production stories

The walking section passes through the Old Town with stops at several major sights. This is not only a search for recognizable scenes. The guide explains how Dubrovnik changed over time, including the devastating earthquake that damaged the city.

You pass the Franciscan Monastery and church, followed by the Large Onofrio Fountain. The fountain is one of the most useful meeting points in the Old Town, and its large stone basin gives you a good pause before the route grows denser.

The tour then follows Stradun, Dubrovnik’s main street. It appeared in scenes from Seasons 2 and 3, so fans will have a clear screen connection here. Stradun is also the city’s social spine, lined with pale stone buildings and busy with people moving between squares, churches, shops, and cafés.

You continue past Orlando’s Column and the Church of St. Blaise. These stops show why the tour works for people who want more than television trivia. The column and church are part of Dubrovnik’s civic and religious center, and the guide uses them to connect the fictional city with the real one.

The route also includes Rector’s Palace and the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Rector’s Palace gives the Old Town a formal, political setting, while the cathedral adds another layer of religious and artistic history. You will not be touring every interior in detail, but the outside stops help you understand the compact scale of the city.

Because the route covers several sights in a short time, expect a lively overview rather than long visits inside each building. That is a strength if you want a broad introduction. It is a limitation if you prefer to spend half an hour examining one church or museum.

The Jesuit Steps and the Walk of Shame

The Jesuit Steps are the tour’s most famous television stop for many people. The staircase and church of St. Ignatius of Loyola were used for the iconic Walk of Shame scene.

Standing there, you can see why the location worked. The steps create a strong upward and downward line, with the church forming a dramatic backdrop. The real place is smaller and more intimate than the scene may feel on screen, which is part of the fun of seeing it in person.

The guide shares production details and helps you match the setting to the show. This is one of the moments when a good guide matters most. Petra is praised for giving useful local insight into the filming locations, while Tea is praised for her knowledge and enthusiasm. The experience depends less on simply pointing at a staircase and more on explaining how the scene used the space.

The steps also require care. Dubrovnik’s old streets and stairs can be narrow and slippery, so keep your hands free when possible and take your time. Sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen, and light clothing are sensible in strong sun.

Old Port and the ten-minute ride to Lokrum

After the Old Town walk, you head to Dubrovnik’s Old Port. From there, the ferry ride to Lokrum takes about ten minutes. It is a welcome change after the stone streets and gives you a short look back toward the city from the water.

Lokrum was used as Qarth in Game of Thrones. The island also brings a different mood to the tour, with natural areas and historic places rather than walls, fountains, and city squares.

Access to Lokrum is optional and scheduled at the end of the tour. This matters when you compare booking options. Some options include guiding on the island and ferry tickets, while others may not. The stated ferry price is €30 when it is not included, so confirm exactly what your selected package covers before paying.

Bad weather or another incident can stop the ferry. If that happens, the tour ends in the Old Town, where you can still take a photo on an Iron Throne replica. This backup plan means the outing does not depend entirely on reaching the island, though you would miss the Qarth locations and island visit.

Lokrum, Qarth, and the Iron Throne photo

On Lokrum, the guide points out filming locations and explains the island’s connection to the series. You also have time to appreciate its natural setting and historical significance.

The official HBO Iron Throne is the most obvious photo opportunity. It is a lighthearted finish to a tour that has otherwise focused on fortifications, churches, palaces, and serious episodes from Dubrovnik’s past. If you are traveling with children, friends, or a group of dedicated fans, this may be the picture everyone wants.

The island visit is also why the optional format can work well. You can choose a shorter experience focused on Dubrovnik’s Old Town, or select an option that includes the ferry and island guiding. Just do not assume Lokrum is part of every $57 booking. The supplied details clearly say that ferry tickets and island guiding depend on the option selected.

What the guide adds to the experience

A Game of Thrones location tour can easily become a parade of filming references. Here, the guide’s role is more important because the route includes a proper Old Town introduction.

The strongest praise goes to the guides’ clear explanations, friendly manner, and attention to the group. Petra is described as offering a local view of the locations, while Tea is praised for being passionate and well informed. Another guide is noted for being especially kind and attentive to a group traveling with a baby.

That last detail is useful. You should not expect a private tour built around your own pace, but the guides appear willing to notice practical needs and respond with care. The main language choices are Croatian and English.

The best value comes when you ask questions. Ask about the filming locations, but also ask about the earthquake, the old port, the fortress, and the buildings you pass between screen stops. The tour becomes much more useful when you treat the show as the doorway into Dubrovnik, not the whole subject.

Is three hours enough for the route?

Three hours is enough for a brisk introduction, but the schedule is full. You cover Lovrijenac, Pile Gate, several Old Town landmarks, the Jesuit Steps, the Old Port, a ferry ride, and Lokrum if your option includes it.

You should expect movement rather than long free periods. That suits you if you want to see many places in one outing and still have time later to return to a favorite site. It may feel rushed if your ideal tour includes extended photo stops or interior visits.

The optional Lokrum ending creates two possible rhythms. With the island, the experience includes a boat ride and a change of setting. Without it, you finish in the Old Town and have more freedom to continue exploring Dubrovnik on your own.

The walking surface matters. Narrow, uneven, and sometimes slippery pebble streets are part of the setting, not a minor inconvenience. Wear shoes with a secure sole, bring water, and carry cash for fees or small purchases.

Is the $57 price good value?

At $57 per person, the tour offers a local licensed guide, an Old Town walk, filming stories, and access to a route that would be difficult to organize efficiently on your own. The value is strongest for first-time visitors who want a quick introduction to Dubrovnik and fans who want the locations tied together in a logical order.

The price requires careful checking because the listed extras can change the total. Fort Lovrijenac costs €15 unless you have a DU Pass, and the Lokrum ferry is listed at €30 when not included. Some booking options include the ferry and island guiding, while others do not.

For a fan who would visit Lovrijenac and Lokrum anyway, paying for the guide can make sense. You receive the location context, production stories, and city background in one compact outing. If you care only about taking a few photos at famous spots, you may find the added cost harder to justify.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start and reserve-now, pay-later booking make the plan easier to adjust. Still, the important decision is not only the headline price. Compare the exact option, ferry inclusion, and fort cost before you book.

Who will enjoy this walking tour most?

I would recommend it most to:

• Game of Thrones fans who want Blackwater Bay, the Red Keep setting, the Walk of Shame steps, and Qarth in one route.
• First-time Dubrovnik visitors who want a guided introduction to major Old Town sights.
• Families and mixed groups who prefer a friendly guide and a clear three-hour plan.
• People who enjoy seeing how real places become television settings.
• Visitors who are comfortable walking on old stone streets and climbing steps.

I would be more cautious if you have mobility limitations, dislike uneven paving, or want a slow architectural tour with plenty of interior visits. The experience is active and tightly timed.

Should you book the Game of Thrones walking tour?

Book it if you want Dubrovnik’s film locations explained alongside the city’s churches, fountains, palaces, and past. The combination of Lovrijenac, Pile Bay, the Jesuit Steps, and Lokrum gives the tour a satisfying range, and the guides receive strong praise for warmth, local insight, and clear storytelling.

Before you commit, confirm whether your chosen option includes Lokrum and the €30 ferry. Also budget for the €15 fort entrance unless you have a DU Pass. With those details settled, this is a good choice for fans who want more than a photo checklist and for first-time visitors who appreciate a useful introduction to Dubrovnik.

FAQ

Where does the tour meet?

The meeting point is at the entrance of Nautika Restaurant in Dubrovnik.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts three hours. Starting times depend on availability.

Which languages are available?

The live tour is available in Croatian and English.

Is the entrance to Fort Lovrijenac included?

The entrance fee is €15 and can be purchased on site. Entry is free with a valid DU Pass. Check your selected option for exact inclusions.

Is Lokrum Island included?

Lokrum access is optional and takes place at the end of the tour. Ferry tickets and island guiding are included only with selected options. The ferry takes about ten minutes.

What happens if the ferry to Lokrum cannot operate?

If bad weather or another incident stops the ferry, the tour ends in the Old Town. You can still take a photo on an Iron Throne replica.