Game of Thrones & the Old City Grand Tour in Dubrovnik

Step into King’s Landing for an afternoon. This 2.5 to 3-hour walking tour pairs Dubrovnik’s famous Game of Thrones filming spots with major Old Town sights, then finishes beneath Lovrjenac Fortress, the dramatic Red Keep location. I like the balance between screen trivia and real Croatian history, and I like that guides such as Jelena, Nera, Robert, and Alaina add personal stories from filming.

The main catch is cost and effort at the fortress. The tour price is about $36.28 per person, but the Lovrjenac entrance fee of €15 is extra unless you have a Dubrovnik Card or a City Walls ticket. You’ll also climb steps near the end, so this is not a flat stroll through the Old Town.

Five things to know before you book

• The tour finishes at Lovrjenac Fortress: You get dramatic views, but the climb is part of the deal and admission is separate.
• It is more than a TV-location hunt: The route includes the Rector’s Palace, Cathedral, Old Port, Church of St. Blaise, Old Pharmacy, and other city landmarks.
• Guides bring first-hand filming stories: Several guides, including Nera and Robert, worked as extras or in photography roles connected with Game of Thrones.
• The Iron Throne photo is included: The advertised photo takes place at a replica, though a closed shop prevented one participant from receiving it.
• Morning or afternoon departures are available: An earlier time may help you avoid some of Dubrovnik’s heavier crowds.
• The group can reach 25 people: That is small enough for a personal walk in theory, though a full group can feel less intimate in narrow streets.

Why the mix of Dubrovnik and Westeros works

Dubrovnik is not merely a backdrop for Game of Thrones. The Old Town has its own story, and the best part of this tour is the way the two layers sit together. One moment you are looking at a filming location. The next, your guide is explaining a palace, church, fountain, or episode from Dubrovnik’s difficult recent past.

I especially like that the guides do not treat the city as a television theme park. Jelena, Nera, Robert, Bobo, and Alaina have all been praised for combining filming facts with local history, humor, and personal insight. Nera and Robert have appeared as extras, while one guide worked as a photographer during filming. Those details give the TV material a local voice.

That balance also makes the tour suitable for people who are not devoted fans. You will get the most from the location references if you know the show, but the Old Town portion still gives you a useful introduction to Dubrovnik. One important exception: if Game of Thrones does not interest you at all, a dedicated history tour may be a better use of your time.

Starting at Ploča Gate and finding your bearings

The meeting point is on Ulica Vrata od Ploča, near the eastern entrance to the Old City. This is a practical place to begin because the tour moves through central Dubrovnik on foot rather than wasting time on a bus or transfer.

Expect a proper walking tour, not a quick photo stop. The Old Town has polished stone streets, crowded passages, and stairs. The pace is likely manageable for anyone with moderate physical fitness, but you should wear shoes with a secure grip and bring water, particularly in warm weather.

The tour is offered in English and uses a mobile ticket. Group size can reach 25 people. That is worth noting if you prefer a quiet, highly personal walk. Some participants particularly liked guides who used audio equipment, since it helped them hear over the noise of busy streets, but this should not be treated as a guaranteed feature.

Lovrjenac Fortress and the view over Pile Bay

Lovrjenac Fortress receives about 45 minutes of the tour. It sits outside the Old City, above the western harbor, and is one of the most recognizable Game of Thrones locations in Dubrovnik. On screen, it helped represent the Red Keep. In person, its position above the water gives you a sharp view back toward the walls and the city.

The setting is the reward, but you need to plan for the ticket. Admission is listed at €15 per person and is not included in the tour price. Entry is free if you have a valid ticket for the City Walls or a Dubrovnik Card. The Dubrovnik Card is specifically recommended by the tour provider, especially if you plan to see several paid sights during your stay.

There is some confusing older pricing in the tour material, including a reference to 100 kuna. Use the current stated figure of €15 as your practical guide, and confirm the price when booking if costs have changed.

The fortress section includes steps, and the climb becomes more noticeable near the end of the walk. One participant described the views as worth the effort but warned that the ascent is not easy for everyone. I would not schedule this immediately after a long, tiring excursion unless you are comfortable walking uphill.

Through the Old Town’s major sights

The central Old Town portion lasts about 90 minutes. This is where the tour earns its second identity as a compact Dubrovnik introduction.

You can expect to pass or stop near:

• Rector’s Palace
• Sponza Palace
• Onofrio’s Fountain
• The Old Port
• Dubrovnik Cathedral
• Orlando’s Column
• The Church of St. Blaise
• The Old Pharmacy

The value here is not simply the number of landmarks. A guide can help you understand how the city fits together, point out filming angles, and show photographs from the series at the places where scenes were shot. That before-and-after comparison is one of the strongest features of the experience.

The tour also gives you a quick sense of Dubrovnik’s more recent past. One local guide was a child during the 1991 siege, and that personal connection brought a more serious tone to the history portion. This is useful context, but it also means the tour is not nonstop fantasy trivia. You will hear about real hardship alongside tales from a major television production.

A short break may occur during the walk. One participant specifically appreciated having time to pause midway. Another mentioned a snack stop with good mojitos. Treat that as a possible feature rather than a promise, since the exact stop may depend on the group and the guide.

Pile Bay, the port of King’s Landing

The tour includes about 15 minutes at Dubrovnik’s West Harbour, also called Pile Bay. This is outside the Old City and served as the port of King’s Landing in the series.

It is a useful final filming stop because the harbor gives you a wider view than the tight lanes inside the walls. You can take photographs, compare the real setting with scenes from the show, and see how the fortress and city approach work together as a film location.

The stop is brief. If you want a long, relaxed harbor visit, you will need to return on your own. The tour ends beneath Lovrjenac Fortress, not back at the original Ploča Gate meeting point, so plan your next activity from the western side of town.

The Iron Throne photo, with one practical warning

A photo on a replica Iron Throne is included. For many fans, this is the clearest souvenir of the experience, and it gives the tour a playful finish alongside the more serious history.

There is one important caveat. One participant could not get the photo because the Game of Thrones shop containing the replica was closed on a Sunday. The guide apologized and explained the situation. That appears to be an occasional access issue, not the normal plan, but you should understand that the photo depends on the replica location being open.

If the throne photo matters to you, ask about access when you arrive. It is a small step that may prevent disappointment.

Guides are the heart of this experience

The guide can make or break any walking tour, and this one depends heavily on the person leading it. The strongest praise has gone to guides who combine warmth, humor, clear English, and genuine local knowledge.

Jelena is repeatedly described as engaging, funny, and good at weaving historical facts into TV stories and photographs. Nera receives similar praise for her personal connection to filming and her strong understanding of Dubrovnik. Robert is noted for humor, warmth, and his work as an extra. Alaina is praised for being intelligent, entertaining, and helpful with food and tour suggestions. Bobo is also described as informative and funny.

You may not receive a particular guide, so I would book this for the format and subject rather than for one named person. Still, the pattern is encouraging: guides bring more than memorized locations. They add personal memories, local perspective, and stories from the set.

This also explains why the tour can work for mixed groups. A dedicated fan may focus on costume, scene placement, and filming details. Someone else may care more about Dubrovnik’s architecture, wartime past, or the views. A good guide can keep both people involved.

Price, timing, and overall value

At $36.28 per person, the tour is reasonably priced for a guided walk lasting 2.5 to 3 hours. You are paying for an English-speaking certified guide, organized routing, location photographs, the Old Town introduction, and the Iron Throne photo opportunity.

The value changes once you add the fortress fee. If you pay the €15 entrance charge separately, the total cost is noticeably higher. If you already plan to buy a Dubrovnik Card or a City Walls ticket, the fortress access becomes a better deal because it may be covered through that pass.

The tour is booked, on average, 63 days ahead, which suggests that planning early is sensible during busy periods. You can choose a morning or afternoon departure. I would favor morning if you want cooler walking conditions and a better chance of avoiding heavy crowds, a point also raised by one participant.

The experience requires good weather and a minimum number of people. If poor weather or low enrollment cancels the tour, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. After that, refunds are not available, and late changes are not accepted.

Who should book this Dubrovnik tour?

I would choose this tour if you want three things in one outing: Game of Thrones locations, a first look at Dubrovnik’s Old Town, and a strong viewpoint from Lovrjenac Fortress.

It suits:

• Fans who want filming locations with scene photographs
• First-time visitors who want a guided introduction to central Dubrovnik
• Couples and families who prefer a lively walk over a museum visit
• People who enjoy local stories and personal guide commentary
• Cruise or short-stay visitors with only a few hours available

I would think twice if you want a flat route, a quiet private tour, or a detailed visit inside every major monument. Many sights are viewed from outside or during a passing explanation. The walk is also less suitable for anyone who finds stairs difficult.

Should you book it?

Book it if you want a fun, efficient introduction to Dubrovnik with real history behind the television locations. The strongest reason to go is the guide-led storytelling, especially when you get a local guide with first-hand filming experience.

Before booking, budget for the €15 fortress fee unless your Dubrovnik Card or City Walls ticket covers it. Choose an earlier departure if possible, wear good shoes, and confirm the Iron Throne photo location is open. With those points handled, this is a good-value tour for Game of Thrones fans and a surprisingly solid Old Town orientation for everyone else.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes to 3 hours.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

What is included in the tour price?

A certified guide and a photo on a replica Iron Throne are included.

Is Lovrjenac Fortress admission included?

No. The listed entrance fee is €15 per person. Entry is free with a City Walls ticket or Dubrovnik Card.

Where does the tour start?

It starts on Ulica Vrata od Ploča in Dubrovnik.

Where does the tour finish?

It ends beneath Lovrjenac Fortress, at Tvrđava Lovrjenac on Ulica od Tabakarije 29.

Is the Old Town entrance fee included?

The Old Town walking portion has no separate admission fee. Paid entry may apply to individual attractions.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 25 people.

Is the tour physically demanding?

You need a moderate level of physical fitness. The route includes steps, particularly near Lovrjenac Fortress.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Poor weather or failure to meet the minimum group size may also lead to another date, another experience, or a full refund.