A visit to Kings Landing a.k.a. Dubrovnik
In September of 2026, I was finally able to check a long-standing bucket list destination off my list: the breathtaking city of Dubrovnik.
Widely celebrated as the "Pearl of the Adriatic," Dubrovnik is renowned for its rich history, marble-paved streets, and ancient fortifications. Beyond its medieval origins, however, the city gained a new wave of global fame when production for HBO’s Game of Thrones moved to Croatia in September 2011 to film Season 2.
During the show’s first season, exterior scenes for King’s Landing were shot in Malta; however, following permitting issues and concerns over environmental damage on the island of Gozo, the production team relocated its primary southern Westeros backdrop to Dubrovnik. From late 2011 through the series finale, Dubrovnik’s majestic stone walls and coastal landscapes served as the real-world embodiment of the Seven Kingdoms' capital.
This cinematic transformation triggered a massive new wave of tourism. As explored in the Game of Thrones behind-the-scenes documentary coverage, the global TV phenomenon fundamentally altered the city’s economic and cultural landscape turning a historic coastal retreat into a bustling Mecca for fans, and bringing both unprecedented economic growth and new challenges with overtourism to the local community.(timewalksplit.com)
Dubrovnik was HBO's primary filming location for King's Landing (as well as scenes for Qarth and Blackwater Bay) starting in Season 2 (2011) and continuing through Season 8.
During my stay in Dubrovnik I followed an organised tour, which was also a great introduction to the historical sites of the city. In about 3,5 hours we dived into the world of the seven kingdoms.
Tvrđava Lovrjenac / Lovrjenac Fortress
Lovrjenac Fortress Served as the exterior of the Red Keep, the royal seat of the King of the Andals.
Cersei and little finger (Season 2, Episode 1): Hosted King Joffrey’s nameday tournament in Season 2 and provided the backdrop for Cersei and Littlefinger’s famous "Power is power" scene.
King Joffrey's Name Day Tournament (Season 2, Episode 1): The fort's inner bay and terraces set the scene for the celebration held in King Joffrey's honor, where Ser Dontos Hollard was saved by Sansa Stark and made the court fool, and Bronn and Tyrion Lannister observed the knights fighting.
The Purple Wedding Aftermath (Season 4, Episode 2): After King Joffrey is poisoned at his wedding feast, Sansa Stark flees the Red Keep down the stone steps of Fort Lovrijenac toward the water to meet Dontos Hollard and escape via boat to Littlefinger's ship.
Tyrion, Bronn, and Varys Planning Defense (Season 2, Episodes 7 & 8): The high stone ramparts and outer walls of Lovrijenac were used for scenes where Tyrion Lannister, Varys, and Bronn inspect the battlements of King's Landing while strategizing for the impending attack by Stannis Baratheon.
The Gold Cloaks Raid (Season 2, Episode 1): The bay and shoreline directly beneath Fort Lovrijenac (Blackwater Bay) were used for the tense scene where the City Watch (Gold Cloaks) hunt down and kill King Robert Baratheon's illegitimate children.
(Lisa schultz, 2026)
Pile Bay (Blackwater Bay)
Myrcella Baratheon’s Departure to Dorne (Season 2, Episode 6): Cersei Lannister, Joffrey, Tyrion, and the royal court gather on the stone pier of Pile Bay to bid farewell to Princess Myrcella as she is sent away by boat to Sunspear to wed Trystane Martell.
Myrcella’s Tragic Return (Season 6, Episode 2): Jaime Lannister returns by boat to this same pier, bringing Myrcella's body back to King's Landing after she was poisoned by Ellaria Sand. Cersei waits at the harbor shore to receive him.
Sansa Stark's Escape Plan (Season 2 & Season 3): Sansa Stark and Littlefinger (Petyr Baelish) sit on the stone dock edge discussing plans for her secret escape from King's Landing while watching boats sail out.
The Gold Cloaks' Massacre (Season 2, Episode 1): The rocky shore and stone stairs of the bay are used in the brutal scene where Joffrey’s City Watch soldiers hunt down and murder King Robert Baratheon's bastard children.
Dubrovnik City Walls
(Lisa schultz, 2026)
Dubrovnik City Walls s the Defensive Walls of King’s Landing.
Minčeta Tower / House of the Undying (Season 2, Episode 10): The highest point of the city walls, was used as the exterior of the House of the Undying in Qarth. Daenerys Targaryen walks around its circular base searching for the entrance to retrieve her stolen dragons.
Bokar Fortress / Defense Strategy (Season 2, Episode 8 & Season 7, Episode 1) Overlooking the sea and Fort Lovrijenac, is where Tyrion Lannister and Lord Varys discuss defense plans for King's Landing prior to the Battle of the Blackwater. In Season 7, Cersei and Jaime Lannister stand on this fortress wall looking out over Euron Greyjoy's Iron Fleet arriving in the harbor.
Lokrum Island
Lokrum is a small, lush island situated just 600 meters off the coast of Dubrovnik (a 15-minute ferry ride from the Old Town port). In Game of Thrones, Lokrum served as the primary set for Qarth, "The Greatest City That Ever Was or Will Be," located on the continent of Essos.
Benedictine Monastery of St. Mary (Qarth Party & Gardens) Season 2, Episode 5 ("The Ghost of Harrenhal"): The 12th-century Benedictine Monastery and its arcaded courtyard stood in for Xaro Xhoan Daxos’s mansion garden. Here, Daenerys Targaryen attends a lavish party hosted by Xaro, where she interacts with the Warlocks of Qarth (Pyat Pree) and tries to secure ships to cross the Narrow Sea.
Botanical Gardens of Lokrum
The island's botanical gardens provided the exotic greenery and path settings surrounding the city of Qarth.
Fun Fact: The abundance of wild peacocks wandering freely on Lokrum inspired the show's set designers to decorate Qarth with golden peacock statues and peacock motifs.
The Official Iron Throne Exhibition
The Original Replica: After filming concluded in Dubrovnik, the production team gifted an official replica of the Iron Throne to the city.
Location: It is housed inside the visitor center in the former Benedictine Monastery on Lokrum.
Visitor Access: Admission to the exhibition room is free with island entrance, allowing visitors to sit on the Iron Throne for photos.
So, but I hear you ask? Was the tour worth it? In my opinion it totally was, if you're a big fan of Game of Thrones. Specially with the extra option to visit the Lokrum Island. Following a tour provides an amazing opportunity to get to know the Dubrovnik through the eyes of Westeros. The guide was very knowledgable, and knew maybe even too many details haha.
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