The magnificent city of Dubrovnik is a historical treasure trove. With its terracotta rooftops spilling into the Adriatic, marble streets polished by centuries of footsteps and enough stairs to make your thighs scream, it is both dramatic and absorbing.
But once you add dragons, scheming royals and pop culture’s most infamous shaming scene, this historic Croatian city suddenly transforms into King’s Landing, the capital of Westeros.
The show Game of Thrones was a global hit, and so when my family’s cruise docked here, we booked a fully immersive Game of Thrones walking tour. My husband and son are diehard fans, and I knew I’d never hear the end of it if we passed up the chance to tread the same streets as Tyrion, Cersei and Jon Snow. I happily tagged along and, as I did, fell more in love with the city.
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The Ageless Charm of Dubrovnik
Aside from its Game of Thrones fame, Dubrovnik, known as the “Pearl of the Adriatic”, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with a history as dramatic as its 1.3 miles of city walls.
Founded in the 7th century, it grew into a powerful maritime republic rivalling Venice in terms of trade and diplomacy. The city was one of the first to ban slavery (hurrah for Dubrovnik!), passing the law in 1416, and as it grew, its wealth and independence were safeguarded by formidable stone fortifications.
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Despite suffering earthquakes, sieges and more recent shelling during the Croatian War of Independence in the 1990s, Dubrovnik has been beautifully restored. Today, its cobbled streets, baroque churches and terracotta rooftops offer visitors a rare chance to step into a living museum. This is one stop you do not want to miss.
Choosing the Right Tour
Dubrovnik offers countless Game of Thrones tours, from quick app-led strolls to half-day immersions. As we were already on a Windstar small ship cruise around the Mediterranean, it made sense to book their own four-hour guided excursion, which paired the filming locations with a walk along the famous city walls. On this specific tour, we were glad we stayed with the cruise line. For cruise passengers with limited time, efficiency matters on this one.
Some of the many tour options out there:
- Some people have created free self-guided walking tours, such as this tour from HelloJetlag
- 2-hour walking tour, ~$30+ fees, does not include Fortress Entrance fee,
- 4 Hour Windstar cruise ship tour (what we did) – with walls (available anytime a ship stops in Dubrovnik)
- 7 Hour Kings Landing Tours, ~$100+ fees, walking and driven, include Lokrum Island
SheBuysTravel Tip: Depending on the tour you sign up for and how you are traveling in Dubrovnik, you can save money with a Dubrovnik Card for around $30 and this gives you access to the walls, Fort Lovrijenac and Rector’s Palace
I also knew that while a free app might tell me, “This is where King Joffrey was pelted with dung,” it wouldn’t make sense without the behind-the-scenes stories, inside track on how certain shots were achieved and how the shoot impacted the locals. My husband and son were enthusiastic from the get-go, and with the longer Windstar all-inclusive tour, we hit the jackpot.
In the morning, we’d covered the Old Town, the walls and all the major Game of Thrones locations. No worrying about logistics. No scrambling to fit it all in. It was an unforgettable experience.
Our Storytelling Guide
Our guide, Tihomir, was a journalist who’d covered the film industry and witnessed some of the filming firsthand. He knew exactly how to move through the maze-like streets while keeping the stories flowing. A local with insider knowledge, he wasn’t winging it or reading from a laminated card. Our guide was the lord of the manor.
He explained how one plaza became three completely different scenes through camera angles and even acted out a few scenes with flair, much to my teenage son’s delight (and mild embarrassment). It reminded me why having the right guide can make or break a tour. It wasn’t just about pointing at a wall. It was about reliving the stories woven into the city’s historic stones.
SheBuysTravel Tip: Find the best and most qualified guide you can – the behind-the-scenes stories from a Dubrovnik native were as much fun as the tour. Since we booked with our cruise line, we knew we could expect quality.
Arriving at Pile Gate
Our tour began at Pile Gate, the main western entrance to Dubrovnik’s Old Town. Fans of the show will recognize it as the spot where King Joffrey was pelted with dung by angry citizens. In real life, it’s the starting point of thousands of tourists’ days.
In the blistering heat, our guide handed out visual aids, which were stills from the show. Holding the photos up against the scene before us, we were able to match the images. My son grinned from ear to ear and my husband started quoting dialogue. That’s when I realized this tour wasn’t just sightseeing; it was shared family fun.
Impressive Fort Lovrijenac
Next, we climbed more stairs (this tour is fantastic for your butt and quads) to Fort Lovrijenac, which is perched dramatically on a cliff. Above the door leading to the fortress, there’s a famous inscription carved in stone: “Non Bene Pro Toto Libertas Venditur Auro”, which translates to “Freedom cannot be sold for all the gold of the world.”
The Fort doubles as Red Keep, in King’s Landing, the capital of the Seven Kingdoms, and many scenes were filmed here, including the tournament thrown in honour of King Joffrey in season two. Even without dragons, you felt like you’d stepped back into another century.
Towering Red Keep
Much to my son’s excitement, we were able to walk around the narrow streets of the fortress. Our guide pulled out more behind-the-scenes gems, showing how CGI expanded the skyline, adding towers and spires that don’t exist. We were astonished at how little they needed to change. Dubrovnik itself already feels cinematic, with its labyrinth of alleys and imposing stone arches.
We learned how the fortress, which dates back to the 11th century, played a dual role: real-world defence for Dubrovnik against invaders and fictional defence for King’s Landing against Stannis Baratheon’s fleet. Standing at Minceta Tower, aka the House of Undying, you could see why producers chose this city: steep stone walls, crashing waves and views sweeping across the sea. History and Hollywood collided in the most spectacular way.
Beautiful Pile Harbor
More steps! Our guide joked that in Dubrovnik, every day is “leg day.” He wasn’t wrong, so it was lovely to be able to descend and make our way to Pile Harbor, a quiet inlet and a popular spot for kayaking.
In the show, this was Blackwater Bay, where so many pivotal scenes unfolded, including Lord Baelish’s secret meeting with Sansa Stark. Here, fans in our group re-enacted scenes, much to everyone’s amusement. Our guide encouraged it, and suddenly a handful of strangers were shouting “The King in the North!” in 100-degree heat while locals, who had seen it all before, went about their business.
Pile Harbor is one of the prettiest spots in Dubrovnik and is perfect for photos. Fishermen still keep their boats here, oblivious to its TV fame. It was one of those moments where travel becomes more than sightseeing.
The Infamous Walk of Shame
No Game of Thrones tour is complete without experiencing the infamous Walk of Shame. On the Jesuit Stairs, near Gundulić Square, Cersei Lannister trudged naked through the streets, while the crowds shouted “Shame! Shame!”
Our guide told us about the filming logistics and how extras were recruited locally. He then offered us all a choice: to re-enact the Walk of Shame or take photos. Thankfully, no one in our group volunteered for the former; we were far too hot from touring during a heat wave.
However, standing there, you could feel the echo of that scene – both shocking and iconic – layered over centuries of history. We learned how directors shot from different angles to create entirely different scenes from the same tiny harbour. It was a unique reminder of how Dubrovnik’s natural beauty made Game of Thrones so cinematic.
Spectacular City Walls
We ended our tour on Dubrovnik’s expansive city walls that envelop the Old Town. Even without the show’s connection, they’re extraordinary. The climb is steep, the sun relentless, but the views? Worth every drop of sweat. Terracotta roofs, glittering sea and mountains beyond. You understand why Dubrovnik became King’s Landing. Walking the walls gave us both the grandeur of the city and intimate glimpses into courtyards and gardens below. It was the perfect finale. In addition, we got a peek at a modern-day basketball court set against the historic walls with spectacular views of the Adriatic Sea.
Why This Tour Worked
I’m glad we chose Windstar’s four-hour combo tour because it didn’t just pack in the Game of Thrones highlights; it was also efficient, immersive and just the right length for cruise passengers.
Could we have gone cheaper? Sure. But without our guide’s captivating storytelling, insider knowledge and well-paced route, it wouldn’t have been the same. Also, since we wound up traveling during a heat wave, if we had booked a cheaper or a self-guided tour, I’m pretty sure we would have quit half an hour in. We all soldiered on, enrapt by our guides’ Hollywood tales amongst a glistening backdrop of beauty and history. Sometimes, especially when traveling with family, investing in the right experience pays big dividends.
Pop Culture Meets Ancient History
What struck me most was how seamlessly pop culture meshed with Dubrovnik’s history. Here’s a 2,000-year-old city that’s endured sieges, earthquakes and empire after empire, and yet, today, many visitors come because of a television show.
Instead of cheapening the experience, it adds a new lens. For teens who might otherwise tune out at another medieval wall, Game of Thrones brings it alive. Even in 100-degree heat, our son was truly engaged. For adults, it sparks reflection on storytelling, film and the power of place.
No Shame Here: Tips for the Tour
In terms of practical tips, we have a couple:
- Always book ahead, as these themed tours sell out quickly, especially in summer (the tour on our cruise was sold out before we left the first port).
- Wear your most comfortable shoes, hat, sunscreen and take plenty of water. Temperatures while we were there were blistering, which can be challenging, so find a tour that starts in the morning, as it’s cooler and less crowded.
- Pace yourself; you will be walking up many, many flights of stairs. This is a tour for the hardy and able. Our tour was labelled “strenuous” by Windstar cruise line and it was a fair and accurate description.
- If you are traveling with a family, I highly recommend a guided tour; not sure we would have all finished or found every nook and cranny if not in a group-led setting.
- If you’re not a Game of Thrones fan but are traveling with one, you’ll still enjoy this city tour as it takes you to all the highlights you’d care to see.
A Family Highlight
If you’re a Game of Thrones fan, Dubrovnik is a must. If you’re not, it’s still one of Europe’s most beautiful walled cities. But combine the two? That’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
In a limited window of time, we got the best of both worlds: Dubrovnik’s history and its transformation into a pop-culture phenomenon.
SheBuysTravel Tip: There are tons of shops with Game of Thrones souvenirs – walk past the main square for better prices.
As we left, I thought about how storytelling transforms a place. Dubrovnik is no longer just Dubrovnik; it’s a city layered with myth, fantasy and cinematic magic. Walking those streets, you’re part of the story too.
And whether you cheer for Stark, Lannister or Targaryen, one truth remains: Dubrovnik is the real king.
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