Dubrovnik: Game of Thrones & Lokrum island Tour

Dubrovnik gives Game of Thrones fans something few filming tours can match: the real city is almost as dramatic as the television set. You’ll walk from Pile Gate to Lovrijenac Fortress, see locations used for King’s Landing and Blackwater Bay, then cross to Lokrum Island for the Iron Throne photo.

I like the way the tour mixes behind-the-scenes filming stories with Dubrovnik’s own past. I also like the small group, usually capped at 12 people, and the chance to stay on Lokrum after the guided portion ends.

The main catch is cost and effort. The advertised price is $42.33 per person, but the fortress and boat fees are extra unless you have a qualifying Dubrovnik Pass or City Walls ticket. Expect plenty of stairs, sun, and walking.

Key points to know before you book

• Lovrijenac Fortress brings the series to life: Spend about 30 to 40 minutes comparing filmed scenes with the real fort.
• Lokrum adds more than a photo stop: You can see the Iron Throne, then remain on the island independently if you wish.
• Alex is a particularly strong guide: She combines show trivia, filming details, city history, restaurant tips, and practical advice.
• The 9:15 am start is smart: Morning brings cooler conditions and fewer people at popular Old Town sites.
• The tour suits nonfans, too: The fortress views, old port, city stories, and Lokrum scenery work even if you never watched the series.
• Budget for extra tickets: The Lokrum return boat costs €30 per person, and Lovrijenac Fortress costs €15 unless your pass covers it.

Starting at Pile Gate in King’s Landing

Meet the Dubrovnik Walks guide beneath the orange umbrella at Brsalje ul. 8, outside Pile Gate. This meeting area can be busy, with several groups gathering near the fountain, so walk around the area and look for the correct orange umbrella rather than waiting in one spot.

The tour begins with a short introduction. Your guide explains the route, the filming locations, and what to expect before leading you into the Old Town area. Guides most often praised by name are Alex, also called Alexandra, and Adrianna. Alex is especially good at adding practical city advice to the show material, including restaurant suggestions and warnings about tourist traps.

At Pile Gate, you get your first orientation to Dubrovnik as King’s Landing. This is a useful opening because it connects the familiar television city with the real defensive walls, gates, and narrow streets around you.

The group is limited to 12 people, a welcome size for a walking tour in tight streets. Some guides use a speaker and headphones, which helps you hear clearly even when you are a few yards away. That matters when the Old Town is noisy or crowded.

Lovrijenac Fortress and the real Blackwater Bay

The climb to Lovrijenac Fortress is the physical high point of the tour. You’ll use stairs, and the effort is real, especially under the midday sun, but the reward is a wide view over the sea and Dubrovnik’s walls.

Lovrijenac served as the Red Keep and appeared in scenes connected with Blackwater Bay. The guide spends around 30 to 40 minutes here, using a photo book to show how the finished scenes compare with the fort in front of you. This visual comparison is one of the best parts of the experience because you see how camera angles, sets, and computer effects changed the familiar place.

The fort visit is not included in the base price. Admission is listed at €15 per person, though it is free for people with a valid Dubrovnik Pass using the 24-hour option or a City Walls ticket valid for 72 hours. Check what you already have before paying again.

Even if you never watched Game of Thrones, Lovrijenac is worthwhile for its views and defensive setting. The show adds a layer of recognition, but the fort does not depend on television fame to be interesting.

Pile Bay, the Walk of Shame, and Old Town streets

After the fortress, the route returns toward Ulica od Tabakarije, a well-known pier in the old small port at Pile Bay. The stop lasts about 10 minutes and helps you see the waterfront spaces used in the series.

From there, the tour moves into the Old Town, including Gunduliceva Poljana Market. This square is linked to the famous Walk of Shame sequence. The guide explains how the location appeared on screen and points out the details that are easy to miss when you are simply passing through the square.

You’ll spend roughly 45 minutes covering Old Town scenes. This is not just a parade of photo stops. The best guides use the filming details to explain how the production worked, what the actors and crew had to manage during peak tourist season, and how the finished scenes could look so different from the actual streets.

The Old Town portion also gives you useful Dubrovnik context. Several people who had not watched the series still found the tour worthwhile because the guide connected the show to the city’s past and everyday life.

Do not expect every location to look exactly as it did on television. Some scenes relied on set dressing, changes in camera position, and computer-generated effects. That gap between the real street and the finished screen image is part of the fun, but it is worth knowing in advance.

Taking the boat from Porat to Lokrum

At Porat, Dubrovnik’s old town port, the guide helps the group arrange the boat ride to Lokrum. The crossing takes about 10 minutes according to the itinerary, although one detailed description refers to a ride of about 15 minutes. Either way, it is a short trip rather than a long excursion.

The boat ticket is not included in the tour price. The listed return cost is €30 per person. This is the largest extra charge, so include it when comparing this experience with a basic city walking tour.

The boat is more than a transport link. It gives you a break from Dubrovnik’s stone streets and a different view back toward the city. The change of setting also helps the tour feel like two connected outings: a filming-location walk followed by a short island visit.

The guide’s planned tour ends on Lokrum. You can stay after the guided portion and explore on your own, but you must watch the time and catch the final boat back to Dubrovnik. The tour does not remove that responsibility.

Lokrum Island and the Iron Throne

On Lokrum, the group explores locations connected with Game of Thrones before finishing at the Iron Throne. The photo opportunity is included, and it gives you a clear souvenir without another fee.

The island section lasts about 40 minutes as part of the guided tour. It is a useful addition because Lokrum offers a change from the dense Old Town. You’ll find gardens, places to sit, and spots where you might swim or relax, according to the practical advice shared by past participants. Bring a swimsuit and towel if you want to make use of that free time.

I would add Lokrum whenever your schedule allows. The island is not merely an extra television prop stop. It gives you open space, sea views, and a calmer place to spend part of the day. One useful option is to finish the guided tour, stay on Lokrum for a while, and return later on your own, as long as you do not miss the final boat.

Rain can change this part of the experience. On one wet morning, the guide supplied rain covers, but the group could not continue to Lokrum. The operator offers a different date or a full refund if poor weather cancels the tour. If weather looks uncertain, keep some flexibility in your plans.

Why the guides make such a difference

The quality of this tour depends heavily on the guide. The strongest guide feedback centers on Alex, who is described as warm, funny, attentive, and excellent at telling stories. She uses photos from the show, explains filming methods, and adds historical information about Dubrovnik instead of treating the city as a backdrop.

Alex also gives restaurant recommendations and advice on activities around town. That kind of help can be worth more than another piece of show trivia, especially early in your stay when you are still deciding where to eat and what to avoid.

Adrianna has also led the tour successfully, with a friendly manner and strong command of the locations. Since guide assignments can vary, you should book for the route and format rather than assume one specific person will lead your date. Still, Alex and Alexandra are names worth noting because their storytelling receives repeated praise.

The headphone setup used by some guides is another practical plus. You can keep moving without crowding around a single photo book or struggling to hear in a narrow street. One small weakness is that the show photos can sometimes be hard to see, especially when the group is spread out. Ask to move closer when the guide is comparing an image with the real location.

Timing, walking, and the cost of the experience

The tour starts at 9:15 am and lasts about three hours. I like this start time for Dubrovnik. The city can become hot and crowded later, and the fortress climb is easier before the strongest heat.

You need moderate physical fitness. The route includes a substantial stair climb to Lovrijenac, walking through the Old Town, time on your feet, and movement around Lokrum. Wear shoes with good grip and carry water. The tour is not suited to anyone who needs a flat, low-effort route.

At $42.33 per person, the base price is fair for a small-group guided walk with a licensed local guide and a Lokrum visit built into the route. The value improves if you care about both the series and Dubrovnik itself, since you receive filming stories, city orientation, fortress access, and guided island time in one morning.

The extras change the calculation:

• Lovrijenac Fortress: €15 per person, unless covered by a valid Dubrovnik Pass or City Walls ticket.
• Return boat to Lokrum: €30 per person.
• Iron Throne photo: included.

That means you should not compare $42.33 with the full cost of a simple Old Town stroll. Once the boat and fort are added, this is a more expensive half-day activity. It can still be good value if you want the structure, the guide’s local knowledge, and the convenience of joining the fortress and island in one plan.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund. The tour also requires adequate weather and a minimum group size, so a cancellation caused by either issue comes with a different date or a full refund.

Who will enjoy this Dubrovnik tour?

This is an easy choice for serious Game of Thrones fans. You’ll see the Walk of Shame location, the Red Keep setting, Blackwater Bay views, Old Town locations, and the Iron Throne on Lokrum. The guide’s photo comparisons and production stories add detail that you would miss by walking around with a map.

It also works for companions who are not fans. The fortress, views, boat ride, island, and Dubrovnik stories give the morning enough substance beyond the show. Several people with limited familiarity with Game of Thrones still enjoyed the outing.

Families can make good use of the Lokrum extension, especially if children want time near the water. Pack a swimsuit and towel, but remember that the guided visit itself is limited, and you are responsible for returning by the final boat if you stay longer.

You might skip it if you dislike stairs, want a quiet independent walk, or have already paid for separate visits to the fortress and Lokrum. You should also think twice if the extra €45 for the fort and return boat would strain your budget.

Should you book the Game of Thrones and Lokrum tour?

Book it if you want a guided story of Dubrovnik and the show together, not just a checklist of filming sites. The small group, early start, clear audio setup, strong guides, and Iron Throne photo make the route easy to follow.

I would choose the Lokrum option rather than stopping after the Old Town. The island adds a pleasant change of pace and gives you time to stay longer if your schedule permits. Just budget for the boat and fort, wear practical shoes, and protect the morning from other fixed plans in case the tour runs close to its three-hour estimate.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

It starts at Dubrovnik Walks, under the orange umbrella at Brsalje ul. 8, near Pile Gate in Dubrovnik.

What time does the tour begin?

The scheduled start time is 9:15 am.

Where does the tour finish?

The guided tour finishes on Lokrum Island. You may stay and explore independently, but you must catch the final boat back to Dubrovnik.

Is the Iron Throne photo included?

Yes. The tour includes a photo opportunity on the Iron Throne.

Is the Lovrijenac Fortress entrance included?

No. Admission is listed at €15 per person. The visit is free for people with a valid Dubrovnik Pass using the 24-hour option or a City Walls ticket valid for 72 hours.

Is the boat to Lokrum included?

No. The listed return boat cost from Porat Dubrovnik is €30 per person.

How large is the group?

The activity allows a maximum of 12 travelers.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not refunded. If bad weather or an insufficient minimum group cancels the tour, you are offered another date or a full refund.