Whether you are a book fan, show fan, or both, you had to wonder at least once what it is like to live in Westeros and Essos. What if I told you you can visit King’s Landing, Mereen, Qarth, and Braavos in one country? And what if I told you that between the farthest two points of those locations is only a 3-and-a-half hour drive by car? Sounds perfect, right? Welcome to my homeland, Croatia- a country so diverse in a landscape that it doubled as almost half of the Game of Thrones world. And guess what- its shape is a flying dragon as if it was destined to be in the show. I have already taken you through the stunning film sets in Spain, but now is time to tour Game of Thrones filming locations in Croatia!

So, all that is left for you to do is to pack your backpack, camera, and good spirit and embark on a journey with a local. This time, I have decided to find the exact spot of each scene to take a picture of. As always, you can find the detailed map of all Game of Thrones Croatia film sets at the end of this article.

Table of Contents

Dubrovnik (King’s Landing)

What is a better place to start the filming locations hunt than at the most exciting place in all of Westeros- the one and only King’s Landing? It is no secret that the Westerosi capital is actually the pearl of Adriatic Dubrovnik.

A little fun fact for those who have been reading my blog, Dubrovnik is where I was born and grew up. I still remember when they started filming here. The whole Old Town was transformed, mainly packed with people in awesome costumes and streets covered with hay and dirt.

Before we move on, let me just tell you that I even filmed a video with ALL the Game of Thrones locations in Dubrovnik:

How to reach Dubrovnik:

Bus: Here are some of the most popular routes to Dubrovnik → Zagreb – Dubrovnik, Split – Dubrovnik, Zadar – Dubrovnik, Podgorica – Dubrovnik
Plane: Check here all the details about how to reach the city of Dubrovnik from Dubrovnik Airport and viceversa
Ferry: Here are some of the most popular routes to Dubrovnik → Split – Dubrovnik, Korčula – Dubrovnik

Pile Bay

Well, let’s start from the beginning. Before you enter the Old Town, you have to pass by the Pile Bay, also known as the Blackwater Bay in the series. This is a place where they filmed an abundance of scenes throughout many seasons. Some of my favorites include the scene of Myrcella returning from Dorne and Jon saying goodbye to his siblings. Naturally, I had to take a picture of the location, which you can see below. And let me tell you, I was not the only one.

Despite taking them in the middle of December, on a cold rainy day, there were other people with the same mission! In the end, we were suggesting to each other what was the best spot to hit the right angle of the scene frame. Now, you need to know how to get here, and it is easy. You have two options, one is through the small city park below the wooden bridge, and the other is by a stone stair behind the bus station.

Pile Gate

After I had taken pictures at the Pile Bay, I headed through the small “secret” gate from the park to the Pile Gate. There, I had a perfect angle to take a picture of a scene when Joffrey, Sansa, and the Hound escape the angry mob. Of course, you can also come here via the main entrance gate.

Unfortunately, the scene with Tyrion slapping Joffrey right after the escape was not filmed here, but rather at the Lovrijenac fort. If you are in Dubrovnik during summer, prepare for the entrance to be swamped by tourists. So, if you wish to take a picture here without any crowd, be ready to come here as early as 7 in the morning.

City Walls

The imposing City Walls of Dubrovnik are a recurring sight in Game of Thrones, as you may have noticed so far. Moreover, there are two distinct parts of the walls you can spot in the show, the seaside wall and the west wall. The iconic Battle of Blackwater Bay in season two featured the green wildfire against Stannis Baratheon’s fleet. In seasons seven and eight, when the Iron Fleet arrived at Blackwater Bay, we saw the walls once again from the seaside.

The west wall near the Pile Gate was used as a practice yard in season four when Cersei visited the Mountain while he was killing prisoners. In season five, Lancel led a squad of the Faith Militants to apprehend Loras Tyrell while he was practicing swordplay in the practice yard. The west wall also doubled as the walls of Red Keep when Cersei talked with Tommen, who was asking her about going back to Casterly Rock.

Fort Bokar

You cannot pass Pile and not notice the extraordinary Bokar Fortress. You can spot it in many scenes with the Blackwater Bay. Also, there is a scene with Varys and Tyrion planning the defense of King’s Landing. In season seven, Cersei informs Jaime of her plan to ally with Euron Greyjoy at the same spot. Later, they used Bokar to depict the King’s Landing City Walls by multiplying the fortress every few hundred meters with CGI.

However, if you walk around Dubrovnik city walls, you will see that each fortress is different. Nevertheless, as an architecture student, it was interesting to see how the producers manipulated the urban fabric of Dubrovnik to create King’s Landing. One particular scene that I really loved because it showed Bokar in its full beauty was with Drogon. At least before he destroyed the fort.

Fort Minčeta

Remember Dany searching for her dragons in season 2 at the House of Undying in Qarth? Well, this is actually the base of Minčeta Fortress in Dubrovnik. In later seasons, and background shots, you can spot Minčeta as a part of King’s Landing defensive walls. But the one scene with this mighty fort that really stands out is in season 8, episode 6.

Here you can see the recognizable Minčeta when Jon prepares to go back to the Wall. To get here, you will need to climb the City Walls. The easiest way to do so is on the left side by the stairs when you enter through the second portal of Pile Gate facing Stradun Street.

Fort Lovrijenac

Another recurring sight throughout the seasons is the majestic Fort Lovrijenac. It is almost impossible to list all the episodes where you can spot the exterior of Lovrijenac. Usually, you can see it in scenes with the Blackwater Bay ( for instance, when Myrcella sails to Dorne). The producers did not alter it too much with CGI, only adding a few additions to the original structure.

As for its interior, it was also shown a few times in the show. For example, when Sansa, Hound, and Joffrey escape from the mob, they pass through Pile Gate. However, the scene where Tyrion slaps Joffrey was filmed inside Lovrijenac Fort. At Lovrijenac, Joffrey also celebrated his birthday with a duel.

Church of St. Blaise

Fast forward to season 8 when all hell broke loose. Some of us were disappointed with the last season, but can we at least appreciate its cinematic value? The CGI was absolutely on the level, and no one can argue with that fact. However, I must admit, I was heartbroken to see my hometown burnt to crisp by Drogon and Dany. The CGI was way too convincing to leave me indifferent.

Although you can see the extended panoramic view of the old town during the burning of King’s Landing, there is one specific structure I spotted. I am talking about the majestic Church of St. Blaise, which was burnt by Drogon as the rest of my beloved town. Unfortunately, I could not have recreated the exact shot from the right angle as there were high restaurant tents obstructing my view. Therefore, I took the photo at the front of the church.

Jesuit Stairs

Shame, shame, shame! Ah yes, we all remember that satisfying scene in season 5, episode 10 where we can see Cercei’s Walk of Atonement. The scene was filmed at the majestic baroque Jesuit Stairs in the Old Town, which also doubled as the Great Sept of Baelor. Today, it has become one of the most popular Game of Thrones filming locations in Dubrovnik. So if you want to take pictures here, be prepared to stumble upon a crowd of people, even early in the morning!

Namely, the Jesuit Stairs in Dubrovnik are a renowned landmark leading to the Church of St. Ignatius. Constructed in the Baroque style during the 18th century the Church of St. Ignatius is a masterpiece of Jesuit architecture, showcasing intricate details and ornate decorations that reflect the grandeur of its era.

Church of St. Sebastian

The Church of St. Sebastian in Dubrovnik is an exquisite example of Renaissance architecture, dating back to the 16th century. Located near the city’s historic walls and Dominican Monastery, the church boasts a striking facade adorned with intricate stone carvings and a graceful portal. Sadly, the portal was covered in the show, but you can still spot its majestic circular stairs.

The church was in the same episode as Cersei’s walk of Shame, and this is where she continues her walk. Before that particular scene, this is the place where the angry mob has a speech against the Lannisters (as in my picture).

Trsteno Arboretum (King’s Landing Gardens)

Did you know that not all King’s Landing scenes in Game of Thrones were shot in Dubrovnik? The beautiful Trsteno Arboretum, located only a 20-minute drive northwest of Dubrovnik, was also used as a filming location. Remember the deep conversations between Sansa, Margaery, and Lady Olenna about Joffrey? If you look closely, you can see the stunning columns and tree garden of Trsteno Arboretum.

Interestingly, Trsteno is one of the oldest arboreta in this part of Europe, built in the 15th century, and its aqueduct is still in use. The entrance fee to Trsteno Arboretum costs around 7 euros, and it takes about an hour and a half to explore the entire garden. Check out our video below where we guide you through the real King’s Landing gardens!

How to reach Trsteno:

Public bus from Dubrovnik: bus lines 12, 15, 21, 22, 35

Lokrum Island (Qarth)

Lokrum Island is a small, forested island in the Adriatic Sea, just off the coast of Dubrovnik, Croatia. It covers an area of about 0.8 square kilometers and is easily accessible by a short ferry ride from Dubrovnik’s Old Town harbor. It was also my favorite place for a small, let’s call it, day- trip with my friends. If you are a cave-exploring and cliff-jumping fan- Lokrum is an ideal place for you! Over the years, it became famous for depicting Qarth in season 2 of Game of Thrones.

How to reach Lokrum:

Ferry: The transportation to Lokrum is organized from the Old Town port by boats which run every 15 minutes during peak season.

Benedictine Monastery and it’s Gardens

Do you remember the scene of Dany in a beautiful blue gown talking to Pyat Pree surrounded by the lush pine trees? Welcome to the Benedictine Monastery and its Gardens. In season two, Dany visits Qarth, which was filmed in Croatia, or to be more specific, Lokrum. There are many scenes from this area, but the most important ones are with Dany Xaro and Warlock.

Namely, Lokrum has a rich history dating back to medieval times when it was inhabited by Benedictine monks who built a monastery on the island. Over the centuries, it has been home to various rulers and has played a role in the region’s history. Today, the only throne you will find on this island is the Iron Throne, where you can take your fabulous GOT photos.

Split (Mereen)

On to the city where I have lived for 10 years, beautiful Split. I must admit, there is a pretty special feeling when you see your favorite streets in the background of your favorite show. I cannot express how many times I walked these corners on my way to classes. Now, I feel pretty confident in knowing every nook and cranny of this extraordinary palace, so let me walk you through GoT film sets in Split!

How to reach Split:

Bus: Here are some of the most popular routes to Dubrovnik → Zagreb – Dubrovnik, Split – Dubrovnik, Zadar – Dubrovnik, Podgorica – Dubrovnik
Plane: Check here all the details about how to reach the city of Dubrovnik from Dubrovnik Airport and viceversa
Ferry: Here are some of the most popular routes to Split → Split- Hvar Town, Split- Dubrovnik, Split- Supetar (Brač), Split- Vis

Papalićeva Street

First, let’s head to Papalićeva Street. To get here, you will have to pass the Zlatna Vrata (Golden Gate), walk around 60 meters, and then turn left. But to get the right shot of the slave rebellion scene, you will need to walk a bit further and then turn around to see the exact arch. If you want to take the picture as I did, look for the frame in season 4 episode 4.

Papalić Palace

As for the Papalić Palace, it is right in the Papalićeva Street. You can see its portal when a Mareen master stumbles upon an unsettling graffiti, “Kill the masters.” The palace was constructed and expanded between the 13th and 19th centuries. The northern wall of the entire complex is a remnant of the ancient Roman wall, while the third floor is from the 19th century.

The palace boasts a courtyard with a monumental portal, a loggia, and an external staircase. It served as a model for all Split palaces built in the second half of the 15th century. After a renovation in 1950, the Papalić Palace is now home to the Museum of the City of Split.

Diocletian’s Palace Basement Halls

In the second episode of season four, we are introduced to the city of Mareen. Dany wishes to conquer it and the only way to do so is by freeing the slaves. Therefore, she entrusts Unsullied to convince slaves to help Dany free them. Grey Worm then enters the “catacombs,” which is the first look at the magnificent Diocletian’s basement.

Later in episode five, we see the same dramatic arches of the Diocletian’s basement in a scene with Dany and her dragons. In this episode, she decides to threaten the slave masters with Rhaegal and Viserion, which leads to some of the masters being burned alive.

Diocletian’s Palace Vestibule

Diocletian’s Palace Vestibule is an iconic architectural feature located within the larger Diocletian’s Palace complex. Built at the turn of the 4th century AD by the Roman Emperor Diocletian, the palace served as his retirement residence. The Vestibule is one of its most impressive parts and is considered a masterpiece of Roman architecture.

In the Game of Thrones, this is where the Sons of Harpy ambush the Unsullied soldiers. Namely, the Vestibule is a rectangular chamber with a domed ceiling featuring an octagonal structure at its center. It served as the entrance hall to the imperial apartments and the audience chamber.

Klis Fortress (Meereen)

You cannot come to Split and miss Klis. Especially since this is the place where one of the most important scenes were filmed, Khaleessi’s revenge on slave masters. When you reach Klis Fortress, you might be surprised how empty it looks without masters on spikes, but it is still equally charming (justice dark humor, sorry). Also, I would recommend coming here early if you are visiting Croatia in summer.

Luckily, I was one of the few people here when I arrived as it was late winter. The best and cheapest way to get here is by the local bus, which I took. The ride did not take too long. When you come here, I recommend also taking a few minutes to admire the panoramic view of Split. And if you are arriving here in the afternoon during sunset, you are lucky.

How to reach Klis:

Public bus from Split: Take a local bus line 22 to the Fortress of Klis. See the timetable here.
Or you can go by a direct shuttle bus from Split to Klis

Žrnovnica (Entrance to the City of Meereen)

If you travel to Klis, you might as well go 15 minutes southeast of Split to Žrnovnica. There, you will stumble upon another two iconic Game of Thrones filming locations: Lavcevic quarry and Antonicin mill. Looks familiar? Welcome to the city of Meereen. Or to its entrance.

How to reach Žrnovnica:

Public bus from Split: You can take public bus line 27. See the timetable here.

Lavčević Quarry

Daenerys Jelmāzmo iksan. Udrāzmī jemot maghon daor. Iderennon maghan. Se jevo qrinuntoti pōjor gūrotriri maghan. Remember these iconic lines? In season 4 of Game of Thrones, you can see the quarry during Daenerys’s speech, in which she promises to liberate the people from slavery. This is the spot where Daario Naharis fights the Meereenese champion, and Daenerys arrives at Meereen with the Army of Unsullied. After this iconic event, she becomes known as the Breaker of Chains.

Antonicin Mill

Once you see this beautiful place, you will want to jump in the water for a bath, too. So, I don’t blame Missandei, the water does look refreshing. Still don’t remember the scene? This is the spot where Missandei and Khaleesi’s freed slave girls are taking a bath. Antonicin Mill is also the place where Grey Worm finally realizes he has feelings for Missandei.

Kaštel Gomilica Fort (Braavos Fishermen’s Port)

Oysters, clams and cockles! Remember the scene in Braavos where Arya Stark posed as a shellfish seller during her training to become no one? Well, if you look behind her, you will notice the imposing Kaštilac. However, my favorite scene (and the one where you can see the backdrop the best) is when Arya digs her sword Needle back from the pile of rocks.

Now for my history buffs, a quick lesson. Namely, Kastilac Fort is a medieval coastal fortress built in the 16th century as a defensive stronghold against Ottoman invasions. The fort features sturdy stone walls, watchtowers, and a central courtyard.

How to reach Kaštel Gomilica:

Public bus from Split: You can take a public bus line 37, see the timetable here.

Kaštel Gomilica Fort (Braavos Fishermen’s Port)

Trogir (Qarth)

In season two, episode five, we finally see Dany entering Qarth with her Khalasar. There were some speculations that Qarth might have been influenced by the beautiful Trogir. I did some digging and rewatched the episode a few times, trying to capture the frames with Trogir in the background. My conclusion is that it was heavily altered with CGI, but there is still some resemblance. Mainly, Trogir depicted the trading harbor in Qarth, where the Warlock captured Dany’s dragons.

How to reach Trogir:

Bus: Here are some of the most popular routes to Trogir→ Split- Trogir, Šibenik- Trogir, Dubrovnik- Trogir
Public bus from Split or Kaštela: You can take a public bus line 37, which stops at both Split and Kaštela. See the timetable here.

Trogir Old Town and Fort Camerlengo

If you watch closely in the scene where Dany enters Qarth, you will notice the same mountains as in Trogir in the background. Also, the city walls greatly resemble Fort Camerlengo and ancient Trogir fortifications. Furthermore, when they open the city doors, we can spot Trogir streets. However, unlike other filming locations thus far, Trogir has been heavily changed with CGI. So, my advice to you would be not to get too disappointed with the difference as I did.

St. Dominic’s Monastery

The next filming location I believe producers filmed in Trogir is St. Dominic’s Monastery. To be exact, it’s interior. When you watch closely during a scene where Dany and Doreah talk in her chambers and pet her dragons, you will notice the same stone arches as in the monastery.

Šibenik (Braavos)

This Renaissance Croatian city was introduced in season 5 when the producers of the series decided to use it as a double for the city of Braavos. An interesting fact for the fans is that Bravoosi are skilled sailors and swordsmen just like the people of Sibenik, which surely added to the authenticity of the filming location. Thus, relive the scene in which Arya Stark follows Bravoosi on the square in front of the St. James Cathedral.

The small fisherman’s port, Mandroc, doubled as the port of Bravoos which can be seen in the second episode when Arya Stark is entering by boat the mercantile city-state.

How to reach Šibenik:

Bus: Here are some of the most popular routes to Šibenik → Split- Šibenik, Trogir- Šibenik

Game of Thrones Croatia (Filming Locations List)