On set; Game of Thrones in Croatia

Have you ever found yourself watching Game of Thrones and longing to experience the majesty of King’s Landing, wander the streets of Meereen or visit Daenerys’ throne room? On a tour of Croatia, you can! You’ll be able to explore some of Croatia’s most magnificent sites under the baking sun, whilst constantly recognising settings from HBO’s most successful ever show. You’ll be able to wander these fascinating towns, castles and scenery, without the risk of murder that you’d most likely encounter if you were in the series itself!

Kings Landing, Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik’s walled old city has played host to a large number of scenes from Game of Thrones, featuring as the capital of the Seven Kingdoms, King’s Landing. St Dominika Street has been the setting for many of the market scenes in King’s Landing, as well as of the murder of Robert Baratheon’s illegitimate sons in series 2. Many of the scenes of disorder which we’ve seen so far in series 5 have also been filmed in St Dominika Street. The Ethnographic Museum is another great site to look out for in Dubrovnik, as the 16th century building doubles for the brothel where Tyrion Lannister meets Oberyn Martell in season four. Don’t worry, though, the place is far less sinister than it appears in the series! Instead, the cool tunnels are a great place to visit some Croatian history, including folk costumes and textiles.

Minceta Tower, Dubrovnik

Another of Dubrovnik’s amazing historical locations, Minceta tower is certainly worth a visit on any Game of Thrones inspired tour. This majestic location is at the highest point in Dubrovnik, and is recognisable as the House of the Undying in Qarth. This is the building where Daenerys struggles to find the entrance, and finally enters to find her dragons chained up, as well as experiencing several tormenting illusions in her visit. As you walk up Minceta Tower, you’ll get a view of King’s Landing from above, and recognise the orange rooftops of the city.

Lokrum Island

The wonderful but underhand city of Qarth is one of the wonders of the TV show, and functions as an oasis for Daenerys and her Dothraki followers when they enter, having reached the point of desperation in season 2. You’ll find the setting for this amazing city at the protected Lokrum Island, a 72 hectare area off the coast of Dubrovnik. Lokrum Island is home to Fort Royal Castle, a building situated on the island’s highest point, which offers an amazing view of Dubrovnik and Croatia’s coastline. You’ll also find a small lake called Mrtvo More, which is linked with the sea and is an amazing spot for swimming in crystal clear waters. You can also visit the 1023 Benedictine monastery on Lokrum Island – which keen observers will recognise from the city of Qarth – as well as some stunning botanical gardens.

Diocletians Palace

In the old town of Split, Croatia’s second largest city, you’ll find the incredible Diocletian’s Palace, a 1700 year old building of which the ruined higher areas are used as Daenerys’ throne room in Meereen, a setting for many crucial scenes in Game of Thrones most recent series’. The tunnels and basement rooms of the Diocletian palace also feature largely in the series, and are more intact than the upper levels of the palace. The surrounding streets of Split are also immediately recognisable as those from the same city in the TV series.

Klis Fortress

Klis fortress is an amazing clifftop location around 20 minutes north of Split. The high tower provides the best views over the city and the Valleys beneath, and – even in ruins – is an imposing and majestic setting. The fortress was once key in guarding Croatian Kings and now provides wonderful history, breath-taking views and one of the most recognisable settings from Game of Thrones. It’s at Klis Fortress that Daenerys Targaryen nailed Meereen’s power-hungry leaders to crosses as punishment for enslaving the city’s people.

Trsteno Arboretum

20 minutes from Dubrovnik, Trsteno Arboretum is a lush 25 hectare garden, which doubles up as the gardens of King’s Landing, where many of the crucial characters, such as Sansa Stark, Margaery Tyrell, Lady Olenna and Lord Varys formulate their plans. The gardens were created in the fifteenth century, and feature fountains, an aqueduct, a mill and various statues. There are also wonderful viewing platforms over the Adriatic Sea at Trsteno, which – when combined with the wonderful gardens surrounding them – create a serene and wonderful experience which is unmissable on a Game of Thrones tour.

These are just a few of the stunning locations in Croatia which are amazing to visit as a Game of Thrones fan, each of which are alive with history, natural beauty and intrigue. These Croatian treasures will transport you to the land of power, majesty and heat where Game of Thrones is set, as well as allowing you to enjoy Croatia’s wonderful scenery and the rich culture of the nation. So why not discover Game of Throne’s premier filming location for yourself? You won’t be disappointed!

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