23 Game of Thrones (Croatia) Filming Locations

Croatia, with its beautiful nature, admirable architecture and rich history, was the perfect filming location for several scenes of the famous fantasy drama Game of Thrones. Where was Game of Thrones filmed in Croatia? Look for them in the country’s south, Dubrovnik, Split and my hometown Šibenik. All three places became famous due to Game of Thrones, especially Dubrovnik.

The producers chose these coastal cities for their impressive forts and breathtaking views of the beautiful Adriatic Sea. Several scenes of King’s Landing, Qarth, Meeren and Braavos were filmed during the first five seasons of Game of Thrones in Croatia. Here are some places where the ‘Walk of Shame’, ‘Battle at Blackwater’ and many more scenes were filmed.

Game of Thrones (Croatia)

Game of Thrones Croatia Locations – Dubrovnik

1- Lovrijenac Fortress 

Lovrijenac Fortress takes the title of one of the most famous Game of Thrones locations as the Red Keep in King’s Landing.

Several scenes were taken, such as when Tyrion, Podrick, and Bronn are seen on the walls following the battle of Blackwater in episode 1 of season 3.

The tournament scene celebrating King Joffrey’s name day was shot at Lovrijenac fortress.

The fortress is known as Dubrovnik’s Gibraltar, with 37 m walls that are 12 m thick (40 feet) externally, while the interior is 60 cm (2 feet).

In the summer, the fortress becomes a theatre, with its most performed Shakespeare drama Hamlet.

According to legend, it took three months to build the fortress by the citizens of Dubrovnik to prevent Venetians from conquering the city.

The defence system consists of 10 large cannons, where the largest one, called the Lizard, never fired a single shot and today lies on the bottom of the sea.

The fortress represents freedom with an inspiring quote at the entrance ‘NON-BENE PRO TOTO LIBERTAS VENDITUR AURO’, which means ‘Freedom is not sold for all the gold in the world’.

2- Gradac Park

Gradac Park, next to Fort Lovrijenac, with its beautiful nature made of hundred pines, cypresses, palms and olive trees, hosted the romantic scene when King Joffrey finally met his demise.

The beautiful views of Dubrovnik’s old town, fort Lovrijenac, and the endless turquoise Adriatic Sea made a perfect location for The Purple Wedding, filmed in episode 2, season 4 – The Lion and The Rose.

This Park also served as a perfect location when Sansa escaped from the city now that Joffrey is dead in episode 3, season 4- Breaker of Chains.

3- Trsteno Arboretum 

18 km outside of Dubrovnik, this small botanical garden was a summer residence of the Gučetić-Gozze family but nowadays is known as Red Keep’s garden.

The garden was built in renaissance style, dating back to the 1400s, decorated with ruins and sculptures of an old olive press, surrounded with cactuses and 500-year-old trees.

The whole garden smells of lavender and rosemary, for which Dalmatia is famous.

The fountain with statues of Neptune and two nymphs gives a special mystical touch to the whole garden.

In this garden, Sansa met with her grandmother, Lady Olenna Tyrell, to discuss whether King Joffrey would be a good husband for Margaery in episode 2, season 3 – Dark Wings.

In the other scene, Oberyn promised Cercei he will have a gift delivered to Myrcella in episode 5, season 4 – First of His Name.

The entrance to the garden is 50 kuna (7 euros) and it’s open between May and October (7 am to 7 pm) and from November to April (8 am to 6 pm).

The garden is a 30-minute drive from Dubrovnik by car, or catch one of the local buses 12,15,21,22 or 35.

4- Dubrovnik’s Walls

The best view of Dubrovnik’s walls is in the scene where Tyrion, Podrick, and Bronn walk along the walls as workers to repair them after the famous Battle of Blackwater in episode 1 of season 3.

The scenes of the walls were seen in seasons 3, 5, and 6.

The distance in total is 1,940 m (6,360 ft) in length and 25 m (82ft) in height.

Built in the 13th century, consisting of the main city wall, 16 towers, three fortresses, six bastions, two corner fortifications, three bulwarks with rows of turrets, three moats, two flank fortresses, one breakwater and two drawbridges, it provided safety to the town.

The development phases through the years have left a Gothic, renaissance, and baroque touch to the walls, which made a perfect scenery for the King’s Landing.

5- Bokar Fortress

On the southern part of Dubrovnik walls, another beautiful fortress with stunning views was used in season 2, the episode – The Prince of Winterfell.

Bokar Fortress was where Tyrion and Varys discussed the city’s defence against Stannis Baratheon’s incoming armada while overlooking the Narrow Sea.

The fortress was built in the 15th century in a very harmonious and functional way, giving the right filming environment for this scene.

6- The Pile Gate

The Pile Gate was used as scenery for the riot of King’s Landing the episode 6, season 2 – The Old Gods and the New, when manure was thrown at Joffrey’s face after he shouts his famous line ‘Kill him, kill them all.’

The Pile Gate was also where Hamie Lannister returns to King’s Landing after being freed by his sister in episode 10, season 3 – Mhysa.

The gate is in the western part of the Old Town.

7- St. Dominika Street

The street where Cersei’s infamous walk of penance was filmed after the scene at Jesuit Staircase and the massacre of Robert Baratheon’s bastards in episode 1, season 2 – The North Remembers is famous St. Dominika Street.

This street connects the Dominican monastery with Ploče Gate and Stradun.

It’s a truly medieval masterpiece, built in cobblestone.

8- The Jesuit Staircase (Shame stairs)

The scene of Cersei walking naked down the streets while everyone yells shame starts from the Jesuit Stairs, known as the stairs of Shame.

This scene happens in episode 1 of season 5 -The Was to Come.

The stairs are in front of the Jesuit church in the centre of Dubrovnik’s Old Town near Gundulić Square.

9- Poljana Ruder Boskovica Street

If you take a walk from Jesuit Stairs, on the left side, you will find a narrow, beautiful, in a stone-built street where Sansa ran away during the big riot in episode 6 of season 2 – The Old Gods and New.

10- Dominican Monastery Steps

Dominican Monastery Steps are in the scene where Bronn and Tyrion Lannister walked past a fiery protest speech against King Joffrey.

These small, half-rounded medieval stairs, with picturesque green doors on top, are situated on the northeast side of the Old City near the Ploče Gate.

The scene belongs to episode 5 of season 2- The Ghost of Harrenhal.

11- Minčeta Tower

Where are my dragons? The famous catchphrase of Daenerys Targaryen, pronounced in the desperate trial of recovering the stolen dragons, took place in the House of Undying.

This scene belongs to episode 10, season 2- Valar Morghulis.

The House of Undying is known as Minčeta Tower, which is situated on the northeast side of Dubrovnik’s City Walls.

The tower was originally built in the 14th century, named after the Menčetić family, who owned the land where the tower was built.

Famous Croatian architect Juraj Dalmatinac built the recognisable gothic crown of the tower, and today stands there as a symbol of unconquerable Dubrovnik with the Croatian flag.

12- Lokrum Island

Lokrum Island bathed in green vegetation, with the sound of crickets and the smell of fresh pines 500 m away from Dubrovnik town, made a perfect scenery for a garden party that Daenerys attended in episode 2, season 5 – Ghost of Harrenhal.

The island is a peaceful oasis where you can find the Benedictine Monastery built in medieval times.

To reach the island is very simple by boat taxi from the old city harbour inside Dubrovnik or even by kayak for the ones who like sports and adventure. This tour also visits Lokrum Island, and if you’d prefer to get active, you may also like this kayak tour of the island and the walls.

13- Dubrovnik’s Old Town

The unforgettable scene of King’s Landing being burned to the ground by vengeful Daenerys in the last season was filmed in the Old Town Dubrovnik.

The Old Town is one of the world’s most preserved medieval old towns, very much alive and vibrant.

It cherishes the rich culture and architecture of Baroque churches and palaces, Renaissance fountains and facades, cobbled walls and marble-paved squares.

The Old Town is a traffic-free zone, which means it’s approachable only by walking, no driving, cycling, or anything similar. Explore the Old Town on this epic Game of Thrones walking tour.

14- Hotel Belvedere

Hidden in the south of Dubrovnik’s Old Town Hotel Belvedere was used for a battle scene between Prince Oberyn Martell and Gregor Clegane in episode 10, season 4 – The Mountain and The Viper.

The magnificent view and untouched nature surrounding the hotel made it a perfect location for this scene.

15- Pile Harbor (Pile Bay)

The small beach between Pile Gate and Fort Lovrijenac became famous in episode 6 of season 2- The old Gods and the New.

The bay was used as a King’s Landing Harbor where Princess Mycrella waited to depart for Dorne and Cersei Lannister waited for her return in episode 1, season 6.

16- West Pier Dubrovnik – Blackwater Bay

In episode 9, season 2 the middle of the Pile Harbor was turned into Blackwater Bay, where the famous Battle of Blackwater Bay was filmed.

The bay was also used as the backdrop when Shae saw Sansa talking to Littlefinger about an escape plan in episode 1, season 3 – Valar Dohaeris.

17- The Rector’s Palace – City of Qarth

Located on the east side of an Old Town of Dubrovnik, the Rector’s Palace starred as a trading city known as Qarth.

This is a place where Daenery tried to get the ships to help her army to cross the Narrow Sea in episode 6, season 2- The Old Gods and the New.

This beautiful palace belongs to the Gothic-renaissance style dating back to the 14th century.

Today the palace is used as a cultural-historic department of the Dubrovnik Museum with antique furniture and paintings.

In the museum, you can find old coins used in the Dubrovnik Republic, a collection of arms and utensils of Domus Christi Pharmacy from the 15th century.

18- Ston

Another beautiful location in the popular fantasy drama was in Ston, a small town famous for its salt pans and excellent fortification system.

60km west of Dubrovnik, the town’s 7 km (4.3 mi) stone walls belong to one of the longest-preserved fortification systems in the world.

The walls are known as the “European Great Wall of China”.

It’s no wonder the producer’s potential for their King’s Landing.

Game of Thrones Croatia Locations – Split

19- Diocletian’s Palace

The Diocletian Palace was the home of the Roman Emperor, but today, it’s one of the main attractions in Croatia’s second-largest city – Split.

A stunning example of rich Roman architecture, it was chosen as the location for the city of Meereen.

Scenes were shot in the mystical catacombs and underground hallways.

Daenerys Targaryen’s throne room was in this palace, where she locked up her enemies and dragons.

In episode 4, season 4, the slaves of Meereen considered whether or not they should turn against their master and join Daenerys.

The soldiers made their way through the water-filled catacomb to reach the room where the slaves were being kept.

It was a crucial moment that meant the start of the Daenerys Targaryen’s rule in Meereen. Check out this Game of Thrones tour of Split.

20- Klis Fortress

The exterior shots and the walls of the Meereen city represent Klis fortress, another stunning location in Croatia.

Klis Fortress is a medieval fortress above the town of Klis, placed 11km (7 miles) northeast of Split.

This fortress was where the scenes of Daenerys Targaryen arriving with her army at the city’s gates in episode 3, season 4 – Breaker of Chains was filmed.

You’ll recognise the fortress in the scene of Daenerys ordering the execution of a slave for killing a Master in episode 2, season 5 -The House of Black and White.

In Mother’s Mercy episode 10, season 5 meeting of Tyrion and Varys again in the city of Meereen was filmed on this location.

Due to the different influences of different empires today, this fortress has a unique shape with its isolated location at an altitude of 360 m (1,180ft) with a view of Split, Salona, Kaštel and Trogir.

21- Žrnovnica Split

The small town of Žrnovnica, 10 km from Split, became famous due to the bathing scene of Missandei and Gray Worm in the beautiful watermill.

This watermill is a 600-year-old stone water mill on the Žrnovnica River that still mills flour to this day.

22- Kaštel Gomilica

The city of Braavos, with its waterways, canals and lagoons, was filmed 15 km away from Split in a small town called Kaštel Gomilica.

In this city, Arya sold oysters, clams, and cockles with her wheelbarrow.

Kaštel Gomilica has a small castle from the 16th century and a few houses built within a wall.

Game of Thrones Croatia Locations – Sibenik

23- Šibenik

I can proudly say that my hometown Šibenik also appeared as a filming location in three episodes of the fifth season of this famous serial.

The Cathedral of St. James, representing the blending masterpiece of gothic and renaissance art, all built in stone, under UNESCO heritage, can be recognised as a backdrop in which Šibenik portrays Braavos, the city of Iron Bank.

Another scene of the fighting pit in Meereen, when Jorah defeats numerous fighters, was taken at one of four fortresses, St. John.

The last filming location took part in the old part of Šibenik.