DUBROVNIK GAME OF THRONES: TOP 10 STUNNING FILMING LOCATIONS

Coming to Dubrovnik as a Game of Thrones fan? I already know Dubrovnik Game of Thrones locations will be first on your to-do list!

Dubrovnik has been Croatia’s crown jewel for years now, but the medieval town’s tourism exploded once Game of Thrones producers chose several city locations to serve as their filming locations. The beauty and history of Dubrovnik made the city an absolutely perfect location for King’s landing. Therefore, if you’re a Game of Thrones fan you will surely enjoy visiting some of the locations where they filmed the famous GoT scenes.

While I’ve never actually watched Game of Thrones (yes, I’m serious!), I spend a lot of time in Dubrovnik, so I made sure to do proper research. In this blog post, I’ll introduce you to the top 10 locations that are most interesting for Game of Thrones fans. So if you’re into GoT, keep reading!

DUBROVNIK GAME OF THRONES LOCATIONS

The Pile Gate

Pile Gate is the main entrance to the Old Town of Dubrovnik, and you can clearly recognize it in Game of Thrones. It’s a historic landmark and one of the most iconic entrances to Dubrovnik’s medieval city. During the summer months, Pile Gate also becomes a lively gathering spot, hosting cultural events, street performances, and festivals that add to the atmosphere of the Old Town.

Two Game of Thrones scenes were filmed here: the royal procession returning to the Red Keep (Season 2, Episode 6), and the moment when Jaime Lannister and Brienne of Tarth enter King’s Landing (Season 3, Episode 10).

Pile Harbor (Pile Bay) – Blackwater Bay

Pile Harbor is a couple of steps away from the Pile Gate and it represents one of the key locations for Game of Thrones. The harbour, lovingly renamed King’s Landing Harbor by many fans, portrays Blackwater Bay, where many pivotal scenes occur, for example – Lord Baelish tempting Sansa to escape and the Battle of Blackwater Bay.

Fort Lovrijenac – The Red Keep

Fort Lovrijenac, sometimes also called St. Lawrence Fortress, is a medieval fortress located just outside the western walls of the old town of Dubrovnik. The fort was mostly built during the 16th century by the Republic of Ragusa, also known as the Republic of Dubrovnik. The Red Keep was the residence of the King of the Andals and the First Men, and it was the home to the Iron Throne. Fort Lovrijenac is one of the most popular filming locations in Dubrovnik because they filmed many GoT scenes there!

Bokar Fortress

Situated on the southern side of the city walls, Bokar Fortress is an integral part of Dubrovnik’s defensive system. Moreover, it is one of the oldest preserved forts of its kind in Europe. Fort Bokar had many important scenes in the TV show, for instance, Tyrion and Lord Varys talking about the war overlooking the Narrow Sea in Season 2, Episode 8.

Rector’s Palace – City Of Qarth

Rector’s Palace is a symbol of Dubrovnik’s political and cultural heritage. In the past, Rector’s palace was the administrative centre of the Republic of Ragusa, and each month a new Rector would ascend to power and rule from the comforts of the palace. You can enter for free if you have the Dubrovnik Pass, which I definitely recommend getting.

Rector’s Palace makes an appearance in season 2, episode 6 as the palace of the Spice King in the city of Quarth. In the scene, Daenerys requests ships for her passage to Westeros and the Spice King unfortunately denies her request.

The Jesuit Staircase (Shame Stairs Dubrovnik)

The Jesuit Staircase is a GoT filming location which every fan aches to see. You can find this staircase situated next to the Church of St. Ignatius in the heart of Dubrovnik’s old town. The most popular Game of Thrones scene, Cersei’s Walk of Shame, was filmed right there on the Jesuit staircase and it was included in Season 5 finale named Mother’s Mercy. At the top of the staircase, Cersei starts her walk of shame which continues all over Dubrovnik’s old town.

Dominican Monastery Steps

Dominican Monastery is a key location for anyone visiting Dubrovnik. This striking structure dates back to the 14th century and is a perfect blend of Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque architectural styles. One of the most visited parts of this monastery are its steps. You can see those same steps featured in a protest speech against King Joffrey in season 2, episode 5.

Stradun

Another prominent Dubrovnik location included in Cersei’s Walk of shame scenes is Stradun. The main and most popular street in the old town starts at the Pile gate and ends at Ploce gate. Stradun gets really crowded during the summer season. Therefore, make sure you visit it early in the morning for the opportunity to see it with only locals around.

Ploce Gate

Probably the prettiest entrance into the old town, Ploce gate is featured in Game of Thrones. Dating back to the 14th century, Ploce Gate consists of a sturdy stone structure with pointed arch and a small drawbridge, which once played a crucial role in defending the city from potential invaders.

The drawbridge, surrounded by flowers and palm trees, with an incredible view of the Dubrovnik harbour makes a picture-perfect location. You can see Ploce gate in season 2 episode 5, in which Tyrion and Lancel Lannister talk in a carriage.

Dubrovnik City Walls

The biggest reason why Dubrovnik is so well-known is the beauty of its city walls. These ancient walls encircle the old town and they protected the city from various threats throughout Dubrovnik’s history. The Dubrovnik City Walls stretch for approximately 1.9 kilometers around the old town. Amazingly, every section of the city walls offers panoramic views of the Adriatic Sea. That’s why walking the city walls is a must-do activity for visitors to Dubrovnik.

The most notable Game of Thrones scene featuring the city walls is in episode 1 of season 3. There, Tyrion, Podrick, and Bronn walk along the walls after the famous Battle of Blackwater.

MY PERSONAL TAKE ON DUBROVNIK GAME OF THRONES LOCATIONS

As I already mentioned, I’m not a fan of Game of Thrones, I’ve never actually watched the show, but all of these locations are absolutely stunning to me simply as part of Dubrovnik’s Old Town.

I can only imagine how much more exciting they’ll be for you when you see the real-life settings from your favourite TV show. I’d suggest booking a Game of Thrones tour to get the full experience, but if you’re on a budget, you can easily do a self-guided tour and still see the most important filming locations throughout Dubrovnik’s Old Town.

CONCLUSION: DUBROVNIK GAME OF THRONES LOCATIONS

Dubrovnik has become incredibly popular thanks to Game of Thrones, and it would be a shame to miss these amazing filming locations while you’re here. Try to explore most of them early in the morning to avoid the biggest crowds. That way, you’ll be able to immerse yourself in the atmosphere and truly feel like you’ve stepped into the world of the show!