Top 10 Game of Thrones Filming Locations in Croatia

Game of Thrones was filmed primarily in Dubrovnik and Split, Croatia.

Dubrovnik served as King’s Landing, the capital of the Seven Kingdoms, while Split’s Diocletian’s Palace and nearby fortresses were used as Meereen. Several other locations along the Dalmatian Coast – including Lokrum Island, Klis Fortress, Trsteno Arboretum, and Lovrijenac Fortress – also featured throughout the series.

Croatia’s spectacular coastline provided many of the show’s most recognisable backdrops, with medieval walls, sunlit stone streets, and crystal-clear waters that perfectly captured the essence of Westeros. Smaller towns and islands across the Adriatic filled in as distant realms, making Croatia one of the most cinematic destinations in the world.

If you’re planning a Game of Thrones tour in Croatia, you’ll find most filming locations clustered around Dubrovnik and Split, making it easy to visit several on one trip – or even on a small-ship cruise between the two cities.

The Minceta Tower is the highest point in Dubrovnik’s city walls and offers fabulous views across the Old Town’s terracotta rooftops and the sparkling Adriatic Sea.

In Game of Thrones, this prominent tower served as the House of the Undying, where Daenerys Targaryen and Jorah Mormont search for her stolen dragons. As you climb the spiraling steps, you’ll retrace Daenerys’ path and see why this atmospheric landmark was chosen for such a key moment in the series.

Insider Tip:Visit early in the morning before the crowds to enjoy uninterrupted views over the real King’s Landing.

Start your Game of Thrones tour in Split and explore the UNESCO-listed Diocletian’s Palace, a historical site built more than 1,700 years ago by the Roman Emperor Diocletian as his retirement residence.

In the show, the palace’s cellars and stone corridors became Daenerys’ throne room, where she trains her dragons and meets her followers. It’s also where the freed slaves of Meereen gather around the fire to pledge their allegiance to her in Season Four.

Once filled with centuries of rubbish, the cellars were excavated in the 1950s, and today you can walk through the same tunnels where those unforgettable scenes were filmed.

Don’t Miss:The Game of Thrones Museum Split, located just minutes away, with real props and costumes from the show.

Just 600 metres off Dubrovnik’s coastline lies the Island of Lokrum, a lush green oasis that dates back to 1023. Legend has it that Richard the Lionheart shipwrecked here returning from the Crusades, and the island’s monastic calm made it the perfect stand-in for the City of Qarth.

In the series, it’s where Daenerys meets the Spice King. Today, visitors can explore the same botanical gardens and Benedictine monastery seen on screen. Within the monastery is a small exhibition dedicated to the show, including a replica Iron Throne where you can take your own photo fit for a queen.

Tip for Travelers:Ferries run regularly from Dubrovnik’s Old Port – the short ride offers beautiful views of the walled city from the sea.

Perched dramatically above Pile Gate, the Bokar Fortress guards Dubrovnik’s western entrance and has stood for centuries as part of the city’s medieval defences.

It was here that Game of Thrones recreated the defensive walls of King’s Landing, featuring in scenes with Tyrion Lannister and Lord Varys as they discuss strategy before the Battle of Blackwater.

Standing on its ramparts, looking out over the same turquoise waters, it’s easy to see why Dubrovnik was chosen to represent the capital of the Seven Kingdoms.

Top Tip:Combine your visit with a walk along Dubrovnik’s city walls for panoramic views of Lovrijenac Fortress and the Old Town below.

Set high on a mountainside overlooking Split and the shimmering Adriatic Sea, Klis Fortress played one of the most dramatic roles in the series – the City of Meereen, where Daenerys seizes power and frees the slaves.

The fortress dates back to the 7th century and has long been a symbol of Croatian resistance. In the show, it’s where Daenerys punishes the masters of Meereen by crucifying them for all to see.

From its lofty ramparts, you’ll enjoy breathtaking views over Split, the sea, and the islands beyond, which is an unforgettable perspective whether you’re a Game of Thrones fan or simply love history.

Insider Detail:Many locals appeared as extras in the Meereen scenes – your guide may even share first-hand filming stories.

Just a short drive from Dubrovnik lies the Trsteno Arboretum, a peaceful garden estate built in the 15th century by local nobles. Its marble fountains, ancient aqueducts, and panoramic sea views made it the perfect stand-in for the gardens of King’s Landing.

It’s here in Season Three that Lady Olenna and Sansa Stark discuss King Joffrey’s cruelty, and where the plot to poison him begins.

Today, visitors can wander among the olive groves and cypress trees, enjoying the same serene atmosphere that contrasts so sharply with the political intrigue on screen.

Travel Tip:Pair your visit with a stop in Ston, known for its medieval walls and fresh oysters – a true Dalmatian delicacy.

The imposing Lovrijenac Fortress rises 37 metres above the Adriatic, guarding Dubrovnik from the west. Built in the 16th century to deter Venetian invasion, it was used in Game of Thrones to depict the Red Keep, where the Iron Throne sits.

You’ll recognise it from the tournament scenes held in King Joffrey’s honour, and from sweeping aerial shots of King’s Landing. The fortress’ thick stone walls, up to 12 metres deep, give it the perfect sense of grandeur and strength.

Best Time to Visit:Late afternoon. The golden sunset light turns the fortress and city walls into a photographer’s dream.

The quiet village of Zrnovnica, just outside Split, is another key location used to depict Daenerys’ approach to Meereen. It was once home to many grain mills, which unfortunately, have disappeared over time.

The Zrnovnica Quarry hosted the battle scene in which Daario Naharis kills Meereen’s champion, while the village’s historic water mills were used for Missandei’s bathing scene in Season Four.

Though many of the sets have now gone, the scenery remains unchanged – green valleys, rolling hills, and riverside restaurants where you can sample locally caught trout after exploring the area.

On Dubrovnik’s western side, Pile Gate once served as a vital entry point for sailors arriving into the city. In Game of Thrones, it was transformed into Blackwater Bay, appearing throughout several key episodes.

It’s here that Sansa Stark and Lord Baelish discuss her potential escape after King Joffrey’s death. The combination of sea views, fortress walls, and bustling local life makes it one of Dubrovnik’s most atmospheric corners.

Top Tip:Stand by the stone jetty to recreate one of the show’s most iconic camera angles looking back at the city walls.

Within Dubrovnik’s UNESCO-listed Old Town lies St. Dominika Street, a narrow passage lined with stone houses and white staircases.

It was used for several memorable scenes, including the killing of King Robert’s illegitimate sons by Queen Cersei’s orders – and most famously, Cersei’s Walk of Shame.

Local legend says more than 1,000 actresses auditioned to be her body double. Today, the street remains one of Dubrovnik’s most photographed locations, with visitors tracing every step of that unforgettable sequence.

Don’t Miss:Visit early morning or late evening when the street is quieter, and the marble glows in the soft light.

Our now closed competition allowed one lucky winner to visit all of these amazing Game of Thrones filming locations.

The easiest way to see all the major Game of Thrones filming locations in Croatia is on a small-ship cruise from Split to Dubrovnik or a Dubrovnik to Split cruise. Both routes let you travel in comfort while exploring the real-life settings of King’s Landing and Meereen, with stunning coastal scenery along the way.

Cruise Croatia offers expertly crafted itineraries that combine iconic filming sites, hidden gems, and authentic storytelling from local guides who live and breathe these destinations.

If you prefer to stay on land, you can also take day trips from either city to nearby filming locations such as Klis Fortress and Trsteno Arboretum, both of which feature prominently in the series.