Dubrovnik Game of Thrones filming locations: King's Landing

Dubrovnik was chosen as the perfect setting for King´s Landing

When choosing Dubrovnik as the setting for the capital city of Westeros, King’s Landing, the production company couldn’t have made a better choice.

As the story begins, the first scenes was filmed in Malta, but soon the settings for the film was changed and set in Dubrovnik. The constant interest for the film has contributed to a major growth of tourists. Since 2011 Dubrovnik has played a big part as setting and location for the filming of Game of thrones in all seasons so far.

The film really comes alive in this historic setting, from the Old Town Dubrovnik with the red roof tops and it’s impressive City Walls the citizens get a glimpse on the city of King’s Landing. The locations used in the the popular series , 13 so far has contributed to guided walking tours, visiting all the settings and filming locations.

On a hill right outside the city walls you find the Fort of Lovrijenac. The steps 300, leads you up to the scene where the Red Keep in Game of thrones was taken place. Down below in the little fish harbour the big battle of Blackwater Bay was conquered, when the fleet of Stannis Baratheon’s came to beat king Joffrey.

To be able to make this film over 200 extras were needed and the filming locations used are the most popular attractions of Dubrovnik.

Guided walking tours

5-Star Rated Game of Thrones Sightseeing Tours

Filming locations and settings to check out when coming to Dubrovnik:

Gradac and the Pile gate

Some of the scenes are filmed at the entrance of the Pile gate, the main entrance to the old town Dubrovnik. The well known riot scene can be recognised from when the angry crowds tries to kill king Joffrey. Making this particular scene the film team locked the gate and filmed for approximately 20 minutes. It caused impatience and tourist were yelling outside to get in. At the time there were several cruise ships in Dubrovnik so the town was crowded of people.

Next to the city walls is the historic park Gradac located, where the wedding reception between Margaery Tyrell and king Joffrey Baratheon was held.

A red carpet was placed on the ground and the alley was covered by red cloths hanging in the trees. King Joffrey was ultimately poisoned and the Gradac Park is the place where he eventually died. The place sometimes attracts visitors who bring flowers and take selfies, although king Joffrey wasn’t very popular.

Minceta Tower is the House of Undying

The city walls that surround the old town of Dubrovnik are about 2 km and crowned at the highest point by the tower of Minčeta. Back in the days Dubrovnik was the capital of the Republic Ragusa until Napoleon conquered the town. The Minčeta tower was however the main symbol of the town. In Game of thrones, Khaleesi Daenerys here tries to find the entrance to the House of Undying where the dragons are captured.

The Minčeta Tower is used for different scenes and various angles, sometimes adding or removing details and items.

Fort Bokar

Located next to the walls of Dubrovnik, this fort is used in many scenes for example when Varys and Tyrion are overlooking the bay in Season 2 Episode 8, “ The Prince of Winterfell”

Stradun and other places of interest

The market scenes around the St. Dominik streets are well known. In the vicinity of St. Dominik street you’ll find the magnificent Rectors Palace. The perfect setting for the scenes of the fantasy city Quarth, where Daenerys asks for a ship to take her army over the Narrow Sea.

The island of Lokrum the abandoned hotel Belvedere and Fort Bokar are other places to visit as they are also settings for the popular series.

Fort Lovrijenac

This ancient fortress welcomes tourists and visitors allowing them inside to experience the setting for Cersei Lannister’s confrontations. If you prefer, the magic view over Fort Lovrijenac can also be seen from renowned restaurant Nautika or the massive City walls. In King’s Landing, the fortress doubles as the Red Keep.

A lot of scenes were filmed here including the scene were King Joffrey is thrown a tournament in honour to celebrate his name day. Fort Lovrijenac or Fort of St. Lawerence is found west of the Old Town of Dubrovnik. The fortress rests on a 37 m high cliff and also carries the name "Dubrovnik's Gibraltar".

West Harbor

This bay is located right beneath Fort Lovrijenac and appears in many scenes in the famous series. Here Sansa and Littlefinger discussed their plans of escaping. The sea Blackwater battle takes place here along with the massacre of Robert’s bastards.

Ploče Gate

Doubles as the Red Keep Gate.

The Ploče Gate is the east entrance to the Old Town, Dubrovnik. The gate is built in Romanesque style and the saint of St.Blaise as a statue, the patron of Dubrovnik surveils this gate from above the entrance.

In the end of season five, Cersei Lannister walks by over the bridge and continues to the Red Keep after suffering the walk of shame.

The Jesuit Stairs

This is the place where most people go for most social media attention, the Jesuit stairs fascinates and site for the infamous walk of Cersei Lannister. This particular scene almost didn’t take place since the church of Dubrovnik almost said no to a nudity display near its sacred chambers.

The surrounding is filled with street vendors and cafés so in a nearby shop it’s easy to find a “shame” bell that some of the most initiated visitors bring to the famous scene site.

Trsteno Arboretum

If you plan to pay the tourist attraction Trsteno Arboretum about 18 km north direction of Dubrovnik a visit, you should know that the fountain inside the Arboretum has been used as a setting and is a very beautiful one. The arboretum is the setting for the Red Keep’s gardens.

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