Castles in Croatia – a guide through history and the most beautiful locations
December 10, 2025
Top 15 things you need to know about Split
December 13, 2025To entertain fans around the world while they patiently awaited the finale, the producers of *Game of Thrones* decided to create an exciting campaign featuring seven locations across the globe where the “Iron Throne” was placed. Each week, through social media, fans tried to guess in which country the throne was located. Many tourists, on the other hand, found another way to have fun before the grand finale — by visiting Dubrovnik (King’s Landing) or Klis (Meereen). It’s already well known that Dubrovnik, Klis, Trogir, and many other places in Croatia played an important role in the series. Thanks to their beauty and preservation, these historic locations — which also served as key filming sites — are among the most visited destinations in Croatia. Interestingly, very few special effects were needed to make Dubrovnik convincingly portray King’s Landing. With the Game of Thrones finale, many of these Croatian locations are expected to become even more popular among tourists this summer, so we’ve decided to create a list of places where some of the most iconic scenes were filmed.
Arboretum, Trsteno
Baroque fountain and statue dedicated to Neptune
Do you remember the scene where the skilled manipulator Lord Varys and Olenna Tyrell form their alliance, or where Sansa seeks Lady Olenna’s advice about marrying Joffrey? These scenes were filmed right here. The arboretum is located in the village of Trsteno, near Dubrovnik. Interestingly, it is the only arboretum on the Croatian Adriatic coast and was established in 1948 on the summer estate of the old Dubrovnik noble family Gučetić–Gozze from the 15th century. This historic Renaissance garden contains an extensive collection of exotic plants, and you’ll also find a beautiful Baroque fountain featuring Neptune. If you visit this location, don’t miss the breathtaking view of the sea and the surrounding islands.
Pile
From Pile you can see the Lovrijenac and Bokar fortresses.
Do you remember Blackwater Bay? The view of the bay, which appears in several seasons of the series, can be seen from Pile Bay, located just outside the Dubrovnik city walls. From Pile, you can also admire the famous Lovrijenac and Bokar fortresses. In the second season, the bay was depicted as the main entrance to the harbor of King’s Landing.
Fort Lovrijenac
The Lovrijenac Fortress is separated from the Dubrovnik wall system
The Lovrijenac Fortress, which also appears several times in the series, is an impressive structure built on a steep cliff, 37 meters high. The fortress was constructed to help Dubrovnik defend itself from potential attacks from the sea. Interestingly, this fortress is separate from the main city walls. Thanks to this separation, it’s usually less crowded, allowing visitors to explore it more easily. Be sure not to miss the magnificent panoramic view overlooking Dubrovnik’s Old Town.
Bokar Fortress
One of the best preserved medieval fortresses in Europe
You probably didn’t pay much attention to the panorama during the conversation between Lord Varys and Tyrion as they discussed their strategy against Stannis Baratheon, but the stunning view in that scene was filmed from the Bokar Fortress. Positioned opposite the Lovrijenac Fortress, Bokar was built in the 15th century for defensive purposes. Its construction lasted for over a century and was designed by one of Florence’s finest architects of the time – Michelozzo di Bartolomeo. It is one of the best-preserved examples of medieval fortifications and is open to visitors throughout the year.
St. Dominic Street
A street that gained cult status thanks to a scene from Game of Thrones
Even those who haven’t watched Game of Thrones are familiar with the famous cry: “Shame!” — shouted by the citizens of King’s Landing as they humiliated one of television’s most iconic villains, Queen Cersei. These scenes were filmed in this very street. Located in the eastern part of Dubrovnik’s Old Town, next to the city walls, the street leads to the famous Dominican Monastery and the Church of St. Dominic, one of the most significant Gothic monuments on the eastern Adriatic coast, founded by the Dominicans in the 13th century. In addition to this architectural gem, it is also worth visiting the nearby Church of St. Sebastian, located right next to the Dominican Monastery.
Lokrum
The small island hides many legends but also important historical landmarks.
According to legend, on this small island located just a few hundred meters from the Dubrovnik coast, England’s King Richard the Lionheart sought refuge after returning from the Crusades. This beautiful island, steeped in legend, served as the perfect filming location for Qarth — the city ruled by the Thirteen, nobles of “pure blood.” Lokrum is a nature reserve that hides many attractions, including the summer residence of Archduke Maximilian of Habsburg, a Benedictine monastery, and the so-called “Dead Sea” — a small saltwater lake connected to the sea and a favorite swimming spot for many visitors.
Klis Fortress
Klis is one of the most important fortresses in the Middle Ages.
From Dubrovnik, we move north toward the Split area. In the municipality of Klis lies the medieval fortress of the same name, which you may recognize from the series as the city of Meereen, conquered by Daenerys Targaryen. The fortress originally served a defensive purpose and played a crucial role during the defense against the Ottoman Empire. Interestingly, this is the site where the Tatars suffered their first defeat after their successful incursion into Europe. Today, Klis is a well-known tourist destination that hosts numerous cultural events, the most fascinating of which are reenactments of important medieval battles.
Trogir
“The greatest city that ever was or will be” — the port of Qarth — was brought to life in the Croatian town of Trogir, whose landmarks are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Qarth was envisioned as a magnificent trading center ruled by aristocrats, and Trogir’s architecture provided the perfect backdrop. If you find yourself in Trogir, make sure to visit highlights such as the Kamerlengo Tower, the Cathedral of St. Lawrence, the Duke’s Palace, and many more.
Kaštel Gomilica
The interesting appearance of Kaštel Gomilica served as inspiration for Braavos
The scenes featuring Arya Stark in the city of Braavos were largely filmed in Kaštel Gomilica. This uniquely picturesque location is known for its fascinating medieval castles, the most famous of which was built by Benedictine nuns seeking protection from potential attacks. The historical charm and distinctive architecture of Kaštel Gomilica made it a perfect stand-in for the mysterious and ancient Braavos.
Diocletian's Palace
The palace's cellars served as an excellent dungeon for dragons.
One of the best-preserved buildings from the Roman Empire served as the setting where the dragons were kept, as well as the location for the famous slave rebellion scenes. Diocletian’s Palace, with its unique architecture, was the perfect filming choice for the series, especially since very few special effects were needed. The scenes were filmed in the palace’s basement, Papalićeva Street, and Peristyle Square — all of which are open to tourists throughout the year.
