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Show- Game of Thrones – Dubrovnik, Split, Klis, and Šibenik
- Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again – Vis
- Faraway – Brač
- The Weekend Away – Split
- Winnetou films – Plitvice, Paklenica, Krka, and Velebit
- The Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard – Rovinj and Zagreb
- Speak No Evil – Istria
- The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent – Dubrovnik
- Star Wars: The Last Jedi – Dubrovnik
- Robin Hood – Dubrovnik
- Canary Black – Zagreb and Istria
Popular films and TV series filmed in Croatia show just how attractive Dubrovnik’s city walls, Dalmatian islands, Istrian towns, and Zagreb streets are to foreign productions. From major TV hits to Netflix films, Croatia has often stood in for fictional, historical, and Mediterranean worlds.
Below is an overview of the most famous foreign titles filmed in Croatia and the locations that made them recognizable.
Game of Thrones (2011-2019) – Dubrovnik, Split, Klis, and Šibenik
Game of Thrones is undoubtedly the most famous foreign production filmed in Croatia and a key reason for the rapid growth of film tourism. In the series, Croatia served as the backdrop for several important cities from the world of Westeros and Essos, and many locations are now among the most visited in the country.
Dubrovnik had the most important role – in the series, it represented King's Landing, the capital of the Seven Kingdoms. Its city walls, Fort Lovrijenac (known as the Red Keep), Pile Gate, and narrow stone streets were used in numerous scenes. Some of the most famous scenes in the entire series were filmed here, including the “Walk of Shame” (Cersei’s walk of shame, Lena Headey) on the Jesuit Stairs, as well as various political intrigues and court scenes inside the city.
Split and its surroundings brought a completely different atmosphere. The cellars of Diocletian’s Palace served as the dungeons for Daenerys Targaryen’s dragons (Emilia Clarke), while the nearby Klis Fortress stood in for the city of Meereen. It was at Klis that the scenes of freeing slaves and Daenerys arriving as ruler were filmed. The fortress’s impressive position above Split provided the perfect backdrop for epic shots showing the scale of that city in the series.
Near Split, Kaštela were also used as part of Meereen, especially for coastal scenes and the arrival of the army. These locations further emphasized the city’s Mediterranean appearance, which in the series represented an exotic eastern world.
Šibenik appeared as the city of Braavos, known for the Iron Bank and its mysterious atmosphere. The Cathedral of St. James and the stone streets of the old town were used for scenes of Arya’s training (Maisie Williams) and her stay in the city.
The combination of these locations – from Dubrovnik as the political center, through Split and Klis as exotic cities, to Šibenik as the mystical Braavos – shows how important Croatia was to the visual identity of the series. Today, many visitors explore these cities through organized tours and their own itineraries, following the trail of their favorite scenes.
Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again (2018) – island of Vis
The film Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again was filmed on the island of Vis, which stands in for the Greek island of Kalokairi. The story unfolds across two parallel timelines – following young Donna (Lily James) and the events that led to Sophie’s birth, as well as the present day, in which Sophie (Amanda Seyfried) tries to reopen the hotel while dealing with the loss of her mother Donna (Meryl Streep). Pierce Brosnan also appears in the story as one of Donna’s partners, and it is through these two storylines that key moments shift between different locations on the island.
Komiža is the center of the action – this is where scenes of guests arriving, first meetings, and the final gathering for the hotel’s reopening organized by Sophie take place.
Scenes of family gatherings and dinners are set around the house and terraces above the sea, where the characters reconnect and resolve relationships, building the film’s emotional climax.
Barjoška Bay and the surrounding beaches serve as the backdrop for romantic moments from Donna’s past, including first meetings and kisses that set her story in motion.
The harbor and waterfront in Komiža appear in scenes of arrivals and departures, symbolically marking the beginnings and endings of important events.
More intimate and emotional moments, such as memories of Donna and facing loss, are set in quieter parts of the island and by the sea, further emphasizing the atmosphere and sense of connection to the place.
Faraway (2023) – islands of Brač and Šolta
Netflix’s film Faraway was filmed on Brač and Šolta, and follows a woman who, after personal difficulties, comes to an island where she inherits a house and tries to start a new life. The lead role is played by Naomi Krauss, while Goran Bogdan also appears in the story as a local who gradually helps her find her way in the new environment.
Her arrival and first encounter with her inheritance take place at Blaca Hermitage on Brač, where the stone house she inherits is located. This is where the key moments of the film begin – the shock at its neglected condition, the decision to stay, and the first steps toward changing her life.
As she tries to find her way in the new environment, the story moves to Šolta, to Stomorska, where scenes of everyday life take place – going for a drink, meeting locals, and the first more relaxed conversations that gradually change her relationship with the island.
Vidova Gora on Brač appears in wider shots and in moments when she is alone, especially in scenes of reflection and decision-making about whether to stay or return to her old life.
Toward the end of the film, the return to Blaca takes on a new meaning – the same house where everything began becomes the place where she makes her final decision and accepts change.
The Weekend Away (2022) – Split
Netflix’s thriller The Weekend Away is set in Split, where a carefree weekend trip by two friends quickly turns into a tense search full of uncertainty. After her friend suddenly disappears, the main character is left alone in a foreign city, trying to piece together what actually happened that evening – step by step, clue by clue.
It all begins with a night out in clubs in the center of Split, whose energy and chaotic atmosphere set the tone for the entire story. Soon after, the search leads through the narrow streets around Diocletian’s Palace, where every passageway and hidden corner may hold a key answer.
Peristyle and the surrounding squares turn into places of encounters, questioning, and suspicion, while the most tense parts of the investigation unfold through the stone passages inside Diocletian’s Palace. It is there that encounters with local characters take place, including Croatian actors such as Amar Bukvić, further strengthening the authenticity of the story.
Split’s waterfront offers brief moments of respite – but only seemingly. Between encounters with the police and new discoveries, the view of the sea contrasts with the growing tension, before the story returns once again to the labyrinth of old stone streets.
As the story approaches its resolution, the focus shifts to apartments in the old town, where details that change everything are finally revealed. What began as a weekend escape ends as a race against time in which nothing is as it seemed at the beginning.
Winnetou films (1962-1968) – Plitvice, Paklenica, Krka, and Velebit
The Winnetou films hold a special place in the history of foreign productions filmed in Croatia. During the 1960s, Croatian landscapes served as a stand-in for the American Wild West, and through the story of Chief Winnetou (Pierre Brice) and his ally Old Shatterhand (Lex Barker), scenes were created that remained etched in the memories of generations of viewers.
At Plitvice Lakes, scenes of encounters between Winnetou and Old Shatterhand were filmed, as well as moments of truce by the water, where the characters talk and plan their next moves before new conflicts.
In Paklenica, some of the most intense scenes take place – caravans pass through the canyon and fall into ambushes, while these rocky locations were also used for clashes and horseback chases.
The Zrmanja River is used for crossing scenes and conflicts by the water, including moments when characters cross the river or encounter enemies on its banks.
In the Velebit area, long passages through the landscape were filmed – riding through mountain passes and valleys, connecting different parts of the story and creating a sense of distance and danger along the journey.
Along the waterfalls and course of the Krka, moments of rest and camping are shown, as well as brief conflicts that interrupt the apparent peace before the journey continues.
The Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard (2021) – Rovinj and Zagreb
The action comedy The Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard follows bodyguard Michael Bryce, who once again finds himself in chaos when Sonia Kincaid pulls him into a new mission to save her husband. What begins as an attempt at a vacation quickly turns into a series of chases, shootouts, and explosive situations across Europe, led by famous names such as Ryan Reynolds, Samuel L. Jackson, and Salma Hayek.
In Rovinj, the opening scenes take place – walks through the old town and along the sea are suddenly interrupted by an attack and chase through narrow stone streets, where the action quickly shifts from a peaceful setting into chaos.
The chases and clashes were filmed through Rovinj’s old town, with characters moving through passages between houses and emerging onto open areas by the sea.
Zagreb brings the urban part of the story – driving and chase scenes take place through wider city streets, where the action moves from a Mediterranean setting to a continental city.
In the center of Zagreb, meetings and the continuation of the mission unfold, before the story moves again to other European locations.
Speak No Evil (2024) – Istria
The 2024 remake of the psychological horror Speak No Evil was partly filmed in Istria, especially around Motovun, Grožnjan, and the area near Kaldir. In this case, the Istrian landscape was not used only for classic tourist beauty, but also to create a tense, slightly isolated atmosphere, with James McAvoy leading the film as a charismatic but increasingly unsettling host.
The story follows a family who visits new acquaintances in the countryside, but what begins as an innocent weekend gradually turns into a series of uncomfortable and increasingly tense situations.
The house near Motovun and Kaldir serves as the main setting – dinners, uncomfortable conversations, and the gradual breakdown of the relationship between the two families take place there.
Grožnjan appears in arrival scenes and shorter outings, where the seemingly peaceful surroundings further emphasize the contrast with what is happening behind closed doors.
Drives through narrow Istrian roads and hills are used in moments of attempted departure, as well as return, further emphasizing the feeling of isolation and the impossibility of escape.
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent (2022) – Dubrovnik and Cavtat
The action comedy The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent follows Nicolas Cage, who plays himself in the film, an actor in a creative and financial crisis who accepts an unusual invitation to a private party. There he meets the eccentric millionaire Javi (Pedro Pascal), and what begins as a friendship soon turns into a spy story. Part of the film was shot in southern Croatia, where Dubrovnik and its surroundings stand in for a luxurious Mediterranean destination.
Dubrovnik appears in scenes of arrival and movement through the city – walks by the sea and passages through old stone streets serve as an introduction to the meeting with Javi that sets the whole story in motion.
Most of the key scenes are set in luxury villas in Konavle, where Cage and Javi spend time, develop their relationship, and enter increasingly tense situations that reveal things are not what they seem.
It is in this isolated setting that humor and action combine – from relaxed gatherings to scenes that grow into chases and confrontations, turning the peaceful backdrop of southern Croatia into a space for cinematic adventure.
Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017) – Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik appears briefly but very strikingly in the film Star Wars: The Last Jedi, where it served as the backdrop for the luxurious casino city of Canto Bight. Although Croatia does not appear for long in the film, Dubrovnik’s recognizable streets and stone architecture received a futuristic upgrade and became part of one of the world’s biggest film franchises.
It is through Dubrovnik’s old town that Finn and Rose (John Boyega and Kelly Marie Tran) arrive, coming to Canto Bight in search of a codebreaker. Their search eventually leads them to DJ, played by Benicio del Toro, and the luxurious casino city quickly turns into a place of escape, chaos, and pursuit.
Stradun and the surrounding streets were transformed into glamorous casino passages, where scenes of luxury and encounters with the elite take place before the situation spirals out of control.
One of the most famous scenes was filmed right here – the escape and chase through the city, when the characters, after the chaos in the casino, move through narrow stone streets and emerge into open parts of the city.
Robin Hood (2018) – Dubrovnik
The 2018 film Robin Hood follows the story of Robin of Loxley (Taron Egerton), who, after returning from war, stands up against a corrupt system and becomes the legendary outlaw. Jamie Foxx also appears in the film as Little John, who draws him into the fight against authority. Dubrovnik served as the backdrop for the medieval city where part of the story takes place.
Dubrovnik’s city walls are used in scenes showing guards moving through and monitoring the city, emphasizing the control and power the authorities have over the population.
Through Pile Gate and the surrounding streets, scenes of characters arriving and passing through were filmed, showing everyday city life, as well as the tension between the authorities and the rebels.
Fast action sequences take place in the narrow stone streets of the old town, including escapes and chases, where Robin uses the city’s labyrinth to avoid the guards.
Canary Black (2024) – Zagreb
The action thriller Canary Black follows CIA agent Avery Graves (Kate Beckinsale), who, in order to save her kidnapped husband, finds herself caught in a dangerous game of double loyalties and hidden motives. Part of the story takes place in Zagreb, which in the film plays a modern European metropolis where tense chases, sudden attacks, and secret meetings unfold.
Zagreb’s Lower Town appears in one of the key action scenes, when Avery arrives at a meeting that quickly gets out of control. What begins as an encounter turns into an attack and explosion, after which she is forced to flee through the city streets.
In parks and pedestrian zones in the city center, such as Zrinjevac, transitional scenes take place in which Avery follows a target and tries to remain unnoticed. It is in these quieter parts of the city that the tension builds before the action escalates again.
Chases and fast escapes unfold through the streets and squares of Zagreb’s inner center, where Avery uses the urban space to avoid her opponents and continue her mission. The combination of open squares and narrower streets adds dynamism to scenes in which the action takes place directly among passersby.
Croatia as a film stage
From major TV phenomena such as Game of Thrones, through the musical-romantic Vis in Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, to Netflix titles such as Faraway and The Weekend Away, Croatia has proven to be an exceptionally diverse film backdrop.
For travelers, an added advantage is that many of these locations are not only famous from films, but also real places ideal for a holiday: Dubrovnik, Vis, Brač, Split, Rovinj, Istria, Plitvice, and Opatija offer completely different experiences of Croatia.
Frequently asked questions about films and TV series filmed in Croatia
What is the most famous scene filmed in Dubrovnik?
One of the most famous scenes is Cersei’s “Walk of Shame” from the series Game of Thrones, filmed on the Jesuit Stairs in Dubrovnik. Today, this location is a must-see for fans of the series.
Which Croatian location has played several different worlds in films?
Dubrovnik is the best example – it was King's Landing in Game of Thrones, the luxurious Canto Bight in Star Wars, and a medieval city in the film Robin Hood.
Are there locations where several different films and series were filmed?
Yes, Dubrovnik and Split are the most frequently used locations. Dubrovnik appears in several major productions, while Split and its surroundings were used in Game of Thrones and The Weekend Away.
How much are the real locations changed in films?
Most locations look very similar to reality, but they are often enhanced with CGI effects. For example, Dubrovnik in Star Wars receives futuristic elements, while in Game of Thrones it retains an almost authentic appearance.
Which film best showed the Croatian islands?
Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again is perhaps the most famous example – Vis is shown as an idealized Mediterranean island with coves, stone houses, and a sea rarely seen on film.
Which locations in Croatia were used for action scenes?
Rovinj and Zagreb were used for action scenes in the film The Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard, while Zagreb also plays an important role in Canary Black, with chases and explosions in the city center.
Where in Croatia can I see locations from Star Wars?
Scenes from Star Wars: The Last Jedi were filmed in Dubrovnik’s old town, especially on Stradun and the surrounding streets, which were transformed into the casino city of Canto Bight.
Why is Croatia often used as a stand-in for other countries?
Because of its diverse landscapes – from medieval towns and Roman ruins to islands, mountains, and modern cities – Croatia can convincingly stand in for different parts of the world without major set design changes.
