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6 Epic Game Of Thrones Filming Locations You Can Experience In Croatia

By Alicia Sharp published on 15 January 2024


Image of Jon Snow and Daenerys Targaryen

Some would say you must be living under a rock to not know that Season 8 of Game of Thrones is about to hit our screens on April 14th.

Since HBO’s hit fantasy drama series came out in 2011, it has fast become one of the most watched shows on the planet and it seems we’re all pretty crazy about it (for good reason).

With millions of fans eagerly awaiting the new episodes, we thought we’d get amongst the hype and cast a light on Game of Thrones most popular filming location: Croatia!

📣 Calling all GoT lovers looking to walk in the footsteps of their favourite characters and indulge themselves in some real-life fantasy drama scenes!

Here are six of our favourite Game of Thrones landmarks you might experience on your next trip to Croatia with MedSailors.

1. Fort Lovrijenac / The Red Keep

As one of the most popular locations featured in the fantasy series, the first stop on any trip to Croatia has got to be Fort Lovrijenac, also known as the Seven Kingdom’s Red Keep.

Located on a rock at 37 meters above sea level, it will be hard to miss Fort Lovrijenac as you sail towards Dubrovnik into King’s Landing.

The 12-metre thick wall of this gigantic fort was built by Croatians upon hearing that Venetians might invade them. The Croatians cleverly managed to escape the invasion by creating the illusion that there was a huge citadel to protect the city and later completed the building that is there today.

Up for a hike? Climb 175 stone steps to the forts imposing beacon where you’ll be rewarded with a stunning view of Dubrovnik’s skyline overlooking the Adriatic sea.

Here you’ll be able to see where the tournament thrown in honour of King Joffrey’s name day took place, as well as where Cersei Lannister speaks with Petyr Baelish in Season 2.

You’ll also be able to follow in the footsteps of Stannis and Davos as they relive the Battle of the Blackwater in the neighbouring bay.


Image of Dubrovnik Old Town in Croatia

2. West Harbour Pier / Blackwater Bay Pier

Located just across the bay from The Red Keep is West Harbour Pier, a recurring and well-known set in Game of Thrones know as Blackwater Bay Pier.

Here you’ll find yourself reliving the moment that Sansa and Shae watched ships from the stone pier in Season 3, as the sun sets in the distance.

Explore this beautiful stone pier and relive this scene during the day, before setting sailing in the evening to chase the sunset.


Image of West Harbour Pier in Croatia

3. West Harbour / Blackwater Bay

Many of Dubrovnik’s most photogenic places lie just outside of the city’s red stone facades and off in the city’s surrounding mountains and secluded bays.

Venture a little out of the city’s hub and, tucked into the cliff-side of West Harbour, you’ll find the secret wooden door to the Red Keep used by Davos in Blackwater Bay.

The incredible thing about sailing Croatia by yacht, rather than travelling by land, is that you might get a chance to jump off the yacht and discover this iconic spot on your very own paddleboard.

4. Hotel Belvedere / The Mountain And The Viper’s battle

As with discovering the wooden door to the Red Keep, it is clear that exploring Dubrovnik by yacht opens up a whole new world of beautiful hideaways.

One such location is the, now hazardous, Hotel Belvedere, used as the location for season four’s finale, ‘The Mountain and The Viper’.

Though access to the hotel itself is not permitted, exploring on your own yacht means that you might get to sail to the edge of the hotel’s atmosphere, used to stage the series’ most memorable fight.


Image of Hotel Belvedere

5. Lokrum Island / Qarth

After a day exploring Dubrovnik’s red stone architecture and imposing fortresses, the lush green island of Lokrum is a refreshing change in scene for an afternoon sail.

Located six hundred metres off Croatia’s mainland, Lokrum Island is a lavish island also known as the city of Qarth, ruled by the ‘pureborn’ in Game of Thrones.

You’ll recognise this location as the place where Daenerys Targaryen gets a frost welcome from the spice king at his palace and charmed the city’s elite in Season 2.

Just as mysterious in real life, legend holds that Richard the Lionheart, King of England, sheltered here after his ship was wrecked when he was returning from the Crusades.

Accessible only by boat and therefore not often explored by your average Croatian tourist, discover one of Dubrovnik’s hidden treasures as you.

This island dates back to 1023 and thus truly does look as fascinating as it is showcased in the fantasy drama, so live like Qarth’s aristocrats and enjoy a glass of wine as you get to look back to the vibrant coastline of Dubrovnik on the horizon.


Lokrum Island in Croatia

6. Diocletian’s Palace / Daenerys Throne Room

Though Dubrovnik is Croatia’s most famous Game of Thrones destination, you should also make time to check out the city of Split where the imposing stone throne room of Queen Daenerys, the mother of dragons, is located.

Once a prominent place for Roman settlement, Diocletian’s palace was built for the Roman emperors over 1700 years ago and looks befitting for the queen and her dragons.

Marvel at the magnificent palace’s ancient walls and head into the eerie tunnels used to imprison Daenerys dragon and where the queen of dragons trains her beasts.


Diocletian’s Palace in Croatia

Whether you want to immerse yourself in the bustling heart of the city or appreciate the views from the shores on board your yacht, exploring Croatia by yacht is an unforgettable way to experience some of your favourite Game of Thrones filming locations.

With two sailing routes that explore the very best of Croatia, you can choose the ultimate way you want to experience this beautiful country and check out these epic Game of Thrones destinations. Our Croatia Voyager is the ultimate Game of Thrones fan route sailing from Split to Dubrovnik or vice versa, so you’ll be able to tick off all our favourite Game of Thrones destinations. You can also check these locations out on our Croatia Discovery route which starts and ends in Split, with an optional transfer to Dubrovnik.

Dying to relieve some of your favourite Game of Thrones scenes in magical Croatia? Book your Croatian Sailing Holiday and sail into King’s Landing with MedSailors.

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    Departs Split & Dubrovnik
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    May - September
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    7 days

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