April 5, 2019, 1:02 pm | Read time: 5 minutes
When the flag of House Lannister flies over the old town and the fortress becomes the Red Keep, Dubrovnik transforms into King’s Landing. The city on the Adriatic serves as a filming location for the TV series “Game of Thrones.” TRAVELBOOK reveals ten places where fans can follow in the footsteps of the popular book adaptation–and get excited for the start of the eighth season.
Few cities in Europe have experienced such a hype in recent years as Dubrovnik. Partly responsible for this is the film crew from the U.S. television network HBO, which shot numerous scenes of “Game of Thrones” here, such as in the fifth season.
Tourists now flock to all the places where the film crew was–guided tours of the locations are now available. But you can also discover the filming sites on your own, as TRAVELBOOK shows!
1. Lovrijenac Fortress
Outside the gates of the old town, right on the coast, is Lovrijenac Fortress. For “Game of Thrones” (short: GoT), it transforms into the King’s residence, the Red Keep. King Joffrey celebrated his name day there, the famous “Power is Power” quote was delivered by Cersei to demonstrate her power, and of course, it’s featured in season 8. The “Dubrovnik Times” reported that a set was erected there.
Not only in the TV series does the fortress protect the city from attacks, but it also did so in Dubrovnik’s history.
2. Gradac Park
Opposite Lovrijenac Fortress lies Gradac Park. From here, you have a wonderful view of the red roofs of the old town, Mount Srd, and the Adriatic. A staircase leads into the park, directly to a small square with a fountain. King Joffrey and Lady Margaery Tyrell celebrated their wedding there.
3. Bay
A small bay outside the gates of the old town served the film crew for several locations. From the Pile Gate, you can reach it through a small park. The most famous scene is at the quay, where Sansa Stark and her Shae meet Petyr “Littlefinger” Baelish. The royal family also bids farewell to Princess Myrcella here, who is taken by ship to Dorne for her marriage.
4. Pile Gate
On the way back from Myrcella’s farewell to the Red Keep, the suffering people attack their king. The uprising was filmed at the Pile Gate–one of the entrance gates in the city wall. Jaime Lannister also walks through this gate upon his return to King’s Landing.
Also interesting: “Game of Thrones” star takes on British Airways
5. City Wall
From the approximately two-kilometer-long city wall, you have a wide view over the old town. Scenes with the influential eunuch Varys and Tyrion Lannister were filmed there. The prostitute Shae overlooks the city from high above. The small Dubrovnik old town was cleverly mirrored in the computer for the series to make it look like the much larger King’s Landing.
6. Minceta Tower
Those who climb up to the city wall from the Pile Gate reach Minceta Tower. “GoT” fans circle it to find an entrance, just like the Mother of Dragons, Daenerys Targaryen. In the series, she searches for a door to the House of the Undying to free her dragons from the clutches of the warlocks of Qarth.
7. Rector’s Palace
Where the city representative of Dubrovnik once lived, the Spice King of the opulent Qarth resides in “Game of Thrones.” While the city is far from King’s Landing, the Rector’s Palace is located in the heart of the old town. On the ground floor of the building, you directly encounter the filming location where the Mother of Dragons asks the Spice King for ships.
Also interesting: These are the next filming locations for “Game of Thrones”
8. Hotel Belvedere
From the old town, it’s a 30-minute walk to the hotel ruins. The hillside complex includes a round open-air stage located on the coast. Fans must descend many stairs. But then they stand in the arena where one of the most exciting duels of the series takes place: the duel between Prince Oberyn Martell, the “Red Viper,” and Knight Gregor Clegane, the “Mountain.”
4 Tips to Experience Dubrovnik (Almost) Without the Crowds
As Beautiful as Dubrovnik but Without the Crowds
9. Lokrum Island
Southeast of Dubrovnik lies Lokrum Island. Boats depart from the old town harbor every half hour. The film crew used the Botanical Garden and the former monastery on the island for scenes in Qarth.
10. Trsteno
In the series located at the Red Keep, in reality 20 minutes by car from Dubrovnik, is the Botanical Garden of the village of Trsteno–or the beautiful gardens of King’s Landing. In the shelter of exotic trees and plants, the high lords exchange secrets. Another filming location is hidden on the coast of the village: the plateau where the mercenary Bronn trains the “Kingslayer” Jaime Lannister to wield his sword with his left hand.
The new and final season of “Game of Thrones–A Song of Ice and Fire” starts on April 15, 2019.