10 best Game of Thrones filming locations to visit in Croatia
Explore the real King’s Landing in Dubrovnik, Split and Trsteno
5. Lovrijenac Fortress
Upon hearing that Venetians might invade them, the Croatians came up with a clever idea. They built one 12-metre thick wall of the gigantic Lovrijenac Fortress 37 metres above sea level, to create the illusion that there was a huge citadel to protect the city. They cleverly managed to escape invasion, and completed the building later. Visitors to the city can climb the 175 stone steps to this imposing beacon on the city’s skyline and 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 two.
4. Mineeta Tower
At the highest point of Dubrovnik stands an imposing tower with magnificent views across the city. This spot doubled as the walls of the House of the Undying, where Khaleesi walks around the exterior wall trying to find the entrance. Fans can walk along a high wall above the city and look out over the orange rooftops of King’s Landing, before they reach this prominent defence tower.
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3. Trsteno Arboretum
Built in the late 15th century, this lush garden with spectacular viewing platforms overlooking the Adriatic Sea is just 20 minutes from Dubrovnik, and is where all the palace garden scenes from King’s Landing take place. In season three, it's here that we see Sansa dish the dirt on King Joffrey, with some persuasion from the formidable Lady Olenna, Queen of Thorns. It is also here that we see Lord Varys and Olenna become allies as they talk about the wellbeing of Sansa, and stroll through the garden and under an ancient archway. Other impressive sites include a Neptune statue, and water fountain with a pool of coy carp beneath.
2. Diocletian’s Palace
Split, Croatia's second-largest city, is the location of many Daenerys scenes. The 1700-year-old Diocletian’s Palace was constructed by Emperor Diocletian in the 3rd century and remains the city’s most famous site. It’s here that we see Daenarys in her throne room, where she trained her dragons and where the ‘kill the masters’ scene in season four takes place, when dozens of slaves sit around a fire discussing whether they should fight for her. While the upper levels of the palace did not survive, the underground tunnels remain fully intact, thanks to years of being used to store rubbish. Over the years they were filled from floor to ceiling with waste, sent down via chutes from the palace above. Excavated in 1952, visitors can now walk around these eerie tunnels and basement rooms.
1. Klis Fortress
In season four, Daenerys overthrows the Meereen, the largest of the three great Slaver Cities, in this absolutely spectacular location 20 minutes north of Split. With panoramic views across a valley and the city beneath, this imposing fort has guarded the seat for many a Croatian king. Today, it’s a peaceful but dramatic place. Hikers can climb to the top to see where Khalisi answered ‘injustice with justice’ by nailing the city’s former rulers to crosses for hundreds to see.
