Croatia Dubrovnik Medieval City Guide 2026: Game of Thrones, City Walls and Lokum
Dubrovnik is a living museum of medieval urban planning. The city’s limestone-paved streets, baroque churches, and monumental city walls—completed in the 16th century and largely intact—create one of Europe’s most atmospheric old towns. Since Game of Thrones filmed King’s Landing scenes here, tourism has surged, but visit in shoulder season and the city reveals itself as a sophisticated Adriatic gem rather than a tourist attraction.
Walking the City Walls
The Dubrovnik City Walls circuit is approximately 2 kilometers and takes 1.5-2 hours at a moderate pace. The walls predate the arrival of Game of Thrones tourism by five centuries—fortifications began in the 8th century, and the current configuration dates mainly from the 13th-16th centuries. The walk offers views over the terracotta rooftops of the old town and the shimmering Adriatic.
Book tickets through Tiqets or the official website to avoid the ticket booth queue at Pile Gate, which regularly extends 30+ minutes during peak season. The walls open at 9 AM; arriving at opening time allows walking in relative quiet before the cruise ship day-trippers arrive by 10 AM.
Game of Thrones Filming Locations
While Game of Thrones tourism can feel like a guilty pleasure, the production’s locations within Dubrovnik are genuinely architecturally significant: the Jesuit Staircase (where Cersei’s Walk of Shame was filmed), Lovrijenac Fortress (used as the Red Keep exterior), and the Rector’s Palace courtyard (used as the Spice King scene). Several local tour operators offer Game of Thrones-themed walking tours with knowledgeable guides who provide filming anecdotes alongside historical context.
Lokrum Island Day Trip
A 15-minute ferry from Dubrovnik’s old harbor takes you to Lokrum, a lush island nature reserve. The Benedictine monastery ruins, a peacock-filled botanical garden, and the “Dead Sea”—a calm saltwater pool carved into the rocky coastline—are delightful for half a day. The island’s restaurant options are limited; bring a picnic.
Where to Stay and Eat
Stay within the old city walls if your budget allows—being able to step out of your accommodation into the marble streets at midnight, after the day-trippers have departed, is a fundamentally different experience from staying outside the walls.
For seafood, head to the harbor area at the eastern edge of the old town, where restaurant prices are lower than the touristy Stradun main street and the fish arrives at the table fresher. Gradska Kavana, inside the city walls near the cathedral, offers upscale Dalmatian cuisine in a romantic courtyard setting.
Welcome Pickups offers private airport transfers to Dubrovnik’s old town, eliminating the negotiation with taxi drivers upon arrival. For approximately €50-70, you receive a metered transfer with an English-speaking driver.
Hvar and Korčula Island Connections
Dubrovnik is the southern terminus of the Croatia coastal ferry network. The ferry to Hvar (approximately 2 hours in summer) and onward to Split makes for an excellent 3-5 day south Dalmatian itinerary. Book high-speed ferries through Klook or directly at the Jadrolinija office in Dubrovnik’s port.
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