Dubrovnik has a way of making even an ordinary walk feel like an adventure.
We found ourselves wandering through the polished limestone streets of the Old City, surrounded by centuries of history, and then suddenly standing on a staircase or harbour that looked strangely familiar. If you’ve watched Game of Thrones, you know the feeling. Dubrovnik doesn’t just look like King’s Landing, for a moment, it really feels like you’re walking through it.
That is what makes the walking tours with Dubrovnik Bucket List so enjoyable. Rather than simply seeing the sights, we got to hear the stories behind them. There are several tours to choose from, including the Old City, City Walls, combination tours and, of course, different Game of Thrones experiences.
We particularly liked the Game of Thrones to Lokrum Island Special.
The tour starts in the Old City, following some of the show’s most recognisable filming locations. It is fun seeing places you have watched on screen suddenly appear in front of you. A staircase becomes part of King’s Landing, an old harbour feels instantly familiar, and the medieval walls take on a completely different character.
But what we liked most was that Dubrovnik itself never disappeared behind the Game of Thrones story. The guide brings in the history, architecture and local stories, so even if you’re not the biggest fan of the series, there is plenty to keep you interested.
Then the tour continues to Lokrum Island and after the busy stone streets of Dubrovnik, getting on a boat and crossing to the green, peaceful island feels like a completely different experience. Lokrum was used as a filming location for Qarth and, more importantly for fans, it is home to the official Iron Throne. And yes, naturally, we had to sit on it.
There is something wonderfully surreal about spending the morning walking through Dubrovnik’s medieval streets and ending up on the Iron Throne on a small Adriatic island. It is one of those slightly surreal but genuinely memorable travel moments.
If Game of Thrones isn’t your thing, Dubrovnik Bucket List also offers more traditional ways to discover the city. Their Old City Walking Tour focuses on Dubrovnik’s history and main sights, while the City Walls Tour takes you around the famous medieval fortifications. There is also a combination of the two.
We think walking is one of the best ways to experience Dubrovnik in general. The city is full of little details you can easily miss when you’re simply moving from one attraction to another, a narrow alley, an old stone archway, a hidden courtyard or a view opening towards the Adriatic.
Having someone explain what happened where makes those details much more interesting.
The tours generally last between two and four hours, so they are easy to fit into a day of exploring. Comfortable shoes, sunscreen and a hat are definitely worth having, especially in summer.
Is it worth adding to your Dubrovnik bucket list?
For us, the appeal of Dubrovnik Bucket List is the combination of sightseeing and storytelling. You get the history of the real Dubrovnik, with a little bit of television magic thrown in.
And if you’re a Game of Thrones fan, the Lokrum tour adds something extra: medieval streets, famous filming locations, a boat ride across the Adriatic, a beautiful island and, finally, the Iron Throne.
Great way to spend a few hours in Dubrovnik. After all, there aren’t many places where you can start your day walking through a medieval city and end it sitting on the Iron Throne overlooking the Adriatic.
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