Dubrovnik to Sutjeska: The Perfect Escape from King's Landing

Dubrovnik: The Real King's Landing

A Short History of Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is a city in southern Croatia. It is one of the most prominent tourist destinations in the Mediterranean Sea. In 1979, the city of Dubrovnik joined the UNESCO list of World Heritage sites. The history of Dubrovnik is amazing, starting from the 7th century. An independent, merchant republic for 700 years, it traded with Turkey and India and had trade representatives in Africa, in the Cape Verde Islands. Dubrovnik had diplomatic relations with the English court in the Middle Ages. Its status was such that powerful and rich Venice was envious of this Croatian city.

What Else to See in Dubrovnik

If you're a Game of Thrones fan, Dubrovnik needs no introduction. The city's Old Town walls, harbour, and streets served as the primary filming location for King's Landing throughout the entire series — one of the highest-rated TV shows in history with a 9.4 score on IMDB.

Top Game of Thrones Filming Locations in Dubrovnik

Lovrijenac Fort — The Red Keep

Dubrovnik West Pier — Blackwater Bay

Minčeta Tower — The House of Undying

Jesuit Staircase — Cersei's Walk of Shame (Season 5)

Gradac Park — The Purple Wedding

Fort Bokar — Battle of Blackwater

Pile Gate — Various King's Landing entrance scenes

The Rector's Palace — Interior royal scenes

Dubrovnik West Harbour — Daenerys arrives in Qarth

Pile Harbour — Multiple departure and arrival scenes

The most iconic scene — Cersei's Walk of Shame — begins at the top of the Jesuit Staircase on the south side of Gundulic Square, leading up to Uz Jezuite Street and the Church of St. Ignatius.

Dubrovnik Summer Festival

Dubrovnik is also famous for its summer festival, the major producer of top-quality events in Dubrovnik, as Croatia’s leading cultural institution, and as one of Europe’s five most distinguished cultural festivals. Festival promotes its site-specific program policy, combines tradition and modernity, and connects local, national and international creativity.

Dubrovnik has so much to offer and definitively Should Be High on Your Travel Wish List. You can take a tour of the city walls, visit beautiful churches and cultural event, the Franciscan monastery, go to nightlife.

Nightlife in Dubrovnik: Culture Club Revelin

The nightlife in Dubrovnik is very exciting. One of the most famous places for nightlife is Culture Club Revelin.

A club venue since summer 2011, a 16th-century fortress that is the eastern end of Dubrovnik’s Old Town become popular nightlife place. Dubrovnik’s military architects had constructed what is an ideal historical venue for a club.

A lot of leading Croatian pop and rock acts perform here throughout the year. In summer, many stars probably be an international DJ appearing here every weekend throughout the season such as Fat Boy Slim, Martin Solveig and, sundry other famous performers.

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Beyond the Game of Thrones trail, Dubrovnik has plenty to keep you busy:

Walk the Old Town Walls — Enter through Ploce Gate (east) or Pile Gate (west) for the best panoramic views of the city and sea

Stradun — The 300-metre main street of the Old Town, lined with historic buildings and cafés

Dubrovnik Summer Festival — One of Europe's five most distinguished cultural festivals, running every summer since 1950

Culture Club Revelin — Dubrovnik's most famous nightlife venue, set inside a 16th-century fortress at the eastern end of the Old Town walls. International DJs perform here every weekend throughout the summer season

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Escape the Crowds: Sutjeska National Park is 2.5 Hours Away

Hrčavka Canyoning - The Ultimate Adrenaline Escape

Hrčavka canyon is the most exciting outdoor activity within 3 hours of Dubrovnik. Descend a wild river canyon through turquoise pools, natural waterslides, and waterfalls — guided by ICOpro-certified local experts with world-class gear, including specialist canyoning boots no other operator in the area provides. Groups are capped at 8 people. No prior experience needed.

Hiking to Trnovačko Lake

Trnovačko is a heart-shaped glacial lake set high in the mountains above Sutjeska. Its emerald-blue water reflects the surrounding peaks, and it's one of the most romantic and visually stunning spots in the entire Balkans. A perfect half-day hike for couples or anyone who wants to slow down after Dubrovnik's pace.

Perućica Primeval Forest

Perućica is one of the last two primeval forests in Europe — often called "the lungs of Europe" — and a UNESCO World Heritage candidate. Over 170 species of trees, ancient spruce reaching 50 metres, and an almost total silence broken only by birdsong and waterfalls. Walking through it feels like stepping back 10,000 years.

Mount Maglić

At 2,386 metres, Maglić is the highest peak in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Experienced hikers can summit in a full day, with views stretching across Bosnia, Montenegro, and on clear days, deep into the Balkans.

Dubrovnik is extraordinary - but it gets overwhelmingly crowded, especially when cruise ships arrive and the Old Town walls become shoulder-to-shoulder with tourists. Our suggestion: spend a day or two in the city, then head into the wild for a complete reset.

Sutjeska National Park sits on the main road between Dubrovnik and Sarajevo, just 2.5 hours north of King's Landing. It's Bosnia's oldest and largest national park, covering 17,500 hectares of unspoiled wilderness — and it's the complete antidote to Dubrovnik's crowds.

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Dubrovnik → Sutjeska → Back to King's Landing

The ideal Balkans road trip looks like this: arrive in Dubrovnik, spend a day walking the walls and finding all the Game of Thrones locations, then drive 2.5 hours north to Sutjeska for a day of canyoning, a night under the stars, a morning hike to Trnovačko Lake - and return to Dubrovnik with your batteries fully charged and a completely different kind of story to tell.