Try to visit before 10am if you want to beat the crowds.
As the main entrance to Dubrovnik’s historic old town, the Pile Gate is a dramatic initiation to the city for the first time visitor. As you approach, its imposing grey bulk still seems utterly solid and impregnable, even now, almost 500 years after it was constructed.
Keeping out the Raiders
Built in 1537, the Pile Gate was one of the two gates in the city walls leading out towards the mainland. At the time, Dubrovnik was a wealthy, powerful city-state which would have been a ripe target for armies of all colours and stripes, and so its rulers demanded strong fortifications with which they could repel invaders while also allowing the regular passage of traders in and out of the city.
Heavy Defence
To this end, the massive stone Pile Gate was added to an already formidable set of city walls. As you approach it from the outside, you cross a solidly built double-arch bridge, which actually predates the gate by several decades, spanning the broad defensive moat which would once have been filled with water. After that, you will find yourself standing on a wooden drawbridge. During Dubrovnik’s days as a city-state, this was raised every night in a flamboyant ceremony during which the keys would be handed to the rector of the city. Passing inside the main gate, you will reach a smaller wooden gate which dates from 1460. Beyond that you’re through the gate complex, bringing you out onto the famous Stradun, the beautiful main avenue of Dubrovnik’s old town.
The medieval Old Town of Dubrovnik is a UNESCO-protected and remarkably well-preserved area, featuring distinctive limestone streets lined with beautiful buildings that tell the stories of centuries past. From the city’s foundation in the 7th Century to its illustrious era as a city-state and major maritime trading hub known as the Ragusa Republic. Our private 3-hour history and heritage tour peels back the layers of Dubrovnik, revealing its most intriguing tales through a carefully curated selection of key landmarks.
On this private 3-hour tour, you will:
For those who want a deeper introduction to Dubrovnik, this immersive three-hour private tour offers a comprehensive look into the city's incredible history and its architectural masterpieces. Led by a knowledgeable local expert guide, the itinerary is designed for those seeking meaningful context behind the beauty of Dubrovnik’s Old Town.
The tour begins at the monumental Pile Gate, where stone walls and drawbridges hint at the military might that kept this small republic fiercely independent for centuries. From there, you will step into a city that seems untouched by time. You’ll take a moment to check out Onofrio’s Fountain, and learn about the man who gave it his name, a renowned architect who brought engineering ingenuity from Naples to serve the needs of a growing maritime power in the 15th Century. Your guide will then lead you through the peaceful cloisters of the Franciscan Monastery complex, home to a library of rare manuscripts, a Romanesque church, and one of the oldest continuously operating pharmacies in Europe, established in the early 14th century. More than a religious site, you’ll discover how the monastery is a living link to Dubrovnik’s humanitarian and intellectual roots.
As you stroll along Stradun, the gleaming central boulevard, your guide will explain the different stages of Dubrovnik’s development, from its early Slavic origins and Byzantine ties to its peak as the Republic of Ragusa, a sophisticated city-state whose diplomatic finesse and maritime trading networks rivalled those of Venice. You’ll soon find yourself in Luža Square, a major gathering place for centuries, framed by the harmonious facades of the Sponza Palace and the stately City Bell Tower. While many pass these landmarks with a glance, your guide will reveal Sponza's former lives as a customs house, mint, and now the city archives, as well as the specially built statues installed within the Bell Tower, which have become beloved local emblems.
You will also have the chance to visit the Rector’s Palace, once the seat of power for elected leaders of the Republic. You’ll walk through chambers that blend Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque styles, reflecting the city’s architectural evolution. Your guide can regale you with stories of justice, diplomacy, and scandal, all played out within these elegant walls. After leaving the palace, you’ll spend some time in the magnificent Dubrovnik Cathedral. Built on the ruins of earlier churches and adorned with precious relics, you’ll see how it can be seen as an enduring symbol of the city’s resilience, rebuilt in Baroque style after the devastating 1667 earthquake.
Your tour concludes in Gundulić Square, a charming enclave that hosts a daily morning market, named after Ragusa’s most renowned poet. Before bidding goodbye to your guide, you’ll get plenty of recommendations on where to eat, what to explore next, and how to make the most of your time in this extraordinary city. Thoughtfully paced and rich with historical insight, this experience is ideal for travellers eager to move beyond the postcard views and understand what truly made Dubrovnik one of the great cultural capitals of the Mediterranean.
Explore the beautifully historic Old Town of Dubrovnik, the Pearl of the Adriatic, with its golden architecture glowing in the sunshine, and enjoy a stroll around the city walls, built in the 16th century, stretching for two kilometres offering magnificent views of the shimmering sea and terracotta rooftops.
On your private tour, you will:
Your tour begins at Stradun, Dubrovnik's famous city square, boasting many beautiful old buildings, including the Rector’s Palace, a 14th-century Baroque masterpiece, which served not only as a residence but also as an armoury, powder magazine, watch house, and prison.
You will also have the pleasure of visiting Onofrio's Fountain, where you will be able to admire the magnificent Sponza Palace. From here you will head onwards to the Franciscan Monastery and Old Pharmacy - the third oldest in the world!
After walking across the main square you will come across the Baroque Cathedral of the Assumption, rebuilt in the 18th century following an earthquake, and now a popular venue for weddings and celebrations. Other highlights, not to be missed, include Dubrovnik Cathedral and the Church of St. Blaise.
Here you will learn all about the fascinating legend of Richard the Lionheart who, returning from the Crusades in 1192, was shipwrecked in a storm, and cast aground on Lokrum Island in front of Dubrovnik. When Richard tried to convince the leaders of Dubrovnik to build a church on the island, Richard was instead persuaded to build the cathedral in Dubrovnik proper.
You will also hear about the infamous medieval orphanage, communal granaries, and the scandals of the chequered lives of the local aristocrats.
After touring the idyllic Old Town, you will traverse the beautiful City Walls, a 2km stone wall that has protected the city for centuries, tickets included. During your walk along the city walls, you will be able to take in the panoramic views of the city below – as your guide points out landmarks of interest, including the locations where Game of Thrones was filmed!
End your tour on the walls, or at a bar back in the Old Town the choice is yours.
Please note: This tour includes tickets to access the city walls which are also valid for entering Fort Lovrijenac (St. Lawrence Fortress) which you are free to explore at your own leisure within 3 days of your tour.
With its stunning coastal setting, dramatic city walls and enthralling medieval streets, Dubrovnik certainly makes for a fitting backdrop for a fantasy series. The producers of the smash hit HBO show Game of Thrones took full advantage of Dubrovnik’s almost otherworldly beauty to bring some of the most iconic moments of the series to life, with the city representing King’s Landing, the capital of George R.R. Martin’s mythical world of Westeros where much of the saga's pivotal encounters, battles and intrigue unfolds. Our immersive private tour will cover the key filming locations used on the show, revealing a wealth of intriguing details along the way.
On this private walking tour, you will:
Uncover the real-life King’s Landing on this private 2-hour walking tour through Dubrovnik’s Old Town, tailored for fans of Game of Thrones who want to follow in the footsteps of their favourite characters while discovering the true stories and cinematic secrets behind HBO’s epic production. Your journey begins at Pile Gate, a grand and historic entrance to Dubrovnik’s Old Town that served as the primary gateway into King’s Landing throughout the series. As you cross into the city, your expert local guide, with a wealth of knowledge of both Croatian history and Game of Thrones lore, will set the scene, revealing how and why this UNESCO-protected city was chosen as the capital of Westeros.
You’ll gaze down at Pile Bay below, better known to fans as Blackwater Bay, where your guide can remind you of the pivotal on-screen moments that unfolded there, including Myrcella Baratheon’s departure for Dorne, the explosive Battle of Blackwater, and the dramatic return of the Lannisters to King’s Landing. You’ll be captivated by the stunning scenery, jagged cliffs, ancient stone, and the shimmer of the Adriatic as well as the behind-the-scenes insights, from CGI trickery to secret filming schedules and local extras cast as townspeople.
You’ll continue along a stretch of the spectacular city walls, where sweeping views mirror the dramatic aerial shots of King's Landing. With each step, your guide will share anecdotes about how Dubrovnik’s fortifications were digitally extended and transformed to mimic the vivid landscapes depicted in George R.R. Martin's novels. From there, you’ll pay a visit to the formidable Fort Lovrijenac, towering above the sea. This fortress was the stand-in for the Red Keep, the seat of House Baratheon and later the Lannisters. As you wander the same battlements where Cersei and Littlefinger plotted, or Joffrey faced off with Robb Stark’s emissaries, your guide will share set secrets and production challenges and point out precisely where scenes were blocked and shot.
You will then make your way into the heart of the Old Town, following the cobbled streets to the baroque Jesuit Staircase, where Queen Cersei began her infamous Walk of Shame. Your guide will explain how this emotionally charged scene was choreographed, such as the use of body doubles, and local controversies surrounding its filming. Winding through the atmospheric lanes, you’ll recognise narrow alleys once filled with Braavosi market vendors that were stealthily navigated by Arya Stark in season 5. Along the way, you will see historic landmarks like Sponza Palace and the Rector’s Palace that were cleverly repurposed in the show as noble residences and exotic palaces in Qarth. After a stroll through the Old Port, with Lokrum Island in the distance (which was used for another corner of Qarth), your experience concludes with a photo opportunity where you can snap a picture while sitting on a full-scale replica of the Iron Throne.
Whether you're a die-hard fan or merely intrigued by the crossover of history and fantasy, this tour delivers a thrilling mix of drama, insider knowledge, and spectacular sights. In just two hours, you'll see how Dubrovnik was transformed into a fantasy world, and leave feeling like you’ve just passed through one.
DISCLAIMER: This tour is an unlicensed and unauthorised tour of sites featured in the television series 'Game of Thrones' created by David Benioff and D. B. Weiss for Home Box Office, Inc. Travel Curious Ltd. and this tour does not have any association with or connection to, the television series 'Game of Thrones', David Benioff, D. B. Weiss and Home Box Office, Inc.
Known as the "Pearl of the Adriatic," Dubrovnik is one of Croatia’s most beautiful and historic cities. Its spectacular coastal setting, combined with its well-preserved medieval Old Town, never fails to captivate visitors. Embarking on a private tour led by a local expert guide is a wonderful way to get a crash course in Dubrovnik’s history and culture, navigating the cobbled streets with ease and getting a feel for what makes the city special.
On your 2-hour private walking tour, you will:
Delve into the stories of Dubrovnik’s Old Town on a private walking tour designed for curious travellers eager to uncover the city's rich past and vibrant present. Your journey begins at the imposing Pile Gate, the historic western entrance that has welcomed visitors into the walled city since the 15th century. From there, you’ll step onto centuries-old limestone streets and immediately feel the atmosphere of a place where time seems to stand still.
Your guide will lead you to Onofrio's Fountain, a masterpiece of medieval engineering that once supplied the entire city with fresh water, before pausing outside the serene Franciscan Monastery. Here, nestled behind cloistered arcades, lies one of Europe’s oldest still-functioning pharmacies, dating back to 1317. As you continue along the gorgeous, gleaming stretch of Stradun, Dubrovnik’s most famous street, your guide will regale you with stories of merchants, nobles, and commoners who once crossed the same polished stones.
Once you make your way through Luža Square, the symbolic heart of the city, you’ll be surrounded by a cluster of architectural gems. You will admire the stately Sponza Palace and learn how this elegant building transitioned over the centuries from a customs house to a mint, and now, a city archive. You’ll take a moment to gaze up at the nearby City Bell Tower, where the beloved bronze “Green Men” still strike the bell each hour as they have for hundreds of years. Outside the Rector’s Palace, you'll hear about the powerful leaders who ruled the Republic of Ragusa, a thriving and independent maritime state located in present-day Dubrovnik that once rivalled Venice in influence and wealth. A short walk away, you can take in the grandeur of Dubrovnik Cathedral, where your guide can reveal its turbulent history and point out some of the intriguing Baroque details in the facade.
Your tour will conclude amid the lively and colourful Gundulić Square Market, where locals shop for seasonal fruits, herbs, olive oil, and lavender. It’s the perfect place to soak in the daily rhythm of Dubrovnik life, pick up some unique souvenirs, ask your guide for tailored recommendations, and plan how to spend the rest of your stay, whether it’s walking the mighty city walls, exploring hidden coves, or sampling seafood at a tucked-away konoba.
This rich introduction to Dubrovnik is ideal for first-time visitors looking to make the most of their time while gaining a deeper appreciation for one of Europe’s most enchanting coastal cities.
Dubrovnik's spectacular City Walls are perhaps its most emblematic feature, constructed between the 8th and 16th Centuries to defend against invaders and maintain the independence of a powerful maritime republic. They were crucial in protecting the city-state of Ragusa (as Dubrovnik was historically known). In modern times, the walls have become one of the main tourist attractions in Dubrovnik, especially since they served as a dramatic backdrop for the popular TV series Game of Thrones. Our private tour of the City Walls will help you navigate these iconic fortifications with ease, discovering the best views and most intriguing stories within.
On this private 2-hour walking tour, you will:
Step back in time and rise above the city on a breathtaking private walk along Dubrovnik’s legendary city walls, one of the greatest fortification systems in Europe and the crown jewel of the Adriatic. This two-hour journey, led by a knowledgeable local guide, offers not only sweeping views but gripping stories of sieges, victories, destruction and endurance. Your tour begins at the Ploče Gate, the majestic eastern entrance where you’ll ascend directly onto the city walls. The first stretch along the East Wall offers commanding views of Revelin Fortress, a masterwork of Renaissance military design built to defend against Ottoman incursions from land and sea. As you walk, your guide will explain how the walls became the lifeline of the independent Republic of Ragusa, the city-state that eventually evolved into present-day Dubrovnik.
Climbing toward the North Wall will lead to one of the most awe-inspiring moments: the ascent of Minčeta Tower. This powerful circular bastion is not only the highest point of the city walls but also a perfect vantage for taking in the terracotta roofs of the Old Town and the glistening waters of the Adriatic Sea. It was here that the city made its final stand during the 1991 siege, and long before that, it served as an unyielding stronghold against medieval threats. As you trace the walls westward, gazing down at Stradun, the Franciscan Monastery, and the imposing Fort Lovrijenac across the bay, the city’s layered history unfolds beneath your feet. Your guide will share tales of the great earthquake of 1667, the Republic of Ragusa’s cunning diplomacy, and the incredible engineering that kept Dubrovnik sovereign while empires rose and fell around it.
Near Pile Gate, you will pause at Fort Bokar, a rounded bastion that seems to hover above the sea. Your guide will explain how its innovative design allowed cannonballs to deflect from its thick, curved walls, a testament to Ragusan ingenuity and a striking symbol of the city’s unrelenting defence. You will then continue along the Southern Wall, perhaps the most picturesque stretch of the whole tour. With the Adriatic shimmering beside you and Lokrum Island just offshore, your guide will share the myths and legends tied to this enigmatic islet, including tales of cursed monks, shipwrecked royalty, and forbidden love.
Your walk concludes where stone meets sea: at the Fort of St. John, the final sentinel guarding Dubrovnik’s harbour. This fortress, which was once filled with cannons and chains to block enemy ships, now marks the perfect end to your elevated exploration, a moment to look out over the turquoise bay, and fully absorb the beauty and power of a city built to endure. Ideal for those seeking the most stunning views, the richest stories, and a truly immersive historical experience, this tour of Dubrovnik’s walls offers an unforgettable perspective on a city that has always stood its ground with elegance and strength.
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