What was filmed in Dubrovnik?

There is a good chance you have already seen Dubrovnik on screen long before arriving here. A stone staircase from a dramatic TV scene, narrow streets filled with stormtroopers, a fortress above the sea, or a palace square crowded with cameras and film crews. These moments introduced millions of viewers to Dubrovnik without them even realizing it.

Over the last several decades, Dubrovnik became one of the best-known filming destinations in Europe. Directors keep returning because the city already looks cinematic. Productions do not need to build elaborate sets when medieval walls, palaces, monasteries, stairways, and hidden alleys already exist within a compact walkable area.

While walking in Dubrovnik, you are stepping into scenes from Game of Thrones, Star Wars, Robin Hood, Bollywood films, historical dramas and older European classics. Many filming spots are easy to visit on foot and several guided tours help connect the scenes with the real locations.

If you have ever wondered what was filmed in Dubrovnik, where exactly these scenes took place and which locations are worth visiting during your stay, keep reading to find out about the most famous productions, filming spots, actors and interesting facts that will help you explore the city in the best possible way.

Game of Thrones

When people ask what was filmed in Dubrovnik, Game of Thrones usually comes up as the first answer. HBO started filming in Dubrovnik in 2011 for the second season of the show and the city remained one of the series’ major filming locations until the final eighth season.

Dubrovnik became King’s Landing, the capital of the Seven Kingdoms. The producers originally filmed the capital scenes in Malta, but they moved production to Dubrovnik because the Old Town better matched the atmosphere they wanted for the fictional city. The stone streets, defensive walls, forts and staircases fit perfectly into the world of Westeros.

Several major actors filmed scenes here over the years, including Emilia Clarke, Peter Dinklage, Lena Headey, Kit Harington, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Sophie Turner, Maisie Williams and Gwendoline Christie. During filming periods, parts of the Old Town occasionally closed for production and locals had a privilege to watch these legendary scenes being prepared from nearby streets and balconies.

One of the best-known locations is Fort Lovrijenac, which became the Red Keep. The fortress sits outside the western city walls and appears in many scenes involving King Joffrey, Tyrion Lannister and political meetings. If you’re in Dubrovnik, this is your chance to walk through the fort and recognize the courtyard used during the tournament celebrating Joffrey’s name day (not that anybody liked him, but stil :)).

Dubrovnik Game Of Thrones Filming locations

The Jesuit Staircase became famous during Cersei Lannister’s Walk of Shame scene. Today, visitors regularly stop here for photos recreating the moment. Early mornings are usually the quietest time to visit before tour groups arrive. Afterwards, passing through becomes a mission impossible.

Another important location is Pile Gate, the main entrance to the Old Town. This area appears repeatedly throughout the series during riots, city entrances and crowd scenes. Nearby streets around Pile were often transformed with market stalls, guards and props during filming.

You can also visit Minčeta Tower, which was used as the House of the Undying in Qarth, and Lokrum Island, which represented the city of Qarth itself. Lokrum is especially popular among fans because the official Iron Throne replica used for photos is located there.

Star Wars: The Last Jedi and the city of Canto Bight

In March 2016, Dubrovnik changed completely for the filming of Star Wars: The Last Jedi. Instead of medieval fantasy, the city became part of a futuristic galaxy. Production crews transformed parts of the Old Town into the casino city of Canto Bight on the planet Cantonica.

The filming attracted huge attention because Star Wars productions are usually highly secretive. Residents noticed unusual props arriving overnight, while parts of the city suddenly filled with futuristic decorations, large lighting rigs, costumes and security teams.

Actors filming in Dubrovnik included Benicio del Toro, Kelly Marie Tran and John Boyega. Director Rian Johnson later spoke about how much he enjoyed filming inside Dubrovnik’s narrow streets because the city naturally created dynamic action scenes.

The main filming area for Canto Bight was Stradun, the Old Town’s main street. Production crews temporarily added futuristic signs, decorative lighting, casino details and science-fiction props. Some nearby side streets also appeared during the speeder chase sequence.

Several scenes were filmed around Rector’s Palace and nearby alleys close to the cathedral area. Fans often recognize the polished limestone streets immediately because they remained highly visible in the final movie.

Dubrovnik Cathedral

Unlike Game of Thrones, which used many Dubrovnik locations over several seasons, Star Wars filming lasted only a shorter period. Still, the production left a strong impression because seeing stormtroopers walking through the Old Town felt surreal even for locals used to film crews.

The easiest way for you to experience the Star Wars locations is simply walking through Stradun and the southern side streets while comparing scenes from the movie.

Robin Hood filming locations in Dubrovnik

In early 2017, Dubrovnik once again became a large outdoor set during the filming of Robin Hood. The movie, later released in 2018, starred Taron Egerton as Robin Hood, Jamie Foxx as Little John, Jamie Dornan as Will Scarlet, and Ben Mendelsohn as the Sheriff of Nottingham.

The production used Dubrovnik as a substitute for medieval England. The Old Town already contains architecture that works naturally for historical action films, so producers needed only limited visual adjustments.

Large sections of filming took place near Pile Gate and around the western entrances to the city. Several action scenes used the surrounding streets because they allowed crews to control movement while still capturing dramatic stone backgrounds.

Stradun also appeared during filming, together with side streets near the Dominican Monastery. Some residents watched horses, carts, and medieval costumes move through the city late at night while filming continued after tourist crowds disappeared.

Jamie Foxx later commented publicly about how impressed he was with Croatia and Dubrovnik during production. Fans occasionally spotted actors relaxing in restaurants or walking through quieter streets after filming hours.

Bollywood films and Indian productions in Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik also became popular with Bollywood productions over the last decade. The best-known example is the 2016 film Fan starring Shah Rukh Khan, one of the most famous actors in India.

Parts of the movie were filmed inside the Old Town in March 2015. The production drew major crowds because Shah Rukh Khan has an enormous international fan base, so many local residents gathered to watch filming.

Scenes from Fan used several recognizable Dubrovnik streets and squares. The production focused mainly on urban movement scenes rather than transforming the city into a fantasy setting. Viewers familiar with Dubrovnik can easily recognize parts of the Old Town during chase sequences.

Apart from Fan, Dubrovnik has appeared in additional international productions connected with Indian cinema and television. If you are visiting Dubrovnik as a Bollywood fan, ask local guides about filming details because many residents still remember where specific scenes were shot and where actors spent time during production.

Older movies and historical productions filmed in Dubrovnik

Long before Game of Thrones and Star Wars, Dubrovnik already had a strong film history. Productions started arriving here in the early twentieth century and the city slowly developed a reputation as one of the most photogenic filming destinations in the Adriatic.

One of the earliest known productions filmed here was Monna Vanna from 1917. Another early preserved film connected with Dubrovnik was Aphrodite from 1918. These productions showed filmmakers how well the city worked on camera even during the earliest years of cinema.

During the 1960s and 1970s, several European and Yugoslav productions used Dubrovnik regularly. The Secret Invasion from 1964, directed by Roger Corman, filmed battle scenes here connected with World War II themes.

The city also appeared in Marco the Magnificent, a historical film about Marco Polo released in 1965. Some scenes were filmed near Sponza Palace, one of Dubrovnik’s most recognizable Gothic-Renaissance buildings.

Another important Croatian production filmed here was Occupation in 26 Pictures from 1978. The movie explored wartime themes and remains significant in regional cinema history.

If you’re interested in older productions, look for Sponza Palace, the Dominican Monastery area and sections of the city walls that repeatedly appeared in historical dramas.

Vikings: Valhalla, Doctor Who, and newer productions

Dubrovnik continues attracting major productions today. In recent years, the city hosted filming connected with Vikings: Valhalla, the Netflix continuation of the Vikings series.

Production crews filmed scenes in Dubrovnik during 2022. The historical appearance of the city worked naturally for medieval Scandinavian storylines, especially in fortified sections of the Old Town.

At roughly the same time, actress Kate Winslet filmed scenes for Lee, a movie about war photographer Lee Miller. Parts of filming took place in the nearby Kupari area outside Dubrovnik.

MrBeast Hotel Kupari Dubrovnik

Croatia more broadly also appeared in Doctor Who episodes starring Matt Smith. While Dubrovnik itself was not the primary filming location for these episodes, many visitors interested in film tourism combine Dubrovnik with day trips to other Croatian filming spots.

Streaming platforms increased Dubrovnik’s popularity even further because viewers constantly discover older productions online. Local guides regularly update their tours with newer filming information and behind-the-scenes stories.

Where can you visit filming locations in Dubrovnik?

Most famous filming spots in Dubrovnik are located inside or directly around the Old Town, which means you can visit most of the locations within a single day.

Start at Pile Gate, then continue along Stradun toward Rector’s Palace, the cathedral area and the Jesuit Staircase. This route covers major scenes from Game of Thrones, Star Wars, Robin Hood and several historical productions.

Fort Lovrijenac deserves extra time because it contains some of the most recognizable Game of Thrones scenes. You can buy entrance tickets separately or combined with Dubrovnik city walls tickets.

Finish your tour with Lokrum. We talk a lot about this Island on our blog, and it’s not without a reason. Besides being a beautiful islet, it is also a popular stop for film fans. Boats depart regularly from the Old Port during the tourist season, and the ride takes only about fifteen minutes. Besides filming connections, Lokrum is also one of the best nearby escapes from summer crowds.

Interesting facts about filming in Dubrovnik

During Game of Thrones filming, producers sometimes covered modern elements like drainpipes, signs and cables with removable stone textures to preserve the medieval illusion. Cafés and apartments occasionally transformed completely overnight.

The infamous Walk of Shame scene required extensive planning because filming involved hundreds of extras and careful crowd management inside narrow streets. The production used body doubles and visual effects for some portions of the sequence.

During Star Wars filming, secrecy became so strict that many locals did not know exactly which movie was being produced until costumes and props became impossible to hide.

Some Dubrovnik residents rented balconies or apartment windows to photographers hoping to capture actors during filming. Restaurants near production zones also became gathering points for film crews after long shooting days.

Tourism connected with filming now forms a major part of Dubrovnik’s visitor experience. Many travelers first became interested in visiting the city after seeing it on screen.

Exploring Dubrovnik through film

Film and television changed the way many travelers experience Dubrovnik. Visitors now recognize staircases, forts, gates, alleys and courtyards before they even arrive. Some come searching for King’s Landing, others for Star Wars scenes, while many simply enjoy seeing how different productions transformed the same streets in completely different ways.

The best part is that most filming locations remain part of everyday life. Locals still walk through these spaces daily, cafés continue operating beside famous scenes, and the city never feels like a film studio built only for tourists.

If you enjoy movies, television, photography, or storytelling, exploring filming locations adds another layer to your time in Dubrovnik. You begin noticing details differently, e.g. how directors used the walls, why certain streets appear repeatedly on camera, and how the city can suddenly become medieval fantasy, Renaissance Europe or a futuristic planet.

Dubrovnik’s connection with cinema continues growing every year. New productions arrive, older scenes remain recognizable, and travelers keep returning to experience these locations in person. For film fans, there are very few places in Europe where so many famous productions can be explored within such a compact and walkable historic center.

Practical tips for visiting Dubrovnik filming locations

Most filming locations inside Dubrovnik are easy to reach on foot. The Old Town is compact and many famous spots sit only a few minutes apart. Wear comfortable shoes – this can make a huge difference because the limestone streets can become slippery, especially during summer heat or after rain.

If you want quieter photographs at famous locations, try exploring early in the morning. Places like the Jesuit Staircase, Stradun and Pile Gate become very crowded later in the day, particularly during cruise ship arrivals. Early evening is another good option because the light becomes softer and temperatures drop.

When visiting Fort Lovrijenac and the city walls, bring water during warmer months. There is limited shade in some sections, and climbing stairs in the afternoon heat can become tiring. Combined tickets for the walls and Lovrijenac Fortress offer the best value.

Lokrum Island deserves at least half a day if you want to enjoy both the filming connections and the island itself. Besides the Game of Thrones references, visitors often stay longer because of the botanical gardens, rocky swimming spots, and quieter atmosphere compared to the Old Town.

Iron Throne Dubrovnik

Why filmmakers keep returning to Dubrovnik?

Directors and production companies keep choosing Dubrovnik because the city already provides what many productions spend millions trying to build artificially. The streets feel authentic on camera, and the architecture works for different historical periods and fantasy worlds without major modifications.

The compact layout of the Old Town also helps film crews significantly. Productions can capture forts, palaces, sea views, narrow alleys, churches and large squares within short walking distances. This saves time during filming and allows crews to move equipment more efficiently.

Dubrovnik also changes character depending on lighting and camera angles. One street can appear medieval in one production and futuristic in another. Star Wars proved this perfectly when familiar stone streets suddenly became part of a distant galaxy filled with futuristic vehicles and costumes.

Another important reason is the atmosphere created by the city walls and the Adriatic Sea. Directors often mention how dramatic Dubrovnik looks on screen from elevated viewpoints. Aerial shots of the Old Town surrounded by water became some of the most recognizable images connected with Game of Thrones.

Film tourism continues growing because viewers want to experience these places in person after watching them on screen. Dubrovnik benefits from this naturally because the filming locations are real places visitors can actually walk through instead of closed studio sets.

Famous actors connected with Dubrovnik productions

Over the years, Dubrovnik hosted an impressive number of international actors, directors and film crews. During major productions, it became normal to see celebrities walking through the Old Town early in the morning or relaxing after filming hours.

Game of Thrones brought actors such as Emilia Clarke, Peter Dinklage, Lena Headey, Kit Harington, Maisie Williams, and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau to Dubrovnik repeatedly between 2011 and 2018. Fans often gathered near filming zones hoping to catch a glimpse of the cast between scenes.

Star Wars filming introduced another wave of excitement when John Boyega, Kelly Marie Tran, and Benicio del Toro arrived for The Last Jedi production. Security during filming was noticeably tighter because of the secrecy surrounding the franchise.

Robin Hood filming brought Taron Egerton, Jamie Foxx, Jamie Dornan and Ben Mendelsohn to the city in 2017. Jamie Foxx later spoke positively about filming in Croatia, while many locals still remember seeing horse scenes and nighttime production setups near the city gates.

Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan attracted enormous attention during the filming of Fan. His presence brought international media coverage and large crowds of fans hoping to watch filming inside the Old Town.

Outside filming schedules, Dubrovnik also became a popular private holiday destination for actors and celebrities including Tom Cruise, Michael Douglas, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Richard Gere, Owen Wilson, Penélope Cruz and Javier Bardem.

A different way to experience Dubrovnik

When visiting filming locations in Dubrovnik, you stop looking at the city only as a historic destination and begin noticing how filmmakers use space, light, architecture and atmosphere to tell stories.

A staircase becomes famous because of one dramatic scene. A fortress suddenly reminds visitors of political battles from a fantasy kingdom. A quiet alley feels strangely familiar because stormtroopers once rushed through it during a Star Wars chase sequence.

Most major movie spots sit beside important historical landmarks, cafés, restaurants and scenic viewpoints, so exploring them never feels forced or artificial.

Even travelers who are not huge film fans often enjoy discovering these places naturally while exploring the Old Town. Productions simply became part of Dubrovnik’s modern identity over the last several decades.

Photography: Pexels

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