Dubrovnik has long been synonymous with the sprawling capital of Westeros, but just a stone’s throw from the bustling streets of King’s Landing lies a serene escape that every ‘Game of Thrones’ enthusiast should add to their itinerary. The nearby island of Lokrum, which doubled as the mystical city of Qarth in the hit HBO series, offers travelers a unique blend of cinematic history, natural beauty, and a much-needed respite from the mainland’s intense crowds.
Stepping Into the City of Qarth
During the second season of ‘Game of Thrones’, Lokrum’s lush landscapes were transformed into Qarth, the wealthy trading city visited by Daenerys Targaryen. The island’s real-world Benedictine Monastery ruins and botanical gardens provided the perfect cloistered, exotic architecture for scenes such as the masquerade ball at Xaro Xhoan Daxos’s palace and the grand garden parties.
Today, fans can wander through these exact locations, identifying the distinct archways and vibrant greenery that graced their screens. Beyond simply walking in the footsteps of the Mother of Dragons, visitors can explore the dedicated ‘Game of Thrones’ visitor center housed on the island. The centerpiece of this exhibition is an official replica of the Iron Throne, generously donated by HBO following the series’ production. Taking a seat on the throne is considered a rite of passage for fantasy fans venturing to the Adriatic coast.
Escaping the Crowds of King’s Landing
As of June 2026, Dubrovnik’s tourism sector is operating at full velocity. Preliminary data from the eVisitor system shows that the city welcomed more than one million overnight stays in the first five months of the year alone, an increase from 2025 figures, driven heavily by visitors from the United Kingdom and a 12 percent surge in American tourist arrivals. The walled Old Town, while magnificent, can quickly feel overwhelming during the peak summer months.
Lokrum serves as the ultimate pressure valve for this tourism boom. Located roughly 600 meters off the coast of Dubrovnik, the island is remarkably accessible. A quick 15-minute ferry ride from the Old Town port transports visitors to an entirely different world. Ferries run regularly throughout the summer season, with a round-trip foot passenger ticket costing 30 euros, which conveniently includes the entrance fee to the nature reserve. Because there are no cars or overnight accommodations allowed on Lokrum, the environment remains remarkably pristine, offering wandering peacocks, hidden swimming coves, and shaded pine forests instead of gridlocked streets.
Future Outlook: Balancing Pop Culture and Conservation
The enduring legacy of the ‘Game of Thrones’ universe guarantees that screen tourism in Croatia will remain a formidable economic driver well into the late 2020s. However, the future of international travel in hotspots like Dubrovnik depends entirely on smart crowd management and sustainable practices.
Lokrum provides a successful blueprint for this future. By funneling pop-culture tourists toward the island, local authorities are effectively dispersing foot traffic away from the highly congested historic core of Dubrovnik. Furthermore, the strict environmental regulations enforced on Lokrum ensure that the influx of fantasy fans does not degrade the island’s biodiversity.
As international travel continues to rebound and exceed historic highs this year, destinations will increasingly rely on these secondary, easily accessible locations. For visitors, Lokrum stands as a testament to the fact that you do not have to battle the crowds to experience the magic of Westeros. It represents the ideal modern travel experience: satisfying the desire for iconic, recognizable landmarks while preserving the peaceful authenticity of the natural world.
