While Dubrovnik plays King’s Landing, the city of Split and its surroundings became a very different corner of Westeros and Essos: Meereen, the great slaver city Daenerys Targaryen liberates and rules. If you’re a fan working your way through Croatia’s Game of Thrones locations, Split is the essential second stop. This guide covers every Split Game of Thrones location, how to see them, and how to combine Split with a Dubrovnik GoT tour.
Split and Game of Thrones: an overview
Split served as filming territory for Game of Thrones across Seasons 4 to 6, primarily as Meereen — the pyramid city of Slaver’s Bay. The ancient heart of Split, built inside a Roman palace, and the dramatic fortress on the hill above it gave the production a ready-made antique metropolis. For fans, the appeal of a Split Game of Thrones tour is standing in the exact spots where Daenerys chained her dragons and confronted the masters.
Game of Thrones tours — Dubrovnik, Split & beyond
The complete Game of Thrones trip to Croatia combines Dubrovnik’s King’s Landing — the city walls, Fort Lovrijenac, the Walk of Shame steps, and Lokrum Island as Qarth — with Split’s Meereen at Diocletian’s Palace and Klis Fortress, and a stop at Trsteno Arboretum (the Red Keep gardens) along the coastal road. These Dubrovnik-based Game of Thrones tours cover the King’s Landing half of that journey.
The must-see Split Game of Thrones locations
Diocletian’s Palace cellars — the dragon dungeons
The undisputed highlight. Beneath the streets of Split lie the vast cellars (substructures) of Diocletian’s Palace, a UNESCO-listed Roman complex from around 300 AD. These shadowy stone chambers became Daenerys’s throne room and the dragon dungeons, where she chains Rhaegal and Viserion after they grow too dangerous. You enter from the Bronze (southern) Gate; the atmospheric cellars charge a small admission (around €10), while the streets and the Peristyle square above are free to wander.
The Peristyle & Papalićeva Street
The columned Peristyle, the ceremonial square at the palace’s heart, and the narrow lanes like Papalićeva Street appear in Meereen establishing shots and the tense scenes involving the masked Sons of the Harpy. Walking them, you’ll recognise the exact camera angles from the show.
Klis Fortress — the walls of Meereen
A short drive inland, the mighty Klis Fortress perches on a rocky ridge with commanding views to the sea. Its ancient walls stood in for the exterior of Meereen, including the confronting scenes where Daenerys has the Great Masters crucified. Entry is around €10–11. You can reach Klis by bus #22 from near the Croatian National Theatre (about 30 minutes) or by taxi/rideshare (~€20–25). The fortress is spectacular in its own right, with sweeping panoramas over Split and Kaštela Bay.
Žrnovnica — the army’s approach
The village of Žrnovnica, just east of Split, provided the setting for scenes of Daenerys’s army and a memorable sequence involving Missandei. A nearby quarry was used for battle filming. It’s an off-the-beaten-path stop usually included on more comprehensive GoT tours of Split.
Kaštel Gomilica — Braavos
Between Split and Trogir, the tiny fortified islet village of Kaštel Gomilica appears as Braavos in Season 5 — the canal city where Arya trains with the Faceless Men. In the wider region, Šibenik also doubled as Braavos, and Trogir as Qarth in Season 2, making this stretch of coast rich in filming locations.
Split Game of Thrones tours
The best way to find and understand these Split Game of Thrones locations is a guided GoT tour:
- Diocletian’s Palace walking tour (~75–100 minutes): explores the cellars, Peristyle, and Old Town locations. Some guides worked as extras on the show and share first-hand stories.
- Palace + Klis Fortress tour (~5 hours): a fuller experience adding Klis (Meereen’s walls) and often Žrnovnica, with transport included.
Look for licensed guides with strong recent reviews, and check whether cellar and fortress entry fees are included or paid separately.
How to get from Dubrovnik to Split (and back)
Split sits about 230 km / 3–3.5 hours by car from Dubrovnik. Your options:
| Mode | Time | Approx. cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Car | 3–3.5 hrs | Fuel + tolls | Now entirely within Croatia via the Pelješac Bridge |
| Bus | 4–4.5 hrs | ~€20–35 | ~15 daily departures |
| Catamaran (seasonal) | 4.5–5 hrs | ~€39–49 | Scenic coastal route, summer only |
Because it’s a long journey, a Dubrovnik–Split day trip is possible but tiring. If you can, spend at least one night in Split to enjoy the GoT locations, the Roman old town, and the Riva waterfront at a relaxed pace. See our day trips from Dubrovnik guide for how Split compares with shorter excursions from the city.
Day trip to Dubrovnik from Split (and vice versa)
Travelling the other way, a day trip to Dubrovnik from Split is equally popular — many visitors based in Split make the journey south to see King’s Landing. Guided Dubrovnik tours from Split handle the driving and often include a stop or a walking tour of the Old Town. Whichever direction you travel, seeing both cities completes the Croatian Game of Thrones map: King’s Landing (Dubrovnik) and Meereen (Split).
Combining Dubrovnik and Split for the ultimate GoT trip
For the complete pilgrimage, base yourself in Dubrovnik for the King’s Landing locations (the city walls, Fort Lovrijenac / the Red Keep, the Jesuit Stairs / Walk of Shame, and Lokrum Island / Qarth), then travel north to Split for Meereen (the dragon dungeons and Klis Fortress). Break the journey at Trsteno Arboretum — the Red Keep gardens — which lies right on the coastal road between the two. Add Šibenik and Trogir if you have extra time, and you’ll have walked through Westeros and Essos across a single stretch of Dalmatian coast.
Tips for visiting Split’s Game of Thrones locations
- Buy cellar tickets to see the dragon dungeons properly — the free streets above are great, but the substructures are the money shot.
- Allow half a day for a proper GoT circuit including Klis Fortress.
- Wear good shoes — the cellars and fortress involve uneven stone and steps.
- Go early or late at the Peristyle to avoid the midday crowds and get clean photos.
- Consider an overnight rather than rushing a day trip from Dubrovnik.
Split proves that Croatia’s Game of Thrones story doesn’t end at King’s Landing. Stand in Daenerys’s dragon dungeons, climb the walls of Meereen at Klis, and the world of Westeros feels closer than ever.
Split Game of Thrones FAQ
How long does it take to get from Dubrovnik to Split?
By car, Dubrovnik to Split takes approximately 3–3.5 hours (around 230 km), entirely within Croatia thanks to the Pelješac Bridge. By bus, journey times are typically 4–4.5 hours with around 15 daily departures; tickets cost approximately €20–35. A seasonal high-speed catamaran runs the coastal route in around 4.5–5 hours in summer. Because of the distance, Split works best as an overnight trip rather than a rushed day trip — but if time is short, an early start allows you to visit Diocletian’s Palace, the dragon dungeons, and Klis Fortress in a full day. See our day trips from Dubrovnik guide for how Split fits alongside shorter excursions.
Start with the Dubrovnik King’s Landing tour
Before or after Split, Dubrovnik’s Game of Thrones locations — Fort Lovrijenac, the city walls, the Walk of Shame steps, and Lokrum Island / Qarth — are best explored with a licensed guide. Walking tours start from $23; extended full-day tours include Trsteno Arboretum from $88.
★ Classic walking tours from $23 · Extended full-day tours from $88 · Free cancellation