May 5, 2021 - Game of Thrones is returning through a prequel series House of the Dragon which will feature locations in Croatia.

Game of Thrones is returning! After cancelling the plans to shoot a prequel series starring Naomi Watts in 2019, HBO seemed to be putting their incredibly popular franchise to bed. However, things changed at the end of April as the company confirmed the start of production for a different prequel series based on George R. R. Martin's book „Fire & Blood“. The book focuses mainly on the story of the Targaryen Family. The plot follows them up until the civil war known as the „Dance of the Dragons“, set 300 years before the events of HBO's Game of Thrones.

House of the Dragon will feature a fittingly solid cast. Paddy Considine of The Outsider and Peaky Blinders fame will play the role of King Viserys. Matt Smith (Doctor Who, The Crown) plays Prince Daemon Targaryen. Olivia Cooke (Bates Motel, Ready Player One) will fill the role of Alicent Hightower. Emma D’Arcy (Truth Seekers, Misbehaviour) will play Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen. HBO will produce one season featuring ten episodes.

Positive Effects of Game of Thrones are still felt in Croatia

The. exciting news doesn't stop there. The British edition of GQ reports locations in Croatia and Morocco are going to be used for filming. Original series found numerous locations along the coast of Croatia perfect for depicting the fantasy world of Westeros. Croatian cities like Dubrovnik, Split, and Sibenik helped create a unique look and feel of some of the key places in the story. It is hard to find a Game of Thrones fan who doesn’t associate the city of King’s Landing with the medieval architecture of Dubrovnik’s historical centre. So, it will be very interesting to see which exact locations the production will choose and how they will shape the look of the new series.

Local tourism sectors in Dubrovnik and Split enjoyed quite a dramatic positive effect caused by the worldwide Game of Thrones craze. Themed filming locations tours are still some of the most requested by travellers to Dubrovnik. The show also created a ripple effect that saw these Croatian destinations become more recognised globally than ever before. Real effects are as significant as they are immeasurable. It stands to reason the news about the return of Croatian tourism’s favourite TV series is an exciting one.

With all said and done, it seems the fans of the original show have something to look forward to, as do local tourism boards in Croatia and Morocco. The rest of us are hoping the new series will live up to the reputation of its over-hyped big brother.

For more information about Game of Thrones filming locations, tours, and activities in Croatia be sure to visit this page on our newly launched Total Croatia portal.

For more on travel in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

Here Be Dragons is Croatia’s premier Game of Thrones gift shop and fantasy boutique, located in Diocletian’s Palace in Split.

A great promotion for the city of Split.

Split is a city full of interesting and diverse people, from all walks of life. Total Split will be getting to know some of them through our new feature "Meet the People of Split". Today we start with Gytha, a vibrant go-getter we met while joining the very popular Game of Thrones tour in Split. Here is her story. 

The entrance to inland Dalmatia could not be more magnificent from Split, with the majestic Klis Fortress holding the keys, looking imperiously down on the Dalmatian capital and islands beyond.

The fortress was of course, the setting for Game of Thrones filming for season 4, and there has been an increase in tourism as a direct result. One of the best organised tours is that offered by Vetus Itinera, which you can learn about here.  

Tourists often think it might be too difficult to get to and so rarely bother, which is a shame, as it is only 20 minutes away by bus, and there is the added advantage of trying the infamous Klis lamb to make the visit complete. 

Information on how to get there is not that easy to find online, so here is how to do it by bus:

Bus 22: 7:00, 8:50, 10:20, 11:45, 13:00, 14:30, 15:50, 17:20, 18:50, 20:20, 21:50 from HNK (the Croatian National Theatre, at the top of Marmontova) to Klis Megdan.

BUT! On Saturdays and Sundays it is bus line number 16, which only leaves at 20:20 and 21:50. 

Bus 34: 5:00, 6:30, 10:15, 14:30 from local bus station by the police station. Or from the same place, there are 2 buses that go up to the fortress or you can also take buses 35 or 36 that go to Dugopolje or Koprivno and get off at bus station by the Caffe Bar Oprah on the road and walk about 10-15 min up to fortress...

Entrance to the fortress is 20 kuna for adults, 10 kuna for kids. And DON'T visit Klis without stopping for its famous lamb at one of the restaurants close to the fortress. Unless you are vegetarian of course...