When HBO's production scouts arrived in Split in 2013, they didn't need to build a set. They found one that was already 1,700 years old. Diocletian's Palace — a Roman emperor's retirement home turned living city — became the backdrop for some of Game of Thrones' most iconic scenes in seasons 4 and 5. Split doubled as the cities of Meereen and parts of Braavos, lending its ancient stone walls and underground chambers to Daenerys Targaryen's storyline.
If you're a fan visiting Split, here's your complete guide to every filming location — and how to find them.
The Basement Halls: Where Dragons Were Chained
The single most famous GoT location in Split is the basement halls (substructures) of Diocletian's Palace. These massive underground chambers, built as the structural foundation for the palace above, were used as the dragon dungeon where Daenerys chained Rhaegal and Viserion after they became too dangerous to roam free.
In season 4, episode 1 ("Two Swords"), we first see the dragons in these cramped, dark chambers. The scene where Daenerys descends the stairs and her dragons snarl at her was filmed right here, in these very halls. The combination of ancient Roman architecture and moody lighting gave the scenes an authenticity that no purpose-built set could match.
What to see today: The basement halls are open to visitors year-round (entrance fee applies). The same vaulted stone corridors that appeared on screen look virtually identical to what you see in the show. During the tour season, you'll also find an Iron Throne replica set up for photos — one of the most popular selfie spots in all of Croatia.
The Peristyle: Daenerys' Throne Room Approach
The Peristyle is the grand central square of Diocletian's Palace — an open courtyard flanked by towering columns and the ornate entrance to the Cathedral of St. Domnius (originally the emperor's mausoleum). In Game of Thrones, the Peristyle was used as the approach to Daenerys' throne room in Meereen.
You'll recognize the wide steps and columns from several scenes in season 4 where subjects and diplomats came before Daenerys to petition her. The production team added digital enhancements to extend the columns and add the Great Pyramid above, but the base architecture is exactly what you see in person.
What to see today: The Peristyle is an open public square, accessible 24 hours a day, free of charge. It's also where the Sphinx stands — one of the original Egyptian sphinxes that Diocletian brought back from Egypt in the 4th century. In the evenings, it's a popular gathering spot with live music and cafe seating, making it one of Split's most atmospheric places to linger.
The Iron Gate (Porta Ferrea) and Western Walls
The streets and passageways around the Iron Gate on the western side of the palace served as the streets of Meereen. Several scenes showing characters navigating through narrow alleys, market areas, and public squares were shot in this area.
The western approach to the palace, with its heavy stone walls and narrow passages, provided the cramped, urban feel of an ancient slave city. Keep an eye out for the areas around Pjaca Square (Narodni trg) just outside the Iron Gate — while not inside the palace walls, these areas were also used for wider establishing shots.
The Northern Wall and Golden Gate
The area around the Golden Gate (Porta Aurea) on the north side of the palace was used for exterior shots of Meereen's city walls. The imposing stone facade, largely unchanged since the 4th century, doubled convincingly as the walls of a Slaver's Bay city.
In the show, when Daenerys' forces approach and lay siege to the city, some of the exterior wall shots incorporate the actual northern fortifications of Diocletian's Palace.
Klis Fortress: The Approach to Meereen
While not in Split's old town, Klis Fortress sits just 15 minutes north of the city and played a significant role as the exterior of Meereen. The dramatic cliffside fortress, originally built as a medieval Croatian stronghold, was used for the scenes where Daenerys' army approaches and conquers the city.
The famous scene of crucified slaves lining the road to Meereen was filmed along the approach to Klis Fortress. It's a striking location with panoramic views over Split and the surrounding mountains.
Key Scene Breakdown by Episode
Here are the major scenes and where they were filmed:
- Season 4, Episode 1 ("Two Swords"): Daenerys with her dragons in the basement halls. The dragons are growing, becoming harder to control.
- Season 4, Episode 3 ("Breaker of Chains"): Daenerys addresses the slaves of Meereen. Exterior shots at Klis Fortress.
- Season 4, Episode 4 ("Oathkeeper"): Daenerys takes Meereen and orders the crucifixion of the masters. Peristyle and surrounding streets.
- Season 4, Episode 10 ("The Children"): Daenerys chains her dragons in the catacombs beneath the Great Pyramid — the basement halls of Diocletian's Palace.
- Season 5, Episode 1 ("The Wars to Come"): The chained dragons in the catacombs, shot in the basement halls.
- Season 5, Episode 2 ("The House of Black and White"): Daenerys in her throne room, with Peristyle columns visible.
- Season 5, Episode 5 ("Kill the Boy"): Daenerys confronts the masters in the dragon catacombs. Basement halls at their most atmospheric.
Finding the Locations On Your Own
You can absolutely explore these locations independently. The Peristyle is impossible to miss — it's the heart of the palace. The basement halls require a ticket (purchased at the entrance on the southern side, through the Riva promenade). Klis Fortress requires a separate visit and either a rental car, bus, or taxi.
The challenge with self-guided exploration is context. You'll walk right past filming locations without realizing it. There are no permanent signs or markers indicating which scenes were shot where. Without someone pointing out the exact angles, the significance of specific doorways, or which digital effects transformed the real architecture into Meereen, you'll likely miss more than half of the connections.
Why a Guided GoT Tour Is Worth It
This is one of those cases where a guide genuinely transforms the experience. A licensed local guide who specializes in the Game of Thrones locations will:
- Show you the exact spots where cameras were positioned, so you can take photos from the same angle
- Play scene clips on a tablet so you can compare the show to reality in real time
- Explain the history beneath the fiction — Diocletian's Palace has 1,700 years of real history that's every bit as dramatic as Westeros
- Share behind-the-scenes stories about the production, how the cast interacted with locals, and the logistics of filming in a living city
- Get you the Iron Throne photo without you having to hunt for it
A solo visit means wandering and wondering. A guided tour means standing in the exact spot where Emilia Clarke stood, understanding why this location was chosen, and walking away with both great photos and great stories.
Book Your Game of Thrones Tour in Split
We offer two GoT tour options, both led by licensed guides with deep knowledge of the filming history:
Split Game of Thrones & History City Walk
€40/person | 1 hour 40 minutes | Group tour Our most popular tour — rated 5.0 stars from 74 reviews. This tour combines 2,000 years of Split's history with all the major GoT filming locations. Includes basement chambers entrance, Iron Throne photo, and scene comparisons on a tablet. Perfect if you want both the historical context and the fan experience.
Split GoT Small Group Dragons Walking Tour
€66/person | 1 hour 30 minutes | Small group A more intimate experience with a smaller group. Focused specifically on the dragon-related scenes and the Diocletian's Cellars chambers. Ideal if you want less crowds and more personal interaction with your guide.
Both tours meet in the heart of Split's old town and are available daily during the season. Deciding between the two formats? Our private vs. group tour comparison can help you choose. Browse all our Split walking tours or contact us to book.
If you're arriving by cruise ship, a GoT walking tour fits perfectly into a port day — see our complete shore excursion guide for timing tips and other options.
Whether you're Team Targaryen or just love good television, walking through the real-world locations of Game of Thrones adds a layer of magic that streaming from your couch simply can't match. The stones beneath your feet are real. The history is real. And the dragons? Well — they felt real enough when they were here.
