Welcome to Meereen. Here is where Daenerys kept her dragons.
Game of Thrones filming locations in Split are concentrated almost entirely inside Diocletian’s Palace — the same ancient Roman walls that doubled as the slaver city of Meereen in Seasons 4 and 5. If you are a fan of Game of Thrones, walking through Split feels like stepping onto the set of Season 4 and 5. That’s because it was the set.
Diocletian’s Palace served as the city of Meereen, where Daenerys Targaryen freed the slaves and chained up her dragons.
You don’t need to pay for an expensive “Game of Thrones Tour” to see the main spots. You just need to know where to look. Here is your self-guided map to the filming locations in and around Split.
1. Diocletian’s Cellars (The Dragon Dungeon)
- The Scene: This is the most famous location. It is where Daenerys chains her dragons (Rhaegal and Viserion) because they are becoming too dangerous. It is also where she keeps her throne room in later seasons.
- Location: The Substructures (Podrumi). You enter from the Riva (waterfront) or the Peristyle stairs.
- Cost: The central hallway is free. But to see the actual room where the dragons were chained, you must buy a ticket to the East Wing (approx. €8).
- Photo Op: It looks exactly like the show. The spooky, vaulted ceilings are unmistakable.
2. Papalićeva Street (The Slave Rebellion)
- The Scene: Remember when the slaves of Meereen rise up and write “Kill the Masters” in red blood on the walls? That happened right here.
- Location: Papalićeva ulica. It is a narrow, medieval street inside the Palace.
- How to find it: From the Peristyle, walk towards the Golden Gate and turn right into the narrow alleys near the City Museum.
- Fun Fact: The production crew had to cover the historic stone walls with fake plaster before painting the “blood” graffiti so they wouldn’t damage the UNESCO heritage!
3. The Golden Gate (The City Entrance)
- The Scene: Several scenes of the Unsullied patrolling the streets were filmed along the ramparts above the Golden Gate (Zlatna Vrata).
- Location: The North entrance of the Palace.
- Access: You cannot walk on the very top of the wall without a special ticket, but you can view the corridor from the street level.
4. Klis Fortress (The City of Meereen)
- The Scene: This is the big one. The exterior shots of Meereen—where Daenerys crucifies the Slave Masters along the road—were filmed at Klis Fortress.
- Location: A castle on a cliff, about 20 minutes drive outside of Split.
- Why visit: Even if you hate the show, the view from here is the best in Dalmatia. You can see the entire city of Split, the islands, and the mountains.
- Getting there:
- Bus: Take Bus No. 22 from the HNK Theater (just across Marmontova street).
- Uber: Approx. €20 – €25 one way.
5. Žrnovnica (The Bathing Scene)
- The Scene: The romantic scene where Missandei bathes in the river and Grey Worm watches her.
- Location: Antoničin Mlin (Antoničin Mill) in Žrnovnica, a small village near Split.
- Note: This is a bit harder to find and requires a car or taxi. It’s a beautiful nature spot for a picnic, very green and lush.
The “Fan Shop” Trap
Inside the Palace, you will see endless shops selling “Official” Game of Thrones merchandise, plastic Valyrian steel swords, and dragon eggs.
- Reality Check: Most of these are overpriced tourist trinkets made in China.
- The Exception: There is one official HBO shop near the Peristyle that sells high-quality gear, but expect to pay premium prices (e.g., €40 for a t-shirt).
Want the real history behind the fantasy?
While dragons are cool, the real history of Diocletian’s Palace is even crazier than the show. We had a Roman Emperor who voluntarily retired to grow cabbages, and his cellars were filled with… well, you’ll have to join the tour to find out.
Join my Diocletian’s Palace Walking Tour where we visit these exact filming locations, but I tell you the true stories that happened here 1,700 years ago.
- Book the Walking Tour Here
- Want to hear the full story of Game of Thrones in Split? Check out this Game of Thrones Tour with our partner.
