Split – Walking in Khaleesi Footsteps in the City of Dragons

Split’s dragon dungeon is not a fantasy set built for television. It is part of the basement of Diocletian’s Palace, a Roman site that became a Game of Thrones filming location. This tour links that screen story with the real history of Split, so you see more than a collection of places to pose for a photo.

I like two things in particular: the mix of Roman history and filming stories, and the personal style of guiding, with time for questions and the option to continue the conversation over coffee. One consideration: the stated duration is 210 minutes, while the tour description also calls it two and a half hours. Confirm the timing before you book, and plan around the longer figure.

• Start at the Gregory of Nin statue, a large landmark known for its prominent toe.
• Walk through the old city and Diocletian’s Palace, with a guide to connect the sites to Split’s past.
• Enter the palace basement, the best-preserved part of the palace and the place used as the dragons’ dungeon.
• See the Mereen filming location, including the street associated with the scene known as Kill the Masters.
• Expect a story-led tour in English, with photos or video clips used by some guides to explain filming spots.

A statue, a meeting point, and a useful start

The tour meets beside the Gregory of Nin statue, a huge figure with a conspicuous big toe. It is an easy landmark to spot, which helps when you are finding your way around the old city for the first time. Give yourself a few minutes to arrive and get oriented before the walk begins.

From there, the guide takes you through Split’s old city and the area of Diocletian’s Palace. This is not simply a Game of Thrones location walk with a few Roman facts added on. The palace is central to the story of Split itself: it began as the retirement home of Roman emperor Diocletian, and its remains are part of the city you will walk through today.

That historical frame makes the television connections more interesting. You can see how real places took on new roles on screen, while also hearing why the original site mattered long before a camera crew arrived. If you have watched the show, you get recognizable settings; if you have not, the Roman story still gives the route a clear purpose.

Diocletian’s Palace, with history behind the screen story

The tour visits the important spots in Diocletian’s Palace, though the exact sequence of stops is not specified. Your guide’s role is to explain what you are seeing as you move through the old city, joining the palace’s history to the later use of its spaces in filming.

I value this kind of guided walk because historic places can be hard to read at street level. A guide can put the remains into context and point out how a location connects to the wider story of Split. Here, that explanation comes with another layer: the guide can show how a real setting became part of the fictional world of Game of Thrones.

The storytelling is a main reason to consider this tour. Guides have used photos and video clips to make filming locations easier to recognize and to show how a scene relates to the place in front of you. That can be especially useful if you remember a moment from the show but would not know the location from the stonework alone.

The pace and level of detail will depend on your guide and the questions the group asks. The tour is described as personal, and the guide is open to staying longer for additional questions. If you enjoy asking how a place was used, or want more background on Split, you can make the walk more conversational rather than treating it as a quick checklist.

The palace basement, known as the dragons’ dungeon

The basement is the tour’s most distinctive stop. It is described as the best-preserved part of Diocletian’s Palace, and it served as the place where dragons were kept during filming. The tour includes entry to this area, so you do not need to arrange a separate ticket for the dungeon visit.

The contrast is the point: a real Roman structure and a television setting occupy the same space. You can appreciate the basement both as part of the palace and as a familiar scene location. If you are a fan of the series, this is likely to be the moment you have been waiting for; if you are more interested in history, the preservation and original purpose give the visit value beyond the show.

A practical tip: keep your questions for the guide as they arise. The tour is built around explanation, and the guide is willing to spend extra time answering questions. The guide may also show images or clips, which help you compare the filming view with the place itself.

Mereen’s Kill the Masters street

Another stop is the street associated with the Kill the Masters scene in the fictional city of Mereen. The story behind the location involves slaves ambushing their masters, and the guide connects that plot point to the real street where the scene was filmed.

This is a good example of what the tour does well: it gives a place two meanings without confusing them. You can learn about its role in the show, then return to the fact that you are standing in Split’s old city, not in the fictional city of Mereen. The location may be more compelling to fans than to visitors who have not seen the series, but the guide’s broader history commentary helps keep it relevant.

There are other filming references along the walk, though the full list of locations is not specified. One guide has also shown photo locations connected with Klis Fortress, which you can visit later on your own. Treat that as a useful lead rather than a promise that the fortress is part of this walking tour.

Guides who tell the story in their own way

The guide can shape the feel of this experience. Guides associated with past departures include Katarina or Katerina, Tim, and Ted. Their styles have been described as relaxed, humorous, enthusiastic, and full of detail, with a strong balance between Croatian history and Game of Thrones.

Some have backgrounds that suit the subject particularly well. Ted, for example, is a local high-school history teacher. Tim has used pictures and video clips to illustrate filming sites. These details suggest a tour that relies on explanation and storytelling, not just a guide pointing out a spot and moving on.

Names and staff can change, so do not book expecting a particular person unless the provider confirms it. What matters more is the format: an English-speaking guide leads the walk, and an English audio guide is also included. If you like to ask questions, the offer to stay longer is a plus. If you prefer a brisk, silent walk, a story-heavy tour may feel like more than you need.

Coffee, local habits, and time for questions

After the walk, you can have coffee with the guide at a popular local place. This is optional, and food and drinks are not included in the $58 price. The value is not a free refreshment; it is a chance to keep asking about Split’s history, local traditions, and the filming process after the formal walk ends.

That extra conversation could be useful if you have just arrived and want practical context about local habits, or if a question came up during the tour that deserved a longer answer. The guide also offers to share some filming secrets. Since the coffee is an option rather than a fixed part of the route, ask how it affects the total time if your schedule is tight.

Is $58 a fair price?

At $58 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see the old city. But the price includes a live English-speaking guide, an audio guide in English, and entry to the palace basement. You are also paying for a walk that combines two subjects: Split’s Roman past and the Game of Thrones locations.

The value depends on what you want from the visit. If you are a fan of the show, the filming explanations and the dungeon entry may make the price worthwhile. If you mainly want a quick orientation to the old city, you may find a shorter history walk better suited to your plans. The chance to ask extra questions and, if you choose, continue over coffee adds personal attention that a self-guided route cannot provide.

One tour participant also described a free photo opportunity on an Iron Throne, plus discounts at a gift shop and the Game of Thrones museum. Those extras may depend on the departure, so confirm them rather than counting on them when comparing prices.

Timing, access, and what to plan for

The activity is listed as lasting 210 minutes, or three and a half hours. Its description also refers to two and a half hours of mixed history and Game of Thrones touring. Because those figures differ, use 210 minutes as your planning estimate and check with the provider if you need to leave at a set time.

The tour is marked wheelchair accessible, but the available details do not explain the route’s surfaces or how access works at each stop. If you need specific assistance, contact Katarina Tours before booking to confirm that the full route suits your needs.

Food and drinks are not included. Bring anything you need for a walk of up to three and a half hours, and leave room in your schedule if you want to join the optional coffee afterward. The meeting point is the Gregory of Nin statue, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours in advance. You can also reserve now and pay later, which is helpful if your plans are still taking shape.

Who should book this Split walk?

I would choose this tour if you want a guide to make the old city easier to understand and you enjoy the overlap between real history and screen locations. It suits Game of Thrones fans especially well, but the Roman story and the guide’s local explanations give non-fans a reason to come along too.

It may not be the best fit if you want a short walk, dislike extended commentary, or only want to see filming locations without broader context. The time discrepancy is worth resolving before you book, especially if you have a cruise departure, dinner reservation, or another fixed plan.

For a more personal experience, ask questions as you go and consider staying for coffee if your day allows. At $58, the combination of palace access, English-language guiding, and story-led context offers fair value for anyone who wants more than a quick look at Split’s famous stones.

FAQ

Where does the tour meet?

It meets at the Gregory of Nin statue, a large statue with a prominent big toe.

How long is the tour?

The listed duration is 210 minutes. The description also mentions two and a half hours, so confirm the timing with the provider before booking.

What language is the tour in?

The live tour guide speaks English, and an English audio guide is included.

Is entry to the palace basement included?

Yes. Entry to the area known as the dragon’s dungeon is included.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included in the tour price. Coffee with the guide afterward is optional.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

The activity is marked wheelchair accessible. The specific access details for each stop are not provided, so check with Katarina Tours if you need to confirm the route.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Can I reserve without paying right away?

Yes. The reserve-now, pay-later option lets you book without paying at the time of reservation.