St. Lawrence Fortress (Fort Lovrijenac) Tours

Overlooking the Adriatic Sea from a cliff-top perch, the St. Lawrence Fortress (Fort Lovrijenac) is a Dubrovnik icon. Thought to be around 1,000 years old, the 121-foot (37-meter) fortress was used to defend the city for centuries. Today, the fort is better-known for its theatrical shows, coastal views, and starring role in HBO’s Game of Thrones.

The Basics
The St. Lawrence Fortress features on the majority of historical and Game of Thrones-themed tours, which typically include admission tickets. Opt for a more intimate glimpse into the landmark on a walking tour or see the St. Lawrence Fortress from a different perspective during a sailing or kayaking excursion. Many multi-destination day trips allow you to combine the UNESCO-listed Old City of Dubrovnik with other popular Croatian cities, such as Split, Ston, or Lokrum, making them ideal for travelers on a time budget.

Things to Know Before You Go

• A must-see sight for history buffs and fans of Game of Thrones.
• Be prepared to climb around 175 steep steps up to the fort’s entrance, then more to its summit.
• There’s a charge to enter the fortress, unless you’re on a tour that includes admission.
• Entry to the St. Lawrence Fortress is free with a City Walls admission ticket, which also gives you access to three other historic forts.
• Unfortunately, the fort is not presently wheelchair accessible.

How to Get There
The fortress can be seen for miles around and is accessible by sea or land. Signs mark the way from Pile Gate, via Kolorina Bay, though these can be tricky to spot. Take advantage of tours offering round-trip transfers to save yourself the hassle of navigation.

When to Get There
Avoid climbing in the heat with an early morning or late afternoon visit; the fortress offers a great place to catch the sunset. Exploring the fortress during an evening tour allows you to beat the heat, escape the daytime crowds, and see the landmark at its most atmospheric.

City Wall Forts
The St. Lawrence Fortress is not the only battlement that played an important role in the defense of Ragusa. City Walls tickets also include access to St. John’s Fortress, Fort Bokar, and Minčeta Tower, which all provide insight into the city-state’s unconquerable strategies, as well as panoramic views of the region. Keen-eyed Game of Thrones fans may also recognize them as filming locations for King’s Landing.