How To Live Like A Queen in Kings Landing

Located in the southern tip of Croatia, Dubrovnik was severally damaged during the Croatian war of independence with Yugoslavia, in the early 90s. It has taken decades for UNESCO and the local authorities to nearly resurrect the old town of Dubrovnik from ashes and make it one of the hottest tourist spots in Europe. In the last two years Dubrovnik has noticed a major upswing in the inflow of tourists to its old town. Ironically, not for its heroic revival from the wartimes, but because of it’s epithet as the fictional kingdom of ‘King’s Landing’, one of the important dramatic settings in the very popular Game of Thrones TV series.

Game of Thrones is one of the most successful TV series from HBO. It is inspired by George R R Martin’s, ‘A Song of Ice and Fire’ trilogy. Settings like the King’s Landing and City of Qarth were filmed extensively in Dubrovnik and nearby islands in several seasons of Game of Thrones.

Best Time to Visit Dubrovnik: September-October, March-April

‘King’s Landing’ scenes are shot mostly in Dubrovnik’s old town because of its vintage aura. In 1991, during the war with Yugoslav army, the most beautiful and attractive site of Dubrovnik, it’s old town was shattered by sever bombing. It has taken Dubrovnik and UNESCO, years to restore the renaissance buildings. The old city is now covered in a striking synchrony of antiquated red, orange bricks and repainted baroque architecture. When the Mediterranean sun rises on Dubrovnik’s old port, the postcard views of this historical site are well worth a royal sojourn. Here’s our pick of the most exclusive properties where you can live like a King in the city now popularly known as ‘King’s Landing’ from Game of Thrones TV series.

Villa Sheherezade: Villa Sheherezade stands out with its distinctive Moorish Turquoise dome, contrasting with the carpet of red brick architecture in the old city area of Dubrovnik. Its history is also very different from any other structure in the old town area. A wealthy banker from Lithuania built this Villa nearly a century back, as a compliment to his lover.

Villa Sheherezade maybe best described as a mini palace instead of a villa. 4200 Square meters of area is split between three floors of residence. There is a private pool with an endless view of the Adriatic Sea and old city port. It also boasts of a private beach, a luxury rare to find in Dubrovnik! Sheherezade is perched a top a small cliff keeping it away from the hustle bustle of the busy tourist town. The property is rented only to a single party. A complete concierge staff including butler, chef, waiters and housekeeping, come in the package. The romantic locale of Villa Sheherezade has played host to Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton.

Pucic Palace: The only 5 star property in the UNESCO protected old town walls! The Pucic Palace enjoys an exclusivity of hosting guests right in the middle of King’s Landing or the old town walls. Cersei Lannister might highly recommend the breathtaking views of the reinstated vintage architecture from the suite windows! Cersei is one of the protagonists in the Game of Thrones TV series.

The Pucic Palace boasts of an Indian connection too! Actor Shahrukh Khan utilized these premises as his green room, during the filming of movie ‘Fan’.

I would recommend the junior and senior suites that offer eclectic, bright and colourful interiors. These rooms are decorated with paintings from local artists and are much quieter than most rooms in the old town. The UNESCO heritage old town area is a buzzing tourist spot and has shops and bars open 24×7!

The royalty status at the Pucic Palace struggles with some deficiencies. Unlike most 5 star rated properties, The Pucic Palace does not have swimming pool facilities. The hotel cannot build one because of the UNESCO heritage status of all buildings positioned within the old city walls of Dubrovnik. For the guests at the Pucic Palace, the only highlights are its prime location and bigger rooms than most hotels in and around the old city walls.

Stari Grad: Stari Grad literally means ‘Old Town’. Not a 5 star rated hotel, but Stari Grad offers some of the most luxurious experiences within King’s Landing.

The rooms are draped in modern upholstery and offer much comfort despite their petit size. However, the comfortable rooms are not the main motivation for discerning tourists to choose Hotel Stari Grad as a top option in Dubrovnik! ‘Stari Grad’ offers unrivalled, panoramic view of the tiled red and orange bricked, heritage beauty from its roof top restaurant. One can also admire the distant forts from here!

‘Above 5’ is a sort after luxury restaurant in Dubrovnik. It offers arguably, the most delectable gourmet preparation of the local produce, primarily seafood. Three course meals can be best enjoyed with this gorgeous view especially during sunset in summers when the days are longer in Croatia.

Villa Dubrovnik: Just minutes away from the buzzing 24×7 hotspot UNESCO site of old walls is a tranquil Villa that offers laid back luxury suites to enjoy stunning views of King’s Landing. Villa Dubrovnik is situated, few minutes walk away from the UNESCO site. The old town walls can be admired with a backdrop of the sun setting on the Adriatic sea yielding colours that form an opera of orange shades and the stunning blue sea. The villa offers an impressive number of rooms. There are 54 rooms to choose from with the best being the Villa Dubrovnik Royal Suite priced above 1000 USD per night. This two-bedroom suite has an attached balcony with the never-ending scenery of the blue waters.

Best Restaurants in Dubrovnik Old Town

1) Restaurant 360º Dubrovnik: Modern and innovative menu with the best wines one can savour in all of Dubrovnik! You know what they say about restaurants with the best views.. Bad food!. Well! not this one. 360 degrees truly offers the best fine dine food with the most envious views of the old city sea.

2) Above 5, Stari Grad: Delectable main course of local sea-food.