Game of thrones gives crotian tourism a boost

All photos: Edward Weston

The HBO show, adapted from the George RR Martin fantasy novels, has been a huge success in the US and further afield, prompting company Viator to launch Game of Thrones tours around one of the series’ locations.

The show follows the struggle between several families to seize the Iron Throne in capital city King’s Landing and take control of the fantasy kingdom of Westeros. The stand-in for the main city? Dubrovnik.

The town’s old architecture, ranging from castles and caves, and expansive countryside will be recognisable to viewers during the four-hour walking tour. Most impressive of all, though, is the Adriatic coastline, which meets the walls of the Lovrijenac Fortress in a recreation of the famous climactic battle between House Lannister and the Baratheons at the end of series one.

Croatia isn’t the only country looking to capitalise on the show’s popularity, though: Belfast, which has become the series’ most permanent base, has also announced tourists around the city and the Causeway Costal Route.

Can fantasy fiction given a helping hand to real life housing markets? Croatia and Northern Ireland will certainly hope so. After all, as the show is keen to remind audiences, a Lannister always pays his debts.