So, you’re in Split. You’ve done the Riva, you’ve eaten your weight in pasticada, and you’ve stared at the black sphinx in the Peristyle until your neck hurt. Now you’re seeing those dragon signs everywhere. The Game of Thrones Museum Split sits tucked away just a stone's throw from the Golden Gate of Diocletian’s Palace, and honestly, it’s one of those places that divides people immediately.
Some call it a tourist trap. Others geek out for two hours.
The truth is somewhere in the middle. Croatia basically became the second home of Westeros during the HBO run, and while Dubrovnik gets the lion's share of the "King's Landing" glory, Split was where the gritty, dark, and damp stuff happened. We’re talking Meereen. We’re talking the basement where Daenerys locked up her "children." If you’re a fan, being in this city feels like walking through a fever dream of Essos. The museum is a concentrated, air-conditioned hit of that atmosphere.
What’s actually inside the Game of Thrones Museum Split?
Walking in, the first thing that hits you isn't the lore—it’s the smell. Cedar, incense, and a bit of old stone. It’s dark. Like, really dark. They designed it that way to mimic the dungeons of the Red Keep and the slave pits of Meereen.
It’s not a massive, sprawling government-funded institution. It’s a private collection. But don’t let that fool you into thinking it’s just a couple of plastic swords from a toy store. They have over 100 exhibits. You’ll find authentic-looking costumes, props that look like they were snatched right off the set, and hyper-realistic life-sized statues of the characters.
The statue of Daenerys is... well, it’s a bit eerie. It’s sitting there in the dark, and for a split second, you expect it to start speaking Valyrian. They also have a massive Drogon head bursting through a wall. It’s the kind of thing made for Instagram, sure, but the craftsmanship is genuinely impressive. You see the scales, the teeth, the glazed-over look in the eye. It’s cool. It just is.
The stuff you’ll actually want to look at
Most people rush to the Iron Throne replica. Obviously. Everyone wants the photo. But the real value is in the small stuff.
- The weapons: They have Valyrian steel sword replicas (Longclaw, Ice, Needle) that have the right weight and "ripple" patterns in the metal.
- The costumes: You can see the intricate embroidery on the dresses. People forget that GoT won countless Emmys for costume design, and seeing the texture of the fabric up close makes you realize how much work went into a show that often just showed people getting covered in mud.
- The City Maps: There are detailed layouts of King’s Landing and Braavos that help you orient where you actually are in Split versus where the show says you are.
Why location matters for this museum
The museum is located at Bosanska ul. 9. This is crucial because it’s literally steps away from where the filming actually happened. You can spend thirty minutes in the Game of Thrones Museum Split, walk out the door, turn a corner, and you are standing in the street where the Sons of the Harpy ambushed the Unsullied.
That’s the "Split Factor."
In a city like London or New York, a museum like this would feel isolated. In Split, it feels like an annex to the city itself. Diocletian’s Palace is the set. The basement substructures of the palace (the Podrumi) were used for the dragon’s cellar. When you see the props in the museum and then walk into the damp, ancient limestone cellars of the palace five minutes later, the immersion actually works. It’s a rare moment where the commercial side of a fandom meets the 1,700-year-old reality of Roman architecture.
Addressing the "Tourist Trap" Allegations
Let’s be real for a second.
If you haven’t watched the show, or if you checked out after the disaster that was Season 8, you might find the entry fee a bit steep. It's about 15 to 20 Euros depending on the season. For a space you can walk through in 45 minutes, that’s a "premium" experience.
Critics often point out that it’s a private venture, not an official HBO "Studio Tour" like the one in Banbridge, Northern Ireland. That’s true. It doesn't have the $100 million budget of a Warner Bros. backlot tour. It’s a labor of love by fans, for fans. If you go in expecting a theme park, you’ll be disappointed. If you go in wanting a moody, atmospheric tribute to the world George R.R. Martin built, you’ll get your money’s worth.
Also, it’s air-conditioned. If you’re visiting Split in July, when the sun is melting the pavement and the crowds in the palace are suffocating, that air conditioning is worth 10 Euros alone. Seriously.
Is it better than the Dubrovnik GoT stuff?
This is the big debate among travelers hitting the Dalmatian coast. Dubrovnik has the "Walk of Shame" stairs and the city walls. It’s iconic. But Dubrovnik is also overwhelmingly crowded. Sometimes you can’t even move on the Jesuit Stairs because of the "Shame!" recreations happening every ten seconds.
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The Game of Thrones Museum Split feels more intimate. It’s focused on the darker, more mystical side of the show. While Dubrovnik represents the politics and the sun-drenched betrayal of the South, the Split experience (both the museum and the local filming sites) feels more like the grit of the rebellion and the mystery of the dragons.
If you can only do one, do the museum in Split and the walking tour in Dubrovnik. That’s the pro move.
Navigating your visit: The "Secret" strategy
Don't just walk in at noon. That’s when the cruise ship crowds descend. Split is a massive cruise port, and when those ships dock, the narrow streets of the palace become a bottleneck.
The museum is best experienced either right when they open or about an hour before they close. When it’s empty, the ambient sound effects—the low growl of dragons, the wind whistling—actually feel creepy. If you’re surrounded by twenty people taking selfies, the magic evaporates.
- Check the cruise schedules: If there are three ships in port, go to the beach instead. Save the museum for later.
- Combo it: There are several tour agencies right outside the museum that offer "Museum + Walking Tour" packages. Usually, these are a better deal and they take you down into the Palace substructures where the dragons were actually filmed.
- Photos are encouraged: Unlike some stuffy museums, they want you to take photos. The lighting is tricky (bring a phone with a good night mode), but the staff is usually happy to help you pose with the props.
The deeper connection to Split's history
What’s fascinating is how the museum bridges the gap between fiction and history. Diocletian was a Roman Emperor who retired to this palace. He was a man who rose from nothing, much like the characters in the show. He was also known for his... let's say "firm" methods of rule.
The Game of Thrones Museum Split taps into that Roman brutality. The showrunners chose Split because they didn't have to build much. The atmosphere was already there. When you see the replica of the Hand of the King pin sitting against a backdrop of local limestone, it feels right. It doesn't feel like a Hollywood prop in a box. It feels like an artifact.
There's a specific section dedicated to the "Making Of" in Croatia. It’s worth stopping to read the anecdotes about the local extras. Thousands of Dalmatians were hired to be slaves, soldiers, and townspeople. For the people of Split, GoT isn't just a show they watched; it’s a period of time when their city was transformed into a global stage. The museum honors that local connection, which gives it a bit more soul than your average souvenir shop.
Practical Information for the Modern Traveler
The museum is open year-round, but hours fluctuate. In the winter, Split can get surprisingly quiet (and windy—the Bura wind is no joke). During the off-season, you might have the whole place to yourself.
- Location: Bosanska 9, 21000, Split.
- Time needed: 45 to 90 minutes.
- Price: Around €15-€20 (Check current rates as they fluctuate with the season).
- Accessibility: Because it’s in an old building in the heart of a Roman palace, the floors can be uneven. Keep that in mind if you have mobility issues.
Final Verdict on the Split Experience
If you're a casual viewer who can't remember the difference between a Stark and a Karstark, you might find it "just okay." But if you’ve spent nights arguing about the Prince That Was Promised or if you have a Targaryen sigil on your keychain, this is a mandatory stop. It’s a temple to the production value of one of the greatest cinematic achievements in television history.
It’s moody. It’s tactile. It’s a bit weird. And it’s exactly what a tribute to Westeros should be.
How to maximize your "Thrones" day in Split
After you finish at the Game of Thrones Museum Split, don’t just go get a gelato and call it a day.
Walk five minutes to the Diocletian's Palace Cellars. This is where the dragons were kept. You can pay a small fee to enter the excavated parts. Standing in the exact spot where Tyrion stood when he unshackled Viserion and Rhaegal is a core memory for any fan.
Then, if you have a car or a bus pass, head 20 minutes north to Klis Fortress. This was the filming location for Meereen. It sits on a mountain overlooking Split and the Adriatic. Walking those ramparts, you can literally see the path the Unsullied took. It’s one of the most breathtaking views in all of Croatia, and it completes the journey you started in the museum.
Next Steps for Your Trip:
- Book your tickets online in advance during the peak months of June, July, and August to skip the queue.
- Check the weather; if it’s a rainy day, the museum is the perfect "indoor" activity while the slippery marble streets of the palace dry off.
- Download a map of the "Split Filming Locations" before you go so you can do a self-guided tour immediately after exiting the museum.
- Check out the "Game of Thrones Fan Shop" nearby for high-quality merchandise that isn't just cheap t-shirts—they have some genuine collectibles.