Klis Fortress – Visit the Meereen Game of Thrones Filming Location (2026)!

Game of Thrones fans, did you know that you can visit Meereen in Croatia?

Klis Fortress has historically been the Key to Dalmatia with a turbulent history of battles and conquest.

Nowadays, it’s famous for being a Game of Thrones filming location!

It makes a great day trip from Split, where you can feel like you’ve travelled across the sea to Slaver’s Bay in Essos.

So, if you want to follow in the footsteps of Daenerys and her dragons, here is how to visit the Klis Fortress Game of Thrones filming location.

The history of Klis Fortress

Klis Fortress has evidence of settlers as far back as 6000 BC. 

But the first major fortification was founded by Illyrian tribes in the 2nd to 3rd century BC.

It is often nicknamed the Key to Dalmatia due to its strategic position between the mountain pass and the coast. 

When the Romans ruled ancient Salona, soldiers were stationed here to defend Diocletian’s Palace, the wider city and beyond.

During the Ottoman era, this was a royal castle with a mosque, and it was the seat of many Croatian kings. 

In the medieval era, this place was occupied by Uskoks who carried out guerrilla warfare against the Ottomans. 

The Venetians took the fortress in the 17th century and fought with the Austrian Habsburgs for control. 

It continued on and off as a military base from the Napoleonic era until World War II.

Today, it’s a protected site and tourist attraction in Croatia. It’s also popular with Game of Thrones fans as it was a Meereen filming location!

Klis Fortress in Game of Thrones 

The main reason why I wanted to visit Klis Fortress was that this was Meereen in Game of Thrones.

If you cast your mind back to the fourth season, we see Daenerys conquer Meereen with her Unsullied. 

She takes the Great Pyramid by inciting a slave revolt. She then liberates the people from their Masters, gaining the nickname “Breaker of Chains”. 

Many of these major Meereen scenes were filmed at Klis Fortress!

If you’re a Game of Thrones fan visiting Split, you have to plan an adventure here.

How to visit Klis Fortress from Split

Klis Fortress is only 15 kilometres away from Split, or a 20-minute drive, so it makes a wonderful day trip.

There is a small car park at the entrance, which is free of charge. Just note that this only has space for around 20 cars.

If you’re not driving, you can take the bus from Split. Service numbers 22 and 35 both stop here from Sukoišan bus terminal.

I actually decided to take an Uber, which was far more convenient from my accommodation.

It was very affordable and ended up being a lifesaver as it was such a bitterly cold and windy day. 

Why not book a guided tour? 

If you would rather, why not book a guided tour from Split? 

There are many Klis Fortress tours on offer, including a Game of Thrones Tour.

The walk up to Meereen

When you get to Klis Fortress, you will most likely arrive at the car park or bus stop.

It will then take you around 5-10 minutes to reach the entrance. 

The path up to the fortress is very steep with uneven cobblestones, but it’s worth the effort.

The fortress was built as a defence in Dalmatia, and its purpose was to keep outsiders away. So, the climb is not designed to be easy.

Luckily, once you arrive, conquering this castle is not as dangerous for newcomers these days. 

You can pay for your ticket at the first entrance and explore freely once inside.

Things to do in Klis Fortress

Klis Fortress is a fortification built with three major defence layers or barriers. These are Lower Town, Middle Town and Upper Town.

It’s worth following the route on the map you’ll receive with your ticket, so you don’t miss anything. 

The route has numbers and a description for each point of interest. But you don’t have to follow any particular path if you’d rather. 

Just by being here, you will recognise many Meereen Game of Thrones filming locations.

Here are all the things to do in Klis Fortress.

1. Explore the gates and towers

The fortress has always been designed to stop a breach. So, as you explore the area, you’ll encounter many gates and towers.

The higher you go, towards the Prince’s House in Upper Town, the steps get steeper, the gates get smaller, and the walls get thicker.

At every defence shield, there are numerous challenges to overcome should you wish to take it.

The result is a labyrinth of towers, defence walls, magazines, infantry quarters, barbicans and artillery barracks.

Navigating this place would have been a nightmare for opponent armies in the past, but this maze is a delight to explore as a tourist today.

2. Stairs to Meereen 

The Third Entrance Gate or ‘Treći Ulaz’ is where you’ll really start to feel like you’re in Meereen.

After the Siege of Meereen, Daenerys liberates the people with the Unsullied.

She also sends a message to all slave masters by crucifying many of them.

We then see her walking up these stairs with Tyrian Lannister and Jorah Mormont to give an inspiring speech to her new subjects.

They have a camera set up at this Game of Thrones filming location for you to take a selfie and send it to your phone.

3. Admire spectacular views

Beyond climbing up the many gates and towers, the panoramic views are one of the best reasons to visit Klis Fortress.

Some of the best vistas can be found from Bembo Bastion and the Oprah Tower.

From here, you can see for miles over the Dalmatian Coast. Look out for Split, Hvar Island, the Dinaric Alps, Greben hill and the Adriatic Sea. 

4. Armoury Museum 

Just before you arrive at the Upper Town, you can enter a small armoury museum. 

This describes some of the major battles at the fortress and has lots of armour and weapons on display.

I found this room fascinating, especially some of the Ottoman swords.

But it was also horrifying to think of the number of people who were victims of these deadly weapons. 

It’s a humble reminder that this incredible attraction has witnessed centuries of violence and horror.

5. Game of Thrones exhibition

As you’re walking around the artillery area, you’ll come across a room hidden away that is a Game of Thrones exhibition. 

If you go inside, you’ll see a small photo gallery of scenes from the show as well as house banners and statues of dragons. 

All the photos have chains on them, and it brings you right back to when Daenerys freed the slaves.

It’s only a small space, but it does have some behind-the-scenes information and a map of Game of Thrones filming locations in Croatia. 

6. Archaeology and Art Gallery

In the Upper Town, you can enter the Governor’s Apartment or the Prince’s House.

This is home to a modern art gallery, a conference space and some toilets should you need them.

My favourite rooms were the archaeological displays with discoveries from the numerous excavations of the site.

People have settled here since 6000 BC, and so Klis Fortress has been home to many civilisations. 

You can browse Illyrian, Roman, Turk, Venetian, Austrian and Croatian treasures.

7. Game of Thrones photo opportunity 

Something I loved doing at Klis Fortress was the Game of Thrones photo booth.

You need to connect to their WiFi, and it will create a frame where you can get a photo with Daenerys’ dragon Drogon. 

It’s completely free to use, and the photo will be sent to your email when you sign up.

As a huge Game of Thrones fan, I thought it was such a great way to remember my visit. 

I love dragons. Now if only I could get my High Valyrian right… “Dracarys”.

8. Church of St Vitus

At the very top of Upper Town, you will find the historic Church of St Vitus.

It was originally built as a mosque after the conquest of Klis in 1537.

But once the Venetians took over, it was rebuilt and consecrated as a Catholic temple in 1648.

It’s a domed building and rather plain inside, save for some pews and a portrait of St Mary with Jesus.

But it was very peaceful and felt nice to take a moment to reflect in this holy place.

There is a Latin inscription from 1743 that reads “What piety builds, piety preserves”.

Is Klis Fortress worth visiting? 

Yes, if you’re a Game of Thrones fan, Klis Fortress is well worth visiting.

It felt surreal to visit Meereen and walk in the footsteps of the Khaleesi Daenerys Targaryen. 

Even if you’re not a fan, Klis has an incredible history in Dalmatia, and this impressive ruin will take you back in time. 

There’s plenty to do, and the views are out of this world. Don’t miss this fascinating place if you’re in Split. 

Opening times & ticket prices

Klis Fortress is open every day from 8.30 am – 8 pm in summer and 9 am – 5 pm in winter, so there’s plenty of time to visit from Split.

Ticket prices are €12 for an adult and €4 for a child. Your ticket includes;

1. Madjan Square Interpretation Centre
2. Klis Fortress
3. Etno Agro Park (Stella Croatia)
4. Olive Museum 

How long do you need at Klis Fortress? 

I would spend around 1-2 hours at Klis Fortress, it’s a huge fortification with lots to see and do during a visit.

You will also need to plan the time it takes to walk up there, follow the visitor route and head back down. 

Two hours would be the ideal amount of time to see everything without rushing. 

When is the best time to visit?

I would recommend visiting as early as you can in the morning. This allows you to 1. beat the crowds and 2. beat the heat.

I visited at opening time on a chilly and windy day in October and had the place to myself for over an hour.

But, in summer, this place can be packed. It’s also exposed to the elements with little shade, like Meereen.

My top tips

• Wear sensible shoes as there are steep stairs and cobblestones. 

• Bring some water with you, especially on a hot day. There are no cafés at the fortress, but there is a supermarket and café near the car park.

• On that note, remember to bring a hat and sun cream. This place is completely exposed to the elements. 

• Visit early for a more peaceful experience. In the shoulder season, I had this place to myself!

More Game of Thrones in Split

After you visit Klis Fortress, you can explore more of Split, which was Meereen City in Game of Thrones. 

You can visit Diocletian’s Palace, which was the Meereen dungeons where Daenerys kept her dragons. 

Most of the locations are small streets and alleyways in the Old Town where her Unsullied fight the Sons of the Harpy.

There are also other attractions like the Split Game of Thrones Museum and a chance to sit on the Iron Throne in the gift shop. 

The real Game of Thrones hub in Croatia is Dubrovnik. Here, you can explore many filming locations from King’s Landing.

You can visit the Red Keep, Qarth, Littlefinger’s Brothel, The House of the Undying, Blackwater Bay and even follow Cersei’s Walk of Shame.

Read more of my Croatia guides

Rastoke Waterfalls – visit a secret fairytale village

Jesuit Stairs – Visit Cersei’s Walk of Shame

How to Visit Trsteno Arboretum – Red Keep Gardens from Game of Thrones

Save this Klis Fortress Game of Thrones location for later