Trsteno Arboretum – Visit the Red Keep Gardens in Dubrovnik!

If you’re visiting Dubrovnik, you can’t miss Trsteno Arboretum on the Adriatic Coast. 

As a huge fan of Game of Thrones, I wanted to visit as the grounds were used as a filming location for the Red Keep Gardens. 

But what I found was a heavenly paradise for the senses! It’s truly a hidden gem in Dubrovnik and a perfect oasis for avoiding the crowds.

I think I was the only person here during my visit, and it was an unexpected highlight of my travels in Croatia.  

Here is how to visit Trsteno Arboretum or the Red Keep Gardens from Game of Thrones. 

An introduction to Trsteno Arboretum

The villa on this estate was founded in 1492 and was owned by the noble Ivan Gučetić-Gozze.

The family constructed a large aqueduct on their property, a sophisticated irrigation system that amazingly still works today. 

This water source and the exotic seeds they acquired from sailors allowed them to build a tropical paradise around their coastal villa. 

They cultivated Mediterranean plants as well as foreign species such as Asian plane trees that still thrive in this special micro-climate.

It was declared a rarity in 1948 and donated to the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts. 

Unfortunately, it was damaged during the Croatian War of Independence and suffered a fire. But it has since been restored to its former glory. 

Today, it’s a wonderful arboretum that you can visit near Dubrovnik and a paradise to escape the crowds. 

Game of Thrones fans will recognise this place as the Red Keep Gardens of King’s Landing in Westeros!

Trsteno Arboretum in Game of Thrones 

If you’re a Game of Thrones fan, you will be delighted to know that Trsteno Arboretum was a filming location.

This stunning garden on the Adriatic Coast featured as the Red Keep Gardens in King’s Landing. 

Indeed, we see Sansa and Lord Varys walking through these gardens and many scenes featuring Margaery, Tyrion and the Tyrells. 

If you’re a fan of the show, you must visit. They didn’t change much for filming, so it feels like you’re strolling through a film set from the show.

How to visit Trsteno Arboretum

This oasis is approximately 20 kilometres from Dubrovnik Old Town and will take around 25 minutes to drive there. 

There’s plenty of parking available on-site if you have a rental car or your own means of transport. 

If you’re visiting without a car, you can easily take a bus or taxi to Trsteno.

There are buses from Dubrovnik Central Bus Station that make a stop at Trsteno, and even the FlixBus heading to Split.

I took one of the local buses here (12, 15, 35). It took 45 minutes one way and cost €3 for my trip in cash.

There is a bus stop on the main road of the village. It’s then just a few minutes’ walk down the hill to the arboretum. 

Just make sure to check bus times before you leave so you’re not stranded as services stop early in the evening. 

Opening times and entry fees

The opening hours for Trsteno Arboretum are 7 am to 7 pm from Monday to Friday. 

Saying that, I arrived around 7.30 am and found no one at the gate to pay.

There was a sign on the ticket booth with a map and directions to walk down to the cottage and buy a ticket. 

The gate was open, so I headed inside to do just that. But, on my way, the owner followed me on a motorbike, thinking I was breaking in.

As soon as he saw the cash in my hand, ready to pay, he was fine. But I felt so bad! Fair warning if you’re an early bird. 

The price to enter is €10 in cash only. So, have some notes prepared. 

Things to do in Trsteno Arboretum

I’ve had Trsteno on my bucket list for some time as a Game of Thrones fan, as I knew I wanted to visit where they filmed the Red Keep Gardens.

But, I had no idea what an oasis I would find just a few miles from Dubrovnik.

The Old Town is notoriously crowded, and every attraction is packed. But at Trsteno, I was the only person there.

I think I met two other people as I was leaving a couple of hours later. It’s honestly a lush paradise with so much to admire during a visit. 

Here are all the highlights of Trsteno Arboretum.

1. Summer Villa & Bougainvillea Trellis

As soon as you enter the arboretum, you’ll find th picturesque summer villa in the middle of the main garden.

This scene looked like a postcard, especially with the trellis filled with vibrant bougainvillea and fuchsia. 

You can also find cacti, rosemary and a variety of other potted plants all around the building. 

So, it’s worth walking around to see what you can find. You can also see an olive press, bread oven and shed for storage. 

2. Trsteno Pavilion

The most famous part of Trsteno Arboretum is the pavilion that overlooks the Adriatic. 

You can get some wonderful views from here, and it makes the perfect photo opportunity.

I spent a long time relaxing inside this pavilion as the views of the harbour and smaller islands were just too beautiful. 

This is also the most recognisable Game of Thrones filming location where Lord Varys and Margaret talk, and Sansa meets the Tyrells. 

3. Find Game of Thrones filming locations 

As you wander around the arboretum, you’ll recognise plenty of Game of Thrones filming locations on your visit. 

Sansa strolls through here with Loras Tyrell to meet Margaery and Lady Glenna Tyrell. She then confesses to them that Joffrey is a monster. 

Also, Lord Varys meets with Lady Glenna, warning her about Littlefinger.

Sansa and Margaery discuss Sansa’s engagement to Tyrion, and the unhappy couple take a stroll through the gardens in series 3. 

This is also the location where Lord Varys tries to convince Shae to leave King’s Landing for her safety.

As a huge fan of the show, I felt surreal to see these locations in real life. It felt like I was wandering around the Red Keep!

4. Chapel of St. Jerome

Near the villa, you can find a small chapel that was built by the Gučetić-Gozze family in 1546.

It’s dedicated to St Jerome and is no longer used for worship but for occasional sacral purposes.

It’s also a wedding venue, which I thought was so romantic. Imagine having your ceremony here?

The inside was closed to visitors on my trip, but it may be open on yours.  

5. Neptune Fountain

Beyond the pavilion, one of my favourite parts of Trsteno Arboretum was the wonderful Neptune Fountain. 

This was a Baroque addition added in the 18th century and features a large central statue of the Roman Sea God with his triton.

It was built to resemble an ancient nymphaeum, a reservoir shrine dedicated to water nymphs. In my white dress, I certainly felt the part. 

It was so cool and refreshing here; I could have lounged here in the shade all day. You could spot lily pads, flowers, insects, fish and even terrapins. 

This is also a Game of Thrones location where Sansa and Lord Tyrell have a heart-to-heart after their announced engagement. 

6. Trsteno Aqueduct 

The large aqueduct on the estate is one of the oldest structures here and predates the gardens. 

I think it’s worth taking a look as, without it, this arboretum would never have come to be! 

This irrigation system was quite sophisticated for its time and is 70 metres long, with 14 arches.  

I loved that the area surrounding the aqueduct seemed to be more wild than manicured. 

You could find smaller statues and amphora within the overgrown bushes and grass. It felt like going back in time. 

7. Sip a coffee over the Adriatic Coast

Although there isn’t a ‘proper’ café at Trsteno, they do have a picnic area with tables.

Inside the visitor information centre, there’s a vending machine serving coffees and light snacks. It’s coins only, so have some spare.

The views over the Adriatic were wonderful, and you could watch boats passing by as you sipped your coffee.

There were no other visitors during my visit, so I had the place to myself, and it was so peaceful. 

They also have a short documentary you can watch about the gardens inside, and a (very modern and clean) bathroom too.

8. Walk to Trsteno Harbour

After you visit Trsteno Arboretum, you must walk down to Trsteno Harbour.

It’s a scenic place where boats bob in the bay, and fishermen prepare their nets and catches.

There’s even a small beach where you can relax and while away the day. The views of the ocean from here are spectacular. 

Is Trsteno Arboretum worth visiting? 

Yes, definitely. Trsteno Arboretum was one of the highlights of my trip to Croatia, mainly as it was under the radar for most other tourists. 

It is a little further out than the main attractions, but I thought the journey to get here was well worth the effort. 

After a few days of battling crowds in the Old Town, these peaceful gardens were a paradise, and I relished the quiet. 

It was a lush oasis that felt like you’d stepped back in time or had been teleported to another universe entirely. Say, Westeros? 

As a Game of Thrones fan, I was in my element visiting the Red Keep Gardens. 

Hardly anything was changed for filming. So, it felt like I had stepped into an episode from the show.

Don’t skip Trsteno Arboretum on your visit to Dubrovnik; it’s literally heaven on earth. 

Are you looking for more Game of Thrones in Dubrovnik?

Dubrovnik played King’s Landing in Game of Thrones, and so there are plenty of filming locations to find around the Old Town.

As soon as you enter through Pile Gate, you’ll see where the King’s Landing Riots took place.

You can also visit the Jesuit Stairs to see where Cersei had her walk of shame. 

Pile Harbour is where Myrcella leaves for Dorne, and Lovrijenac Fort stood in for the Red Keep. 

Minčeta Tower featured as the House of the Undying in Dubrovnik City Walls, and the Ethnographic Museum was Littlefinger’s Brothel. 

Visit Bokar Fortress to visit Blackwater Bay, or step inside The Rector’s Palace to experience Qarth. 

Better yet, why not sail to Lokrum Island? This also played Qarth in the series, and you can even sit on the Iron Throne!

Why not book a Game of Thrones tour?

The best way to experience Dubrovnik’s Game of Thrones filming locations is by taking a guided tour.

You’ll be shown around the city by a local guide who will show you the best locations and also let you in on some behind-the-scenes secrets!

I booked a tour that included a Karaka cruise, a historic ship that was used as Daenerys Targaryen’s ship in the show. 

We sailed into King’s Landing, did a Game of Thrones walking tour and even got to take a photo on the Iron Throne.

They also have a complete Game of Thrones tour that includes Trsteno Arboretum.

Read more of my Croatia guides

Jesuit Stairs – Visit Cersei’s Walk of Shame

10+ Split Game of Thrones Locations to visit 

Klis Fortess – Visit Meereen from Game of Thrones

How to visit Rastoke in Croatia – Fairytale Waterfall Village

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