Lokrum Island, located just a 15-minute boat ride from Dubrovnik, is most famous for being a primary filming location for the HBO series Game of Thrones. Specifically, the island’s lush botanical gardens and the Former Benedictine Monastery served as the stand-in for the wealthy city of Qarth in the "Jade Sea," featured prominently in Season 2. Daenerys Targaryen is filmed here attending a garden party hosted by Xaro Xhoan Daxos. In 2026, the island continues to host a dedicated Game of Thrones Visitor Center inside the monastery, which features a replica of the Iron Throne that visitors can sit on for free. Beyond television, the island’s unique "Dead Sea" (a salt lake) and its peacocks—introduced by Archduke Maximilian Ferdinand—have made it a backdrop for various European cinema projects and travel documentaries. The island is a protected nature reserve, so while filming is common, strict regulations ensure that the 2026 environment remains pristine.