Klis Fortress – Game of Thrones location near Split

Game of Thrones has captured the hearts and imaginations of millions of fans around the world with its epic storyline and breathtaking locations. Croatia, with its stunning landscapes and rich history, has been a popular filming location for the series, providing the backdrop for many of the show’s most memorable scenes.

One of those locations is the Klis Fortress, standing just outside of Split, perched atop a cliff near a village with the same name. The Fortress of Klis is known to many as Meereen, a city seized by Daenerys Targaryen in the fourth season of Game of Thrones. This dramatic fortress forms a key plot in the series, and one of the most famous Game of Thrones scenes, where Daenerys punishes the rules of Meereen by nailing them to crosses for all the slaves to see. 

In recent years, the Fortress Klis is known to many as the town of Meeren. Many will tell you that all you need to know about Klis fortress is that it is an amazing Game of Thrones location to visit, but apart from that it also has an interesting history that is worth noting.

The roots of Klis Fortress go all the way back to the Illyrians in the 2nd century BC when the first foundations were built. For a while, in the 9th century, after the arrival of Croats and the creation of the early Croatian state, it served as a royal residence for a Croatian prince. After the Middle Ages the fortress belonged to the Mongols and Ottomans until it fell under the rule of the Venetians, who renovated it. 

The Fortress of Klis, known to locals as Klis tvrđava, is located in the small village of Klis, in the mountain pass between Mosor and Kozjak, overlooking the city of Split. At the center of this hillside village, lies the Klis Fortress, sitting atop a hill that rises 385 meters (1,263 feet) above sea level, providing a strategic vantage point over the surrounding landscape and offering an incredible bird’s eye view of the entire Split area and surrounding islands of Brač and Šolta.

It is incredibly easy to travel from Split to Klis, as the Klis Fortress lies only 15 kilometers away from the center of Split and is easily reached by car and public transportation. If you decide to come by car it is only a short 10-minute drive from the direction of Split, and worry not as the Klis fortress parking is completely free and right near the entrance to the fortress. 

If you don’t have a car at your disposal, there is also a Klis fortress bus line from Split, which runs multiple times a day. You can reach Klis fortress with local bus line 22, which leaves the Split city center and takes you straight to Klis, where you get off at the last bus stop. There’s also another bus line 34, but this one doesn’t depart too often. 

Klis fortress entrance fee is affordable as the ticket price for adults is 10 €. As for children, up to 15 years old, the Kliss fortress ticket price is only 3 €. The ticket is also valid for Ethno park Stella Croatica and the Interpretation center located at the foot of the fortress. 

Klis fortress opening hours are every day from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, but this may vary depending on the season. 

If you want a guided Klis fortress tour, there is an excellent half day Game of Thrones Tour of Split that includes a historical walking tour of Klis Fortress as well as dinner at a 600-year-old water mill for 130 €.

A visit to Klis Fortress makes for a beautiful day trip from Split, so the best place to stay is in the center of Split. We recommend Prima Life Spalato Guest House in Split, a luxury boutique hotel in Split near the beach with a city view. All of the rooms are equipped with a flat-screen TV, a coffee machine, a walk-in shower, free toiletries and WiFi. Another option is the Central Square Heritage Hotel, a lavishly decorated 4 star hotel in the very heart of Split, just steps away from the city’s most popular sights and the old town. For those who still want the luxury, but in a more subtle way, there are the Nirvana Luxury Rooms.

Whether you’re a die-hard Game of Thrones fan or simply looking to experience Croatia’s rich cultural heritage, Klis Fortress is definitely worth a visit. So pack your bags, grab your camera, and get ready to journey back in time to a world of dragons and adventure, and watch as the Klis fortress Split transforms itself into a magnificent Game of Thrones Split location.