Game of Thrones may have put Split-Dalmatia County on the global film map, but it’s far from the only production to fall for the region. Over the past decade, Hollywood studios, streaming giants and international brands have all brought their cameras to central Dalmatia – turning its palaces, islands and old towns into locations for fantasy epics, musical blockbusters and hit comedies. Here are some of the most notable films and series shot in Dalmatia.
Game of Thrones: The County as Meereen
The most famous of them all, HBO’s Game of Thrones, used central Dalmatia to build the slaver city of Meereen. The underground cellars of Diocletian’s Palace in Split became Daenerys’s throne room and the dungeon where she chained her dragons, while the medieval Klis Fortress just inland served as Meereen’s exterior walls. The village of Žrnovnica and the UNESCO-listed old town of Trogir also feature, giving fans one of the highest concentrations of filming sites anywhere in the series – all within a short drive of Split.
Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again: Vis Plays Greece
In 2017, the island of Vis transformed into the fictional Greek island of Kalokairi for the musical sequel Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again. Meryl Streep, Cher, Lily James and a star-studded cast danced through the fishing town of Komiža, past its Franciscan monastery and old harbour, with the world-famous Stiniva cove appearing on screen. The production showcased Vis’s untouched Mediterranean character to a global audience – and turned the island into a pilgrimage site for fans ever since.
Hollywood in Split: Comedies and Thrillers
Split itself has proven remarkably versatile, often standing in for other places entirely. In the Netflix comedy Ibiza, the city was transformed into the party capital of the Mediterranean, its waterfront and nightlife doubling for the Spanish island. More recently, Split provided the backdrop for the Netflix thriller The Weekend Away, with its old town and coastline framing a story of mystery and suspense that reached viewers around the world.
Beyond Film: Reality TV and Global Brands
The region’s appeal extends well beyond scripted productions. The hugely popular American reality series 90 Day Fiancé: Before the 90 Days spent weeks filming across Split, Omiš and Klis, reaching an audience of tens of millions per episode. International brands have followed suit: American aircraft manufacturer Cirrus chose Bol on the island of Brač – over a dozen rival European destinations – as the backdrop for a major marketing campaign, drawn by the same light and scenery that attracts filmmakers.
One Region, Endless Backdrops
What unites these productions is range. Within a single county, a fantasy epic found its ancient city, a musical found its Greek island, a comedy found its party town and a global brand found its perfect coastline. As more productions discover central Dalmatia, that list keeps growing – and the region’s next star turn may be just one script away.
Planning a film, series or commercial? The Split-Dalmatia Film Commission can help you find the locations that made these productions unforgettable. Get in touch.