From the icy landscapes of Iceland to the sun-drenched palaces of Spain, Game of Thrones filming locations spanned continents, showcasing the incredible diversity of our planet. Get ready to journey from Northern Ireland’s haunting forests to Croatia’s medieval walled cities, and even step into the exotic lands of Morocco. This guide will take you on a visual tour of the most breath-taking filming spots, allowing you to relive the show’s most iconic moments.
Northern Ireland
The heart of Westeros production, Northern Ireland hosted many iconic locations:
1. Castle Ward (Winterfell): The ancestral Stark home saw plenty of action in early seasons
Step into the world of the Starks at Castle Ward, a sprawling 18th-century estate that brought their ancestral home of Winterfell to life. Explore the farmyard where young Bran practiced archery, picture the lavish feasts in the Great Hall, and wander through the whispering woods where the Stark children found their direwolf pups. This place will immerse you in the noble, flawed spirit of House Stark.
2. The Dark Hedges (The Kingsroad): This atmospheric avenue of beech trees was a key travel route
This atmospheric tunnel of intertwining beech trees isn’t just a picturesque lane in Northern Ireland. For fans of Game of Thrones, it’s a portal to Westeros itself. Known as The Dark Hedges, these gnarled giants form a natural canopy overhead, creating a hauntingly beautiful passage. This wasn’t just any random path on screen – The Dark Hedges became the iconic Kingsroad, the grand thoroughfare connecting the kingdoms of Westeros.
Imagine strolling beneath the branches, the sunlight dappling the forest floor, and feeling a sense of anticipation build as you picture Arya Stark, disguised as a boy, making her daring escape from King’s Landing. Perhaps you’ll even hear the faint echoes of the great armies of the realm thundering down this very road, their banners held high as they march towards war. The Dark Hedges isn’t just a place; it’s an experience that allows you to step into the world of Game of Thrones and live your own Westerosi adventure.
3. Tollymore Forest Park: Scenes in the Haunted Forest and wildling camps were filmed here
Immerse yourself in the wild beauty of Tollymore Forest Park, where scenes beyond the Wall were filmed. Hike through the ancient woodlands, cross rushing rivers, and feel the chill that seeps from the screen as you visualize where Jon Snow first encountered the White Walkers. Tollymore embodies the danger and stark beauty of the true North.
4. Ballintoy Harbour (Lordsport, Iron Islands): Theon Greyjoy returns home in this scenic port
Embrace the stark charm of the Iron Islands at picturesque Ballintoy Harbour. This fishing village is where Theon Greyjoy made his ill-fated return to his unforgiving homeland, and where Euron Greyjoy was crowned king amidst a raging storm. Feel the salt spray on your face as you stand where a ruthless seafaring culture clashed with the power struggles of Westeros.
5. Downhill Strand (Dragonstone): Where Melisandre burns the idols of the Seven
Feel the power of Dragonstone beneath your feet on the sweeping sands of Downhill Strand. This 7-mile stretch of pristine beach, overlooked by the clifftop Mussenden Temple, became the ancestral seat of House Targaryen. It was here that Stannis Baratheon rejected the Seven Gods of Westeros and embraced Melisandre’s fiery Lord of Light. Picture the burning of the idols, hear the Red Priestess’s chants, and imagine Daenerys Targaryen strategising her conquest of Westeros.
6. Inch Abbey (Riverrun): The site of Robb Stark’s coronation as King in the North
Explore the evocative ruins of Inch Abbey, a Cistercian monastery that embodied the Tully stronghold of Riverrun. Picture Robb Stark being crowned King in the North, amidst the cheers of his bannermen. See the spot where Catelyn Stark witnessed her father’s funeral upon the river. Feel the weight of history and the echoes of battles fought and lost as you wander through this atmospheric location. Inch Abbey is a poignant reminder of the ever-shifting alliances and the price of war in Westeros.
7. Titanic Studios, Belfast: Home to interior sets like the Red Keep’s Throne Room and many other castle interiors
Step behind the scenes of Game of Thrones at the legendary Titanic Studios in Belfast. This sprawling complex is where the magic truly happened. Walk the corridors where the actors prepared, and see where some of the most iconic interior sets were built. Imagine the Red Keep’s Throne Room, with its towering Iron Throne, or the intricate chambers of Winterfell. Titanic Studios is a testament to the incredible artistry and craftsmanship that breathed life into the world of Game of Thrones.
Iceland
Iceland’s otherworldly landscapes were perfect for scenes North of the Wall:
8. Thingvellir National Park: Wildling camps and the path to the Eyrie
Immerse yourself in the rugged landscapes of Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that played a pivotal role in Game of Thrones. This dramatic rift valley, nestled between tectonic plates, served as the wildling camps north of the Wall and the treacherous path to the Eyrie. Imagine Ygritte leading Jon Snow through the untamed wilderness or envision the tense negotiations between Brienne of Tarth and the Hound over the fate of Arya Stark. Thingvellir’s geological wonders embody the untamed frontier beyond the civilized realms of Westeros.
9. Grjótagjá Cave: Where Jon Snow and Ygritte have their romantic tryst
Descend into the hidden depths of Grjótagjá Cave, a geothermal hot spring where Jon Snow and Ygritte consummated their forbidden love. Feel the warmth of the water and picture the flickering firelight illuminating this intimate moment amidst the harsh Icelandic landscape. Grjótagjá is a testament to the show’s ability to find pockets of beauty and tenderness even in the most unforgiving environments.
10. Vatnajökull Glacier: The vast expanse where much of the action beyond the Wall took place
Prepare for the endless expanse and chilling beauty of Vatnajökull Glacier, Europe’s largest ice cap. This frozen kingdom was the primary filming location for the vast territory beyond the Wall. Picture Jon Snow venturing into the unknown, the Night’s Watch facing off against the army of the dead, and the desperate flight from the Night King’s icy grasp. Vatnajökull captures the vastness and perilous nature of the true North.
11. Höfðabrekkuheiði, Vik: The Frostfang Mountains where the Night’s Watch face off against White Walkers
Experience the stark desolation of Höfðabrekkuheiði, near Vik, which transformed into the forbidding Frostfang Mountains. It was here that the Night’s Watch had their first horrifying encounter with a White Walker and where a desperate battle for survival ensued. Feel the icy wind and imagine the otherworldly, relentless march of the undead through this remote, wind-whipped landscape.
Croatia
Croatia, especially the historic city of Dubrovnik, became the visual representation of King’s Landing:
12. Dubrovnik (King’s Landing): The city walls and historic streets embodied the capital of the Seven Kingdoms
Immerse yourself in the grandeur of Dubrovnik, the walled city that became the embodiment of King’s Landing, capital of the Seven Kingdoms. Walk the ancient city walls, gazing out at the Adriatic Sea just as Cersei Lannister surveyed her domain. Explore the narrow streets where political intrigue played out, and descend the Jesuit Stairs where Cersei began her infamous walk of atonement. Dubrovnik is a place where the history and drama of Game of Thrones blend seamlessly with the city’s real-world charm.
13. Lovrijenac Fort (The Red Keep): Overlooking the sea, this fort was the seat of Lannister power
Ascend to the heights of Lovrijenac Fort, the imposing sentinel that served as the Red Keep, the seat of Lannister power. Explore the courtyards where Joffrey tormented Sansa, the battlements where Tyrion defended the city from Stannis Baratheon’s fleet, and the terraces overlooking Blackwater Bay. This mighty fort will make you feel the weight of history and the ruthless ambition that defined so many of those who ruled from the Iron Throne.
14. Klis Fortress (City of Meereen): Daenerys liberates the slaves here in a pivotal moment
Climb to the ancient Klis Fortress, a stronghold perched atop a dramatic cliff, which became the iconic city of Meereen. It was here that Daenerys Targaryen liberated the Unsullied and addressed the freed slaves of Meereen, marking a turning point in her rise to power. Imagine the Breaker of Chains standing triumphant, her dragons soaring overhead, as she challenged the old order and forged her path toward Westeros.
15. St. Dominic Monastery, Trogir (City of Qarth): Where Daenerys encounters the Spice King
Wander through the serene cloisters of St. Dominic Monastery in the coastal town of Trogir, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that transformed into the mysterious city of Qarth. Recall Daenerys’s desperate pleas to the Spice King and her encounters with the enigmatic warlocks of Qarth. This tranquil monastery provides a fascinating contrast to the scheming and opulence portrayed on screen.
Spain
Spain’s varied landscapes hosted both Dorne and the Dothraki Sea
16. The Alcázar of Seville (The Water Gardens of Dorne): Home of House Martell, full of lush gardens and Moorish architecture
Lose yourself in the beauty of the Alcázar of Seville, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that transformed into the Water Gardens of Dorne. Explore the palace’s intricate courtyards, adorned with vibrant tiles and delicate arches, and relax in the shade of lush gardens filled with fragrant orange trees. Picture Prince Doran Martell plotting his revenge, the Sand Snakes honing their deadly skills, and the ill-fated romance between Ellaria Sand and Oberyn Martell. The Alcázar embodies the elegance and hidden passions of House Martell.
17. Roman Bridge of Córdoba (The Long Bridge of Volantis): A key landmark in the largest of the Free Cities
Stroll along the ancient stones of Córdoba’s Roman Bridge, a magnificent structure spanning the Guadalquivir River, which found its place on screen as the Long Bridge of Volantis. Imagine the bustling markets, exotic ships, and throngs of merchants from every corner of Essos that filled this key landmark of the largest Free City. The bridge evokes a sense of trade, travel, and the sprawling, diverse world beyond Westeros.
18. Bardenas Reales Natural Park (Dothraki Sea): A semi-desert with a unique landscape, perfect for the Dothraki hordes
Trek through the semi-desert landscapes of Bardenas Reales Natural Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, and feel the raw power of the Dothraki Sea. The park’s unique rock formations, ravines, and stark beauty provided the perfect backdrop for the boundless territory ruled by the Dothraki khalasars. Picture Daenerys’s first tentative steps into Dothraki culture, and visualize the vast hordes of mounted warriors riding across the seemingly endless plains.
19. Osuna Bullring (The Great Fighting Pit of Meereen): Where Daenerys narrowly escapes assassination on dragonback
Enter the historic Osuna Bullring, an arena steeped in history, where the Great Fighting Pits of Meereen were brought to life. Imagine the roar of the crowd, the clash of weapons, and the desperate flight of Daenerys as Drogon descended into the arena in a blaze of fire. This bullring embodies the spectacle, brutality, and unexpected turns of fate that defined Daenerys’s journey in Essos.
Other Locations
20. Morocco (Essos, Pentos): Particularly the fortified city of Aït Benhaddou
Journey to the breath-taking landscapes of Morocco, where the ancient walled city of Aït Benhaddou became a key location for scenes in Essos. This UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its traditional mudbrick buildings and maze-like streets, doubled as the cities of Yunkai and Pentos. Imagine Daenerys Targaryen bargaining with the slave masters of Yunkai or walking the streets of Pentos with her loyal advisor, Ser Jorah Mormont. Aït Benhaddou transports you to a land of ancient traditions, harsh climates, and a clash of cultures.
21. Malta (King’s Landing in Season 1): Locations like Fort Manoel and Mdina Gate were used before production shifted to Croatia
Step back in time to Malta, where the island’s historic fortifications and medieval townscapes served as the backdrop for King’s Landing in Season 1 of Game of Thrones. Explore Fort Manoel, an impressive 18th-century fort with sweeping views of the harbour. Picture the Starks arriving in King’s Landing for the first time or see the Mdina Gate, where Ned Stark confronted Cersei Lannister about her children’s true parentage. Malta offers a glimpse into the earlier vision of Westeros’ capital before the production moved to Croatia.
22. Scotland, Where Winterfell Began: (Doune Castle, Winterfell in the pilot): Used only for the pilot episode
Travel to the heart of Scotland and discover Doune Castle, a 14th-century stronghold that briefly served as Winterfell in the pilot episode of Game of Thrones. Imagine the courtyard where King Robert Baratheon and his retinue arrived, or picture the feast held in their honour. While the production ultimately moved to Northern Ireland, Doune Castle holds a special place in the show’s history as the first visual representation of the Stark’s ancestral home.
This concludes our tour of some of the most iconic Game of Thrones filming locations around the world. Remember, this is just the tip of the iceberg! There are many more incredible places to discover, both on screen and in the real world, where the epic saga was brought to life.
Image Credits: some photos sourced from Unsplash
