Where was Game of Thrones Filmed?
For fans of the show Game of Thrones, the urge to see the landscapes and views depicted in the show is a fairly common one. The good news is that many of these locations exist in real life and can be visited by fans.
So, where was Game of Thrones filmed? Game of Thrones’ main filming sights are located in Ireland, Iceland, and Croatia, with several smaller locations scattered across Europe.
All of these sights are open and accessible to fans who want to plan a visit. Continue reading to find out more.
Where is GOT filmed in Iceland?For the diehard Game of Thrones fan, Iceland is home to some of the most breathtaking and memorable landscapes and scenes. Anyone visiting the country hoping to see some of the behind the scenes locations of the show will have plenty of options to pick from.
Lake Myvatn – north of The Wall
Lake Myvatn and the surrounding area were used for several scenes across a number of seasons in the show. Notably, a lava field nearby is the sight of Mance Rayder and the Free Folk’s camp when Jon Snow meets Mance for the first time. It’s also the sight of Samwell and Lord Commander Mormont’s fight with the White Walkers.
Myrdalsjokull Glacier – The Fist of the First Men
In season 2, Myrdalsjokull Glacier plays the sight of The Fist of the First Men, a defensive position used by the First Men located north of the Wall. Additionally, the Hofdabrekka hiking area near the glacier was used for landscape shots of northern Westeros.
Grjotagja Cave – Jon and Ygritte’s Cave
The most erotic cave in all of Westeros is located in Iceland and can be visited by fans of the show. Sadly, the scene was not shot in this cave, but the inspiration for the scene was born here.
Thingvellir National Park – Sword Fight between the Hound and Brienne
While this national park was used throughout season 4, fans of the show will mostly recognize it as the backdrop of the Hound and Arya’s journey to the Eeyrie, as well as the sight of the unforgettable sword fight between the Hound and Brienne of Tarth.
Hverir, Hverarond Sulphur Springs – Samwell Tarley Blizzard Scene
The opening of season 3 of Game of Thrones sees Samwell Tarley wandering through a blizzard. This blizzard is actually an optical illusion created by these Sulphur springs, as the mist exiting the springs creates a sort of blizzard effect around them.
Kirkjufell Mountain – north of the Wall
Featured prominently in season 7, Kirkjufell Mountain is the dramatic backdrop of Jon Snow and his company’s battle with the army of the dead. A popular tourist site in its own right, the mountain is a must visit for those wanting to see Game of Thrones sites in Iceland.
Dyrholaey – Eastwatch by the Sea
Dyrholaey’s dramatic cliffs was the location of Eatwatch by the Sea, the sight of the Brotherhood without Banners where Jon Snow, Jorah Mormont, and Gendry go to seek help in their mission north of the Wall.
Stakkholtsgja – Wight Ambush Scene
Stakkhltsgja is the sight of the memorable Wight ambush scene in season 7. When Jon Snow and company go north of the Wall to try and capture a Wight to convince others of the situation, they’re met with an ambush of hundreds of Wights as they try to escape.
Porufoss – Drogon Sheep Scene
Proufoss is the sight of a scene featuring Drogon making a meal of a local farmer’s sheep. The area also includes a breathtaking waterfall and is well worth the visit for both fans and nonfans alike.
Pjorsardalur Valley – Longhouse Recreation
The Pjorsardalur Valley is the home of a heritage sight that features a recreation of a Viking era longhouse and farm. The longhouse and farm are used as part of Olly’s village in season 4, for an episode that involves Ygritte, Tormund, and the Wildlings overrunning the village.
- Where is GOT filmed in Ireland and Scotland?
Some of Game of Thrones most recognizable locations were shot in Northern Ireland and Scotland, and several locations have been repurposed to accommodate tourists that want to get up close and personal to some of their favorite scenes from the show. Northern Ireland and Scotland are home to more than 10 major filming locations, including locations as central as the Iron Islands, Dragonstone, and Winterfell.
Tollymore Forest Park – the Haunted Forest
Sight of the first scene from the show, Tollymore Forest Park is where Game of Thrones filmed the Stark clan discovering their dire wolves. Located on a hill near the town of Newcastle in the County Down, the Haunted Forest is also where the White Walkers enter the realm of men. The park features a number of walking and biking paths for visitors to explore.
The Dark Hedges – the King’s Road
Even before the Game of Thrones mania, the Dark Hedges were a popular destination for their picturesque beech tree hedges that connect over the road, creating a tunnel of sorts. With Game of Thrones using this location for the King’s Road, the sight has only gained in popularity. Located in the County Antrim, the beech trees that make up the Dark Hedges were planted in the 18th century as a landscaping feature for the entrance to the Stuart family’s Georgian estate.
Portstewart Strand – Dorne
While many fans know that the bulk of the scenes set in Dorne were filmed in Spain, this is the location of Jaime and Bron’s approach to the Water Gardens disguised as Martell soldiers. In addition to vast stretches of golden beaches and grass covered dunes, Postewart Strand is a great place for wildlife watching and enjoying various water sports.
Cushendun Caves – the Stormlands
For fans of the show, coastal caves might be enough to evoke the memory of the scenes shot at this location. The caves and beach at this location in the County Antrim are where the scenes of Melisandre and Ser Davos landing and Melisandre giving birth to the shadow assassin were filmed. This location is easily accessible from the town of Cushendun.
Quoile River – Riverrun
Home of the House Tully, the River Quoile area is incredibly scenic in its own right. The river itself is also a source of one of the most fateful decisions in the entire show, as it was this river that Rob Stark and his army needed to cross, therefore forcing him to make his pact with Walder Frey. Here you can see where the Stark army was camped during the War of the 5 Armies.
Glenariff Forest Park – Runestone, Vale of Arryn
The sight of Robin Arryn’s paltry attempt at dueling against Sansa and Littlefinger, Glenarriff Forest Park offers much more than just the filming location for the show. Also known as the Queen of the Glens, Glenariff is one of 9 such glens within the 1000-hectare park.
Dunluce Castle – House Greyjoy
Similarly dramatic in real life as it is in the show, Dunluce Castle stands prominently on a cliff overlooking the Antrim Coast. The ruins of a castle originally built in the 1500s, Dunluce Castle was once the residence of Earls and, at one point, Winston Churchill.
Ballintoy Harbor – Iron Islands
Sight of the main port of the capital city of the Iron Islands, Pyke, Ballintoy Harbor is where Theon arrives to discuss an alliance between the Starks and the Greyjoys. This harbor is also the sight where Theon is baptized in front of his sister, Yara.
Magheramorne Quarry – Castle Black
Another filming sight located in the County Antrim, Magheramorne Quarry is where the location of Castle Black was filmed. While it may seem unrecognizable at first, visitors should remember that the towering ice wall that Castle Black was situated against was added through CGI.
Where is Winterfell in Game of Thrones?
Winterfell, i.e. one of the most important locations in the Game of Thrones universe, was shot at the Ward Estate in the County Down in Northern Ireland. Ward Estate is one of the few filming locations that was featured in every season of Game of Thrones, and the estate has accordingly built out a number of amenities for fans coming to visit.
For those visiting the castle and grounds, the estate offers the option to dress as characters from the show and take part in a number of show-themed activities.
Where is GOT filmed in Spain?
In addition to Northern Ireland, Spain played home to some of the more pivotal late season locations featured in the show. For those looking to visit Spain and get a glimpse of the GOT film locations there, Spain offers sights ranging from the Dothraki Sea to the unforgettable scene of Daenarys torching a stadium full of people and escaping on her dragon.
Las Bardenas Reales – the Dothraki Sea
The vast, open, semi-arrid landscapes of Bardenas Reales Natural Park in Navarra provides the images of the Dothraki horde’s homeland. Covered in grass, the plains give the impression of a sea, hence the production’s choice of this location as the Dothraki Sea. Visitors to this sight will be treated to sweeping, expansive views of broad horizons.
Peniscola – Meereen
The coastal town of Peniscola in the province of Castellon provided the backdrop for a number of scenes set in the city of Meereen, the largest of the slave trading cities in Slaver’s Bay.
Seville – Dorne Palace and Gardens
One of the most breathtaking film locations in Game of Thrones, Seville, and the Royal Alcazar were the location of House Martell’s palace in Dorne. While the location didn’t play as large a role as some other locations, the setting made for spectacular images whenever it did get screentime. Named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987, Royal Alcazar is definitely worth a visit.
Girona Cathedral – Great Sept of Baelor
While the majority of King’s Landing was shot in Dubrovnik, Croatia, Girona Cathedral played the part of the Great Sept of Baelor, the largest building in the capital and religious center of the realm.
Gaztelugatxe – Dragonstone
A location whose scenery doesn’t quite match that of the rest of the Spanish locations, Gaztelugatxe is an island in the Bay of Biscay, in the northern region of Spain. A small, sheer island, the location was used as Dragonstone, the ancestral home of the Targaryens. While there is no castle on the island in real life, visitors can visit a 10th century hermitage dedicated to John the Baptist.
Where is GOT filmed in Croatia?
Anyone who knows a little about the behind the scenes info on Game of Thrones will know that the capital of Croatia, Dubrovnik, played host to a number of scenes set in King’s Landing, including some of the most recognizable film locations. What they might not know is the Croatia as a whole played host to a number of other important locations in the show.
Klis Fortress – Overthrow of Meereen
While only the location of one scene in Season 4, it’s one of the more dramatic scenes in the entire show. Situated atop a vast mountainside overlooking a valley, the path up the fortress and the fortress itself are the locations where Daenarys overthrows the rulers of Meereen and frees the city’s slaves.
Trsteno Arboretum – King’s Landing Palace Garden
Located a bit outside the city of Dubrovnik, fans of the show will recognize these gardens as the location of many a tense political dialogue. One of the oldest arboretums in this part of Europe, visitors are treated with some of the world’s oldest species of trees.
Minceta Tower – House of the Undying
Another location with only a few scenes, the Minceta Tower left a lasting impression on the series and its fans. Located in Dubrovnik, the tower is the highest point in the city. The base of this tower is where Daenerys circles the House of the Undying in her search for her dragons.
St Dominika Street – King’s Landing Streets
Located within the old city of Dubrovnik, St Dominika Street and the surrounding neighborhood is made up of narrow, cobbled streets, making for a perfect location for the labyrinthine network of King’s Landing’s streets and neighborhoods.
Bokar Fortress – King’s Landing
A medieval fortress overlooking the water, Bokar Fortress is used in the background of Tyrion and Varys’s conversation about defeating Stannis at the battle of the Blackwater.
Lokrum Island – Qarth
This small island off the coast of Croatia played host to most scenes set in the city of Qarth. A small island, it has its own mythology in real life as an alleged refuge for a shipwrecked Richard the Lionheart on his return from the Crusades.
Where is GOT Minceta Tower?
Minceta Tower is located in the city of Dubrovnik, capital of Croatia. This location was used to film the scene of Daenerys searching for her dragons in the House of the Undying.
Where is GOT filmed in the U.S.?
Game of Thrones did not film in the United States, and was shot entirely in Europe.
Where is GOT filmed north of the wall?
The scenes taking place north of the wall were shot at various locations across Iceland. Specifically, the Myrdalsjokull glacier, the Hverfjall volcano, and the Vatnajökull glacier were all used for scenes. Additionally, Kirkjufell, a major mountain in Iceland, is used as the location for the pivotal scene where Daenerys and her dragon save Jon and his companions from the Night King.
Where is GOT filmed during Season 1?
Filming for season 1 of Game of Thrones took place almost entirely in Northern Ireland. Indoors shots took place at the Paint Hall Studios in Belfast, while several outdoor shots were located at various sites around Northern Ireland.
Game of Thrones also used Malta for scenes taking place in King’s Landing and the Free City of Pentos, to convey the difference in climate between Essos and southern Westeros and the northern lands around Winterfell.
Where is GOT filmed during Season 7?
With its expanded universe, Game of Thrones’ filming locations featured a much longer list in season 7 than earlier seasons. The bulk of season 7 was filmed in places like Northern Ireland, Croatia, and predominantly Spain. New locations in the show, like Oldtown, Casterly Rock, and Highgarden, were all shot during the film companies work in Spain.
Where is the film location of Daenarys and Khal Drogo’s Wedding?
The wedding of Daenerys and Khal Drogo in Season 1 of the show was shot at the Azure Window in Malta. While the location was a major tourist attraction before the show used it as a filming location, it unfortunately collapsed in 2017 during a severe storm.