Game of Thrones® locations

You don’t need to have Bran Stark’s mystic powers to work out that scenes from North of the Wall were filmed here. And you’d be right. Desolate, yet beautiful, spooky, yet fairytale - if there was a country that was crying out to be a key location spot for a fantasy drama, Iceland is it. It’s even known as the Land of Fire and Ice - which sounds like one of the book’s titles. The Northern Lights are on most people’s bucket list, and while we found another 19 things to do in Iceland, one of the main reasons this country has rocketed in popularity is its leading role in the series - especially when it comes to going North of the Wall.  That, and Jon Snow and Ygritte getting romantic in a cave.

Here’s where you can find some of the key locations featured in the series.

• That cave: Grjótagjá Cave near Lake Mývatn has a geothermal hot spring in it - hence why stripping off didn’t seem such a bad idea in the depths of winter.
• The Wilding army camp:You’ll find this nearby the Volcanic lake, Mývatn at Dimmuborgir, which is close to Akureyri, the second biggest town in Iceland.
• The Wilding Fort: Scenes were shot at Snæfellsjökull in Vatnajökull National Park. 
• Arya and Sandor Clegane’s epic journey together: Thingvellir National Park features as the backdrop for their trip.  

As a result of the show's success, you can now choose from loads of bespoke Game of Thrones® tours in Northern Ireland. Many of them are easily accessible from Belfast. But if you prefer to go it alone, like Arya, then a solo road trip is a great option. This is a brilliant destination for fans, as there are loads of places featured across all the seasons of the show - and many are close together - perfect for a day trip. Here’s where you can find some of the key GoT locations in Northern Ireland. 

Here’s where you can find some of the key GOT locations in Northern Ireland.

• Dark Hedges: The slightly sinister line of twisted trees is one of the most iconic images - and is found on the fictional Kingsroad in King’s Landing. In reality, it's near Ballymoney. The beech trees were planted in the 18th Century.
• Winterfell: The ancestral home of House Stark is actually a National Trust property in Strangford. It’s a lot more ruined then depicted in the programme. 
• Lordsport: The seafaring Iron Islander’s port can be found in the pretty Ballintoy Bay. 
• Creepy cave: Remember the place where the Red Woman, Melisandre, gave birth to that strange shadow creature. Well, it was filmed in the Caves of Cushenden. 
• The Stormlands: Brienne of Tarth is one of the most popular characters, and it was in the Larrybane area that she first appears at Renly’s camp. 
• Dragonstone Beach: Few can forget the beach burning scene, but actually this beautiful stretch of sand is on Downhill Beach. It’s in an Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI) and Special Area of Conservation so definitely worth a visit to County Londonderry for the views. 
• Hardhome: One of the stand-out episodes of Season 5 took place at Magheramorne Quarry - when the power of the white walkers was unleashed. It is also where Castle Black was recreated.
• Riverrun: House of Tully’s home can be found in Corbet.   

It’s not just finding those dragon eggs that brought Daenerys good luck - the character got to film most of her early scenes in the wonderful warm weather found on the African coast. Morocco is now a hugely popular destination, especially for winter sun, and the coastal city of Essaouira is now firmly on the fans map. Here’s why.

Slaver’s Bay and the Free Cities: 

• Atapor: You’ll be all over Instagram with your pictures on Essaouira’s castle walls, where Daenerys Targaryen freed the Unsullied army. 
• Yunkai: Fiction depicts reality here, with the hillside village of Aït Benhaddou a classic stop-off on the trading route between the Sahara and Marrakech, looking pretty much like it does on the show.    

Atapor square and other key scenes: If you love film and TV in general, the Atlas Studios in Ouarzazate, just outside Marrakech makes for a cool trip. You name it, its been filmed here - from Gladiator to The Mummy. And there are loads of abandoned sets and other memorabilia here.  

The Croatian coast is one of the prettiest in the world, and its historic buildings and perfectly-formed ports make it the obvious option for many of the key scenes set in Westeros. Although it did take the producers until Season Two to see its full potential (with Malta and Morocco being used for some of the locations in the first series). The UNESCO Heritage Listed cities of Dubrovnik and Split are the stars of the show here.

• Meereen: The dramatic Klis Fortress also provides a backdrop for Meereen, as well as spectacular views from it. Just so you know, the pyramid part is the only bit that isn’t real
• King’s Landing: Was chosen to be filmed in Dubrovnik, mainly thanks to its cliff-lined port surrounded by around two kilometres of thick, defensive stone walls. They also have a great local wine scene - just saying Cersei….
• Red Keep: The home of the Iron Throne, the exteriors were filmed at Fort Lovrijenac just outside Dubrovnik. Its bay is also the location for the Battle of the Blackwater. 
• King’s Landing gardens: While any scene with Tyrion and Varys plotting is worth watching, the fact that they did so in the stunning Trsteno Arboretum certainly helps. You’ll find the grounds around six miles north of Dubrovnik. 
• House of the Undying: The place where Daenrys has her visions is filmed at the Minceta Tower in Dubrovnik 
• Stairs to the Great Sept of Baelor: Now don’t be going shouting “shame, shame” on these famous steps, you’ll draw attention to yourself. The Baroque-designed Jesuit Staircase is in the Old Town of Dubrovnik and Cersei walks along here following her fall from grace, as well as across the bridge at the Ploče Gate. 
• Littlefingers brothel: Sorry to disappoint, but this is actually the entrance to a farming museum. Still, once you’ve got your picture outside, you can always pop in and have a look at the former Dubrovnik Granary. 
• Oberyn Martell v The Mountain: This fight scene was filmed at the former Belvedere Hotel in Dubrovnik.  
• Quarth: The “Queen of Cities” in Essos where Daenerys entreats the Spice King to lend her some ships is filmed on the island of Lokrum on the Dalmatian Coast. There’s also a naturist beach here, which fits in with the general GoT vibe.
• Danaerys’ Throne Room: The Roman-era Diocletian Palace in Split features here. Don’t expect to see the dragons in the basement though - they’re long gone.
• Braavos: Have a wander about like Arya Stark (although with less chance of an ambush) in the streets and plazas of Šibenik. This pretty old town is just north of Split. 

A bit of a latecomer to the GoT location gang, but from season five Spain, really came into its own, featuring in multiple episodes. And we’re super glad about that, as it's a great excuse to visit some of the parts of the country you might not have thought of visiting before. So while you might have heard of Seville, you may not be so familiar with Girona and Cáceres - now’s the time to become more acquainted.

• The Tower of Joy in Dorne: Now this is remote, so you’re going to have to be a super fan. Or really love hiking. You’ll find the lonely Castle of Zafra in Guadalajara.
• Sunspear, the home of House Martell in Dorne: The slippery Martells residence is, in reality, the Alcázar Palace (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and the gardens are as superb as they look in the show. The Moorish architecture fits perfectly. You’ll also find the Baths of Maria de Padilla - which is where the Sand Snakes plotted revenge in their father’s death.
• The Dragonpit: The Roman remains of Italica in Seville stands in for this location. 
• Daenarys homecoming to Dragonstone: Itzurun Beach near Zumaia in Guipúzcoa is where she steps onto the shores of “Westeros” for the first time. 
• Casterly Rock: The Castle of Trujillo in Cácares starred in Season Seven of the show. We don’t think you’ll mind paying the small entry fee - after all “a Lannister always pays his debts”. 
• Highgarden of House Tyrell: You’ll find the location is the Castillo de Almodovar del Rio in Andalusia near Cordoba. 
• Fighting Pit in Meereen: Plaza de Toros (a former Bullring) in Osuna doubles for this. You’ll remember it as the place Daenerys took flight on her dragon. You’ll have to leave by the entrance. 
• Arya v The Waif in Braavos: Girona’s old town, with its medieval streets, was the scene of their showdown. You’ll find lots of other Arya spots in the town. 
• The Great Sept of Baelor: Staying in Girona (which is close to Barcelona) the Cathedral also stood in for King’s Landing. 
• The Citadel: Also in Girona, Samuel Tarly’s epic trip to the seat of learning to become a Mester ends at the Monastery of Sant Pere de Galligants here. 
• Horn Hill: Talking of Tarly, his ancestral home scenes were filmed at Castell de Santa Florentina in Canet de Mar in Catalonia.

Malta’s historic and well-preserved cities just seem so GOT and on-period. The mainly medieval locations really got the series off to a cracking start by setting the tone. It’s got churches, castles, ports - the lot. And it’s also warm nearly all-year-round so worth a trip even if you’re not a fan. But if you are……..

• King’s Landing: GOT is famous for killing off its key characters, and it's equally ruthless when it comes to changing locations. So while used as a backdrop for Season One, the medieval walled town of Mdina was replaced by Dubrovnik for Season Two. The gate of Mdina (known as the Silent City) will be very recognisable as will Mesquita Square, scene of the scrap between Jamie Lannister and Ned Stark’s men.
• Sept of Baelor: The Knights of Malta built Fort Manoel back in the 18th Century. Another Knight did for another when Ser Ilyn Payne chopped off Ned Starks head on the steps here. 
• Cersei and Ned’s showdown: In the garden of Rabat's St Dominic Monastery (which doubled as the Garden of the Red Keep) Ned confronts the Queen about the parentage of her children, prompting Cersei to say one of the most famous quotes of the series: “When you play the Game of Thrones® you win or you die, there is no middle ground”. 
• Where Daenerys and Khal met: The traditional “meet the family” pre-wedding catch up was held at the Verdala Palace. As fitting for a future Queen, it’s the President of Malta’s summer home. 
• Daenerys and Khal Drogo’s wedding venue: Sadly a bit like their relationship - the Azure Window is no more. Nature reclaimed the limestone arch back into a sea during a storm - so sadly you can’t go to Gozo and see it anymore.