Filming Locations for ‘Game of Thrones’ Around the World

Game of Thrones is praised for its lush world-building and the visually stunning way in which production designers (and wig experts) have brought George R.R. Martin’s rich, complicated world to life. After all, Game of Thrones is a study in breathtaking landscapes: the frigid wastelands and forests beyond the Wall, the densely forested Kingsroad, the turquoise waters across the Narrow Sea, and the sunny, medieval King’s Landing, to name a few.

While many of GOT’s recurring sets (such as the Iron Throne) are filmed at Belfast’s Paint Hall Studios, the show is primarily shot on location, primarily in Northern Ireland and Iceland for scenes in the North, and Croatia and Spain for scenes in the South. Cast members with scenes beyond the Wall have been known to film in subzero temperatures, often on snow-covered terrain.

It should come as no surprise that a GOT location tour around Europe would make for an ideal vacation, with such an impressive roster of medieval cities and stunning islands on their shoot list. We’ve compiled the ultimate Game of Thrones travel guide to help inspire your next trip for all you travel junkies out there. (This may appear obvious, but there are some minor spoilers ahead.)

The Iron Islands

The Iron Islands, home of the Greyjoys, is actually set at the Ballintoy Harbour in Northern Ireland. Though it’s a place Theon likely never wants to see again, you may want to visit to get a true taste of Ireland life.

Daenarys and Khal Drogo’s Wedding

Fans saw a pre-dragon Daenarys marry the “blood of her blood” and “moon of her life,” Khal Drogo, in season one of Game of Thrones. The wedding scene was shot at Malta’s stunning Azure Window. Both before and after the filming, it was a popular tourist destination. Unfortunately, the window collapsed during a storm in 2017.

Beyond the Wall

The scenes beyond the Wall were filmed in Iceland, most notably at the Myrdalsjokull glacier, the Hverfjall volcano, and the Vatnajökull glacier.

The Mountain Beyond the Wall

Season 7 Episode 6 featured a specific location beyond the wall. Daenerys and her dragons saved (almost) everyone from certain death at the hands of the Night King at that point. In reality, that location is Kirkjufell, a well-known mountain and waterfall in Iceland.

Qarth

Lokrum, an Adriatic Sea island, was used for filming scenes in Qarth, the “Greatest City that Ever Was or Will Be.” The Benedictine Monastery on the island served as a stand-in for Xaro Xhaon Daxos’ mansion in Season 2’s fifth episode.

King’s Landing

Though the majority of King’s Landing is filmed in a studio, some exterior shots include locations in Croatia such as Dubrovnik and Split.

Dragonstone Beach

Dragonstone Beach is the setting for several pivotal scenes in the show. It is also the site of the Burning of the Seven, as well as the location where Dany returns to roost in season seven. The interior of Dragonstone was shot on a sound stage in Belfast, but the beach, cave, and footbridge are all real and were shot at Itzurun Beach in Zumaia and Muriola Beach near Barrika. Both beaches can be visited in one day on a trip to Spain’s northern coast.

The Scaffold of King’s Landing

Fort Manoel in Malta was used as the location where Ned Stark met his end on King Joffrey’s orders, making it possibly the saddest location in all of Game of Thrones. The fort, which was built in the 18th century, is still on UNESCO’s tentative world heritage list. But it should be on the list just for its appearance in Game of Thrones.

The Dothraki Sea

The Dothraki Sea, also known as the Great Grass Sea, is actually Northern Ireland’s Glens of Antrim. Which, ironically, means that the Dothraki technically live next door to the Starks.

Winterfell

The pilot episode of Game of Thrones, which featured the Stark family’s Winterfell estate, was shot at Doune Castle in Scotland. Later episodes starring Winterfell, on the other hand, were shot at Castle Ward in Northern Ireland.

The Forests of Winterfell

Remember when the Stark brothers discovered a litter of direwolf puppies in the Winterfell forests? The scene was shot in Northern Ireland’s Tollymore Forest Park. The forest was the Northern Island’s first named state forest and is still open to visitors, campers, and hikers.

Jon & Ygritte’s Cave

While spending an intimate evening with his Wildling love interest Ygritte, Jon Snow proves he doesn’t know nothing in perhaps the sexiest scene in Game of Thrones history. The pair spend the night north of the Wall in the show, but the filming location is actually inside a lava cave in Grjótagjá, Iceland.

The Kingsroad

Northern Ireland has some of the most picturesque natural beauty in the world, so it’s no surprise that the Dark Hedges were used to film the grandest road in the land, otherwise known as the Kingsroad.

Astapor

Daenarys travels the most throughout the seven kingdoms in the show, and in season three, she visits the Slaver’s Bay city of Astapor. Daenarys encounters the army of the Unsullied, who become her devoted allies. The majority of the filming took place in the Moroccan port city of Essaouira.

Yunki (and Pentos)

Another Slaver’s Bay filming location overlaps with the Pentos location. In reality, both locations are the fortified city of At-Ben-Haddou in Morocco.