Where Game of Thrones was filmed: a guide to filming locations
Take a walk through the filming locations of your favorite series… And why not? This is a great opportunity to see the backstage and picturesque locations on the other side of the screen with your own eyes. Maybe you'll feel like a participant in the events, or maybe you'll find hidden Easter eggs in the surrounding landscapes.
In any case, a small movie tour won't hurt. So we invite you to join us on a journey into the cold world of Game of Thrones. Who knows, maybe you'll spot a familiar dragon silhouette somewhere among the rocks.
Croatia: Westeros, King's Landing, and ancient ruins
True fans already know that Croatia gave most of its landscapes to the series. The narrow streets and stone houses set the atmosphere for Game of Thrones and were remembered by viewers for the intrigues teeming there.
Dubrovnik is definitely among the most famous locations. With its sheer cliffs, cobblestone streets, and massive bridges, it was loved not only by directors but also by viewers. And thanks to unusual angles, some places will be difficult to recognize. In short, everyone did their best.
By the way, you can get to Minčeta Tower (yes, the very one that played the role of the House of the Undying) by a convenient flight from Moscow with a layover in Yerevan. Prices vary, but sometimes you can still find a ticket for 25 thousand rubles.
It's no secret that most of the scenes filmed in Dubrovnik were rendered on a computer (with the exception of fragments where actors had to go deep into the city). However, this does not mean that the film crew had no live material.
The landscapes of the neighboring island of Lokrum gave the series the city of Qarth, and the resort suburb of Šibenik served as a place for Arya's walks. The image of King's Landing was formed from locations in the Trsteno Arboretum and Diocletian's Palace in Split, and the landscapes of Krka National Park perfectly complemented the appearance of Westeros.
The city of Split perfectly conveyed the atmosphere of Daenerys's domains: Klis Fortress in the northeast became an active location for events in the fourth season and part of the city of Meereen, and the abandoned Hotel Zagreb turned into the House of Black and White.
In general, there are quite a few places where Game of Thrones was filmed in Croatia. And you certainly won't get bored if you choose this country to explore the backstage.
Iceland: Lands Beyond the Wall and the path to the Eyrie
Conveying the atmosphere of eternal cold and snow-covered expanses of the Lands Beyond the Wall turned out to be no easy task. However, the Vatnajökull glacier in Iceland became a real salvation for the directors. Without a guide, it's probably best not to venture there – it's a dangerous place. But you can feel the real Icelandic frost right here.
It will be a little warmer in Thingvellir National Park. There, the Hound and Arya made a pass, and further south, the battle scene with Brienne was filmed. The Mid-Atlantic Ridge also runs through this area. In series terms, the “Bloody Gate” and the path to the Eyrie are located there.
Finally, one cannot forget about Grjótagjá cave from the third season. The bathing scene of Jon Snow and Ygritte was filmed in a pavilion, but the entrance to the cave appeared in the background.
Northern Ireland: castles and green hills
We have already told you where the main landscapes of King's Landing from Game of Thrones were filmed. But the path to it began with the Dark Hedges avenue in Ireland. This is the very beech grove that Arya ran through, disguised in a man's costume. The place is gloomy and quite atmospheric: due to the unusual tree trunks, sunlight barely falls on the path. But at dawn or sunset, it's very beautiful here.
By the way, one of the most pivotal scenes of the first season was also filmed in Northern Ireland. To be precise, in Tollymore Forest Park, where Ned Stark found the orphaned direwolf pups who would later become indispensable helpers to House Stark.
In Cushendun and its caves, two scenes were filmed: the tournament in the Stormlands and the appearance of the ghostly shadow in the second season. And Murlough Bay fully conveyed the atmosphere of the Iron Islands.
Spain: Braavos, Dragonpit, and Daenerys's battle
On par with Croatia, Spain is known for its iconic Game of Thrones filming locations. For example, the Dragonpit from the seventh season is the ruins of the Italica amphitheater in Seville, and Almodóvar del Río appeared in the series as Highgarden, the castle of House Tyrell.
In general, many series locations are either in Seville or not far from the city. For example, the Alcázar fortress in the very center became Sunspear, the seat of House Martell in Dorne.
Morocco: Yunkai and Pentos
Morocco also made it into the cameras' lenses: thanks to the bustling port city of Essaouira and the abandoned Ait Benhaddou, we were able to see Yunkai and Pentos.
Ait Benhaddou, or more precisely, its bustling Ouarzazate district, played the role of Pentos. Essaouira, on the other hand, appeared as one of the cities of Slaver's Bay, Astapor.
By the way, Morocco is one of the visa-free countries, where you can go right now for up to 90 days. This will definitely be enough to explore every picturesque corner and compare it with the series' landscapes.
Scotland: Winterfell
Scotland and Doune Castle located there could have played a key role in the first season of Game of Thrones. However, after the pilot episode, the film crew preferred Ward Castle in Ireland. Therefore, Scotland is practically not featured in the final version, and this fact is known only to true fans of the series.
Malta: Daenerys's wedding and the gates to King's Landing
The Azure Window rock first appeared in the arc of Daenerys and Drogo's wedding. However, it can no longer be seen: in 2017, a strong storm destroyed part of the rock. So all that remains is to admire old photos or scenes from the series.
Unfortunately, this is not the only unpleasant incident related to the filming of Game of Thrones in Malta. For example, the team damaged one of the country's attractions — a rocky beach. For the wedding scene, the entire coast was covered with sand, with polyethylene carefully placed underneath. Over time, due to the weather, it permanently adhered to the boulders, which infuriated the government and resulted in a huge fine.
But let's not dwell on the sad. Mdina, a city in Malta, can also boast the status of a location where the series Game of Thrones was filmed. In the first season, Catelyn and Rodrik passed through the city's main gates to enter King's Landing. And the landscapes of Illyrio Mopatis's house in Pentos were actually filmed in the gardens of the Verdala Palace.
Tips
- Don't hesitate to hire experienced guides or tour guides — they will take you to all the iconic places from the series, and even tell you a few facts at the end.
- If a paid excursion is not your thing, we recommend making a clear plan of where you definitely want to go. This is in case you don't get lost.
- Don't miss the opportunity to sunbathe and relax on the beach, because you can go to some of the above-mentioned countries to the sea without a visa!
Now you definitely know where Game of Thrones was filmed, and you can guess how landscapes influence the visuals of current TV series and films. We wish you pleasant travels to familiar places!
