Recently updated on August 30th, 2022 at 04:49 pm
With the hotly anticipated series six of Game of Thrones premiering this month, we’ve explored the most spectacular settings from the first five series. From King’s Landing and Meereen to Winterfell and Beyond the Wall, the locations mix ancient castles with vast wildernesses. Discover the real-life locations on your own journey through the Seven Kingdoms.
King’s Landing: Dubrovnik, Croatia
With its protective stone walls and narrow passageways weaving through the city, it’s no wonder Dubrovnik was chosen as the setting for a number of scenes in Games of Thrones. It was the city’s majestic twin walls that became King’s Landing at the Battle of Blackwater Bay, while Minceta Tower was the exterior of the House of the Undying.
Visit Dubrovnik on Croatia and Bosnia Herzegovina, The Balkans and Venice and Highlights of Austria, Slovenia and Croatia.
Beyond the Wall: Skaftafell National Park, Iceland
The dramatic landscape of Skaftafell National Park was the unforgettable backdrop for the love story between Jon Snow and Ygritte, but this vast protected landscape is inspiring in its beauty alone, encompassing some of the country’s greatest natural wonders. See Europe’s largest icecap, Vatnajokull, and the spectacular Svartivoss waterfall.
Visit Iceland on the Ultimate Iceland trip.
Winterfell: Castle Ward, Northern Ireland
Despite its beginnings at Doune Castle, the setting for Winterfell soon became Castle Ward in Ireland. Overlooking the Strangford Lough, the 820-acre walled domain is where King Robert arrived to be met by the Starks. A replica of the Winterfell Castle archery range has been created for visitors to try their hand at firing arrows while dressed in costume from the series.
Visit Winterfell on the Celtic Filmscapes trip.
Meereen: Diocletian’s Palace, Split, Croatia
Located within the sun-kissed coastal city of Split, the Roman ruin of Diocletian’s Palace has long attracted global attention. Built by the Roman emperor Diocletian in the fourth century AD, this UNESCO World Heritage Site encompasses a fortified town of 220 buildings with narrow passageways and courtyards amidst them. This palace complex became the setting for Daenary’s throne room and for the streets of Meereen.
Visit Split on Croatia and Bosnia Herzegovina, The Balkans and Venice and Highlights of Austria, Slovenia and Croatia.
Dorne: Alcazar, Seville, Spain
This UNESCO World Heritage palace complex becomes the Water Gardens of Dorne (private estate of the House of Martell) in season five of the show. As the southernmost of the Seven Kingdoms, Dorne is depicted as an exotic and colourful domain, making the Alcazar – with its palm trees and intricate decoration – the ideal filming location.
Visit Seville on Spanish Experience, Iberian Explorer, Highlights of Spain, Morocco and Portugal, Spanish Wonder, Best of Spain, Highlights of Spain and Portugal and Spain, Morocco and Portugal.
Winterfell: Doune Castle, Scotland
In central Scotland’s Stirling district lies the medieval Doune Castle, which overlooks rugged woodland and the confluence where the Ardoch Burn meets the River Teith. This former Royal retreat was where Winterfell was first set for its exterior shots and the feast held when King Robert Baratheon and his party arrived.
Visit Doune Castle on the Celtic Filmscapes trip.
Yunkhai: Aït Ben Haddou, Morocco
Located between the Sahara and Marrakech, on the edge of the High Atlas Mountains, is the traditional clay brick UNESCO-recognised fortified city of Aït Ben Haddou. In Game of Thrones, the ancient city became Yunkhai, which was visited by The Mother of Dragons.
Visit Aït Ben Haddou on the Best of Morocco trip.
Image credits: Cover photo of Skaftafell in Iceland © iStock / JurgaR. Dubrovnik in Croatia © iStock / phant. Skaftafell in Iceland © iStock / Wild-Places. Winterfell in Ireland © www.gameofthrones-winterfelltours.com. Split, Croatia © iStock / traveler1116. Alcazar, Seville © iStock / feradz. Doune Castle © iStock / Martin McCarthy. Aït Ben Haddou © iStock / Pavliha.