If you’ve ever watched Game of Thrones and thought, “Wow, I’d love to visit Westeros… minus the White Walkers and surprise beheadings,” then step right this way. Many of Game of Thrones filming locations exist in real life, and you can visit them without needing a raven-delivered invitation.
From warm sunny palaces of Dorne to the rugged, storm-lashed Iron Islands, there are a handful of incredible filming locations that you track down in Europe and beyond. So, grab your map, summon your inner Arya Stark, and let’s journey through the real-world locations that brought Westeros to life. And don’t worry – no Red Weddings here.
1. Where was King’s Landing filmed in Game of Thrones?
While Westeros’s capital might be fictional, its real-life counterpart, Dubrovnik, Croatia, is very much visitable (and significantly less dangerous). Dubrovnik’s medieval Old Town, with its towering stone walls and narrow winding streets, was the perfect stand-in for King’s Landing – and you can explore it on our Best of Croatia & Slovenia trip.
While most scenes were filmed in Dubrovnik, with a few additional locations in Spain and Malta did feature – but if you want to scheme against your enemies at the Red Keep, you’ll want to visit Dubrovnik’s imposing Lovrijenac Fortress, and you can see where Cersei’s infamous Walk of Shame took place at the Jesuit Staircase at St. Ignatius Church.
2. Where is Winterfell Castle filmed?
Winter is coming… thought at the real-life Winterfell you’ll likely encounter more tourists than White Walkers. Game of Thrones brought the Stark stronghold to life using two key filming locations: Doune Castle in Scotland and Castle Ward in Northern Ireland.
Doune Castle, Scotland – the first Winterfell
Back in Season 1 of Game of Thrones, before HBO had an unlimited budget and CGI dragons, the production team used Scotland’s Doune Castle as the first version of Winterfell. This 14th-century fortress, located in central Scotland, also starred in Monty Python and the Holy Grail (if you hear someone yelling about coconuts, don’t be alarmed).
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Castle Ward, Northern Ireland – the better-known Winterfell
Production then shifted to Castle Ward, a National Trust property in Northern Ireland. Its distinctive stone towers and courtyard became the heart of Winterfell, where Ned Stark dispensed wisdom (and the occasional execution). If you visit, you can even try archery on the same training ground where Bran Stark first picked up a bow.
3. Where is Dorne filmed?
Spain! Seville’s exotic, warm climate and historic architecture made it the perfect backdrop for Season 5 of Game of Thrones, capturing Dorne’s sunny Mediterranean vibe. Scenes were primarily filmed at the Alcázar of Seville in southern Spain, which served as the Water Gardens of Sunspear, the seat of House Martell. Other parts of Dorne were filmed in nearby city of Córdoba and the desert landscapes of Almería.
If you remember Prince Doran lounging on a sun-drenched terrace while Ellaria Sand plotted, that was filmed in the Alcázar’s stunning courtyards. The UNESCO World Heritage site, built in the 10th century, is a must-see masterpiece of intricate tilework, archways, and lush gardens – whether you’re a GOT fan or not.
4. Where is the city of Braavos filmed?
Croatia, once again. Besides some heavy CGI, much of Braavos’ real-world setting comes from the coastal town of Šibenik, Croatia, where the city’s medieval architecture, stone alleyways, and beautiful harbor made it the perfect location for the wealthiest of the Free Cities.
GOT fans will recognize St. James Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage site, as the backdrop for some of Arya’s adventures. Though there’s no deadly assassin cult or secret tunnels filled with the faces of the deceased (as far as we know). Visit IRL to see beautiful coastal views, centuries-old fortresses, and eat some of the best seafood on the Adriatic coast.
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5. Where was north of the wall filmed?
It’s cold, desolate, and full of things that want to kill you. A.k.a. White Walkers, undead giants, and whatever was left of the Night’s Watch morale after that disastrous Season 7 expedition. The real-life “beyond the wall” is Iceland. Several locations across Iceland were used to create the frozen wilderness where winter was always coming.
Some of the most famous filming spots include Vatnajökull National Park, a glacier-filled park. Lake Mývatn, where volcanic caves and lava formations served as the entrance to Mance Rayder’s wildling camp. And Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site with dramatic cliffs and canyons. Explore the best of Iceland with Trafalgar.
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6. Other cool Game of Thrones filming locations to visit
The Iron Islands – Ballintoy, Northern Ireland
Rugged, windswept, and perpetually damp, Ballintoy Harbour perfectly captured the harsh, seafaring world of GOT’s Iron Islands. This Northern Irish coastline served as the backdrop for Theon Greyjoy’s less-than-triumphant return home. If you visit, expect stunning cliffside views and crashing waves.
The Haunted Forest – Northern Ireland
Tollymore Forest Park set the eerie tone for the very first scene of Game of Thrones. It was when the Night’s Watch stumbled upon their first White Walker – probably wishing they hadn’t!
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The Kingsroad – Dark Hedges, Northern Ireland
One of the most instantly recognizable and most famous Game of Thrones filming locations is the Dark Hedges. Kingsroad is a hauntingly beautiful tunnel of beech trees in Northern Ireland that has been standing for over 200 years. Though the trees have suffered some storm damage over time, the road remains a must-visit spot for fans.
Khal Drogo’s Lands – Bardenas Reales, Spain & Malta
Finally, to bring the vast lands of the Dothraki to life, HBO turned to the Bardenas Reales. This arid and windswept semi-desert region in northern Spain provided the perfect backdrop for Daenerys and Khal Drogo’s nomadic wedding procession. And Malta’s ancient forts stood in for the gates of Pentos, where Daenerys first began her fateful journey.
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That’s our list of the best Game of Thrones filming locations that you can visit IRL. Join Trafalgar on tour and see them for yourself – where are you going first? Leave a comment…