“Game of Thrones” fans can explore the real-life destinations that serve as the fantasy epic’s backdrop.
From seaside Croatian villages and Northern Irish mountains to verdant Spanish gardens and volcanic Icelandic grottoes, this is where our favorite fictional characters live, breathe, scheme, and — all-too-often — die on the hit series. (Beware: Spoilers will be dropped below.)
As always, check for travel guidelines and closures before planning your trip.
Royal Alcázar; Seville, Spain — The Water Gardens of Dorne
Seville’s iconic Alcazar can be seen in season five as Jamie and Bronn head out to the Water Gardens of Dorne — the private residence of the House Martell — in search of Myrcella. Across episodes, we see the Alcazar’s Mudéjar architecture, sunken gardens, murals, Moorish arches, and gilded ceilings. It is the oldest palace still in use in Europe, and the Spanish royal family stays there while in Seville.
Dubrovnik, Croatia — King’s Landing
The narrow cobbled streets, baroque staircases, Renaissance squares, Romanesque stone gates, and medieval fortified city walls of Dubrovnik’s Old Town were tapped to serve as GoT’s seaside capital of the Seven Kingdoms — King’s Landing.
Home to the Iron Throne, Red Keep (the fortress residence of the King of Andals and the First Men), and an intimidating number of Lannisters, the real life Adriatic gem-turned-fictional royal Westeros spot has enjoyed quite a bit of screen time throughout the seasons.
Doune Castle, Scotland — Winterfell
Although GoT later took to filming its Winterfell scenes in Northern Ireland, this 14th-century medieval castle in Scotland serves as the original House Stark stronghold in the pilot episode.
Fun fact: “Game of Thrones” wasn’t the first major production to tap Doune as a location; “Outlander” also used the estate as a stand-in for their fictional Castle Leoch, and the cult classic “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” did the majority of their filming there.
Klis, Croatia — Meereen
Venture just 20 minutes north of Split and you’ll land in Klis, a Dalmatian village built around a commanding mountain fortress that served as the royal seat of many Croatian kings. In season four, the craggy landscape sits in as Meereen, one of the three city-states of Slaver’s Bay.
Essaouira, Morocco — Astapor
In Daenerys’ cross-season quest to reclaim the Seven Kingdoms, she makes her way to Astapor — real-life Essaouira, Morocco.
The coastal Moroccan town was a perfect filming location thanks to its seaside stone ramparts, cannon-lined fortified walls, bustling harbor, and narrow streets.
Mourne Mountains, Northern Ireland — Vaes Dothrak
The Mourne Mountains showed up quite a few times throughout GoT’s run, but the most recognizable scene is likely in season one when Khal Drogo travels east with his new bride.
As the characters travel in the shadow of the fictional Mother of Mountains at the entry to Vaes Dothrak, keep your eyes peeled to spot the Mourne Mountains’ Slievemageogh peak.
Grjótagjá, Iceland — Jon and Ygritte’s Love Grotto
In season two, Jon Snow and Ygritte cozy up for a night in a grotto. The setting was established at Grjótagjá, a lava cave in Iceland that’s known for its deep-blue thermal bath, though it was too small (and too hot from volcanic activity) to film the scene within.
Minčeta Tower; Dubrovnik, Croatia — House of the Undying
As the highest point of Dubrovnik’s city walls, this 14th-century tower once served as a key defense fortress. In the “Game of Thrones” realm, the stronghold functions as Qarth’s House of the Undying.
Plaza de Toros; Osuna, Spain — The Fighting Pit of Meereen
Scratching your head for when you could have spotted Osuna’s Plaza de Toros? That’d be season five, episode nine, when Khaleesi, the Mother of Dragons, oversees a bout at Daznak’s Pit — Meereen’s premier fighting pit. IRL, the Andalusian bullring was inaugurated in 1904 and remains a pride of Osuna.
Ballintoy Harbour; County Antrim, Northern Ireland — the Iron Islands
The rural fishing village of Ballintoy Harbour was chosen by GoT location scouts to depict the Iron Islands — the smallest Westerosi region and home of Theon Greyjoy. The coastal village is all quaint parishes, postage-sized shops, and rich maritime history.
The Dark Hedges; County Antrim, Northern Ireland — Kingsroad
This one should be easy: This beech-tree-lined avenue in Ballymoney is the real life Kingsroad, after all. But before the tunnel of intertwined knotted branches was forged by Arya Stark and nearly everyone else in the Seven Kingdoms, it functioned in real life as a statement entrance to the Stuart family’s private manor, Gracehill House.
Castle Ward; Strangford Lough, Northern Ireland — Winterfell
Castle Ward is one of the first locations viewers lay eyes on. That’s because it makes a cameo as Castle Winterfell, the original residence of House Stark and capital of the North.
The 18th-century mansion and farmyard hosts GoT-themed tours where you can try your aim and arm at the Winterfell Archery Range.
Fort Lovrijenac; Dubrovnik, Croatia — The Red Keep
Often referred to as “Dubrovnik’s Gibraltar,” this 11th-century limestone fortress jutting into the Adriatic Sea was deemed fit to depict the Red Keep — the private residence and base for the Hand of The King.
Fort Manoel; Gżira, Malta — The Great Sept of Baelor
Season one delivers some of the series’ most pivotal and hard-to-watch moments. Malta’s Fort Manoel — an 18th-century military fortification — serves as the Great Sept of Baelor, King’s Landing’s religious headquarters and the location of GoT’s first major mic drops. It is often closed to the public for restoration efforts, but even a chance to stroll its perimeter is worth the visit.
Skaftafell; Vatnajökull National Park, Iceland — Landscapes Beyond the Wall
Located in Iceland’s rugged Vatnajökull National Park, Skaftafell is a nature reserve known for its enormous glaciers, surging waterfalls, snowcapped mountain peaks, black basalt columns, and sharp cliffs. Beyond the Wall scenes filmed in seasons two and three capture the dramatic scenery.
Girona, Spain — Braavos
The Catalan city of Girona features in quite a few season six episodes. Its medieval architecture, walled Old Quarter (replete with watchtowers), Roman fortress remains, Arab bathhouses, and Benedictine abbeys set the scene for fictional Braavos.
This article was published through a partnership with Jetsetter magazine.
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