Game of Thrones Filming Locations - Part One

Yup! It’s the end! No more Game of Thrones episodes to look forward too! *sniff* Jon has gone north of the wall, Dany is dead and Arya has become Christopher Columbus! Ever wondered where Game of Thrones was filmed and wanted to re-live the moment? Now is your chance to visit the Game of Thrones Filming Locations.

In part one we look at Iceland, Croatia, Northern Ireland & Scotland

Iceland

Home of Castle Black & North of the Wall surely must be at the top of your list of GoT filming locations. Iceland was home to

• Mance Rayder?s wildling camp was based in Dimmuborgir in H?savik and is a lava field
• Lake Mvatns landscapes double as North of the Wall.
• Nearby Grjtagj Cave, known for its thermal springs, is where Jon and Ygritte had their special moment.
• Hfabrekka doubles as the Frostfangs Mountains
• Kirkjufell, a unique mountain in the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, is used as Arrowhead Mountain when everyone goes north of the wall to capture a wight.
• Stakkholtsgj, a narrow Riverbend, 330ft deep and 1.2 miles long, is used when they actually capture the wight.
• Reynisfjara Beach, with its black sand, and Dyrhlaey, a peninsula, are used for Eastwatch scenes.
• Other notable areas include Sn?fellsj?kull is a 700,000-year-old volcano in western Iceland, Vatnaj?kull is Europe’s biggest glacier, and Sv?nafellsj?kull, an extension of Vatnaj?kull. All have been used for scenes North of the Wall.

Around Westeros

• Thingvellir National Park played an important role in Icelandic culture and history. It served as the site of its National parliament for 800 years from 930 to 1798. Arya and the Hound?s traveling scenes in central Westeros were shot here.
• Nesjavellir is also used in scenes for the Vale and central Westeros.

Things to do

1. ‘Game of Thrones’ Filming Locations Tour From Reykjavik
2. Take An Ice Cave Tour in Iceland
3. Icelandic Horseback Riding Tour from Reykjavik
4. Visit Blue Lagoon & Soak In Geothermal Hot Springs
5. Snorkel Between Tectonic Plates at Thingvellir National Park
6. Take the City Walk Free Walking Tour
7. Northern Lights Night Tour from Reykjavik

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Croatia

Game of Thrones has transformed Croatia’s travel industry completely, especially Dubrovnik.

Dubrovnik

This coastal city faces the Adriatic sea and its orange rooftops are instantly recognizable as King’s Landing. On the main street of Dubrovnik, you will find The Church of St. Ignatius of Loyola and Stradun, where Cersei did her Walk of Penance. Gradac Park features in the Purple Wedding and I suggest Oberyn fans to avoid Belveder Atrium.

Find the House of the Undying at Mineta Tower and then head down to Lokrum Island to sit on the Iron Throne!!!

Other Notable Places in Dubrovnik include the City Walls, St. Dominic Street, Pile Gate, Fort Lovrijenac, Fort Bokar, Rectors Palace, and Sponza Palace. 

Things to do

1. ‘Game of Thrones’ Walking Tour of Dubrovnik
2. Dubrovnik Sea Kayak and Snorkeling Small-Group Tour
3. Dubrovnik Ghosts and Mystery Walking Tour
4. Save King’s Landing - Dubrovnik Escape Room
5. Hike (or take the cable car) to the top of Mount Sr?
6. Sail, swim and snorkel on a sailing yacht in Dubrovnik - active sailing experience
7. Go on a wine-tasting tour in The Peljesac Peninsula.

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Split

The second-largest city and sits on the eastern shore of Croatia. Split serves as a number of places across the arrow Sea, specifically for Meereen and some for Braavos.

• Fortress of Klis is the City of Meereen.
• Diocletian’s Palace cellars were used as underground passages in Meereen, Daenerys’ throne’s room, and the dragon’s prison.
• Papalieva Street is the scene of the Slave Rebellion.
• Ka?tel Gomilica as it serves for some Braavos exterior scenes. It’s not quite in Split, but it?s less than 10 miles from the city.

Other than Dubrovnik and Split, there are a few different areas that have featured in the show. They include the Perun Quarry, Mosor Mountain, Sibenik’s Cathedral of St. James, Trogir’s St. Dominic’s Monastery, and Baka Voda. 

Things to do

1. ‘Game of Thrones’ Tour in Split
2. 75-minute Diocletian Palace Walking Tour
3. Krka Waterfalls and Sibenik Tour
4. Plitvice Lakes National Park Tour
5. 6 Islands and Caves Small-Group Tour with Lunch and Wine Tasting
6. Kayaking in the Adriatic Sea with Snorkeling

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Northern Ireland

Belfast in Northern Ireland is the birthplace and the main headquarters of the show. Being used for major interior scenes, I’m sure in a year or two there will be a GoT tour similar to the Harry Potter World.

County Antrim holds most of Belfast and sits along the northern coast. There’s a ton filmed here, from Castle Black scenes all the way to the Dothraki Sea: 

• While it’s not open to the public, Game of Thrones has used Magheramorne Quarry for a number of places from Castle Black to Hardhome.
• Cairnecastle (or Carncastle) a.k.a Moat Cailin is a small village made of moors and hills.
• The ruins of Shane’s Castle date back to 1345 and are used in the Tourney of the Hand, Winterfell’s crypt scenes, and in the fight between Jaime and Brienne.
• Ballintoy Harbour doubles as the Iron Islands.
• Carrick-a-Rede or as we know it - Stormlands where Renly’s army camp is based.
• Melissandre gives birth in the Cushendun Caves.
• For the south side of the Wall, Toome is used.
• Perhaps the most incredible place to visit in County Antrim is the Dark Hedges, a long row of haunting looking trees. It’s used as a northern part of Kingsroad.
• Both Ballymoney and the Glens of Antrim are used as the Dothraki Sea.

County Down borders County Antrim and is used mostly for northern Westeros scenes.

• Castle Ward is the main filming location for Winterfell, though it’s also used for Stark and Lannister army camp scenes.
• Saintfield Estates is also used for Robb Stark’s army.
• The Starks find the dire wolves as puppies in Tollymore Forest Park.
• The Rowallane Gardens double as the Godswood.
• Inch Abbey home to Robb’s confirmation’s as King of the North.
• Corbett Village is used for House Tulley and Riverrun.

Other notable places in County Down include Banbridge, Myra Castle, Sandy Brae, the Mourne Mountains, River Quoile, and the Clandeboy Estate Forest. 

Gosford Castle in County Armagh is also used for exterior shots of Riverrun, and Downhill Strand in County Derry is Dragonstone.

Things to do

1. Game of Thrones Tours - Belfast Winterfell Trek
2. Explore Giant’s Causeway
3. Titanic Belfast
4. Kayak in Ballintoy Harbour (Family Package)
5. Belfast Walking tour with a local

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Scotland

Scotland’s sole representation in GoT is Doune Castle, a medieval castle originally built in the 13th century. You may recognize it as Winterfell.

Things to do

1. Loch Ness, Glencoe, and the Highlands
2. West Highlands, Lochs and Castles
3. (Skip-the-Line) Edinburgh Castle Walking Tour
4. Wildlife Cruise from John O’Groats

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