King's Landing
Dubrovnik, Croatia
Recognizable for its red roofs, enormous city walls and a towering clifftop fortress, the medieval city of Dubrovnik stood in as King's Landing. The wealthy port city survived calamities and battles and is presently listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The old city streets and gates were prominently used for the capital of the Seven Kingdoms where the Gold Cloaks patrolled and where riots against King Joffrey took place. Step inside the Red Keep or what's known in the real world setting as the Fortress of St. Lawrence.
Beyond the Wall
Vatnajökull, Iceland
Meaning 'Water Glacier', Vatnajökull is one of the largest glaciers in Europe taking up 8% of Iceland's landmass. Constituting a part of the Vatnajökull National Park, the glacier represented the eternal winterlands beyond the Wall in Game of Thrones. No special effects are needed to recreate the harsh landscape where the wildlings roamed.
Braavos & King's Landing
Girona Medieval Quarters, Spain
Already a popular day trip destination from Barcelona, Girona is known for its rich history, medieval architecture and unique cuisine. Various locations throughout the city were used to depict the free city of Braavos, with scenes of the Braavosi market filmed in the area of the Arabic Baths and the Pujada de Sant Domènec, and the narrow corridor of the Carrer Sant Llorenç making an appearance during Arya's encounter with The Waif. Girona Cathedral also makes an appearance on the show as the exterior of the Great Sept of Baelor; the staircase of this famous church is featured prominently in a number of scenes, notably when Jaime Lannister gallops up the steps on horseback.
Winterfell
Castle Ward, Northern Ireland
An 18th-century stone tower house in County Down, Northern Ireland, Castle Ward was the home of earls and viscounts before the estate was turned over to the National Trust for conservation. The historic grounds served as the backdrop for Winterfell, the ancestral home of the Starks, during the first season. Today, visitors can find a replica of the archery range where the Stark children trained in Season 1. Guests can also dress in costume and try their hand in target-shooting with a real bow and arrow.
Yunkai
Aït-Ben-Haddou, Morocco
Morocco's Aït-Ben-Haddou, located on the route from Marrakech to the Sahara, is shown as the slave-trading city of Yunkai, which Daenerys laid siege to as she traveled through Essos. Years before its appearance in the show, the fortified city was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site as an example of traditional pre-Saharan architecture and construction.
The Dragonpit
Roman Ruins of Italica
Located just a short trip from Seville are the ruins of Italica, one of Spain's earliest Roman settlements. This ancient city's massive amphitheatre was the setting for the Dragonpit in King's Landing, which was originally built to contain the legendary dragons. In Season 7, the Dragonpit became the setting for a pivotal meeting which brought together major characters in a landmark negotiation.
Winterfell
Doune Castle, Scotland
While the farmyard of the Castle Ward served as the Winterfell interiors, the exteriors are a ruined castle in Stirling, Scotland built around the 14th century. In real life, the Doune Castle has a history as tumultuous as the book and TV series, having been a part of the Wars of the Three Kingdoms and the Jacobite rebellions. See the castle with an Edinburgh day trip and imagine yourselves as part of King Baratheon's party arriving at the capital of the North.
Kingsroad
Dark Hedges, Northern Ireland
The Dark Hedges is a tunnel lined by gnarled beech trees in County Antrim, Northern Ireland which served as the Kingsroad where Arya Stark traveled to join the Night's Watch. The trees, numbering over 150, were planted back in the 18th century to line the road leading to the Georgian mansion of the Stuart family. Travel towards Ballymoney to see this eerie avenue on a tour from Dublin or Belfast. The Dark Hedges is close to the famous Giant's Causeway.
Dragonstone
San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, Spain
With its dramatic cliffs rising over the rugged Basque coast, the islet of Gaztelugatxe was chosen to represent House Targaryen’s Dragonstone. The winding footbridge leading to the 10th century hermitage of San Juan de Gazelugatxe atop the island is the path that Daenerys and Jon Snow have been shown walking on, and is the best spot to catch magnificent views of the coastline.
Water Gardens of Dorne
Alcazar of Seville, Spain
Seville's Alcázar is famous in its own right, a jewel of Mudejar style architecture and one of the oldest royal palaces in Europe. Its ornate halls and lush gardens made it the perfect setting for the Water Gardens of Dorne, the palace of House Martell. Various parts of the Alcazar, such as the Hall of Ambassadors and Mercury Pond, have appeared on the show to represent the Dornish palace.
King's Landing Gate
Mdina Gate, Malta
Besides Croatia and Spain, the island nation of Malta also doubled as King's Landing. The small archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea is well-known for its ancient walls and city gates. Mdina Gate is one such historic entryway through which Catelyn Stark and Ser Rodrik Cassel rode into the capital of the Seven Kingdoms in the first season.
