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20 Game of Thrones Filming Locations You Can Visit in 2024

20 Game of Thrones Filming Locations You Can Visit in 2024

Fans of HBO’s Game of Thrones are drawn into a fantasy world with noble family power struggles, fearsome dragons, betrayals and forbidden love, and the underlying strength of family bonds.

But the storyline isn’t the only thing that makes the series so captivating for viewers — it’s also the Game of Thrones filming locations that create a fantastical backdrop with ancient castles and fortresses, dramatic landscapes, and enchanting cliffside villages.

20 Game of Thrones Filming Locations to Visit in 2024

As one of the largest (and most expensive) television productions of all time, Game of Thrones was shot on location at extraordinarily scenic places around the world: Croatia, Iceland, Ireland, Spain, Morocco, Malta, and more. 

If you’ve ever found yourself wishing to step inside of the legendary, Shakespearian world of the show, there are 20 real Game of Thrones filming locations you can visit. They’re every bit as enchanting and visually striking as they’re depicted in the series. 

Let’s take a look at the fantastical filming locations that should be on your upcoming GOT trip itinerary. 

1. Castle Ward in County Down, Northern Ireland

Medieval vibe with brick fences and structures at the Castle Ward in County Down, Northern Ireland, one of the Game of Thrones filming locations you can visit

Joaquin Ossorio Castillo/Shutterstock

In Season 1, Winterfell Castle was depicted at Castle Ward in County Down, overlooking the Strangford Lough inlet. This hauntingly beautiful 18th-century classical/Gothic castle in Northern Ireland that served as the royal home of the House Stark is worth touring. 

The 1,000 acre walled property features walking paths and trails, gardens, a stableyard with a coffee shop, and the castle itself for leisurely tours. Wander through the stately home, done in period-appropriate decoration, and visit the tea room for a warm cup and a snack. 

You’ll learn not only about Castle Ward’s lengthy history, but with a GOT guided tour, you’ll reenter the drama and storyline of the first season, seeing the famed window that Bran Stark was pushed from, Winterfell crypt and courtyard, and little-known facts about the filming location. 

Fun fact: Some episodes of Game of Thrones used Doune Castle in Scotland as the initial location for Winterfell Castle.

How to Visit

  • Entrance Fees: £12 (adult), £6 (child), £18 (1 adult, 2 children)
  • Operating Hours: 10AM-4PM; guided tours from Feb. to Apr. from 11AM-3PM

2. Ballintoy Harbour, Northern Ireland

Wavy sea at one of the Game of Thrones filming locations you can visit, Ballintoy Harbour in Northern Ireland on an overcast day

shawnwil23/Shutterstock

Ballintoy Harbour was shown as the Iron Islands in Game of Thrones, where Theon Greyjoy celebrates his homecoming, meets Yara (his sister), and marvels at his newly built longship, the Sea Bitch, built by Sigrin. 

The harbour itself is in a particularly scenic coastal region of Northern Ireland along a route that tourists take to admire the views with craggy cliffs, keyhole rock arches, bouldered beaches, cobbled mossy walls, old stone buildings, and the ship-like, window-filled Bendhu House. 

Still an active port for fishermen and locals, this area feels like stepping back in time — or right into the Iron Islands from the series. You can swing by the Smuggler’s Inn pub for a pint after you walk around the area and take photos of places you remember from the show. 

How to Visit

  • Entrance Fees: Free to visit; paid third-party boat and GOT tours available
  • Operating Hours: 9:30AM-4PM daily; last entry at 3:30PM

3. Fort Manoel, Malta

Heavy mass of clouds hovering above Fort Manoel in Malta, Game of Thrones filming locations you can visit, as a number of tourists stroll within the landmark

Wirestock Creators/Shutterstock

Venture to the island of Malta to see the 18th-century star-shaped fortress of Fort Manoel, the memorably dark place where Ned Stark confessed to treason and was executed at the command of Joffrey in the Baelor episode of Season 1. 

You can see where the characters tread at Fort Manoel, taking in the arched arcade facades, crumbling masonry, and coastal views you’ll recognize from the show.

Take GOT tours that include even more locations from Malta, including Fort Ricasoli and Mdina (the Mdina Gate from King’s Landing in S1 E3, Mesquita Square with Littlefinger’s Brothel and the famous sword fight from S1 E5, and the Street of Steel from S1 E4). 

This is a beautiful destination that you’ll appreciate beyond its links to Game of Thrones, but tourists offer conflicting information on whether or not it’s open. Some say it’s not easily accessible to the public, while others had no trouble getting to the fort and exploring. 

If you’re not able to get directly to the fort at the time of your visit, you can still get great views of it when you take a trip from Sliema to Valetta.

How to Visit

  • Entrance Fees: Free; paid third-party guided GOT tours available
  • Operating Hours: The Fort is open from 9:30AM-4PM when it’s not closed

4. Tollymore Forest Park, Northern Ireland

A medieval arch gate on a bright Autumn at Tollymore Forest Park in Northern Ireland, a piece on Game of Thrones filming locations you can visit

The Escape of Malee/Shutterstock

The Haunted Forest, north of the Wall in Game of Thrones was filmed in Tollymore Forest Park in Northern Ireland. Here, you’ll find the setting for the Wolfswood close to Winterfell and the Kingsroad near Castle Black. 

This haunting, magical forest with stunning mountain views all around is where the Starks first find the Direwolf pups in the first season of the show, making it an integral setting in the GOT universe. 

This is where the dismembered bodies were found lying in the snow by the Rangers of the Night’s Watch in Season 1. You’ll be wrapped in the story from the moment you enter the forest. 

With a large parking lot that offers easy access to the forest, this is an amazing spot to take photos and really feel like you’ve walked into the twisted storyline of Game of Thrones.

If you arrange a guided GOT tour, you might get extras, like your own wool cloak to don as you enter the forest realm. Visiting on your own is fun with a number of winding hiking trails, stone bridges, the Shimna River leading through the 630-hectare park. 

How to Visit

  • Entrance Fees: £5 per car; £13 per minibus; £2.50 per motorcycle
  • Operating Hours: Year-round from 10AM-sunset

5. Bardenas Reales Natural Park, Spain

A magnificent natural rock formation at a desert region on Bardenas Reales Natural Park in Spain, one of many Game of Thrones filming locations you can visit

Alfredo Ruiz Huerga/Shutterstock

You’ll recognize the otherworldly landscapes of Bardenas Reales Natural Park in Spain as the setting for the vast plains of the Dothraki Sea on the Essos continent in Season 6 of Game of Thrones. 

With eroded rock formations rising out of the barren steppe and green plains rolling alongside, it’s a stunning location to visit. 

You’ll feel like Daenerys as you walk or bike the paths where she and her followers rode through the homeland of the Khalasars in Season 6. Visions of the thousands of warriors on horseback in this semidesert, alien landscape will draw you into the GOT storyline. 

This vast natural park is known as the Spanish badlands, resembling the Badlands of South Dakota in the United States in some ways.

Rock formations with wild erosion patterns, jagged canyons, and tabletop plateaus make this park an awesome destination on your GOT journey. You can even tour it by car or 4WD vehicle if you’re short on time and want to see the areas where parts of the show were filmed. 

How to Visit

  • Entrance Fees: Free; some military use areas not accessible 
  • Operating Hours: 8AM to 1 hour before dusk year-round

6. Itzurun Beach, Spain

Large rock cavities formed overtime at a rocky coast of Itzurun Beach in Spain, one of the notable Game of Thrones filming locations you can visit

Alberto Loyo/Shutterstock

Dragonstone Beach from the Game of Thrones series is actually Itzurun Beach in the village of Zumaia, Spain. Here, Daenerys lands alongside her army upon her triumphant return to Westeros. The scene where Jon Snow mines dragonglass in the caves is also filmed here. 

The chance to stroll the same sands and rocks as Daenerys did in Season 7 — her first time stepping foot on her own ancestral lands is a powerful moment for the series — is one you can’t miss out on.

This is also where you see Jon and Theon landing on Dragonstone Beach among the linear flysch rock formations that make this setting so iconic. Even non-fans can appreciate the geological uniqueness of this Spanish beach. 

Visiting to enter the dragonglass caves can be a challenge with the tides. At low tide, you’ll have the best chance of making your way into the caves and seeing the cool rock formations without them being covered by water. 

How to Visit

  • Entrance Fees: Free year-round
  • Operating Hours: Open to the public year-round

7. Grjótagjá Cave, Iceland

Grjótagjá Cave Hot Spring, one of the Game of Thrones filming locations you can visit, a popular attraction in North Iceland's area of active volcanoes

Yanshu Li/Shutterstock

The steamy site of Jon Snow and Ygritte’s first tryst was the Grjótagjá Cave in Iceland, a rift that opens up from the barren ground to a thermal pool and hot spring heated by volcanic activity and magma flowing just underground. 

Jon and Ygritte made it famous in Season 3’s 5th episode in this earthy hideaway with surreal blue water in the rocky cavern. People recognize the episode as one of the most romantic and steamy of the series — and for good reason. 

But many don’t realize that the episode wasn’t actually filmed with Jon and Ygritte in the waters of Grjótagjá because they’re much too hot with the geothermal activity. Instead, it was filmed in a studio with imagery from the cave being recreated (and a waterfall added). 

It’s a small, narrow cave and tourists are known to pack the area at mid-day on weekends. Just don’t try to get in the water, which can reach temperatures around 122°F. Nearby, the Stóragjá lava cave is cooler and suitable for swimming.

How to Visit

  • Entrance Fees: Free w/free parking nearby
  • Operating Hours: Varies; located on private land

8. Lokrum, Croatia

Outside lobby at the old Benedict Monastery Of St Mary in Lokrum, Croatia was transformed as a movie set and now one of the Game of Thrones filming locations you can visit

Haeree Park/Shutterstock

The small, historic island of Lokrum off the coast of Dubrovnik, Croatia was used as the setting for Qarth with its golden peacock sculptures and the Iron Throne on the south coast of the Essos continent bordering the vividly-colored Jade Sea.

Its stone architecture and monastery are famed sites from the show. Lokrum made its first appearance in Season 2 when Kovarro guides Daenerys to the port, where she’s refused entry after choosing not to show the elite Thirteen her dragons and then promises her army their coming freedom. 

The garden party where Daenerys receives an invitation to visit the House of the Undying from the warlock Pyat Pree in Season 2 takes place in the island’s botanical gardens at the historic Benedictine monastery. 

But the real significance is in the ancient monastery itself (built in 1023) which houses a Game of Thrones exhibit that makes any tour that much more enjoyable and educational for fans. 

You’ll be able to watch videos of the show’s actors and actresses discussing their Croatian filming experiences here and in Dubrovnik, learn interesting facts about the location, and see a replica of the Iron Throne where you can take photos. 

Water taxis and ferries from the Old City harbor in Dubrovnik can bring you right the shores of Lokrum in about 15 minutes for a full or half-day tour. 

How to Visit

  • Entrance Fees: Free to visit the island; ferries cost about €7
  • Operating Hours: Visitor’s center open daily 8AM-7PM

Read Next: The Best Time to Visit Croatia

9. The Cushendun Caves, Northern Ireland

A huge boulder at Causeway Coast along a path leading towards the Cushendun Caves in Northern Ireland, one of the most notable Game of Thrones filming locations you can visit

JeniFoto/Shutterstock

A coastal village in Northern Ireland dotted with seaside caves, paths winding by the water’s edge, and mossy rock formations, the Cushendun Caves are the site near Storm’s End in the Baratheon homeland, Stormland, where Ser Davos Seaworthy rows Red Priestess Melisandre ashore to bring her Shadow Baby into the world. 

First seen in the series in Season 2, the Cushendun Caves are once again featured in Season 8 as the cavern battleground for Jaime Lannister and Euron Greyjoy in King’s Landing. 

These 400-million year old caves create quite an eerie backdrop for the dramatic turns of the GOT storyline and it’s all palpable when you wander the paths up to the caves and head inside to explore.

Daily tours can bring you into the caves with production and filming facts from the series that deepen the connection between the show and location. 

How to Visit

  • Entrance Fees: Free entry; paid third-party GOT tours are available
  • Operating Hours: Open to the public year-round

10. Essaouira, Morocco

Sunset over the older Essaouira Citadel, a Game of Thrones filming locations you can visit, where used blue fishing boats and docked

Alex Cimbal/Shutterstock

Sitting on the shores of Morocco, Essaouira and its 18th-century coastal defense ramparts and skala were the site of Slaver’s Bay, Astapor — the home of the Unsullied in GOT. There are multiple scenes in Season 3 where these unique, historic structures can be seen in Game of Thrones. 

It’s here that Daenerys buys 8,000 Unsullied soldiers to offer them freedom. The city’s two-level fortifications feature the famed line of bronze cannons along the rampart, which were covered by the punishment platform in the show for the “Walk of Punishment.” 

The ramparts are where most of the scenes featuring this location in Season 3 were filmed, including episode 1 with Daenerys’ arrival and her meeting with the leader Kraznys of the Unsullied. 

Later in the episode, Daenerys moves to Essaouira’s Scala du Port for a discussion with Ser Jorah, her advisor, and meets the little girl hiding a venomous scorpion when a hooded man prevents its attack on Daenerys. 

In Season 3, episode 3, Essaouira is once again seen during the Walk of Punishment with the crucifixes lining the area where the actual cannons are fixed in place. You can wander up to the place where Daenerys made plans to purchase the Unsullied up the slope of the ramparts and into the alleyways. 

How to Visit

  • Entrance Fees: Free; paid third-party GOT tours are available
  • Operating Hours: Open year-round

Read Next: Is Morocco Safe to Visit in 2024?

11. Šibenik, Croatia 

Locals strolling around near Saint James Cathedral in Šibenik, Croatia, a famous Game of Thrones filming locations you can visit

Lukasz Dro/Shutterstock

You’ll be able to visit sites from the 5th season of Game of Thrones by visiting the Croatian city of Šibenik, which served as the wealthy city of Braavos in northwestern Essos in the series. 

The Iron Bank, Moonsingers, and Faceless Men of the show were all featured in the Renaissance flair of Braavos, and you can visit the locations where some of Season 5’s most iconic scenes were filmed.

The first glimpse of Šibenik in the show is in Season 5 when you see Mandroc, the fisherman’s port, as Arya Stark arrives in the city. The port really exists and bustles with activity during the day. 

The stunning St. James Cathedral (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) in Šibenik became the House of Black and White as well as the Iron Bank in the show. This is where Arya calls home after following Bravoosi and it’s the world’s largest stone church. 

You’ll also recognize the hilltop St. John’s fortress as Meereen in the Bay of Dragons and its legendary fighting pits where the enslaved Jorah goes head-to-head with warriors, reveals who he truly is, and presents Tyrion to Daenerys as a gift. 

How to Visit

  • Entrance Fees: Free; guided GOT tours available from third parties
  • Operating Hours: Open year-round

12. Royal Alcázar of Seville, Spain

Emerald water on the small center pool at the courtyard and heavily decorated walls at Royal Alcázar of Seville in Spain, a Game of Thrones filming locations you can visit

Mick2770/Shutterstock

The 10th-century Royal Alcázar of Seville palace in Seville, Spain is still used as the royal residence of the Spanish royal family in Seville, but it’s possibly even more famous as one of the filming locations for the 5th season of Game of Thrones. 

You may recognize the exotic, tiled, and lush palace complex as the Water Gardens of Dorne, the seat of House Martell in the show. Four areas of the palace were used in the show: The gardens, Ambassadors’ Hall, Mercury’s Pool, and the Baths of Maria de Padilla.

In Season 5, episode 6, you see the gardens around the palace as the Pavilion of Carlos V where Myrcella and Trystane are approached by Jaime Lannister as they sneak into the gardens and get surprised by the Sand Snakes (Ellaria Sand and daughters). 

Episode 2 sees the Pond of Mercury in the palace as Jaime first arrives back in Dorne to fetch Myrcella and bring her to King’s Landing. The pond is shown again during a heated discussion between Ellaria Sand and Prince Doran. 

The opulent Hall of Ambassadors within the palace is shown in episode 9, when Prince Doran frees Jaime and Myrcella to return to King’s Landing. You see the Baths of Maria de Padilla when the Sand Snakes plot Oberyn Martell’s death. 

How to Visit

  • Entrance Fees: €13.50 (ground floor only); €6 for seniors and students; free for kids under 13 and disabled guests
  • Operating Hours: 9:30AM-5PM daily

13. Osuna Bullring, Spain

You’ll immediately recognize The Osuna Bullring, or Plaza de Toros de Osuna, in Spain as the Great Pit of Daznak in Meereen, Slaver’s Bay, Astapor. This colosseum-style structure was featured in Season 5 as a dramatic battleground and known as the “fighting pit.”

In reality, the Osuna Bullring was used since 1904 for bullfights and stands as a museum and historic landmark today. A ring of red boards divides the pit of the bullring from the stadium seating to protect the audience from the angry bulls. 

The arena’s stone construction looks similar to that of Croatia, leading producers to choose this location for the pit of Meereen. Here, Daenerys sits in her throne watching slaves fight like gladiators in the pit below in Season 5, episode 9. 

This is where Daenerys’ dragons enter the pit and join an intense battle between slaves and nobles, engulfing people in flames and causing mass destruction. It’s a sight to behold in real life — although much safer than depicted in the show. 

When you’re here, be sure to grab lunch at Casa Curro in nearby Plazuela Salitre. It’s where the GOT cast ate lunch each day during filming and where Emilia Clarke (Daenerys) celebrated her birthday! They even have a special GOT-themed menu. 

How to Visit

  • Entrance Fees: €4.60 for adults; €3.10 for seniors
  • Operating Hours: Sat. from 4-6PM; check specific dates for more times

14. Castillo Almodovar del Rio, Spain

An old fortified medieval fortress on top of a hill, Castillo Almodovar del Rio in Spain, is one of the Game of Thrones filming locations you can visit in real life

Oliver Hoffmann/Shutterstock

Castillo Almodovar del Rio is a historic castle built in 740 in Cordoba, Spain, but you probably know it as Highgarden from Game of Thrones. Sitting on a hilltop on even older remnants of an ancient royal palace, it became a military fortress and has stood for centuries. 

The outside of the castle is first seen in Season 7 of GOT when Jaime Lannister arrives at Highgarden. Olenna Tyrell’s balcony (the actual Tower of Homage) is seen next as she watches enemy troops make their way to the castle. 

The castle’s courtyard, which you can visit and walk through, is the same one shown as Jaime heads down Olenna Tyrell’s hallway and up into the tower. Another scene shows soliders sneak into the castle through underground tunnels that lead into the castle dungeons. 

You can tour the castle and learn about its history, past invasions, and conquests as well as taking specialized tours that lead you through the filming locations for Game of Thrones. 

How to Visit

  • Entrance Fees: €10 (adults), €8.50 (seniors, students), €6 (children)
  • Operating Hours: Weekdays 11AM-2:30PM and 4-7PM; weekends 11AM to 7-8PM

15. Dubrovnik, Croatia

The beautiful old town of Dubrovnik in Croatia is one of the Game of Thrones filming locations you can visit, with crystal clear water on its coast

Dreamer4787/Shutterstock

Dubrovnik doesn’t seem like a real place — it’s so scenic with red-tiled roofs, stone buildings and fortresses, and brilliant blue water. But in Game of Thrones, it transforms into King’s Landing, the capital of the Seven Kingdoms. 

While King’s Landing is shown as several locations around Europe throughout the show, Season 6 paints its picture in Dubrovnik with towering stone walls, 40-foot thick walls at Fort Lovrijenac, and jagged cliffs jutting out over the crashing waves of the Mediterranean Sea. 

Fort Lovrijenac becomes the Red Keep in the show, the site where Cersei Lannister sits on his imposing Iron Throne, and the Minceta Fortress transforms into the House of the Undying, where warlock Pyat Pree invites Daenerys in an earlier season. 

Blackwater Bay is actually the Dubrovnik West Pier, and it’s famous for a certain fight sequence and shown in the background of many less-intense scenes. You might remember Sansa talking to Littlefinger on the bridge here as Shae watched. 

Pile Harbour became King’s Landing in the show, where boats arrived and left the port (like when Myrcella took off for Dorne in Season 2). Fort Bokar along the Old Town Dubrovnik wall, was shown in GOT as Lord Varys and Tyrion went over defense strategies in Season 2’s episode 8. 

You’ll even recognize Gradac Park from the Purple Wedding in the show (sorry, Joffrey) and Pile Gate on the edge of the Old Town as the site of the manure-provoked massive riot in episode 6 of Season 2. 

How to Visit

  • Entrance Fees: Free; paid third-party GOT and guided tours available 
  • Operating Hours: Open for tourism year-round; individual sites may have limited hours

16. Thingvellir National Park, Iceland

Photographed from a railed footpath as a piece on Game of Thrones filming locations you can visit, people walking beside the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates in Thingvellir National Park, Iceland

Nido Huebl/Shutterstock

The visual drama of Iceland makes a nice fit for the storylines of Game of Thrones, and Thingvellir National Park is one of the most iconic places where the show was filmed in Iceland. It depicts the landscape on the other side of The Wall and is an excellent, scenic spot to explore. 

Located in southern Iceland’s Bláskógabyggð, this rugged landscape captures the divide between tectonic plates with huge rifts and cliffs, valleys, and waterfalls depicted in the show.

While the locations shown in the show aren’t named, you’ll recognize many of the scenes as you walk through the rocky outcrops and cliffs on either side of you. Picture the wildling campsite and Ygritte and Tormund wandering though as you walk this striking stretch of land. 

The park is a sight to behold in real life. The cold, snowy tundras and glaciers surrounding you will transport you to the land of the White Walkers. Thankfully, you won’t be battling any during your visit.

How to Visit

  • Entrance Fees: Free; parking 750-1000 ISK ($5-$7.20)
  • Operating Hours: Open year-round; visitor center from 9AM-6PM

17. Trsteno Arboretum, Croatia

Gazebo with a tiled roof overlooking a calm sea at Trsteno Arboretum in Croatia is one of the Game of Thrones filming locations you can visit in real life

nadtochiy/Shutterstock

Tall, ancient trees stand in shady groves at Trsteno Arboretum, just northwest of Dubrovnik in Croatia. This is the real-world setting of the fictional palace gardens of King’s Landing in Game of Thrones. 

Trsteno Arboretum was featured in the 2nd and 3rd seasons of the show. People call the arboretum the Tyrell Garden, and you may remember seeing it when Olenna Tyrell talked to Sansa about Joffrey marrying Margaery, or when Cersei learns that Oberon will be sending a gift to Myrcella. 

It’s the perfect spot to take pictures by the old olive press, check out the old aqueduct and mill, pose by the intricate fountain, and overlook the sea and islands in the distance, just like the characters in the show. 

With its close proximity to Dubrovnik, you can add this filming location onto a tour of the city for an immersive Game of Thrones experience while you’re in Croatia! 

How to Visit

  • Entrance Fees: €10 (adults), €7 (students and children), free (residents and special groups)
  • Operating Hours: 7AM-7PM May-October; 8AM-4PM November-April

18. Gaztelugatxe, Spain

Narrow stairs on a coastal mountain at Gaztelugatxe in Spain, one of the Game of Thrones filming locations you can visit

Mimadeo/Shutterstock

San Juan de Gaztelugatxe is a scenic islet off the coast of Spain and the dramatic filming location for scenes depicting the seaside Dragonstone, the castle of House Targaryen and Daenerys’ home. A bridge connects it to the mainland and you’ll travel it to reach this storied location. 

This is the place where Daenerys famously arrives back in Westeros with her brood of mighty dragons flying above her head, signaling her arrival and strength as the Mother of Dragons. 

You won’t find the actual castle here — that’s CGI — but a hermitage sits on top of the cliffside hill and is well worth the trek it takes to get there (about 240 steps up a stone stairway and 240 more up to the hermitage) and take in the scenic coastal views.

It’s not hard to imagine Dragonstone atop this hill, emanating its power and influence to lands across the waters and all who arrive to see it. You’ll likely run into other tourists coming by to see this famous spot and to ring the bell 3 times before making a wish (a local custom). 

Hike the trail around Gaztelugatxe, which takes around 1.5 hours at a leisurely pace, all the way up to the church at the top and to take plenty of pictures. 

How to Visit

19. Fortress Klis, Croatia

The medieval Fortress Klis in Croatia is one of the Game of Thrones filming locations you can visit in real life, situated on a sloppy mountain side

ninopavisic/Shutterstock

Klis Fortress is a medieval fortress overlooking the town of Klis, close to Split, Croatia with excellent views over the city and the Adriatic Sea. Sitting in its elevated position between twin mountains on the coast, it’s a gorgeous location that fans flock to see in real life. 

On Game of Thrones, Klis Fortress is transformed with CGI into the city of Meereen. While it looks different in the show thanks to a little digital magic, you can recognize the scenery and setting easily when you arrive.

This is the place where the Unsullied soldiers broke in to free the Meereenese slaves from the catacombs, then back Daenerys to conquer the city and crucify the cruel masters in Season 4. 

You can enter into the fortress and tour at your own pace or opt for a more in-depth guided tour to learn more about the history of the fortress and its significance over time. Special GOT tours might be a better idea if you’re solely interested in the filming locations and trivia about the show. 

How to Visit

  • Entrance Fees: €10 (adults), €3 (children)
  • Operating Hours: Open 9AM-5PM daily

20. Ait Ben Haddou, Morocco

Clay-like structures at a desert in Ait Ben Haddou, Morocco is one of UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987 and a Game of Thrones filming locations you can visit

Ivan Soto Cobos/Shutterstock

Ait Ben Haddou in Morocco may look familiar as the city of Yunkai seen in Season 3 in Game of Thrones. Yunkai is one of the cities in Essos that Daenerys visits during her time in Slaver’s Bay. 

If you think back to Season 3 when Daario, Jorah, and Greyworm capture the city of Yunkai on behalf of Daenerys and the iconic scene where Daenerys crowd surfs after freeing the city in episode 10, this ancient settlement will take on a new light. 

Just don’t look around too much for the gates the city’s slaves pour through in Season 3 — it was CGI, but the reality of this historic location is more than enough to keep you intrigued as you wander through. 

As the 2nd most-Instagrammed Game of Thrones filming location, this ancient city is beyond photogenic and absolutely mesmerizing to visit in person.

The somewhat uniform, fortified clay homes and buildings form a beautiful backdrop that fans will instantly recognize as the “Yellow City” from the show. The city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and still looks just as it did centuries ago. 

Maybe that’s why so many TV shows and movies have chosen it as a setting for larger-than-life films and shows, including Gladiator. Cinema and TV fans in general will appreciate visiting this place! 

How to Visit

  • Entrance Fees: Free; paid third-party tours available
  • Operating Hours: Open year-round; no tickets needed

Things to Consider

Woman with a black crow on her shoulder cosplaying at one of the best Game of Thrones filming locations to visit

Fernando Cortes/Shutterstock

You’ve seen 20 of the most iconic Game of Thrones filming locations around the world, but what else should you know if you’re planning to see some of these places IRL? Here are our best travel tips. 

  • Plan a huge Game of Thrones tour. Put together a massive tour of the different GOT filming locations around the world to take your fandom to the next level. Whether you want to see every location or just head to the ones clustered around Ireland, Croatia, and Spain, you’ll find there are plenty of places to fill out a great trip itinerary. 
  • Think about crowds and visit times. Some locations, usually those that are harder to reach or more out of the way, won’t deal with massive crowds, but many of the most popular and iconic GOT filming spots get packed with tourists. Mid-day and weekends are generally the most crowded, so plan to set out early and on a weekday if possible to see these places. 
  • Do your research. We’ve tried to provide as much information as possible about visiting some of the top filming locations for Game of Thrones, but it’s essential to do some research before you plan your trip to make sure the places are still open for tourists, entry fees haven’t changed, etc. 
  • Manage your expectations. Thes locations are stunning in person, but you’ll want to keep expectations in check because a lot of what made them magical in the show was CGI or editing “magic.” You’ve seen that you can’t actually bathe in the Grjótagjá Cave of Iceland like it’s depicted in show (it’s too hot), and learned that Dragonstone Castle doesn’t actually exist, but has a small church in its place. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Dark Hedges in Antrim in Ireland, a Game of Thrones filming location

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Want to learn more about the most iconic Game of Thrones filming locations? Take a look at the most frequently asked questions on the topic below. 

Where was Westeros in Game of Thrones filmed?

Northern Ireland was the filming location for much of the temperate, mild region of Westeros in Game of Thrones, including army encampments, the haunted forest, and wilderness shots in Westeros.

Scenes shot in cold or warm areas of the Game of Thrones universe were shot in Malta, Croatia, Iceland, Spain, and Morocco.

Where was Winterfell filmed in Game of Thrones?

Winterfell was filmed in Northern Ireland and Scotland by the GOT filming crew. Locations like Castle Ward in County Down, Northern Ireland and Doune Castle in Scotland were shot to depict the fictional Winterfell castle.

Where was King's Landing shot?

The coastal, historic city of Dubrovnik, Croatia is where the stunning city of King's Landing (on the eastern coast of Westeros in the show) was shot for the Game of Thrones series.

The city's stone architecture, massive walls and fortress, and dramatic coastal and cliffside views made it perfect for the show's depiction of the capital of the Seven Kingdoms.

Where were the winter scenes in Game of Thrones filmed?

Winter scenes in Game of Thrones were filmed mainly in Iceland to represent the area Beyond the Wall. The rugged, snowy wilderness of Iceland captured the unknowable nature and wildness of the region past The Wall in the series.

Massive rock formations, volcanoes, bouldered beaches, and dismal winter wilderness in Thingvellir National Park as well as steamy scenes at Grjótagjá Cave in Iceland made this country important for filming the show.

Where was season 4 of Game of Thrones filmed?

Season 4 of Game of Thrones was filmed in different locations, but most scenes were shot in Northern Ireland, Iceland, and Croatia for this season. Season 4 started filming in July 2013 and was released on April 6, 2014.

So, What’s the Best Game of Thrones Filming Location?

A yellow Game of Thrones sign at a set in Dubrovnik, Croatia, one of the Game of Thrones filming locations you can visit

EvaL Miko/Shutterstock

The most iconic Game of Thrones filming locations aren’t located in the fantasy world — they’re right here in the realm of reality, just waiting for you to pack up and come see for yourself! 

From dark, foreboding castles on craggy cliffs bordering the sea to underground hot springs that gave way to lovers’ trysts, the places that made the cut for Game of Thrones filming are completely stunning to see in person. 

Whether you’re planning a tour around the world to hit the most famous locations featured on the show or just want to visit the most scenic spots in Dubrovnik and Northern Ireland, you’ll gain a new appreciation for the striking visuals from the series and feel a little bit closer to the show once you’ve walked these hallowed grounds.