Warning: major spoilers ahead.
Just kidding. Your Facebook feed has probably given you enough of that already.
Still, we need to talk about the Night King’s insane power (ignore those memes of him throwing a javelin, he killed a dragon for Christ’s sake). Speaking of dragons, the fact that he now has a zombified Viserion under his wing makes it look as if doom is imminent for the seven kingdoms.
But let’s put all that aside shall we? After all, Westeros – while a fictional continent, is a beautiful one, and there’s a whole lot more to Game of Thrones than feuding royalty, fire-breathing dragons, incest, an army of the walking dead, and magic.
And here’s the proof: gorgeous filming locations that you can actually visit in real-life, whether you’re planning an epic vacation with your best buds or you just want a taste of the Iron Throne before Dany gets Cersei off it.
From crumbling castles to the magnificent natural landscapes that lie beyond the Wall, we’ve compiled a list of the very best real-life filming locations that every hardcore GOT fan needs to visit.
Now, if only we could travel there as fast as they do on the show…
Grjótagjá, Iceland – Beyond the Wall
Remember when Jon broke his vow of celibacy for Ygritte? Here’s the cave where all that went down. And damn, it is absolutely gorgeous. Located in Northern Iceland, just off the picturesque town of Akureyri near Lake Mývatn, this ethereal spot opens up to a beautiful hot spring that’s surrounded by clusters of jagged rocks. However, you aren’t allowed to bathe here for your own safety – the water rises up to a staggering 43-46°C!
What else you can do:
Take a dip in the geothermal waters of Mývatn Nature Baths or visit the Sigurgeir’s Birdmuseum that has 300 birds of 180 species.
Thingvellir National Park, Iceland – The Eyrie
Iceland is a country with just about the craziest terrains imaginable, and none of this is more apparent than at Thingvellir National Park, which was used as a filming location for the imposing towers of The Eyrie in the Vale of Arryn. You won’t see any of those scary sky cells here though. Instead, be greeted with glorious birch woodlands, unreal volcanic fissure plates, and Lake Þingvallavatn – the largest natural lake in Iceland.
What else you can do nearby:
Entrance into the park is free, so you can either camp, fish, or hike as much as you like. Just remember to stay safe!
Castle Ward, Northern Ireland – Winterfell
No Game of Thrones vacation is complete without a visit to Castle Ward in Strangford. Better known as the dark and grim abode of Winterfell, this quaint spot actually holds an annual Winterfell festival, complete with theatrical re-enactments, games, music, and food. Robb Stark’s Riverlands camp and one of the two towers that compose of Walder Frey’s castle are also nearby, so thumbs up for convenience.
What else you can do nearby:
Well, the best thing to do here really is to embark on a fully-fledged GOT tour. Over here, you’ve got the license to go crazy, so make full use of it!
Dubrovnik, Croatia – King’s Landing, Qarth
Everyone, from Olenna Tyrell to Oberyn Martell, has previously remarked of King’s Landing’s stink. But the capital’s real-life filming location of Dubrovnik in Croatia is anything but smelly. Declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979, Dubrovnik is home to some of GOT’s most famous scenes, like the staircase where Cersei embarked on her “walk of shame”, as well the Red Keep Gate, Littlefinger’s brothel, and the residence of the Spice King in Qarth.
What else you can do nearby:
It’s all about visiting GOT locations over here. But besides beautifully preserved buildings and monuments in the Old Town, there are also beaches for you to chill at.
Girona, Spain – Free City of Braavos, Oldtown
Valar Morghulis! If you’re interested in exploring the streets of the Free City of Braavos, where Arya Stark learned how to be a Faceless Assassin, take a trip down to the picturesque Catalan town of Girona. The town, which is thousands of years old, is packed to the brim with charming architectural gems, such as the Arab Baths; where Arya escaped from the Waif, and the Plaça dels Jurats; the spot where Arya saw her family mocked in a play.
What else you can do nearby:
Hit up the Monastery of Sant Pere de Galligants, which was used as the setting for the Maesters’ Citadel, or explore the Jewish Quarter and Girona Catherdral; both GOT filming locations.
Alcázar of Seville, Spain – Water Gardens of Dorne
As grand as the castles in Game of Thrones may be, all of them pale in comparison to the Water Gardens of Dorne’s beauty and its real world setting of the Real Alcázar of Seville in Spain. Immaculately embellished with intricate tile work, ornate arches, and neatly trimmed gardens, this 14th century royal palace is one of those rare buildings that look even better than its fictional counterpart, making it a true paradise for all those who visit.
What else you can do nearby:
Star Wars fans will be pleased to know that the Plaza de España, which was used as a backdrop in “Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones”, is located pretty nearby the Alcázar of Seville.
The Dark Hedges, Northern Ireland – King’s Road
With its myriad of twisting branches forming an enchanting tunnel, The Dark Hedges along Bregagh Road in Northern Ireland – one of the most photographed roads in the world, is a sight to behold, even before it was used as the setting for King’s Road. Different times of the day and seasons give it different illusions of mysticism, although we recommend checking it out when the sun sets. That’s when this iconic tree tunnel is at its most beautiful.
What else you can do nearby:
Nothing much. But a trip out here with a camera in hand makes the journey worthwhile.
Downhill Strand and Mussenden Temple, Northern Ireland – Dragonstone
Before Dany and her dragons landed at Dragonstone, it was the domain of Stannis Baratheon and Melisandre, although one of the ancient fictional castle’s most striking features was its stunning scenery, which IRL is the beach at Downhill Strand. Used as the site where Stannis burned the Seven Idols of Westeros, Northern Ireland’s longest beach is flanked by Mussenden Temple; another GOT filming locale.
What else you can do nearby:
Enjoy scenic views of Northern Ireland’s North Coast or visit the nearby counties of Donegal, Antrim, and Londonderry.
Aït-Benhaddou, Morocco – Yunkai
Better known as the city of Yunkai, the ksar of Aït-Benhaddou is a series of mud brick buildings enclosed by high walls in southern Morocco. A UNESCO World Heritage site, the town lends an air of exoticism to all those who drop by, and you can just picture crowds of liberated slaves screaming with joy as Dany and her crew free them from their masters. It’s also the site of many films, including Lawrence of Arabia and Gladiator, so there’s plenty to see here.
What else you can do nearby:
To be honest, the town itself is the main attraction, although you can check out a massive granary that’s located at the top of a hill or the Mausoleum of Ben-Haddou.
The Fortress of Klis in central Dalmatia, Croatia – Meereen
Yet another stunning Croatian GOT filming location, the Fortress of Klis in central Dalmatia was used as the Essos stronghold of Meereen, where Dany crucified a total of 163 slave masters. Granted, the towering pyramid at the fictional city’s apex doesn’t exist, but this medieval fortress based off the Adriatic Sea is still a gorgeous place to visit, with its sloping walkways and rocky mountain passes transporting you to a whole other world.
What else you can do nearby:
Mostly exploring the fortress’ various fortifications and visiting a small museum with displays of swords and costumes.
Images: HBO
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