What 20 Iconic 'Game of Thrones' Filming Locations Look Like in Real Life

Book your next vacation accordingly.

By
Published In Features
Art, Cg artwork, Illustration, Watercolor paint, Visual arts, Rock, Digital compositing, Fictional character, Painting,
(Image credit: HBO)

The locations used for Game of Thrones are gorgeous on screen—and here's all the proof you need that they're gorgeous in real life, too.

Thingvellir National Park
(Image credit: HBO)

Thingvellir National Park

The Bloody Gate has shown up several times on Game of Thrones. In real life, those scenes are filmed at Thingvellir National Park in Iceland (and the gate itself is CGI).

Hengill
(Image credit: HBO)

Hengill

The fight between Brienne of Tarth and The Hound was filmed at Hengill in Iceland.

Dyrhólaey
(Image credit: HBO)

Dyrhólaey

The distinctive rock at Eastwatch-by-the-Sea was filmed at Dyrhólaey in Iceland.

Stakkholtsgja
(Image credit: HBO)

Stakkholtsgja

The attack in Season 7 was filmed at Stakkholtsgja in Iceland.

Kirkjufell
(Image credit: HBO)

Kirkjufell

The Mountain Shaped Like an Arrowhead has made several appearances on GoT and its real life counterpart in Kirkjufell is absolutely stunning.

Itzurun Beach
(Image credit: HBO)

Itzurun Beach

Dragonstone has been one of the main locations on Game of Thrones this season. If you want to visit it in real life, head to Itzurun Beach in Zumaia, Spain.

Alcázar of Seville
(Image credit: HBO)

Alcázar of Seville

Dorne's gorgeous Sunspear exists. It's Alcázar of Seville in Spain.

Itálica
(Image credit: HBO)

Itálica

The largest gathering of characters in Game of Thrones history took place at the King's Landing dragonpit. In real life, the scene was filmed in Itálica, Spain.

Dubrovnik
(Image credit: HBO)

Dubrovnik

Old Town in Dubrovnik, Croatia doubles for Westeros' capital, King's Landing.

Ballintoy Harbor
(Image credit: HBO)

Ballintoy Harbor

The Iron Islands scenes are filmed in Ballintoy Harbor in Northern Ireland.

Castillo de Zafra
(Image credit: HBO)

Castillo de Zafra

The Tower of Joy (you know, where Jon Snow was born—NBD) is really Castillo de Zafra in Spain.

Magheramorne Quarry
(Image credit: HBO)

Magheramorne Quarry

The Castle Black scenes are filmed at Magheramorne Quarry in Nothern Ireland

Trsteno
(Image credit: HBO)

Trsteno

You can feel like Olenna Tyrell and visit the King's Landing Palace Gardens in Trsteno, Croatia.

Dark Hedges, Ballymoney
(Image credit: HBO)

Dark Hedges, Ballymoney

If you want to take a walk down King's Road, just visit Dark Hedges in Ballymoney, Northern Ireland

Sibenik
(Image credit: HBO)

Sibenik

Sibenik, Croatia is the real-life stand-in for Braavos, aka the city Arya travels to to train as a Faceless Man assassin.

The Roman Bridge in Cordoba, Spain
(Image credit: HBO)

The Roman Bridge in Cordoba, Spain

If you'd like to experience the Long Bridge of Volantis, the closest you can get in real life is the Roman Bridge in Cordoba, Spain. Of course, the Volantis city on the bridge doesn't come with the IRL version.

Ouarzazate
(Image credit: HBO)

Ouarzazate

Pentos, one of the free cities that Dany visits during her slave-freeing tour of Essos, is played by Ouarzazate, Morocco.

Doune Castle
(Image credit: HBO)

Doune Castle

While it definitely gets some CGI tweaks in the show, Doune Castle in Scotland is the site used to film the show's iconic Winterfell scenes.

Azure Window, Malta
(Image credit: HBO)

Azure Window, Malta

Think way, way back to Season 1 and Daenerys' wedding to Khal Drogo. The violent affair was filmed at the Azure Window in Malta.

Kayleigh Roberts
Contributing Editor at Marie Claire

Kayleigh Roberts is a freelance writer and editor with over 10 years of professional experience covering entertainment of all genres, from new movie and TV releases to nostalgia, and celebrity news. Her byline has appeared in Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, ELLE, Harper’s Bazaar, The Atlantic, Allure, Entertainment Weekly, MTV, Bustle, Refinery29, Girls’ Life Magazine, Just Jared, and Tiger Beat, among other publications. She's a graduate of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University.