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

Book your next vacation accordingly.

By Kayleigh Roberts

Apr 5, 2019

Art, Cg artwork, Illustration, Watercolor paint, Visual arts, Rock, Digital compositing, Fictional character, Painting,

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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.

Waterfall, Body of water, Water resources, Nature, Natural landscape, Water, Watercourse, Water feature, Chute, Landscape,

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Thorufoss

In Season 4, Daenerys' dragon, Drogon, attacks a poor goat by a beautiful waterfall. The waterfall, ~~Thorufoss~~, is located in Iceland and even more beautiful in real life.

Rock, Outcrop, Geological phenomenon, Bedrock, Formation, Geology, Terrain, Cliff, Escarpment, Ruins,

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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).

Nature, Mountainous landforms, Highland, Mountain, Natural landscape, Wilderness, Sky, Tundra, Geological phenomenon, Fell,

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Hengill

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

Body of water, Nature, Sky, Sea, Ocean, Coast, Natural landscape, Atmospheric phenomenon, Coastal and oceanic landforms, Cliff,

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Dyrhólaey

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

Mountainous landforms, Mountain, Geological phenomenon, Mountain range, Glacial landform, Rock, Moraine, Formation, Alps, Cirque,

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Stakkholtsgja

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

Snow, Winter, Arctic, Glacial landform, Ice cap, Sky, Freezing, Nunatak, Ice, Adaptation,

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Kirkjufell

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

Nature, Coast, Cliff, Natural landscape, Sea, Shore, Rock, Sky, Coastal and oceanic landforms, Terrain,

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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.

Building, Water, Tree, Architecture, Tourism, Vacation, Palm tree, Hacienda, Leisure, Column,

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Alcázar of Seville

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

Amphitheatre, Sport venue, Soil, Archaeological site,

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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.

Landmark, Human settlement, Town, City, Urban area, Architecture, Building, Medieval architecture, Cityscape, Historic site,

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Dubrovnik

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

Nature, Coast, Sea, Natural landscape, Rock, Shore, Ocean, Water, Coastal and oceanic landforms, Inlet,

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Ballintoy Harbor

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

Sky, Natural landscape, Formation, Geology, Landscape, Rock, Historic site, Cloud, Architecture, Ruins,

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Castillo de Zafra

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

Water, Tree, River, Photography, Geological phenomenon, Watercourse, House, Winter,

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Magheramorne Quarry

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

Tree, Table, Furniture, Leisure, Adaptation, Temple, Vacation, Architecture, Tourism, Plant,

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Trsteno

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

Tree, Woody plant, Botany, Plant, Screenshot, World, Pc game, Trunk, Massively multiplayer online role-playing game, Environmental art,

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Dark Hedges, Ballymoney

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

Water, Waterway, Town, River, Tourism, Human settlement, Vacation, Travel, City, Canal,

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Sibenik

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

Landmark, Arch bridge, Aqueduct, Arch, Architecture, Bridge, Historic site, River, Medieval architecture, Watercourse,

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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.

Ancient history, Historic site, History, Tourism, Architecture, Unesco world heritage site, Archaeological site, Building, Wonders of the world,

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Ouarzazate

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

Castle, Landmark, Medieval architecture, Historic site, Fortification, Architecture, Wall, Building, History, Tourism,

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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.

Human, Adaptation, Photography, Geological phenomenon, Tourism, Formation, Rock, Wadi,

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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.

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Kayleigh Roberts Contributor Kayleigh Roberts is the weekend editor at Marie Claire, covering celebrity and entertainment news, from actual royals like Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle to Hollywood royalty, like Katie Holmes and Chrissy Teigen.