Game of Thrones locations that will inspire your next holiday 🐉 🐺
Game of Thrones fever has shown no sign of slowing down. We are obsessed. From jewellery, to Halloween costumes, the hit HBO series has even influenced our holidays.
Shooting primarily in Spain, Malta, Northern Ireland and Croatia, you can actually visit the historical buildings that play the backdrop to our favourite fantasy series.
Transport to the world of Westeros by visiting the Water Gardens of Dorne aka a palace in Sevilla, or travel the ominous road from King’s Landing...
iStockNorthern Ireland: The Dark Hedges, Ballymoney
An otherworldly natural phenomena, you may recognise the avenue of beech trees pictured here as the road to King's Landing. The iconic trees were featured in season two when Arya escapes along the King's Road disguised as a boy.
iStockNorthern Ireland: Mourne-Mountains, County Down
The dramatic slopes of Mourne Mountains were used as the entrance to Vaes Dothrak AKA the Dothraki holy land. It is not surprising that this stunning yet mystical destination was chosen as they also inspired CS Lewis to create Narnia.
iStockNorthern Ireland: Mussenden Temple and Downhill Beach, Coleraine
With breathtaking beaches and unrivalled views, Mussenden Temple and Downhill Beach plays an important part in season seven of the show, as it is where the scenes at Dragonstone are filmed.
AlamyNorthern Ireland: Castle Ward, Downpatrick
Castle Ward plays the backdrop to the pilot episode and the majority of season one as the historic farmyard is the set of Winterfell. The castle now offers visitors the chance to channel their inner Stark and dress up in costume, try your hand at archery and even stand EXACTLY where the characters stood.
iStockNorthern Ireland: Ballintoy Harbour, Ballycastle
This small fishing harbour was used for the exterior shots of Pyke and the Iron Islands. While Theon Greyjoy luck turns at this point, here's hoping the same does not go for any hopeful fishermen. This coastal town that promises to capture a true sense of Irish rural life.
iStockSpain: Alcázar de Sevilla, Seville
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Alcázar de Sevilla is the oldest palace still in use in Europe and is certainly fit for the Prince of Dorne. The 'Water Garden of Dorne' boasts seven hectares of perfectly manicured gardens.
iStockSpain: La Alcazaba, Almeria
In Southern Spain, La Alcazaba is a 10th century fortified castle with stunning views of the entire city and port. You may recognise the luxurious landscapes as the verdant gardens of Dorne.
iStockSpain: Itálica ruins, Seville
The Itálica ruins were a pivotal location in season seven. Almost all the major players in Westeros met at this Spanish location or as it is known in the series, Dragonpit, for the climax of the penultimate season. The well-preserved Roman ruins were once an amphitheatre.
iStockSpain: Catedral de Santa Maria Gerona, Catalonia
The staircase outside Girona Cathedral may seem familiar for eagle-eyed Game of Thrones fans from season six, episode six. Jaime Lannister on horseback had a showdown with the High Sparrow on these very stairs.
iStockSpain: Plaza de toros de Osuna, Sevilla
A traditional Spanish bullring, Plaza-de-toros-de-Osuna in Sevilla was the fighting pit in the 'Great Games' where Dany was met with unwelcome company, before Drogon came to the rescue.
iStockSpain: Castillo de Almodóvar del Río, Almodóvar del Río
Castillo de Almodóvar del Río, in Cordoba, Spain, is a round castle that played host to House Tyrell in the hit HBO series as the setting of the lush Highgarden.
iStockSpain: Zafra Castle,Guadalajara
The Castle of Zafra appeared as the Tower of Joy, outside of which a young Ned Stark fought with Targaryen henchmen in one of Bran's flashback visions.
iStockSpain: Peñiscola,Valencia
A popular tourist destination and seaport, Peniscola and its seaport morphed into Meereen during the filming of GOT.
iStockSpain: The Roman bridge in Cordoba, Andalusia
In the fictional city of Volantis, the Long Bridge is a bustling marketplace. In reality, the picturesque Roman bridge of Cordoba is much smaller than appears on television and was originally built in the early 1st century BC.
iStockSpain: Bardenas Reales, Navarre
Instantly recognisable to die-hard GOT fans as the Dothraki Sea. The semi-desert region has been eroded into weird and wonderful shapes.
iStockIceland: Grjótagjá, Atlanta
A hidden gem, the small lava cave with a thermal spring played host to Jon and Ygritte during that sex scene.
iStockCroatia: Minceta Tower, Dubrovnik
Used as the exterior for the House of the Undying in Qarth, this 14th century fortress is the highest point in the city of Dubrovnik where Daenerys searches for her stolen dragons.
iStockCroatia: Trsteno Arboretum, Dubrovnik
The King's Landing Palace Gardens where so many conspiracies were discussed is actually the beautiful gardens of the Trsteno Arboretum in Croatia.
iStockMalta: Azure Window, Gozo
Way back when in season one, the Azure Window played host to Daenerys and Drogo's Wedding but the show's crew covered the ground in sand to make it seem more like a desert.
iStockMalta: Fort Manoel, Valletta
Game of Thrones fans may have traumatic flashbacks at Fort Manoel as the scene of the crime of Ned Stark's shock beheading and IRL the fort has a similar history as it is supposedly haunted by a Black Knight...
iStockMalta: Mdina Gate, Mdina
The famous gate built by Aegon I Targaryen to guard King's Landing is actually the gates to Malta's former capital, constructed in the Middle Ages.
