‘Game of Thrones’ was the fantasy drama series that captured the world’s attention during its eight seasons on HBO. Fans couldn’t get enough of the series and followed it through each twist and turn until the finale in 2019.
While not every fan was happy with the way the series ended, there is one thing most ‘Thrones fans cannot deny; the sets were amazing. The show was largely filmed on location, and these are the best travel destination to put ‘Game of Thrones’ fans into the shoes of their favorite characters.
Northern Ireland
Large parts of ‘Game of Thrones’ were filmed all over Northern Ireland, and fans of the show won’t be disappointed to take a tour of the Emerald Isle’s northern region. One of the most photographed ‘Game of Thrones’ locations in Northern Ireland is the Dark Hedges, which formed a part of the King’s Road in the show. Then there is Castle Ward, which was the home of Winterfell for season one, and Ballintoy Harbour, which was the scene of Theon Greyjoy returning to the Iron Islands.
Iceland
When Jon went beyond the wall with the wildlings, the actors spent a lot of their time trekking through the glorious sights of Iceland. Iceland was also the home of the Night’s Watch army, as well as the Night King’s hordes of zombie warriors.
The Fist of the First Men is where we all learned that the White Walkers were a real threat, and they filmed that fight on Mýrdalsjökull glacier in Iceland. Another location in Iceland that ‘Thrones fans should check out is Grjótagjá, which is the cave where Jon and Ygritte went for a swim.
Gaztelugatxe, Spain
Dragonstone became one of the most iconic landmarks in ‘Game of Thrones’ when Danaerys returned to Westeros to conquer it with her dragons. The famous steps where Jon meets Dany, and her dragons, was filmed in Gaztelugatxe, Spain.
These steps were not a set, and fans of the show can actually climb them to recreate the steps Jon made to bend the knee for his new queen. You can climb the winding steps to an ancient monastery which was once raided in the 16th century but still stands today.
Dubrovnik, Croatia
King’s Landing, as we knew it before Dany took Drogon to it, was largely filmed in Dubrovnik, Croatia. The ancient city was the perfect backdrop to the most cunning and power-hungry characters in the show.
The old town of Dubrovnik made the perfect maze-like streets that we see various characters making their way through to the Red Keep. If you want to know what it was like to be on the streets of King’s Landing, then there is no better place than Dubrovnik.
Girona Cathedral, Spain
Season one set the bar pretty high for surprises when Ned Stark lost his head at the end of that first series. It was on the steps of the Sept of Baelor where the executioner’s ax swung, and Girona Cathedral served as that spot for the entire series. Many plotlines took us to the great sept, particularly the High Sparrow and Cersei’s walk of shame.
‘Game of Thrones’ was perhaps the biggest fantasy series of all time and the show that those following in its wake will be measured against. Fans of the show can make themselves feel like they are part of the great show by taking themselves to these amazing ‘Game of Thrones’ travel destinations.
