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The OG Set-Jetting Phenomenon
Game of Thrones pioneered the modern set-jetting trend years before The White Lotus or Wednesday. The show's filming locations saw unprecedented tourism booms:
- • Dubrovnik, Croatia: +20% annual tourism growth, reaching 1.6 million visitors annually
- • San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, Spain: +300% visitor increase forced ticketing system
- • Dark Hedges, Northern Ireland: +190% search spike, became most photographed tree avenue
- • +83% rise in "Dubrovnik Croatia Game of Thrones tour" Google searches
Before The White Lotus made set-jetting mainstream, Game of Thrones was transforming filming locations into must-visit destinations. From 2011-2019, the HBO fantasy epic turned Dubrovnik's medieval walls into King's Landing, Castle Ward into Winterfell, and Iceland's glaciers into the lands Beyond the Wall - creating a global tourism phenomenon that outlasted even the controversial series finale.
This comprehensive guide covers 30+ visitable Game of Thrones filming locations across 8 countries: Croatia (King's Landing), Northern Ireland (Winterfell, the North), Iceland (North of the Wall), Spain (Dorne, Dragonstone), Malta (Season 1 locations), Morocco (Essos cities), Scotland (original Winterfell), and Belfast studios. Whether you're planning a Dubrovnik weekend trip ($250-350), a Northern Ireland GOT tour circuit ($350-500), or the ultimate multi-country Westeros pilgrimage ($2,100+), this guide provides everything you need.
Tourism impact: Dubrovnik alone saw tourism numbers rise to 1.6 million annually (20% annual growth attributed to GOT), while Northern Ireland's GOT Studio Tour - opened in 2022, three years AFTER the finale - proves the show's lasting appeal transcends the ending controversy.
Complete Game of Thrones Filming Locations Database
Filter 30+ locations by country, budget, accessibility, and region. Click columns to sort by daily cost or tourism impact.
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Croatia: King's Landing & Dubrovnik - The GOT Capital
🏰 Why Dubrovnik is the #1 GOT Destination
Tourism Impact
- • +20% annual tourism growth since Season 2 (2012)
- • 1.6 million annual visitors (2019 tourism report)
- • +83% increase in "Dubrovnik Game of Thrones tour" searches
- • UNESCO World Heritage site enhanced by GOT fame
Why Dubrovnik Works
- • 5+ major filming sites within 1km walking radius
- • Authentic medieval walls = minimal CGI needed
- • Excellent tourism infrastructure (tours, guides, accommodations)
- • Mediterranean climate, beautiful Adriatic coast
🏛️ Fort Lovrijenac - The Red Keep
GOT Scenes: Joffrey's name day tournament, Cersei and Littlefinger's scheming dialogues, Red Keep exterior establishing shots (Season 2-8)
Visiting Information:
- • Location: Outside western wall of Old City
- • Entry: Included in City Walls ticket (200 HRK/~$30)
- • Best time: 8:00 AM opening to avoid crowds
- • Views: Stunning Adriatic panoramas from ramparts
Pro Tips:
- • Start City Walls walk at 8 AM, do Fort Lovrijenac first
- • Wear comfortable shoes - lots of steep stone stairs
- • Bring water (€3-4 inside, expensive)
- • Golden hour (sunset) offers best photography
🚪 Pile Gate - King's Landing Main Entrance
GOT Scenes: The riot scene when Joffrey orders guards to kill everyone after someone throws manure at him
- • Access: Main entrance to Dubrovnik Old Town - free to walk through
- • Recognizable: Super-impressive stone gate with drawbridge
- • Nearby: Onofrio's Fountain (featured in several scenes)
- • Crowd factor: Very busy during cruise ship season (May-Sep)
🌊 Pile Bay - Blackwater Bay
GOT Scenes: Waterfront scenes, Myrcella sent away to Dorne, water entrance to King's Landing
- • Also known as: Dubrovnik West Harbour
- • Access: Free waterfront walk
- • Photo ops: Best views from City Walls looking down
- • Restaurants: Waterfront dining with GOT views (€20-40/meal)
🎯 Jesuit Staircase - Cersei's Walk of Shame
GOT Scenes: Cersei's naked walk of atonement through King's Landing (Season 5 finale)
- • Location: Near Gundulić Square in Old Town
- • Recognizable: Grand Baroque staircase featured prominently
- • Filming note: Lena Headey used body double for walk; most closeups on streets nearby
- • Photo tip: Best from top of stairs looking down
💰 Dubrovnik GOT Visit Cost Breakdown
Essential Tickets
- • City Walls + Fort Lovrijenac: 200 HRK (~$30)
- • Dubrovnik Card (better value): 190 HRK (~$27) - includes walls, fort, museums
- • GOT guided tour: $24-32 via Viator/GetYourGuide (2 hours)
2-3 Day Trip Budget
- • Accommodation: €60-120/night (€120-240 total)
- • Food: €40-60/day (€80-180 total)
- • Activities: €50-80 (walls + tours)
- • Total: €250-500 for 2-3 day trip
Best Time to Visit Dubrovnik for GOT Fans
- • Best: April-June or September-October - shoulder season means 30-40% lower accommodation costs, fewer cruise ship crowds, pleasant weather (18-25°C)
- • Avoid: July-August - peak season, extreme crowds (cruise ships dock daily), heat (30-35°C), prices 50%+ higher
- • Early morning strategy: Start City Walls walk at 8:00 AM opening - you'll have Fort Lovrijenac nearly empty, finish by 11 AM before crowds arrive
- • Winter (Nov-Mar): Very quiet, 60% cheaper, but some boat tours/Lokrum Island closed and weather rainy
Northern Ireland: Winterfell, The North & Most Filming Locations
Northern Ireland housed the Paint Hall Studios in Belfast where most interior sets were built (Red Keep throne room, Iron Throne, Great Sept) and features more filming locations than any other country - with most within 1-2 hours of Belfast.
❄️ Castle Ward - Winterfell, Heart of the North
GOT Scenes: Winterfell courtyard, Bran's archery practice, Stark family home exterior (Season 1)
Visiting Information:
- • Location: Strangford, Co. Down (40 min from Belfast)
- • Entry: National Trust property, ~£12 admission
- • Winterfell Tours: Official experiences (~£50-80) with archery, "direwolves"
- • Tourism impact: +18% annual visitor growth
What's Available:
- • 20+ filming locations on Castle Ward grounds
- • Meet Northern Inuit dogs (the "direwolves")
- • Archery lessons in Winterfell courtyard
- • Costume experiences and photo ops
Note: The original Winterfell pilot was filmed at Doune Castle in Scotland, but Castle Ward became the permanent Winterfell from Season 1 onwards.
🌳 The Dark Hedges - The Kingsroad
GOT Scenes: Arya Stark's escape from King's Landing disguised as a boy (Season 2)
Why It's Famous:
- • +190% search increase after GOT aired
- • Most photographed natural phenomenon in Northern Ireland
- • Stunning avenue of 200-year-old beech trees
- • Planted by Stuart family in 18th century
Visiting Tips:
- • Location: Ballymoney, Co. Antrim (1 hour from Belfast)
- • Entry: Free - public road (Bregagh Road)
- • Best time: Dawn (6-7 AM) for empty road, magical light
- • Warning: Very busy midday, cars on road
⚓ Ballintoy Harbour - Iron Islands
GOT Scenes: Theon Greyjoy's return to Pyke, Iron Islands port scenes (Seasons 2, 6)
- • Location: Ballintoy, Co. Antrim (1 hour from Belfast)
- • Access: Free - small working harbor, coastal village
- • Tourism impact: +25% visitor increase
- • Nearby: Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, Giant's Causeway (both worth visiting)
🌲 Tollymore Forest Park - Haunted Forest
GOT Scenes: Series opening - White Walker discovery, Stark family finds direwolf pups (Season 1, Episode 1)
- • Location: Newcastle, Co. Down (1 hour from Belfast)
- • Entry: £5 parking fee
- • Tourism impact: +30% visitor increase
- • Activities: Hiking trails, bridge walks, scenic forest park beyond GOT
🕳️ Cushendun Caves - Melisandre's Shadow Birth
GOT Scenes: Melisandre gives birth to the shadow assassin that kills Renly Baratheon (Season 2)
- • Location: Cushendun, Co. Antrim (1.5 hours from Belfast)
- • Access: Free - coastal caves formed 400 million years ago
- • Tourism impact: +40% visitor increase
- • Best time: Low tide for easier cave access
🎬 Game of Thrones Studio Tour Belfast
Opened in 2022 at Linen Mill Studios in Banbridge (30 minutes from Belfast), the official GOT Studio Tour features:
- • Incredible collection of props and costumes from all 8 seasons
- • Interactive experiences: Sit on the Iron Throne, walk through set recreations
- • Behind-the-scenes insights: How CGI, practical effects, and costumes were made
- • Tickets: £39.50-49.50 adults, book in advance (sells out weeks ahead)
- • Duration: 2-3 hours self-guided experience
🚌 Northern Ireland GOT Tours from Belfast
Full-day tours depart Belfast daily, visiting 5-7 locations in comfortable coaches with knowledgeable guides (many worked as extras):
Typical Itinerary
- • Castle Ward (Winterfell) - 2 hours
- • Dark Hedges (Kingsroad)
- • Ballintoy Harbour (Iron Islands)
- • Cushendun Caves (shadow birth)
- • Optional: Giant's Causeway, Carrick-a-Rede
Tour Details
- • Cost: £50-80 ($65-100) per person
- • Duration: 9-10 hours
- • Rating: 4.6/5 from 890+ reviews
- • Includes: Transport, guide, entry fees
Iceland: The Lands Beyond the Wall
Iceland's glaciers, ice caves, and volcanic landscapes perfectly matched the description of the cruel, icy lands North of the Wall in George R.R. Martin's books. 11% of Iceland is covered by glaciers - including Europe's largest ice cap, Vatnajökull.
🧊 Vatnajökull National Park & Svínafellsjökull Glacier
GOT Scenes: Jon Snow and wildlings Beyond the Wall, climbing the Wall scene, Frostfangs (Seasons 2-7)
Why It Was Used:
- • Europe's largest ice cap (Vatnajökull)
- • Otherworldly ice landscapes perfect for fantasy
- • Minimal CGI needed - natural ice formations
- • Used extensively Seasons 2-7
Visiting Information:
- • Location: Southeast Iceland
- • Access: 4WD vehicle or glacier tour required
- • Tours: $100-150 for glacier walking tours
- • Best time: June-August only (winter unsafe)
Safety Warning: Do NOT attempt to visit glaciers without a guide. Crevasses, ice caves, and weather conditions are extremely dangerous. Book official glacier walking tours with certified guides.
🌋 Grjótagjá Cave - Jon and Ygritte's Cave
GOT Scenes: The romantic cave where Jon Snow and Ygritte became intimate (Season 3)
- • Location: Lake Mývatn region, North Iceland
- • Formation: Lava cave with steaming hot spring, clear blue waters
- • Access: Easy - roadside cave, free entry
- • Tourism impact: +50% visitor increase
- • IMPORTANT: NO BATHING ALLOWED - site overwhelmed post-GOT, rule strictly enforced
Filming note: The intimate scene was filmed in a studio, but the cave served as inspiration and establishing shots.
🏔️ Þingvellir National Park - Arya's Journey
GOT Scenes: Arya and The Hound's journey to the Eyrie, epic Brienne vs Hound sword fight (Season 4)
- • Location: Southwest Iceland (45 min from Reykjavik)
- • UNESCO World Heritage Site: Historical and geological significance
- • Access: Easy - paved roads, visitor center, free entry
- • Tourism impact: +20% visitor increase
- • Part of Golden Circle: Easy to combine with Geysir and Gullfoss waterfall
💸 Iceland GOT Visit Cost Reality
Iceland is the most expensive GOT destination but offers the most dramatic landscapes:
- • Daily costs: €180 ($190) average - accommodation €80-120, food €60-80, transport €40+
- • Glacier tours: $100-150 essential for Vatnajökull locations (DIY unsafe)
- • Car rental: €60-100/day for 4WD (required for glacier access)
- • Best time: June-August ONLY (glacier tours don't run in winter)
- • Budget: Plan €900-1,200 ($950-1,300) for 5-day Iceland GOT trip
Spain: Dorne's Sun & Dragonstone's Cliffs
Spain represented two distinct GOT regions: the sun-soaked Water Gardens of Dorne (Seasons 5-6) and the dramatic Dragonstone island fortress (Season 7). Five Spanish cities featured across the series.
🏰 Real Alcázar, Seville - Water Gardens of Dorne
GOT Scenes: House Martell's palace, Dorne Water Gardens, Myrcella and Trystane romance (Seasons 5-6)
About the Location:
- • UNESCO World Heritage Site (designated 1987)
- • Royal palace with Moorish architecture
- • Courtyard of the Maidens = Water Gardens
- • Still-functioning Spanish royal residence
Visiting Information:
- • Entry: €14.50 (~$16), book online in advance
- • Hours: Daily 9:30-17:00 (closes 19:00 in summer)
- • Tourism impact: +35% visitor increase post-GOT
- • Best time: Mar-May or Sep-Nov (avoid 40°C summer heat)
🏝️ San Juan de Gaztelugatxe - Dragonstone
GOT Scenes: Daenerys' arrival at Dragonstone, iconic winding stairway to dragon fortress (Season 7 premiere)
Why It's Special:
- • Stunning islet in Bay of Biscay, Basque Country
- • 241 steps winding up to hermitage
- • Minimal CGI - natural fortress-like appearance
- • Pre-GOT: peaceful pilgrimage site
Post-GOT Reality:
- • +300% visitor increase after Season 7
- • Ticket system introduced to manage crowds
- • Book in advance: Limited daily visitors (2,500)
- • Access: 1 hour from Bilbao, 45 min from San Sebastián
Visitor Management: Due to overwhelming tourism, you must book free tickets online at bizkaia.eus weeks in advance. Walk-ups often turned away during peak season.
⛪ Girona Cathedral - Great Sept of Baelor
GOT Scenes: Great Sept steps in King's Landing, Arya's Braavos street scenes (Season 6)
- • Famous for: Massive set of cathedral steps (major GOT scenes)
- • Entry: €7 cathedral interior, stairs free to view
- • Tourism impact: +40% visitor increase
- • Location: 100km north of Barcelona, easy day trip
- • Old Town: Transformed into Braavos streets for Arya's story
🏛️ Itálica Amphitheatre - The Dragonpit
GOT Scenes: Season 7 finale meeting where Cersei, Daenerys, and Jon negotiate truce
- • About: Roman ruins outside Seville, open-air amphitheater
- • Entry: Free for EU citizens, €1.50 for others
- • Tourism impact: +25% visitor increase
- • Access: 30 min from Seville by bus
Complete Game of Thrones Itineraries by Budget & Time
3 GOT Itinerary Options from Weekend to Epic Tour
Weekend Warrior: Dubrovnik Only (2-3 days, $250-500)
Westeros Circuit: Croatia + Northern Ireland (7-10 days, $850-1,500)
Ultimate Westeros Pilgrimage: 6 Countries (14-21 days, $2,500-4,500)
Game of Thrones Filming Locations FAQ
Your Westeros Journey Awaits
Game of Thrones created a permanent tourism legacy that transcends the controversial finale. From Dubrovnik's +20% annual growth (1.6M visitors) to San Juan de Gaztelugatxe's +300% spike requiring ticketing systems, the show transformed filming locations into pilgrimage destinations.
Whether you're planning a budget Dubrovnik weekend ($250-350), a comprehensive Croatia + Northern Ireland circuit ($850-1,500), or the ultimate 6-country Westeros pilgrimage ($2,500-4,500), the world of Game of Thrones is accessible, visitable, and more stunning in person than on screen.
Start planning: Book Dubrovnik accommodation 2-3 months ahead for shoulder season (Apr-Jun, Sep-Oct). Reserve Northern Ireland GOT tours 2-4 weeks early. For Iceland glacier tours and San Juan de Gaztelugatxe tickets, book 1-2 months in advance. Winter is coming - but your Westeros adventure is here! ⚔️
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