Game of Thrones is one of the most popular shows of our times. Every single one of us have watched it anxiously wondering what would be the fate of our favourite characters. Ok, yes the season finale was a bit disappointing, and we all have a love-hate relationship with it but until Mr.George R R Martin decides to fix it in his books, let's travel to all the beautiful destinations where the series was filmed.
Here is an overview of the article:
Many major scenes were shot in the beautiful country of Croatia and it is the ultimate destination for a GoT fan. The cities of Dubrovnik and Split are famous for their medieval architecture and stunning views of the Adriatic Sea. Ok, yes you won’t come across any real dragons in Meereen but you will feel like a Khaleesi walking in the ruins of the castle. Here is how you can feel like a Lannister or a Targaryen in the beautiful country of Croatia
Dubrovnik - The Kings Landing
One of the most extensively used locations was Dubrovnik, which was Kings landing in the series. Although you won’t find the looming Red Keep , the city was kept as it is for the scenes. Dubrovnik is surrounded by city walls and they are accessible to the public for a tour around the city, which means, there is an actual gate to enter.
Here are the GoT locations listed in the article:
Pile Gate Entrance
The first thing that you come across is the pile gate entrance of the old town
The entrance was used most notably in Season 2, Episode 6 ‘The Old Gods and the New’. King Joffrey returns to Red Keep after Marcella is sent away to Dorne and he gets attacked by angry mobs gathered in the entrance as he screams ‘Kill him, kill them all’.
The entrance also features in Season 3, Episode 10 ‘Mhysa’ when Jamie Lannister returns to King’s Landing
Jesuits Staircase in Dubrovnik - Steps of the Great Sept of Baelor in King's Landing
The stairs serve as the steps of the Great sept of Baelor in the Kings Landing. The most famous scene was the Cersei's walk of shame in season 5, Episode 10 ‘Mother’s Mercy’. The cafes lining the street were closed and thousands of extras were drafted for this scene.
The streets of Dubrovnik are filled with history and beauty, every lane presents you with a new gorgeous view. Walking around the city, eating a waffle was my dream come true
Fort Lovrijenac in Dubrovnik - Red Keep
The Fort sits beautifully atop the Hill, looming over the city of Dubrovnik
Red Keep in King’s Landing. The Fort makes frequent appearances in Season 2 and Season 3 of Game of Thrones.
It was used as the setting for Jofferey's name ceremony in season 2 “The North remembers”
It appears later in the episode where Cersei confronts little finger and he tells are “Knowledge is power” and she replies “power is power”
The scene where Tyrion slaps Jeffery after he is attacked at the pile gates happens here.
The fee to enter the fortress is 75 Kunas but if you buy the ticket for the city walls, it's included in it.
Pile Harbour: Bokar Fortress and Fort Lovrijenac
The harbour of Game of Thrones, sit right outside the pile gate of Dubrovnik
Scene from Season 2, Episode 6 ‘The Old Gods and the New’, it represents the entrance and beaches of King’s Landing and is where the Lannisters say goodbye to Princess Myrcella. The location makes a return in Season 6, Episode 1 ‘The Red Woman’ when Cersei awaits Myrcella’s return.
This is one of the best places in the city to have a small picnic
Walls of Dubrovnik - The Red Dungeon
The city walls of Dubrovnik have appeared many times in the show. The middle ages fortification system is now a UNESCO World Heritage site.
It is the background to the scene in Season 2 Episode 8 ‘The Prince of Winterfell’ where Tyrion and Lord Varys discuss defense strategies for King’s Landing from the City Walls.
In Season 3 premiere the « valar Doheries scene” between Tyrion, Bronn, and Podrick as they walk along the walls was shot here.
P.S the entrance fee for the walls is 200 kunas and I recommend going early in the morning as soon as the gates open at 8 am. The view of the city is to kill for
Pile in Dubrovnik - Blackwater Bay
It is the same harbour outside the Pile gate that was used as Blackwater Bay
It is the stone dock where Sansa and Shae are watching the ships in Season 3, Episode 1 ‘Valar Dohaeris’ when Littlefinger arrives to talk to Sansa and offer her a way out.
Minceta Tower in Dubrovnik - House of the Undying
The highest point of Dubrovnik, the tower offers you beautiful views of the city. It is a part of your city wall and you can visit it while there.
It is featured as the House of the Undying in Qarth in Season 2 Episode 10 ‘Valar Morghulis’ when Daenerys Targaryen searches for the entrance in the walls looking for her dragons
Stay : I stayed at the Angelica Hostel that is right next to the Jesuits Staircase and it is surrounded by cafés and restaurants
No. of Days: I recommend 3 days in Dubrovnik to experience all the places and the nearby islands that you could ferry to.
Highlights: The city walls, The Lokrum Island, Dubrovnik cable car, The Franciscan Church and Monastery.
Now lets take a bus and come to Split
Split, a city on the Dalmatian coast, feels like paused in time. Over the centuries, the architecture has been kept intact with modern life around it. Crystal blue waters and crawling with millennials looking for an escape, the bay of Split gives you the vibe of summer camp.
Diocletian's Palace in Split - Daenerys' Throne Room (also where dragons are kept!)
If you are looking for the throne room of Queen Daenerys, the Mother of Dragons, and the place where she trains her beasts in the basement, look no further than Diocletian’s Palace in the city of Split.
This was once a prominent place for the Roman settlement and in the 21st century serves as the place for the Christmas market of Split.
With a 1700-year-old history, this place looks befitting for the Queen and her dragons.
If you are a hardcore GoT fan, then there is a bonus for you in Split. There is a museum dedicated to the series with most of the original replicas in the showcase.
Here you can see me helping Hodor. Hold the door!
The dragon eggs.
I decided to "bend the knee".
Klis Fortress Near Split - City of Meereen
Meereen, the iconic location where the Khaleesi conquers and throws out slavery, sits just a 40-minute bus ride from the city of split
The enormous Klis fortress overlooking the city view and surrounded by the ancient walls offers the best view of Croatia to travelers.
Stay : I stayed at the Outlanders Tribe Hostel
No. of Days: I recommend 3 to 4 days in Split, depending on things you would like to do. If Krka National Park is on your itinerary, I recommend that additional day. Another day could be added if you plan to visit Trogir
Highlights: Peristil Square, Marjan, Trogir
Iceland
On the other side of Europe, lies the magnificent country of Iceland that was used as a filming location for "Beyond the wall"
If you plan on visiting Iceland, most of these destinations would already be on your list. But now that you know your favourite show was filmed here, maybe you could show off a little knowledge amongst your friends?
Dimmuborgir- Backdrop for Mance Rayder’s Army
Located in the Northern Iceland, this place is prepped with lava formations.
The ground serve as a backdrop for Mance Rayder’s army camp in Season 3 of the series. As this scene is near the freezing Wall, filming took place in winter. So to get the most realistic views of your show, you'll have to visit in winter
Thingvellir
The famous scene where the Hound has the famous scrap with Brienne of Tarth. Also, the ship scene of Arya leaving Westeros for Braavos, was filmed on the park’s stunning Þingvellirvatn lake.
Even if you are not a GoT fan, this place will be on your list . It is where Iceland’s open-air parliament was held from 930 to 1798. Due to its incredible natural beauty and historical significance, this area is a UNESCO protected site
Black Sand Beach at Vik
Season 7, Eastwatch-by-the-sea is where Jon Snow meets with the squad before heading inland in search of wights
The dramatic beaches of Vik are one of my favourite locations in Iceland. The contrast of Black and White get a whole new definition.
Svínafellsjökull Glacier- Beyond the Wall
Svínafellsjökull is an outlet glacier of Vatnajökull, and due to it's incredible crevices formation, people from all of the world flock to it. It is also a popular destination for glacier hiking
It featured as beyond the wall in the series.
Grjótagjá- Jon Snow and Ygritte's Steamy Moment
The cave in lake Myvatan is a must see. It is known for the oh-so-steamy moment between Jon Snow and Ygritte. In reality the temperature of the water is quite high and hence it's illegal to take a dip in the water
And hence, most of the scene was later shot in a Northern Irish studio.
Skogafoss - When Jon and Daenerys Ride the Dragons
Skogafoss is one of the most visited waterfall on the southern ring road of Iceland
The second tier was later added to it but the waterfall served as the basis for the scene. When Jon and Daenerys ride the dragons in the first episode of season 8, after flying across wintery landscapes and through a gorge, they land in front of Skogafoss.
Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon - When Jon and Daenerys Ride the Dragons
Again, in the first episode of season 8 the canyon through which Jon and Daenerys ride their dragons is located on the southern ring road of Iceland.
Once again, regardless of your feelings for GoT, this canyon should be on your list.
Stay : Since you will be travelling through the ring road, you will have to find a new location every night. I recommend staying in Vik, Hofn, Egilsstaðir, Akureyri and plan your trip according to your halts
No. of Days: I recommend 7-10 days in Iceland to experience the land of fire and Ice.
Highlights: Snæfellsjökull National Park, Golden Circle Route,Lake Myvatn.
Gaztelugatxe, Spain - the Dragonstone Castle
The best way to reach Juan de Gaztelugatxe is by a bus from Bilbao. it is an islet on the coast of Pay Basque, connected with 241 winding steps and a bridge to the mainland Spain.
Dragonstone is the castle that stands upon the eponymous island located in Blackwater Bay. It is the ancestral seat of House Targaryen and the former stronghold of House Baratheon of Dragonstone. Unfortunately, unlike the GoT where you'd find the impressive castle set at the pinnacle, in real life it is the church of the San Juan de Gaztelugatxe.
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