Twenty Game of Thrones Locations You Can Actually Visit with Your Family

The legendary Game of Thrones (GoT) series just concluded in epic fashion. Unfortunately for most of us, this means that we’ll never get to see the show’s amazing universe again. But don’t take this as an excuse to just sit around and watch reruns. In this guide, we’ll show you how you can use this as an opportunity to visit these locations yourself. 

Here’s the deal: most of the important locations in GoT are inspired from and shot in real-life cities and landmarks. With this in mind, don’t you think it would be a blast if you could see these places for yourself? It’s time that you got in on the action by visiting some of the most important locations to the GoT franchise. 

For this reason, we’ve prepared a list of the twenty GoT locations you can actually visit with your family. Keep these in mind as you plan your next vacation!

1. Bardenas Reales, Spain

Planning your ultimate adventure? Make Bardenas Reales in Spain your first stop! This location serves as the iconic Dothraki Sea, which is featured extensively in season six when Daenerys is captured and brought to meet Vaes Dothrak.

Fortunately, the location is just as beautiful and natural in real life, which means you and your family will have the perfect picture opportunity. The location is situated in southeast Navarre and offers you and your family a chance to hike and travel by horseback. 

2. Dubrovnik, Croatia

Since the debut of Game of Thrones season two, Dubrovnik has seen an uptick in tourism. That’s because the city serves as the real-life double to the all-important King’s Landing. In the GoT series, King’s Landing is not only home to some of the show’s most important characters but is also the capital of Westeros. This makes it one of the most highly-filmed and essential locations in the entire series.

Against this backdrop, wouldn’t it be cool to see this location for yourself and with your family? You’ll love the old-timey beauty of this city, which is full of distinct architecture and amazing cathedrals. Simply put, no GoT-inspired vacation would be complete without a trip to Dubrovnik, Croatia so make sure you plan your trip today!

3. Peniscola, Castellon, Spain

Game of Thrones fans will recognize the location as the Bay of Dragons and Meereen from season six, but more experienced travelers may also know it as a key tourist location in Mediterranean Spain. The location is home to an iconic castle built by the Knights Templar, as well as several incredible ocean views.

Additionally, it contains a lighthouse that will allow both you and your family to soak up the scenery like you never thought possible. If you’re looking for one of the top GoT destinations in terms of beauty and adventure, don’t forget to check out this classic location for yourself!

4. Verdala Palace, Malta

The Verdala Palace plays both an important role in the show and in real life. The location, which is known for its beauty and history, serves as the vacation home for Malta’s president and is one of the nation’s most-loved palaces. Guests come to the location each year to see its gardens and tour its legendary halls. 

In the show, the palace is featured in the first season. Specifically, it’s represented as the Pentos abode of Illyrio Mopatis, where both the Dragon Queen and her brother reside in exile. Plan ahead so that you can book a trip to this stellar location in time for your next vacation!

5. Itzurun Beach, Zumaia, Spain

If you’re a fan of the series, you’ll certainly remember Dragonstone, the entry area where the Dragon Queen finally makes her cross into Westeros. In real life, Itzurun Beach in Zumaia, Spain serves as the location for the shores of Dragonstone. The iconic landscape is full of ancient rocks and glistening clear water that viewers will recognize in an instant.

Interestingly, the location is also used in the scenes where Jon Snow looks for dragonglass. Specifically, the location was used because of its amazing natural caves that provided the perfect backdrop for the scenes. If you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind adventure, it’s time to check out this location on your next vacation!

6. Ait Benhaddou, Morocco

How could one forget Yunkai, the timid slave city that was freed from bondage by the Dragon Queen in Game of Thrones series three? Now you have the chance to visit the real life Yunkai: the mountain city Ait Benhaddou in Morocco. This time-test city is a Hollywood favorite and was deemed a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1987. This means that the location is well worth a visit—even if you’re not a big fan of the show. 

Of course, if you are, you’ll love seeing “Yunkai” up close and personal. In real life, the city is steeped in history and tradition, so it also provides the perfect educational opportunity for you and your family. As such, make sure to include this stellar location on your next itinerary! 

7. Svinafellsjokull Glacier, Iceland

In real life, Svinafellsjokull Glacier in Iceland is just a small part of Europe’s largest glacier. In the GoT universe, however, it represents the Fist of the First Men. You’ll remember this as the location where both Jon Snow and Qhorin Halfhand are taken hostage in an intense encounter with the dangerous Wildlings.

The location, which proved crucial to Jon’s character in the story, makes the perfect icy getaway for anyone looking for a more secluded GoT-based adventure. Introduce your children to this European landmark which appeared in the second series of GoT!

8. Grjotagja, Iceland

Looking to add an amazing hot springs trip to your next vacation? You can do just that with a trip to Grjotagja, Iceland. You’ll remember the location as the spot where Jon and then girlfriend Ygritte went swimming in the third season of the series.

In real life, the location is an iconic lava cave where tourists flock each year to swim in the lake and thermal waters. 

9. The Dark Hedges, County Antrim, Northern Ireland

The Dark Hedges in County Antrim, Northern Ireland were famous long before Arya of Winterfell walked them in season two of the iconic show.

By far the most photographed location in all of Northern Ireland, the tree-covered tunnel is one of the most beautiful spots in the nation and serves as the Kingsroad in the Game of Thrones universe. Take a trip here with your family to experience some of the most natural beauty Ireland has to offer!

10. Gaztelugatxe, Basque Country, Spain

You’ll recognize Gaztelugatxe in Basque Country, Spain as the location of a major event from the Game of Thrones franchise. Specifically, the tiny islet served as Dragonstone, the border area where Daenerys Targaryen makes her official entrance into Westeros. Fortunately, the location is just as beautiful in real life as it is during season seven of the hit show.

This makes it the perfect location to visit with your family! You’ll absolutely love the beautiful ocean views that surround the location’s famous staircase, and you’re sure to find the ancient monastery on top—which was once the site of witch trials—very interesting. With this in mind, make sure to put Gaztelugatxe on your bucket list!

11. Roman Bridge of Cordoba, Spain

One of the oldest locations on this list, the Roman Bridge of Cordoba was built in the first century BCE and serves as a vestige of one of Europe’s greatest empires. The bridge is perfectly located in Southern Spain, where tourists can get a feel for ancient Europe and its traditions. 

In the show, the bridge is shown as the Long Bridge of Volantis, where Varys and Tyrion Lannister make passage in season five. Visit this iconic location for yourself today to get a feel for the real-life culture that’s associated with this amazing GoT filming location!

12. Ouarzazate, Morocco

Ouarzazate in Morocco serves as another real-life location of Yunkai. The city is notably shown in the famous liberation scene, where the Dragon Queen frees the people of Yunkai and begins her legacy.

In real life, the city is situated at near the world-renowned Sahara Desert, making it one of the top GoT destinations to visit with your family. With this in mind, make sure to add it to your itinerary as soon as possible!

13. Downhill Strand, Northern Ireland

Experience the climactic location of the seventh season of Game of Thrones yourself. One look at Downhill Strand in Northern Ireland will give you flashbacks to the epic meeting at Dragonstone. And while the location will be much less tense and dramatic in real life, there’s a lot to appreciate about the beautiful scenery that dots this amazing beach. Establish yourself as part of GoT lore by taking a trip to this amazing location. 

Since the filming, Downhill Strand has received an increase in tourism. This means that you can expect to go there with several like-minded fans. With this in mind, it’s time to book your trip to Downhill Strand today so that you can get in on where the real action of HBO’s greatest hit occurred!

14. Castillo de Almodovar del Rio, Cordoba, Spain

In real life, Castillo de Almodovar del Rio in Cordoba, Spain is one of the nation’s most historical locations. The castle, which began as a Roman fort nearly 1,500 years ago, was built in its current form by the moors in the year 760. The structure is located near the Guadalquivir River, which makes it one of the most scenic locations on this list. 

In the show, you’ll recognize the structure as the castle of House Tyrell in Highgarden, which is featured in season seven during Jaime Lannister’s epic siege. A trip to this location with your family will allow you to replay the amazing battle and see its real life scenery firsthand. 

15. Vik, Iceland

To the normal traveler, Vik, Iceland and its black sand beaches are merely places of extraordinary beauty. To the GoT fan, however, the location holds a more particular nuance. Specifically, it serves as the port town Eastwatch-by-the-Sea, an icy location where Wildings trade with the brave soldiers of the Night’s Watch. 

The beaches of Vik appear only in season seven, but the incredible scenery of Iceland plays a large role in the show, as many nearby locations are used to capture the darkness and frigidity of the land beyond the wall. 

16. Essaouria, Morocco

In the Game of Thrones universe, real-life town of Essaouria serves quite a massive purpose. Specifically, it doubles as Astapor, a port city where the Dragon Queen gains the resources to finally take on Westeros after she buys her massive army of Unsullied.

In real life, the city is over 1,500 years old and has a swashbuckling history chock full of intense trade, pirates, and legendary international icons. Make Essaouria a priority of your next travel itinerary! 

17. Castle of Zafra, Guadalajara, Spain

How would you like to take a trip to the real-life Tower of Joy, one of the essential locations of Game of Thrones season six? In real life, the location is the iconic landmark Castle of Zafra, which is set above the beautiful Sierra de Caldereros.

In the show, the location is where Jon Snow learns important information about his identity and his fate, but in real life, it can be the location where you and your family gain a deeper appreciation of Spain and its deep-seated culture. As such, make sure you keep the location in mind s you plan your next trip!

18. Ballintoy, County Antrim, Northern Ireland

It’s time to put your thinking cap on and remember all the way back to season two, where (a still-intact) Then Greyjoy returns to his hometown of Pike in the Iron Islands.

In real life, these islands are found in Ballintoy, a fishing village of Northern Ireland. The location is small and intimate and known primarily for being a major filming location of GoT. This makes it an ideal getaway for the entire family!

19. Trsteno Arboretum, Trsteno, Croatia

Trsteno Arboretum in Trsteno, Croatia is home to some of the most beautiful and exclusive plants in all of Europe. The location was built by a noble family in the fifteenth century and has developed into one of the country’s (and the continent’s) best gardens.

You’ll recognize the location from the third and fourth seasons of GoT, where it was used to represent King’s Landing’s Gardens. More specifically, you’ll remember it as the seen where Margaery talks with her royal and very rich grandmother Lady Olenna. The best part? This location is even more beautiful in person, so make sure to visit with your family during your next vacation! 

20. Alcazar, Seville, Spain

Alcazar in Seville, Spain appears only briefly in the fifth season of GoT as the palace of the Dornes. What, then, makes it worthy of inclusion on this list? Simply put, it was built in the 900s and remains in use to this day—the oldest of such structures to be so in all of Europe.

This means that any trip to Alcazar, which is full of stunning architecture, is like walking through living history. This is definitely one location you and your family do not want to miss!

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