After all is said and done, perhaps the most unique thing about Game of Thrones is its epic scope. Never before has a show had the budget to crisscross so many regions and follow so many characters. The storylines intertwine and untangle themselves, over and over again, as heroes and villains alike move about Westeros like chess pieces.
Not surprisingly, an enormous number of shooting locations are needed to capture the diverse lands of The Seven Kingdoms. From Iceland to Ireland, and Croatia to Spain, the show’s production team scours the plant to find settings that fit Thrones. Here’s a look at some of this season’s awe-inspiring locales, and details on how to can take a trip to visit them:
Dubrovnik, Croatia
One of the Mediterranean’s most bustling tourist attractions has been used as the location for King’s Landing since Game of Thrones’ first season. Despite an announcement last August that the show wouldn’t be filming in Dubrovnik, actress Lena Headey, who plays Queen Regent Cersei Lannister, was spotted by a fan shooting a scene in Dubrovnik — along with someone who looks a lot like the new FrankenMountain — who captured the moment on Instagram. Later, production was spotted by tourism company Adventure Dubrovnik, who also snapped some pictures for their Facebook page.
In real-life, Dubrovnik is known as the “Pearl of the Adriatic,” and tourism has been a central aspect to the city’s identity since the late 19th century, offering a wealth of accommodations for visitors.
Northern Ireland
Another location that’s been used by Game of Thrones since the beginning, Northern Ireland has been featured in a wide range of scenes. The region stands in for Winterfell and will be popping up once again in season six. With the Greyjoys’ story coming back into the fold, the County Antrim village of Ballintoy will also see some action — serving as The Iron Islands. In addition, Maisie Williams, who plays Arya Stark, was spotted by The Daily Mail filming a scene at Carnlough Harbor, which will likely sub for the city of Braavos, where she’s still training under Jaqen H’ghar (Thomas Wlaschiha).
Those interested in checking out Northern Ireland for themselves will be happy to know that several tour packages are available, with some including guided tours of around 30(!) locations featured over the course of the show.
Iceland
Much of the hype around the upcoming Game of Thrones‘ season is the fact that — after five years of warnings — winter has most definitely arrived. The country of Iceland has been used throughout the show for the land north of The Wall, and with the whole ‘Night’s King marching his army of the dead to end the world’ thing finally happening, it’s set to be making another appearance for season six.
In the meantime, you can book a trip now as part of their all-inclusive (and incredibly fun-sounding) Iceland: Beyond The Wall tour packages.
Girona, Spain
Game of Thrones traveled all over Spain for season six, filming in five major locations across the country, including the Girona Cathedral, which was built between 11th and 18th centuries. It’s rumored that it’ll be standing in for the cities of Braavos, Oldtown, and possibly the new location of King’s Landing.
The city has also been quick to capitalize on the attention, with tourism companies already offering Game of Thrones-themed packages well before the season premiere.
Almeria, Spain
The second largest medieval fortress Alcazaba of Almeria in Andalusia is thought be used as a location for the kingdom of Dorne, where Michael Huisman, who plays Daario Naharis, revealed that one of the season’s “shocking moments” will take place there. It’s the second-largest Muslim fortress in Andalusia, and was built around the 10th century. I
n recent years, it’s become a popular tourist destination, thanks to great weather year-round, pristine beaches, and some exquisite local cuisine.
Bardenas Reales, Navarre, Spain
When we last saw Daenerys Targaryan (Emilia Clarke), she’d been rescued from the Mereen fighting pits by Drogon, her alpha dragon, only to later find herself stranded far away and surrounded by hundreds Dothraki soldiers. For the location of the new Dothraki outpost, the show filmed in Bardenas Reales, one of Europe’s only desert climates.
For those looking for an adventure, Bardenas Reales encompasses a 100,000 acre natural park, where you can explore one of the countless trails that weave their way throughout the landscape. The natural erosion of chalk, sandstone, and clay over the years have created magnificent topographical features that “surprise the visitor every time.”
Peniscola, Spain
Speaking of Mereen, the coastal city Peniscola, also known as the “Gibraltar of Valencia,” will be the backdrop for Daenerys’ entrenched city-state, where Tyrion Lannister (Peter Dinklage) and Grey Worm (Jacob Anderson) were left in charge. There’s a long history of both tourism as well as film and TV production in Peniscola, including a castle that “offers a glimpse of its past at a time when knights and battlemented fortresses occupied the lands of El Maestrazgo,” making it an obvious choice for Game of Thrones.
The city is currently in the midst of trying “to look perfect” for their big season six premiere party.
Castle of Zafra, Guadalajara, Spain
One of the most anticipated scenes of the new season involves a flashback to the Tower of Joy, featuring a young Ned Stark in the most pivotal moments in the show’s timeline. The castle was owned by the state, standing in ruins until it was sold privately to Don Antonio Sanz Polo, who spent 30 years and most of his fortune restoring it to its original glory before his death in 2008. It was picked for Game of Thrones because the show “wanted a remote site away from any building.”
While you can easily visit the town of Zafra, you’ll need to be granted special permission to see the castle itself — which even then is only accessible by ladder.
Read More: Visit Historic Dorne!
