10 'Game of Thrones' Locations You Can Actually Visit in Real Life
Pack your bags, we're going to Winterfell!
We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.
Game of Thrones may be over, but its legends live on. If you’re not ready to leave Westeros behind, you can always try to immerse yourself in it. Sure, Winterfell, the Red Keep, and the Iron Islands are fictional, but Northern Ireland, Croatia, and Iceland are real — and look just as spectacular.
In fact, a whole cottage industry of Game of Thrones tourism has popped up in these locations, and you can find tours that will take you to all of the famous filming spots. In Ireland, you can visit the moodiest sets and do archery at Winterfell, or take photos down the dark road where Arya Stark escaped King’s Landing. In historic Croatia, you can walk the very steps that Cersei took on her “Walk of Shame” — excuse us, Walk of Absolution, or see the place where Ned Stark had his final moments. Or in snowy Iceland, you can see what life looks like beyond The Wall, and find the spot where Jon Snow and Daenerys Targaryen rode their dragons.
Oh, and, did we mention that some of these sites are spectacular in their own right, apart from their Game of Thrones connections? You can find UNESCO-recognized historical sites, breathtaking waterfalls, and beautiful beaches there, too.
Winterfell
The farmyard of Winterfell is actually Castle Ward in Northern Ireland. If you visit today, you can opt for a Game of Thrones experience, and test out your skill on the archery range.
RELATED: The Best "Game of Thrones" Costumes for a Superfan's Ultimate Halloween
Winterfell (Pilot)
For the pilot episode of Game of Thrones, Doune Castle in Scotland stood in for Winterfell. You might recognize it from a different on-screen close-up: It was featured in Monty Python and the Holy Grail. In fact, you can take audio tours narrated by Python's Terry Jones.
The Iron Islands
Also in Northern Ireland, the Ballintoy Harbour is a stand-in for the home of the Greyjoys. You can find tours that will take you from Belfast through the harbor, to the Caves of Cushendun (where Melisandre gave birth to the shadow baby), down the Dark Hedges road (where Arya escaped King's Landing), and to the UNESCO-listed Giant’s Causeway (no Game of Thrones connection, but still pretty cool).
The Haunted Forest
On the hunt for some direwolf pups? The post where Ned Stark and Co. found some is the Tollymore Forest Park in Newcastle, Northern Ireland. Keep an eye out for White Walkers!
Great Sept of Baelor
Every fan knows this as the place where poor Ned Stark met his end. In reality, Fort Manoel in Malta has its own Earth-shattering story: It's said to be haunted by a Black Knight who wakes up when the area is in peril.
The Red Keep
Perched on the rocks of a 120-foot-tall cliff in Dubrovnik, Croatia, Fort Lovrijenac acts as Game of Thrones's Red Keep, where King Joffrey threw his Name Day celebration. The nearby Trsteno Arboretum was used as the castle's gardens.
Cersei's "Walk of Atonement"
The spot where Cersei Lannister had to take a nude walk of shame is actually a religious one: the Jesuit Staircase out side of the Church of St. Ignatius of Loyola in Dubrovnik. Now, it's one of the most sought-after Instagram spots for GoT fans.
Dragonstone
The ancestral home of the House Targaryen is actually in Spain: Playa de Itzurun in Zumaia, to be exact. In addition to the beach, the area is known for it interesting geological formations.
The Bloody Gate
The path to Aunt Lysa's house runs through Iceland; the bloody gate is a trail through the Almannagjá gorge that leads to the Öxarárfoss waterfall. Both are located in Thingvellir National Park, which provides the backdrop for many Game of Thrones scenes.
Jon Snow's Dragon Landing Pad
When Jon Snow takes flight on a dragon and soars off with Daenerys, they land in an isolated, remote spot just by a waterfall. It's actually one of the most visited locations in Iceland: the Skógafoss waterfall. The aerial scenes were also filmed over Iceland by helicopter, and you can book a six-day, self-driving tour of all of Iceland's Game of Thrones locations.
Marisa (she/her) has covered all things parenting, from the postpartum period through the empty nest, for Good Housekeeping since 2018; previously, she wrote about parents and families at Parents and Working Mother. She lives with her toy-collecting husband and daughter in Brooklyn, where she can be found helping out her team at bar trivia or posting about movies on Twitter and Bluesky.
Why You Shouldn't Use a Bath Towel at The Beach
20 Best Places to Go Stargazing
The Best Travel Captions for Your Next Vacay
20 Unique Airbnbs, Hand-Picked by Travel Editors
