#filinglocations

Travel to the dark side

Game of Thrones (2011-2019) created by David Benioff & D.B Weiss. and written by George R.R. Martin. A series that pretty much runs over the course of 8 years showing nine Nobel families fighting over the lands of Westeros whilst the ancient "White Walkers" enemy fights to make a comeback. For those who have watched this series, we were glued to our screen every time it came on, watching diligently as we become frustrated as our favorite characters are killed off and fighting for survival. This series in conversation could in essence have had started a civil war between friends and family, who we wanted to be killed next, why and those pesky families that kept dominating (Lannister's) when simply we just wanted them to disappear. I have to admit my favorite family were the Starks, Arya Stark the warrior child (played by Masie Williams) was just fantastic addition! I mean you could see that Arya was not going to be a simple lady unlike her sister Sansa however, the difference from losing her father and then taking on grown men 3 times her age  and size was just a moment of exhilaration. Admittedly, I did have a soft spot for Tyrion Lannister (Played by Peter Dinklage) and Jaime Lannister (played by Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) despite the obvious incestuous volatile relationship with Cersei (Played by Lena Headey). This series just made you feel and connect with the characters which realistically, is sometimes a really hard thing to do with such a massive audience.  

Moving on, filming locations,  If you have watched the series, you will find every landscape including the cold ones are absolutely beautiful! like me, I contemplated visiting in the very near future (Covid problems).This series connects to the cosplay that a lot of people indulge in, or if you're not into cosplay, visiting as a sense of escapism and fantasy are usually the biggest motivations for attending such beautiful locations situated around the world, I've written up the 5 most popular places to visit; so, let's take a look where you can be soon visiting!   

Split, Split Dalmatia Country (Croatia) 

Used for filing seasons 3,4,5, the first  Game of Thrones tour take place here, 2 tours in 1. Learn about Game of Thrones and the history of the Split, its a local tour with an expert tour guide. Take the tour of Diocletian's Palace; Klis Fortress for 5 hours! even if you are not a fan of Game of Thrones there are culture aspects to this tour, it looks absolutely beautiful! One of the particular scenes filmed here is where the Daenerys Dragons are kept (poor dragons!) and how can we forget the slave rebellion. 

Fort Lovrijenac Debrovnik (Croatia)   One of the main filming location in Game of Thrones - The most beautiful scenery and historic location, you can join a unique tour that would explore the key filming locations such as; Lovrijenac  Fortress and St Dominika Street (SHAME SHAME SHAME - I cannot lie. I had great gratification in this seen watching Cersei's comeuppance). Here you can re-discover your passion for Game of Thrones taking in the behind-the-scenes story whilst also enjoying the passionate grounds of Croatia.  you'll be tour the beautiful scenes of Kings Landing, if you’re a massive Thrones fan then you cannot miss out on this experience! (simply because you get to sit on the IRON THRONE – because like who wouldn’t..). Other aspects of the tour include; Lokrum Island (City of Qarth); Pile Bay; Lovrjenac Castle (The Redkeep) and Dubrovnik’s old town.  

Tours that you can visit; Game of Thrones Walking tour (150Kn – Around £17.40); Kings Landing and the Iron Throne Tour (350 Kn - around £40.60); Total game of Thrones experience tour (850KN £98.60) - and Jet Ski Game of Thrones tour (1700kn - £197.20) Considering the amount, it does cost depending on the tour you want to participate in, it is worth the money. If you’re around Dubrovnik, why not check it out!    

Marrakech (Morocco) A little unknown considering a few that are on the list, HOW? I have no idea because this scenery is BEAUTIFUL, I mean seriously this Game of Thrones set is  set in the ancient town of Ait Ben Haddou, doubling as Yunkai also known to us as Slavers Bay (season 3).  Did you know that the village this is filmed is a UNESCO world heritage site (AMAZING RIGHT), as it was once used as stop in the ancient Sahara trade route. It's easy to visit as the buildings have mostly gone unchanged throughout the decades providing not only a historical learning opportunity, but it also reflects the uniqueness of Game of Thrones itself. Carrying on, the tour you can actually do yourself, located in the beautiful Atlas Mountain region of Morocco it can be difficult to reach so it is advised to visit on an organized day trip, which also adds in extra time to visit the Atlas Mountains.  Add in the extra time to visit the town of Ouarzazate, located just 30 minutes away from the first filming location, it is home to the Atlas Studios. Here you can visit more locations of the free cities within Slavers Bay, but whilst you're there you can take the time to visit the old sets for Gladiators, Cleopatra and Kings of Heaven, basically it is a well worth opportunity to take to visit your favorite Game of Thrones scenes but also to visit the unique filming sets of other best-known films (Gladiators, COME ON!) 

Iceland – Your Nordic adventure   Much like other regions in this post, Iceland is used for the unique settings within the Game of Thrones series, home to seasons 2 onwards, Iceland was used to set the scene for North of the Wall (come at me White WALKERS). The featured towns in this part of the journey are relatively easy to get too as most as just located off the main ring road,  well visited popular sites (if you get lost I'm sure someone could help you out). Be warned that many of these scenes will look different if you don’t visit in winter due to the snowy scenery in Game of Thrones – although some locations are hard to get too in winter, be careful and DO NOT PUSH YOUR LIMITS. Here I've added 4 of the most popular locations, but upon making your itinerary do take a look at this website, it gives you various locations based off seasons and episodes to plan your Game of Thrones Treck. Follow your wilding or the night’s watch fantasy.  Iceland Game of Thrones Tours : Self Guided Packages : Nordic Visitor 

Hengilssvæðið, also known as Hengill Mountain (large volcanic mountain) Episode 10 season 4, where Brienne of Tarth and the Hound face off against each other, this is also where Arya and the hound part ways (this teared me, I thought they could have been a good team).  BONUS: This fight scene between Brienne and Hound was filmed in different locations however visiting this place will feel very familiar in terms of the scene itself.  

Þórufoss, or Thorufoss

A short drive from the Golden Circles, if you want to experience the feeling of your favorite dragons flying above you, then this is the place. Season 4, remember when Drogon got hungry and ate that goat? Yeah, that scene, take your time and imagine what the goat herders face would have looked like seeing that scene

Thingvellir National Park

One of the most used filming locations in the canyon near Oxafarfoss waterfall (Bloody Gate location), beholds the castle where the western edge of the Vale of Arryn, on the road to Eyrie appeared in Season 4. This location is were Little Finger and Sansa travel to Eyrie and then later on in the season where Arya and the Hound discover Arya’s aunt had died (I'm sure it was little finger who pushed her...). Due to this area being a heritage site, there are lots of things to do here and a lot to experience Game of Thrones wise.  

Þjórsárdalur Valley

Being a large area of Iceland, home to a number of stunning scenery and one of the highest waterfalls in Iceland. In terms of Game of Thrones, the reproduction of the Viking area; longhouse and farm was used as Olly’s village back in Season 4, Episode 3. This scene also involves the wildlings, when they travelled to the village (Ygritte and Tormund) overran it and killed everyone except Olly to be its only Survivor. The best thing about this area is that the recreation is open every day from June through to August with a small fee on entry.  

Northern Ireland Some of the main filing was done here in Northern Ireland, based around the beautiful history of Ireland itself, these tours bring you a full day's experience dedicated to fulfil your escape into the fantasy world of Game of Thrones.   

Iron Islands, Giant's causeway and Rope Bridge (Belfast, Derry) 

Visiting the Glens of Antrim, takes you through the cave where Melisandre gives birth to the dark spirit, Renly's camp in the storm lands and the Iron Islands were Theon dedicated his faith to the drowned God. To really immerse yourself into the world of Game of Thrones, especially the Iron born, you can dress up to your wildest dreams! This coach comes with costumes, metal swords, shields and banners to really immerse yourself in the cosplay and fantasy that is Game of Thrones.  

BONUS: The guides were extras in the series! - Starks, Wildings and even one Iron Born! What a way to start your Journey than with those who have Truly lived in the fantasy world.  

(This little beauty will set you back, around £45 - https://gameofthronestours.com/iron-islands-  rope-bridge)   

Winterfell trek (Belfast) 

Filmed at the start of the Game of Thrones season one, were the King asks Ned Stark (May you rest in peace) to be the Hand of the King, it is also were we first meet the direwolf Pups and the start of the horrific yet exhilarating story to come. This tour will lead you around the grounds of Castle Ward Estate and Walder Frey's Twins camp in the Riverland's. Again, this tour allows you to fully get up close with this world of Game of Thrones, wearing wool and leather cloaks, metal swords and hand painted Stark Banners!  The track takes you through the Abbeys of the 12th Century where Robb Stark is announced king of the North (Later Jon Snow’s title, but we all miss Robb Stark having this), it will take you into Tollymore Forest and Haunted Forest North of the Wall where you will find the night’s watch dismembered bodies in the snow. (Freaky but this sounds bloody awesome!) 

(Coach day Tour – from 45 euros: Winterfell Trek from Belfast - Game of Thrones Tours) 

Winterfell Trek Dublin

This tour takes you though the beautiful Tollymore Forest, more famously known for the opening scene of the first episode, you’ll be shown video clips, screen shots and VFX clips for behind the scenes showing of how this was made! (Cool right!) Much like the above tour you will be able to see where King Robert asked Ned to be his Hand. These trips allow you to become fully immersed in the fantasy, play along and enter the world of Game of Thrones through wearing the northern cloaks, metal swords and be able to first hand go where no tourist has gone before. Could you become the King of the North? Explore the real Westeros in Northern Ireland, and let's see. 

Coach day tour: from 60 euros - Winterfell Trek from Dublin - Game of Thrones Tours  Game of Thrones was a much-loved series that we sadly miss, apart from season 8 that sucked. But we can all agree that if we need an escape from this pandemic and feel a sense of belonging in the cosplay world, it is possible to still visit these places in the near future of travel.