Only Diehard 'Game of Thrones' Fans Know Where These Scenes Were Filmed IRL
- by Brandon_Z
- – on
- in Movies and TV
Game of Thrones has become one of the most successful television series of the last decade. It has managed to become the kind of massive success that every other series wishes it could ever achieve. With the final season of the show coming up in the next year, there's no better time to look back at how the massive success came to be. The producers behind the show made sure to film as much as they could on-location all around the world instead of just having their actors standing in front of a green screen.
Of course, there are still lots of little bits of computer-generated effects throughout many of the scenes and locations throughout the show. But we can still explore around some of the most beautiful and awe-inspiring places from the series, if we know where to look. Only the biggest Game of Thrones fans can pinpoint where these scenes were actually filmed around the world. Some of them are pretty obvious, while others are incredibly surprising. Anyone would be surprised what cities the show has visited in eight years. Know the real-life locations that they filmed these iconic Game of Thrones scenes in?
Where did they film Pentos?
Pentos is a beautiful coastal city outside of Westeros. It was where Danyerys and her brother Viserys spent most of their lives in hiding before her engagement to Khal Drogo. It is also where Varys brought Tyrion Lannister to when he had to hide him following the fall of his father, Tywin. Before filming moved to Croatia for the following seasons, this Southern European nation in the Mediterranean Sea also served as the location for some scenes set in King's Landing.
Where did they film King's Landing?
King's Landing is one of the main locations for the entirety of the series. The capital of the seven kingdoms, this port city is home to Iron Throne. While other places have served as the location for this city in some scenes, this Croatian port city has been the primary location since the second season. The medieval walls that still stand amidst the roads make for a perfect place for filming sequences like Cersei's walk of shame and the bread riots.
Where did they film Beyond the Wall?
The Night's Watch serves as the first and last line of defense against the people (and things) that lay beyond. This arctic wasteland has seen some of the most exciting scenes in the entire city and is the realm that the Night King hails from as he tries to use his army of wights to wipe out the kingdoms of men. Producers decided to film in this northern nation to find authentic snowy mountains, giving the scenes a sense of isolation and realism.
Where did they film Brienne's Cage Fight With a Bear?
One of the most memorable moments with Brienne of Tarth, the absurdly strong warrior woman, was during the third season. After she and Jamie Lannister were captured by banner men for Roose Bolton, Brienne was thrown into a cage fight with a very angry bear. Jamie jumped into the pit and helped save her life, cementing their bond. This scene was actually filmed in a very unique place for Game of Thrones, one of the few times they've had to film in this country.
Where did they film the Dire Wolves?
One of the coolest things about any scene that features the Direwolves is just getting to see the massive wolves in motion. By the fifth season, the producers needed a larger wolf to better portray the aged and larger animal. The producers had tried to convince a specific trainer to come on board for years, but could never get him to Ireland and the majority of shooting. They finally caved and came to this Canadian city to film scenes with one of his wolves.
Where did they film the Unsullied in Astapor?
The introduction of the Unsullied (and how Dany is able to liberate them and add them to her ever expanding army) marks one of the best moments for the Queen of Dragons. The Unsullied turning on their masters made for one of the most memorable moments in the pretty thrill heavy third season, and the producers used this Moroccan city as the turning point to her story line. It made sense too, as they actually filmed more than a few scenes in the country.
Where did they film Yunkai?
The city of Yunkai had a longstanding importance in the overall arc of the series, initially falling to a group of Dany's greatest warriors in the third season. But by the sixth, the Morocco city's former lords tried to reestablish dominance and got themselves some very angry dragons burning down their fleets for all their trouble. While some of the bigger parts of the city were added by CGI in post-production, the original stone buildings still stand amidst the hilly terrain.
Where did they film the Great Steps of Baelor?
Malta proved to be a consistent place of filming in for the first season of Game of Thrones, with multiple cities in the southern European country being used for different scenes and moments (also see Pentos from earlier in this very quiz). This city in particular was used twice - for the shocking final moments of Ned Stark towards the end of the first season of the show, and also in the sixth season as the Great Sept of Baelor. While the massive church was added in post, the classic stone streets from this city made a perfect place to film.
Where did they film Qarth?
Actually filmed near where they filmed King's Landing, this city on an Mediterranean island was used for many scenes set in the city Qarth during the second season of the show. While many of the bigger buildings and pieces of the episode were added after the fact with CGI, much of the natural city appeared in the episodes. Notably the botanical gardens in this beautiful island city provided many of the scenes where Daenerys walks through the parties of the cities ruling class.
Where did they film the Arena of Meereen?
While Daenerys did her best to keep the city of Meereen from transitioning back into a slavery based kingdom, she was eventually forced to reopen the fighting pits to placate the ruling class and the people. When a riot broke out during an attack by the Sons of the Harpy, Dany only survived thanks to her dragon. The real stadium is actually a longstanding arena in its home country used for bullfighting even to this day, and is located in the Iberian Peninsula,
Where did they film the Iron Bank of Braavos?
The Iron Bank of Braavos is quietly one of the most powerful forces in the series. This economic powerhouse is much of the reason that the Lannister family has the means to keep control over the Seven Kingdoms. While it was expanded by CGI, the St. Jacob Cathedral in this Croatian city turned out to be a perfect place to film the meeting between Stannis, Davos, and representatives of the bank. This spot was used as the main spot of filming for the bank's base of operations in Braavos.
Where did they film the Battle between Brienne and the Hound?
There have been a lot of amazing fights throughout Game of Thrones, with one of the most brutal being the brawl between Brienne and Sandor Cleglane, aka the Hound. The fight between the two warriors quickly grows from a sword fight into a full-blown fist fight, biting included. The fight was filmed in a UNESCO World Heritage Site in this northern Scandinavian country. The same location would later be used during the beginning of the Wildling assault on the Wall,
Where did they film Dorne?
While Dorne might not have been anyone's favorite locations that the show ever explored, the southern country and home to Oberyn Martell was at least a gorgeous location for the series to showcase. The gardens in this Spanish city turned out to be the perfect place that would have definitely led to a family like the Martell. No wonder Myrcella Lannister fell in love with the country (and one of the boys from there) instead of wanting to go back to the comparably dour King's Landing.
Where did they film the King's Road?
The King's Rad proves to be one of the major connections between the various Seven Kingdoms over the course of the series. It's how many of the characters made their way north and south, and proved vital to Arya's attempts to head back north to Winterfell. The local growing beech trees give the road a lived-in and decidedly natural feeling that would be impossible to replicate with computer-generated visuals. The path is actually near one of most consistent filming spots for the series.
Where did they film Winterfell?
Winterfell is the northern stronghold of the Stark family and their bannermen. It's where we start the series, and is the home to many of our favorite characters. Although multiple locations have been used to film scenes set in the ancestral Stark home, this castle has served as one of the most consistent spots for production. Filmed in one of the countries located in the United Kingdom, this spot has become a favorite for fans traveling the world to see where Game of Thrones was filmed.
Where did they film the Riverlands?
The Riverlands in Westeros form the heart of the country. These are the lands where Catelyn Stark originally hails from, and they become vitally important to the progression of the War of Five Kings that takes up most of season 2 and 3. Using national parks for most of their filming, production in this country has been rampant for the show since they moved primary shooting here for the second season. It's only when production had to get snowy did they move further north.
Where did they film the Tower of Joy?
The Tower of Joy has only appeared in a single sequence within Game of Thrones, but that one moment carries some of the heaviest implications in the entire series. It's the place where a younger Ned Stark came to rescue his sister, only to find out that she's actually giving birth to the son she shared with Rhaegar Targaryen despite her engagement to Robert Baratheon. The child turned out to be Jon Snow, making him the rightful king. Which is crazy! This country had the perfect castle for the location,, in a sunny rocky surrounding.
Where did they film the Citadel Grand Library?
The Citadel Grand Library was one of the best new locations for the show to explore, as Sam and Gilly come to the citadel in the sixth season. It gives Sam his Beauty and the Beast moment when he first looks around the library for the first time. While a lot of that scene was put together with CGI, the exterior of the building was taken at the Monastery of Sant Pere de Galligants, located in this beautiful Mediterranean nation.
Where did they film the Northern Forests?
The forests of the North have appeared frequently throughout the series. They were where the seven Dire Wolf cubs were found and eventually given to the six Stark children (and Jon Snow). It was also the place where, just a few seasons later, Theon would try to escape from Ramsay Bolton. It's been used frequently for the series, especially whenever the action is directed further north. They were all filmed at the Tollymore forest in this part of the United Kingdom.
Where did they film the Iron Islands?
The Iron Islands have been one of the most unpredictable forces in the series. Their mission and loyalties have shifted over the years, finally becoming a potential trump card in the coming final season. The islands were filmed along this countries edge, letting the shining blue ocean do most of the work to create the idea that they were actually on an island. In reality, this castle actually rests alongside the northern shore of this country in the United Kingdom.
Where did Cersei say goodbye to Myrcella?
Cersei Lannister has been consistently one of the hardest characters in the show. She's been consistently reluctant to showcase any emotions to literally anyone. But she's always had something of a soft spot for her children. Even Joffrey got some love from her. The bittersweet moment when she lost her daughter to the politics of the various kingdoms. One of the west harbors in this Croatian city provided the perfect place for her to say goodbye to her daughter (for the last time).
Where did Arya escape from King's Landing?
Arya has had one of the most engaging arcs in the entirety of Game of Thrones. She's transformed from a snarky tomboy into a student at assassin Hogwarts, and then all the way into potentially one of the fiercest warriors in all Seven Kingdoms. That journey really took after the loss of her father, when she came down the palace steps and reclaimed her sword Needle. Like, literal palace steps. The building used is actually the home of the Prime Minister of this country.
Where did they film Dragonstone?
Dragonstone has a lot of recurring power and moments throughout the series. It was originally within the power of Stannis Baratheon and his banner men. But after his fateful war in the north against the forces of Ramsay Bolton. After the northern battles, it was inherited by Daenerys and her forces when she first arrived on the Westeros coastline. Using one of the most beautiful beaches in this European nation, it became one of the most important locations in the seventh season.
Which Spanish castle did they use for Highgarden?
Highgarden only appears briefly in Game of Thrones, but holds a great deal of importance in the overall story. It's the home base for the Tyrells, one of the wealthiest and powerful families in all of Westeros. It's initially only spoken of in glowing terms, and only appears when it's just being conquered by the Lannister forces. To find the right place to film the one heartbreaking scene at the castle, the producers considered a number of different castles across all of Spain, eventually settling on this one.
Where did they film the wedding between Daenerys and Khal Drogo?
The wedding between Khal Drago and Daenerys Targaryen is one of the first major moments in the entirety of Game of Thrones. It's where Daenrys first gains the loyalty of Jorah, and is where she receives her the three eggs that house the dragons that will eventually become her fearsome and loyal dragons. The Azure Window was where this wedding was filmed in the first season, a gorgeous beach and natural rock formation along the coast of this Mediterranean nation.
Where did they film Oldtown?
Oldtown is one of the most ancient cities in Westeros, home to the Maesters. It's where Samwell Tarley comes to learn more about the coming White Walkers, and where he learns some of the most important information in the world. Filmed in this beautiful Spanish providence, Oldtown remains one of the most memorable new locations that the story has explored over the years. While it was expanded by CGI to appear more majestic, it's still an amazing place to see.
Where did they film Dothraki Sea?
The Dothraki Sea is one of the most dangerous places in the world, a continent away from most of the action of the series. It becomes a place of importance in the sixth season when Daenerys ends up recruiting the entire Dothraki horde in the desert. It's filmed in the Bardenas Reales, some of most dangerous areas in this nation. It doesn't have much of a population and proved to be a terrific place to film some of Daenerys' most pivotal scenes of the year.
Where did they film the Fist of the First Men?
The Fist of the First Men is one of the oldest locations in the world of Westeros. Located beyond the Wall, it's a testament made by the oldest generation of men. The monument is used by members of the Night Watch during their expedition past the Wall in the second season. While pieces of the scene were added in post, the actual location they filmed at in the far north provided all the natural snow and ice that the scene required.
Where did they film Jon and Ygritte's cave?
Jon Snow and the Wildling girl Ygritte were one of the most unlikely relationships on the show. The honor bound member of the Night's Watch fell in love with the fiery redhead while he was undercover among the various Wildlings. One of their most romantic moments was filmed at the Grjótagjá, a far north cavern. It's actually a stunning place you can visit and explore this thermal cave on your own if you were to come visit it.
Where did they film Cersei's walk of shame?
One of the biggest moments in the overall arc for Cersei came during her attempts to deal with the royal sect that was gaining power in King's Landing. She was forced to take a walk of shame through the capital. The scene was also one of the biggest moments ever filmed in the series, with over five hundred extras involved in the scene. The scene was filmed in one of the most common countries for the production of the series to take place, but the show has rarely gone as big as they did in this scene.
Where did they film the duel between Oberyn and the Mountain?
The fateful duel between the charming Oberyn Martell and the massive Mountain made for one of the most shocking scenes in the entire series. The battle between the two to decide the fate of Tyrion Lannister served as a major turning point for the series. Filmed in a bombed out hotel, the production had to clean off a whole bunch of graffiti to get the scene ready for the filming of the scene. This city in Croatia had been used for many other scenes, but this might be the most impressive find by the show's creators.
Where did they film the Dreadfort?
The Dreadfort is the base of operations for the Bolton family, the cruel but crafty army that steals the North out from under the Stark family. The Myra Castle was used as a consistent location for the exterior of the fortress. While it isn't as dour as the pretty depressing Dreadfort is in the show (what with it having some pretty terrifying torture chambers and man hunting dogs), it's still an impressive castle to check out if you're visiting this country.
Where did they film Harrenhall?
Harrenhall is one of the most frightening remnants of the cruelty of the past in Westeros. It was once one of the most beautiful castles in the entire continent. Keyword here being "was", as it was burnt down and reduced to ruins. This was one of the locations that was completely built in one of the main sound stages that the production used for similar scenes that didn't have a real life equivilant for the cast to appear alongside. This one (along with their main boat prop) is located in one of the main places production took place.
Where did they film the Battle of the Blackwater?
The Battle of the Blackwater was the first truly massive fight in Game of Thrones and helped audiences realize just how massive the scope of these battles could really be. While parts of the fight were filmed on a sound stage, this castle in Croatia (after having been used multiple times for smaller character moments over the course of the preceding season) made for the ideal battlement during the chaos of the invasion by the forces following behind Stannis Baratheon.
Where did they film the Purple Wedding?
The Purple Wedding turned out to be a legit game changer in a series that loves to throw curve balls at the audience. The end of Joffrey's rule and the arrest of Tyrion Lannister set things into motion that are still being felt even three seasons later. Filmed in this Croatian city, the wedding took up an entire episode of the fourth season to really allow the creators of the show the chance to truly explore and showcase Gradac Park.