16 Awesome Game of Thrones Northern Ireland Filming Locations
Have you ever wondered where Game of Thrones was filmed? I’ll give you a hint… It wasn’t in Canada!
In fact, you would need to travel to the other side of the world to feel like you’re stepping onto the show. The Game of Thrones sites in Ireland are spread across the country. The show has become a cultural phenomenon, and its popularity continues to grow. In fact, it has even inspired a new generation of fans who want to visit the same places where their favourite characters live.
For those who don’t know, Game of Thrones is a fantasy drama television series created by David Benioff and D. B. Weiss. It premiered on HBO in 2011 and ran until 2017. The story follows several families across the fictional continents of Westeros and Essos.
As a massive Game of Thrones fan, mesmerized by the gorgeous scenery, I needed to see it all for myself! I made a point of spending a few days in Belfast after a fun 2 Days in Dublin, Ireland. But I knew there were a lot of Game of Thrones Northern Ireland locations to discover.
Filming of seasons one to eight took place in around 25 locations around Northern Ireland, including Titanic Studios in Belfast. However, Ireland wasn’t the only country featured. Filming took place in three continents and ten different countries, with the main filming locations, aside from Northern Ireland, including: Iceland, Croatia, Spain and Malta.
This guide is going to walk you through the incredible Northern Ireland GOT locations. But if you want to see more, check out our Ultimate Game of Thrones Malta Locations!
Game Of Thrones Northern Ireland Tour with Irish Tour Tickets
One of the best ways to check out all of the Ireland Game of Thrones locations is to take an organized tour. You won’t have to worry about finding the locations, transportation, or other aspects of planning. For just £45, we enjoyed a one-day unlimited hop-off/hop-on bus tour of Belfast city.
On this tour, we were travelling with the same travel agency that transported the cast and crew of the show to the various Game of Thrones filming sites around Northern Ireland. As a result, the tour delivers a ton of insider knowledge, offers lots of photo ops with costumes & props on location for those die-hard fans.
Scan the QR Code!
We’ve included a full list of the places we visited during our trip. We’ve also covered some additional filming locations that aren’t on the tour but are nearby. In addition, we have included popular spots like Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge and the Giant’s Causeway, which are on the tour but weren’t used as filming locations.
Cue Game of Thrones theme music…
1. Magheramorne Quarry | Castle Black, The Wall
The Magheramorne Quarry in County Antrim is the place where the entrance to Castle Black is filmed. The entrance is genuine, but the huge ice wall that was behind it in the show was created with computer graphics. So, it may not look familiar at first. Although we did not stop, the tour guide talked about it as we drove by.
2. Shillanavogy Valley | The Dothraki Sea
35 minutes north of Belfast is Shillanavogy, aka the Dothraki Sea. This is the grassy area in Essos which the Dothraki call home. While it is a little bit of a detour from the coastal road, with the Slemish Mountain as a backdrop, it is quite beautiful. However, it isn’t a key filming location.
3. Sallagh Braes | The Riverlands
Sallagh Braes basalt cliffs are part of the glens of Antrim, standing 100 metres high, 2 kilometres long and offering incredible scenic views. It is known as one of the first regions in Ireland to be inhabited by humans. Views of green rolling hills, the cliffs, the valley below and the Irish Sea in the distance are most likely the first thoughts that come to mind when you think of Ireland/Northern Ireland.
You’ll recognize this landscape from Game of Thrones Season 6, Episode 7: The Broken Man, where Arya left Sandor Clegane (The Hound) to die after he fought with Brienne of Tarth.
4. Carnlough Harbour | Braavos Harbour
Carnlough is a quaint little coastal village and is definitely worth a day trip in its own right. Carnlough Stone Harbour is famous for being the location of the fictional city of Braavos. In Season 6 Episode 7: Arya drags herself out of Braavos Harbour after being stabbed in the gut by the Waif. She then goes on to learn how to become a faceless assassin.
Come to think of it, adding Faceless Assassin to your resume would sound cool. Not saying you should add it, but it might be a good conversation starter.
5. Cushendun Caves | The Shadow Baby
When it comes to Game of Thrones North Ireland filming locations, many of these places were used for multiple scenes. This cave was used twice. Once during that freaky scene, when Lady Melisandre gives birth to the dark shadow who fades into the darkness, then reappears to kill Renly Baratheon in Season 2. The second was that infamous battle between Jaime Lannister and Euron Greyjoy in Season 8.
The caves were formed over millions of years of water seeping through the limestone rock. Game of Thrones filming locations aside, they’re a popular tourist attraction because of the stunning natural beauty of the area.
6. Murlough Bay | Slavers Bay
Murlough Bay is one of the largest bays on the west coast of the island. This is where Davos Seaworth was shipwrecked and rescued after the Battle at Blackwater. It is also where Yara Greyjoy rode on horseback with her brother, Theon Greyjoy. Finally, it was where Tyrion and Ser Jorah were captured by slavers.
7. Fair Head | Dragonstone
Fair Head cliffs run along the coast from Murlough Bay, where they reach heights of 600 feet. These cliffs were used to depict Dragonstone and the backdrop for that classic scene where Jon Snow meets Daenerys Targaryen and one of her dragons, Drogon.
The town of Ballycastle comes from the Irish Baile Chasalaig, meaning ‘town of the castle,’ which is nearby with lots of great pubs and restaurants for a quick stop.
8. The Dark Hedges | Kings Road
The Dark Hedges has always been one of the top must-visit sites when visiting Northern Ireland. It is a narrow road where the beech trees on either side of the street meet in the middle, creating an illusion of a spooky tunnel. It’s even more popular now that it makes everyone’s list of Northern Ireland Game of Thrones locations!
The hedges appear during seasons 1 and 2 as Kings Road. It’s the road that leads Ned Stark to his death, and where his daughter Arya Stark escaped the Lannisters. They appear relatively unchanged without many digital enhancements, making them one of the most recognizable filming locations.
Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge
While this is not a Game of Thrones shooting location, it’s one of the most popular tourist destinations in Northern Ireland. Carrick-a-Rede, from the Scottish language Gaelic ‘Carrick-a-Rade’, meaning “the rock in the road”, is an obstacle for the migrating fish as they search for the river where they were born.
Atlantic salmon have been caught at Carrick-a-Rede and Larrybane since the early 17th century. It wasn’t until 1755 that the world’s first rope bridge was built to connect the mainland to Carrick-a-Rede Island.
If you’re scared of heights, crossing this bridge might make you feel uneasy. But if you decide to press on, be sure to hold on to your phone and camera tight. If it falls in the drink, it’ll be gone forever. You should also note that it can get really crowded here, but if you come on the bus tour, you won’t have to wait long.
9. Larrybane Quarry
Larrybane Quarry was once used to supply stone for buildings in Belfast. Today, Larrybane Quarry is home to many species of wildlife, including red squirrels, badgers, otters, bats, and birds.
However, you may remember this Game of Thrones location being used to introduce Brienne of Tarth in Season 2 when she fought Ser Loras Tyrell in a tournament in front of King Renly and his wife, Queen Margarey Tyrell.
10. Ballintoy Harbour
Just a short distance away from the Giant’s Causeway, at the northernmost point of the Antrim coast and glens, is the quaint Ballintoy Harbour. Ballintoy Harbour is the location that was used for Lordsport, the main port city of Pyke and one of the Iron Islands. Pyke, as you know, was the home of Theon and Yara Greyjoy.
Giant’s Causeway
Although not used in Game of Thrones, the Giant’s Causeway is still one of the most famous attractions in Northern Ireland.
This UNESCO World Heritage Site consists of over 3,000 hexagonal basalt columns formed over thousands of years by volcanic eruptions. The basalt columns were later eroded by wind and water, leaving behind these unique formations.
The Giant’s Causeway is a must-see attraction in Northern Ireland, and I have to admit, it’s so unique that it’s very easy to spend several hours here.
10. Dunlance Castle | Castle of Pyke
Dunluce Castle is yet another popular attraction along the stunning Causeway Coast. Rising dramatically from the sea, with its ruins, you can see centuries of history; conquering and reclaiming taking place before your eyes. Rumour has it that it is haunted by banshees, which in Ireland is not a good thing. We talked about that during our bus ride to the Cliffs of Moher.
Richard Óg Burke, 2nd Earl of Tyrone, built the first castle in Dunluce in the 13th century. After acquiring the property in the early 1500s, the MacQuillans added its earliest features: two large drum towers.
The Castle has become an important tourist attraction not only because of its stunning views but also because it was used in Game of Thrones as the Seat of House Greyjoy, the great castle of Pyke.
11. Binevenagh (Mountain) | Meereen
On the edge of Antrim’s plateau, Binevenagh will treat you to panoramic views reaching for miles. The location was chosen as the Dothraki Sea, above the city of Meereen, where Daenerys was rescued by her dragon Drogon. You don’t want to forget your camera when visiting this stunning spot.
12. Downhill Strand & Mussenden Temple
This beautiful 11-km-long stretch of sand happens to be great for swimming. Downhill Strand was the shooting location for Dragonstone in Season 2, where the seven gods of Westeros were sacrificed by Lady Melisandre.
Dragonstone was the ancestral home of House Targaryen and was the current stronghold of the Starish Baratheons. The scenic beach is surrounded by the elegant 18th-century ruins of the Mussenden Temple.
Other Game of Thrones Locations in Northern Ireland
If you’re up for a road trip, jump in the car and take yourself on a self-guided tour through some of the most popular Game of Thrones locations in Northern Ireland’s Southern region.
13. Castle Ward | Winterfell Castle
Castle Ward is the most famous filming location in Northern Ireland because it is where the castle scenes for Winterfell in Game of Thrones were filmed. In real life, this medieval fortress was built during the 13th century, and in addition to GOT, it’s been featured in an impressively long list of movies, TV shows, and books.
14. Inch Abbey | The Riverlands
This medieval building was used for Robb Stark’s Camp in the Riverlands.
The abbey was established in 1180 by John De Courcy, sitting on a small island accessible by a causeway, between the River Quoille and an extensive marshland. The magnificent Down Cathedral in Downpatrick, the burial site of Saint Patrick, can be seen in the distance.
15. Quoilee River Area
Near the Inch Abbey is the beautiful Quoilee River area, where the Tully family lived. It was also the filming location for Hoster Tully’s funeral. You can follow the riverside path all the way from the historic floodgates down to the ruins of the once-busy steamboat port.
16. Tollymore Forest Park | North of Winterfell
Located in the foothills of Ireland’s Mourne Mountains, Tullymore Forest is home to a variety of both local and exotic plants, including California giant redwoods. It’s worth noting that some of the oak logs used for the interiors were actually used for the Titanic.
However, fans of Game of Thrones will recognize the woods as “North of Winterfell,” where Nightwalkers were seen and where the Direwolf pups were discovered.
Game of Thrones Doors Driving Tour
During Storm Gertrude in 2016, high winds knocked over and damaged the over 400-year-old trees at the Dark Hedges (the filming location used for the King’s Road). In an effort to make something good out of a sad situation, the fallen trees were carved into intricate doors, which were then spread across Northern Ireland for visitors to discover. This driving tour takes you to find and discover each of the 10 doors.
The 10 wooden doors, which were crafted by Tourism Northern Ireland, commemorate Game of Thrones by telling the story of the most exciting moments of episodes in Season 6. It’s such a fun and unique way to explore these Game of Thrones filming locations!
Final Thoughts on the Epic Game of Thrones Locations Across Northern Ireland
Game of Thrones is a fantastic show! It’s full of action, drama, intrigue, and romance (well, sex, not so much romance). Anyways, it also features some amazing locations which truly show how beautiful this world really is!
We recommend watching it if you haven’t already seen it. If you have, and you have been asking, “Where was Game of Thrones filmed in Ireland?” then we hope our list has given you the perfect roadmap to visit these places in real life!
FAQs
How Many Game of Thrones Filming Locations are in Northern Ireland?
Northern Ireland is home to over 25 public Game of Thrones filming locations you can visit and see firsthand. These include iconic real-world settings like the Dark Hedges (Kingsroad), Ballintoy Harbour (Lordsport), and Castle Ward (Winterfell).
What is the Best Game of Thrones Tour in Northern Ireland?
The Irish Tour Tickets Game of Thrones & Belfast City Tour is widely considered to be one of the best choices for fans of the show. Departing from the city of Belfast, this bus tour takes you to key coastal locations, including Dunluce Castle and Ballintoy Harbour. It is led by knowledgeable guides who share fun facts and behind-the-scenes stories from the set, adding to the experience.
Can You Do a Self-Guided Game of Thrones Road Trip in Northern Ireland?
Yes, absolutely! A popular self-guided route is the Journey of Doors tour. This unique road trip takes you through Northern Ireland to track down 10 intricately carved wooden doors that have been scattered across local pubs and hotels by Tourism Northern Ireland. Each door was crafted from iconic Dark Hedges trees that were brought down by a major storm, and are each themed after a specific Season 6 episode.
2 Comments