A Traveler's Guide to Westeros: 9 Game of Thrones locations you can actually visit

While the Seven Kingdoms may be a work of fiction, the breathtaking landscapes and majestic castles showcased in the hit series are very much real. Discover how to experience them firsthand — with a new show reviving this fantasy, there's no better time to plan your adventure.

The North

Stunning vistas and sweeping landscapes await you. Visit Thingvellir National Park in Iceland, accessible with a flight to Reykjavik Airport followed by a scenic hour-and-a-half drive. As Iceland's first National Park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it’s also where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates converge — adventurous souls can even dive between them.

Can’t decide between Belfast and Edinburgh? Experience both! A quick 3-hour flight connects the two cities, or opt for a bus and ferry combo that takes about 7 hours.

Beyond the Wall

To explore Wildling lands, travel to Iceland. A flight to Reykjavik brings you near numerous filming sites for the series, particularly those set Beyond the Wall. After visiting the North at Thingvellir National Park, enjoy sweeping views at Skaftafell National Park, about a 4-hour drive from Reykjavik.

You can also visit Eastwatch-by-the-Sea, which is a real black sand beach located in Vik on Iceland’s southern coast, less than three hours from Reykjavik.

The Vale of House Arryn

The Vale's Castle of Eyrie might seem like a fantasy, but it's a real destination. While digitally enhanced in the show due to its protected status, Meteora in Greece welcomes travelers. Fly into Athens and either rent a car or take a train to reach this stunning site in under 5 hours. The name “Meteora” means “suspended in air,” and the city of monasteries certainly lives up to that — perched nearly 250 miles above ground. Check for renovation schedules before your visit to avoid being stuck at The Gates of the Moon.

The Riverlands

For stunning views reminiscent of Riverrun, head to Krka National Park in Croatia, a 42-mile expanse of verdant landscapes and cascading waterfalls. Fly into Split Airport and either rent a car or take a bus for the 1.5-hour journey to the park. There are five entrances, but the Lozovac entrance offers the best views of Skradinski waterfall. Remember, swimming is prohibited from December to May.

The Westerlands

Perched atop the highest point in the city, the medieval Castle of Trujillo and its charming hilltop town may remind you of the Lannisters’ Casterly Rock from season 7. To visit the castle, fly into Madrid Airport and drive the 3 hours to Trujillo. If you’d like to extend your stay in town, consider booking at Trujillo Villas Espana, which features three restored villas adjacent to the castle and one in the main square.

The Iron Islands

To experience the Iron Islands, a flight to Belfast brings you close to three filming locations. For breathtaking landscapes, rent a car and drive just over an hour to Murlough Bay, which also served as the Stormlands’ House Baratheon. Stroll along the 2.5-mile Murlough Nature Trail to enjoy the ancient sand dunes, birdlife, and seals. From there, it’s only a half-hour coastal drive to Ballintoy Harbor, known as the home of Theon and Yara Greyjoy (before Euron’s arrival). Another 20-minute drive along the coast leads you to Dunluce Castle, the actual filming site, where you can take a guided tour from the visitor center.

The Crownlands

Dubrovnik, Croatia, offers everything — stunning views of the Adriatic Sea, a charming Old Town, and architectural wonders that could be your perfect backdrop. For fans of the series, there’s even more to discover here, as it doubles as King’s Landing. The city is easily accessible with a flight to Dubrovnik Airport and is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Ascend the stone walls and walk around the city’s perimeter, but arrive early to avoid the crowds. While in Dubrovnik, don’t miss the Jesuit Stairs on St. Dominka Street, where Cersei’s Walk of Atonement was filmed, and the Trsteno Arboretum, the filming site for the Red Keep’s Garden.

Dedicated fans visiting Dubrovnik should also make the journey to Lokrum Island — a 30-minute drive followed by a 15-minute ferry ride will take you there. Visit the former Benedictine monastery turned museum, where you can sit on the original throne used during filming.

The Reach

Reaching the Reach is as simple as booking a flight to Spain. To see the real-life Citadel where Samwell Tarly trains to become a maester, visit the Monastery of Sant Pere de Galligants in Girona. Fly into Barcelona for a base filled with sights, activities, and, most importantly, delicious food, then drive less than two hours to the monastery or take a train from Barcelona to Girona.

In Spain, you can also visit the authentic Highgarden. To explore the Tyrell ancestral home, head to Castillo de Almodovar, perched above the Rio Guadalquivir. Fly into Seville and take a drive of just over an hour to get there.

Dorne

If you plan to visit Castillo de Almodovar, you can turn it into a 2-for-1 adventure by also checking out the filming location for the Castle of Sunspear while in Seville. The capital of Dorne is actually the Alcazar of Seville, one of the oldest palaces in the world.

The Castle of Zafra, the filming location for Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark’s Tower of Joy, is located in Spain — a 6-hour drive from Seville in Guadalajara. Alternatively, you can fly into Madrid and reach it in under three hours by car. While you can stroll the grounds of the tower, accessing the interior, where Jon Snow was born, requires special permission from the owners.