Game of Thrones Houses Explained + Westeros Map and Every Real Filming Location You Can Visit
Game of Thrones was filmed across six countries, and almost every real-world location you see on screen is somewhere you can visit today. Dubrovnik is King’s Landing. Castle Ward in Northern Ireland is Winterfell. The Alcázar of Seville is Dorne. Iceland’s glaciers are the lands Beyond the Wall.
With House of the Dragon Series 3 now airing and a new generation of fans discovering Westeros, interest in the show’s real locations has never been higher. Dubrovnik alone saw 1.6 million visitors annually — a 20% annual tourism boost attributed directly to Game of Thrones.
Here is everything you need: the major Houses of Westeros explained, a breakdown of the Westeros map and what it depicts, and a complete guide to every major filming location across all six countries.
The Major Houses of Game of Thrones: Quick Reference
| House | Words (Motto) | Seat | Known For |
| Stark | Winter is Coming | Winterfell (the North) | Honour, loyalty, direwolves |
| Lannister | Hear Me Roar | Casterly Rock (Westerlands) | Wealth, cunning, lions |
| Targaryen | Fire and Blood | Dragonstone (Crownlands) | Dragons, silver hair, madness |
| Baratheon | Ours is the Fury | Storm’s End (Stormlands) | Strength, deer sigil, usurpers |
| Tyrell | Growing Strong | Highgarden (The Reach) | Food, wealth, flowers, scheming |
| Martell | Unbowed Unbent Unbroken | Sunspear (Dorne) | Heat, passion, spear and sun |
| Greyjoy | We Do Not Sow | Pyke (Iron Islands) | The sea, reaving, kraken sigil |
| Tully | Family Duty Honour | Riverrun (Riverlands) | Rivers, trout sigil, honour |
| Arryn | As High as Honour | The Eyrie (Vale of Arryn) | Height, falcons, Knights of the Vale |
| Velaryon | The Old, The True, The Brave | Driftmark (Blackwater Bay) | Sea power, dragons (HotD) |
The Westeros Map Explained
Westeros is the continent where most of Game of Thrones takes place. It stretches from the frozen wastelands Beyond the Wall in the far north down to the deserts of Dorne in the south — roughly the size of South America according to George R.R. Martin. Here is what each region represents on the map:
| Region | Who Rules | Real-World Parallel |
| The North | House Stark | Scotland — cold, wild, fiercely independent |
| The Westerlands | House Lannister | The wealthy English Midlands |
| The Crownlands | Iron Throne / Targaryen | Capital region — London equivalent |
| The Reach | House Tyrell | France — fertile, agricultural, wealthy |
| Dorne | House Martell | Spain/North Africa — hot, culturally distinct |
| The Iron Islands | House Greyjoy | Norse/Viking islands — maritime raiders |
| The Riverlands | House Tully (disputed) | Central England — most fought-over territory |
| The Vale | House Arryn | Switzerland — mountainous, isolated, defensible |
| The Stormlands | House Baratheon | Southern England — coastal, stormy |
| Beyond the Wall | Free Folk (wildlings) | Siberia/the Arctic — lawless, brutal cold |
Essos — the continent east of Westeros — is where Daenerys spends most of Series 1–6. The Free Cities (Braavos, Pentos, Myr), Slaver’s Bay (Yunkai, Astapor, Meereen), and the Dothraki Sea are all on Essos. It roughly parallels Asia and the Middle East in Martin’s geographical imagination.
Game of Thrones Filming Locations: All 6 Countries
| Country | What It Represents | Key Locations |
| Northern Ireland | Winterfell, the North, King’s Landing interiors | Castle Ward, Paint Hall Studios, Dark Hedges, Ballintoy, Cushendun Caves |
| Croatia | King’s Landing (primary), Essos cities | Dubrovnik (King’s Landing), Split/Diocletian’s Palace (Meereen), Klis Fortress |
| Spain | Dorne, Dragonstone exterior, King’s Landing (later series) | Alcázar of Seville (Dorne), Cáceres (King’s Landing), Itzurun Beach (Dragonstone), Bardenas Reales (Dothraki Sea) |
| Iceland | Beyond the Wall, the frozen North | Vatnajokull glacier, Grjotagja lava cave, Thingvellir National Park |
| Malta | King’s Landing (Series 1 only), Essos | Mdina (Series 1 King’s Landing), Fort Manoel (Ned Stark’s execution site), Verdala Palace (Illyrio’s mansion) |
| Morocco | Essos slave cities | Aït Benhaddou (Yunkai), Essaouira (Astapor) |
| Scotland | Original pilot Winterfell only | Doune Castle (pilot episode Winterfell) |
Northern Ireland: The Heart of Westeros
Northern Ireland housed the primary production base at Paint Hall Studios in Belfast — where all major interior sets were built, including the Red Keep throne room, the Iron Throne, and the Great Sept of Baelor. More Game of Thrones filming locations exist in Northern Ireland than any other country.
Castle Ward (Winterfell)
Castle Ward in County Down served as the exterior of Winterfell for the entire run of the series, from Series 1 through Series 8. The 18th-century classical and Gothic mansion overlooks Strangford Lough. Visitors can take archery lessons in the same courtyard where Bran, Robb, and Jon Snow trained in the show’s opening episodes. Open daily, 9:30 am to 4 pm.
Dark Hedges (The Kingsroad)
The Dark Hedges — an avenue of 300-year-old beech trees in County Antrim — became one of the most photographed locations in Northern Ireland after appearing as The Kingsroad in Series 2, when Arya Stark disguised as a boy travels north after escaping King’s Landing. Visitor numbers increased 190% after the episode aired.
Ballintoy Harbour (The Iron Islands)
Ballintoy Harbour on the Antrim coast doubled as the Iron Islands — the rocky, windswept home of House Greyjoy. Free to visit; paid GoT tours depart from the area. The Smuggler’s Inn pub nearby is a popular stop for fans.
Cushendun Caves (Melisandre’s Shadow Baby)
The sea caves at Cushendun in the Glens of Antrim were where Melisandre gives birth to the shadow assassin and where Jaime Lannister and Euron Greyjoy fight in later series. Free to access.
GoT Studio Tour, Banbridge
The official Game of Thrones Studio Tour opened in 2022 at Linen Mill Studios in Banbridge, 30 minutes from Belfast. It houses the original props and costumes from all 8 series — the Iron Throne, original dragon skulls, costumes worn by the cast. Allow at least 3 hours. Book in advance, especially in summer.
Croatia: King’s Landing in Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik is the most famous Game of Thrones filming location in the world, and for good reason. The UNESCO World Heritage medieval city — its stone walls, red-roofed buildings, and Adriatic Sea setting — became synonymous with King’s Landing from Series 2 onwards.
Dubrovnik City Walls (King’s Landing)
The ancient city walls of Dubrovnik provided the backdrop for countless King’s Landing scenes, including the Walk of Shame and numerous political confrontations. Walking the full circuit of the walls takes approximately 2 hours and costs around €35 per adult. The views are spectacular independent of any Game of Thrones connection.
Fort Lovrijenac (The Red Keep)
Fort Lovrijenac, a massive fortress perched on a cliff overlooking the sea just outside Dubrovnik’s western walls, served as the exterior of the Red Keep — the seat of power in the Seven Kingdoms where the Iron Throne resided. The fortress itself dates to the 11th century.
Diocletian’s Palace, Split (Meereen)
The remarkably preserved Roman basement halls of Diocletian’s Palace in Split represented Daenerys’s throne room in Meereen during Series 4–6. The palace is a lived-in UNESCO site — restaurants, bars, and shops operate inside the ancient Roman structure alongside the GoT filming locations.
Now that House of the Dragon Series 3 is airing, Cáceres in Spain — which is both a GoT and HotD filming location — has seen renewed visitor interest. See our House of the Dragon Series 3 guide for full cast and episode details.
Spain: Dorne, Dragonstone, and King’s Landing
Spain replaced Croatia as the primary King’s Landing location from Series 6 onwards, while also doubling as the exotic kingdom of Dorne and the Targaryen ancestral home of Dragonstone.
Alcázar of Seville (Water Gardens of Dorne)
The Royal Alcázar of Seville — a stunning Moorish palace still used as an official royal residence — served as the Water Gardens of Dorne, home to House Martell. The baths of Doña María de Padilla (underground rainwater tanks) were used in Series 5 when Ellaria Sand plots against Myrcella Lannister. One of Spain’s most visited attractions.
Cáceres (King’s Landing — Series 7-8 and House of the Dragon)
The medieval UNESCO old town of Cáceres in Extremadura doubled as King’s Landing in the later series of GoT and as Flea Bottom (the slums of King’s Landing) in House of the Dragon. Cáceres was also used in House of the Dragon Series 3 (2025 filming). The city’s Plaza de Santa María and Arco de la Estrella are particularly recognisable.
Itzurun Beach (Dragonstone)
Itzurun Beach in Zumaia on the Basque Coast served as the beach exterior of Dragonstone — the Targaryen ancestral island fortress. The dramatic rocky coastline and flysch rock formations (ancient geological layers) created the alien landscape of Daenerys’s home. Advance tickets required in summer due to heavy tourist demand.
Bardenas Reales Natural Park (The Dothraki Sea)
The surreal desert landscapes of Bardenas Reales — a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in Navarre with plateaus, clay hills, and semi-desert terrain — served as the Dothraki Sea, where Daenerys rides with Khal Drogo’s khalasar.
Iceland: Beyond the Wall
Iceland’s otherworldly volcanic landscapes, glaciers, and geothermal features made it the perfect stand-in for the frozen wastelands Beyond the Wall — the lawless territory north of Castle Black roamed by White Walkers and Free Folk.
- Vatnajokull National Park: Europe’s largest glacier, used extensively for Beyond the Wall scenes
- Thingvellir National Park: the rift valley between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates, used for the Eyrie’s scenic approach
- Grjotagja lava cave: the cave where Jon Snow and Ygritte share an intimate scene in Series 3 — small, geothermally heated, and still visitable
- Fjadrargjufur canyon: used for various northern wilderness scenes
Important: Iceland F-roads accessing some glacier locations are closed September through June due to snow. Book glacier tours and any specialist activity one to two months in advance.
Malta: The Original King’s Landing (Series 1)
Malta served as King’s Landing and several Essos locations in Series 1 only — production shifted to Croatia from Series 2 onwards for most southern locations.
- Mdina (Series 1 King’s Landing): the medieval walled city served as King’s Landing in Series 1, including Catelyn and Ned’s farewell
- Fort Manoel (Ned Stark’s execution): the 18th-century star-shaped fortress where Ned Stark confessed to treason and was executed at the Great Sept of Baelor
- Azure Window: the natural rock arch where Daenerys and Khal Drogo’s wedding took place — collapsed naturally in 2017 due to erosion and is no longer visible
- Verdala Palace (Illyrio’s mansion): off-limits to the general public; available through specialist private tour operators
Where Was House of the Dragon Filmed?
House of the Dragon uses many of the same Northern Ireland and Spain locations as Game of Thrones, with some additions:
- Leavesden Studios, Watford, England: primary interior filming for all three series
- Cáceres, Spain: Flea Bottom and King’s Landing street scenes
- Dinorwig Quarry and Cwm Idwal, Wales: used in Series 3 (2025 filming)
- Hankley Common, Surrey: extensive exterior shooting for Series 3
The official GoT Studio Tour in Banbridge, Northern Ireland can be booked at gameofthronesstudiotour.com — it is the single best dedicated Game of Thrones experience available to fans and houses original props and costumes from all 8 series.
Practical Tips for Visiting GoT Filming Locations
| Country | Tips |
| Northern Ireland | Hire a car — locations spread across County Down and County Antrim. Bring a waterproof jacket. Visit Dark Hedges early morning for fewer crowds. |
| Croatia (Dubrovnik) | Visit in April–June or September–October. July–August extremely crowded. Book city walls tickets in advance. Budget €50–150/night accommodation. |
| Spain (Seville/Cáceres) | Best March–May and September–November. Alcázar of Seville requires timed entry tickets — book in advance. Itzurun Beach requires advance booking in summer. |
| Iceland | June–August for accessible glacier roads. Budget €100–200+/night. Book glacier hikes and cave tours one to two months ahead. |
| Malta | Best October–April for comfortable temperatures. Three to four days covers all major GoT locations. Azure Window is gone — confirm other site status before visiting. |
Bottom Line
| ✅ Major houses | 9 great houses: Stark, Lannister, Targaryen, Baratheon, Tyrell, Martell, Greyjoy, Tully, Arryn |
| ✅ King’s Landing | Dubrovnik (Croatia) — Series 2–5; Cáceres (Spain) — Series 7–8 and HotD |
| ✅ Winterfell | Castle Ward, County Down, Northern Ireland |
| ✅ Beyond the Wall | Iceland — Vatnajokull glacier, Grjotagja cave, Thingvellir |
| ✅ Dorne | Alcázar of Seville, Spain |
| ✅ Best single destination | Dubrovnik for King’s Landing; Northern Ireland for breadth of locations |
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the houses in Game of Thrones?
The nine great houses of Game of Thrones are Stark (the North), Lannister (the Westerlands), Targaryen (Dragonstone/Crownlands), Baratheon (the Stormlands), Tyrell (the Reach), Martell (Dorne), Greyjoy (the Iron Islands), Tully (the Riverlands), and Arryn (the Vale). Each controls a distinct region of Westeros and has its own words (motto), sigil, and seat of power.
Where is King’s Landing in real life?
King’s Landing was primarily filmed in Dubrovnik, Croatia from Series 2 through Series 5. From Series 6 onwards, Cáceres in Spain’s Extremadura region served as King’s Landing. In Series 1, Malta’s Mdina was used. House of the Dragon also films King’s Landing scenes in Cáceres, Spain.
Where was Winterfell filmed?
Winterfell was filmed primarily at Castle Ward in County Down, Northern Ireland, throughout the entire series. The original pilot episode used Doune Castle in Scotland, but Castle Ward became the permanent Winterfell location from Series 1 onwards. Castle Ward is open to visitors daily.
Was Game of Thrones filmed in Scotland?
Scotland was used for the original GoT pilot episode only — Doune Castle served as the first version of Winterfell. When the series was commissioned, production shifted Winterfell filming to Castle Ward in Northern Ireland. Scotland does not feature in the main series beyond the pilot.
Was Game of Thrones filmed in Malta?
Yes — Malta was used in Series 1 for King’s Landing and several Essos locations. Mdina served as King’s Landing, and Fort Manoel was the site of Ned Stark’s execution. The Azure Window, where Daenerys and Khal Drogo married, was located in Malta but collapsed naturally in 2017. Production shifted to Croatia from Series 2 onwards.
Can you visit Game of Thrones filming locations in Croatia?
Yes — Dubrovnik and Split are fully accessible to tourists. Dubrovnik’s city walls, Fort Lovrijenac, and the Trsteno Arboretum are the main GoT sites. In Split, Diocletian’s Palace (representing Meereen) is a living UNESCO site with shops, restaurants, and bars operating inside it. Best visited April–June or September–October to avoid peak summer crowds.