18 Incredible Game Of Thrones Locations In Northern Ireland

Written By Ben Lloyd
Game of Thrones Filiming Locations in Northern Ireland

If you're a fan of the hit HBO series Game of Thrones, then you're no stranger to the breathtaking landscapes and stunning locations that have helped to make the show so iconic. 

One of the most memorable things about the series is the incredible variety of landscapes, from the frozen tundras of the North to the scorching deserts of Dorne.

Many fans may not know, however, that a large portion of the show was filmed in Northern Ireland, home to some of the most beautiful and unique landscapes in the world. 

In this post, we'll tour 18 of the most iconic Game of Thrones locations in Northern Ireland and see how they were used in the show.

 

This post was written by Josh Band from A Backpacker’s World.

Josh is from Newtonabbey near Belfast and loves to travel the world on a budget. Who doesn’t want to visit new places for as cheaply as possible?!

 
 

Game of Thrones Locations NI Overview 

 

Disclaimer - this blog post contains affiliate links where we can earn a commission, if you make a purchase through them (at no extra cost to you).

Game of Thrones Locations in Northern Ireland

  1. Dark Hedges, County Antrim

The first and definitely one of the most iconic locations in Northern Ireland that were used to film Game of Thrones is the Dark Hedges in County Antrim.

This natural tunnel of twisted beech trees was used as the King's Road in the show, where Arya Stark escapes from King's Landing disguised as a boy. Since featuring in Game of Thrones, the Dark Hedges have become a popular tourist attraction in Northern Ireland and are one of the most Instagrammable places in NI. 

 
Dark Hedges - Northern Ireland - Game of Thrones Locations

Dark Hedges - Northern Ireland

 

2. Carnlough Harbour, County Antrim

Carnlough Harbour in County Antrim was used to film the Braavos canal scenes where Arya Stark was seen working as a faceless man in Season 6 Episode 7. The fictional free city of Braavos featured parts of the small village of Carnlough. After being stabbed by the troublesome Waif, Ayra crawled up the stony staircase that led to the sea in Carnlough Harbour.

3. Murlough Bay, County Antrim

Another iconic Game of Thrones location in Northern Ireland is Murlough Bay. This beautiful coastal bay was also used to film scenes for the Iron Islands and Pyke, the seat of House Greyjoy.

The rugged and wild coastline of Murlough Bay was perfect for filming the scenes involving the Greyjoy family and their rule over the Iron Islands. The Bay's remote location helped create the sense of isolation and harshness associated with life on the Iron Islands.

4. Ballintoy Harbour, County Antrim

Ballintoy Harbour was used to film the Iron Islands and Pyke, the seat of House Greyjoy. The Harbour was the filming location for the various scenes with Theon Greyjoy and his family on top of some Kingsmoot scenes.

It featured as the Free Cities where Varys was born. Ballintoy is a beautiful spot along the Causeway Coast, popular among tourists and locals alike.

 
Ballintoy Harbour - County Antrim - Northern Ireland - Game of Thrones filming locations

Ballintoy Harbour - County Antrim

 

5. Sallagh Braes, County Antrim

This beautiful stretch of coastal grassland was used as the Dothraki Sea in the show, where Daenerys Targaryen and her Khalasar first arrive in Westeros. The area's wide-open spaces and natural beauty were perfect for creating the sense of a vast and untamed wilderness. Game of Thrones did an excellent job finding filming locations in Northern Ireland that would work as settings for the 1st century. 

6. Magheramorne Quarry, County Antrim

Magheramorne quarry was used to film the construction of the massive 700-foot-long Wall that separates the Seven Kingdoms from the lands beyond in Season 8 of Game of Thrones. The quarry's raw and industrial setting helped to create the perfect backdrop for the Night's Watch's rugged and austere home at Castle Black.

7. Cushendun Caves, County Antrim

These caves are tucked away in a remote corner of County Antrim, near Ballymena. They were used to film the scene in which Melisandre birthed her shadow baby. The dark and mysterious setting of the caves added to the creepiness of the scene, with the remote location of Cushedendun Caves ensuring that the filming could be done in peace and privacy.

 

Did you know you can now visit the Game of Thrones studios?

Jump on-board a Game of Thrones Studio Tour from Dublin or simply buy a Game of Thrones studio admission ticket and make your own way there!

 

8. Larrybane Quarry, County Antrim

This quarry was used to film Renly Baratheon's camp during his campaign to claim the Iron Throne. Its unique topography, which includes towering cliffs and rocky terrain, added to the dramatic feel of the scenes and set the perfect backdrop for the tensions between Renly and his brother Stannis.

9. Glenariff Forest Park, County Antrim

Glenariff is a beautiful forest park and was used as the setting for the Vale of Arryn, home of House Arryn. The park's lush greenery, rivers and waterfalls were the perfect location for filming the scenes involving the Tully and Arryn families.

Glenariff Forest Park is a popular spot for locals to visit as it is home to some of the best waterfalls in Northern Ireland. 

10. Fair Head, County Antrim

Another great Game of Thrones location in Northern Ireland is Fair Head in County Antrim. Fair Head is a dramatic coastal location with towering cliffs, which was used to film several scenes on the Iron Islands, including when Theon Greyjoy returns to his home at Pyke.

11. Dunluce Castle, County Antrim

This medieval castle ruin was used as the House Greyjoy's seat of Pyke. Its impressive ruins and location on the coast made it the perfect backdrop for the scenes involving the Greyjoy family and their rule over the Iron Islands. You may only recognise the castle after a lot of CGI was used in scenes featuring Dunluce Castle, but it was used as the foundation for lots of scenes. 

 
Dunluce Castle - Northern Ireland Game of Thrones locations

Dunluce Castle - used for many scenes involving the GreyJoy family

 

12. Downhill Beach, County Derry/Londonderry

Derry/Londonderry’s 7-mile-long beach was used as Dragonstone, Stannis Baratheon's island stronghold. The long expanse of the beach provided the perfect location for the arrival of Stannis Baratheon and his army, and the nearby Mussenden Temple was used as the location of the burning of King Renly's effigy. This place's scenic beauty and remoteness help to create the perfect secluded and mysterious look of Dragonstone in the show.

13. Binevenagh, County Derry/Londonderry

Binevenagh is an area of outstanding natural beauty, which was used to film the Dothraki Grasslands in the show. The high cliffs and unique geology of the area provided a stunning backdrop to the scenes featuring the Dothraki. Binevenagh is a great place to visit too, the panoramic views it offers are simply incredible. 

14. Portstewart Strand, County Derry/Londonderry

Portstewart Strand is one of the most popular beaches in Northern Ireland and was involved in filming Game of Thrones, too. It was used to film the scene where Daenerys Targaryen's army of Unsullied marched to the gates of Meereen. The beach's wide expanse and natural beauty helped to create a sense of scale and epic grandeur in the scene.

 
Portstewart Strand - Country Derry/Londonderry - Game of thrones locations in Northern Ireland

Portstewart Strand - Country Derry/Londonderry

 

15. Castle Ward, County Down

As a National Trust site, Castle Ward is a well-preserved castle in Northern Ireland. This historic mansion and estate was used as the location for Winterfell, the Stark family's home. The estate's picturesque gardens, courtyard, and medieval-style towers were perfect for filming the Stark family's home and surroundings.

16. Inch Abbey, County Down

The island of Ireland was once home to many monasteries, many of which are now in ruins. One, in particular, is Inch Abbey, which was used as a Game of Thrones filming location in NI. This ruined Cistercian monastery was used as the location for Robb Stark's camp during the War of the Five Kings. The abbey's ancient ruins and natural setting provided a suitably epic and atmospheric location for the battles and political machinations of the war.

17. Tollymore Forest Park, County Down

Tollymore Forest Park was used as the location of the Haunted Forest, which lies beyond the Wall. The park's ancient woods and the rugged terrain made it perfect for filming scenes featuring the Night's Watch and the wildlings. This place was also used for filming the show's opening scene, where the Night's Watch discovers the dead bodies. Outside of Game of Thrones, Tollymore Forest Park also has many great walks and is popular with locals. 

18. Marble Arch Caves, County Fermanagh

Last but by no means least are the Marble Arch Caves in County Fermanagh. The caves are unique in that they are formed by the River Claddagh, which flows through the limestone rock, and have been used in Game of Thrones to represent the Vale of Arryn, a mountainous region in the continent of Westeros, home of House Arryn.

The cave system's grandeur, dim lighting and overall ambience helped to create the sense of secrecy, beauty and power that is associated with the House Arryn - particularly the hidden chambers of the Eyrie.

Game of Thrones inspired Map - Northern Ireland filming locations

Game of Thrones inspired Map

Game of Thrones Tour in Northern Ireland

Due to the large number of filming locations in Northern Ireland for Game of Thrones, there are plenty of tour options to see some of the scenes in real life for yourself. 

A typical Game of Thrones tour in Northern Ireland will take you to some of the most famous filming locations and give you the opportunity to relive the iconic moments of the show, from the Binevenagh area, where the Dothraki Grasslands are filmed, to the beautiful coastal roads where Daenerys Targaryen's army marched to Meereen.

Some tours even include the opportunity to visit the filming studio of Linen Mill Studios, where the show's most iconic sets, such as the throne room, the Great Hall of Winterfell, and the dragon's nest, were built.

With a wide variety of tour options available, from self-guided to private and from one-day to multiple-day tours, you can find the perfect Game of Thrones tour to suit your schedule and interests. 

Here’s a brief overview of our suggestions for the best Game of Thrones tours in Northern Ireland:

How to visit the Game of Thrones Studio in Northern Ireland

You can now visit the famous Game of Thrones studio and walk around the actual set where the iconic show was filmed and produced. 

Opened in early 2022, the Game of Thrones studio tour allows fans to immerse themselves in the expansive collection of props, costumes, sets and weapons. Getting from Belfast to the Game of Thrones Studios Tour is fairly straightforward and definitely worth the effort when you find yourself in Northern Ireland next.

Here’s the easiest ways to visit the Game of Thrones Studio in Northern Ireland: 

 
Giant’s Causeway - a welcome addition to many Game of Thrones location tours in Northern Ireland

Giant’s Causeway - a welcome addition to many Game of Thrones location tours in Northern Ireland

 

GoT Locations in Northern Ireland: FAQ

Below, we have outlined the answers to several common questions related to Game of Thrones locations in Northern Ireland.

Where in Northern Ireland was Game of Thrones filmed?

Game of Thrones was filmed in many locations throughout Northern Ireland. Some of the most notable filming locations include the Dark Hedges, a tunnel of beech trees near Stranocum that served as the King's Road; Ballintoy Harbour, which was used for scenes in Pyke and the Iron Islands; and Tollymore Forest Park, which was used for the Haunted Forest beyond the Wall. 

Why was Game of Thrones filmed in Northern Ireland?

Game of Thrones was filmed in Northern Ireland for a variety of reasons. One of the main factors was the availability of unique and diverse landscapes that could be used to depict the various locations featured in the series. The region also has a rich history and many castles and fortifications that could be used to represent the medieval setting of the series. 

Was Game of Thrones filmed in Northern Ireland?

Yes, many scenes in Game of Thrones were filmed in Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland was a major filming location for the series, and many iconic locations and settings featured in the show were filmed in this region. In addition to Northern Ireland, the series was filmed in Croatia, Iceland, Malta, Morocco, Scotland, Spain and the United States.

Where is Game of Thrones in Belfast?

Many of the interior scenes of Game of Thrones were filmed at the Paint Hall Studio in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The studio is located in the Titanic Quarter, an area of Belfast home to the shipyard where the famous Titanic was built and where the fantastic Titanic Museum is located.

The Paint Hall Studio is a large and versatile filming facility used for various scenes in the series, including the interiors of Winterfell, the Red Keep, and the Great Sept of Baelor.

Game of Thrones Locations in NI - Conclusion

Northern Ireland is a land of beautiful landscapes and history, making it the perfect location for filming the iconic series Game of Thrones.

From the Dark Hedges to the Iron Islands, these 18 incredible Game of Thrones locations in Northern Ireland offer fans the opportunity to step into the world of Westeros and experience the magic of the show firsthand.

With so many incredible locations to explore, you're sure to find something that you'll love. So, pack your bags and head to Northern Ireland to discover the beauty of Westeros!

Bonus Northern Ireland Travel Tips

Here are some links to articles that we think will come in handy for your upcoming trip to Northern Ireland. 

Ben Lloyd

Ben Lloyd is the creator, editor and one half of Ticket 4 Two Please. Our website is designed to help adventurous couples travel together on a budget around the world. We have handy destination guides from countless destinations, as well as useful seasonal job resources for summer camps and ski seasons.

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