Searching for perfect locations, the creators of the «Game of Thrones» traveled the whole world. Their choice for filming most of the «Northern» scenes settled on the lands of Northern Ireland. And even if you are going to travel to the iconic places of the Seven Kingdoms straight from Dublin, do not be afraid that this territory is a part of England: there is no customs or passport control for tourists.
When planning your itinerary, keep in mind that public transport throughout the island is rather limited, so the best option for a budget trip to the Game of Thrones filming locations is a sightseeing tour (you can book one here). You can also rent a car, compare offers from different companies and order it at this link, but don’t forget that you will have to travel long distances. If you are brave enough to go by car, think in advance about possible places to stay and stock up on food, you can see the offers of hotels and inns in Ireland at this link.
Iron Islands – Ballintoy Harbour
Address
Harbour Rd, Ballintoy, Ballycastle, Great Britain
Scenes of Theon Greyjoy coming to his father, as well as his conversation with his sister Yara, were filmed in Ballintoy Bay. Theon was baptized in the name of the Drowned God exactly here.
» READ MORE – Ireland: a guide to the country of leprechauns
Stormlands – Larrybane Quarry
Address
Ballycastle, Great Britain
Renly Baratheon’s camp was set up in a picturesque quarry. Being nearby, it is worth visiting the rope bridge stretching between two rocks, of course, if you are not afraid of height and crave new sensations.
» READ MORE – Skellig Michael in Ireland: Star Wars filming location
Birth of a shadow — Caves of Cushendun
Address
Ballymena, Great Britain
The place became famous during the filming of the second season of Game of Thrones. In this cave, the Red Priestess Lady Melisandre, on the orders of Stannis Baratheon, gave birth to a monster that killed Renly Baratheon, one of the contenders for the Iron Throne.
» READ MORE – Giant’s Causeway in Ireland
Address
Antrim County, United Kingdom
Fans will easily recognize in this valley the place where Khal Drogo passed by with his bride Daenerys on their way to Vaes Dothrak, the only city in the Dothraki Sea.
Dragonstone – Downhill Beach
Address
Coleraine, United Kingdom
Downhill beach is a 11 km sandy strip contouring the coast of Northern Ireland. It was the setting for the scenes on Dragonstone: the burning of the Seven Gods of Westeros by Lady Melisandre.
Winterfell – Castle Ward
Address
Strangford, Downpatrick, United Kingdom
Winterfell Castle, one of the main locations of the series, was filmed in a real Irish castle on the shores of Strangford Lough. Fans will recognize the Stark family estate, where Robert Baratheon arrived with his retinue. Exactly in this castle the heirs to the throne grew up, but later it was captured by the Boltons.
» READ MORE – 20 best castles in Ireland
Haunted forest and northern forests – Tollymore Forest Park
Address
Bryansford Rd, Newcastle, United Kingdom
More than 600 hectares of wild forest at the foot of the Mourne mountain range served as the setting for filming many of the series’ scenes, including the young Starks’ encounter with direwolves and the execution of Night’s Watch fugitive by Ned Stark. In addition, this forest area served as the prototype for the wildling-inhabited Enchanted Forest, which begins just beyond the Wall. From here the White Walkers began their attack against the land of men.
The kingsroad – Dark Hedges
Address
Bregagh Rd, Stranocum, Ballymoney, United Kingdom
Along the beech alley of Dark Hedges there is a path to the Royal Lands, which has been repeatedly shown in the series. The trees here are truly ancient — more than 200 years old. Arya rode this road in the guise of a boy, wishing to secretly join the Night’s Watch.
We wish you a pleasant immersion in the world of «Game of Thrones»!
Pixabay 
Martin Katler / Unsplash 
comiviajeros / pixabay.com 
Jeanne Menjoulet / flickr.com / CC BY 2.0
Michael / unsplash.com
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