From glaciers and volcanoes to black sand beaches and Nordic forests.
By Erika Owen, TripSavvy
If the hot springs and glaciers don't reel you in, the "Game of Thrones" filming locations might just be the reason you plan your next trip to Iceland. It's not a stretch to anyone who has seen at least one episode of the hit HBO show that this surreal location is home to a surprising amount of the scenes in the series.
Whether it's snow-barren, white-out condition fields or a scene of volcanic rock formations, Iceland has no shortage of stop-you-in-your-tracks settings perfect for a show that makes you wish pet dragons were a real thing.
Ahead, consider this your official itinerary for making all of your "Game of Thrones" watching buddies jealous. From the spot where Ygritte and Jon Snow first met to the location for the iconic fight between Brienne of Tarth and The Hound, there's a spot for every "Game of Thrones" enthusiast.
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If the hot springs and glaciers don't reel you in, the "Game of Thrones" filming locations might just be the reason you plan your next trip to Iceland. It's not a stretch to anyone who has seen at least one episode of the hit HBO show that this surreal location is home to a surprising amount of the scenes in the series.
Whether it's snow-barren, white-out condition fields or a scene of volcanic rock formations, Iceland has no shortage of stop-you-in-your-tracks settings perfect for a show that makes you wish pet dragons were a real thing.
Ahead, consider this your official itinerary for making all of your "Game of Thrones" watching buddies jealous. From the spot where Ygritte and Jon Snow first met to the location for the iconic fight between Brienne of Tarth and The Hound, there's a spot for every "Game of Thrones" enthusiast.
01
Kirkjufell
Address
Snæfellsnesvegur, Iceland
Otherwise known as "Church Mountain," Kirkjufell was featured a number of times in season six and season seven of the show. It served as a very important destination for Jon Snow and his loyal hunters in season seven, episode six, making a guest appearance as the "mountain shaped like an arrowhead" the group was searching for.
Make sure to check out the small set of waterfalls across and down the street from Kirkjufell. You can also hike the mountain, but make sure you know what you're doing. The hiking can get quite technical toward the top, where there's a rope to help you reach the summit. As you climb, keep an eye out for fossils embedded in the mountain.
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Otherwise known as "Church Mountain," Kirkjufell was featured a number of times in season six and season seven of the show. It served as a very important destination for Jon Snow and his loyal hunters in season seven, episode six, making a guest appearance as the "mountain shaped like an arrowhead" the group was searching for.
Make sure to check out the small set of waterfalls across and down the street from Kirkjufell. You can also hike the mountain, but make sure you know what you're doing. The hiking can get quite technical toward the top, where there's a rope to help you reach the summit. As you climb, keep an eye out for fossils embedded in the mountain.
02
Höfði
Address
Iceland
Web: Visit website
If you're looking to live as the wildlings did, head to Höfði, where Mance Rayder’s (known to his followers as the "King Beyond the Wall") group set up camp in episode five of season three.
This area, right on the edge of Lake Myvatn, is known for its strange volcanic rock formations. Footage of Höfði was also used for more general scenic moments in the show, like the opening credits.
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Web: Visit website
If you're looking to live as the wildlings did, head to Höfði, where Mance Rayder’s (known to his followers as the "King Beyond the Wall") group set up camp in episode five of season three.
This area, right on the edge of Lake Myvatn, is known for its strange volcanic rock formations. Footage of Höfði was also used for more general scenic moments in the show, like the opening credits.
03
Þingvellir National Park
Address
Iceland
Phone: +354 482 2660
Web: Visit website
As the home of Gulfoss, Geysir, Silfra Fissure, and a seemingly never-ending field of lava rock and deep cracks in the Earth, Þingvellir National Park will make you think of "Game of Thrones" even if you've never seen the show. One of the less busy spots to check out in the park, much in part to the fact that you can't see it from the road, is Oxararfoss. The canyon to this waterfall doubled as the Bloody Gate, or the castle that acted as defense from the Vale of Arryn in season four.
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Phone: +354 482 2660
Web: Visit website
As the home of Gulfoss, Geysir, Silfra Fissure, and a seemingly never-ending field of lava rock and deep cracks in the Earth, Þingvellir National Park will make you think of "Game of Thrones" even if you've never seen the show. One of the less busy spots to check out in the park, much in part to the fact that you can't see it from the road, is Oxararfoss. The canyon to this waterfall doubled as the Bloody Gate, or the castle that acted as defense from the Vale of Arryn in season four.
04
Þórufoss
Address
Kjósarskarðsvegur, Iceland
Get away from the crowds of tourists and brave the gravel road to check out Þórufoss. This waterfall is located a few minutes drive on Route 48 off of the Ring Road east of Lake Þingvallavatn (Þingvellir National Park's lake). Here, Drogon, one of Daenerys Targaryen's dragons, swooped down to enjoy a roasted goat right in front of its herder in season four.
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Get away from the crowds of tourists and brave the gravel road to check out Þórufoss. This waterfall is located a few minutes drive on Route 48 off of the Ring Road east of Lake Þingvallavatn (Þingvellir National Park's lake). Here, Drogon, one of Daenerys Targaryen's dragons, swooped down to enjoy a roasted goat right in front of its herder in season four.
05
Þjórsárdalur Valley
Address
Þjóðveldisbærinn, Iceland
Phone: +354 488 7713
Web: Visit website
Þjórsárdalur Valley is actually a massive part of the country, consisting of many attractions worth visiting. Among them is Þjóðveldisbærinn Stöng, or a structure made to resemble a house and farm during the country's Viking era. You'll see it in episode three of season four when it serves as Olly’s village.
A quick refresher: Olly joined the Night's Watch after his home was destroyed by the Free Folk. He became Jon Snow's personal steward once he joined up.
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Phone: +354 488 7713
Web: Visit website
Þjórsárdalur Valley is actually a massive part of the country, consisting of many attractions worth visiting. Among them is Þjóðveldisbærinn Stöng, or a structure made to resemble a house and farm during the country's Viking era. You'll see it in episode three of season four when it serves as Olly’s village.
A quick refresher: Olly joined the Night's Watch after his home was destroyed by the Free Folk. He became Jon Snow's personal steward once he joined up.
06
Hengilssvæðið
Address
Hengill, Iceland
Hengilssvæðið is the closest active volcano to Iceland, measuring about a 30-minute drive from the capital city. During the summer months, it's a busy hiking destination for tourists and locals. It can also be accessed during the winter, but you'll need a 4x4 vehicle with proper F-road clearance to make the trip. If you're feeling particularly spry, take a hike from Hengilssvæðið to Reykjadalur Valley, a hot spring river that will provide the perfect way to relax after a long day of walking.
In episode 10 of season four, you'll spot Hengilssvæðið as the iconic spot where Brienne of Tarth and The Hound have their big face-off.
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Hengilssvæðið is the closest active volcano to Iceland, measuring about a 30-minute drive from the capital city. During the summer months, it's a busy hiking destination for tourists and locals. It can also be accessed during the winter, but you'll need a 4x4 vehicle with proper F-road clearance to make the trip. If you're feeling particularly spry, take a hike from Hengilssvæðið to Reykjadalur Valley, a hot spring river that will provide the perfect way to relax after a long day of walking.
In episode 10 of season four, you'll spot Hengilssvæðið as the iconic spot where Brienne of Tarth and The Hound have their big face-off.
07
Reynisfjara
Address
Iceland
Iceland's black sand beach near Vik — about halfway between Reykjavik and the Glacier Lagoon — is one of the most visited locations in the country. It's also an incredibly dangerous and powerful place: The waves crashing on shore are predictable and have taken a number of lives. Steer clear of the water here.
In season seven, Reynisfjara is spotlighted as Eastwatch-by-the-sea, the point at which the wall across Westeros. Here, Jon Snow and his group of hunters came ashore before continuing to head north.
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Iceland's black sand beach near Vik — about halfway between Reykjavik and the Glacier Lagoon — is one of the most visited locations in the country. It's also an incredibly dangerous and powerful place: The waves crashing on shore are predictable and have taken a number of lives. Steer clear of the water here.
In season seven, Reynisfjara is spotlighted as Eastwatch-by-the-sea, the point at which the wall across Westeros. Here, Jon Snow and his group of hunters came ashore before continuing to head north.
08
SvÃnafellsjökull
Address
SvÃnafellsjökull, Iceland
This glacier tongue is where the story of Ygritte and Jon Snow begins, marking the location where the Night Watch captures the Wildling in season two. The icy scene also served as the perfect place to stage a battle with the White Walkers, specifically one seen in season seven.
SvÃnafellsjökull is a location that perfectly shows off the extreme environment you can find here: jarring volcanic rock buddied up against sharp needles of ice: The perfect place for a "Game of Thrones" scene.
If you're looking to see it in person, you'll find SvÃnafellsjökull right off of Ring Road, just north of Hof near Skaftafell.
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This glacier tongue is where the story of Ygritte and Jon Snow begins, marking the location where the Night Watch captures the Wildling in season two. The icy scene also served as the perfect place to stage a battle with the White Walkers, specifically one seen in season seven.
SvÃnafellsjökull is a location that perfectly shows off the extreme environment you can find here: jarring volcanic rock buddied up against sharp needles of ice: The perfect place for a "Game of Thrones" scene.
If you're looking to see it in person, you'll find SvÃnafellsjökull right off of Ring Road, just north of Hof near Skaftafell.
09
Dimmuborgir
Address
Geiteyjarströnd 1, 660 Mývatn, Iceland
Phone: +354 464 4210
Web: Visit website
If you're curious about the lava rock formations you can find all around the country, head to Dimmuborgir. This area has more lava rock than you could ever imagine being in one place — and the formations can be massive. To get there, drive six hours north and east of Reykjavik, just outside of Grjótagjá.
The area makes an appearance in season three as another Wildling camp, this time attempting to capture a different kind of hardship that doesn't involve dragons or sword fights: impossibly cold temperatures.
Phone: +354 464 4210
Web: Visit website
If you're curious about the lava rock formations you can find all around the country, head to Dimmuborgir. This area has more lava rock than you could ever imagine being in one place — and the formations can be massive. To get there, drive six hours north and east of Reykjavik, just outside of Grjótagjá.
The area makes an appearance in season three as another Wildling camp, this time attempting to capture a different kind of hardship that doesn't involve dragons or sword fights: impossibly cold temperatures.
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