Winter may be coming, but Northern Ireland is ready to welcome you. More Game of Thrones scenes were filmed in Northern Ireland than anywhere else in the world. From Season 1 through the final season, Northern Ireland's dramatic landscapes became Westeros itself - the Kingsroad, Winterfell, the Iron Islands, and countless other iconic locations.
This comprehensive guide covers every major filming location you can visit, complete with the exact scenes filmed, how to get there, and insider tips from someone who's visited them all. Whether you're a die-hard fan or just curious, these locations are spectacular even if you've never watched the show.
Why Northern Ireland for Game of Thrones?
When HBO began filming Game of Thrones in 2009, they chose Northern Ireland for several reasons: dramatic coastal scenery, medieval architecture, diverse landscapes within small distances, favorable film tax credits, and Titanic Studios in Belfast. What started as a practical decision became one of the biggest tourist booms Northern Ireland has ever seen.
Today, over 120,000 visitors come to Northern Ireland specifically for Game of Thrones tourism every year. The locations remain unspoiled and accessible - no theme parks or heavy commercialization, just the authentic landscapes you saw on screen.
The Essential Game of Thrones Locations
🌳 The Dark Hedges - The Kingsroad
Location: Bregagh Road, Ballymoney, County Antrim
Scenes filmed:
Season 2 Arya escapes King's LandingPerhaps the most photographed location in Northern Ireland, this 18th-century avenue of beech trees became the atmospheric Kingsroad where Arya Stark escaped from King's Landing disguised as a boy.
Visiting tips:
- Best photographed early morning or late afternoon for magical light
- Gets very crowded mid-day in summer - arrive before 9am
- Road is open to traffic - be careful when taking photos
- Free to visit, no tickets required
- Only 10 minutes from Giant's Causeway
🏰 Castle Ward - Winterfell
Location: Strangford, County Down (45 min south of Belfast)
Scenes filmed:
Season 1-8 Winterfell exteriors Robb Stark's camp Walder Frey's castleThis 18th-century National Trust estate served as the primary filming location for Winterfell, home of the Stark family. The farmyard became Winterfell's courtyard where many iconic scenes were filmed.
Visiting tips:
- Book a "Winterfell Trek" archery experience and dress in costume
- The courtyard is recognizable from the pilot episode
- Beautiful grounds worth exploring beyond GOT locations
- Entry: £9.50 adults (National Trust members free)
- Combine with Inch Abbey and Audley's Castle nearby
🌊 Ballintoy Harbour - The Iron Islands
Location: Ballintoy, County Antrim (between Giant's Causeway and Carrick-a-Rede)
Scenes filmed:
Season 2-6 Lordsport Harbor Theon returns to Pyke Yara's ship scenesThis tiny harbor became the harbor of Lordsport in the Iron Islands where Theon Greyjoy arrived home. The dramatic coastline perfectly captured the harsh, windswept nature of the Iron Islands.
Visiting tips:
- Absolutely stunning location even without GOT connection
- Free to visit, small parking area
- Walk down to the harbor for best views
- Can get windy - bring a jacket
- Perfect lunch stop on Causeway Coast route
🗿 Cushendun Caves - Birth of the Shadow
Location: Cushendun, County Antrim (Glens of Antrim)
Scenes filmed:
Season 2 Melisandre gives birthThese natural limestone caves gained fame as the location where Melisandre gave birth to the shadow creature. The caves are 400 million years old and were formed by weather erosion.
Visiting tips:
- Free to visit, accessible from the beach
- Can only enter at low tide - check tide times
- Dark inside - bring a torch/flashlight
- Combine with scenic drive through Glens of Antrim
- Village of Cushendun is charming for lunch
⛰️ Tollymore Forest Park - Haunted Forest & More
Location: Newcastle, County Down (Mourne Mountains)
Scenes filmed:
Season 1 Opening scene - White Walkers Direwolf pups discovered Haunted Forest scenesThe very first scenes of Game of Thrones were filmed here - where the Night's Watch rangers encountered the White Walkers. Also where the Stark children found the direwolf pups.
Visiting tips:
- Entry: £5 per car
- Multiple walking trails from easy to challenging
- Gothic gates and bridges make it atmospheric
- Can combine with Mourne Mountains hikes
- Allow 2-3 hours to explore properly
More Filming Locations Worth Visiting
Larrybane Quarry - Renly's Camp
Location: Near Carrick-a-Rede, County Antrim
Former limestone quarry used for Renly Baratheon's camp in Season 2. Free to visit, dramatic coastal views, often overlooked by tourists so quieter than other locations.
Murlough Bay - Slaver's Bay
Location: Near Ballycastle, County Antrim
Remote bay that served as Slaver's Bay in Season 6. Requires a hike down steep path but offers spectacular views. One of Northern Ireland's most beautiful hidden gems.
Inch Abbey - Robb Stark's Camp
Location: Downpatrick, County Down
Medieval abbey ruins used as Robb Stark's camp in the Riverlands. Free to visit, atmospheric ruins, easy walk from parking. Combine with Castle Ward visit.
Dunluce Castle - House Greyjoy
Location: Portrush, County Antrim
Medieval castle ruins that inspired the castle of House Greyjoy at Pyke. Spectacularly perched on cliff edges, one of Northern Ireland's most photographed castles even before GOT.
Full Dunluce Castle visitor guide →
Magheramorne Quarry - Castle Black
Location: Near Larne, County Antrim
Working quarry transformed into Castle Black and the Wall. Not open to public access except on official tours. The massive set pieces have been removed but occasional special access events are held.
Planning Your Game of Thrones Tour
Organized Tours vs. Self-Drive
Organized Tours:
Several companies offer dedicated Game of Thrones tours from Belfast. These typically visit 6-8 locations in one day with a guide who shares behind-the-scenes stories.
Pros:
- No driving or navigation needed
- Expert guides with filming anecdotes
- Visit locations not easily accessible by car
- Meet other GOT fans
Cons:
- Expensive (£50-80 per person)
- Fixed schedule with limited time at each location
- Can't explore at your own pace
Self-Drive Tours:
Pros:
- More affordable, especially for families
- Spend as long as you want at each location
- Flexibility to skip or add locations
- Combine with non-GOT attractions
Cons:
- Need to navigate yourself (download offline maps)
- Some locations are remote
- Won't get behind-the-scenes filming stories
Suggested Itineraries
One Day Tour (North Coast Focus):
- Dark Hedges
- Ballintoy Harbour
- Larrybane Quarry
- Cushendun Caves
- Dunluce Castle
Two Day Tour (Complete):
Day 1 (County Down): Castle Ward, Inch Abbey, Tollymore Forest Park
Day 2 (Causeway Coast): All locations from one-day tour above
💡 Pro Tip: Combine with Regular Tourism
Most GOT locations are stunning attractions in their own right. Even non-fans will love the Dark Hedges, Dunluce Castle, and coastal scenery. Don't feel you need to be a superfan to visit - Northern Ireland's natural beauty speaks for itself.
Photography Tips
- Dark Hedges: Shoot early morning or late afternoon for golden light filtering through branches. Avoid midday harsh shadows.
- Ballintoy Harbour: Low tide offers best access to rocks and harbor. Sunset is magical here.
- Castle Ward: The courtyard arch makes for classic Winterfell photos.
- Cushendun Caves: Bring a powerful torch for cave interior shots. External cave entrance photos best at golden hour.
- General tip: Northern Ireland weather is changeable - dramatic clouds can make for epic photos but prepare for rain.
What About the Studio Sets?
Many interior scenes were filmed at Titanic Studios in Belfast, but unfortunately, these are working studios not open to the public. However, you can:
- Visit Titanic Belfast museum which sometimes has GOT exhibitions
- Do a Belfast Black Taxi Tour which includes the Titanic Quarter
- Watch for special events when studio sets are occasionally made public
Practical Information
Best Time to Visit
May-September: Best weather and longest daylight hours. Locations can be crowded in July-August.
April & October: Good balance of decent weather and fewer crowds.
November-March: Authentic "winter is coming" atmosphere but limited daylight and higher chance of rain.
What to Bring
- Waterproof jacket (essential year-round)
- Comfortable walking shoes (many locations require walking)
- Camera with full battery and memory cards
- Tide times app (for Cushendun Caves)
- Offline maps downloaded
- Costume if you're feeling adventurous!
Beyond the Filming Locations
Northern Ireland's connection to Game of Thrones goes beyond filming locations. The show employed over 1,000 local crew members, supported countless businesses, and put Northern Ireland on the global tourism map.
Many local businesses now embrace the GOT connection - pubs serve "Direwolf Ale," bakeries sell "Jon Snow Cakes," and hotels offer themed rooms. Embrace the enthusiasm - locals are proud of the show's legacy and happy to share stories.
Final Thoughts
Visiting Game of Thrones filming locations in Northern Ireland is about more than ticking off sites from a list. It's experiencing the landscapes that inspired one of TV's greatest shows, understanding why Northern Ireland was chosen, and discovering that these locations are spectacular whether you know the show or not.
The best part? Most locations are free to visit, easy to access, and remain unspoiled by commercialization. Northern Ireland managed to capitalize on GOT fame while protecting the natural beauty that attracted filmmakers in the first place.
⚔️ More Resources
Looking to extend your trip? Check out our 3-day Northern Ireland itinerary to combine GOT locations with other must-see attractions. Need accommodation near filming locations? See our County Antrim accommodation guide.
Valar Morghulis. All men must die... but first, visit Northern Ireland's stunning Game of Thrones locations!
Connor has visited every Game of Thrones filming location in Northern Ireland multiple times, often before they became famous. His local knowledge of the Causeway Coast and passion for the region's dramatic landscapes make him the perfect guide to these iconic locations, whether you're a die-hard fan or just appreciate stunning scenery.