5 Holiday Destinations for your Post
Game of Thrones Depression

One of the biggest TV phenomenons of our time may have come to an end, but the show will live on in these iconic locations. To help you recover from the loss of your favorite series, we have prepared a list of 5 holiday destinations to make you relive the epic scenes that have now disappeared from our screens.

1. Malta
The Mediterranean Archipelago was used as a filming location in Season 1, to emphasize the warm climate of Pentos and King’s Landing when compared to the cold lands of Winterfell. Unfortunately, the Azure Window that served as a background for Daenerys and Drogo’s wedding has recently collapsed, but some of the show’s most remarkable locations still remain, such as the Mtahleb Valley (where Daenerys rises from the flames with her newly hatched dragons), Fort Ricasoli (used to depict the main entrance to King’s Landing) and Fort Manoel (the steps of the Great Sept of Baelor, which witnessed the public execution of Ned Stark).

2. Croatia 
According to the producers of Game of Thrones, the minute they started walking around Dubrovnik they knew it was the perfect setting for King’s Landing, as the medieval walls were an exact match to the city’s depiction in the books. Some must-see locations in Dubrovnik include Gradac Park (used for the Purple Wedding feast), Trsteno Arboretum (Red Keep’s extensive gardens, first introduced by the Tyrells), Belvedere Atrium (which hosted the trial by combat between Oberyn Martell and Gregor Clegane), and the Stradun (used for Cersei’s iconic Walk of Penance in Season 5).

However, while Croatia has received the most media attention for providing the set for the capital of Westeros from Season 2 onwards, the country was actually used as a background for a lot more locations in the show. Split served as a basis for both the exteriors and the underground passageways of Meereen, Sibenik was the main inspiration for the exterior shots of Braavos, and some areas of Dubrovnik (such as Minceta Tower, Lokrum Island and Dubac Quarry) turned out to be perfect depictions of the mysterious city of Qarth

3. Iceland
A filming location from Season 2 to Season 5, Iceland was used as a setting for the Night Watch’s expeditions beyond the wall. Thingvellir National Park and its glaciers were used to represent the Fist of the First Men, while Kirkjufell became known by viewers as the Arrowhead Mountain. Fans visiting the island will also recognize Myvatn Lake, the frozen lava field where Mance Rayder built his wilding army camp back in season 3; and Grjótagjá Cave, the hot thermal spring where the actors who play Jon Snow and Ygritte shot their famous love scene.

4. Morocco
In Season 3, production moved to Morocco to represent the cities in Slaver’s Bay. The UNESCO red-brick Ait-Ben-Haddou served as a filming location for Yunkai; while Essaouira was used as the setting for Astapor, where Daenaerys buys her army of Unsullied before releasing her dragons’ fury over the slavers. Production did not return to Morocco after Season 3, and from Season 4 onwards the third slaver-city of Meereen was filmed in a different country. 

5. Spain
Spain was the last country to make the list, since it started to replace Croatia as the main filming location for warm climates in seasons 5 and 6. Girona was used as the set for both King’s Landing and Braavos, with the Cathedral of Saint Mary of Girona depicting the exterior of Sept of Baelor; while Castellon was used to film several parts of Meereen. In its turn, Seville provided the Royal Palace of Dorne (Alcazar of Seville) and Dragonpit (Roman Ruins of Italica); and Cordoba offered both the settings for the Long Bridge of Volantis (Roman bridge of Cordoba) and Highgarden (Castillo de Almodovar del Rio). Other recognizable locations include El Chorrillo Sierra Alhamilla (Vaes Dothrak), Castell de Santa Florentina (House Tarly’s home castle) and San Juan de Gaztelugatxe (Dragonstone Castle). 

Do you want to relive your favorite Game of Thrones scenes this Summer? Check our amazing offers below • Contact our Travel Agents for a tailor-made itinerary!