The Maltese Islands of Malta and Gozo were a prominent Game of Thrones filming location in Season 1 and the stunning islands are must visit for any Game of Thrones fan.
After all Malta was the original King’s Landing, the capital of the Seven Kingdoms! There are several Game of Thrones filming locations on both Malta and Gozo, a short ferry ride from Malta.
We made it our mission to seek out as many Game of Thrones filming locations as we could during our Malta itinerary and have put together a list of our 10 key stops on a Game of Thrones tour of Malta.
It’s our guide to the best Game of Thrones filming locations on Malta and Gozo so you can recreate the magic on your visit!
WARNING! This Game of Thrones filming guide contains references to specific scenes from Game of Thrones Season 1 so do exercise caution if you haven’t watched the episodes and want to avoid spoilers!
Map of Game of Thrones Filming Locations in Malta and Gozo
The Game of Thrones filming locations are split between Malta and Gozo. A rental car is the easiest way to visit all the locations across the two islands.
Renting a car in Malta can be relatively cheap. Make sure to shop around and book your rental car in advance for the best price. We recommend using RentalCars.com to reserve your car. They have the best selection and prices that we’ve found – click here to book now!
We’re huge fans of road trips and have driven rental cars in over 40 countries so we have a lot of experience renting cars in foreign countries. Book your car now with RentalCars.com, where you will find the best rental car prices
Renting a car in Malta tip: We recommend renting a compact car in Malta as the streets are quite narrow and parking spaces are small. It’s easier to navigate the Maltese roads in one of the smaller rentals!
Click here for the best rental car prices
Click here for a link to the Google map of the locations
We drove between the locations with our rental car but a guided tour is a great option if you prefer – check out the Malta Game of Thrones tour here!
1 | St. Dominic’s Convent, Rabat, Malta
St Dominic’s Convent in Rabat featured as the Red Keep Garden in Season 1, Episode 7 ‘You win or you die’ where Ned Stark confronts Cersei about the father of her children being her twin brother, Jamie Lannister, and not King Robert.
He threatens to tell all on Robert’s return from his hunt and Cersei declares ‘When you play the game of thrones, you win or you die. There is no middle ground.’
Game of Thrones Malta and Gozo tip: The convent is one of the lesser visited sites in Malta and we were the only visitors! As well as its Game of Thrones fame, it has attracted pilgrims due to the presence of a miraculous statue of the Holy Virgin.
Where to stay in Malta
The Palace: we based ourselves in The Palace in Slimea during our stay on the island of Malta – rooms were spacious and nicely furnished, the swimming pool was a real treat and prices were reasonable – check latest prices here!
The Duke Boutique Hotel: one of the best hotels on Gozo and perfect for an overnight stay on the island. The hotel is excellent quality and good value – check latest prices here!
Hotel Juliani: a gem in St Julian’s on Malta Island close to lots of bars and restaurants and with beautiful views over the bay check latest prices here!
2 | The Gate of the Mdina, Malta
Malta’s Mdina is one of Europe’s best preserved ancient walled cities and visitors are instantly transported back centuries upon crossing through its commanding gate.
It was here at the entrance where in Season 1, Episode 3 ‘Lord Snow’, Catelyn and Ser Rodrik Cassel rode into King’s Landing to try and establish what led to Bran’s fall and where Ned later says goodbye to Catelyn as she sets off from King’s Landing after the death of King Robert.
3 | Mesquita Square, Mdina, Malta
Deep in the Mdina, Mesquita Square was the setting for many of the scenes which led to the demise of Ned. It’s here where Jamie Lannister and his spearmen attack Ned and his guards in Season 1, Episode 5 ‘The Wolf and the Lion’.
The Mdina also houses the entrance and balcony to Little Finger’s brothel as well as the Street of Steel, where the smiths have their shops.
In Episode 1, Season 4 ‘Cripples, Bastards and Broken Things’ Ned and Jory follow Jon Arryn’s last movements along the street.
4 | Fort Ricasoli, Valletta, Malta
On the east side of the Grand Harbour in Karkala, Fort Ricasoli doubled as the Gate of the Gods of King’s Landing.
It first made an appearance in Season 1, Episode 3 ‘Lord Snow’ when the Starks reach King’s Landing.
It featured again in Season 1, Episode 5 ‘The Wolf and the Lion’, when Arya attempts to reenter the Red Keep and is challenged by the guards who mistake her for a street urchin.
5 | Verdala Palace, Buskett Gardens, Malta
Verdala Palace, in Buskett Gardens, is the official summer residence of the President of Malta and, as a result, is closed to the public.
The palace serves as the exterior of Illyrio Mopatis’s mansion in Pentos and features in Season 1, Episode 1 ‘Winter is Coming’ when Daenerys and Viserys Targaryen meet Khal Drogo before the wedding.
6 | Fort Manoel, Malta
The 18th Century Fort Manoel is located to the north west of Valletta on Manoel Island and doubles as the steps of the Great Sept of Baelor.
It appears in Season 1, Episode 9 ‘Baelor’ as the spot where Ned Stark is executed after Joffrey commands Ser Ilyn Payne to bring him the traitor’s head.
7 | San Anton Palace and Gardens, Malta
The San Anton Palace and Gardens, the official residence of the President of Malta, make frequent appearances throughout Season 1 of Game of Thrones where it doubles as part of the Red Keep exterior.
One of the most memorable scenes from San Anton is in Season 1, Episode 10 ‘Fire and Blood’ when Joffrey took Sansa to the balcony to see the heads on spikes – her father, Ned Stark’s included.
It first appeared in Season 1, Episode 3 ‘Lord Snow’ when the Starks arrive at Red Keep and use the stables and later in Episode 8 ‘The Pointy End’ when Arya finds the Stark attendants murdered but reclaims her real sword Needle.
8 | Fort Saint Angelo, Malta
Fort Saint Angelo, at the centre of the Grand Harbour, was the location for the Red Keep Prison and the Underground Chambers.
It’s here where Arya chased the cat into the dungeons under the castle while doing her sword training in Season 1, Episode 5 ‘The Wolf and the Lion’ and overhears Varys and Magister Illyrio Mopatis of Pentos.
Fort Saint Angelo is also where Ned Stark was imprisoned in the chambers under the Red Keep before being taken to the Sept of Baelor for his beheading.
9 | Mtahleb Cliffs, Malta
On the Western side of the Island, the Mthaleb Cliffs appeared in some of the Dothraki camp scenes towards the end of Season 1.
In Episode 9 ‘Baelor’, it was here that Khal Drogo collapsed and, in Episode 10 ‘Fire and Blood’ represented the location of his funeral pyre.
The most memorable scene set at the Cliffs is that of Daenerys emerging from the flames with her baby dragons. It’s along these Shadow Cliffs where Khaleesi and her Dothrakis travel on their way West.
10 | The Azure Window, Gozo
One of the most famous Game of Thrones settings from Season 1, The Azure Window in Gozo was the scene of the Dothraki wedding feast between Khal Drogo and Daenerys Targaryen on the coast of Pentos in Episode 1, ‘Winter is Coming’.
Unfortunately, the Azure Window no longer exists: in 2017, the rock formation succumbed to the elements and collapsed into the sea after heavy storms. We recently visited the Great Pollet Sea Arch in Donegal, Ireland and it reminded us of the magnificence of the Azure Window before it fell.
Game of Thrones Malta and Gozo tip: it’s possible to visualise the wedding scene across the beautiful landscape if you do still choose to visit.
Great article. Thanks to you my trip on Malta was more interesting 🙂
Thanks Michalina, glad you enjoyed!
Elaine
Loved this article! Looking forward to driving around to them today
Hope you had an awesome time!
Going to Malta in September, the 15th to the 18th, is that still really warm and beach weather. Also, the GOT tour is not available during my dates… will we be able to get to all 10 locations to visit, are there entry fees, or is it just walking and touring independently? I want to make sure it’s easy and safe to get around, have young child with us. thank you so much for this article, super excited for our visit.
Hi GC
September weather should be warm and good for beaches. You will need a car to get around all the locations as some aren’t on the main tourist route. We found driving easy, we wrote about renting a car in Malta here. We found it easy and safe overall.
Elaine
We were there a couple of days ago…. scorching hot! And so beautiful!
We went off peak so the temperatures were great! Hope you had a good trip!
Elaine
As a tip, the convent in Rabat closes between 1.30 and 5.30pm so don’t do what we did and turn up at 4pm!
Thanks Lizzie!
We visited during the day and it was so quiet. It was probably closed!!
Elaine