Game of Thrones was filmed across the world and, from Season 5 onwards, many Game of Thrones scenes were filmed throughout Spain. The country provides a wonderful backdrop for one of the most popular tv shows of all time.
On a recent Spain road trip, we made it our mission to seek out as many Game of Thrones filming locations as we could find and have put together a list of our key stops on a Game of Thrones tour of Spain. We had so much fun visiting the Game of Thrones filming locations in Spain and we’ve put together a list so you can visit yourself.
WARNING! This Game of Thrones filming guide contains references to specific scenes from Game of Thrones so do exercise caution if you haven’t watched the later seasons and want to avoid spoilers!
Map of Game of Thrones Filming Locations in Spain
The Game of Thrones filming locations in Spain are spread throughout the country:
How to Use This Google Map: Click on the grey star at the top of the map and this map will be added to your Google Maps account. You can then view it on your phone or computer in Google Maps by clicking on the menu button, going to “Your Places” and selecting this map. We use these maps all the time as you can set out your itinerary ahead of time and quickly reference the saved maps.
Game of Thrones Filming Locations in Spain
If you’re a Game of Thrones fan you are in for a treat in Spain! We rented a car in Spain to explore most of these locations.
We’re huge fans of Game of Thrones and have visited many of the Game of Thrones filming locations around Europe. You can also check out our guides to:
- Game of Thrones Filming locations in Malta
- Game of Thrones Filming locations in Croatia
- Game of Thrones Filming locations in Ireland
- Game of Thrones filming locations in Dubrovnik
- Game of Thrones Studio Tour Ireland
1 | Cordoba – Roman Bridge (Long Bridge of Volantis)
Featured in: Season 5 (Episode 3 is one of the most notable)
The Roman Bridge in Cordoba was used as the location for the Long Bridge of the city of Volantis which featured numerous times in Season 5. CGI was used to enhance and extend the bridge for the show, but you can clearly identify that it is the bridge used in the scenes.
In Game of Thrones, the bridge is almost a town onto itself with taverns, stalls and brothels standing on various levels of the bridge. Its most notable appearance is when Tyrion Lannister and Varys walk across the Long Bridge after arriving in Volantis.
Game of Thrones Spain tip: Cordoba is a beautiful city and worth exploring when you visit the bridge. Make sure to check out the Mosque – Cathedral of Cordoba. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it was originally built as a mosque in the 7th century before being converted into a cathedral in the 12th century.
2 | Amphitheatre of Italica (The Dragon Pit)
Featured in: Season 7, Episode 7
The massive Italica Amphitheatre located just west of Seville was used in one of the most memorable scenes in the entire show, Season 7, Episode 7, ‘The Dragon and the Wolf’.
The amphitheater was used as the set for the Dragon Pit where Daenerys arrives with her dragons. The scene is pivotal to the series as it brings together most of the main characters to discuss the White Walker problem and was used to shoot over 20 minutes of the episode. It’s also the first time many of the characters get to see the dragons, Drogon and Rhaegal, in person.
The Italica amphitheaterr features again in the final episode of the show, Season 8, Episode 6, ‘The Iron Throne’. This is one of the most important scenes in the show, as it brought together all the surviving rulers of Westeros to decide the fate of the realm and to choose a new leader.
We visited Italica when we were in Seville and it was well worth the trip. The amphitheatre is free for EU citizens (€1.50 if not) and is open year-round except for Mondays.
3 | Castillo Almodovar del Rio (Highgarden)
Featured in: Season 7, Episode 3
Castillo Almodovar del Rio is located a short drive west of Cordoba and served as the backdrop for scenes set in the city Highgarden, the seat of House Tyrell. The castle is featured in Season 7, Episode 3, ‘The Queen’s Justice’ where Jamie Lannister marches on Highgarden.
The internal shots for HighGarden were shot on the sound stages back in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The castle was featured again in Season 8, however, it was footage from Season 7 filming that was used in the show.
The castle is open to visitors and it’s definitely worth a stop to explore its impressive architecture and stunning surroundings. The castle was originally built in the 8th century and was restored in the 15th century.
4 | Girona Cathedral (Great Sept of Baelor)
Featured in: Season 6, Episode 10
During seasons one and two Sibenik and Dobrovnik in Croatia were used as locations for the Great Sept of Baelor. In season 6 this was moved to Girona Cathedral in Spain. Girona Cathedral was destroyed when Cersei Lannister blew up the Great Sept of Baelor in the final episode of Season 6.
The Cathedral was originally built in the 11th century, and it features beautiful architecture and stunning stained glass windows.
Girona also doubled as Bravoos and featured in Season 6 Episode 1 when Arya trains to become No One and spent her time learning from the Faceless Men.
The Arab Baths also made an appearance when Arya wandered in on her search for a passage to leave the city while trying to flee from the waif.
5 | Osuna Bullring (Danzak Pit)
Featured in: Season 5, Episode 9
The small bullring at Osuna in southern Spain was the filming location for one of the most dramatic scenes in Season 5. The Osuna bullring was used to film The Danzak’s Pit fight in Meereen city, Episode 9, ‘A Dance with Dragons’.
The scenes at Osuna were spectacular with amazing special effects and hundreds of participants, all overseen by Daenerys Targaryen.
We visited Osuna during a trip through southern Spain. It is possible to visit the inside of the actual bullring, however, it was closed the day we passed through. Visitors can visit the bullring on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
6 | Royal Alcazar of Seville (House Martell)
Feautred in: Season 5, Episode 2, 6, 7 and 9 and Season 6, Episode 1
The Royal Alcazar of Seville is a Royal Palace located in Seville that served as one of the most recognizable filming locations in Spain. It featured as the residence of House Martell and its elaborate Moorish architecture, stunning gardens, and impressive courtyards appear in various scenes through Seasons 5 and 6.
Many parts of the palace were used in filming, including the Ambassadors’ Hall (where Prince Doran welcomes Jamie), the Baths of Maria de Padilla (Sand Snakes plots revenge on their father), Mercury’s Pool (Ellaria Sand stands on a balcony overlooking the pool when she demands that Dorian seek revenge for his brothers death and later, where she swore allegiance) and the gardens (where Trystane Martell appeared with Myrcella Baratheon as Jamie enters the gardens with Bronn).
The palace was originally built by the Moors in the 8th century, and it was later renovated by the Christian rulers. The palace itself is one of three Seville buildings that are inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage sites, the other two being the Archivo de Indias and the Cathedral.
George RR Martin himself has mentioned that the Moorish parts of Spain were an influence in creating the Kingdom of Dorne in the story.
7 | Royal Shipyards of Seville (Red Keep Crypts)
Featured in: Season 7, Episodes 2 and 5
The Royal Shipyards of Seville, also known as the Reales Atarazanas, were featured in the show during season 7. The vaulted ceilings of these historic shipyards were used as the backdrop for the crypts of the Red Keep in King’s Landing in Season 7.
In Season 7, Episode 2, it is here where Qyburn shows Cersei the new large bow weapon and then shoots the skull of Balerion the Dread. The shipyards are also used in Season 7 Episode 5 where Tyrion and Jamie Lannister meet to talk.
Located on the bank of the Guadalquivir River, these shipyards were originally used to build ships for the Spanish navy starting in the 14th century. The shipyards are a short walk from the Seville Cathedral and well worth the visit. The shipyards have been closed to the public for over 20 years but are due to open in 2022 having been under restoration in recent years.
Game of Thrones Spain tip: The shipyards are currently closed but are due to open later in 2022.
8 | Cáceres (King’s Landing)
Features in: Season 7
The location for Kings Landing moved in Season 7 from Dubrovnik to Caceres old town. With its narrow cobbled streets and time stood still appearance, the ancient Moorish town in the west of the country was the perfect choice to use for Kings Landing.
9 | Trujillo Castle (Casterly Rock)
Featured in: Season 7, Episode 3
The nearby castle at Trujillo was also used as the filming location for Casterly Rock in Season 7, Episode 3 of the show. It appeared when the Unsullied attacked the House Lannister.
10 | San Juan de Gaztelugatxe (Dragonstone Castle)
Featured in: Season 7, Episode 1
The unique islet of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe on the north coast of Spain was the location used for filming Dragonstone, the ancestral home of Daenerys. Dragonstone was first introduced in the show in the first episode of Season 7 when Daenerys arrived with her fleet and dragons on the island.
It is possible to visit San Juan de Gaztelugatxe however due to increasing visitor numbers in recent years there is now a ticket system in place. Note, there is no castle on the island – it was subsequently added to the scenes after filming.
Visitors are required to book a free entrance ticket in advance of their visit to San Juan de Gaztelugatxe. You can get tickets on arrival at the ticket office, however we recommend booking tickets in advance to guarantee entrance. Make sure to reserve tickets well in advance (at least 2-3 weeks) as they tend to sell out. Tickets can be reserved on the official site here.
Game of Thrones Filming Locations Spain tip: a landslide forced management to close San Juan de Gaztelugatxe in January 2021 but it is currently open on a reduced capacity basis. Visitors can walk across the bridge but there is no access onto the islet until the landslide damage is fixed.
11 | Itzurun Beach (Dragonstone beach)
Season 7: Episodes 1 and 3
Itzurun Beach, in the seaside town of Zumaia, was the location for a number of Dragonstone Beach scenes in Season 7. It featured in episode 1 when Daenerys arrived in Dragonstone and in Episode 3 when Jon Snow and Daenery explore the caves.
12 | Zafra Castle (The Tower of Joy)
Featured in: Season 6, Episode 3 and 10
The stunning Zafra Castle was used in Season 6 Episodes 3 and 10 as the location of Tower of Joy in Game of Thrones. It’s a beautiful castle that’s perched atop a rocky outcrop and is reached via a 2-hour drive east of Madrid. The medieval Spanish castle is located in a remote part of the Sierra de Caldereros mountains and has panoramic views of the countryside for miles around.
The Tower of Joy was fundamental to the story of Game of Thrones as it was the location of one of the most important scenes in the series. The castle was the setting for the scene with Bran and the Three Eyed Raven when they experience a vision from Ned Stark’s and the parentage of Jon Snow was revealed after the swordfight between Ned Stark and Ser Arthur Dayne.
13 | Castell de Santa Florentina (House Tarly)
Features in: Season 6, Episode 6
The beautiful Castell de Santa Florentina in Canet de Mar was used as the filming location for Horn Hill in Season 6. The show was shot in three areas of the castle: the courtyard, the King’s Room with its ornate fireplaces and the Throne room.
In Season 6, Episode 6, Samwell Tarly returns to his ancestral home for the first time since leaving for Night’s Watch. He arrives in Horn hills via the castle courtyard and it is here that they have a meal in the King’s Room.
It is possible to visit the privately owned 11th Century Castell de Santa Florentina: you can visit the website for more details.
14 | Bardenas Reales Natural Park in Navarra (Dothrakie Sea)
Features in: Season 6
The barren landscapes of the Bardenas Reales Natural Park were the perfect location for the Dothraki Sea in Season 6 of Game of Thrones. It is in this area where Daenerys encounters the Khalasars, the horse-riding warriors who travel in huge groups.
15 | Peñíscola (Meereen)
Features in: Season 6
The beautiful coastal town of Peñíscola was used as the filming location for Meereen, one of the three great cities of Slaver’s Bay. Peniscola is known as The City in the Sea, due to its elevated position on a rocky outcrop overlooking the sea.
A number of different areas of the town were used for filming Game of Thrones in Season 6. The walls of Plaza Santa Maria and Calle Mayor were used in Season 6, Episode 1 when Tyrion Lannister and Lord Varys walked through the city streets.
The Artillery Park in Peniscola was the location used in Season 6 Episode 4 when Missandei, Grey Worm, and Tyrion walk through the park discussing the future of Meereen.
16 | Alcazaba Fortress of Almeria (House Martell)
Features in: Season 6
The Alcazaba Fortress of Almeria acted as the capital of Dorne, the kingdom of the House Martell, during Season 6. It shares some scenes as Dorne with the Real Alcazar in Seville as the two locations were merged post-filming.
Other locations in Almeria include El Chorillo in the Sierra de Alhamilla Mountains which acted as Vaed Dothrak, the Dothraki town, and Rambla del Buhoin which is where Daenerys arrived into Vaes Dothrak.
17 | Torre de Mesa Roldan (Meereen)
Features in: Season 6, Episode 9
Close to Almeria, Torre de Mesa Roldán was used as part of the city pyramids in Meereen. One of the most famous scenes is where Daenerys rode Drogon into the bay in Season 6, Episode 9 and when the Masters of Yunkai, Astapor, and Volantis surrendered to her during the Second Siege of Meereen.
Surprised to find that we have visited many of these places, yet did not recognise them in the series. Will try to visit some of the others. Thanks for all the photos and compilation, very useful too.