HBO’s massive hit Game of Thrones has been filmed across Europe, but some of its most famous filming locations have been in Spain. And it’s no wonder Spain is one of the most beautiful countries in the world, so it was easy for the filmmakers to pick it as a stand-in for the fictional locations of Dorne, King’s Landing, Dragonstone, and more.
When planning a trip, use these Spain Game of Thrones filming locations as a road trip guide. These locations span the North, South, and Central parts of the country.
11 Famous Game of Thrones Filming Locations in Spain
1. The Water Gardens of Dorne – Seville
One of the most picturesque locations is that of Dorne, a large peninsula that makes up the southernmost part of Westeros and is ruled by the House Martell. Seville specifically stands in for the Water Gardens of Dorne, an opulent palace that almost looks too good to be true. And that’s what I thought until I visited Seville, Spain, myself.
The Royal Alcázar of Seville is filled with colorful mosaics, opulent ceilings, and gorgeous gardens, in which the family of Martell is seen lounging around in the first glimpse of their historic home. This oasis was built in the 14th century and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site today.
Check out these other posts to visiting Seville
Photo by Saad Chaudhry on Unsplash
2. The Free City of Volantis – Córdoba
Córdoba’s Roman bridge is an ancient landmark that was famous well before Game of Thrones arrived. Built in the 1st century B.C., it has 16 arches and stretches across the Guadalquivir River. It stood in for the Long Bridge in the Free City of Volantis.
You may remember it as the place where the severed hands of criminals are put on display.
Even though the bridge is already pretty large at 1,086 ft in length, the show’s incredible VFX team elongated it and created buildings atop it to give it a more lived-in feel full of shops, brothels, taverns, and stalls as Tyrion and Varys enter the Free City.
By Rabe! – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=17900151
3. High Garden – Córdoba
Nearby Castillo Almodovar del Rio doubled as High Gardens, the ancestral home of House Tyrell. The interior shots of the castle were filmed on a soundstage back in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
As it’s less than 20 miles from Córdoba, you can reach it easily by bus after having checked out the Roman bridge.
This location also stood in for parts of Casterly Rock, the ancestral home of House Lannister. Previously a Roman fort, the current structure is of Amazigh Moorish origin, dating from the year 760
4. The City of Braavos – Girona
Fan favorite Arya Stark finds herself in Braavos, learning from the Faceless Men to become No One. The 12th-century Arab baths of Girona stand in for the dramatic location where the chase between Arya and the Waif culminates.
Partly destroyed in the 13th century in a siege by the French, it was rebuilt 10 years later before becoming mikvah baths for Girona’s Jewish community, then a convent, before opening to the public in the 1930s.
Girona’s old town, Bisbe Cartaña Street and Sant Marti convent were used for the chase scene itself. The scene where Arya is watching an outdoor theater show about the Lannisters can be found at the Placa del Jurats square.
Girona’s Cathedral was also the location used to portray the Tower of the Hand in King’s Landing.
Check out these other posts to visiting Girona
5. The Great Sept of Baelor in King’s Landing – Girona
One of the most memorable Spain Game of Thrones filming locations has to be King’s Landing, specifically Girona Cathedral, as it stood in for the Great Sept of Baelor. Here is the pivotal scene where Cersei Lannister destroys the center of religion by burning it to the ground with wildfire.
In Season 6, Episode 10, “The Winds of Winter,” audiences watched as it killed everyone inside and ultimately caused King Tommen to leap to his death, making for an incredible season finale.
Of course, Girona Cathedral is still standing today. You can ascend its 91 stone steps to enter and see the building for yourself. The Cathedral, originally built in the 11th century, has stunning architecture and ornate stained glass windows.
Check out these other posts to visiting Girona
Photo by Jordi Vich Navarro on Unsplash
6. Dragonstone – Gaztelugatxe
Another fan favorite, Daenerys Targaryen’s ancestral home of Dragonstone, can be found in Basque Country, a northern part of Spain. The striking islet of Gaztelugatxe, which sits in the Bay of Biscay, is where you’ll find the iconic winding stairway Daenerys is seen arriving by in the premiere episode of season 7.
While her castle was later VFX’d in, this location’s pathway is impressive enough for a visit. The island’s 10th-century hermitage, dedicated to John the Baptist, is also worth a visit.
Note that due to the increasing number of visitors to San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, a ticket system is in place. So, to ensure you can visit, inquire about that ahead of time before heading over.
Check out these ohter posts to visiting Gaztelugatxe
7. Horn Hill – Barcelona
Barcelona is already popular with its many works by the incredible architect Gaudi, who designed whimsical buildings such as Casa Batllo. But just outside this wondrous city is an 11th-century Medieval castle called The Castle of Santa Florentina, which stood in for the castle of House Tarly in Season 6.
This is where we see Samwell Tarly return to for the first time since leaving for the Night’s Watch.
As this castle is a private property only available for visit by appointment, it is one of the most exclusive Spain Game of Thrones filming locations on this list. But even if you can’t nab an appointment, just the exterior is well worth the trip.
Check out these other posts to visiting Barcelona
Unique things to do in Barcelona
By Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=55097994
8. The Tower of Joy in Dorne – Guadalajara
This pivotal location is about halfway between Madrid and Zaragoza, making it one of the more difficult filming locations to get to, as you’ll need a car. Seen only in flashback, this is where Ned Stark enters the Dornish Mountains to rescue his sister Lyanna, who is supposedly imprisoned in the Tower of Joy by Rhaegar Targaryen.
Though it is not a location we see much of in the TV show, its influence in helping to finally answer who Jon Snow’s parents are is monumental, as is the real-life 12th-century Castle of Zafra in Guadalajara, which sits upon a sandstone outcrop.
By Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=46580616
9. Dragonpit in King’s Landing – Seville
Built during the reign of emperor Hadrian (who was born in Italica), the Amphitheater of Italica was one of the largest in the entire Roman Empire, with a capacity of 25,000 spectators. Used for gladiatorial fights and combats between beasts or men, in the hit series Season 7, Episode 7, ‘The Dragon and the Wolf,’ it was where Daenerys Targaryen landed her dragons in King’s Landing.
It was also used in the show’s final episode, Season 8, Episode 6, ‘The Iron Throne,’ where the surviving rulers of Westeros decide the fate of the realm and choose a new leader.
Abandoned by the Romans in the 3rd century, this amphitheater was rediscovered during the Renaissance and unearthed in the late 19th century. Today, it is a tourist site offering tours. It is easiest to access by car from Seville, and it’s located just 20 minutes outside the city.
Photo by Gunnar Ridderström on Unsplash
10. King’s Landing – Cáceres
The location for King’s Landing may be famously Dubrovnik in Croatia, but parts of Cáceres’ old town were used in Season 7 to stand in for this location. Its narrow cobblestone streets and high stone walls made it the perfect double.
However, this Spanish city’s Castle of Trujillo also stood in for Casterly Rock when the Unsullied attacked the castle in Season 7, Episode 3.
Image by EstudioWebDoce from Pixabay
11. Meereen – Peñíscola
The gorgeous coastal town of Peñíscola was used as the filming location for Meereen, one of the three great cities of Slaver’s Bay. Known as The City in the Sea, several areas of this town were used in the TV series due to its position on a rocky outcrop overlooking the sea.
The walls of Plaza Santa Maria and Calle Mayor were used in Season 6, Episode 1, when Tyrion Lannister and Lord Varys walk through the city streets. Artillery Park was seen in Season 6, Episode 4, when Missandei, Grey Worm, and Tyrion walk through the park discussing the future of Meereen.
Final Thoughts on These Spain Game of Thrones Filming Locations
Game of Thrones has many amazing filming locations, but some of the most majestic are certainly located in Spain. As a reminder, some of these locations are a bit out of the way and best accessed by car, such as the Tower of Joy, while the Water Gardens of Dorne are easily accessible by public transport.
For those currently watching the House of the Dragon prequel series, it is filmed in several locations in Europe, including Portugal and Spain, which would be great to tie into this list of Spain Game of Thrones filming locations.
Written by Michelle of Travel HerStory
Michelle is the founder of Travel HerStory, a solo female travel and budget-friendly blog. She’s a thirty-something wanderluster who over the past 11 years, has blogged her adventures to help you with yours. When not planning her next trip, she’s sharing itineraries, budget travel tips, sightseeing pass reviews, and recommendations on accommodations! She formerly worked in TV for 14 years but now is a digital nomad, SEO content writer, and marketer.
You can connect with her on Instagram, Pinterest, and Threads.
