Have you ever watched Game of Thrones? Or are you a fan of the fantasy series and think you know everything about it? Maybe this post will give you some new information. And if you have never seen a single episode of the show, after reading the following lines, you might want to give the series a chance or at least travel to some of these picturesque places.

GOT (as fans like to call it) is considered record holder of the Emmy Awards and analysing its audience numbers, it is the most successful series in the world. The production, based on the novels “The Song of Ice and Fire” by George R. R. Martin, has achieved the cult status of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, which it often gets compared to. And while the story around the highly competitive Iron Throne is of course fictional, many of the imposing locations are real! And above all, the filming locations are not that far away. The following places might give you a déjà vu. So lets us take you on a trip to Westeros and Essos.

While the first 4 seasons where mainly shot in northern European countries, season 5 of Game of Thrones added some Spanish locations in Andalusia. For example, the Royal Palace in Sevilla, the Real Alcázar. The former king’s palace from the 14^th century took over the role of the water gardens of the peninsula Dorne in the south of Westeros, where Prince Oberyn Martell’s older brother, Prince Doran resided.
In real life, the Spanish royal family spends several weeks a year in this impressive building but the palace was used several times before as film setting, for example for  the movie “Kingdom of Heaven” by Ridley Scott.

the Real Alcázar on the left and the shooting of a scene on the right

Another venue was the Andalusian city of Osuna, about an hour drive from Sevilla, whose bullring was converted into the Arena of Meereen. You might also remember that Daenerys had her first dragon flight starting from this arena.
Also seen in season 5, the Roman Bridge of Córdoba that helped Varys and Tyrion reach the city of Volantis.

the bullring of Osuna made a great arena of Meereen

Moreover, season 6 was partly filmed in Andalusia too, just like season 5. Castillo de Almodóvar del Rio served as the rose garden.
The city of Cáceres in the region of Extremadura became an important location as well. Cáceres was transformed into Altsass while the Castillo de Trujillo took on the role of Casterly Rock.

Another castle that was used as film setting is the Castillo de Zafra, a 12^th – century castle in Castilla – La Mancha. In addition to that, the Castell de Santa Florentina in Barcelona and many buildings and streets in the old town of Girona, Catalonia were among the filming locations. The small town north of Barcelona became the Free City of Braavos in Essos. With its Arab Baths, Plaça dels Jurats and Carrer de la Claveria, it was just perfect for the story line. The Cathedral of Girona served as the Great Septe of Baelor and the Monestir de Sant Pere de Galligants took on the role of the citadel in Altsass.

do you recognize the Great Septe of Baelor?

But that’s not it! Some scenes of season 7 were again shot in Spain. The film crew travelled to the mountains of the natural park Bardenas Reales, a semi-desert in Navarra in the north of the peninsula and to the Basque Country.

the mystical looking Basque Country with these Flysch formations made a great film setting

Places that embody the island of Dragonstone in Game of Thrones are the monastery of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, located on a small island between Bakio and Bermeo, the secluded Playa de Muriola near Barrika and Playa de Itzurun near Zumaia, which is located in a beautiful bay, surrounded by green mountains that reach down to the sea. The spectacular cliffs with their flysch formations were just perfect for some of the scenes in season 7.

San Juan de Gaztelugatxe also known as island of Dragonstone

After reading all this, are you going to watch Games of Thrones now? The series is not over yet, there is still one season to come in 2019. While you’re waiting for the next season to air, come to Spain to have an exclusive behind the scenes experience.
Across Spain offers a unique Game of Thrones tour that includes some of the mentioned places. For more information get in touch with us!