Game of Thrones in Iceland
14 enchanting places where the iconic series was filmed
The unique beauty of magical Iceland does not only attract travelers. The least densely populated European country also attracted the creators of one of the most successful series of all time. At which places were the favorite scenes filmed and why did the production choose exactly them? The iconic series with the largest cast in the history of HBO projects, which after its relatively recent conclusion received a wave of harsh criticism, had a truly rich production.
Filming took place in a total of 7 countries – in the USA, Northern Ireland, Croatia, Morocco, Spain, Malta, and also in Iceland. Few people know that the main soundtrack of the series was recorded here in Prague. All these mentioned destinations have long enjoyed an increase in tourism thanks to their appearance in the series. And Iceland is no exception. Fans of Game of Thrones no longer travel to these countries only because of historical, cultural, or natural monuments – they simply want to see with their own eyes the places where their favorite scenes were filmed. So if you are planning a trip to Iceland and are a fan of this television phenomenon, then you have even more reason to visit Iceland. More precisely, 14 more reasons.
Before I introduce all those magnificent places that were immortalized on television screens, take a closer look at why Iceland also made it onto the list of filming locations. “Winter is coming” is a phrase that was said so many times in the series that over time it became something like its main motto. And there are truly plenty of winter scenes, especially in the final part of the saga. The island country, which features glaciers and freezing weather, thus perfectly served as a setting for scenes taking place beyond the Wall.
“Iceland offers many locations that are very fantastical, mysterious, and evoke a sense of adventure, which fits well with the series. At the same time, we have many places that are easily accessible, even though they look like they are in the middle of nowhere,” comments Einar Sveinn Þórðarson, a crew member responsible for selecting filming locations in Iceland.
1. Gjáin Valley
Do you remember the scene from season 4 where the Hound wakes up one morning and sees Arya practicing with Needle by the river? A small skirmish breaks out between them. Their paths crossed after the Hound decided to take the young fighter under his protective wing. And it is right here, in Gjáin valley, where they make a stop. In this place you will feel like in a fairy tale. Crystal-clear streams surrounded by rocky formations and enchanting greenery typical of Iceland stretch all around.
2. Þjóðveldisbærinn Stöng Farm
Suddenly, an arrow flies sharply through the air and hits a man walking unsuspectingly next to a small boy. The camera shows Ygritte standing nearby with a bow in
her hands. In this scene from season 4 we witness the cruelty of the Wildlings as they attack a peaceful village. In reality, it is a reconstructed farm that was once inhabited by Vikings and today serves as a historical monument. According to historians, the farm was destroyed in 1104 by the eruption of the volcano Hekla. The Icelanders restored it in 1974 as part of the celebrations of the 1100th anniversary of Iceland’s settlement, which dates back to the year 874.
Jon Snow boldly ventures beyond the Wall in season 7 with several companions to face the White Walkers. They then set out on a journey across snowy plains. The scene where they fight the minions of the Night King and Jon kills one of the Wights was filmed right here. As you may remember, this is followed by a frantic escape of Jon and his allies from the hordes of White Walkers. They are saved by a cracking ice surface of a lake into which the undead begin to fall. In reality, however, it is not a real lake – it was artificially created for filming this scene. This canyon is also a popular tourist location and is especially loved for its ever-present striking rock formations.
And here we have another canyon. This time we move forward in the storyline of the series to the final season 8. Jon is already working with Daenerys, who takes him to her dragon children. And you surely remember what happened next – the commander of the Night’s Watch with Targaryen blood secretly in his veins sits on a dragon and flies on it. This happened right in this canyon.
Then the viewers are presented with a romantic scene where Jon kisses Daenerys for the first time. He did not yet know that she was his aunt. And their lips meet right in front of this famous Icelandic waterfall, which tourists describe as one of the most beautiful in Iceland and also one of the most easily accessible. If you want to kiss your partner at the same place as Jon and Daenerys, you will surely appreciate that there is free parking on site.
We return again to season 7, when Jon Snow arrives at the shores of Eastwatch to meet his allies at Castle Black and discuss the next course of their fight against the White Walkers. Filming of this scene took place in the southernmost part of Iceland near the village of Vík, where you can find a 120-meter-high cliff above sea level. It is nicknamed the Gateway of Iceland. The cape is part of a local nature reserve. From the top of the cliff you can enjoy a breathtaking view of a bird colony and the surrounding landscape. On the northern side of the reserve lies the Mýrdalsjökull glacier, and on the eastern side you can see the basalt sea stacks Reynisdrangar, rising up to 66 meters from the sea. And it would not be Iceland without a legend attached – in this case, the rocks are said to be evil trolls that attacked a passing ship, and the sunlight turned them into stone.
In episode 6 of season 2, Jon Snow meets the wildling Ygritte for the first time, with whom he later falls in love – both in the world of Game of Thrones and in real life. In the scene filmed on this glacier, he captures her and then almost executes her. But as is known, Jon knows nothing, so she eventually escapes right in front of him. The glacier has already attracted more film productions. In addition to Game of Thrones, Hollywood blockbusters such as Interstellar and Batman Begins were also filmed here.
Let’s go back to season 4. Joffrey is dead and Littlefinger successfully manipulates Sansa, who becomes a victim of his schemes. Together they arrive at the Eyrie, where Sansa’s aunt Lysa Arryn resides, and where Sansa finds temporary refuge. This national park lies in southwestern Iceland and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983. In this area the Althing was formed, one of the oldest parliaments in the world. You could see this location in the series twice – the second time the Hound and Arya walked through the park while trying to reach the Eyrie.
9. Lava field Hengill
Hengill is a volcano in the southwestern part of Iceland. It is still active, although the last lava eruption occurred 2,000 years ago. The area beneath it is known as a lava field. And it was here that the fight between Brienne of Tarth and the Hound took place in the final episode of season 4. You probably remember how that encounter ended.
You can find it near Reykjavik, it is 15 meters high, and it appears in the series only briefly. It was in season 4 when a lost dragon Drogon suddenly flies over a small boy peacefully herding goats.
This 463-meter-high mountain also had its 15 minutes of fame. Well, more like a few seconds. And there must be something special about it – it captivated not only filmmakers but also many photographers. It is the most photographed mountain in all of Iceland. In the series it briefly appears in season 7 when it catches the eye of one of the members of the expedition beyond the Wall – the Hound, who had previously seen it in his mysterious vision. It also appears in season 6 when Bran sees with his own eyes how the Children of the Forest transform an innocent man into a White Walker.
12. Kálfaströnd Farm and Höfði Cape (by Lake Mývatn)
At this farm, Jon with the Wildlings camped in season 3, in the northeast of Iceland near the volcanic lake Mývatn and Höfði cape, while trying to gain their trust. Here you can also find many rock formations that Icelanders claim are petrified elves.
13. Grjótagjá Cave
And what followed next, you probably already guess. Who could forget the scene from season 3 when Jon and Ygritte hide together in a cozy cave… and then have their moment together? He enjoyed intimate moments with Ygritte in this lava cave with a thermal spring. And if you did not know, the actors are married in real life, so their chemistry apparently worked off-screen as well.
And we stay in season 3. East of Lake Mývatn lies a large lava field area. It consists of various volcanic caves and rock formations that resemble a collapsed ancient fortress. The lava tunnels were formed about 2,300 years ago from a lava lake. Here the Wildling leader Mance Rayder had his camp, where Jon was brought – so that Mance could decide whether he would join them or be executed. Dimmuborgir is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Iceland.
Main attractions on the route
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