Life is full of pleasures, but we are rarely as complete as when we have television and travel. And if you’ve turned on the former recently, you’ll know of a little program called Game of Thrones. The medieval fantasy smash hit has captured the hearts of millions, fostering legions of fans eager to dive in to every nook and cranny of the show’s mythology.
For the longest time, all of us Game of Thrones fans have been secretly lusting after the larger-than-life locales that the stars of the show shoot at—be it the castles of Westeros or Castle Black at the Wall. We have all at one point or the other wanted to visit these places that have now become a part of our subconscious, somehow. From its onset, the show’s creators have sought out a variety of locations that fit the diverse climate and topography of the novel’s settings. Television magic invites viewers to explore and soak in these fantastical locales, and yet, they are hardly as fictional as one might assume. With the help of Air Transat and a slew of incredible summer flight deals to Europe, fans of the show can literally set foot in their favourite Game of Thrones scenes, from the Dothraki Sea to King’s Landing to Castle Black.
# Dubrovnik, Croatia
See the sights of King's Landing, the capital of the Seven Kingdoms, and learn all about the Targaryens, Baratheons, Starks and other noble families from your expert local guide. Visit Lovrijenac Fortress and climb the city walls to look out over Blackwater Bay. And you can even include a trip to Trsteno Arboretum, the site used as the King's Landing palace gardens.
# Reykjavik, IcelandVisit famous Icelandic locations that have featured in the HBO TV series. Explore the White Walkers' stomping ground at Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Soak up the incredible Lake Thingvallavatn scenery that acts as a backdrop to Nesjavellir Geothermal Power Station. See Thjorsárdalur valley and head to the site where a village was massacred by the Wildlings. Hear stories about the popular show, based on George R.R. Martin's 'A Song of Ice and Fire' novels.
# Giant's Causeway, IrelandAfter a stop at Dunluce castle which was the inspiration for Harrenhal, continue along the magnificent Antrim Coast to the Giant's Causeway, Northern Ireland's only UNESCO World Heritage site and one of its most visited attractions. Continue to Larrybane and learn how it was the site of King Renly's Camp, where Renly swears to Lady Stark that he will avenge Ned's death, as well as doubling up as the Iron Islands in Season 6. After around 10-15 minutes to explore, continue to the picturesque coastal village of Ballintoy, where you'll have around 40 minutes of free time. Hear how Ballintoy Harbour served as the location for Theon Greyjoy's return to the Iron Islands, as well as scenes such as Theon's baptism, Euron's crowning, the burning of bannermen by Stannis/ Melisandre, and the burial of Balon Greyjoy.
# Split, CroatiaSee Klis Fortress where Daenerys Targaryen launched an attack on the mountaintop city of Meereen and explore Diocletian's Palace, where the slaves conspired with the Unsullied Army to overthrow the masters. The palace, built in the early 4th century for Diocletian's retirement, was the setting for several scenes in the city of Meereen. Follow in Daenerys' footsteps as you explore this 1,700-year-old palace, visiting the throne room and other featured locations. Then step into the cellars where the slaves worked with the Unsullied Army and Grey Worm to crush their leaders. Today the palace is a living monument, as residences and shops began moving into the then-ruined palace around the 7th century.
# Barcelona, SpainSee how the medieval streets of Girona were transformed into a King's Landing setting as you follow in the footsteps of key characters such as Tyrion, King Joffrey and more. Throughout the day, your guide will share photos at each site, helping you piece together what it takes to film and produce the hit show. You can even sample a Game of Thrones–themed ice cream flavor. You can grab a scoop of the ice cream from a local vendor, a flavor affectionately named ‘King's Hand' in honor of the crown's most trusted advisor.