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Stunning Locations in Iceland Where Game of Thrones was Filmed

Ishaan Govardhan Apr 25, 2024
The majestic scenery of Iceland is bewitching for all. But, fans of HBO’s flagship show 'Game of Thrones' have a special bond with these familiar vistas.

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After filming season 1 in Ireland using fake snow, the showrunners turned to Iceland to scout for new shooting locations. They kept returning to Iceland over the coming years, to film many of the show's iconic scenes over there.

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Because Iceland’s terrain is as diverse as it is dramatically stunning, the showrunners were able to use it as the setting for many scenes based in the Vale, Winterfell, beyond the Wall and even Mereen.

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Arya and The Hound
On the way to Vale, they set up camp by this waterfall (in Iceland's Gjáin canyon) in season 4.

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The Hound wakes up next morning to find Arya practicing swordplay, and they have a (yet another) heated argument.

Iceland offers special tours that cover such locations from the show.

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That's right. The cave from season 3 really exists, not just a studio set. Grjótagjá lava cave is near Iceland's Lake Mývatn. Kit Harington (Snow) and Rose Leslie (Ygritte) fell in love while filming amidst Iceland's stunning vistas.

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Brienne of Tarth Vs
The Hound
This area near Hengill volcano may seem familiar: it’s the backdrop for one of the show’s epic showdowns.

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The season 4 finale’s pivotal fight scene between Brienne and The Hound was shot here over 3 grueling days. Actress Gwendoline Christie (Brienne) described it as one of the toughest sequences she’s ever shot.

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Arya Leaves for Braavos
After Brienne defeats the Hound and Arya leaves him to die, she escapes and pauses for a moment atop the Öxarárfoss waterfall, before deciding to board a ship to Braavos.
Jon Snow and Co. Fight Bear
With over 11% of Iceland covered in glaciers, the Gigjokull glacier was chosen as the perfect setting to stage the group’s thrilling battle with an undead polar bear in season 7.

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The Bloody Gate
Does this seem vaguely familiar?

In 2 scenes of season 4 (one with Sansa and Littlefinger, another with Arya and the Hound), this area of the Thingvellir National Park was portrayed as the well-guarded entrance to Vale of Arryn.

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Eastwatch-by-the-Sea
This incredible jet-black beach from season 7 may have left an impression on you.

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On their quest to capture a wight alive, Jon and Co. land their boats at this black sandy shore (Reynisfjara Beach, Iceland) near the Eastwatch fortress.

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In season 8, Dany and Jon get off the dragons to share a moment by this waterfall (Skogafoss).
Daenerys and Jon On a Dragon-ride

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For the show, this waterfall was transformed into a bigger, two-tiered waterfall using CGI, but eagle-eyed fans were still able to pinpoint its location.

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Arrowhead Mountain
It's called Mt. Kirkjufell, and it also appeared in season 7, as the mountain that Jon and his wight-capturing gang encounter, beyond the Wall.
Known in the show as the “mountain shaped like an arrowhead”, it has appeared in the visions of both Bran and the Hound.

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Thanks to the popularity of such locations from Game of Thrones, Iceland’s annual tourism numbers have jumped from 500,000 to about 2.4 million tourists annually!