Calling all Game of Thrones fans! Have you ever dreamt of walking where Jon Snow ventured beyond the north of the Wall? This article is your key to exploring the awe-inspiring filming locations of Game of Thrones in Iceland. From dramatic glaciers to black sand beaches, we’ll take you on a journey through the landscapes that brought Westeros to life.
Was Game of Thrones Filmed in Iceland?
Yes, many scenes from Game of Thrones were filmed in Iceland. Filming in Iceland began all the way back in Season 2 and continued through Seasons 3, 4, and 7.
Some of the most iconic scenes filmed in Iceland include Brienne of Tarth and The Hound’s fight in season 4, filmed in Thingvellir National Park, Bran’s meeting with the Night King in season 6, filmed at Kirkujufell and Jon Snow catching Ygritte in season 2, filmed near Skaftafell glacier. However, there are many more episodes where you’ll recognize Iceland’s landscapes, which we will cover below.
Where in Iceland was Game of Thrones Filmed? The Top Locations
Many of the Game of Thrones scenes was filmed in several stunning locations across Iceland, chosen for their dramatic landscapes and natural beauty. Here are the top filming locations:
- Oxararfoss Trail, Thingvellir National Park
- Nesjavellir, Thingvellir National Park
- Lake Myvatn
- Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach
- Kirkjufell Mountain
- Dimmuborgir
- Myrdalsjökull Glacier
- Gígjökull Glacier
- Svínafellsjökull Glacier
- Skogafoss waterfall
- Thjórsárdalur Valley
- Grjotagja Cave
Filming locations of GOT in Iceland on a map
Shooting location of ‘The Bloody Gate’: Oxararfoss Trail
The Oxararfoss Trail is located within the Almannagjá Gorge, a rift valley marking the divide between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates, in Thingvellir National Park, Iceland. The Bloody Gate in Game of Thrones was an ancient fortification guarding the entrance to the Eyrie. Two Stark sisters had scenes filmed here: Sansa Stark with Littlefinger on her way to her Aunt Lysa, and Arya Stark captured by the Hound.
It’s a fairly easy drive, about 45 minutes to 1 hour (48 km/30 miles) along the scenic Route 1 (The Ring Road) towards Mosfellsbær, followed by Þingvallavegur Road (Nr. 36). The road conditions are generally good and paved all the way, so both a 2WD or 4X4 vehicle would be suitable. However, we highly recommend a 4WD rental car if you’re visiting during the winter.
Route map to the filming location of ‘The Bloody Gate’ from Reykjavik
Shooting location of “Brienne & the Hound”: Nesjavellir, Thingvellir
Nesjavellir is located in southwestern Iceland, near the Hengill volcano, and is known for the Nesjavellir Geothermal Power Station, which is one of the largest geothermal power plants in Iceland. In this scene, Brienne of Tarth confronts the Hound (Sandor Clegane) near a steaming geothermal area, demanding he return Arya Stark.
Similar to Oxararfoss Trail, it’s an easy drive of about 45 minutes to 1 hour (48 km/30 miles) along Route 1 (The Ring Road) towards Mosfellsbær, followed by Þingvallavegur Road (Nr. 36). The roads are generally good with paved surfaces. For exploring Thingvellir National Park, the unesco world heritage site, a four-wheel drive vehicle is recommended, especially during winter months due to potential snow and icy conditions.
Route map to the filming location of “Brienne & the Hound” from Reykjavik
Shooting location of “Countryside of Meereen”: Thorufoss
Thorufoss is one of Iceland’s waterfalls located east of Lake Thingvallavatn in Iceland, a short detour off the famous Iceland Golden Circle route. This is where Daenerys Targaryen and her Dothraki army ride through the dramatic Icelandic countryside on their way to conquer Meereen.
It takes approximately 1 to 1.5 hours (around 42 km or 26.1 miles) to get to Thorufoss from Reykjavik, and the roads are a mix of paved and gravel. Given the mix of road conditions, a four-wheel drive vehicle is ideal, particularly during winter.
Route map to the filming location of ‘Countryside of Meereen” from Reykjavik
Shooting location of “The Fist of the First Men”: Myrdalsjokull
Mýrdalsjökull is an ice cap in the south of Iceland, north of the village Vík í Mýrdal. This glacier served as the backdrop for the Night’s Watch’s abandoned fortress, the Fist of the First Men. Jon Snow and his companions ventured here in Season 2 to establish a presence beyond the Wall, only to face a terrifying attack from the White Walkers.
Reaching Myrdalsjokull is a bit more challenging compared to other locations. It’s located south of Vik on the South Coast of Iceland. While the distance is only about 170 km (105 miles) from Reykjavik, accessing the glacier itself often requires joining a guided tour such as for snowmobiling, ice caving and glacier hiking. Due to the challenging terrain, a four-wheel drive vehicle is essential. However, even with a 4WD, it’s important to remember that you likely won’t be able to drive directly onto the glacier yourself.
Route map to the filming location of ‘The Fist of the First Men” from Reykjavik
Shooting location of ‘The Quest to Catch a Wight”: Gigjokull
Gigjokull is actually an outlet glacier of the much larger Eyjafjallajökull glacier in Iceland. In Season 7, this location served as the backdrop for Jon Snow’s daring mission beyond the Wall to capture a wight and prove the threat of the White Walkers.
Similar to Myrdalsjokull, reaching Gigjokull requires a bit more effort. The distance from Reykjavik is roughly 185 km (115 miles), taking about 2 hours, and you can take the same route as for Mýrdalsjökull, the South Coast Road (Route 1). Getting to the glacier itself usually involves joining a guided tour with specialized vehicles for navigating the rugged terrain. Since there is no direct road you can use to access the glacier itself, you will only need to drive on paved routes in order to access your tour meetup point, and therefore, both mid-size and full-size rental cars are suitable.
Route map to the filming location of “The Quest to Catch a Wight” from Reykjavik
Shooting location of “Miscellaneous Scenes Beyond the Wall”: Svinafellsjokull
Svinafellsjokull is an outlet glacier of Vatnajökull glacier. This location served as the backdrop for various scenes set beyond the Wall throughout Seasons 2 and 3, including encounters between the Night’s Watch, wildlings, and the undead.
Svinafellsjokull is situated within the Skaftafell Nature Reserve, which is located on the south coast of Iceland, roughly 300 km (185 miles) from Reykjavik. The drive takes approximately 4-5 hours. For exploring the area, a four-wheel drive vehicle is recommended, especially during winter months
Route map to the filming location of “Miscellaneous Scenes Beyond the Wall” from Reykjavik
Shooting location of ‘Jon Snow Rides a Dragon”: Skogafoss Waterfall
This iconic waterfall provided a dramatic backdrop for the romantic scene between Jon Snow and Daenerys Targaryen in Season 8.
Skógafoss is a much more accessible location than some of the other filming sites beyond the Wall. Situated on the south coast of Iceland, it’s roughly a two-hour drive (around 150 km or 93 miles) from Reykjavik. You can easily reach it via the Ring Road (Route 1). A four-wheel drive vehicle isn’t necessarily essential for reaching Skógafoss waterfall itself, as the road is paved and well-maintained.
Route map to the filming location of ‘Jon Snow Rides a Dragon” from Reykjavik
Shooting location of ‘Olly’s Village”: Thjodveldisbaerinn Stong
Þjóðveldisbær (Stöng) is situated in South Iceland, near the Haifoss waterfall and Gjain valley. This location served as the filming site for the fictional village of Hardhome, where Olly hails from and which is later destroyed by the White Walkers in Season 5.
The distance from Reykjavik is about 125 km (78 miles), which takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes to drive. Getting there involves taking rough and rocky roads, so a high-clearance vehicle is mandatory. Drivers will follow Route 1 south and take the turnoff onto Route 30, just past Selfoss. The final stretch will require a 4X4 vehicle, and depending on the time of year, you may encounter Iceland river crossings.
Route map to the filming location of ‘Olly’s Village” from Reykjavik
Shooting location of ‘Catching a Wight”: Stakkholtsgja Gully
Stakkholtsgjá is a moss-covered canyon that served as the backdrop for Jon Snow’s expedition beyond the Wall to capture a wight in Season 7.
Reaching Stakkholtsgjá requires some planning and understanding of Iceland F-road travel. It’s roughly 160 km (100 miles) away from Reykjavik to the south, but the journey can take 3-4 hours depending on the road conditions and chosen route. You’ll either need a four-wheel drive vehicle with an off-road driving experience or opt for a guided tour.
Route map to the filming location of ‘Catching a Wight” from Reykjavik
Shooting location of ‘Eastwatch-By-the-Sea”: Reynisfjara Beach
Iceland’s most iconic black sand beach served as the filming location for Eastwatch-by-the-Sea, the easternmost castle of the Night’s Watch in Game of Thrones.
Reaching Reynisfjara Beach is very straightforward, as it’s a popular stop on Iceland’s Ring Road. The beach is about 185 km (115 miles) away, and the drive takes about 2.5 hours. The entire route is paved, so you can choose basically any rental vehicle based on your group size, amount of luggage, and time of year. There’s even a parking lot where you can leave your vehicle while you explore on foot.
Route map to the filming location of ‘Eastwatch-By-the-Sea” from Reykjavik
Shooting location of ‘Ygritte & Jon’s Love Cave”: Grjotagja Cave
Grjotagja Cave is a small lava cave with a geothermal hot spring located near Lake Myvatn in North Iceland. The cave served as the background for the intimate scene between Jon Snow and Ygritte in Season 3.
Grjótagjá Cave is around 465 km (290 miles) from Reykjavik, and the drive takes approximately 5-6 hours, depending on road conditions. Be prepared for a mix of paved roads along Route 1 and gravel tracks on Route 848 as you approach the lake. For this reason, we recommend a 4X4 rental vehicle. Winter conditions can be harsh, so check road updates at road.is beforehand.
Route map to the filming location of ‘Ygritte & Jon’s Love Cave” from Reykjavik
Shooting location of ‘Rayder’s Wildling Camp”: Dimmuborgir Lava Field
The Dimmuborgir Lava Field is a vast area of solidified lava located east of Lake Myvatn in northern Iceland. Its name translates to “Dark Castles” in Icelandic language. This was the location of Mance Rayder’s wildling camp in Season 3 of Game of Thrones.
The journey from Reykjavik is approximately 480 km (300 miles) and takes 5-6 hours, depending on road conditions. You’ll be driving a mix of paved roads (Route 1) and well-maintained gravel tracks (Route 847). Renting a four-wheel drive vehicle is recommended, however, as Dimmuborgir is easily accessible and has designated parking areas, a more compact rental car may also be suitable.
Route map to the filming location of ‘Rayder’s Wildling Camp” from Reykjavik
Shooting location of ‘Corner of The Haunted Forest”: Hverir
The Hverar Geothermal Area is full of steaming vents, mud pools, and colorful mineral deposits, located near Lake Myvatn. It was the filming location for the scenes set at the edge of the Haunted Forest in Seasons 6 and 7. Here, Bran Stark has visions and encounters the Night King.
The distance from Reykjavik is 480 km (300 miles) and takes 5-6 hours, depending on road conditions. The route is basically the same as Dimmuborgir, following Route 1 and Route 847. A 4WD vehicle is recommended, especially during winter, however, it likely won’t be necessary if you’re driving directly to Hverar.
Route map to the filming location of ‘Corner of The Haunted Forest” from Reykjavik
Shooting location of ‘The Mountain Shaped like an Arrowhead”: Mt. Kirkjufell
Mt. Kirkjufell, also known as “Church Mountain,” appears in a few visions throughout the series. In Season 6, the Hound sees the mountain engulfed in flames. Bran Stark also sees the mountain during his visions of the creation of the White Walkers.
Kirkjufell is situated on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula in West Iceland. The drive is around 180 km (112 miles) along a mix of paved roads (Route 1 and Snæfellsnesvegur), taking approximately 2-3 hours. The area is very easily accessible, so choose a rental car based on comfort and budget.
Route map to the filming location of ‘The Mountain Shaped like an Arrowhead” from Reykjavik
Relive Game of Thrones in Iceland
Exploring the incredible landscapes of Iceland is like stepping into the world of Westeros. To make your adventure seamless and enjoyable, book your rental car with Hertz Iceland. With a wide range of vehicles suitable for all seasons and terrains, Hertz Iceland ensures you have the perfect ride for your Game of Thrones expedition.
