The Game of Thrones TV series has been filmed in many locations around the world, many of which are right here in my country, Iceland.
As an Iceland travel blogger, I have visited all of the Game of Thrones locations on my travels in Iceland and written travel blogs about most of them.
There are, for sure, some spectacular Game of Thrones locations here, which are well worth a visit. Now, let's have a look at them.
Top photo: Gjáin in Þjórsárdalur valley
Gjáin - Arya and the Hound - the Water Dance
Gjáin and the waterfall in the Game of Thrones scene
Gjáin is a breathtakingly beautiful oasis hidden away in Þjórsárdalur valley upcountry in South Iceland. I call it one of Iceland's hidden pearls of nature, a delicate beauty that looks like a fairytale world.
Here we find ourselves right by the central highland of Iceland, in Viking country, right next to the excavated ruins of the old Viking longhouse Stöng.
This beautiful oasis was a fitting filming location for the Water Dance. I was in awe when I watched this episode, as Gjáin is one of my favourite locations. And nothing was digitally added to it, as in some other locations, as its beauty is just magical.
Gjáin & my friend Jórunn at My Iceland Guide
Since the Game of Thrones scene was filmed at Gjáin, there has been an increase in visitors, so let's tread lightly here to keep Gjáin intact.
Some years ago, I wrote a travel blog about Gjáin, where you can see many more photos and information about this beautiful place. This is a summer visit only.
Gjáin in Þjórsárdalur Valley, Upcountry, Iceland - One of Iceland's Pearls of Nature
The location of Gjáin in Þjórsárdalur
Commonwealth Turf Farm - Wildlings attack the Village
The Common Wealth Farm and the turf church
Close to Gjáin, you will find a turf house, a reconstruction of the excavated Viking longhouse Stöng, and a turf church.
It is called Þjóðveldisbærinn in Þjórsárdalur valley - the Commonwealth farm - and is open as a museum in the summertime. It is such a lovely place.
These surroundings were ideal for filming a Game of Thrones scene.
The Commonwealth Farm
Wildlings attack a village, which was shot here at the Commonwealth farm, where all the inhabitants of the farm were killed by the Wildlings, apart from the small boy, Olly.
I was startled when I watched this episode, as I know this place so well, having first visited it when I was 10. And to watch such a violent scene in these serene surroundings had quite an impact on me.
Here is a link to the scene.
Inside Þjóðveldisbærinn
But then my ancestors were the Vikings, and our Sagas are filled with stories about bloody Viking battles. I have written a travel blog about the Reconstructed Saga-Age Farm and Stöng, the ruins of the original Viking turf longhouse, with many more photos, also of the inside of the farm.
Stöng - Ruins of a Real Viking Settlement Manor and the Reconstructed Saga-Age Farm in Iceland
The location of the Reconstructed Saga-Age Farm Þjóðveldisbærinn
Stakkholtsgjá Canyon - John Snow and co capture Wight
Stakkholtsgjá
Stakkholtsgjá canyon is one of my favourite canyons in Iceland, as it is so majestic and mysterious.
And when I reach the waterfall hidden away at the end of the canyon, I always feel like I am in the middle of a Game of Thrones scene, as the surrounding nature is amazing.
And sure enough, you can see this canyon in one of the episodes of Game of Thrones, not the waterfall though, as it is a bit difficult to reach, but a view into canyon.
Parts of the waterfall in Stakkholtsgjá canyon - this canyon is for sure straight out of Game of Thrones.
Stakkholtsgjá canyon is around 2 km long and up to 100 m deep. And, you will have to wade a couple of small rivers and climb on wet rocks to reach the end of the canyon. But it is so rewarding.
The Game of Thrones scene is shot in the snow, but in my opinion, Stakkholtsgjá canyon is more majestic in the summertime.
Gígjökull glacier was supposedly also seen in this episode, although I didn't recognize it.
Gígjökull glacier
The glacier tongue is part of Eyjafjallajökull, remember the glacier with the hard-to-pronounce name which caused havoc in air traffic back in 2010!
I have visited Gígjökull 4 times: in 2013, 2014, 2016, and 2018, so I have seen it shrinking right before my eyes.
I added a photo from my 2013 visit so you can see how majestic it was back then. And a photo from my 2018 visit.
Gígjökull in 2018 - it has shrunk quite a bit.
I have written a travel blog about the beautiful Stakkholtsgjá canyon, which I recommend visiting during your trip to Iceland. A large 4x4 jeep is needed here, so I have only visited this area on guided tours.
A fantastic Hike into the mysterious Stakkholtsgjá Canyon in South Iceland
A wonderful Tour to Þórsmörk Valley in South Iceland with Midgard Adventure
The location of Eyjafjallajökull and Gígjökull Glacier
Þórsmörk
Inside the Singing Cave
Parts of the snowy scenes of Game of Thrones are filmed in Þórsmörk, where Stakkholtsgjá is located.
I find this place to be so beautiful in the summertime that I added some photos to show you.
The photo above was taken in Sönghellir - the Singing Cave in Þórsmörk, which is one of the magical locations in this beautiful place.
Þórsmörk
The contrasts here are extraordinary, so I highly recommend a summer visit, either on a guided tour or by renting a car; a large 4x4 jeep is needed to visit this area. You can also catch the Þórsmörk bus.
The wonderful Þórsmörk Valley in South Iceland
South Iceland - Game of Thrones locations
Skógafoss waterfall - Jon Snow rides a dragon
Skógafoss waterfall and the troll
Several Game of Thrones scenes were filmed in South Iceland, including one featuring Skógafoss waterfall.
Skógafoss is one of Iceland's most majestic waterfalls and my favourite waterfall in Iceland.
This beautiful waterfall has a drop of some 62 meters and a width of 25 meters, and it is very easily accessible.
Skógafoss waterfall was featured in the opening scene of the final season of Game of Thrones.
Skógafoss waterfall often sports beautiful rainbows
You will see the majestic Skógafoss waterfall in the video below at minute 3:23, but another waterfall has been added above it to make it even more majestic.
I think it is majestic as it is, but I must admit that I loved the addition to the scene :)
Here is a link to the scene.
Skógafoss with a double rainbow
You can find out more about Skógafoss in my two travel blogs about this majestic waterfall:
The spectacular Skógafoss Waterfall in South Iceland and the Legend of the Treasure Chest
The beautiful Waterfalls of South Iceland; Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss & Gljúfrabúi
The location of Skógafoss waterfall
Dyrhólaey - Eastwatch by the Sea
Dyrhólaey promontory
Dyrhólaey island - Door Hill island, is a black promontory in South Iceland with a huge rock arch. And it is the location where Eastwatch by the sea and the wall were filmed.
Behind me, in the photo below, you will see the black beach and the rock where they landed. Of course, it was digitally altered, and the wall was added to the scene.
But you will recognize the rock in the scene.
Here is a link to the scene.
Most of Iceland's beaches are black beaches, as here we are in volcano territory with glacial outwash from massive eruptions in the volcanoes in the vicinity.
Dyrhólaey
Here we will find both Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull glaciers, beneath which the notorious Katla volcano lurks. Katla volcano last erupted in 1918, and we locals think it might erupt anytime now.
Be careful when visiting Dyrhólaey as landslides have been known to happen here. So let's always respect closures in this location.
I have written another travel blog about Dyrhólaey:
Cape Dyrhólaey in South Iceland - the One with the big Arch
Höfðabrekkuheiði - Mýrdalsjökull glacier
Hjörleifshöfði promontory in the distance
The road Kerlingardalsvegur, just north-east of Vík village, will take you to Höfðabrekkuheiði heath, where the Frostfang mountains are supposed to be filmed.
It was shot in the snow, and I am awful at recognizing snow-covered landscapes.
But I have heard that it was shot in this area. And, I noticed that Jon Snow was looking at the same scenery as in the photo above in one of the shots in the video below.
Remundargil canyon
I have visited the area further up this road, where you will find extraordinary hidden pearls that I have always considered could be straight out of Game of Thrones.
These pearls of nature are called Þakgil and Remundargil canyons and are well worth a visit.
Here is my travel blog about the canyons, and you be the judge of whether or not Remundargil looks like a Game of Thrones location :)
Þakgil and Remundargil Canyons - Two Magical Hidden Gems in South Iceland
The location of Þakgil and Remundargil canyons
The Katla Ice Cave also looks like a location in Game of Thrones, don't you agree?
In the Mýrdalsjökull glacier, the volcano Katla lies lurking; here, we can visit an ice cave in the Kötlujökull glacier year-round.
I have written a travel blog about my visit to the ice cave:
The spectacular Katla Ice Cave in South Iceland is open all Year round
Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon
Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon
Fjaðrárgljúfur is a magnificent serpent-shaped canyon in South Iceland.
This canyon was made famous, so to speak, when Justin Bieber visited it back in 2015 and shot parts of his music video "I'll show you".
I think it will become even more popular since it was featured in Game of Thrones.
A serpent-like rock in the Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon
Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon is 2 km long and at its deepest reaches 100 metres.
Fjaðrá river runs through the canyon, and you can visit the canyon either from the top (stay on the paths), or wade the river in the summertime.
The canyon is sometimes closed to preserve the delicate vegetation.
The name of this canyon, Fjaðrárgljúfur, is a mouthful even for us locals :)
Mögárfoss waterfall in Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon
Recent Game of Thrones scenes were filmed in Fjaðrárgljúfur, and in the official trailer, where you will see the dragons flying in the canyon. The scene starts at 1:08.
I have written another travel blog about Fjaðrárgljúfur, where you will see many photos and information about this strangely shaped canyon:
The Picturesque Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon in South Iceland
The location of Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon
Svínafellsjökull glacier - North of the Wall
Svínafellsjökull glacier
Jon Snow and Ygritte met for the first time at Svínafellsjökull glacier, an outlet glacier of Vatnajökull, Iceland's largest glacier.
It is a beautiful location, especially on sunny days. In front of the glacier, you will find a glacial lagoon on which icebergs, which have calved from the glacier tongue, float.
Fractures in Svínafellsheiði and a potential rockslide on Svínafellsjökull
Svínafellsjökull glacier
There are many rocks, and I haven't got a photo of Ygritte's rock, as I visited Svínafellsjökull before the scene was aired.
I visited Svínafellsjökull glacier on the following tour of the south coast of Iceland, which took us all the way to Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon:
The location of Svínafellsjökull glacier
Svartifoss waterfall in Skaftafell
Next to the Svínafellsjökull glacier, you will find the beautiful Skaftafell oasis. Skaftafell should not be missed while visiting this area, as a relatively easy hike will take you to an elegant-looking waterfall, Svartifoss - the Black Fall, which is heart-shaped and set in black basalt columns.
Svartifoss & other astonishing Attractions in Skaftafell in South Iceland
You can also go on a glacier hike here with glacier guides. Never go unaccompanied on a glacier, as it can be very dangerous with deadly crevasses, and only trained glacier guides know which areas are safe enough to hike in.
Þingvellir - Stekkjargjá - The Bloody Gate
Þingvellir
Yet another beautiful location that Game of Thrones used as a filming location is Þingvellir National Park, one of Iceland's best-known historical places and a sacred place to us Icelanders.
Here, the Vikings established their first parliament back in 930, and it is a UNESCO Heritage site.
Here, the Mid-Atlantic Ridge passes through, as it were, and the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates can be seen above ground, making it a unique location.
And a perfect location for shooting a scene from Game of Thrones.
Þingvellir
The Bloody Gate was filmed here in one of the fissures at Þingvellir, Stekkjargjá. I took my photos on my birthday in March when a beautiful, thick white carpet of snow made this spot even more mystical.
Two scenes were shot at this location. There is a scene when Arya and the Hound arrive at the Bloody Gate. It has been digitally altered.
The location of Þingvellir National Park.
Nesjavellir - Brienne of Tarth vs the Hound
Dyrafjöll
Close to Þingvellir national park and Lake Þingvallavatn, you will find the Hengill lava field.
There, the scene of Brienne of Tarth vs the Hound was filmed.
My photo above was taken at Dyrafjöll, which leads to the area below where the scene was shot at Sporhelludalir.
This area is just a stone's throw from Reykjavík, so I visit it from time to time, but I've only taken photos at dusk. 
Sporhelludalir
I have written a travel blog about a hike through the colourful Hengill geothermal area at Nesjavellir, if you want to include a beautiful mud pot and hot spring hike to your Game of Thrones locations visit to this area.
A very colourful Hike through the Hengill Geothermal Area at Nesjavellir in South-West Iceland
And on the other side of Hengill, you will find Reykjadalur valley, where you can bathe in a warm river:
Reykjadalur Valley - Bathe in a Hot River in South Iceland!
The location of Dyrafjöll and Hengill
Þórufoss waterfall - Drogon eats the farmer's goat
Þórufoss waterfall
Þórufoss waterfall is a lovely little waterfall in the salmon river Laxá in Kjós, which I always include in the Golden Circle tour.
Þórufoss is 18 m high and much less visited than the other attractions on the Golden Circle. It is located west of Þingvellir national park.
Þórufoss waterfall is featured in the scene where Drogon appears in the canyon, grabs one of the goats, and flies away with it.
Here is a link to the scene at Þórufoss
Þórufoss waterfall
It is well worth it to include this little waterfall in your Golden Circle tour, especially if you are an avid Game of Thrones fan. It is but a slight detour and doesn't take long to visit.
I have written many travel blogs about the Golden Circle locations. Here is my travel blog about a Golden Circle tour I joined:
A Local's Experience of the Golden Circle Tour in Iceland
The location of Þórufoss waterfall
These are the Game of Thrones locations I have visited in South Iceland, but there are several others. Now, let's visit West Iceland.
Game of Thrones locations in West Iceland
Kirkjufell - the mountain shaped like an arrowhead
Mt. Kirkjufell and Kirkjufellsfoss waterfall
Mt. Kirkjufell - the Church Mountain (463 m) is the most-photographed mountain on the Snæfellsnes peninsula in West Iceland, if not the whole of Iceland.
This free-standing prominent mountain is the landmark of the fishing town of Grundarfjörður.
Mt. Kirkjufell and Kirkjufellsfoss waterfall were first featured in the Game of Thrones scene below. Here you can see what the mountain looks like in autumn, without snow.
Here is a link to the scene.
Mt. Kirkjufell
While everybody else is taking the traditional photo of Mt. Kirkjufell, my traditional photo of the mountain is the one above, away from the crowds.
I have written a whole series of travel blogs in 5 parts about things to see and do on the Snæfellsnes peninsula, and I dedicated one of the side blogs of that series to Mt. Kirkjufell and Kirkjufellsfoss waterfall.
Mt. Kirkjufell & Kirkjufellsfoss in Grundarfjörður - the most photographed Mountain in Snæfellsnes
Mt. Kirkjufell in the Grundarfjörður fjord
The location of Mt. Kirkjufell
Now, let's move over to North Iceland, where you will see many of the Game of Thrones locations.
Game of Thrones Locations in North Iceland
Kálfaströnd and Höfði cape
Lava pillars at Kálfaströnd
At Kálfaströnd by Lake Mývatn, you will see lava pillars in all shapes and forms. They are called Klasar or Strípar.
While watching Game of Thrones, I spotted these beautiful lava pillars in the background of one scene.
These lava pillars are the landmark of the Mývatn area, depicted on many postcards and chocolate boxes. So we Icelanders grew up with this image of Kálfaströnd as the icon of Mývatn.
Lava pillars at Kálfaströnd
Only a few years ago, it was still possible to walk between the lava pillars, but access has now been restricted to preserve vegetation.
Too many visitors wanted to visit this area since the airing of the Game of Thrones scene. But you can still get very close to them.
You can see the lava pillars in the Game of Thrones episode. And also the love scene, which was linked to Grjótagjá cave, a little further in my travel blog.
Photo taken from the Höfði cape
Another Game of Thrones scene was filmed right opposite the location of my first photo: the one on the Höfði peninsula.
Höfði peninsula used to be barren, but the proprietors of the peninsula planted thousands of trees while staying at Mývatn for their summer holidays, creating this beautiful little haven for us to visit now.
The Höfði scene where Samwell Tarly was too tired to walk was shot in the snow, but all my photos from the Mývatn area are summer photos.
I have visited Mývatn countless times through the years, as my husband's family owns land here, but I have yet to visit Mývatn in the wintertime.
But on a September night one year when the Northern Lights were visible, I saw the most spectacular display I have ever seen, and it lit up the sky for hours on end!
I took one of the Northern Lights photos in my travel blog below on that beautiful night at Mývatn.
Snow and Northern Lights in Reykjavík, the Capital City of Iceland
I tell you about both these locations, Kálfaströnd and Höfði peninsula, in the first part of my series of Mývatn travel blogs, where you can see many more photos and information about this lovely area:
The amazing Mývatn Area in North Iceland - Part I
The location of Höfði and Kálfastrandavogar
Grjótagjá - Ygritte's and Jon's love cave?
Grjótagjá cave
Game of Thrones shot several of its scenes in the Mývatn area up in North Iceland, and I can understand why, as this part of Iceland is just amazing.
I think the best-known Game of Thrones location here in Mývatn is Grjótagjá lava cave, which is half-filled with hot blue water. Or was this cave depicted in the Game of Thrones series?
Grjótagjá is the supposed location of Jon Snow and Ygritte's cave and love scene. It was filmed in a studio, though, as far as I know.
The cave is privately owned by the farmers at the nearby Vogar farm. It is forbidden to dip into the hot water, as it is way too hot to bathe in.
Grjótagjá cave
It doesn't look like the cave in the scene, but it is a beautiful cave all the same, and well worth a visit.
The difference between the two photos of Grjótagjá above is that I used flash in the first photo and skipped it in the second, which gives the water the most amazing blue colour.
Unfortunately, since the cave became so popular, some people started treating it like it was their own, leaving trash behind and not respecting the no-bathing sign, so the farmers were forced to close one of the two entrances to the cave.
When I last visited the cave, both entrances were open, though.
Grjótagjá cave
In the photo above, I tried dipping my feet in, but the water was extremely hot.
Let's treat this beautiful little cave with respect, take only photos of it, and leave this little gem intact, so it doesn't have to be shut down.
I have written many travel blogs about the spectacular Mývatn area, one in particular about the geothermal hot pools:
Mývatn in North Iceland - Part III - Grjótagjá, Stóragjá & the Mývatn Naturebaths
The location of Grjótagjá cave
Dimmuborgir - Mance Rayder's camp
Dimmuborgir
Dimmuborgir - the Dark Fortress at Mývatn, is one of the best-known and most visited natural wonders in this area.
It is believed that geological formations such as those seen at Dimmuborgir cannot be seen anywhere else in the world, i.e., above ground.
Stepping into this area is like stepping into a world of fairy tales, so it was used as the location for one of the Game of Thrones scenes where Jeor Mormont leads a group of Night Watchers through the snow north of the wall (info from Ferðamálastofa - the Icelandic Tourist Board).
Dimmuborgir lava formations
The scene is filmed in the snow, but the photos in my travel blog were taken in the summertime.
As I told you earlier in this travel blog, I have such a hard time recognizing the landscape in the snow, but somewhere around Dimmuborgir, this scene was filmed.
I have written a travel blog about the Dimmuborgir lava field, where I show you both the lava church formation and the hidden Cave of the Yule Lads.
Mývatn in North Iceland - Part II - Dimmuborgir Lava Field & the Cave of the Yule Lads
Hverir geothermal area - the Corner of the Haunted Forest
Hverir geothermal area
The orange mountain, Mt. Námafjall, is right next to Hverir, which is a large high-temperature geothermal area. Here, the ground hisses, bubbles, and boils, with steam rising in several places.
This area is often referred to as "eldhús djölfulsins," or the Devil's Kitchen, and this whole area smells of strong sulphur, which can overwhelm you at times.
This is the only place where I have experienced sulphur poisoning, from inhaling too much steam in strong winds. I had nausea and headache for days afterward :(
Hverir geothermal area and Mt. Námafjall
I haven't been able to locate the scene, but I have heard that the steam at Hverir was used to create the illusion of a blizzard in Season 3.
I have written a travel blog about the Krafla geothermal area and recommend visiting all these geothermal areas, as they are so colourful and otherworldly.
Mývatn in North Iceland - Part IV - Mt. Námafjall, Krafla & Leirhnjúkur Geothermal Areas
Here you can see what the actors and the crew thought about shooting the scenes at Mývatn.
Do you see the feet of the person to the left, totally covered by the sulphurous fumes?
This travel blog is only a brief description of the Game of Thrones locations I have visited over the years on my travels in Iceland, many of which I wrote about before they were chosen as locations for the Game of Thrones.
I thought I would link them all in this travel blog, as so many people were asking me if I had written a travel blog about the Game of Thrones locations in Iceland.
Many more locations in Iceland could fit perfectly into a Game of Thrones scene.
In Dimmuborgir
You can join a tour or rent a car and visit the Game of Thrones locations on your own.
For Stakkholtgjá and Þórsmörk, you will need a large 4x4 jeep.
Laurence and Jessika Norah created a map with the Game of Thrones filming locations in Iceland.
