The Extraordinary Game of Thrones Locations I have visited on my Travels in Iceland

The Game of Thrones TV-series is my favourite TV-series and I know that the same goes for many other viewers around the world. Game of Thrones has been filmed in many locations around the world, many of which are right here in my country, Iceland.

I, being an Iceland travel-blogger, have visited all of the Game of Throne 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.

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 such a favourite location of mine. 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 Village

The Common Wealth farm and the turf church

Close to Gjáin, you will find a turf house reconstruction of the excavated Viking longhouse Stöng, and a turf church.

It is called Þjóðveldisbærinn in Þjórsárdalur valley - the Common Wealth 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 Common Wealth farm

Wildlings attack a village was shot here at the Common Wealth 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 years old. 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 farms:

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 nature here 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 takes some doing to reach it, but a view into Stakkholtsgjá 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 a part of Eyjafjallajökull glacier, 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. It is all but gone now :(

I add 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 would recommend visiting during your Iceland visit. A large 4x4 jeep is needed here so I have only visited this area on guided tours.

A lovely Hike into the mysterious Stakkholtsgjá Canyon in South Iceland

A wonderful Tour to Þórsmörk Valley in South Iceland with Midgard Adventure 

The location of Stakkholtsgjá

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 add 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

The location of Þórsmörk

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, one of which includes Skógafoss waterfall. Skógafoss is one of Iceland's most majestic waterfalls and my favourite waterfall in Iceland.

This beautiful waterfall has got a drop of some 62 meters and a width of 25 meters and it is very easily accessible.

A Local's favourite Icelandic Waterfalls

Skógafoss waterfall was featured in the opening scene of the last Game of Throne series.

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 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 on 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 was filmed.

Behind me, in my photo below, you will see the black beach and the rock in the scene 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 volcanos in the vicinity.

Dyrhólaey

Here we will find both Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull glaciers beneath which the notorious Katla volcano hides. Katla volcano last erupted back in 1918, and we locals think that it might be due to 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

Location of Dyrhólaey

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 some extraordinary hidden pearls, which I have always considered to be something that could be straight out of the Game of Throne series.

These pearls of nature are called Þakgil and Remunargil canyons and are so 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 Throne location :)

Þakgil and Remundargil Canyons -  2 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 Mýrdalsjökull glacier the volcano Katla lies lurking; here can visit an ice-cave in Kötlujökull glacier all 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 Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon

Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon is 2 km long and at its deepest, it is 100 metres deep.

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 due to the preservation of the delicate vegetation.

Mögárfoss waterfall in Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon

The name of this canyon, Fjaðrárgljúfur, is a mouthful even for us locals :)

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:

Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon and the Diamond Beach - a Tour of the Jewels of the South Coast of Iceland

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 which Game of Throne 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.

And, here the Mid-Atlantic ridge passes through and the Eurasian and North-American tectonic plates can be seen above ground, so it is quite 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 last 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 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-throw from Reykjavík, so I visit it from time to time but have only got photos taken in the 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 Throne 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 goat of the farmer 

Þórufoss waterfall

Þórufoss waterfall is a lovely little waterfall in the salmon river Laxá in Kjós, that I always include it 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, and 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 small 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

Now, these are the Game of Throne locations I have visited in South-Iceland, but there are several other locations. Let's now visit West-Iceland.

Game of Throne 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 Snæfellsens peninsula in West-Iceland, if not the whole of Iceland.

This free-standing prominent mountain is the landmark of the fishing town Grundarfjörður.

Mt. Kirkjufell and Kirkjufellsfoss waterfall were first featured in the Game of Thrones scene below. Here you will see what the mountain looks like in autumn without the 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 Grundarfjörður fjord

The location of Mt. Kirkjufell

Now, let's move over to North-Iceland where you will see many of the Game of Throne locations.

Game of Thrones Locations in North-Iceland

Kálfaströnd and Höfði cape

Lava pillars at Kálfaströnd

At Kálfaströnd by Lake Mývatn, you will lava pillars in all shapes and form. They are called Klasar or St´rípar.

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 a postcard and assorted chocolate boxes. So we Icelanders grew up with this image from Kálfaströnd as being the icon for Mývatn.

Lava pillars at Kálfaströnd

Only a few years ago it was still allowed to walk between the lava pillars, but access has now been restricted due to the preservation of vegetation, as too many visitors wanted the 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 bit further in my travel-blog.

Another Game of Thrones scene was filmed right opposite from where my first photo was taken; the scene on Höfði peninsula. 

Photo taken from Höfði cape

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 became visible, I saw the most spectacular Northern Lights I have ever seen; and they 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 their scenes in the Mývatn area up in North-Iceland and I can understand why as this part of Iceland is just amazing. 

I think that the best-known Game of Thrones location here at Mývatn must be 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 the flash in the second photo, 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, trash has been left behind and the no-bathing sign was not respected so the farmers were forced to close one of the two entrances to the cave.

When I last visited the cave back in 2020 both the entrances were open though.

Grjótagjá cave

The photo above was taken back in 2014 when both entrances to the cave were still open. I tried dipping my feet in, but the water is 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 wonders of nature in this area.

It is believed that such geological formations as can be seen at Dimmuborgir, can nowhere else be seen 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, then 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

The location of Dimmuborgir 

Hverir geothermal area - the Corner of the Haunted Forest

Hverir geothermal area

The orange mountain Mt. Námafjall is right next to Hverarönd or Hverir, which is a large high-temperature geothermal area. Here the ground is hissing, bubbling, and boiling with steam rising from the ground in several places.

This area is often referred to as "eldhús djölfulsins" or the Devil's Kitchen and this whole area smells of strong sulfur, which can overwhelm you at times.

This is the only place where I have experienced sulfur poisoning when I inhaled too much of the steam in strong wind. I had nausea and headache for days afterward :(

Hverir geothermal area and Mt. Námafjall

I haven't been able to locate the scene, but 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 a visit to all these geothermal areas, as they are so colourful and otherworldly. 

Mývatn in North-Iceland - Part IV - Mt. Námafjall, Krafla & Leirhnjúkur Geothermal Areas

The location of Mt. Námafjall

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 sulfurous fumes?

This travel-blog of mine is only a short description of the Game of Thrones locations I have visited through 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 just link them all in this travel-blog as so many people are asking me if I have written a travel-blog about the Game of Thrones locations in Iceland.

There are many more locations in Iceland, which are like out of this world and could fit perfectly in 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 made a map with the Game of Thrones filming locations in Iceland.

Have a lovely time visiting the wonderful Game of Thrones locations in Iceland :)