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Best Game of Thrones Location Tour in Northern Ireland!
If you love Game of Thrones – this tour is for you
When I went to Belfast, Northern Ireland with my pal Jes, Season 7 of Game of Thrones was about to premier so we were super excited that we had booked the tour a couple of days beforehand. I had also just rewatched all previous seasons in preparation (obviously!).
It is really easy to book your tour tickets online and then meet the tour bus nice and early at Jury’s Inn in Belfast.
Now is the time to introduce Andy – our tour guide and part of the Stark Army! (He is also an extra in Vikings and Reign, both of which I watch and recommend).
Andy told us right upfront this was 100% a Game of Thrones tour; someone had previously asked him when the Troubles started to which he replied ‘they really began when Joffrey cut off Ned Starks head’.
All of the indoor scenes in the series are filmed in the Titanic Studios in Belfast, just along from the Titanic Museum. With the exception of major locations like the Kings Landing and Braavos scenes, which are filmed around Croatia; and the Dorne scenes, filmed in Seville; pretty much all the other outdoor scenes are filmed in Northern Ireland. Once you’ve seen those rugged mountains and dramatic coastlines it’s easy to see why!
The Game of Thrones Iron Islands and Stormlands tour
GoT Tour Stop: The Dark Hedges, Bregagh Road, Stranocum, Ballymoney
This hauntingly beautiful avenue of beech trees is amazing to see in person! This mystical road is Kings Road in season 2 episode 1. When Arya escapes Kings Landing with Gendry, Hot Pie and the others heading for the Nights Watch, the cart heads down Kings Road, through the archway of dark hedges.
Two of the trees fell during a storm and, very creatively, 10 doors were carved from them. They have been hung in various locations around Northern Ireland, and each depict an episode from Season 6. Keep reading to see which one is included in the tour!
GoT Tour Stop: Carnlough Harbour, Ballymena
In Season 6 episode 7, Arya gets stabbed by the Waif in Braavos and jumps into the river to get away. These scenes were filmed in Croatia, however in post-production they realised that they had missed a key scene and had to film her coming out of the water in Northern Ireland!
GoT Tour Stop: Larrybane Quarry
Larrybane Quarry is the location for Renly’s camp in season 2 episode 3, where Brienne of Tarth bests Ser Loras Tyrell and is awarded a place in Renly’s Kingsguard. Catelyn Stark brings news of Robb Stark’s rebellion and Renly swears to Catelyn he will avenge Ned Stark’s death and bring her Joffrey’s head when he takes Kings Landing.
This is also the location of the Iron Islands in season 6 episode 5, where Euron wins the Kingsmoot even after confessing to killing Balon Greyjoy. Yara, Theon and their supporters then flee the Iron Islands.
Every location we went to, Andy had pictures from the show which gave context and he talked about the scene/s that took place.
GoT Tour Stop: Cushendun Caves
In season 2 episode 4 Ser Davos took Melisandre to the caves where she gave birth to the dark spirit that killed Renly Baratheon.
The cave itself is cool and worth a look around, as is the little pebble beach it’s on.
GoT Tour Stop: Ballintoy Harbour
Ballintoy Harbour is a busy place in Game of Thrones! The harbour backs onto a beach – both of which are used for Iron Islands and Dragonstone locations.
In season 2 episode 2, the harbour is transformed into Pyke Island where Theon comes ashore. He is then accompanied home by his sister Yara, although she has yet to identify herself. In this same episode Ser Davos meets Salladhor Saan on a beach near Dragonstone and recruits him for the Battle of Blackwater Bay.
Ser Davos rescues Gendry from the dungeons at Dragonstone where Stannis and Melisandre are holding him so they can sacrifice him to the Lord of Light. Ser Davos puts Gendry in a rowing boat and sends him off on the longest rowing trip EVER! He leaves us in the tenth episode of season 3 and doesn’t turn up again until season 7!
On this same beach Theon dedicates his faith to the ‘Drowned God’, in season 2 episode 3. The tour provides costumes so you can become part of the Iron Born (don’t worry about feeling silly, you will be the odd one out if you don’t take part!).
GoT Tour Stop: Giants Causeway
The Giant’s Causeway obviously isn’t a filming location in GoT but it was good to have it included since you are going up that way (admission is included in the tour price). Formed 50-60 million years ago, this UNESCO World Heritage site consists of 40,000 interlocking basalt columns. According to legend, Irish warrior Fionn mac Cumhaill built the causeway so he could walk from Ireland to Scotland to fight a giant called Benandonner. The same formations are at Fingal’s Cave on the Isle of Staffa, on the west coast of Scotland.
Extra Game of Thrones Tour Info
As previously mentioned, 10 doors were carved out of the fallen beech trees from the Dark Hedges. The tour stops at the Fullerton Arms for lunch, home to door 6. They also have a custom built throne for you to pose on.
We passed a couple of other tours at different locations; one of the tour guides was a Wildling and the other was in the Nights Watch. We saw another at the beach for a surf!
Andy said as a general rule, anyone you see walking around Belfast with a beard is most likely an extra in Game of Thrones and Vikings!
If you’re a fan of Game of Thrones and heading for a getaway to Northern Ireland then this tour is a MUST! It was really jam packed, really informative about what goes on behind the scenes and everything that goes into the making of the show, and you get to see the beautiful Irish countryside while you’re at it!
When in Belfast
We stayed at the Premier Inn in Belfast City Centre. I like that you know what you’re getting with a Premier Inn hotel – comfort and a good location at reasonable prices.
While you’re in Belfast I highly recommend having a meal at Coppi!
They cater for gluten free, vegan and vegetarians, and it was all oh-so-tasty.
Located at Saint Anne’s Square, 11 Edward St, BT1 2LR.