Seville, Spain. duncan 1890 Getty Images
With just days before the final series of Game of Thrones airs, you’d be forgiven if your mind is currently in the wilderness of Winterfell or the exotic gardens of Dorne - but you can do more than just dream about these fictional lands. All the settings were based on, and filmed in, very real locations.
Inevitably, as the show's air date draws closer, interest in travelling to the real Westeros has increased; flight comparison site Jetcost found that searches for flights to Game of Thrones filming locations increased by up to 240% in March. Similarly, Google Trends data revealed that searches for ‘Where is Game of Thrones filmed?’ increased by 180% in the past 30 days, while in the last week alone, searches for 'Game of Thrones filming locations’ was up 250%.
If set-jetting is your idea of an idyllic holiday, you’ll be impressed by the otherworldly backdrops that are undeniably as beautiful without the CGI. On these inspiring getaways, the likes of Yunkai, the Kingsroad and Eastwatch-by-the-Sea can be found without venturing too far, while you experience the finer things in life: think country spa hotels, Michelin-starred dining and villas with sparkling sea views.
From Northern Ireland to Croatia, these are the Game of Thrones locations to visit on a unique set-location holiday…
Sibenik, Croatia
Daisuke Kishi Getty Images
If you’ve ticked Dubrovnik off your list or prefer a lesser-known alternative, the city of Sibenik further north is equally as appealing – and with fewer crowds. The alleyways and squares of the honey-coloured old town were used as the setting of Braavos, where Arya train with the Faceless Men.
Fly to Split and stay at the sleek D-Resort Sibenik, a few kilometres from the historic centre and next to a buzzy marina. You can choose from rooms or villas with sea views and you’ll find superb amenities, like a rooftop running track and four different bars.
