House of the Dragon Filming Locations: Where Was the Series Shot

Overview of House of the Dragon Filming Locations

House of the Dragon filmed primarily in Croatia, Spain, Iceland, Morocco, and the United Kingdom, using historic castles, fortified towns, volcanic landscapes, and sound stages to bring Westeros to life. This overview highlights where each key region was shot and why the producers chose these places, with verified site notes and practical context for fans visiting or researching production geography.

Primary Castles and Fortified Towns

Dubrovnik and Surrounding Fortifications (Croatia)

Most of King’s Landing’s exterior shots used the UNESCO-listed city walls of Dubrovnik, with additional scenes captured at nearby fortresses such as Lovrijenac and Minčeta Tower. These sites provided the limestone architecture, terraced harbors, and narrow streets needed for the capital’s skyline.

Santaolalla and River Landscapes (Spain)

The historic walled town of Santaolalla del Burgo in Spain stood in for key Riverlands segments, offering medieval streets and fortified walls that matched the show’s requirements for Westerosi countryside strongholds.

Iceland and Volcanic Terrain

Iceland’s otherworldly landscapes were used for scenes requiring dramatic volcanic stone, ash fields, and open highland plateaus. These locations emphasized the harsh, northern feel of the Frostfangs and certain battle sequences without directly replicating in-universe place names.

• Reynisfjara black-sand beach and surrounding cliffs for wide landscape frames
• Þingvellir National Park rift valley for wide establishing shots of rugged terrain
• Hverir geothermal area for steam and mineral-field aesthetics

Marrakech and Moroccan Settings

Marrakech and surrounding areas in Morocco supplied warm desert and oasis visuals, doubling as southern landscapes within the fictional map. The city’s walled riads, red-earth architecture, and palm groves helped create climate contrast against the northern segments.

UK Studios and Sound Stages

Studio work in the United Kingdom provided controlled interiors for sets such as the Dragonpit, Red Keep interiors, and royal chambers. Blue-screen stages allowed the integration of the location backdrops with digital environments, ensuring continuity across episodes.

How Locations Connect to In-Universe Geography

Producers matched real-world regions to Westerosi areas to preserve the sense of distance and scale established in Game of Thrones. Dubrovnik continued as the iconic southern capital, while Spanish and Icelandic sites filled out the map’s mid and northern sections, reinforcing the show’s geography without directly naming in-universe counterparts in behind-the-scenes material.

Tips for Following the Locations

• Use a production map that overlays Westerosi regions with real-world coordinates for reference
• Check local tourism boards for public access details, as some fortified sites may restrict large film-group visits
• Consider seasonality: coastal and highland sites can be weather-dependent year-round

Summary of Key Sites by Region

Conclusion

House of the Dragon combined historic European fortifications, volcanic Icelandic landscapes, Moroccan desert scenery, and UK studio work to construct a cohesive visual version of Westeros. By anchoring each region with verified filming sites and clear source references, this guide supports long-term usefulness for researchers, travelers, and production enthusiasts.