Northern Ireland hosted eight seasons of Game of Thrones plus Derry Girls, Line of Duty and major films. Here is where to go, what to see and which tours to book.
Northern Ireland is a leading screen-tourism destination. Game of Thrones filmed exteriors at over 25 locations, including the Dark Hedges, Castle Ward and Ballintoy Harbour. Derry Girls and Line of Duty used Derry and Belfast sites. The official studio tour at Banbridge displays original sets, costumes and props.
Northern Ireland has quietly become one of Europe's most productive screen hubs. The centrepiece is Game of Thrones, which filmed across all eight seasons between 2011 and 2019, using Titanic Studios in Belfast as its production base and more than 25 exterior locations across counties Antrim and Down. Winterfell, the Iron Islands, the Kingsroad, Dragonstone and the Dothraki Sea were all shot here.
The screen pedigree goes much further. Derry Girls filmed on Derry's city walls and streets, Line of Duty used various Belfast and regional sites, and The Fall and Blue Lights both shot in the capital. Films including Dracula Untold at Mount Stewart, Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Among Thieves near Carrickfergus and The Northman at Belfast Harbour Studios add to the list, and a new series, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, filmed Northern Ireland exteriors in 2026.
The productions below shaped modern screen tourism in Northern Ireland. Game of Thrones remains the biggest draw, but comedy, crime drama and blockbuster films have all left their mark, and Tourism NI's SCENic Route map highlights 20 film and TV locations for visitors keen to explore beyond Westeros.
| Title | Year | Type | What was filmed here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Game of Thrones | 2011-2019 | TV | Extensive exteriors across Antrim and Down counties including Winterfell, Iron Islands, Kingsroad, Dragonstone, and Dothraki Sea |
| Derry Girls | 2018-2022 | TV | Derry city walls and streets |
| Line of Duty | 2012-2021 | TV | Various Belfast and regional sites |
| The Fall | 2013-2016 | TV | Belfast locations |
| Hope Street | 2021- | TV | Northern Ireland sites |
| Blue Lights | 2023- | TV | Belfast and studio work |
| Dracula Untold | 2014 | Film | Mount Stewart |
| Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Among Thieves | 2023 | Film | Carrickfergus area |
| The Northman | 2022 | Film | Belfast Harbour Studios and locations |
| Lift | 2024 | Film | Bangor |
| The School for Good and Evil | 2022 | Film | Belfast Harbour Studios |
| Krypton | 2018-2019 | TV | Belfast studios |
| A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms | 2026 | TV | Northern Ireland exteriors |
| The Frankenstein Chronicles | 2015-2017 | TV | Various NI locations |
| An Irish Goodbye | 2022 | Film | Northern Ireland sites |
12 locations. The map loads when it scrolls into view.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
County Antrim, Armoy/Stranocum Free to see
Filmed here: The Kingsroad (Season 2, Arya escapes)
This avenue of beech trees near Armoy and Stranocum served as the Kingsroad in Season 2, when Arya escapes King's Landing. The road is now closed to traffic, with free parking nearby at Gracehill House. It gets busy, so an early visit is the best way to photograph the tunnel of trees.
County Down, Strangford Ticketed
Filmed here: Winterfell exteriors and courtyard (Season 1 pilot and more)
A National Trust property near Strangford in County Down, Castle Ward provided the Winterfell exteriors and courtyard, appearing from the Season 1 pilot onward. Entry fees apply and a farm trail highlights the filming spots, making it one of the most complete Game of Thrones experiences for fans.
County Antrim, Ballintoy Free to see
Filmed here: Lordsport Harbour, Pyke (Iron Islands scenes, Theon baptism)
This small harbour on the Causeway Coast stood in for Lordsport Harbour on Pyke, site of the Iron Islands scenes including Theon's baptism. Access is free, though the road down is steep and the car park small. The village pub nearby displays a carved Game of Thrones door.
County Antrim, Cushendun Free to see
Filmed here: Melisandre’s cave
The sea caves at Cushendun played Melisandre's cave. Reached by a short beach walk and free to visit, they sit on the Causeway Coast, so they combine easily with Ballintoy Harbour and other Antrim locations on a coastal drive.
County Down, Newcastle Free to see
Filmed here: Haunted Forest, lands around Winterfell
Near Newcastle in County Down, Tollymore Forest Park featured as the Haunted Forest and the lands around Winterfell. There is an entry fee for parking, and walking trails wind past ancient trees and arches. It suits visitors who want scenery alongside the screen connections.
County Antrim, Bushmills Ticketed
Filmed here: Pyke Castle (Iron Islands)
These historic ruins near Bushmills became Pyke Castle of the Iron Islands. Paid entry applies, and the dramatic cliff-top location makes it one of the most photogenic stops on the Antrim coast, within easy reach of the Giant's Causeway and Portstewart Strand.
County Londonderry, Portstewart Free to see
Filmed here: Coast of Dorne (Season 5, Jaime and Bronn)
This National Trust beach in County Londonderry played the coast of Dorne in Season 5, where Jaime and Bronn land. Access is free or costs a small fee. The sweeping dunes and views make it a worthwhile stop even for travellers with no interest in the show.
County Londonderry, Castlerock Free to see
Filmed here: Dragonstone beach (Stannis scenes)
Downhill Strand near Castlerock served as the Dragonstone beach, featuring in Stannis's scenes. The beach is scenic and drive-on, with the clifftop Mussenden Temple as a striking viewpoint. Access to the beach itself is free.
County Down, Downpatrick Free to see
Filmed here: Robb Stark’s camp, Riverrun
The ruins at Inch Abbey near Downpatrick stood in for Robb Stark's camp at Riverrun. The site is accessible on a short walk, free or at low cost, and pairs naturally with Castle Ward and Tollymore for a County Down Game of Thrones circuit.
County Antrim, Ballycastle Free to see
Filmed here: Iron Islands (Theon and Yara, Davos shipwreck)
A remote coastal spot near Ballycastle, Murlough Bay appeared in the Iron Islands, with Theon, Yara and Davos's shipwreck among the scenes shot here. Access involves parking and a walk, and it remains free. Solitude is part of the appeal.
County Antrim, Ballintoy Ticketed
Filmed here: Renly’s camp, Stormlands
Larrybane Quarry near Ballintoy hosted Renly's camp in the Stormlands. The site sits beside the famous Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge, a National Trust location with fees for the bridge, so a visit can combine two attractions in one stop.
County Antrim, Larne Private property
Filmed here: Castle Black, Hardhome, The Wall
Magheramorne Quarry near Larne stood in for Castle Black, Hardhome and The Wall. The quarry setting is privately owned with limited public access, so most visitors view it from a distance or hear about it on guided tours rather than walking the sets.
Northern Ireland's studio infrastructure underpins its screen success. The Game of Thrones Studio Tour at Linen Mill Studios in Banbridge is the official immersive experience, open daily with tickets required, displaying original sets, costumes and props from the show. Titanic Studios in Belfast's Titanic Quarter, the former Paint Hall where the production was based, is a working facility with exteriors visible but no public tours. Belfast Harbour Studios in Giant's Park is a purpose-built complex used for multiple productions including The Northman. Northern Ireland Screen, the government-backed agency, provides production support and location resources, and Tourism NI's SCENic Route map points visitors to 20 film and TV locations across the region.
Guided tours fall into two broad types: the official studio tour at Banbridge, and day trips from Belfast or Dublin that pair Game of Thrones locations with the Giant's Causeway and the Causeway Coast. Private options suit travellers who want flexibility and a dedicated guide, while coach tours handle the driving on Antrim's narrow coastal roads. Visitors based in Dublin can join transfers direct to the studio tour.
From Dublin: Game of Thrones Studio Tour with Coach Transfer
Coach transfer from Dublin with studio tour admission included, rated 4.8 from 2175 reviews, from $76.
Official Game of Thrones Studio Tour Admission Ticket
Direct admission to the official studio tour at Banbridge, rated 4.8 from 1370 reviews, from $39.
Official Game of Thrones Studio Tour Admission Ticket
Admission ticket for the official studio tour, rated 4.8 from 330 reviews.
Game of Thrones Locations Tour including Westeros & Giant's Causeway
A group tour covering Westeros locations and the Giant's Causeway, rated 4.4 from 226 reviews.
Giant's Causeway , Belfast Murals & Game of Thrones Dark Hedges
Combines the Dark Hedges with the Giant's Causeway and Belfast's political murals, rated 4.1 from 202 reviews.
Game of Thrones - Private Audi A6 tour with Richard the Wildling
A private Audi A6 tour led by Richard the Wildling, an actor from the show, rated 5 from 133 reviews.
Game of Thrones and Giant's Causeway Day Tour from Belfast
A full-day Game of Thrones and Giant's Causeway tour from Belfast, rated 4.6 from 107 reviews.
Private Tour: 'Game of Thrones' and Giant’s Causeway Full-Day Tour from Belfast
A private full-day tour from Belfast covering Game of Thrones sites and the Giant's Causeway at your own pace, rated 4.7 from 52 reviews.
Giants Causeway, Rope Bridge & Dark Hedges Tour From Belfast
Takes in the Giant's Causeway, the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge and the Dark Hedges, rated 4.9 from 47 reviews.
Giants Causeway & Game of Thrones Tour from Belfast
Pairs the Giant's Causeway with Game of Thrones stops on a full-day outing from Belfast, rated 5 from 22 reviews.
Game of Thrones & Giants Causeway Full-Day Tour From Belfast
A full-day Belfast departure covering Game of Thrones locations and the Giant's Causeway, rated 5 from 17 reviews.
Game of Thrones Filming Location Private Luxury Tour from Dublin
A private luxury tour from Dublin dedicated to Game of Thrones filming locations, rated 5 from a single review.
Many are free and open to the public, including the Dark Hedges, Ballintoy Harbour, Cushendun Caves, Downhill Strand, Inch Abbey and Murlough Bay. Castle Ward, Dunluce Castle and the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge charge entry fees. Magheramorne Quarry is private with limited access. A car is the practical way to reach most sites.
It is the official immersive tour at Linen Mill Studios in Banbridge, displaying sets, costumes and props from the show. It is open daily and tickets are required, with prices from $39. Admission tickets and coach transfers from Dublin are both available to book.
Derry Girls, which ran from 2018 to 2022, filmed on Derry's city walls and streets. Fans can explore the walled city independently, and Tourism NI's SCENic Route map highlights 20 film and TV locations across the region including Derry Girls and Line of Duty sites.
Most tours combine Game of Thrones locations with the Giant's Causeway. Travelers who want a private guide can book a full-day private tour or a private car experience with an actor from the show. Group tours are cheaper and cover the same headline stops, typically including the Dark Hedges and the coast.
Yes. A coach transfer tour runs from Dublin to the Game of Thrones Studio Tour at Banbridge, from $76 and rated 4.8 from 2175 reviews. There is also a private luxury filming-location tour from Dublin for travellers who want a dedicated itinerary.
Line of Duty, The Fall, Hope Street, Blue Lights, Krypton and The Frankenstein Chronicles all filmed here, along with films such as Dracula Untold at Mount Stewart, Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Among Thieves near Carrickfergus, The Northman, Lift in Bangor, The School for Good and Evil and An Irish Goodbye. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms filmed Northern Ireland exteriors in 2026.
Northern Ireland packs an unusual amount of screen history into a compact region: a flagship studio tour, free coastal locations and working studios that keep producing major shows and films. Travellers short on time can base themselves in Belfast and join a causeway day tour plus the Banbridge studio visit. Those with a car and a few days can trace Winterfell, the Iron Islands and Dorne at their own pace.
Before You Go
The tours travellers book most for Northern Ireland.
