You Can Visit These "House of the Dragon" Filming Locations

The Game of Thrones prequel House of the Dragon has already been renewed for a second season—little surprise considering nearly 10 million people saw the premiere on August 21, making it HBO’s most-watched series premiere in the network’s history. Like GOT, the series features vast landscapes and dramatic sets that bring the fantasy world to life. Many of the otherworldly scenes in GOT were filmed on location across Northern Ireland, Spain, Croatia, and Iceland. House of the Dragon—based on George RR Martin’s 2018 novel Fire & Blood—takes us to a few new spots across England, Spain, and Portugal. As the Targaryen family history and the civil war that tore them apart unravels, make sure to add these locations to your GOT-themed travel bucket list.

St. Michael’s Mount in Cornwall, England

St. Michael’s Mount was practically made for the GOT universe. Sitting in a bay off the coast of Marazion in Cornwall, it features a 12th-century castle that’s currently home to the St. Aubyn family. The family has a 999-year lease to live in the castle and run the visitor business under license from the National Trust, according to the estate’s website. In House of the Dragon, the location serves as Driftmark in Blackwater Bay—home to House of Velaryon.

Kynance Cove in Cornwall, England

East of St. Michael’s Mount is Kynance Cove, where a Velaryon camp was constructed on the beach. The cove's white sand beach contrasts with its dark red and green serpentine rock, making it a breathtaking setting for a relaxing day. There’s even an eco-friendly cafe on that sells Cornish pasties, fresh sandwiches, homemade cakes, and more.

Holywell Bay Beach in Cornwall, England

Another sandy, seaside stop in Cornwall is Holywell Bay Beach. In the show, Daemon and Rhaenyra Targaryen can be seen on the beach together. The location has been used for other productions, too, including in the James Bond movie Die Another Day.

Derbyshire, England

A few locations across Derbyshire account for the hills and valleys in House of the Dragon. Among them is Cave Dale, a dry limestone valley in the county's Peak District that's good for hiking. Eldon Hill can also be seen in the show. It features what looks to be a natural amphitheater thanks to limestone quarrying. The pastureland is also used for rough grazing.

Cáceres, Spain

Game of Thrones fans should recognize the Spanish city of Cáceres as King’s Landing. For House of the Dragon, the location will take on the role of the capital as well. Architecture admirers will enjoy the mix of Roman, Moorish, Gothic, and Renaissance towers, walls, buildings, and squares throughout the city, which is a designated UNESCO World Heritage site.

Castillo de La Calahorra in Granada, Spain

Castillo de La Calahorra in Granada is another must-visit castle seen in the show. Most of the filming took place at night, according to the Granada newspaper Ideal. Explosions and flares were also reportedly seen at the location during filming in 2021 as was Matt Smith, who plays Daemon Targaryen.

Monsanto, Portugal

Once declared the "most Portuguese village in Portugal," Monsanto houses another castle seen in House of the Dragon. The medieval structure is surrounded by a stone fortress and sprinkled with giant boulders, as is the rest of the village.

Warner Bros. Studios at Leavesden in Hertfordshire, England

Although the show features various European destinations, filming also took place at Warner Bros. Studios at Leavesden in Hertfordshire, England. Just outside of London, the studios are famously known for the Harry Potter movies and studio tours centered on them. In June 2021, the studios added three new sound stages with a wraparound LED room that offers "a new level of creative scope," according to the studios' announcement. House of the Dragon was the first production to use those stages.

You love learning about the filming locations of your favorite shows. So do we. Let’s obsess over them together.

Follow House Beautiful on Instagram.

You Might Also Like

• 7 Secrets HomeGoods Employees Won't Tell You

• 19 Closet Organization Ideas You'll Want to Steal Immediately

• 15 Styling Tricks That Make A Small Living Room Seem Bigger Than It Is