7 amazing Game of Thrones you never seen

Aït-Ben-Haddou (Yunkai and Pentos)

Follow Daenerys Targaryen’s tracks through Slaver‘s Bay and the Free Cities at real-life Aït-Ben-Haddou, aksar (fortified city) around 100km southeast of Marrakech. Sitting majestically on a hill overlooking a desert, its ancient appearance attracts both tourists and filmmakers.  

In the fictional world of Essos in Game of Thrones, Aït-Ben-Haddou is turned into Yunkai, the smallest of the three cities in Slaver’s Bay, and Pentos, the biggest of the Free Cities. However, Aït-Ben-Haddou is far from being a new film location. Since the 1960s it has played a role in many Hollywood films and TV series, such as Lawrence of Arabia, Jesus of Nazareth, The Mummy, Gladiator, Alexander, Babel and Prince of Persia to just name a few.

Essaouira (Astapor)

While the Game of Thrones city of Astapor lies south of Yunkai, Essaouira is to the west of Aït-Ben-Haddou, and around 100km west of Marrakech, on the Atlantic coast of Morocco. One of the city's landmarks is its fortified wall which makes the fictional Astapor so memorable on screen.  

Unlike Astapor, Essaouira is known for a more relaxed atmosphere. In the 1960s it was a hippie hangout graced by rock stars such as Cat Stevens and Jimi Hendrix. It’s also a fishing port, where you can feast on awesome fresh seafood.

Höfðabrekka (Frostfangs Mountains) 

Höfðabrekka is located near Vík, the southernmost city of Iceland. IT lies at the foot of the glacier Mýrdalsjökull which sits on the volcano of Katla. In Game of Thrones the area was used to film the scenes in the treacherous Frostfangs.

Lokrum (Quarth)

Only a few hundred meters off the coast of Dubrovnik lies the green and lush island Lokrum, 10 minutes by boat from the old port. The fortress is on the highest point of the island with an amazing view over the protected national park. Lokrum boasts a naturist beach, but, like most of Croatia’s Dalmatia coastline, not much sand.

In Game of Thrones, Lokrum is turned into Quarth, the 'Queen of Cities', which is located on the continent Essos. As well as Daenerys’ magical experiences, the above-mentioned House of the Undying is located in Quarth. 

Mussenden Temple and Downhill beach ( Dragonstone Beach)

This beautiful 11km stretch of golden sand and turf is best known for being the location of Mussenden Temple. This Classical round temple was built to be a summer library, while today it stands dramatically on top of a cliff, with views of the Northern Irish coast. 

Both the Mussenden Temple and Downhill Beach were used in Game of Thrones as the location for the Dragonstone exterior. Remember the burning of the old gods by Melisandre on the beach? Well, that was here. And also where Stannis Baratheon draws a flaming sword from the flames, 'Lightbringer'. It's a gorgeous place, but better not burn anything and try to discover if you are Azhor Ahai.  

Castle Ward (Winterfell)

The sumptuous Castle Ward overlooks Strangford Lough and with its 820 acres of land was used as the courtyard of Winterfell. The house features Gothic and Classical styles of architecture, while it also has an exotic sunken garden, paths and peaceful woodlands that will definitely make you think you are in The North.  

Meanwhile in Game of Thrones, the grounds were featured in season 1 and here is where King Robert Baratheon and his court arrive at Winderfell, and also where he and Ned Stark talk during some hunting. The castle is always featured as Winterfell's courtyard.

Doune Castle (Winterfell)

This medieval stronghold in Doune near Stirling was originally built in the 13th century and rebuilt in the late 14th century by the Duke of Albany, Robert Stewart. The castle has survived quite unchanged and complete until today. It sits on an impressive strategic site at the crossroads of Scotland. Doune Castle can be seen in several films and series such as Monty Python and the Holy Grail, and the classical adaptation of Ivanhoe with Elizabeth Taylor, and it was the set for Winterfell in the pilot episode for Game of Thrones.