The realm of Westeros has once again captivated audiences with House of the Dragon, the thrilling prequel to Game of Thrones. As season 2 ignites our screens, fans are eager to delve deeper into the world of Targaryens and dragons. Just like its predecessor, House of the Dragon transports us to breathtaking landscapes that feel both fantastical and real. But where is House of the Dragon filmed? While the series brings a medieval world to life, the filming locations are surprisingly accessible for modern-day travelers, primarily across the UK and Europe. Forget sprawling across continents; House of the Dragon focuses its lens on the stunning scenery of England, Spain, and Wales, with a touch of Portugal, all easily reachable by train.
Image showing Harry Collett, Emma D’Arcy, and Oscar Eskinazi on set of House of the Dragon, highlighting the cast in costume.
Unveiling House of the Dragon’s Season 1 Filming Locations
Season 1 of House of the Dragon established the visual identity of Westeros anew, drawing viewers into the intricate world of the Targaryen dynasty. Many of these iconic settings are within a comfortable train journey from major European hubs like London, Madrid, and Lisbon. Let’s explore the season 1 locations you can visit:
La Calahorra, Spain: Gateway to Pentos
Nearest Train Station: Guadix
In the Free City of Pentos, House Targaryen’s influence is palpable. This opulent setting is brought to life by the majestic Castillo de La Calahorra in Granada, Spain. Dating back to 1509, this stunning Andalusian castle offers a glimpse into the real-world inspiration for Pentos. Although privately owned, tours can be arranged, allowing fans to step into the world of House of the Dragon.
Panoramic view of Castillo de La Calahorra, Granada, Spain, the filming location for Pentos in House of the Dragon.
Monsanto, Portugal: The Rugged Majesty of Dragonstone
Nearest Train Station: Fundão
For the ancestral seat of House Targaryen, Dragonstone, the production team turned to the dramatic hilltop village of Monsanto in Portugal. Its rugged terrain and ancient stone buildings perfectly embody the stark beauty of Dragonstone, adding authenticity to the Targaryen stronghold.
Lloret de Mar, Spain: Serenity by the Seaside
Nearest Train Station: Blanes
The tranquil Santa Clotilde Gardens in Lloret de Mar, Spain, provided a picturesque backdrop for scenes requiring seaside serenity. These gardens offer a similar peaceful ambiance to the moments shared by Lady Laena Velaryon and King Viserys Targaryen, showcasing a different facet of Westeros life.
Cáceres, Spain: King’s Landing Reimagined
Nearest Train Station: Cáceres
While Dubrovnik, Croatia, famously portrayed King’s Landing in Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon shifted the capital to Cáceres, Spain, for certain scenes. This historic city lends its medieval architecture and winding streets to create a familiar yet subtly different King’s Landing, reflecting the passage of time within Westeros.
Architectural details of Cáceres, Spain, emphasizing its suitability as King’s Landing filming location in House of the Dragon.
St Michael’s Mount, England: The Tide-Swept Driftmark
Nearest Train Station: Penzance
Off the Cornish coast of England, St Michael’s Mount emerges from the sea, a medieval castle and church perched atop a tidal island. This dramatic location serves as Driftmark, the seat of House Velaryon. Accessible by a causeway at low tide, St Michael’s Mount embodies the unique and powerful presence of House Velaryon.
Coastal view of St Michael’s Mount, Cornwall, England, representing Driftmark in House of the Dragon, emphasizing its dramatic island setting.
Kynance Cove, England: Velaryon Shores
Nearest Train Station: Falmouth Town
Further along the Cornish coast, Kynance Cove offers a stunning rocky beach on Asparagus Island. This area became another key location for portraying Driftmark and the domain of House Velaryon, its dramatic coastal landscape contributing to the Velaryon’s seafaring identity.
Castleton, England: The Heights of the Vale of Arryn
Nearest Train Station: Hope (Derbyshire)
Castleton, nestled in the Peak District National Park, England, reprised its role from Game of Thrones season 1 as the Vale of Arryn. This picturesque village and the surrounding Peak District landscapes represent the mountainous and secluded region ruled by House Arryn, offering a different geographical feel to Westeros.
Close-up of Olivia Cooke portraying Alicent Hightower in House of the Dragon, likely on location, showcasing costume details and character emotion.
Season 2 Filming Locations: Expanding the Realm
Season 2 of House of the Dragon builds upon the established locations while introducing new landscapes to broaden the scope of Westeros. Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden, near Kings Langley outside London (accessible by train), continues to be a crucial production hub, similar to season 1. Filming also returned to Spain, specifically Trujillo and Cáceres for King’s Landing scenes, but new scenic locations in England and Wales emerged.
Caesar’s Camp and Bourne Woods, England: Battlegrounds and Countryside
Nearest Train Station: Aldershot
The areas around Farnham, including Caesar’s Camp and Bourne Woods, provided extensive countryside settings for season 2. These locations are known for their tranquility and hiking trails but transformed into Westerosi landscapes for House of the Dragon. Notably, these woods have also hosted filming for cinematic epics like Gladiator and Napoleon, adding to their film location pedigree.
North Wales: New Territories of Westeros and Dragonstone
Nearest Train Station: Porthmadog
North Wales significantly expands the visual palette of House of the Dragon in season 2. The region just west of Eryri National Park (Snowdonia) and Anglesey features prominently. Look out for the imposing Castles of Gwynedd, the industrial landscapes of Trefor Granite Quarry and Dinorwig Quarry, and the serene Ogwen Valley lakes. Coastal scenes in Anglesey showcase Penmon Point, Beaumaris Beach, and Llanddwyn Beach (including Porth y Cwch cove), enriching the Dragonstone and Westerosi coastlines.
Portrait of Emma D’Arcy as Rhaenyra Targaryen in House of the Dragon, possibly on location, with soft focus on the background emphasizing the character.
Delving Deeper: House of the Dragon FAQs
When is House of the Dragon set?
House of the Dragon unfolds approximately 200 years prior to the events of Game of Thrones, roughly a century after Aegon Targaryen’s Conquest. It chronicles the Targaryen dynasty’s history, leading up to the tumultuous Dance of the Dragons, a civil war that erupts around 30 years after the series’ setting.
How many seasons of House of the Dragon are planned?
As of now, there are two seasons of House of the Dragon. Season 1 premiered in 2022, and season 2 arrived in June 2024. Season 3 has been officially greenlit, and there are estimations that the series might span up to four seasons, especially with other Game of Thrones spin-offs in development.
How many episodes are in House of the Dragon season 2?
Season 2 of House of the Dragon, which premiered on June 16, 2024, consists of 8 episodes, airing weekly on Sundays until August 4. This is slightly shorter than season 1, which had 10 episodes.
Who is the Mad King in relation to House of the Dragon?
The Mad King, Aerys II Targaryen, father of Daenerys Targaryen from Game of Thrones, is a distant descendant of the House of the Dragon characters. While Aerys II is born generations later, House of the Dragon lays the groundwork for the Targaryen lineage, providing context to figures like King Viserys I Targaryen, Aerys II’s great-great-great-great-great-grandfather.
What’s the timeline gap between House of the Dragon and Game of Thrones?
Game of Thrones is set roughly 172 years after House of the Dragon begins. The prequel series progresses through time jumps between episodes, spanning months and years, reflecting the extended saga of the Targaryen dynasty.
Is House of the Dragon based on a book?
Yes, House of the Dragon is adapted from George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood, a fictional historical account detailing the Targaryen kings and their reign. This book serves as the source material, much like Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series inspired Game of Thrones.
Where can you watch House of the Dragon?
In the US, House of the Dragon is available on HBO and Max, HBO’s streaming platform. In the UK, viewers can watch it on Sky Atlantic and Now.
Understanding the House of the Dragon family tree:
The intricate family tree of House of the Dragon originates from House Targaryen, tracing back to Jaehaerys I and Alysanne Targaryen. Key figures include their grandchildren: Daemon Targaryen, Viserys I Targaryen, and Rhaenys Targaryen. These characters and their marriages to Alicent Hightower and Corlys Velaryon respectively, branch out to encompass most major characters, with only Houses Strong and some Kingsguard members existing outside these core lineages. For a visual guide, HBO offers a House of the Dragon Character Guide.
Close-up of Ewan Mitchell as Aemond Targaryen in House of the Dragon, emphasizing his character’s intense and brooding demeanor.
Embark on Your Westeros Journey
House of the Dragon‘s filming locations offer a tangible connection to the world of Westeros. From the Spanish castles embodying Pentos and King’s Landing to the dramatic coastlines of Cornwall and the Welsh landscapes of Dragonstone, these locations are within reach for fans wanting to experience the real-world settings of the Targaryen saga.
To explore more Game of Thrones filming locations across Europe, check out our guide to plan your own Seven Kingdoms adventure by train.
Ready to begin your journey to Westeros? Download the Trainline app today and book your train tickets to these spectacular filming locations!
