Game of Thrones was filmed in Northern Ireland for ten years, and Belfast is the natural base for fans. The official Studio Tour, at the Linen Mill Studios in Banbridge where the series was made, is 30 minutes south of the city. The most famous outdoor locations, including the Dark Hedges and Ballintoy Harbour, are on the Causeway Coast to the north, and Winterfell itself is at Castle Ward in County Down. Here is how to see them, with the prices and opening times we could confirm in November 2026.

The Game of Thrones Studio Tour, Banbridge

Created with Warner Bros. at the principal studios used for the show, the Game of Thrones Studio Tour is one of the largest indoor visitor attractions on the island of Ireland. You walk through original sets including Castle Black, Winterfell’s Great Hall, Dragonstone, King’s Landing and the destroyed Throne Room, and see screen-used costumes, weapons and props, from Needle and dragon eggs to the Iron Throne. A visual effects studio shows how the White Walkers, giants and dragons were brought to life, and there is a green-screen experience, the Hall of Faces and an archery game.

  • Opening times: daily, 10am to 6pm, with last admission at 4pm. The booking calendar shows it closed on 24, 25 and 26 December 2026, on 1 January 2027, and from 11 to 15 January 2027.
  • Tickets: prices vary by date and time. General admission starts from £23.60 for adults, £19.20 for students and seniors, £10 for youths, £4.80 for children and £56.80 for a family of two adults and two children. On a sample Sunday most adult slots were £29.50, with late-afternoon slots cheapest.
  • Time needed: the tour is self-guided and takes about two to three hours.
  • Christmas: Christmas at Linen Mill Studios runs on selected weekends from 28 November and on 21 and 22 December 2026.

How to get there

The studio is at 4 Ballievey Road, Banbridge, about 30 minutes from Belfast and 90 minutes from Dublin, with free on-site parking. Without a car, the official Belfast coach package, from £40 per person including admission, picks up at the Visit Belfast Welcome Centre in the city centre at 9.30am, 11am and 2pm. The ride takes about 30 minutes, and return coaches leave the studio at 1.15pm, 2.45pm and 5.15pm. If you are travelling on to Dublin, a one-way Belfast to Dublin package from £50 drops you at Suffolk Street at 3pm. Drivers can buy a self-drive joint ticket with nearby Hillsborough Castle and Gardens.

The Dark Hedges (the Kingsroad)

The Dark Hedges, an avenue of beech trees on Bregagh Road near Stranocum in County Antrim, were planted by the Stuart family around 1775 to impress visitors approaching Gracehill House. They became the Kingsroad in season 2, episode 1, as Arya Stark escapes King’s Landing disguised as a boy. The site is always open and free.

Bregagh Road is pedestrianised, so no vehicles are allowed along the avenue. Park nearby at the Dark Hedges Estate or the Hedges Hotel, 139A Ballinlea Road (BT53 8PX), where charges may apply, and walk in. The local tourist board recommends coming early in the morning or late in the afternoon, mid-week rather than at weekends, and says spring and autumn are the best times of year. Please leave no trace: the trees are old and the site is under pressure from heavy foot traffic. Storm-felled trees from the avenue were carved into the ten Doors of Thrones, which are displayed around Northern Ireland, including one in Mary McBride’s pub in Cushendun.

Ballintoy Harbour and Larrybane (the Iron Islands and the Stormlands)

Ballintoy Harbour, a small harbour at the end of a twisting road on the north Antrim coast, became Lordsport on Pyke in the Iron Islands. Theon returns here in season 2, episode 2, and is baptised here in episode 3, and season 6 shows Euron’s drowning and rebirth. Nearby, the headland at Larrybane Quarry, sheltered by Sheep Island, was Renly Baratheon’s camp in season 2 and the setting for the Kingsmoot in season 6. Both are a short drive from the Dark Hedges and from the Giant’s Causeway, so it is easy to combine them in one day on the Causeway Coastal Route.

Cushendun Caves

On the Antrim coast to the east, the caves at Cushendun are where Melisandre gives birth to the shadow assassin. Visit Causeway Coast and Glens points fans to them and to the Door of Thrones in the village pub.

Downhill Beach and Mussenden Temple (Dragonstone)

Downhill Beach, an 11km stretch of sand on the north coast, was Dragonstone in season 2, episode 1, where Melisandre burns the effigies of the Seven. The Mussenden Temple sits on the 120ft cliff above it.

Castle Ward (Winterfell) and Tollymore Forest

South of Belfast in County Down, Castle Ward is the estate where many season 1 scenes were filmed. Its historic farmyard is where King Robert and his party arrive at Winterfell in the very first episode, and the estate also holds the Whispering Wood, the Baelor battle and Brienne confronting the Stark men. In the foothills of the Mourne Mountains, Tollymore Forest Park is where the Night’s Watch find the wildling bodies before meeting the White Walkers, and where Ned Stark finds the direwolf pups.

Glass of Thrones in Belfast

In Belfast itself, look out for the Glass of Thrones stained glass windows, designed by hand illustrators and made by Bangor artist Debra Wenlock. They depict the Lannister, Baratheon, Targaryen, White Walker and Iron Throne windows and are set at points around the city.

Planning a locations day

The Causeway Coast locations are spread over a long stretch of coast. By car, the Dark Hedges are about an hour from Belfast, and the Giant’s Causeway about an hour and a half. Public transport reaches the Giant’s Causeway (train to Coleraine, then Ulsterbus 172), but not easily the Dark Hedges, so most visitors without a car join a guided locations tour from Belfast; Discover Northern Ireland lists tour operators. Tourism NI also publishes a free Game of Thrones Territory filming locations map in six languages, available at visitor information centres. In winter, daylight is short, so start early and keep to three or four stops.

A suggested plan

Spend one day on the Causeway Coast with the Dark Hedges, Ballintoy Harbour, Larrybane and the Giant’s Causeway, and a half day on the Studio Tour by coach from Belfast. With a car and a third day, add Castle Ward and Tollymore in County Down.