Ever since Game of Thrones ended, fans have wanted a way back into Westeros. House of the Dragon, now several seasons deep, gives them exactly that. Set nearly 200 years before the original series, it follows House Targaryen’s fall from power during the brutal civil war known as the Dance of the Dragons.
The dragons, castles, and kingdoms belong to fiction — but the scenery behind them is entirely real. Production has filmed across Wales, Cornwall, Spain, and Portugal, turning genuine coastlines, quarries, and medieval towns into the world George R.R. Martin created. This guide breaks down every major filming location, season by season, plus practical tips for visiting each one.
Wales: The Core of Westeros in Later Seasons
Wales carries much of the show’s visual weight, with filming spread across Anglesey, Conwy, and Gwynedd. The region’s coastline, mountains, and lakes stage the escalating conflict between Queen Rhaenyra’s Blacks and King Aegon II’s Greens.
Standout locations include:
– Beaumaris Pier – coastal shots along the Menai Strait
– Craig Yr Undeb (Union Rock) – dramatic cliffside footage
– Ffynnon Llugwy, inside Eryri National Park (formerly Snowdonia) – mountain and lake scenery
Wales also anchored earlier seasons, where old slate quarries and open countryside doubled as Dragonstone, Harrenhal, the Riverlands, and the Vale.
Dragonstone: Built From Welsh Quarries
Dragonstone’s castle itself is largely CGI, but its surrounding terrain is real. Disused slate quarries in Gwynedd stand in for the island’s volcanic landscape, with nearby lakes and rocky peaks completing House Targaryen’s ancestral seat. Much of this footage was shot inside Eryri National Park — a destination already well known among hikers for its trails and mountain views, independent of the show.
Cornwall: Home of House Velaryon
Driftmark, seat of House Velaryon, is played by St Michael’s Mount, a tidal island near Penzance reachable via a stone causeway at low tide. The medieval castle on top captures the wealth associated with one of Westeros’s richest families.
Cornwall appears repeatedly elsewhere in the series:
– Kynance Cove — white sand and turquoise water standing in for the Stepstones
– Holywell Beach near Newquay — used for pirate-controlled islands
– Hartland Quay — towering cliffs used for coastal drama
Spain: The New King’s Landing
Where Game of Thrones used Dubrovnik, House of the Dragon relocates the capital to Spain.
Cáceres is the primary stand-in for King’s Landing, its cobbled medieval streets and fortified towers matching the political intrigue of the capital. Trujillo appears throughout as well, contributing its own castle and town squares across multiple seasons.
Additional Spanish locations include:
– Castillo de La Calahorra (Granada) — an imposing secondary fortress
– Gardens of Santa Clotilde (Lloret de Mar) — sea-facing gardens offering a softer visual contrast
Portugal: A Brief but Memorable Cameo
Monsanto, nicknamed the “Village of Stone,” appears only briefly but leaves an impression. Its giant granite boulders, medieval lanes, and hilltop castle give it a naturally otherworldly look that fits Westeros with little alteration needed.
England: Battles, Tournaments, and Rolling Hills
Bourne Wood in Surrey hosted major battle sequences, including the Battle at Rook’s Rest.
The Peak District in Derbyshire — around Castleton, Cave Dale, Eldon Hill, and Mam Tor — shaped much of the show’s early rugged, windswept landscapes.
Caesar’s Camp in Hampshire became the site of the Heir’s Tournament in the very first episode, the event that introduced the rivalry between Prince Daemon Targaryen and Ser Criston Cole.
Planning Your Own House of the Dragon Location Trip
Almost every filming location featured in the series is open to the public, making it realistic to build an actual itinerary around them:
1. Wales – Hike Eryri National Park and explore the Gwynedd quarries
2. Cornwall – Walk the causeway to St Michael’s Mount at low tide
3. Spain – Wander Cáceres and Trujillo’s old towns
4. Portugal – Visit Monsanto’s stone village
5. England – Explore the Peak District’s limestone valleys
Combining two or three of these regions into one trip (for example, Cornwall and Wales, or Spain and Portugal) makes for a natural fan itinerary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where was House of the Dragon filmed?
Across Wales, England, Cornwall, Spain, and Portugal, with each region representing different parts of Westeros.
Where was Dragonstone filmed?
Primarily in Gwynedd, North Wales, using old slate quarries and locations inside Eryri National Park (Snowdonia).
Which location was used as King’s Landing?
Cáceres, Spain, serves as the main filming location for King’s Landing, with Trujillo appearing frequently as well.
Where was Driftmark filmed?
St Michael’s Mount in Cornwall represents Driftmark, the seat of House Velaryon.
Can fans visit the House of the Dragon filming locations?
Yes. Most locations — including St Michael’s Mount, Eryri National Park, Cáceres, Trujillo, Monsanto, and the Peak District — are open to visitors year-round.
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