In anticipation of the season 8 premiere for Game of Thrones on April 14th, I have decided to dedicate this episode to sharing the location of where the scenes for the show were filmed in Iceland. I am also including film locations that have been confirmed for the upcoming season. Even if you are not a fan of the show, the places on the list of where the scenes were shot are beautiful and worth checking out if you plan to visit.
Season 2
Beyond the Wall – Svínafellsjökull Glacier in Skaftafell
Iceland has not appeared in every season of the show, but the first time the country made its appearance is during season 2. The filming takes place in Skaftafell along the south coast.
I have been fortunate to visit the Skaftafell area numerous times since moving to Iceland. It is part of the Vatnajökull National Park, and it is home to gigantic glaciers and awesome hiking trails. To depict the harsh, cold and stunning world beyond the wall in Game of Thrones, the show filmed on Svínafellsjökull glacier. A decent amount of well known movies have been shot on that glacier. In fact, it is called the “Hollywood glacier” by some.
The unfortunate part is that the glacier is no longer accessible because there is danger of a nearby mountain crumbling and breaking up the ice on the glacier. Authorities don’t know if the rock fall will happen soon or in the next ten years. However, they are taking precautions by making Svínafellsjökull off limits. Well, at least for now.
Even though you can’t go on that particular glacier right now, you can imagine that you are beyond the wall if you walk on one of the other glaciers in the area. Falljökull and Skaftafellsjökull are awesome alternatives that tourism companies are using these days. Regardless of the glacier you choose, make sure you go with certified glacier guides to ensure that you have a safe and fun experience.
The Fist of the First Men on Mýrdalsjökull Glacier
Another scene from Game of Thrones that shows up in season 2 is when the show depicts Mýrdalsjökull glacier as the Fist of the First Men. The First Men are one of the three main ethnic groups that evolved into the people that make up Westeros. Well, the fictional people on the show. The Fist is a defense location that offers commanding views.
In the fifth episode of season 2, you see the Knights Watch arrive at the Fist of the First Men. They are using the Höfðabrekka hiking area near the glacier. Below is a video of the scene when the men arrive in the area.
Season 3
The Many Faces of Mývatn
During season 3, the Mývatn area in the north of the country was used a decent amount to depict different places in Game of Thrones. The Dimmuborgir lava field is where Mance Rayder, the leader of the Free Folk, aka the king beyond the wall, had his Wildling army set up camp.
At Hverir geothermal area, part of the Diamond Circle, in the north, you see Samwell Tarly walking through what looks like a blizzard. There is snow on the ground but what is making the air look so gray and hard to navigate is actually the steam coming up from the natural bubbling hot springs in the area. It stinks of sulphur but at least he was warm.
I visited Hverir this past December and I highly recommend going there. Yes, it smells pretty intense but you do kind of get used to it. What makes it worth a visit is the colors in this area and the sight of steam escaping the ground as if it were coming out of a hissing chimney. The whole area looks like an alien planet and it is absolutely fascinating. I have some videos of it on my Instagram account, if you want to check it out.
Grjótagjá Cave: Where Jon Snow & Ygritte Cemented Their Love
Jon and Ygritte’s steamy love making session in the Grjótagjá cave in the Mývatn area is sweet but not entirely realistic if you want to reenact that scene. You can visit the natural hot spring but you are advised not to swim in it. People used to bath there, but geological activity in the area has increased the temperature of the hot spring to a degree where it is not safe for you to go for a dip. I know it is tempting because it is a beautiful hot spring in a cave, but I think it is wise to not risk burning yourself.
Season 4
An Epic Battle At Thingvellir National Park
The historical and famous Þingvellir (Thingvellir) National Park became even more famous after it was featured in season 4 of Game of Thrones. This is where the epic battle between Brienne of Tarth and The Hound over Arya takes place. Every time I see that scene, I still tense up with anticipation. It’s a brutal fight and if you want to check it out, watch the video below.
The narrow passage along the Öxarárfoss trail in this area is where the scenes to the entrance to Bloody Gate were filmed. Once you are beyond the Bloody Gate, you have entered the Eyrie
Þingvellir is a major historical site because it was where Iceland’s first and the world’s oldest Parliament or Alþingi met. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is part of the Golden Circle, which also includes Geysir hot spring and Gullfoss waterfall.
Season 7
Fighting the Army of the Dead – Kirkjufell Mountain
Even though you saw the arrow shaped mountain Kirkjufell on Snæfellsnes Peninsula make an appearance during season 6 of the show, it wasn’t until season 7 that it had a more active role in the background. You see it when Jon Snow and his men head north to fight the army of the dead. It also appears in a vision that the Hound has. In that vision, the dead are marching by the mountain. I have hiked up Kirkjufell and it is a fun challenge.
The day we went was a bit cloudy and the rain was on its way, so we didn’t go the way to the top, but I plan to go back to do that in the future. The views from the mountain are amazing. I only recommend hiking it if you are in good physical condition and are ok with physically having to climb up some parts. It does get a bit steep in some areas and the pathways can be narrow.
If hiking up steep mountain doesn’t exciting to you, no worries. You can perfectly enjoy Kirkjufell on the ground. Directly across from it is a beautiful waterfall called Kirkjufellsfoss. A decent amount of people go there to take photos of the waterfall with the mountain in the background.
The Brotherhood without Banners – Dyrhólaey
On the south coast of Iceland are beautiful cliffs called Dyrhólaey. In episode 5 of season 7 in Game of Thrones, they were used to represent the location of the East-Watch by the Sea. Jon Snow, Gendry, Jorah Mormont, and Tormund Giantsbane arrive on one of the iconic black sand beaches you see in the south. They are there to meet the Brotherhood without Banners, who are in a jail cell.
Capturing a Wight – Stakkholtsgjá
One of my favorite places in Iceland is Þórsmörk. On the way to Þórsmörk is a truly magnificent canyon called Stakkholtsgjá. I have only been there once but that was enough to cement it in my mind as a place that I must visit again. That canyon is where Jon Snow and the rest of the men attempt to capture a wight in order to prove to people that the walking dead are real
If you are in Iceland during the summer, I recommend considering visiting Þórsmörk and this canyon. The only caveat is that you have to cross rivers to get to these places. I do not recommend or encourage you to do that with a rental car. You can ruin the car and that damage is not covered by the rental car insurance. You can take a bus tour or have an experienced driver guide take you.
Male Bonding near Gigjökull
While Jon Snow and his fighting squad venture out to find a wight, they walk past Gigjökull, an outlet glacier from the infamous Eyjafjallajökull. This rapidly receding glacier is in the south of the country. The funny part is that within the same scene, the Hound points to Kirkjufell, which is in the west of the country. The men are on foot. While the timeline of how long they have been walking in the snow and cold is not clear, I just think it is worth pointing out that these locations are not that close together.
Season 8
As mentioned in the beginning of this episode, season 8 drops on April 14th! The black sand beaches in the south coast of Iceland signify the homeland of the Targaryens. They will make an appearance in the new season. Additionally, Kirkjufell mountain will show up again.
Random Fact of Episode
The Mountain, who is a soldier and the Hound’s brother, is an Icelandic actor. His name is Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson and he is just as huge, maybe more than, in person as on the show. He stands at 6 foot 9 and weighs more than 400 pounds. Hafþór is a strong man competitor and it quite good at it. He is the first person to win the Arnold Strongman Classic, the World’s Strongest Man, and Europe’s Strongest Man in the same calendar year. Hafþór currently holds the title of the world’s strongest man.
I feel like this is such a fascinating fact because normally film studios have to use CGI to make people this big. It’s amazing to me that a person can be this huge!
Icelandic Word of the Episode
Þáttaröð – row of episodes or a series
Þáttur – episode
Röð – row
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