These ‘Game Of Thrones’ Filming Locations Have Seen A Huge Spike In Tourism
Winter has well and truly arrived, which means our nights are long, dark, cold and lacking a certain dramatic fantasy television series. Blame it on our Aussie winter, or blame it on the fact that we simply can’t get enough of HBO’s most successful program, but apparently there’s been a spike in traveller interest in a bunch of Game of Thrones filming locations.
According to travel booking site TripAdvisor, several filming locations across Europe have experienced considerable growth in tourism traffic, with the average increase in interest sitting at around 120 percent. That’s a pretty big jump to make but probably not so surprising when we’re shown this kind of eye candy on the reg…
Trsteno, Croatia
Interest growth: 18%
The majority of King’s Landing scenes are filmed in the Croatian fortress city of Dubrovnik, but it’s just 11 kilometres north where you’ll find the Red Keep’s verdant gardens, a popular hang out for the likes of Margaery and Lady Olenna Tyrell.
Mdina, Malta
Interest growth: 18%
Mdina is home to the gate that has been used as the entrance to King’s Landing since season one. Any excuse to check out Malta, hey?
Girona, Spain
Interest growth: 19%
Girona was recently used as the location of Braavos, where Arya did some (blind) battle training. This Spanish town has also been used as a backdrop for Oldtown and King’s Landing.
Myvatn, Iceland
Interest growth: 42%
Cave. Jon Snow. Ygritte. ‘Nuff said.
Krka National Park, Croatia
Interest growth: 46%
Like an oasis in the desert, locals and visitors flock to the Krka National Park every summer for a glimpse at the iconic cascading lakes, used in numerous wide shots across the Seven Kingdoms.
Vatnajokull National Park, Iceland
Interest growth: 58%
Venturing “Beyond the Wall” is actually not so dangerous at this picturesque national park just east of Reykjavik.
Dimmuborgir, Iceland
Interest growth: 64%
Fun fact: Dimmuborgir was home to Mance Rayder’s wilding camp beyond the Wall.
Höfðabrekka mountain range, Iceland
Interest growth: 78%
Yet another Icelandic wonder, the Höfðabrekka mountain range doubles at the Frostfang mountains beyond the Wall, meaning tourism has significantly spiked at the neighbouring town of Vik.
Campillo de Dueñas, Spain
Interest growth: 291%
The Tower of Joy, pivotal to a certain flashback scene in the final episode of last season (ahem, Lyanna Stark) is actually a medieval Spanish castle that sits between Madrid and Barcelona. Interest in the castle spiked over 291% since GoT filming began there back in 2015.
The Klis Fortress, Croatia
Interest growth: 579% (No, seriously)
The Klis Fortress is a medieval fortress situated above the village of the same name. It’s located near the city of Split, in central Dalmatia, Croatia, and has received the largest surge in tourist numbers since the beginning of the show in 2011. You might remember this fortress as part of the city of Meereen, where Daenerys made a pit stop on her long (long) journey.
[related_articles]26871,11897,6211,26854[/related_articles]
Keen to check out a few of these for yourself? Book your next European adventure with Qantas.
