If you’re an HBO subscriber, you’re more than likely aware of “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.” The “Game of Thrones” spinoff series, which just finished airing its first season, has already developed a cult-like following. Throughout the series, Ser Duncan the Tall and his squire Aegon Targaryen traverse the seven kingdoms of Westeros, fighting off bandits, fanatics and maybe even the odd dragon. One of the most breathtaking parts of the show is its use of the landscape and scenery, with rolling green hills, authentic castles and gorgeous blue skies taking up the frame for plenty of shots. Given the natural beauty of “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms,” it should come as no surprise that the series was shot in numerous locales in Northern Ireland.
If you’re looking to explore the lands of Westeros for yourself, you’re in luck. We’ll outline a few key filming locations of “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms,” and offer some insight into the best restaurants, pubs and tourist sites along the way. Before long, you’ll be able to walk in the same footsteps as Dunk and Egg, or even participate in a rousing trial by combat.
Is ‘A Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms’ Season Two Filming?
Even though the first season of “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” has only just completed its run, season two is already said to be underway. Thanks to a report from USA Today we can confirm that HBO picked up the series for a second season before the premiere, with a production scheduled to kick off in March 2026. There’s no official release date for “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” season two just yet, though it seems like the new batch of episodes will be ready in early 2027. Like the inaugural season of the show, the second installment is being shot in and around Belfast, Northern Ireland, with potential units setting up in Spain.
Per The Hollywood Reporter, upcoming episodes of “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” will follow the “Sworn Sword” storyline from the books. George R.R. Martin has also handed the showrunners a batch of 12 unpublished manuscripts following the characters, so there may be many more seasons to come.
Exploring The Show’s Belfast Filming Locations
Key Scenes: According to CN Traveller, major filming locations for the series include Glenarm Castle, which was constructed in the 13th century, as well as Tollymore Forest Park and the Mourne Mountains. Many indoor shots were captured on soundstages at Titanic Studios. While the sets themselves cannot be visited, as Titanic doesn’t offer public tours, fans are welcome to pose for photos outside at the Paint Hall building, which was used in multiple shots for “Game of Thrones.”
Best Time to Visit: Though Belfast offers beautiful sights all year round, most locals recommend the summer months of June through August for first-time visitors. This period offers the best weather, some extra sunlight and access to plenty of outdoor events. The fall months of September and October serve as a close second, especially if you’re looking to save a little money during your stay.
Transportation Options: Like many major metropolitan hubs across Europe, Belfast has a fairly comprehensive public transit grid that makes getting around town a breeze. Translink offers an integrated network of metro buses, rapid transit gliders and railways spanning the entire city and surrounding suburbs. If you’re looking to venture outwards and see everything that “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” has to offer, you might want to hail a few cabs or rent a car, but that shouldn’t be necessary for visitors looking to stay close to town.
Filmed between June and September 2024, the series intentionally moved away from the sprawling, dragon-heavy scale of its predecessors to embrace a more “earthy” and intimate aesthetic. Showrunner Ira Parker emphasized this shift during an HBO press conference, according to Gizmodo. At the time, she stated, “We don’t have that roving epic scale… We have one guy and some horses and a few nice trees. It was very important for us to feel earthy, to feel intimate.”
Parker continued, “We don’t have any drone shots in the series…because it’s not Dunk’s POV. It’s not that we would never use something like that, but for our visual language, we want the audience to feel everything that Duncan is feeling at that moment. And so, when he is watching those knights riding each other down in the lists, we want him to feel scared. We want to see those knights looking as impressive as possible. When Dunk is lying down on the mud, we want to feel the grit under his fingernails. When he’s inside that helmet, we want to feel how heavy his breathing is, how hard his heart is beating. These are not comfortable moments.”
Things to Do: Even if you have little interest in checking out “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” filming locations, you’ll find plenty to do in Belfast. The city is home to such exciting sights and excursions as the Ulster Museum, the Botanic Gardens and the Peace Wall. The Grand Opera House is an ideal locale to catch a local show or admire some fine architecture, while the Titanic Belfast visitor attraction offers an array of art galleries, interactive features and jaw-dropping special effects. If you’re having trouble figuring out the city, you can also check out the Belfast Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tours, which should help you squeeze a lot of excitement into a single day.
Where to Eat: Northern Ireland is home to an array of delicious foods and flavors, along with many small pubs on each corner. Stix & Stones Belfast, The Northern Whig and the Michelin star-rated EDŌ, all make for excellent upscale eating. If you find trouble booking a reservation at any of these highly favored establishments, you can always rely on a few locals to offer sage advice on the best pub in town.
Where to Stay: One of the best parts about visiting Northern Ireland is the relatively low cost of lodging. Compared to other popular vacation destinations, Belfast offers a lot of bang for your buck. If you’re interested in staying right in the heart of the Belshaft, be sure to check out the Tara Lodge, Balmoral Hotel or The Fitzwilliam Hotel Belfast. Each of these hotels offer authentic stays at reasonable rates, even when compared with chain hotels. You could also throw together a little campfire in the woods, if you want the authentic Dunk and Egg experience, but it’s probably best to stick to modern amenities during your trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the real Winterfell located?
Per Trafalgar, the primary shooting location of Winterfell is Castle Ward in County Down, Northern Ireland. The castle is an 18th-century structure set amid large swaths of historic farmland and a sweeping courtyard ideal for holding the full concentrated powers of the North. Doune Castle in Scotland was also used for exterior shots, including those captured for the “Game of Thrones” pilot.
Was “Game of Thrones” filmed in Canada?
Portions of “Game of Thrones” were indeed filmed in Canada, with multiple units setting up across Alberta. Though much of the series was shot in Europe, Alberta was used to replicate the snowy north of Westeros, where Jon Snow and his siblings encounter wild direwolves.
