House of the Dragon, which is currentlystreaming on HBO Maxand HBO, continues the legacy ofGame of Thronesby filming in many different locations to make up the sprawling fictional land of Westeros. The new seriesfocuses on House Targaryenand the lead-up to the civil war known as The Dance of the Dragons. Since its premiere in August 2022,House of the Dragonhas received rave reviews for its triumphant return toGeorge R.R. Martin’s fantastical world.
What’s remarkable aboutHouse of the Dragon, much likeGame of Thrones, are the beautiful locations that are featured on-screen. Most of the filming takes place in Leavesden Studios in Watford, however, many real-life filming locations are used throughout. Here is a look at all the locations used inHouse of the Dragon, explained.
Cáceres and Trujillo, Spain
Spain is featured predominantly throughoutHouse of the Dragon, specifically two towns in the Extramadura region of the country, Cáceres and Trujillo, which are, perCosmopolitan, used for many scenes set in King’s Landing. The locations were previously used inGame of Thronesfor King’s Landing in season 7. The towns are historic and look medieval, making them the perfect location for the fictional city. The towns blend Gothic and Roman visuals, which make it a perfect fit for somewhere that’s both fantastical and familiar. It’s likely we will see more of these locations asHouse of the Dragoncontinues, as King’s Landing will be a prime location throughout, especially since the series has been officiallyrenewed for a second season.
Monsanto and Penha Garcia, Portugal
Scenes in Dragonstone inHouse of the Dragonwere filmed in Portugal, specifically in the medieval village of Monsanto in Portugal, with shoots reportedly taking place outside Penha Garcia Castle. Both of these locations are absolutely beautiful, and it’s easy to see how they will fit into theGame of Thronesuniverse, visually fitting the part.
Related:House of the Dragon: How Was the Valyrian Language Created for the Show?
Cornwall, Surrey & Derbyshire, England
Lots of filming forHouse of the Dragonhas taken place across the UK, and most of the first season was filmed in The Leavesden Studios in Watford, which showcases much of the interior scenes. The location was also used forGame of Thrones, which filmed several battles inside, so it’s likely that we will see more of the same.
ForHouse of the Dragon, filming took place in the Pak District in Derbyshire, and Matt Smith was reportedly seen filming in Cave Dale, Eldon Hill Quarry, and Castleton’s Market Place. Each location’s purpose is currently unknown, but it’s clear that they could easily feature in the universe. The hill fort of Ceaser’s Camp in Surrey was also used as a filming location.
Cornwall was the final location known to have been used for the series in the UK. Holywell Bay beach and Kynance Cove were used for the beach scenes used in the prequel, and the tidal island of St. Michael’s Mount was also used. These locations can be seen in the beach scenes throughout and will likely feature much more in the upcomingHouse of the Dragonepisodes.
