Northern Ireland is closely linked with Game of Thrones, and several of the show’s most recognisable landscapes can be found along the Causeway Coast and surrounding countryside.
For visitors staying in Belfast, the most popular way to experience this scenery is as part of a wider Giant’s Causeway or Causeway Coast day trip, rather than a full specialist filming-location tour.
This guide explains which Game of Thrones-related locations you can visit or see from Belfast, how they fit into a Causeway Coast itinerary, and what to expect if you are combining filming locations with the Giant’s Causeway.
Game of Thrones Locations from Belfast: Quick Summary
| Best Known Stops | Dark Hedges, Ballintoy Harbour, Dunluce Castle, and Causeway Coast viewpoints |
|---|---|
| Best For | Game of Thrones fans, photography, coastal scenery, short sightseeing stops, and Northern Ireland landscapes |
| Typical Day Trip Time | 8–10 hours from Belfast when combined with the Giant’s Causeway |
| Full Filming Tour? | No, most Giant’s Causeway day trips include selected filming-related stops rather than every Game of Thrones location |
| Best Travel Option | Guided tour for convenience, self-drive for flexibility |
Can You Visit Game of Thrones Filming Locations from Belfast?
Yes, you can visit several Game of Thrones filming locations and related viewpoints from Belfast.
Some of the most popular stops are located along or near the Causeway Coast, which makes them easy to combine with a Giant’s Causeway day trip.
However, it is important to understand the difference between a dedicated Game of Thrones filming tour and a wider Causeway Coast day tour.
A dedicated filming tour may focus mainly on screen locations. A Giant’s Causeway day tour usually combines major attractions, scenic viewpoints, coastal stops, and selected Game of Thrones-related locations.
The Dark Hedges
The Dark Hedges is one of the most famous Game of Thrones locations in Northern Ireland.
This atmospheric avenue of beech trees was used as the Kingsroad in the series and has become one of the most photographed stops on many Belfast to Giant’s Causeway routes.
Visitors usually stop here for photos rather than a long visit. The experience is simple: walk along the tree-lined road, take photographs, and enjoy the unusual setting.
The Dark Hedges is especially popular with:
- Game of Thrones fans
- photographers
- first-time visitors to Northern Ireland
- people combining filming locations with the Giant’s Causeway
For more detail, read our Dark Hedges guide.
Ballintoy Harbour
Ballintoy Harbour is another important Game of Thrones-related stop on the Causeway Coast.
The harbour was used for scenes connected with the Iron Islands and Pyke, which makes it especially popular with fans of House Greyjoy and the show’s rugged coastal settings.
Even if you are not a Game of Thrones fan, Ballintoy Harbour is worth visiting for its rocky coastline, sea views, harbour walls, and dramatic Atlantic scenery.
It works best as a short scenic stop rather than a long attraction visit.
For practical visitor advice, see our Ballintoy Harbour guide.
Dunluce Castle
Dunluce Castle is often associated with Game of Thrones because its dramatic cliff-top setting helped inspire the look and feel of Castle Pyke.
The castle ruins sit on the edge of steep cliffs above the Atlantic Ocean, making it one of the most striking short stops near the Giant’s Causeway.
For most visitors, Dunluce Castle works best as a photo stop or short heritage visit. It adds castle scenery, local history, and a strong coastal backdrop to the day.
For more detail, read our Dunluce Castle guide.
Causeway Coast Scenery and the Iron Islands Feel
One reason Northern Ireland worked so well for Game of Thrones is the landscape itself.
The Causeway Coast has cliffs, rocky coves, sea stacks, narrow roads, castle ruins, windswept viewpoints, and dramatic Atlantic weather. Even places that were not used as filming locations can still feel connected to the look and atmosphere of the series.
Stops such as Portaneevy Viewpoint, Carrick-a-Rede views, Ballintoy, Dunluce Castle, and the wider coastal route all help create that rugged north coast feeling.
If you want to understand how these stops fit together, read our Causeway Coastal Route guide .
Can You Combine Game of Thrones Stops with the Giant’s Causeway?
Yes. This is one of the most popular ways to explore the north coast from Belfast.
A realistic day trip may include:
- the Dark Hedges
- Ballintoy Harbour or nearby coastal viewpoints
- Dunluce Castle
- the Giant’s Causeway
- Bushmills village or Old Bushmills Distillery stop
- Causeway Coastal Route scenery
The Giant’s Causeway is usually the main attraction of the day, while the Game of Thrones-related locations add extra interest, scenery, and photo opportunities.
If you are planning your first visit, read our guide to the best Giant’s Causeway tours from Belfast .
Guided Tour vs Self-Drive for Game of Thrones Locations
Both guided tours and self-drive trips can work, but they suit different visitors.
| Option | Best For | Main Trade-Off |
|---|---|---|
| Guided Tour | Visitors who want a simple Belfast day trip with several major stops included | Less flexibility over stop times and exact locations |
| Self-Drive | Fans who want to spend longer at filming locations or visit more remote stops | You manage driving, parking, routes, and timings yourself |
Guided tours are usually easier for first-time visitors because they remove the stress of coastal driving, parking, and route planning.
Self-driving gives more flexibility, but some roads around the Causeway Coast can feel narrow or busy, especially in peak season.
For a fuller comparison, read our guide to self-drive vs guided Giant’s Causeway tours .
Is This a Full Game of Thrones Tour?
No. A standard Giant’s Causeway and Causeway Coast day tour from Belfast should not be confused with a specialist full Game of Thrones filming-location tour.
Instead, it is best understood as a scenic day trip that can include some famous Game of Thrones-related stops, depending on the route and timings.
This is often a better fit for visitors who want a mix of:
- the Giant’s Causeway
- Causeway Coast scenery
- castle ruins
- Dark Hedges photos
- Ballintoy or coastal viewpoint stops
- local stories and practical sightseeing
If your main goal is a detailed screen-by-screen Game of Thrones tour, you should look for a specialist itinerary. If you want a broader Causeway Coast day out with filming-location interest included, this type of tour works well.
Best Time to Visit Game of Thrones Locations from Belfast
Game of Thrones-related stops can be visited year-round, but weather and daylight make a big difference.
| Time | What To Expect |
|---|---|
| Spring | Good balance of lighter crowds, improving daylight, and comfortable sightseeing. |
| Summer | Longest daylight hours, but busier photo stops, roads, and viewpoints. |
| Autumn | Atmospheric scenery, softer light, and often better conditions for dramatic photos. |
| Winter | Quieter and moodier, but colder, darker earlier, and more weather dependent. |
For wider seasonal planning, read our guide to the best time to visit the Giant’s Causeway .
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you visit Game of Thrones filming locations from Belfast?
Yes. Several Game of Thrones filming locations and related viewpoints can be visited from Belfast, especially along or near the Causeway Coast.
What Game of Thrones locations are near the Giant’s Causeway?
Popular Game of Thrones-related stops near the Giant’s Causeway include the Dark Hedges, Ballintoy Harbour, Dunluce Castle, and rugged Causeway Coast viewpoints.
Was the Dark Hedges used in Game of Thrones?
Yes. The Dark Hedges was used as the Kingsroad in Game of Thrones and is one of the most famous filming locations in Northern Ireland.
Was Ballintoy Harbour used in Game of Thrones?
Yes. Ballintoy Harbour was used for scenes connected with Pyke and the Iron Islands in Game of Thrones.
Is Dunluce Castle a Game of Thrones filming location?
Dunluce Castle is often associated with Game of Thrones because its cliff-top setting helped inspire the look and feel of Castle Pyke, although much of the on-screen castle appearance was digitally created.
Can you combine Game of Thrones locations with the Giant’s Causeway?
Yes. Many visitors combine Game of Thrones-related stops with the Giant’s Causeway, Dunluce Castle, Bushmills, and other Causeway Coast locations on a day trip from Belfast.
Is a Giant’s Causeway day tour the same as a full Game of Thrones tour?
No. A Giant’s Causeway day tour may include some Game of Thrones-related stops, but it is not the same as a specialist full filming-location tour.
