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House of the Dragon, which is currently streaming on HBO Max and HBO, continues the legacy of Game of Thrones by filming in many different locations to make up the sprawling fictional land of Westeros. The new series focuses on House Targaryen and the lead-up to the civil war known as The Dance of the Dragons. Since its premiere in August 2022, House of the Dragon has received rave reviews for its triumphant return to George R.R. Martin's fantastical world.
What's remarkable about House of the Dragon, much like Game 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 in House of the Dragon, explained.
Cáceres and Trujillo, Spain
Spain is featured predominantly throughout House of the Dragon, specifically two towns in the Extramadura region of the country, Cáceres and Trujillo, which are, per Cosmopolitan, used for many scenes set in King’s Landing. The locations were previously used in Game of Thrones for 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 as House of the Dragon continues, as King's Landing will be a prime location throughout, especially since the series has been officially renewed for a second season.
Monsanto and Penha Garcia, Portugal
Scenes in Dragonstone in House of the Dragon were 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 the Game of Thrones universe, visually fitting the part.
Cornwall, Surrey & Derbyshire, England
Lots of filming for House of the Dragon has 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 for Game of Thrones, which filmed several battles inside, so it’s likely that we will see more of the same.
For House 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 upcoming House of the Dragon episodes.