Game of Thrones Tour Dublin

Do you already have clear plans for your trip to Dublin? If you liked the Game of Thrones series, an excursion from the Irish capital to the sets where it was filmed is surely on your list. As if it were a pilgrimage, many viewers sign up for these tours to enter the world of the famous series and feel, somehow, part of it.

The Giant's Causeway or Dark Hedges are two of the best known locations, but there are many more. Unfortunately, it is not always possible to visit them all at the same time, although there is no lack of options to go to one or the other. In my opinion, the advantage of organized tours, whatever the specific route, is that they make transfers much easier; in addition, the guides always have secrets, anecdotes and interesting things to tell about the production of the series and the scenes that were filmed at each site.

Fans of Game of Thrones have it clear, one of the best excursions that can be done from Dublin is the one that has as main destination the Giant's Causeway and other locations of Game of Thrones.

If you agree with this statement, join this tour that includes admission and plenty of time to walk among the more than 4000 basalt columns. The price is also very affordable (approximately 80€ per person), especially considering that you will also visit Ballintoy Harbour. Maybe the name does not ring a bell at first, but some moments of the series were filmed there.

In total, there are almost 13 hours to see the main scenes of Game of Thrones aboard a comfortable bus.

Although there are not many other stops on this tour, which only focuses on the essentials, you will quickly pass Dunluce Castle and Dark Hedges, which are also important in the story. At the end of the tour, you will have free time to stroll around the nearby city of Belfast.

Ballintoy Harbour

Ballintoy Harbour, this small fishing village, may not catch your attention at first, but it has to be part of the basic tour for Game of Thrones viewers.

Theon Greyjoy's return to the Iron Islands was filmed here, but also his baptism, Euron's coronation or Balon's death. Listen well to the guide's explanations and pour a little imagination (and memory), because behind the scenes a lot of things happened.

Be careful, this stop is not possible throughout the year, since in the spring and summer months, approximately, it is not available. In that case, don't worry because there will be something prepared in return, such as more time in Belfast or admission to the traveling exhibition of the series.

Giant's Causeway

Legend has it that this road was built by the Scottish giant (Bennandoner) to cross into Ireland to face the giant there (Finn McCool). However, upon his arrival, McCool had disguised himself as a baby so that Bennandoner would think that if a child was so big, his father must be even bigger. The trap took effect and Bennandoner ran off, tearing up part of the path he had earlier built. That's what it looks like.

The other explanation is that more than 55 million years ago, a large tongue of lava cooled rapidly on the surface but was slow to cool on the underside, creating this landscape.

Whichever story you stick with, the Giant's Causeway, a World Heritage Site, is a great natural and historical monument that also has a lot of importance in Game of Thrones. In its surroundings, for example, is Dunluce Castle, which served as Greyjoy's House. Of course, the entrance fee is not included in the price, just a quick stop for photos.

Dark Hedges

Do you remember the King's Highway? The one where Arya escapes. Well, maybe you won't escape, but you'll be able to take a picture on it during your visit. There won't be much time, so make the most of this arched tree-lined path.

Although the HBO series has helped make this place famous, Dark Hedges was already well known for being an unprecedented natural spectacle. In addition to Arya, it seems that an ancient ghost, that of Lady Grey, also makes a habit of wandering around. Will you encounter either of them?

Interesting facts

• Means of transport: shared coach
• Price: approximately 80€.
• Duration of the excursion: from 13 hours onwards
• What's included: transfers, entrance to the Giant's Causeway and stops at Dark Hedges and Ballintoy.
• Recommended if: you want to visit the essentials

Are you more of a House Stark person? Then during your trip to Dublin you will want to take a trip to the place where the scenes of Winterfell were filmed: Ward Castle. For the same price (approximately 75€), during the 11-hour tour you can also visit the Enchanted Forest.

The journeys are a bit long, but you will do them comfortably in an air-conditioned coach; the excitement of knowing the real places of Game of Thrones will make the time fly by.

The first stop will be at the Enchanted Forest, which was also the starting point for the White Walkers on their route to the Kingdom of Men. You will have time to explore at your leisure and to listen to the facts the guide provides.

Then it will be time to leave this place and head for Castle Ward. But first, you will quickly pass through Downpatrick Abbey, which does not appear in the series but does appear in Irish history, as it is where St. Patrick is buried.

Finally, Winterfell (or rather Castle Ward) will open before you. It is a huge mansion dating from the eighteenth century and mixing two architectural styles (Romanesque and Gothic). If you want to live a total immersion experience, go to the courtyard and sign up for an archery class, just like the Stark brothers and Jon Snow did.

Interesting facts

• Means of transport: shared coach
• Price: approximately 75€.
• Duration of tour: from 11 hours onwards
• What's included: transfers, entrance to Ward's Castle and stop at Downpatrick Abbey.
• Recommended if: you would like to see Winterfell while appreciating Ireland's cultural heritage.

Many of the tours do not include access to Dunluce Castle, although it is very important in the Game of Thrones series. If you feel like going in, don't worry because there are some tours with which you can. They usually also include a visit to the Giant's Causeway, so you can combine the two entrances.

The approximate price is 75 € and, in the 12 hours it lasts, most of the time is devoted to these two places, although it also stops in Belfast.

The Giant's Causeway, that path of volcanoes and mythological beings, is very close to Dunluce Castle. Although you can just spot it from afar or just walk around it, if you have the chance I recommend you to go inside. Not only because it is the tower that does not grow in the Iron Islands, but also because it was used in the filming of the Chronicles of Narnia.

Its non-film history is also very interesting, and I'm sure the tour guide will explain how this castle saw soldiers fighting and, being on a cliff, also witnessed shipwrecks.

Facts of Interest

• Means of transport: shared coach
• Price: approximately 75€.
• Duration of the tour: from 12 hours onwards
• What's included: transfers, entrance fees to Dunluce Castle and Giant's Causeway
• Recommended if: you are not satisfied with just seeing Dunluce Castle from afar and want to go in.

If you are a film lover, you may already know that, in Belfast, very close to the places where Game of Thrones was filmed, are the Titanic Museum and the studio where interior scenes of the HBO series were filmed.

Taking advantage of the trip from Dublin, why not visit both sites? You can do so on an excursion that combines the two visits. The approximate price is about 75 € and not only includes tickets, but also a quick tour of the city of Belfast. Almost 12 hours full of history, cinema and culture.

Did you know that the Titanic was built in the Belfast shipyard? Questions like this will be answered during your tour of the Museum. Even two hours will not seem long enough to see all the interactive rooms and learn about the history (and tragedy) of this ship.

Another aspect that you may not know is that, in this same museum, you will find the Titanic Studios. It is one of the most famous and was used for Game of Thrones. Yes, this is where the actors went for the interior scenes, especially during the first four seasons.

Although there is not much left now, because of course it has been dismantled so that other productions can be filmed, there is always some anecdote that your guide can tell you.

Facts of Interest

• Means of transport: shared coach
• Price: approximately 75€.
• Duration of the excursion: from 12 hours onward
• What's included: transfers, tickets to the Titanic Museum and Studios and guided tour of Belfast.
• Recommended if: you are interested in knowing how the interior scenes of Game of Thrones were produced.

There are many alternatives to go from Dublin to Belfast, but if you followed every episode of Game of Thrones with excitement, I recommend combining a trip to the Giant's Causeway with Belfast.

You will have about 12 hours to get to know in detail, and in the company of a guide, each of the places. In addition, you will not have to worry about how to get there, as a bus will take you and the rest of the group from one place to another. The general price is approximately 55€.

As soon as you leave Dublin, since you will not have to drive or be aware of the stops, you will be able to see the entire Atlantic coast through the window of the bus. Once you arrive at the Giant's Causeway you will have free time to walk around it, enter the Visitor's Center, learn more about it and generally appreciate this World Heritage Site.

For a change of scenery, nothing like sightseeing in Belfast. A city with a lot of history and that has changed significantly in recent years. Your guide will explain all the cultural and artistic heritage of this place. Please note that meals are not included, but you will have plenty of options to fill your stomach (your guide may even have a discount for you).

As this type of tour only includes the transfers, the walking tour of Belfast and the entrance to the Giant's Causeway, the price is more affordable, so it is a good alternative. Also, since half of the tour is through Belfast, if you are traveling with people who have not seen the HBO series, they will also have a good time and it won't be too boring for them.

Interesting facts

• Means of transport: shared coach
• Price: approximately 55€.
• Duration of tour: from 12 hours onwards
• What's included: transfers, entrance to the Giant's Causeway and guided tour of Belfast.
• Recommended if: traveling with people who have not seen Game of Thrones

Usually Game of Thrones tours focus on the most emblematic places where the series was filmed, such as the Giant's Causeway. However, if you want to go further afield I recommend booking a tour of the Carnlough and Larrybane Quarry area.

Not only will you get to know some beautiful coastal towns, but you will also visit the sites where some of the most dramatic plots of the series were filmed. The price is approximately 55€ and includes all the visits of the day.

For me, the most positive thing about this type of tours is that, being a bit more distant areas (about 3 or 4 hours by bus from Dublin), there are not so many people, so you can live the Game of Thrones experience without the tourist crowds of places like Dark Hedges.

Carnlough

Located on the coast, Carnlough is worth it for how beautiful it is. One of its most important elements is the port that, in addition to being fundamental for trade, acted as the Canal of Braavos. I'm sure you're familiar with having seen it at the beginning of season five.

Just 30 minutes from Carnlough are the Cushendun Caves. Your guide will likely take you to them; they're nearby and the site of the filming of Melisandre's birthing scenes and Jamie Lannister's final battle.

Larrybane Quarry

Although not many scenes were filmed at Larrybane Quarry, it is quite relevant; Renly Baratheon's camp in the Stormlands was placed there. While you're there, maybe you'll venture across the Carrick A Rede suspension bridge, located 100 feet above the ocean. I'm not going to lie, it's a little dizzying.

Another place you can visit is the Fullerton Arms Hotel. Why? Because actors of the HBO series stayed there, maybe the staff has some anecdotes to tell! It's a good time to grab a bite to eat, although remember that food and drinks are not included in the tour.

Interesting facts

• Means of transportation: shared coach
• Price: approximately 55€.
• Duration of tour: from 13 hours onwards
• What's included: transfers, visits to Carnlough and Larrybane Quarry
• Recommended if: you want to avoid the crowds of the most crowded locations

Want to feel like you're really in the series? Your chance to act in Game of Thrones may have passed you by, but there are tours that go out of their way to make sure you don't get left wanting.

For approximately 65€ and for 11 hours, the guides (who have sometimes been extras), are responsible for guiding you through the scenarios with the help of tablets where you can see fragments of episodes, so you can put yourself in situation. They will also lend you costumes and even fake swords so you can walk around Winterfell and other places like a real Stark.

The truth is that, in my case, I appreciate these themed tours in which there is an extra effort to recreate scenes. If you like Game of Thrones, you will love being able to wield the sword or the banner of the different houses while they explain what scenes were filmed and, most interestingly, how they did it.

As for places to visit, as soon as you arrive from Dublin you will stop at the Tollymore Forest Park, famous for its river, the 16 bridges that cross it and also for having hosted the Enchanted Forest. There you will do one of the 4 hiking trails while your guide tells you what scenes were filmed there.

Then it's time to head to Winterfell, also known in the real world as Old Castle Ward, and make a quick stop at Inch Abbey where Robb Stark was crowned King of the North.

Facts of Interest

• Means of transportation: shared coach
• Price: approximately 65
• Duration of tour: from 11 hours onwards
• What's included: transfers, entrance fees to Tollymore Park and Ward's Castle
• Recommended if: you like dressing up and enjoy themed tours

One day is not enough for you? To the big fans of Game of Thrones it seems so, so there is always the option of taking a tour that lasts a couple of days. The price is higher (approximately 300€) because it includes train rides, all visits and the hotel night. In short, a very complete tour so that you do not return to Dublin with the feeling of having seen everything too fast.

I'm not lying when I tell you that, with this tour, you won't have anything left to see. In addition, there will be times with a guide, who will explain secrets of the filming of the series, but also other times to explore on your own.

For example, the first day you will have free time to visit Belfast, since you will also have included in the price a ticket for a tourist bus, so you can hop on and off at the most emblematic places of the city.

The second day is the most Game of Thrones-centric day; after an overnight stay in a central Belfast hotel and breakfast (both included in the price), your 8-hour tour of the Giant's Causeway, Dark Hedges and other important locations from the series will begin.

Interesting facts

• Means of transport: shared coach
• Price: approximately 300€.
• Duration of tour: 2 days
• What's included: transfers, entrance fees to the Giant's Causeway, visits to Belfast, Dark Hedges and other locations, night and breakfast in a central Belfast hotel.
• Recommended if: you want to see everything in time and you will be in Dublin for several days.

Since 2022, Game of Thrones viewers have one more place to visit: the official studios of the series. Different tours are organized from Dublin that, for approximately €70, offer round-trip transfers plus admission to the studios. There, the magic, fantasy and excitement know no bounds.

Have you ever watched Game of Thrones and wondered how it was filmed? During the visit to the studios, which are like a big museum and theme park at the same time, many of your doubts will be solved.

There you can see up close the original costumes used by the actors to get into the character of Arya, Daenerys or Jon Snow. There are also detailed recreations of locations such as the crypt of Winterfell.

But undoubtedly, the most interesting thing is to walk through the rooms where the special effects are explained and how, from the sketch of the creators, everything was captured in the production of the series.

In total, there are about 10,000 square meters that will take you about 3 hours to walk through. You will not be bored for a moment, although it is clear that this tour is only suitable for fans of Game of Thrones.

Useful information

• Means of transport: shared coach
• Price: approximately 70€.
• Duration of the tour: from 8 hours onwards
• What's included: transfers, entrance to the official Game of Thrones Studios
• Recommended if: you are a big fan of Game of Thrones and want to know how it was produced.

If you want to feel like a king during your excursion from Dublin to the Game of Thrones locations, the best thing to do is to book a private tour. The price is approximately 150€, but a driver will pick you up at your hotel to take you through the main scenes of your favorite series during the 12 hours that the tour lasts. At the end of the tour you will be returned to your hotel in Dublin.

The tour usually focuses on the most important locations, such as the Giant's Causeway and its surroundings, which are also a World Heritage Site and stand out for their green landscapes full of nature.

My advice is that, when you book this tour, comment which places you would like to visit. After all, the service is exclusive and tailored to your interests.

This type of tour has a higher price tag, of course, but you are investing in a unique experience. There is no more unique way to get into the world of Game of Thrones than being able to ask all the questions you want and taking your time, without having to adapt to the schedules of a group.

Interesting facts

• Means of transportation: private vehicle
• Price: approximately 150€.
• Duration of the tour: from 8 hours onwards
• What's included: transfers and visits with private guide
• Recommended if: you don't mind paying more for a more exclusive and personalized tour.

I'm not going to kid you, Game of Thrones locations are always packed to the rafters. Think of it as a very successful series that attracts fans from all over the world, so you won't be the only person who wants to take this tour from Dublin.

However, there are times, outside the high season, when you will find less crowds. If you travel to Dublin in winter, even if you are going to be a bit colder, you can take advantage of these tours.

In any case, remember to book both the tour and the additional visits you want to do, in advance. There is usually a lot of demand and you do not want to be surprised, once in Dublin, not to find any alternative to see the scenes of your favorite series.

Have you already chosen your Game of Thrones tour? Rest assured that, whatever you do, you will feel the excitement of each chapter.