Game of Thrones fans, winter has arrived. The Game of Thrones Studio Tour opens today just outside of Belfast!

The Game of Thrones Studio Tour in Belfast, Northern Ireland — *Photo reposted from* *Game of Thrones Studio Tour on Instagram*

A Lannister always pays his debts, just as Poe Travel is always ready to bring the best of the best in the travel world right to you. Therefore, we are honor-bound to tell you about Northern Ireland’s latest and greatest opening—the Game of Thrones Studio Tour, which opens today, February 4th!

This fabulous news had us wondering what other Game of Thrones-related goodness we could get up to in beautiful Northern Ireland, so we sat down with our friends at Dream Escape to come up with ten must-do Game of Thrones experiences in Northern Ireland for any avid fan. The night may be dark and full of terrors, but this itinerary is the stuff of dreams.

10 Game of Thrones Experiences in Northern Ireland

1. Visit the new Studio Tour.

Photo reposted from Game of Thrones Studio Tour on Instagram

The Studio Tour has to be right at the top of the list for the Game of Thrones obsessed. Located just outside of Belfast, the Studio Tour is an immersive experience, offering avid Game of Thrones fans the opportunity to step onto sets that will make you feel as though you’re really in Westeros. The Studio Tour is located at the authentic filming location of Linen Mill Studios in Banbridge (about 30 minutes outside of Belfast), inviting you to step behind the scenes of the Seven Kingdoms and beyond. You’ll have the chance to experience George R.R. Martin’s world like never before, exploring how one of the world’s greatest ever TV series was created and brought to life on screen.

This epic new landmark is expected to draw up to 600,000 visitors a year, and you can be one of the first. Poe Travel and Dream Escape will work together to create an itinerary fit for someone who sits on the Iron Throne.

*Photo courtesy of K. Mitch Hodge on Unsplash*

2. Spruce up your Insta at the Dark Hedges.

The Dark Hedges is a popular stop on any Game of Thrones filming location tour. This impressive and atmospheric tunnel of trees appears in the HBO blockbuster as the King’s Road in Westeros, the same road that led Ned Stark on his fateful trip to King’s Landing and that led his daughter Arya away from the capital afterwards.

In reality, the Dark Hedges is an avenue of beautiful beech trees that was planted by the Stuart family in the 18th century to impress visitors as they approached the entrance to their Georgian mansion, Gracehill House. Tucked away on a hidden road on the way to Bushmills, this highly photographed Game of Thrones landmark will certainly give your Instagram a boost.

3. Search for the hidden Game of Thrones doors.

Game of Thrones fans are no stranger to tragic plot twists. Sometimes, as we know, tragedy makes its way from the screen into real life, such as when Storm Gertrude badly damaged some of the trees in the Dark Hedges in 2016. Tourism Northern Ireland, however, chose to turn this tragedy into some Game of Thrones-related art in the form of ten wooden doors made from the wood of the fallen trees. These doors were crafted to show some of the series’ most exciting moments, preserving a piece of the show in historical wood from one of the show’s most famous filming locations.

Mary McBrides pub was once one of the smallest pubs in Northern Ireland. It is located in the beautiful village of Cushendun and named for its late landlady. These days, it’s a venue full of character and history, with plenty of stories to be told, and it also plays host to door number eight on the Game of Thrones door tour. Why not challenge yourself to visit all ten?

4. Visit the home of the Starks.

With an expert guide, visit Castle Ward, a National Trust property that served as the filming location of Winterfell, home of House Stark. The castle acted as the backdrop for much of season one, and it’s also where you’ll find the landscape of international importance, Strangford Lough, as well as the Whispering Wood and filming locations for key scenes such as Robb Stark’s camp, the Baelor battle, and when Brienne confronts the Stark men.

Hundreds of actors and crew stayed in the nearby village inn, The Cuan—home to door one of the above-mentioned Game of Thrones doors. Fittingly, this first door portrays the opening sequence of the show, with a map of Westeros. Stay in the same room as your favorite star and wake up with a delicious breakfast to boot, the perfect way to start your day of Game of Thrones explorations.

5. Meet the owners of a Game of Thrones venue.

Ballyscullion Park is home to Richard and Rosalind Muholland, and its gardens and woods were also used as a Game of Thrones filming location. Meet Richard and Rosalind for an exclusive tour of their beautiful estate as you are regaled with filming stories.

Along with hearing how the cast was surrounded by the climbing ivy and stones among the ruins of what little remains of the Earl’s Bishop Palace, the Muhollands will talk you through the history of the estate and family as you tour the house and gardens. You’ll even get the chance to sit down for a dinner prepared with the best local ingredients. This magical house is a true Irish treasure, and this is a completely unique experience.

6. Follow the trail of stained-glass windows.

To celebrate the ten-year anniversary of filming in Northern Ireland, six colossal stained-glass windows depicting some of the series’ best scenes form a new walking trail in Belfast, passing yet another filming location: Titanic Studios.

The windows were unveiled to coincide with the final season of the show, with each one representing a different house or legacy, including the Starks, Lannisters, Baratheons, Targaryens, White Walkers, and the Iron Throne. In these beautiful panels, you’ll find some of the most talked-about scenes from seasons one through seven, and they’re dotted about along the Maritime Mile from the AC Hotel, past Titanic Studios, to HMS Caroline.

7. Sip the perfect pint at a Victorian pub.

A must-do along the Game of Thrones door tour is a stop at the Blakes of the Hollow, a famous and well-recognized Victorian pub that keeps the traditional Irish heritage alive. It’s also home to door number four on the Game of Thrones hidden door list.

This pub, which welcomes all ages, has graced County Fermanagh’s shores for well over a century. It’s the perfect place for a pint of Guinness or an Irish coffee. Every Friday, you can stop in to enjoy live traditional music, creating a genuine Irish pub atmosphere that is not to be missed.

8. Visit stunning filming locations in the north.

Northern Coast of Northern Ireland — *Photo courtesy of K Mitch Hodge on Unsplash*

County Derry, on Northern Ireland’s northern coast, is the perfect place to see some of the most recognizable Game of Thrones filming locations. Plus, it’s incredibly stunning and picturesque, so you’d be remiss not to make the journey up to see for yourself.

The Cushendun Caves were formed over 400 million years of extreme weather conditions, providing the perfect backdrop for The Stormlands in Game of Thrones. You can spot the caves just beyond the beautiful coastal village of Cushendun as you walk down next to the Cave House. Cushenden Village itself is steeped in character and folklore.

While you’re on the coast, visit Downhill Beach (Game of Thrones’ Dragonstone), Larrybane and Carrick-a-Rede (more Stormlands filming locations), Ballintoy Harbour (Pike), and Murlough Bay (Storm’s End).

9. Discover an age-old craft.

Weaver from Magee of Donegal in Northern Ireland — *Photo reposted from* *Magee of Donegal on Instagram*

A private visit to the weaving mill and workshop at Magee of Donegal, a fifth-generation Irish family business, is a wonderful cultural addition to a Game of Thrones itinerary. With over 150 years of experience in designing, weaving, and tailoring luxurious fabrics and clothing, Magee of Donegal is famous for its handwoven tweed. They even created some one-off pieces for Game of Thrones, including Joffrey’s crown. Today, they still employ the use of handweavers, and we can arrange for you to be treated to a weaving demonstration by one of the Temple family on one of their pedal looms.

10. Visit a riverside excavation site.

Eagle-eyed Game of Thrones fans will recognize Inch Abbey in County Down as the Trident River and Riverrun, home to House Tully in season one.

In the series, Catelyn Stark remembers this place as her childhood home, but in reality, Inch Abbey was founded on the north bank of the Quoile River by John de Courcy in atonement for his destruction of Erenagah Abbey. The buildings that remain today are mainly from the 12th and 13th centuries, while it is believed that the church is older than that at Grey Abbey, which was built around 1193.

Whether you’re the King in the North or the Khaleesi, these Game of Thrones experiences are sure to keep you busy during your next journey to Northern Ireland. Poe Travel and Dream Escape will work together to create a curated itinerary just for you, filled with the best of Westeros and plenty of other hidden gems that this spectacular country has to offer.

If you would like to Go Away to Northern Ireland (or anywhere else in the world), simply contact us. We will create a customized itinerary to set you on your way.

The Newest Studio Tour in the Realm (of Northern Ireland)