I’ve never visited a movie location before, but while I was right there in Malta, I got excited enough to visit some of the Game of Thrones Locations Malta and Gozo is rich. And I really enjoyed it, going back into the first series of the show to see what the actual scenes were like.
If you like this post, make sure to also check out my post about Game of Thrones locations in Northern Ireland!
Please note that all movie stills are copyrighted by HBO.
GAME OF THRONES LOCATIONS MALTA AND GOZO
In the show’s first season, the city of Mdina on the island of Malta was the setting for King’s Landing, the capital of the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros. Westeros is an island continent resembling medieval Britain. Gozo, Malta’s smaller sister island, was the setting for the Dothraki Wedding in the show’s first season.
Game of Thrones moved production from Malta in the second season to Croatia, as there was some controversy over damage to the Azure Window and its ecosystem caused by the show’s contractors.
1. Azure Window, Gozo
Please note: Unfortunately, the Azure Window collapsed into the ocean due to heavy weather in 2017. I’m soooo sad about the loss of this amazing natural arch! Here you can see what the location looked like:
The Azure Window can be seen behind Daenerys and Khal Drogo’s wedding in S01E01 (“Winter Is Coming”).
Book a Gozo sightseeing tour with GetYourGuide
2. Fort Manoel, Manoel Island, Gzira Marsamxett Harbour, Valletta, Malta
This fort is used as the Great Sept of Baelor in S01E09 (“Baelor”). In this episode, Joffrey gets Ned Stark to admit to being a traitor and then has him beheaded in front of his children.
I didn’t go up to the fort myself, but happened to spot it from the other side of the water in Valletta!
Book a Valletta Walking Tour with GetYourGuide
3. St. Dominic Convent, Rabat, Malta
This convent is used as the Red Keep Garden. Here, in S01E07 (“You Win or You Die”), Ned confronted Cersei over the parentage of her children. Eddard warns Cersei about what he knows and tells her he is going to go public with it.
Later in the episode a messenger informs Ned that Joffrey and Cersei requested his presence.
Visit Rabat on a Full-Day Gozo Island Excursion with GetYourGuide
4. Fort Ricasoli, Grand Harbour of Valletta, Malta
The gates and the gatehouse feature as “The King’s Gate” in S01E03 (“Lord Snow”), when the King’s party returns to the city.
Also used in S01E05 (“The Wolf and the Lion”), when Arya arrives back at the King’s Gate after sneaking out through a secret passage. She then tries to convince one of the gate guards to let her back into the Red Keep.
Unfortunately, I didn’t visit the Fort myself and I’m not sure if you can?
Book a Valletta Walking Tour with GetYourGuide
5. Mdina Game of Thrones location on Malta
The old gate of Mdina stood in for King’s Landing in S01E03 (“Lord Snow”), as Catelyn and Ser Rodrik ride into King’s Landing to investigate the attack on Bran.
Also seen in the episode later when Ned says goodbye to Catelyn at the gate.
Book a Mdina Full-Day Tour with Lunch with GetYourGuide
6. Verdala Palace, Buskett Gardens, Dingli, Malta
The Verdala Palace is the official summer residence of the President of Malta. It is used as Illyrio’s Mansion in S01E01 (“Winter is Coming”) when Daenerys and Viserys meet Khal Drogo out front of the mansion.
Book a scenic tour by vintage bus on GetYourGuide and see Buskett Gardens in Malta >
7. Piazza Mesquita, Mdina, Malta
This is the scene of Littlefinger’s Brothel, as seen in S01E03 (“Lord Snow”). Lord Baelish shows Ned Stark to his brothel to see Catelyn who had snuck into the city.
Although I was in Mdina, I totally missed out on the fact this place was used as well and I didn’t take any photos here, ahh!
UPDATE: Many, many thanks to our lovely reader Harald for sending in some photos of this location, such a great addition to this post!
Book a Mdina Full-Day Tour with Lunch with GetYourGuide
8. San Anton Palace and Gardens, Attard, Malta
San Anton Palace is the official residence of the President of Malta, and is surrounded by both private and public gardens. It was the setting for the Red Keep Stables in S01E03 (“Lord Snow”) when the Starks arrive at the Red Keep.
In S01E08 (“The Pointy End”), a number of the Starks’ attendants are murdered by the Lannister soldiers while unloading some cargo from which Arya later recovers her sword.
Also used as Red Keep Hallway in S01E05 (“The Wolf and the Lion”) when Ned is walking through the keep when a messenger informs him that the small council is meeting.
In S01E07 (“You Win or You Die”), Varys and Littlefinger inform Ned that the Goldcloaks are under his control in this place too.
Finally, in S01E04 (“Cripples, Bastards and Broken Things”), this place is used as the Red Keep Gardens when Ned and Littlefinger discuss the actions of the former Hand right before his death.
This Mdina Full Day Tour includes a stop at San Anton Palace and Gardens >
9. Fort St Angelo, Birgu, Malta
Fort Saint Angelo is a large fortification in Birgu, Malta, right at the centre of Grand Harbour.
The fort is used as the Red Keep Dungeon. On assignment from Syrio Forel, Arya chases a cat into the tunnels beneath the Red Keep where she overhears a conversation between Varys and Illyrio in S01E05 (“The Wolf and the Lion”).
This attraction ticket includes Fort St Angelo in Malta >
10. Tal-Qargha, Manikata, Malta
This place is representing Lhazareen, The Dothraki attack a village and Khal Drogo is wounded in S01E08 (“The Pointy End”).
11. Mtahleb Cliffs, Malta
The Dothraki camp for after Khal Drogo collapses in S01E09 (“Baelor”).
Also the place where Daenerys enters the funeral pyre and emerges in S01E10 (“Fire and Blood”).
Are you a Game of Thrones Fan? Would you go and visit the filming locations on a Malta game of thrones tour?
For more Malta & Gozo attractions and for Game of Throne Tours around the world, check GetYourGuide:
GAME OF THRONES EXPERIENCES IN DUBROVNIK & SPLIT, CROATIA
- Dubrovnik: Full-Day Total Game of Thrones Experience (7h)
- Dubrovnik: Game of Thrones And Iron Throne Walking Tour (2h)
- Dubrovnik: The Ultimate Game of Thrones Tour (2h)
- Dubrovnik: Game of Thrones Escape Game (2h)
- Dubrovnik: Lokrum Island Game of Thrones Tour (3h)
- Dubrovnik: Epic Game of Thrones Walking Tour (2h)
- Dubrovnik: Game of Thrones Walking Tour (2h)
- Dubrovnik: Game of Thrones Tour & Cruise (2h)
- Dubrovnik: Game of Thrones Complete Tour (5h)
- Dubrovnik: Game of Thrones: Land and Sea (3h)
- Split: Game of Thrones Private Tour with Diocletian Palace (1.5h)
- Split: Game of Thrones Guided Tour (3.5h)
- Split: Game of Thrones Tour with Diocletian’s Palace Cellar (2h)
- Split: Game of Thrones Museum Entrance Ticket
- Split Game of Thrones Tour: City of Dragons (2h)
GAME OF THRONES EXPERIENCES IN GIRONA, SPAIN
- Girona: Game of Thrones Private Tour with Pickup (5h)
- Girona & Costa Brava Game of Thrones Tour (11h)
- Girona: Game of Thrones and Montserrat Tour (11.5h)
- Girona: Game of Thrones Tour (6h)
- Girona: Game of Thrones Small Group Tour (2.5h)
GAME OF THRONES EXPERIENCES IN BELFAST
- From Belfast: Giant’s Causeway and Game of Thrones Day Tour (8.5h)
- Banbridge: Game of Thrones Studio Tour Admission Ticket
- From Belfast: Game of Thrones and Giant’s Causeway Day Tour (8.5h)
- Belfast: Game of Thrones – Winterfell Locations Trek (10h)
- Game of Thrones Inspired Escape room (1h)
- Belfast: Giant’s Causeway Tour & Game of Thrones Locations (10h)
- Belfast: Game Of Thrones Tour & 2-Day Hop-On Hop-Off Ticket (9h)
- From Belfast: Private Full-Day Game of Thrones Tour (9h)
- Belfast: Game of Thrones – Iron Islands & Giant’s Causeway (9h)
- Game of Thrones & Giant’s Causeway: Guided Tour from Belfast (9h)
- Belfast: Game of Thrones Tour Plus 1-Day City Tour Pass
- Game of Thrones: Filming Locations Tour – from Belfast (8.5h)
- Game of Thrones: Filming Locations Tour – from Ballycastle (9.5h)
GAME OF THRONES EXPERIENCES IN ICELAND
- From Reykjavik: Snaefellsnes Peninsula and Kirkjufell (11h)
- Grundarfjörður: Classic Mt. Kirkjufell Kayaking Adventure (2h)
- Snæfellsnes: Small-Group Hidden Treasures of The West Tour + Kirkjufell (12h)
- From Reykjavík: South Coast Day Trip with Glacier Hike + Skógafoss Waterfall (11h)
- From Reykjavik: South Coast Guided Group Adventure + Skógafoss Waterfall (9.5h)
More Game of Thrones Filming Locations
A great website to find more information about and a map with exact points of all the different Game of Thrones Malta locations is: https://moviemaps.org >
I also found this great video on YouTube with some more Game of Thrones Malta tour and filming locations, have a look >
Ben
Saturday 23rd of March 2019
I've just come back from Malta and gutted to have missed these! Why do I always research holidays once I return :). OK going forwards I'm going to do things the right way round!
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