Game of Thrones was primarily filmed in Malta during the production of the first season. Some of the key locations used in Malta include the medieval city of Mdina, the capital city of Valletta, the Azure Window on the island Gozo and Fort St. Angelo in Birgu.
Game of Thrones tours are available on Malta. The tours feature some of the key locations like Mdina, Valletta, Birgu and Gozo. When you check out a Malta Game of Thrones map, you can also explore the settings independently.
The Iron Throne from the Game of Thrones series is not located in Malta. The throne is a prop that was created specifically for the show and was used in the filming of the series.
It was built in Croatia.
Malta was the main filming location for the first season of Game of Thrones. The show is one of the most popular and critically acclaimed television series of all time. It is based on George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series of novels. The show took the world by storm with its epic storytelling, complex characters, and breathtaking visuals. One of the key elements that helped bring the world of Westeros to life on the small screen was the use of real-world locations as filming sites. And one country that played a crucial role in the show’s production was Malta.
The island nation of Malta
The island nation, located in the Mediterranean Sea, was the original filming location for the first season of Game of Thrones. The Maltese archipelago, with its unique blend of medieval and modern architecture, served as the backdrop for many of the series’ most iconic scenes and locations. From the capital city of Valletta to the ancient city of Mdina, Malta played a vital role in the creation of the world of Westeros.
Key Locations of Game of Thrones on Malta
- The medieval city of Mdina served as the filming location for the city of King’s Landing. It’s the capital of the Seven Kingdoms and the seat of the Iron Throne.
- The capital city of Valletta served as well as a filming location for different sceneries.
- The Azure Window is located on the island of Gozo. It served as the location for the famous Dothraki wedding scene between Daenerys Targaryen and Khal Drogo.
- Fort St. Angelo in Birgu served as the filming location for the Underground Chambers of Red Keep, the fortress located in the capital city of King’s Landing.
- St. Dominic’s Convent in Rabat was the scenery for a fatal conversation between Ned Stark and Cersei Lannister in the Red Keep Garden.
- The Mtahleb Cliffs in the west of Malta were the setting for several scenes in the camp of the Dothrakis.
- You can see San Anton Gardens several times in the first season. They belong to San Anton Palace in Attard that is the residence of the President of Malta. You can visit San Anton Gardens daily.
- Verdala Palace is the scenery of the first meeting of Daenerys Tagaryen and Khal Drogo in Pentos. Unfortunately, the Vardala Palace is a private residence of the President of Malta and is not open for public.
Malta’s architecture and landscapes offered a perfect setting for the fictional world of Game of Thrones. However, additional seasons were filmed in other countries such as Croatia, Northern Ireland, Spain, Iceland, and Canada.
Mdina as Setting for Game of Thrones
Mdina, also known as the silent city, is a fortified medieval town located in the center of Malta. It has narrow streets, stone buildings, and stunning views. The city served as the filming location for the city of King’s Landing, the capital of the Seven Kingdoms and the seat of the Iron Throne.
Mdina was the setting for many key scenes of the first season of Game of Thrones. These include amongst others the opening sequence of the show, which featured the city’s impressive gates and walls. The city’s palace, Palazzo Vilhena, served as the location for the Hand’s chambers, where Eddard Stark, the Hand of the King, meets with King Robert Baratheon.
Valletta: Malta’s Capital City
Valletta is the capital city of Malta and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city, with its baroque architecture and ancient fortifications, served as the filming location for the city of Pentos. In the show, Daenerys Targaryen and her brother Viserys begin their journey in Pentos in the first season.
The Fort Ricasoli in Valetta was the setting for the House of the Undying, where Daenerys goes to retrieve her stolen dragons. Additionally, the city has ancient fortifications. The city walls and bastions were the perfect backdrop for many of the show’s battle scenes.
The Azure Window: Dothraki Weeding Scene
The Azure Window is located on the island of Gozo and used to be one of Malta’s most famous natural landmarks. The natural arch was the location for the Dothraki wedding scene between Daenerys and Khal Drogo in the first season.
Good to know: The Azure Window, which was formed by erosive forces of the sea, is a popular spot for tourists and photographers. Unfortunately, the Azure Window collapsed in 2017 due to natural erosion, but it still remains as a breathtaking scenery.
Fort St. Angelo: The Perfect Setting for the Fortress Red Keep
The Red Keep is the fortress located in the capital city of King’s Landing. In the show, the Red Keep serves as the seat of the Iron Throne and the residence of the King of the Seven Kingdoms.
The Fort St. Angelo in Birgu was the main stage for scenes in the Red Keep. This 16th-century fortress was built by the Knights of St. John and served as the perfect backdrop for the Red Keep’s imposing walls and towers.
Must-Sees for Game of Throne Fans: Tours on Malta
If you are a true Game of Thrones fan, you should not miss a trip to Malta. Here you can explore many epic sceneries of the first season’s plot. You can choose to go on a tour or visit the most famous spots by yourself.
You can join a guided tour in Malta that features the most popular filming locations. Moreover, the guides give you interesting insights in the show’s production. Wherever you want to go, you should check the availability of the tours in advance. Make sure there’s a free spot and gain more information about the details.
Alternatively, you can rent a car for your stay and explore the different settings independently. A Malta Game of Thrones map helps you to spot the most iconic sceneries. So you can easily plan a tour on your own terms. If you want to go on a boat to the island of Gozo, be prepared for it and think about preventions against travel sickness.
Malta couldn’t live up to the needs of the upcoming seasons
Although Malta offered beautiful sceneries, the film crew went on to other locations after the first season. There are two main reasons why.
- Firstly, the show’s producers were looking for new locations that matched the increasingly complex and varied settings of the later seasons. Malta’s medieval architecture and landscapes were perfect for the earlier parts of the story. But the show progressed and moved to new locations and time periods. Therefore, the team needed to find new filming locations that lived up to the story’s evolving settings.
- Secondly, the show’s budget increased significantly as the series progressed. The show’s producers needed to find locations that could accommodate large-scale filming and special effects. Malta’s infrastructure and resources were not able to accommodate these increasing demands of the production.
Malta – a beautiful European Island
For some, visiting Europe might be long-distance travel that can be very demanding if you travel with children. But the rich cultures and diverse nature of the European countries are definitely worth it.
Whenever you travel to Europe, Malta is a beautiful destination – not only for Game of Throne fans. But other European countries have a lot to offer, too. For example, the Baltic Sea is a rough and remote region to explore. What’s more, in Germany you can find peaceful beaches and beautiful coasts on the islands Sylt or Rügen. Additionally, Bavaria in Germany has remarkable landscapes, several medieval towns like Bamberg and picturesque fortresses like the castle Neuschwanstein.
To not only make memories, but to preserve them, you should definitely bring a camera and create an individual photo album. Especially on Malta, the water is crystal clear and ideal for underwater pictures. In addition, it’s perfectly suited for snorkeling. When you visit Europe in summer, don’t estimate the climate. Make sure you bring sunscreen and appropriate clothing.
Malta: The Original Game of Thrones Filming Location
Malta played a crucial role in the production of the first season of Game of Thrones. The island provided the perfect backdrop for many of the series’ most iconic scenes and locations. Malta served as the filming location for several key locations. These were, for example, King’s Landing, Pentos, the House of the Undying and the Dothraki wedding scene.
The island’s natural landmarks also played a significant role in the show’s production. These locations added to the show’s realism and immersion. On a Malta Game of Thrones Map, you can spot all the film sets and decide where you want to go.
Malta’s contribution to the production of Game of Thrones has not gone unnoticed. The island in the Mediterranean Sea has become a popular destination for fans of the show. Malta has also benefited from the show’s popularity due to an increase in tourism and economic growth.
FAQs regarding Game of Thrones on Malta
Kings Landing, the capital of the Seven Kingdoms and the seat of the Iron Throne in the Game of Thrones series, is a fictional location in the show. However, in the first season of the show, the city of Mdina, located in the center of Malta, was used as the filming location for King’s Landing.
Yes, the city of Mdina was a key scenery for Game of Thrones. The city was the filming location for King’s Landing in the first season. The medieval town, also known as the silent city, provided the perfect backdrop for the capital of the Seven Kingdoms and the seat of the Iron Throne.
On the one hand, the producers of Game of Thrones seeked for new locations to display the setting of the upcoming seasons. On the other hand, the series had become more and more popular what also resulted in higher expectations regarding the setting and special effects. Malta wasn’t suited anymore for these high demands.
