Where in Portugal Was House of the Dragon Filmed? A List of Locations

With its impressive budgets, House of the Dragon has not only managed to treat us with amazing sets, costumes, sound effects, and realistic (in some cases, even too realistic) dragons, but has also chosen the best locations across Europe.

While much of the Games of Thrones prequel was filmed at Warner Bros. Leavesden Studios, there are some breathtaking backdrops available to casual tourists like us. If you're planning a trip to Portugal and Spain, don't miss out on the opportunity to feel like a Targaryen standing on Westeros land, looking out at the Seven Kingdoms that need your protection.

Here are six places that are sure to give you that feeling.

Monsanto, Portugal

The exterior of Dragonstone

To fully immerse yourself in Targaryen history, start your journey with a historic mountain village in central Portugal, Monsanto, which means ‘Holy Mountain.’ A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is home to a picturesque medieval castle perched atop a mountain, now in ruins.

Once you see it, you'll understand why it was chosen as the location for the exterior of Dragonstone, the ancestral home of the Targaryens in Season 1. You can almost see dragons flying over these mountains as you stand there. For the second chapter, however, the film crew didn't return to the village because the mountain is only accessible by helicopter.

Old Town of Cáceres, Spain

King's Landing & Oldtown

A short drive east of Monsanto and already in another country (Spain) is probably the most recognizable location used in both Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon. Walking through the cobbled streets of the old town of Cáceres, among the ancient walls, you truly feel lost in time and reality and can easily imagine a Targaryen or a Hightower in their carriage around the next corner. The city even hosts an annual festival for fans of the HBO franchise.

Plaza Mayor, Trujillo, Spain

King's Landing Main Square

For an authentic taste of Spain, don't miss Cáceres' neighboring medieval town of Trujillo. Its spectacular Roman ruins, unforgettable food, and hilltop medieval castles will steal your heart. Plus, you can feel like Rhaenyra returning to your hometown to try and talk some sense into Alicent.

Gaztelugatxe, Basque Country, Spain

The bridge of Dragonstone

Heading north, you can find the exact spot where Milly Alcock's Rhaenyra famously arrived on Syrax to confront her troublesome uncle and convince him to return a stolen dragon egg, but more importantly, to cement her status as heir to the Iron Throne. This stone bridge over the sea is truly out of this world.

Santa Clotide Botanical Gardens, Lloret de Mar, Catalonia

The gardens of the Red Keep

A drive east brings you to one of Spain's coziest seaside towns. For fans of the House of the Dragon, the most remarkable part of the town is the botanical garden, with its magical winding gravel paths and tall hedges. You will remember it as the place where Lord Corlys and Princess Rhaenys proposed to King Viserys that he marry their 12-year-old daughter Laena, the future wife of Daemon.

Castillo de La Calahorra, Granada, Spain

Pentos

If you find yourself in southern Spain, visit the beautiful city of Granada and especially the 14th-century Italian Renaissance castle nestled in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. It is a real-life counterpart to the Castle of Pentos, where Daemon lived with Laena. Please note that the castle is privately owned and is only open to the public on Wednesdays for a 30-minute tour.