11 Must-See Game of Thrones Filming Locations in Malta

Imagine spending your honeymoon tracking down Game of Thrones filming locations.

Romantic, right?

But the look on Callum’s face when we first stepped into “King’s Landing” was an image I’ll never forget. 

Much of Game of Thrones‘ first season was shot in Malta before the production packed up and moved to Croatia for later seasons.

When we booked our trip, I wasn’t expecting to go hunting for Westeros, but Callum had other ideas. Lo and behold, we spent a good few days driving from A to Z just to stand where some of his favorite actors had been.

Let’s take a look at the filming locations, the episodes they appear in, and how you can recreate this Westerosi adventure yourself.

11 Game of Thrones Filming Locations In Malta

So, where exactly in Malta did Game of Thrones bring Westeros to life? And what episodes of Game of Thrones were filmed in Malta? Let’s break it down by location, episode, and how you can visit these spots today (if at all).

1. Mdina Gate
(Lord Snow, Season 1, Episode 3)

Mdina, also known as the “Silent City,” served as the entrance to King’s Landing.

In Episode 3, this is where Catelyn Stark and Ser Rodrik Cassel arrive at the capital to secretly inform Ned of the Lannisters’ involvement in Bran’s fall.

The gate, dating back to medieval times, is remarkably well-preserved and easy to visit.

If you squint hard enough, you might even picture the guards opening it for you—but don’t hold your breath!

2. Mesquita Square, Mdina
(The Wolf and the Lion, Season 1, Episode 5)

This peaceful square in Mdina saw its fair share of Game of Thrones drama. It served as the exterior for Littlefinger’s brothel, which appeared in several Season 1 episodes.

In The Wolf and the Lion (Episode 5), Jaime Lannister confronts Ned Stark here, leading to an epic sword fight. Earlier, in Cripples, Bastards, and Broken Things (Episode 4), Ned visits the Street of Steel market in this very spot and discovers Gendry’s true parentage.

3. St. Dominic’s Priory, Rabat
(You Win or You Die, Season 1, Episode 7)

The priory gardens doubled as the Red Keep’s grounds, where Cersei and Ned Stark had their tense conversation about Robert Baratheon’s children. You know the one: “Your brother? Or your lover?”

Honestly, if I hear that line one more time, I might cry.

But the gardens themselves are lovely, and a far cry from the drama of King’s Landing.

It’s only €5 to visit here (though the gardens are not as well kept as in the show), and it’s a super quick 20 minute walk from Mdina! 

4. Fort Ricasoli
(Lord Snow, Season 1, Episode 3)

Fort Ricasoli stood in for the walls of King’s Landing in multiple episodes, including the scene where Ned Stark arrives at the city.

Although the fort is closed to the public, you can catch glimpses of it from the train tour in Valletta or during a harbor tour. It’s an impressive sight, even from afar.

5. Manikata, Birgu
(The Pointy End, Season 1, Episode 8)

This rural village was the site of a Dothraki raiding scene, where Daenerys tries to protect the women of the tribe. Her act of kindness backfires tragically, leading to Khal Drogo’s death and her devastating miscarriage.

We didn’t make it here ourselves, but we’ve heard there are lots of private property signs, so tread carefully if you decide to visit.

6. Fort Manoel
(Baelor, Season 1, Episode 9)

The Sept of Baelor, where Ned Stark’s shocking execution takes place, was brought to life at Fort Manoel. Sadly, the fort is closed to the public, but you can view it from a great vantage point nearby. 

Here’s the spot we recommend with free parking. Trust me, it’s a more comfortable spot than being on trial.

7. San Anton Palace & Gardens
(Lord Snow, Season 1, Episode 3)

San Anton Palace and Gardens appeared several times in Game of Thrones Season 1.

The palace stables were used when the Starks arrived at the Red Keep (Lord Snow, Episode 3), and Arya reclaimed Needle here after discovering her family’s attendants had been slaughtered (The Pointy End, Episode 8).
It’s also where Joffrey made Sansa look at the severed head of her father on its spike.

While the palace itself is closed to visitors, the gardens are free to explore and worth a visit. Don’t worry—no heads on display, just flowers and sunshine! We LOVED walking round here.

There is free parking just up the road from the gates, or you can jump on a hop-on-hop-off bus which stops right outside. 

8. Mtaħleb Cliffs
(Fire & Blood, Season 1, Episode 10)

These dramatic cliffs served as the backdrop for Daenerys’ final scene in Season 1, where she emerges from the fire with her dragons.

The location is as breathtaking in real life as it is on screen. Bring your camera, but maybe leave your dragon eggs at home—you don’t want to start any fires.

9. Fort St. Angelo
(The Wolf and the Lion, Season 1, Episode 5)

Fort St. Angelo appeared as the Red Keep’s dungeon entrance. In Episode 5, Arya Stark chases cats through the dungeons, leading to her accidental discovery of a meeting about the Hand of the King.

You can visit the fort for €10 (see opening times here), or view it from Valletta’s Upper Barrakka Gardens.

10. Verdala Palace
(Winter is Coming, Season 1, Episode 1)

Verdala Palace was used for the exterior shots of Illyrio Mopatis’ mansion, where Daenerys and Viserys Targaryen resided before her wedding to Khal Drogo.

While the palace itself is not open to visitors, you can enjoy a stunning view from here. 

It’s a quick stop, but if you hum the Game of Thrones theme, it might feel longer.

11. Azure Window
(Winter is Coming, Season 1, Episode 1)

The Azure Window on the island of Gozo was the stunning backdrop for Daenerys and Khal Drogo’s wedding.

Although it collapsed in 2017, the surrounding area still offers dramatic views that will leave you speechless. It’s worth a visit for the rugged coastline alone—just maybe skip any grand Dothraki declarations!

Malta Game of Thrones Map

I saw tons of “Game of Thrones filmed in Malta” tours advertised, but honestly, none of them appealed to us. 

Why pay someone else when you can grab a map, and do it yourself? That’s exactly what we did! And that’s exactly why I have created this interactive map for you.

Conclusion

We had a hire car for the week and managed to visit the majority of these locations around our other activities. We were based at Qawra Palace Resort & Spa and this was really central to everything.

A lot of them are also accessible by public or tourist buses, and you can easily group them together. Here’s how we’d recommend grouping your visits:

• Group 1: Mdina Gate, Mesquita Square, and St. Dominic’s Priory (all within or near Mdina).
• Group 2: San Anton Palace & Gardens and Verdala Palace (both near Attard).
• Group 3: Fort Ricasoli, Fort Manoel, and Fort St. Angelo (all visible around Valletta and accessible via harbor tours).
• Group 4: Azure Window (Gozo) and Mtaħleb Cliffs (further afield but worth it for the views).
• Group 5: Manikata (ideal for a short side trip if you’re exploring rural Malta).

With a little planning, you can tick off most of these iconic filming locations in just a few days. Happy exploring!

At time of writing, there are currently no Coronavirus measures limiting tourists to enter Malta. This is in accordance with the information provided on gov.uk.