Game of Thrones Tours in Reykjavik

Iceland's wild nature is the perfect backdrop for a series that recreates an epic and fantastic Middle Ages. The island's extreme landscape lends itself to all kinds of filming: battles, dragon flights, parades and, in general, any scene with Jon Snow, Arya, the White Walkers and other Game of Thrones characters.

Iceland has not been the only country to host the series crew - they also filmed in Ireland, Spain, Croatia, Scotland, etc. - but it is undoubtedly the most unspoilt and scenic. For this reason, a Games of Thrones tour is on my list of things to see and do in Reykjavik.

A simple yet complete option. In the following points you'll see that some tours last several days while this one is limited to one.

A Wi-Fi bus usually picks you up from your hotel in Reykjavík and takes you to Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a central place in Iceland's history. The country's parliament, called Alþingi, was founded here in 930.

In Game of Thrones, here stands the impregnable Eagles Nest fortress, home of House Arryn. This austere castle is home to the Moon Gate, a narrow wooden opening that opens into the void.

It is used for executions and undoubtedly the most famous scene is when Lord Petyr Baelish pushes Lysa Tully over the edge.

Several scenes beyond the wall have been filmed in this same national park, particularly with the White Walkers. The bus also stops at the following points:

• Laxnes Horse Farm, a farm where some of the main characters of the series have been "hired": the Icelandic horses. They are friendly, intelligent and very easy to handle. By the way, if you want to ride one, I recommend you take a look at the article on the best horseback riding tours in Iceland from Reykjavík.
• Thorufoss, a waterfall on the river Laxá í Kjós. This natural spot has been the backdrop for an iconic scene in JdT: when Drogon flies in and devours a goat while the shepherd is left stunned.
• The Commonwealth Farm, the reconstruction of a 12th century farmhouse. The original building is thought to have been razed to the ground by the fury of an eruption. This is where Olly makes his debut in the series.

Please note that these tours do not usually include lunch, but don't worry, a stop is planned at a bar/restaurant where you can purchase whatever you fancy.

• Duration: about 8 hours
• Price: around 100 €.

Iceland is an extreme yet beautiful country. Nature is its main attraction and some of its attractions can only be reached by 4WD vehicle. This route departs from the capital and takes in Thingvellir, Laxnes Horse Farm and Thorufoss, as well as a few others:

• Háifoss, one of the highest waterfalls in the country. It originates from the Fossa River and has a waterfall height of 122 metres. It is located in the Þjórsárdalur valley.
• Stöng, a Viking-era farm. This reconstruction not only shows us what life was like back then, but it was also used to film an episode of the series: when the savages cross the wall and massacre some farmers.
• Hjálparfoss, a waterfall where two rivers meet: Fossá and Þjórsá. If you travel to Reykjavík in summer you will find the locals taking a dip in its waters.
• Gjáin, a small valley with small natural waterfalls, basalt formations and the river Rauðá. This is where a moment from JdT was filmed that you may remember: when Arya practices the "Water Dance " (the fencing style she learned from Syrio Forel) and the Hound mocks her.

Typically, the cost of these tours includes hot coffee and tea (as well as water and chocolate) and a Wi-Fi connection inside the vehicle.

• Duration: about 10 hours
• Price: between 250 € and 300 €.

A complete tour including airport transfer, accommodation, a guide, minibus transfers and, of course, Iceland's wilderness. Lasting almost a week, you have the opportunity to see the best landscapes featured in the series inspired by George R.R. Martin's novel.

There are several types of accommodation, from hostels to private rooms in guesthouses or hotels. Check packages carefully. Not all of them include breakfast and, in my opinion, it is a worthwhile extra.

Day 1: Reykjavík

After picking up your bags from the belt, a bus or minivan will pick you up at the airport and escort you to your hotel in the capital. The first day is for acclimatisation and the best way to do this is to stop at the Blue Lagoon, with its cobalt-coloured siliceous waters and clouds of hot steam.

Be careful, it's not always included in the price and needs to be booked in advance. There is often a queue and it is best to be cautious. If you don't feel like it, you can stay in Reykjavík and stroll around the centre.

One of its main attractions is Hallgrimskirkja, the capital's main church. It has a sober style and is notable for its majestic yet understated appearance. An imposing organ with more than 5000 pipes.

Day 2: Golden Circle

On the second day, the journey starts to become more entertaining. After leaving Reykjavík, you'll travel along the Golden Circle, a 300-kilometre road that touches some breathtaking sights:

• Almannagjá, a narrow valley in Thingvellir National Park. This is the setting for an episode of season four: when Arya Stark and the Hound arrive at the Bloody Gate and learn that her aunt Lysa has been murdered.
• Silfra Fissure, a crystal clear lake created by the movement of the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates. It does not freeze and can be dived all year round. If you are interested in this topic, I recommend you to read the post about snorkelling experiences in Reykjavik.
• Gullfoss, a majestic waterfall. The team recorded videos to use in the landscapes of the series.
• Gjárfoss, a beautiful waterfall. Again, JdT filming was done for the fourth season. Arya and the Hound stop on their way on foot and argue. It could have been done elsewhere but the scenery is wonderful.

At the end of the day, you usually have two options: add a hike to the Fagradalsfjall volcano or return to your accommodation for a well-deserved rest.

Day 3: The south

On the third day you will take the Golden Circle again to focus on the southern part of the island. The minibus stops at the following areas:

• Skógafoss, the waterfall originating from the Skóga River. In the first episode of season 8, Jon Snow and Daenerys of the Storm ride the dragons at this very spot.
• Mýrdalsjökull, Iceland's southernmost glacier. It's a prime destination for hiking and ice climbing (something we've also seen in Game of Thrones). In the series, this is the site of the Fist of the First Men in Westeros, an ancient fortification built in the Age of Dawn. Here a bloody battle takes place between the Others and the Watch soldiers from Castle Black and the Shadow Tower.
• Reynisfjara, a spectacular black sand beach with impressive basalt cliffs. In the fiction, this stretch of coastline is home to Eastguard of the Sea, the easternmost castle on the Wall. If you don't remember, in addition to the castle, the Guardia has a harbour and boats are mainly used to cross the Narrow Sea to fight smugglers selling weapons to the Free People.

Day 4: Jökulsárlón

This is where most of the scenes beyond the wall were filmed. Jökulsárlón is an iceberg-filled lagoon south of Vatnajökull, Europe's largest glacier. As they melt, the mountains of ice shrink and slowly slide into the ocean. The icebergs often end up stranded near Breidamerkursandur beach.

The lake and icy mountains are the perfect backdrop for Jon Snow and the Watch's patrols, the raids of the Free People, the White Walkers and the terrifying Army of the Dead found the ideal backdrop here.

Day 5: Snaefellsnes

This peninsula is often referred to as "Iceland in miniature" due to the diversity of its landscapes. It is 90 km long and is home to the Lóndrangar cliffs, waterfalls, high peaks, glaciers and the Snaefellsnesjökull volcano.

Tourists staying only a few days on the island don't make it this far (not a very convenient option) but it's often a sought-after destination on longer holidays.

In Game of Thrones, Kirkjufell Mountain is where the first White Walker was born. In the same place, Bran meets the Night King and his army. It is also a great place to go on a whale and puffin watching trip.

Day 6: End of the tour

Including the transfer to the airport, a minibus will escort you out of the terminal. Depending on the time of your flight, you will have time for a last walk around the capital. For breakfast, here are a few suggestions:

• Brauð & Co, the establishment that revolutionised Icelandic baking. It is best known for its cinnamon rolls and excellent coffee. You'll recognise it by its colourful facade (Frakkastígur 16).

• Kaffivagninn, the oldest restaurant in the country. It serves traditional Icelandic and Scandinavian dishes that would bring Beric Dondarrion back to life even without the help of the Lord of Light. You can try their breakfasts from 9:00 to 11:00 (Grandagarði 10).

• The Laudromat, perhaps the most original café in Reykjavík. It is housed in an old laundry and has a varied menu with brunch options (more hearty), acai bowls, French omelettes, yoghurt, croissants and much more. For those with a sweet tooth, there is the "all day breakfast" formula (Austurstræti 9).

• Sandholt, a family-run bakery that opened in 1920. You'll find sandwiches, cakes, pies, pastries and more (Laugavegur 36).

• Duration: 6 days

• Price: between 900 € and 1000 €.

It depends on what you're looking for. If you want to see the Northern Lights from Reykjavík, the best months are March and September. If whale watching is the goal of your trip, you should book a ticket at the same time - April to September.

In general, for longer days and warmer temperatures, you'll need to visit the island in summer.

In case you want to visit the Game of Thrones sites on your own and can only go to the island in winter, it is important to be aware of a few factors. The first and most important has to do with the roads: the main roads are cleared frequently and therefore driving is not too difficult.

However, outside the Ring Road - the circular ring around the island - it's easy to find gravel and dirt roads. Finally, roads in the Highlands are closed to traffic throughout the winter.

Listed below are a few tips to keep in mind:

• If you are not an experienced driver, you may want to opt for an organised route. You'll experience it with less stress
• Some Game of Thrones filming locations require you to drive over rough, unpaved roads. To avoid problems, it's best to hire a 4x4 with good winter tyres.
• Be careful. The roads are dual carriageways, with one lane in each direction. Occasionally, especially in rural areas, roads may be restricted to a single lane.
• For the best weather conditions, I recommend staying on the south coast. Here you can visit Thingvellir National Park, Þjórsárdalur Valley and Skaftafell National Park.
• It is illegal to drive off-road in Iceland. This also applies to off-road vehicles. Don't get distracted or you may incur a fine.
• Make sure you have a spare tyre. Don't leave the agency without an extra tyre in the boot.
• Extend your insurance. Especially in winter, it is preferable to cover yourself against unforeseen events.

It depends on their age and the tour. If you think they might get too tired, I would choose a one-day tour. I would choose a longer tour only if my kids love nature and enjoy outdoor activities a lot. For more information, I recommend you to read the post that explains what to see and do with kids in Reykjavik.