House of the Dragon Filming Locations (Spain & Wales): 7-Day Road Trip Itinerary

Because Spain and Wales are separated by the Bay of Biscay and the English Channel, attempting to drive the entire distance in a single week would leave you with no time to explore. Instead, this itinerary utilizes a strategic “fly-drive” approach.

You will begin by renting a car in Madrid to explore the Spanish interior. Halfway through the week, you will drop off your Spanish rental, catch a quick two-and-a-half-hour flight across the real-world “Narrow Sea,” and pick up a second rental car in the United Kingdom to navigate the Welsh coast. When booking your UK rental, ensure you reserve an automatic transmission if you are unaccustomed to driving a manual vehicle on the left side of the road. Flights between Madrid and northern English airports (like Manchester or Liverpool) are frequent and affordable via carriers like Ryanair, easyJet, and Iberia Express, but should be booked well in advance to secure carry-on luggage space.

The first leg of your House of the Dragon Filming Locations (Spain & Wales): 7-Day Road Trip Itinerary immerses you in the political heart of the realm. Spain’s Extremadura region, with its impeccably preserved medieval architecture, serves as the perfect stand-in for the capital of Westeros.

Day 1: Arrival in Madrid & The Drive to Cáceres

Arrive at Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport (MAD), collect your rental car, and immediately strike out southwest along the A-5 highway. The three-hour drive transports you away from the modern bustle of Madrid and into the timeless landscapes of Extremadura. Your destination is Cáceres, a UNESCO World Heritage city that serves as the primary filming location for the streets of King’s Landing. Spend your afternoon wandering the winding cobblestone alleys of the Ciudad Monumental. Stand in the Plaza de Santa María—the very spot where Euron Greyjoy paraded his captives—and pass beneath the iconic Arco de la Estrella as the setting sun turns the stone walls a brilliant gold.

Day 2: The Walls of Trujillo

Just a short 45-minute drive east from Cáceres via the A-58 lies the town of Trujillo. The crown jewel here is Trujillo Castle, a stunning Moorish fortress originally constructed between the 9th and 13th centuries. In the series, the castle’s imposing battlements double as the fortified walls of King’s Landing, while the surrounding arid steppes were utilized for various exterior shots of Essos and the Westerosi countryside. Walk the stone parapets at sunset for sweeping, panoramic views of the Spanish plains, feeling every bit the ruler of the Seven Kingdoms.

Day 3: The “Narrow Sea” Crossing (Transit Day)

Bid farewell to the Spanish sun and drive back to Madrid to return your rental car. Catch a direct afternoon flight to Manchester (MAN) or Liverpool (LPL). Upon touching down in the UK, collect your second rental car and drive west for approximately two hours until the rolling green hills give way to the dramatic, mountainous edge of Snowdonia (Eryri) in North Wales.

Leaving the warmth of King’s Landing behind, the second half of your journey plunges you into the ancestral strongholds of House Targaryen and House Velaryon. North Wales offers a landscape of jagged peaks, crashing waves, and moody skies.

Day 4: The Shores of Driftmark (Anglesey)

Begin your Welsh adventure by driving across the historic Menai Suspension Bridge onto the Isle of Anglesey. Your destination is Ynys Llanddwyn (Llanddwyn Beach), a stunning tidal island characterized by rolling dunes, wild grasses, and a historic lighthouse. This breathtaking coastal stretch served as the filming location for the shores of Driftmark and the Stepstones. Crucial logistical note: Always check the local tide times before visiting; the island is completely cut off from the mainland at high tide.

Day 5: Penmon Point & Beaumaris

Stay on Anglesey and head to its eastern tip to discover Penmon Point. This pebble-strewn beach, complete with its iconic black-and-white lighthouse and views of Puffin Island, provided the moody, overcast backdrops for several Velaryon naval scenes. After bracing the coastal winds, retreat to the nearby town of Beaumaris. Explore Beaumaris Castle—a real-world, concentric fortress that rivals any Westerosi stronghold—before settling into a cozy pub for a traditional Welsh dinner by a roaring fire.

Day 6: The Dragon’s Lair (Gwynedd Quarries)

Drive back to the Welsh mainland and venture into the heart of Gwynedd. Today is dedicated to the dramatic, slate-carved landscapes of Trefor Quarry and Dinorwic Quarry. These monumental, terraced mountainsides were heavily utilized for the exteriors of Dragonstone and the Dragonmont. The jagged, grey slate perfectly mimics the harsh, volcanic environment of the Targaryen ancestral home. Hike the public footpaths around Dinorwic (near the village of Llanberis) for sweeping, otherworldly views of Mount Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa) looming in the distance.

Day 7: Return to the Realm

Enjoy a final Welsh breakfast before making the morning drive back across the North Wales Expressway (A55) to Manchester or Liverpool for your departure flight, bringing your cinematic pilgrimage to a close.

Mastering a dual-country itinerary means preparing for two drastically different climates. Late spring (May) or early autumn (September) offers the best balance for this trip. Summer in Extremadura can be blisteringly hot, frequently exceeding 35°C (95°F), while Welsh winters are notoriously wet, windy, and short on daylight.

Packing for a multi-climate road trip requires strategic layering. While preparing for the sun-baked Spanish leg of your journey might feel similar to planning the ultimate 7-day quiet Tenerife win, the rugged Welsh coast demands a completely different approach. For Spain, pack breathable linen shirts, high-quality sunglasses, SPF 50, and comfortable walking shoes to navigate the uneven cobblestones of Cáceres. For Wales, your carry-on must include a high-quality windproof and waterproof shell jacket, a merino wool base layer, and sturdy, waterproof hiking boots essential for navigating the muddy trails of Dinorwic Quarry and the sandy dunes of Llanddwyn.

Spain (Extremadura):

Extremadura is the undisputed heartland of Jamón Ibérico de Bellota (acorn-fed Iberian ham). Pair a plate of this melt-in-your-mouth delicacy with local Migas (fried breadcrumbs with garlic and chorizo) and a robust glass of Ribera del Guadiana wine. Culturally, it is vital to embrace the siesta. Many shops and historical sites in Cáceres and Trujillo close between 2:00 PM and 5:00 PM. Furthermore, dinner is a late affair, rarely eaten before 9:00 PM.

Wales (Anglesey & Gwynedd):

After a windy hike along the shores of Driftmark, warm up with a bowl of Cawl—a traditional Welsh lamb and root vegetable stew—or enjoy a slice of Bara Brith (speckled fruit bread) heavily buttered alongside a pot of strong tea. You are traveling through the heart of Welsh-speaking Wales (Cymru). While everyone speaks English, greeting locals with a friendly “Bore da” (Good morning) or “Diolch” (Thank you) is highly appreciated. When dining in traditional pubs, remember to order and pay at the bar rather than waiting for table service.

Travel, much like a great fantasy epic, is about the contrast of experiences. By combining the sun-baked, historic grandeur of Spain with the raw, elemental beauty of North Wales, this itinerary offers more than just a set-jetting checklist. It provides a profound journey through two of Europe’s most culturally rich and visually arresting regions. You will return home not just with photographs of where dragons once flew, but with the lingering tastes of Iberian ham and Welsh sea salt, having conquered a truly legendary road trip.