Set-Jetting: House Of The Dragon Fans Should Visit Cáceres, Spain
For those who enjoy the new travel trend of set-jetting, one great destination is beautiful Cáceres in Spain. While you may not have heard of the historic city, you have likely seen it on TV, on not only HBO’s Game of Thrones but also the new prequel series, House of the Dragon. Read on to find out more about this stunning Spanish destination and the part it plays on TV.
Cáceres, Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon
Fans of Game of Thrones know Dubrovnik, a city that became a major tourism hotspot after it starred as King’s Landing in the HBO series. However, the series later moved to Cáceres in Spain for its seventh and final season.
Now, the beautiful city is back in the role of the Westerosi capital in season 1 of House of the Dragon. In fact, more filming is set to take place there this year. Meanwhile, to celebrate that fact, Cáceres will also hold its second annual City of Dragons festival in the fall of 2023.
About the historic city of Cáceres, Spain
The historic center of Cáceres reveals no trace of the 21st century. In fact, the Gothic and Renaissance palaces, walls, towers and streets have barely changed in the last few centuries. For this reason, the city became the perfect filming location for the medieval King’s Landing. The only modern production necessary was to add a dragon or three.
The history of Cáceres dates back to prehistoric settlements, with the city founded by the Romans in the 1st century BC. The city then came under Moorish rule, like most of Spain, in the 8th century. Due to this, the Spanish city is a mixture of religions and cultures, with touches of its flourishing Jewish and Muslim periods. Meanwhile, most recently, the city’s Catholic past and present came to the fore.
The city in Game of Thrones
Looking at Cáceres; Old Town, it is easy to recognize the stone and granite buildings from the TV show. However, actually exploring and stumbling upon a filming location in the narrow streets is just thrilling. In fact, the city enjoyed plenty of screen time in Game of Thrones, season 7, episode 3, when Euron Greyjoy paraded victoriously around King’s Landing. In fact, he and his horse headed from the real-life Plaza de Santa Maria (above), to Arco de la Estrella (pictured top).
Key sets for House of the Dragon
Meanwhile, the streets of the Old Town are also key locations for scenes from the prequel series, House of the Dragon. For instance, the city in Extremadura features as Flea Bottom in Daemon and Rhaenyra’s late-night excursion in season 1, episode 4. Moreover, it was the setting for the Greens’ search for Prince Aegon Targaryen in season 1, episode 9.
Moreover, the fight outside the Sept was filmed in Plaza de San Jorge, where the Iglesia de San Francisco Javier played the role of King’s Landing’s center of worship. Admittedly, the top of the building was altered in post-production to add the dome and monumental doors. However, the building below can clearly be recognized and is the perfect place to pose for selfies.
Cáceres hosts City of Dragons
Back in October 2022, the Cáceres Town Hall launched an event to celebrate the city’s strong relationship with House of the Dragon. In fact, the first edition of the event coincided with the weekend of season 1’s finale. However, this will now become an annual tradition in the city, set to return between October and November 2023.
City of Dragons events will include conferences with show collaborators and experts on George R.R. Martin’s world of A Song of Ice and Fire. It will also feature sword fighting classes, concerts, medieval jousts, cosplay contests, parades, escape rooms and themed dinners. Meanwhile, all year round, the city will offer guided tours of all filming locations, which extend beyond the city’s walls.
Other Game of Thrones filming locations
In the province of Cáceres, set-jetting Game of Thrones fans can visit the castle in Trujillo, which posed as Casterly Rock in season 7, episode 3. Meanwhile, the Los Barruecos Natural Park is where Daenerys fought the Lannister army in season 7, episode 4.
In the city of Cáceres itself, fans will recognize the Museum of Cáceres from the scene when Sam Tarly and Gilly fled from the citadel in season 7, episode 5.
With the filming of season 2 of House of the Dragon coming in the spring of 2023, a visit to these filming locations in the city could prove exciting. Maybe you will spot a Targaryen or two while exploring the city.
In fact, set-jetting to Cáceres, Spain is likely to be a popular activity in 2023 and beyond. Watch a video about Spain as a general filming location for Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon here.