Game of Thrones may have finished in 2019, but its legacy is still going strong in popular culture. Northern Ireland provided many key filming locations for the fantasy epic, and the country still attracts a lot of tourism related to the series to this day.
Belfast has benefited from being an excellent starting point for people wanting to feel immersed in Westeros. From there, it’s easy to get to the film studios in Banbridge and then tour around various other real-world settings from the show.
Belfast Remains the Gateway to Westeros
Game of Thrones was one of the most ambitious television series of all time, with a diverse range of settings designed to show the scale of George R. R. Martin’s fantasy universe. Northern Ireland provided various key locations for the series, including the Kingsroad, the Iron Islands, the Stormlands, and Winterfell.
There’s also the official interactive studio tour at Linen Mill Studios in Banbridge, where visitors can check out actual sets, costumes, and props used during production. For people who loved the series and can’t get enough of it, this is arguably the trip of a lifetime. The fact that there are organised tours leaving from Belfast makes it even more popular, as there’s no need for people to plan their own routes.
Game of Thrones Lives on Through Franchise Expansion
One of the main reasons why there’s still such an interest in Game of Thrones tourism is because the world of the original series has lived on in other ways in the years since it ended. There are still various games that allow people to feel like they’re in Westeros, including the Game of Thrones: Kingsroad for mobile and the Game of Thrones slot game. The latter can be found at online bingo sites, where players can play other themed titles such as Deal or No Deal 75 Ball.
The numerous spinoffs that followed Game of Thrones have been helpful in keeping the legacy alive as well. House of the Dragon is now in its third season and has frequently garnered positive reviews. There was also the recent release of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, which was another popular entry to the world of Martin’s writing.
Belfast’s Screen Tourism Legacy Is Still Growing
It’s in Belfast’s interest for Game of Thrones to remain in popular culture for as long as possible, as the screen tourism in the country brings spending in other sectors such as hospitality. While there should always be a strong focus on promoting the fantasy series and its locations, it’s also a good idea to take advantage of other offerings that have been filmed in Northern Ireland.
There are many companies that are offering trips around filming locations of other popular shows, including Derry Girls and The Fall. There was also the recently released How to Get to Heaven from Belfast, which filmed in various idyllic locations.
Game of Thrones is still hugely important for Belfast, as it helped turn Northern Ireland into a recognised destination for screen tourism. As more filmmakers and television production companies discover the beauty of the country, it could lead to even more visitors who want to see the sets in person.
Discover more from LoveBelfast
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
