Confession time: I was late to the Game of Thrones party. Seriously late. Until August 2017, Westeros was a land I hadn’t explored, the intricate family trees of the Seven Kingdoms remained a mystery, and I couldn’t tell a Stark from a Lannister in a dimly lit tavern. It’s a shocking admission, I know, especially considering the title of this post: “Game of Thrones Location Photos : Jon Snow + Ygritte Cave”. But stick with me, because this journey into the world of Game of Thrones filming locations in Iceland is one worth sharing, even if it started with a bit of skepticism.
For a long time, Game of Thrones just wasn’t on my radar. Juggling a busy photography business focused on weddings and running The Wedding School keeps life pretty full. When I finally get a moment to relax in front of the TV, my brain usually craves something light and undemanding, not a complex fantasy epic with a sprawling cast of characters and enough political intrigue to make Machiavelli blush.
Adding to my hesitation was the fact that the same people who’d enthusiastically pushed The Walking Dead on me were equally adamant about Game of Thrones. And let’s just say, my experience with the zombie apocalypse drama left me… wanting. So, naturally, I approached their Game of Thrones recommendation with a healthy dose of suspicion.
However, the persistent recommendations from trusted friends eventually wore me down. Curiosity piqued, I downloaded the first A Song of Ice and Fire book onto my Kindle and dove into the HBO series. And just like that, I lost a week of my life to Westeros. One episode blurred into the next, fueled by questions like “Wait, who is that again?” and escalating into passionate exclamations of “WHY hasn’t THAT person dealt with THAT other person yet?!” and the classic “OH MY GOD, NO, DON’T DO THAT!” Hours melted away as I meticulously re-watched Joffrey’s wedding, playing detective to figure out the culprit behind the poisoned wine. I was hooked.
Iceland Beckons: From Wedding Season to Westeros Wonders
This Game of Thrones binge coincided perfectly with the approaching fall wedding season. For those in the wedding industry, you understand the rhythm of “on” and “off” seasons. In the Northeast, our quieter periods are July, January, February, March, and early April. The rest of the year? A whirlwind of activity, peaking in May, June, August, September, and October. Fall wedding season is a thrilling sprint towards winter, a beautiful chaos of weddings, engagement sessions, portraits, and back-to-back celebrations.
Knowing the busy season was looming, I decided to seize my last precious week of downtime and escape to Iceland with my eldest daughter. We’d fallen in love with this incredible country on two previous winter trips. This time, we envisioned a late-summer adventure, meticulously planning a Ring Road journey, booking cozy AirBnBs and charming guesthouses along the way.
Icelandic landscape showcasing Game of Thrones filming locations
During my vacation research, a truly magical Google search term appeared: Game of Thrones filming locations. Suddenly, my Iceland trip took on a whole new dimension. It turned out that several key Game of Thrones locations were nestled within Iceland’s breathtaking landscapes! My research revealed a treasure trove of places:
- Þórufoss Waterfall, Thingvellir National Park: Cascading beauty featured in season 4, episode 6 “The Laws of Gods and Men.”
- Hengilssvæðið Geothermal Area: Dramatic volcanic landscape seen in season 4, episode 10 “The Children.”
- Þingvellir National Park: A UNESCO World Heritage site, appearing in season 4, episode 5 “First of His Name” and season 4, episode 8 “The Mountain and the Viper.”
- Þjóðveldisbærinn Stöng: A reconstructed Viking farmstead, featured in season 4, episode 3 “Breaker of Chains.”
- Kirkjufellsfoss Waterfall and Kirkjufell Mountain: Iconic and stunning, appearing in season 6, episode 5 “The Door” and season 7, episode 6 “Beyond the Wall.”
- Höfðabrekkuheiði Hiking Area in Vik/Frostfangs: Used for the harsh “beyond the wall” scenes, featured in season 7, episode 5 “Eastwatch.”
- Vatnajokull National Park: Europe’s largest national park, also contributing to the vast “beyond the wall” scenery.
- Dimmuborgir and Myvatn: The atmospheric setting for Castle Black and the Wildling camp in season 3.
Excitement bubbled as I tried to map these locations onto our Ring Road itinerary, considering accessibility and, crucially, what would capture my teenage daughter’s interest (beyond just “Mom, another waterfall?”). We settled on visiting one location in particular: the infamous cave where Jon Snow and Ygritte’s relationship took a decidedly warmer turn…
Venturing into Grjótagjá: The Jon Snow and Ygritte Cave
Grjótagjá, a small lava cave near Iceland’s stunning Lake Mývatn, became our Game of Thrones pilgrimage site. Inside this unassuming cave lies a beautiful thermal spring. However, unlike Jon Snow and Ygritte, taking a dip is strictly off-limits – the water is far too hot.
Despite the “no swimming” rule, Grjótagjá is forever etched in pop culture history as the location of Jon Snow and Ygritte’s intimate scene in season 3, episode 5, “Kissed by Fire.” As a newly converted Game of Thrones fan, visiting this location was a must.
Finding the cave proved surprisingly easy, even for someone occasionally challenged by Icelandic GPS navigation (it happens to the best of us!). A quick Google Maps search for “Grjótagjá” will pinpoint its location, conveniently close to Highway 1. Driving west towards Reykjalid, you’ll turn onto road 860, a crescent-shaped road linking the main highway to the eastern side of the lake.
Once on road 860, Grjótagjá is impossible to miss. A parking lot, a sign, and likely a small cluster of fellow Game of Thrones enthusiasts will mark the spot. Park the car, grab your camera, shed your coat (it gets surprisingly warm inside!), and carefully clamber between the rocks to enter.
Inside the Grjótagjá cave, filming location of Jon Snow and Ygritte scene
Stepping inside Grjótagjá was… different than expected. Gone was the dramatic waterfall from the show. Standing upright was a challenge. To capture the photo above, I had to press myself against the damp, rocky back wall, precariously balancing my camera while trying to avoid the sulfurous steam rising from the hot water.
This confirmed my suspicion: while Grjótagjá is undoubtedly the cave, the more spacious, waterfall-enhanced interior shots were likely filmed on a soundstage. Movie magic at its finest!
Was visiting Grjótagjá still thrilling? Absolutely. There’s a unique charm in seeing behind the scenes of filmmaking. I’ve always enjoyed connecting real-world locations with their fictional portrayals in books and movies. Visiting a quiet square in Rome on my honeymoon, simply because a book I’d read had a scene set there, brought that scene to life in a completely new way. Grjótagjá offered a similar, albeit steamier, experience.
Love Caves and Lessons Learned: More Than Just Game of Thrones Locations
Okay, so Grjótagjá wasn’t exactly the sprawling, waterfall-filled cavern I’d envisioned. But I’m incredibly glad we went. There was something truly fun about exclaiming, perhaps a little too loudly, “THIS IS WHERE A CHARACTER ON A SHOW I WATCH DID THINGS I CAN’T DISCUSS WITH YOU!” to my thoroughly embarrassed sixteen-year-old daughter. Priceless travel memories are often made of moments like these.
Beyond the Game of Thrones connection, Grjótagjá and our entire Iceland adventure underscored a vital lesson: sometimes you need to chase down those “love caves,” metaphorically speaking. You need to veer off the well-trodden tourist path, seek out those Game of Thrones location photos, scout for scenes from your favorite books, and simply disconnect from the everyday routine.
Sometimes, you just have to pack up your family, or a family member, or just yourself, and go. It’s essential for your mind, for your creative spirit, for your overall well-being. Sharing the world with my children is a joy, and experiencing it myself is equally important. Even without encountering a real-life Jon Snow, the excitement of discovering Grjótagjá was infectious and inspiring. It’s the kind of excitement I hope to find on every journey, every time I step outside my comfort zone.
Icelandic light and landscape near Game of Thrones filming locations
Iceland Ring Road Itinerary: A Week of Adventure
For fellow photographers and travelers curious about our Ring Road adventure, here’s a glimpse into our itinerary. Remember, this trip took place in late August/early September. Attempting this in winter would be a completely different (and likely more challenging) experience!
Day One:
Icelandic sheep along the Ring Road
Day Two:
- Ferry from Vestmannaeyjar to Landeyjahöfn.
- Skógafoss Waterfall (climb to the top!).
- Lunch at Hotel Skogafoss bistro (burgers and Skyr cake recommended).
- Sólheimasandur plane crash site (walk from Highway 1).
- View of Vik from Vik i Myrdal Church.
- Gas in Vik.
- Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon (explore both sides of the bridge).
- Dinner at Pakkhus in Hofn (vegetarian pie is a must-try).
- Stay at The Milk Factory guesthouse in Hofn.
Daughter at Sólheimasandur plane crash site near Vik
Day Three:
- Drive along the eastern coast towards Borgarfjörður Eystri (scenic stops).
- Borgarfjörður Eystri village exploration.
- Stay at Blabjorg Guesthouse in Borgarfjörður Eystri (hot tubs and food are highlights).
Hverir geothermal area near Lake Mývatn
Day Four:
- Drive from Bakkagerði (hairpin turns!).
- Hverir geothermal area (rotten egg smell and unique landscape).
- Grjótagjá cave (Jon Snow and Ygritte!).
- Myvatn Nature Baths (geothermal pools – rent suits and towels if needed).
- Lunch at Gamli Bærinn near Myvatn.
- Drive to Akureyri.
- Stay at Akureyri AirBnB.
Lake Mývatn scenery in late summer
Day Five:
- Relaxing morning in Akureyri.
- Buggy-n-Bite excursion with Skjaldarvík Guesthouse (muddy and fun!).
People photographing in Iceland, capturing the landscapes
Days Six and Seven: To be Continued…
I hope this itinerary inspires your own Ring Road adventure! Iceland holds a special place in my heart, and I’m confident you’ll find its magic too.
Goðafoss waterfall in Northern Iceland
*P.S. While we’re on the topic, let’s settle this: Jon Snow may know nothing, but Tyrion Lannister is undeniably the best character in Game of Thrones. The end.
