The sheer size of 's timeline is set centuries earlier than the original series, most of it will also take place within Westeros.
George R.R. Martin created an incredibly detailed and believable backdrop for the A Song of Ice and Fire series – so much so that Game of Thrones' location map have drawn droves of tourists to where filming took place. Much of the conflict in Game of Thrones is defined by different regions and the long histories of dispute some have between them, not to mention the strategic advantage certain geographical locations offer and the near-constant fights over who controls them. Indeed, Game of Thrones' setting and locations are just as important as the families dividing up the lands among their subjects and heirs.
Considering how often HBO's Game of Thrones jumps from one location to another, it's easy for viewers to get dazed and confused about where everything is on the map. With spinoff House of the Dragon tackling the events that transpired in the Targaryen Civil War, also known as Dance of the Dragons, it's crucial for viewers to have a fundamental understanding of the layout of Game of Thrones' setting/locations. Here's everything audiences need to know about the Game of Thrones map of Westeros.
Game of Thrones World Map
This full guide to the entire Game of Thrones map isn't limited to just Westeros and Essos. It also covers the uncharted regions to the far east and south that haven't been expanded upon even in George R.R. Martin's books. We'll now break down each area, how it's important to the show, and what other secrets they may hold.
The North
The North is the largest continuous region in the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros and the least populous. The Starks serve as Wardens of the North and operate out of Winterfell as they have for nearly 8,000 years. Other major families hailing from the region include the Reeds, the Karstarks, the Umbers, and the Boltons, though Houses Bolton, Umber, and Karstark are in shambles after losing roundly at the Battle of the Bastards. The North’s significance to the overall Game of Thrones story cannot be understated. Aside from being the historic home to the most prominent family on the show, it was the first stop during the Night King's invasion. Game of Thrones season 8 ends with Sansa Stark getting crowned Queen of the North.
Dorne
The peninsula of Dorne is the southernmost region of Westeros and boasts an extremely unique and liberal culture relative to the rest of the continent. They embrace sexual freedoms and welcome illegitimate children into their families publicly. Historically, this is because Dorne's House Martell was never conquered by died in Game of Thrones season 7.
The Reach
Traditionally ruled by House Tyrell, the Reach is a central region of Westeros possessed of the richest farmland on the continent. Its seat of power is Castle Highgarden, which was occupied by the ruling House Tyrell until Game of Thrones season 7. The Reach also boasts major landmarks like Oldtown, the Citadel and other major political houses in Westeros like the Tarlys. Sam Tarly’s childhood home, Horn Hill, is located north-east of Old Town and is seen in great detail in Game of Thrones season 6 when he returns there briefly with Little Sam and Gilly. For the run of the show, the Reach has always been associated with a level of prosperity few others in Westeros can claim, and that’s where their political significance rests.
The Westerlands
The Westerlands are on the western side of Westeros, serving as the birthplace of ' Tyrion and Tywin Lannister. The Lannisters have ruled the region since the time of the First Men, and their seat is the supposedly impregnable Casterly Rock, located near the coastal city of Lannisport. The Lannisters and their bannermen are known for their immense wealth due to the precious metals and iron veins that run through the hills of the region. The Westerlands also represent a significant military and political power, with the Lannisters boasting one of the biggest and deadliest armies on the continent combined with their family’s history of occupying prominent positions at the royal level.
The Riverlands
The Riverlands lie directly to the east of the Westerlands - just north of King's Landing - and its ruling family is House Tully, whose castle, Riverrun, was the childhood home of Catelyn and Lysa Tully. Apart from being a crucial location during the Targaryen Civil War in House of the Dragon, the Riverlands notably hosted the conflict between the Tullys and the Lannisters in Game of Thrones season 1, serving as the main theater for the War of the Five Kings. In addition to the handful of significant battles that took place there in Game of Thrones season 2, it’s also home to the seat of House Frey, The Twins - the site of the Red Wedding and subsequent end of the Stark Rebellion. It’s also home to Harrenhal, the largest and most unwieldy castle in Westeros, as well as the historically significant God’s Eye lake and its Isle of Faces, which served as the site of the peace treaty between the First Men and the Children of the Forest after the two ended their ancient conflict thousands of years before.
The Stormlands
A key location during Gendry Baratheon as ruler of the Stormlands.
The Vale
Like Dorne, the Vale is distinguished by its position of relative isolation in relation to the rest of Westeros. Located north-east of the Riverlands and just south of the Neck, it’s largely cut off from the rest of Westeros by the Mountains of the Moon and is virtually inaccessible by land during the dreaded winter. This position has allowed the region to remain politically relevant while also allowing it the luxury of sitting out major continental conflicts if it chooses to do so. House Arryn is its historic leader, and their seat, the Eyrie, straddles a mountain peak naturally protected by the Bloody Gate, a that allows access to the Eyrie from the West but is too narrow for foreign armies to traverse. Conveniently nested in the Vale, the Eyrie is very easy to defend, whether it is Game of Thrones.
The Iron Islands
The Iron Islands is a group of seven islands off the western coast of Westeros, directly north of Casterly Rock. They’re ruled by House Greyjoy out of Castle Pyke, and their naval reputation is arguably the best in the Seven Kingdoms. Culturally speaking, they probably represent Westeros’ biggest outlier. Since their land boasts poor farming conditions, they’ve historically acquired wealth through piracy, and their raiding parties would terrorize towns up and down the Westerosi coast, looting property and kidnapping women. Even after that practice was outlawed after Aegon’s Conquest, the Iron Islanders are still known as a people with little/no loyalty to anyone or anything apart from their own group.
The Crownlands
The Crownlands is comprised of King’s Landing, the area surrounding the city, Blackwater Bay, and the castle of Dragonstone - culturally defined mainly by its nature as the continent’s capital. This location features prominently in last and most controversial Game of Thrones season.
