Entertainment
By Jessica Learish
/ CBS News
According to HBO, more than 16 million people tuned in to the season seven premiere of "Game of Thrones." Season eight, the show's final six episodes, premiered April 14. And it could wind up being one of the most important pop culture moments of the year.
We're giving you a behind the scenes look at what some of the most well-known "Thrones" locations look like in real life.
Take a look at those battlements in this shot of the Stark sisters at Winterfell. Now for the real location...
Winterfell in real life
Does that tower look familiar? Some of the scenes at Winterfell are filmed here, at Castle Ward in Northern Ireland.
North of the Wall
Our heavily cloaked heroes have met with much danger — like the White Walkers — in the treacherous, icy expanse beyond the Wall. As for the real location...
North of the Wall in real life
You probably won't encounter an undead army on a visit Vatnajökull National Park in Iceland, which stands in for Westeros' far north.
Cliffs at Dragonstone
In Season 7, Jon Snow meets Drogon on the rugged cliffs of Dragonstone. There, Snow gives the enormous dragon a gentle pat on the nose. As for the real location...
Cliffs at Dragonstone in real life
Fair Head in Northern Ireland provides the sweeping backdrop for this scene.
Dragonstone beach
On the show, these slanted rocks of Dragonstone's beach seem like just a short walk from the rest of the Targaryen's turf...
Dragonstone beach in real life
But, in real life, Itzurun beach is located more than 1,200 miles away from Northern Ireland, near the border between France and Spain.
Walls around Dragonstone
In Season 7, we see several characters strolling atop this stone wall between the castle at Dragonstone and the sea.
Walls around Dragonstone in real life
The islet of Gaztelugatxe and its 10th-century hermitage are located a couple of hours west of Itzurun beach, in Spain's Basque country.
Dragonpit
The Lannisters were introduced to a White Walker and a dragon in the Dragonpit at King's Landing.
Dragonpit in real life
Scenes in the Dragonpit are filmed in the Roman ruins of Italica in Seville, Spain. Tour groups are able to visit the ruins whenever the location is not being used for filming.
Tower of Joy
You don't have to warg back in time to see the Tower of Joy with your own eyes...
Tower of Joy in real life
The Castle of Zafra still stands in Guadalajara, Spain.
Kingsroad
Kingsroad is basically the interstate 40 of Westeros. It stretches from the Wall all the way to King's Landing.
Kingsroad in real life
These beech trees, nicknamed the Dark Hedges, line Bregagh Road near Stranocum in Northern Ireland.
King's Landing
King's Landing is the capital of the Seven Kingdoms and home of the Iron Throne. The city has withstood attacks from nearby Blackwater Bay as well as a massive explosion of the Sept of Baelor.
King's Landing in real life
In real life, the scenic old town within Dubrovnik, Croatia, is much more peaceful than its fictional counterpart.
Cersei's walk of atonement
Remember when Cersei was sentenced to march through the streets of King's Landing naked?
Cersei's walk of atonement in real life
That scene was filmed on St. Dominic Street in Dubrovnik, Croatia.
Qarth
In Season 2, the Mother of Dragons and her Dothraki subjects narrowly escape dying of thirst by seeking refuge in Qarth.
Qarth in real life
The Qarth scenes were filmed on the island of Lokrum, Croatia, just off the coast of Dubrovnik.
Water Gardens of Dorne
The members of House Martell have plenty of room to enjoy Dorne's beautiful weather, with the sprawling outdoor space of the Water Gardens at their disposal.
Water Gardens of Dorne in real life
The Alcázar of Seville, which stands in for the Water Gardens, was also used as a filming location for the 1962 film "Lawrence of Arabia."
Meereen
Meereen is one of three city-states of Slaver's Bay. In Season 6, Daenerys and her forces — both dragon and human — lay siege to the Masters, burn their ships and free the city's slaves.
Meereen in real life
Peninsucola, Spain provides the backdrop for Meereen. The fictional city's iconic pyramids are added during post production.
Mereen fighting pit
In Season 5, the Sons of the Harpy attempt to assassinate Daenerys at the Meereenese fighting pit.
Mereen fighting pit
The Bullring in Osuna, Spain is reportedly no longer used for bullfighting.
Vaes Dothrak
Vaes Dothrak is the only stationary Dothraki city and the capital of the Dothraki nation.
Vaes Dothrak in real life
In 2015, extras were photographed during filming. Pechina, a village in southern Spain, serves as the filming location for Vaes Dothrak.
Dothraki Grass Sea
The nomadic Dothrakis spend a lot of time in the vast Great Grass Sea.
Dothraki Grass Sea in real life
The location of the Dothraki Grass sea is Bardenas Reales, a semi-desert natural area near Navarra, Spain.
Riverlands
In Season 4, Arya and the Hound journey through the Riverlands.
Riverlands in real life
Krka National Park in southern Croatia serves as the filming location for the Riverlands.
Fortification of King's Landing
In Season 2, Varys and Tyrion discuss ambition and power on the walls overlooking Blackwater Bay.
Fortification of King's Landing in real life
The miles of walls surrounding Ston and Dubrovnik, Croatia have both served as filming locations.
Iron Islands
House Greyjoy calls the Iron Islands home. Their castle is located on the island Pyke.
Iron Islands in real life
Though the wide shots of castle Pyke are computer generated, many of the tighter exterior shots are filmed at the Dunluce Castle ruins in Northern Ireland.
Iron Bank of Braavos
The Iron Bank of Braavos is the largest bank in the "Game of Thrones" universe.
Iron Bank of Braavos in real life
The exterior shots of the Iron Bank are filmed at St. Jacob Cathedral Sibenik, Croatia.
