Following in the footsteps of Game of Thrones in Northern Ireland

A wild land full of medieval ruins, Northern Ireland is home to some of the most beautiful settings in the world-famous series Game of Thrones. This Celtic land promises you a true journey to the heart of Westeros, from the port of the Iron Islands or the King's Highway to the Dothrak Sea, and all the way to the footsteps of Theon Greyjoy in Ballintoy.

It's not for nothing that the HBO series has set up shop in this country. Many of the sites are magical and steeped in history. As well as splendid landscapes, Northern Ireland is home to superb medieval castles such as Dunluce, Ward and Carncastle. On the small screen, Game of Thrones has become a showcase for Northern Ireland, sometimes forgotten in favour of England, Scotland and even Wales as a travel destination.

So if you're a fan of the series and the picturesque landscapes of the Causeway Coastal Route, here's a small selection of places that will immerse you in the world of the legendary Game of Thrones series, with a real-life visit to Westeros!

Do you remember the mythical scene where the youngest member of the Stark family, Arya, escapes from the Lannister family? This episode was filmed at Dark Hedges, an avenue of beech trees over 200 years old. She also takes this mystical path when she pretends to be a boy to get to Winterfell.

Around Mount Slemish, in the heart of the Irish countryside, the verdant valley of Shillanavogy has been transformed into rolling grassland for the purposes of the series. In fiction, these vast stretches of steppe are home to the turbulent residents of Essos, the Dothraki! Remember, this is where Daenerys Targaryen first meets her future (late) husband, Khal Drogo.

Downhill is a long, beautiful sandy beach dominated by the Temple of Mussenden, a replica of the Temple of Vesta in Rome, perched on the cliffs. This quiet, restful spot of dazzling natural beauty was the setting when Stannis Baratheon rejected the seven ancient gods of Westeros with Melisandre, the 'Red Priestess'. It's a sight to behold!

Just a stone's throw from the Temple of Mussenden, Game of Thrones fans will surely remember the scenes from season 6 that were filmed in Magilligan, near Binevenagh Mountain. All the more so as this setting had already been used in season 5 to bring the imaginary landscapes of the Vale of Arryn to the screen.

It is from this picturesque port at the end of its rocky bay that Theon Greyjoy disembarks before being escorted by his sister Yara to the castle, home of the famous Ironborn. Ballintoy beach was also used to film the scene where Euron Greyjoy is drowned to become King of the Iron Islands.

Not far from Ballintoy, the landscapes of Murlough Bay are even wilder, even more striking. This rocky and difficult bay is where Jorah Mormont and Tyrion Lannister had a run-in with the slavers on their way to Meereen.

In Downpatrick, the magnificent Cistercian abbey of Inch Abbey, founded in 1180, was the setting for one of the most important scenes in the series. It is here that Rob Stark is proclaimed 'King in The North'! Admission to Inch Abbey is free.

The SilenceValley in the Mournes Mountains offers a wild, unspoilt landscape that is also isolated in the middle of nature. It's a special place that also inspired author C.S. Lewis to create the world of Narnia. For the Game of Thrones series, the production team shot several scenes, including the entrance to Vaes Dothrak.