Where was Vikings filmed? Visit the stunning filming locations for both Vikings series across Ireland’s Wicklow Mountains, Iceland, Norway, Croatia, and Canada.
If Vikings (2013–2020) and Vikings: Valhalla (2022–2024) had you dreaming of dramatic Norwegian fjords, windswept coastlines, and legendary Viking settlements, you’re not alone.
The landscapes look so authentically Scandinavian that it’s easy to assume the entire franchise was filmed in Norway. But the heart of the Viking world was actually Ireland.
From the iconic town of Kattegat to sprawling forests, rugged mountains, and epic battlefields, both series relied heavily on the spectacular scenery of County Wicklow, just south of Dublin.
Add in Iceland‘s volcanic landscapes, Norway’s breathtaking fjords, Canada’s untamed wilderness, and Croatia’s medieval streets, and you have one of television’s most immersive historical worlds.
Whether you’re retracing Ragnar Lothbrok’s legendary raids in Vikings, or following Leif Erikson’s adventures a century later in Vikings: Valhalla, here’s where the franchise’s most unforgettable scenes were brought to life – and why these filming locations deserve a place on your travel bucket list.
Table of Contents
🪓 Vikings & Vikings: Valhalla Filming Locations
Grab your imaginary axe and let’s visit the real locations behind one of television’s greatest historical dramas.
🏞️ Lough Tay – The Real Kattegat
If there’s one place every Vikings fan should visit, it’s Lough Tay, better known as Guinness Lake.
Tucked away in the Wicklow Mountains, this private lake became the fictional home of Ragnar, Lagertha, Bjorn, and the rest of Kattegat’s residents who somehow survived more than one season.
Its dark, peaty waters paired with an imported white-sand shoreline created the perfect illusion of a Norwegian fjord. Add a Viking village set, a few longships, and some dramatic staring into the distance, and television history was made.
Lough Tay didn’t retire after Vikings ended. The lake returned as Kattegat in Vikings: Valhalla, becoming one of television’s longest-serving Viking capitals.
What was filmed here:
- The Viking village of Kattegat in the Vikings series.
- The reimagined Kattegat in the Vikings: Valhalla spin-off.
- Countless shoreline scenes, ceremonies, and departures.
- Sweeping aerial shots of the legendary Viking settlement.
Travel tipss:
- Base yourself in Dublin and rent a car – the Wicklow Mountains are much easier to explore on four wheels than by public transport.
- Lough Tay is private land, so admire it from public viewpoints like the Luggala viewing point rather than attempting to access the shoreline.
- Combine your visit with the Sally Gap Drive, one of Ireland‘s most scenic road trips, for sweeping mountain views and plenty of photo stops.
- Arrive early or around sunset to avoid crowds and capture the lake at its most dramatic.
🌊 Powerscourt Waterfall & Estate – Aslaug’s Entrance
Ireland’s tallest waterfall doesn’t just look impressive – it practically demands an epic soundtrack. Standing 121 metres tall, Powerscourt Waterfall became the backdrop for several memorable outdoor scenes, including Aslaug’s dramatic entrance.
The surrounding estate also doubled as forests, hunting grounds, and wilderness trails throughout the series. This location also returned in Vikings: Valhalla as the production revisited County Wicklow’s spectacular landscapes.
What was filmed here:
- Wilderness expeditions & hunting scenes.
- Aslaug’s unforgettable introduction.
- Forests and countryside both series.
Book a tour:
- County Wicklow, Glendalough & Powerscourt Estate Private Tour
- Private Wicklow Tour: Powerscourt Gardens & Glendalough
Travel tips:
- Visit Powerscourt Estate & Gardens – a popular Hollywood filming location.
- Wear comfortable walking shoes, as you’ll be exploring woodland trails and uneven paths.
- Bring a waterproof jacket – even on sunny days, Irish weather keeps visitors on their toes.
- If travelling with kids, the waterfall picnic area makes a great lunch stop.
🚣 River Boyne – The Seine
Paris may have the Seine, but Vikings had the River Boyne. Located north of Wicklow, the historic Irish river convincingly stood in for France during Ragnar’s legendary assault on Paris.
Thanks to clever camera angles and production wizardry, audiences never questioned why medieval France suddenly looked very Irish.
What was filmed here:
- Longship journeys toward Paris.
- The epic Siege of Paris battle sequences.
Book a tour:
- Dublin: Boyne Valley with Newgrange & Bru Na Boinne Entry
- Dublin: Newgrange & Boyne Valley Private Day Trip
Travel tips:
- Visit Brú na Bóinne’s UNESCO-listed passage tombs of Newgrange and Knowth.
- Visit the Battle of the Boyne Visitor Centre, just a short drive away.
- Several riverside walking trails offer excellent viewpoints without needing a boat.
- Spring and early autumn offer pleasant weather with fewer crowds.
🏔️ Iceland – Floki’s Big Adventure
When Floki set sail in search of the “Land of the Gods,” the production team headed somewhere equally spectacular: Iceland. The black sand beaches around Vík and thunderous Skógafoss Waterfall created an almost alien landscape that perfectly captured the mystery of discovering a new world.
What was filmed here:
- Floki’s discovery of Iceland.
- Skógafoss Waterfall scenes.
- Journey across volcanic landscapes.
Book a tour:
- Iceland: Full-Day South Coast, Black Beach & Waterfalls Tour
- Private South Coast, Ice Cave & Black Sand Adventure
- Reykjavík: 7-Day Around Iceland Ring Road & Snæfellsnes
Travel tips:
- Rent a 4×4 if you’re planning to explore beyond the main Ring Road.
- Pack waterproof clothing, warm layers, and sturdy hiking boots – even in summer.
- Visit Skógafoss in the early morning or late evening for fewer tourists.
- Combine Vík with nearby attractions like Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach and Dyrhólaey.
🚣🏽 Norway – Authentic Norwegian Fjords
Before anyone grabs a battle axe in protest, yes – the Vikings second unit did film in Norway. They captured footage of Norwegian fjords like Hellesylt, then blended it into scenes from Ireland. It’s one of those visual effects you never notice – which means it worked perfectly.
What was filmed here:
- Scenic fjord backdrops, & establishing landscape shots.
- Authentic Norwegian mountain scenery.
Book a tour:
Travel tip:
- Book Norway fjord cruises to experience it’s famous fjords.
- Choose summer (June to August) for the longest daylight hours and most reliable weather.
- Norway is one of Europe’s more expensive destinations – budget accordingly.
- Keep your camera handy – the scenery looks like it was designed by a Hollywood location scout.
🏰 Dubrovnik & Trsteno, Croatia – Vikings: Valhalla Filming Location
While the original Vikings largely stayed in Northern Europe, Vikings: Valhalla expanded into the Mediterranean – and so did the filming locations – to Dubrovnik and nearby Trsteno, Croatia.
The scenes in Trsteno, Croatia were filmed at the historic Arboretum Trsteno (Renaissance summerhouse) and the Haven Trsteno. If John Wick fans find it familiar, that’s because it was also a filming location for John Wick’s Ballerina.
The UNESCO-listed Dubrovnik Old Town, medieval streets, and Renaissance architecture doubled for magnificent cities such as Constantinople and Rome, bringing the Byzantine Empire to life without building an entire medieval metropolis from scratch.
Historic sites like Rector’s Palace served as elegant settings for Papal audiences, imperial courts, and political intrigue.
What was filmed here:
- Rector’s Palace, Dubrovnik: Rome’s Papal court scenes.
- Arboretum Trsteno: Constantinople courtyards & ancient Greek island.
- Haven Trsteno: Where Leif meets the mapmaker Calinicus.
Book a tour:
Travel tips:
- Walk Dubrovnik’s City Walls for panoramic views over the Adriatic.
- Take a Game of Thrones filming locations tour in Dubrovnik’s Old Town.
- Trsteno, Croatia locations were also used in John Wick’s Ballerina.
- Visit early in the morning or after 4 pm to avoid cruise ship crowds.
- Wear comfortable shoes – the polished limestone streets can be surprisingly slippery.
🌲 Ontario, Canada – The New World
By Season 6 of Vikings, the story ventured across the Atlantic – and so did the production. Northern Ontario’s forests around Searchmont and Prince became the icy wilderness of North America, or Vinland.
The rugged Canadian landscape was convincing enough to make viewers believe the Vikings had reached the edge of the known world.
What was filmed here:
- Vinland exploration scenes.
- Frozen wilderness sequences.
- The Vikings’ final adventures.
Travel tip:
- Go hiking, canoeing, fishing, or wildlife spotting to explore the landscape.
- Autumn brings spectacular fall colours or winter for Viking expedition landscapes.
- Pack layers – even summer evenings in Northern Ontario can be surprisingly cool.
- If driving, fuel up before heading into remote areas where services are limited.
🎥 Ashford Studios – Where the Magic Happened
Located in Ballyhenry, County Wicklow, Ashford Studios was the beating heart of both Vikings and Vikings: Valhalla. After the original series wrapped, the production simply handed the torch – and plenty of swords – to the Netflix spin-off.
Many interiors – including the iconic Great Hall of Kattegat – were built here, along with massive soundstages, green screens, practical sets, and enough fake fur to outfit an entire Viking army.
What was filmed here:
- The Great Hall of Kattegat & village scenes.
- Elaborate battle effects, & CGI-heavy sequences.
Travel tip:
- No studio tours, but visit Ashford village’s cafés and restaurants.
- Explore Lough Tay, Powerscourt, & Glendalough nearby.
- County Wicklow also hosted Braveheart & P.S. I Love You.
❓ Vikings Series FAQs
Still chasing answers like Floki chasing new lands? Here are the most common Vikings FAQs.
Where was Kattegat filmed?
Kattegat was primarily filmed at Lough Tay (Guinness Lake) in Ireland’s Wicklow Mountains. While the lake is real, the Viking village was a set – dismantled after filming wrapped.
Was Vikings actually filmed in Norway?
Only second-unit landscape footage was filmed in Norway. Almost all scenes featuring the cast were filmed in Ireland.
Where was Vikings: Valhalla Season 2 filmed?
Vikings: Valhalla filming locations in Season 2 include Lough Tay, Powerscourt Waterfall, Magheramore Beach, Roundwood Quarry, and Mizen Head, with additional scenes filmed in Dubrovnik and Trsteno, Croatia.
Were the longships real?
They absolutely were. The production used fully functional Viking longships built by traditional shipbuilders, and the actors often rowed them themselves. Suddenly, those dramatic sailing shots seem even more impressive.
Did the cast perform their own stunts?
Many did. Katheryn Winnick (Lagertha), a black belt in both Taekwondo and Karate, performed a large number of her own fight scenes – which explains why nobody volunteered to challenge Lagertha.
Will there be a Season 4 of Vikings: Valhalla?
No. Netflix confirmed that Vikings: Valhalla ended with Season 3, which premiered in July 2024. It always planned as a three-season story, allowing the journeys of Leif Erikson, Freydís Eiríksdóttir, and Harald Sigurdsson to reach a natural conclusion.
Who was in the Vikings cast?
Vikings series cast & characters:
- Travis Fimmel: Ragnar Lothbrok
- Katheryn Winnick: Lagertha
- Clive Standen: Rollo
- Gustaf Skarsgård: Floki
- Alexander Ludwig: Bjorn Ironside
- Alex Høgh Andersen: Ivar the Boneless
- Jordan Patrick Smith: Ubbe
- Marco Ilsø: Hvitserk
- Peter Franzén: King Harald Finehair
- Georgia Hirst: Torvi
- Alyssa Sutherland: Queen Aslaug
- Linus Roache: King Ecbert
Vikings: Valhalla cast & characters:
Set more than a century after the original series, Vikings: Valhalla follows a new generation of legendary Norse explorers and rulers.
- Sam Corlett: Leif Erikson
- Frida Gustavsson: Freydís Eiríksdóttir
- Leo Suter: Harald Sigurdsson (Harald Hardrada)
- Bradley Freegard: King Canute the Great
- Laura Berlin: Queen Emma of Normandy
- David Oakes: Earl Godwin
- Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson: Jarl Olaf Haraldsson
- Caroline Henderson: Jarl Estrid Haakon
- Pollyanna McIntosh: Queen Ælfgifu of Denmark
- Søren Pilmark: King Sweyn Forkbeard
- Asbjørn Krogh Nissen: Jarl Kåre
- Pääru Oja: Arne Gormsson
- Florian Munteanu: George Maniakes
- Hayat Kamille: Mariam
- Marcin Dorociński: Yaroslav the Wise
- Tolga Safer: Kurya
- Goran Višnjić: Erik the Red
- Nikolai Kinski: Emperor Romanos III Argyros
- Julian Seager: Jarl Gorm
- Louis Davison: Prince Edmund
Vikings: Valhalla family tree?
Vikings: Valhalla takes place over 100 years after the original Vikings series and follows a new generation rather than the descendants of Ragnar Lothbrok.
- Leif Erikson and Freydís Eiríksdóttir are siblings and the children of Erik the Red.
- Earl Godwin is Canute’s trusted adviser and founder of England’s powerful House of Godwin.
- King Canute the Great is married to Queen Emma of Normandy and also has a relationship with Queen Ælfgifu of Denmark.
- Harald Sigurdsson (Harald Hardrada) is a Norwegian prince and future king, unrelated to King Harald Finehair from Vikings despite the shared name.
What are some other series like Vikings?
- The Last Kingdom: Saxons vs. Danes with plenty of battles and political intrigue.
- Game of Thrones: More dragons, fewer historical facts, same unhealthy family dynamics.
- Norsemen: Imagine Vikings… if everyone had the awkward humor of The Office.
- Outlander: Time travel, romance, and plenty of Highland warfare.
- The Northman: A brutal Viking revenge epic starring Alexander Skarsgård.
📺 Where to Watch Vikings & Vikings: Valhalla
Where are Vikings and Vikings: Valhalla streaming? Here’s where to watch both hit historical dramas.
Watch Vikings (2013–2020):
Watch Vikings: Valhalla (2022–2024):
From the emerald valleys of Ireland to Iceland‘s volcanic landscapes, Norway‘s dramatic fjords, and Canada‘s frozen wilderness, Vikings & Vikings: Valhalla turned real-world locations into one of television’s most believable historical worlds.
Disclaimer: This fan-created article is provided for entertainment purposes only. We don’t guarantee the accuracy of any of these facts and don’t recommend making important life decisions based on them. All referenced titles, names, and related intellectual property are the property of their respective owners. No copyright infringement is intended.
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