Confirmed · Antrim coast and glens · Landscape
Ballintoy Harbour
Pyke harbour and the Iron Islands coast in Game of Thrones. Open to visitors; allow 30–60 minutes.
- On screen as
- Pyke harbour and the Iron Islands coast
- Series and episodes
- Game of Thrones Season 2 · Game of Thrones Season 2, Episode 2 · Game of Thrones Season 2, Episode 3
- Access
- Open to visitors
- Time needed
- 30–60 minutes
- Where
- Ballintoy, County Antrim
On screen
How Ballintoy Harbour appears
When Theon sails home to the Iron Islands in The Night Lands, the second episode of season two, he lands at Ballintoy. The harbour and the black rocks around it play the port of Lordsport on Pyke, and in What is Dead May Never Die Theon is baptised in the sea on this shore. The Iron Islands lie off the west coast of Westeros in the story, a grim, rainy place of reavers and longships. The real harbour is on the north Antrim coast, a few miles from the Giant's Causeway, and on a sunny day it looks far gentler than on screen. The castle on its rock stacks was added digitally.
The real place
What you can visit
Ballintoy Harbour is a small working harbour at the bottom of a steep, winding lane from Ballintoy village, with a slipway, a few boats, white limestone rocks and sea stacks offshore. A short coastal walk leads west past rock pools and raised beaches towards Whitepark Bay. There is a small seasonal café by the harbour. It is free to visit, but the harbour car park is small, so arrive early in summer. The Fullerton Arms in the village displays one of the carved Doors of Thrones.
Check tide times before walking onto any beach or into a cave, keep back from cliff edges and wet rock, and turn back if the sea is rough. Phone signal can be patchy on this coast.
Discover Northern Ireland: Game of Thrones ↗Ballintoy is on the B15 coast road between Ballycastle and Bushmills. The harbour lane is narrow and steep with tight bends; take it slowly and give way to vehicles coming up. Parking is limited to the harbour area. The area around the slipway is level, but rocks along the shore are uneven and slippery.
Gallery
More views of Ballintoy Harbour
Common questions
Planning a responsible visit
Which episodes were filmed at Ballintoy Harbour?
Ballintoy plays Pyke harbour in season two, notably The Night Lands, when Theon returns home, and What is Dead May Never Die, which includes his baptism on the shore.
Is there parking at Ballintoy Harbour?
Yes, a small free car park by the harbour, reached by a steep, narrow lane from the village. It fills quickly on summer days and tour coaches use the lane, so go early or late.
Is Ballintoy near the Giant's Causeway?
Yes. It is about 15 minutes by car east of the Giant's Causeway on the coast road, with Carrick-a-Rede and Larrybane Quarry even closer.
Plan your visit
Build it into the day.
Larrybane Quarry and Carrick-a-Rede, five minutes east, then the Dark Hedges inland.
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Map
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Continue with a prepared day out
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