Ever watch Vikings and think, "Man, I wish I could visit that fjord" or "Where on earth is that epic cliff?" You're not alone. Figuring out where is the tv show Vikings filmed was my obsession after binge-watching Season 2. Let me tell you, it's not one single magical spot. It's a tapestry of locations, mostly in Ireland, with some stunning additions from Norway, Iceland, and even Morocco. Where Vikings was filmed is basically a bucket list for fans who love rugged landscapes.
Honestly, Ireland does most of the heavy lifting. Its coastline just screams Scandinavia. I remember driving the Wicklow Mountains road, completely unprepared for how much it felt like stepping onto the set. Rain included. Always pack a waterproof jacket!
The Heart of the Journey: Ireland's Viking Landscapes
If you're seriously asking "where was the Vikings tv show filmed," Ireland is your answer about 80% of the time. The production team turned this island into a convincing stand-in for 8th-century Scandinavia. Let's break down the key spots.
County Wicklow: Where Kattegat Came to Life
This county south of Dublin was ground zero. The main settlement, Kattegat? It wasn't built on some Norwegian fjord. Nope. It was constructed right beside Lough Tay, known locally as the Guinness Lake (thanks to its dark water and white sandy beach, resembling a pint of Guinness).
Lough Tay / Guinness Lake (Kattegat):
Access is via the beautiful Sally Gap drive. There's no parking right beside the lake – it’s on private Guinness family estate land (Djouce Mountain side offers the best views). Pull over carefully at viewpoints along the R759. No direct lake access or tours operate here, but the view from above IS Kattegat. Seeing it in person feels kinda surreal, expecting Ragnar to walk out any minute. Bring binoculars! The scale is bigger than it looks on screen.
Other Wicklow spots you’ll recognize:
- Luggala Estate: Forests surrounding Lough Tay featured heavily in raids, rituals, and journeys. Access is strictly private.
- Powerscourt Waterfall: Ireland's highest waterfall. You see this beauty in scenes depicting the Godswood and mystical areas. Easy to visit! Address: Powerscourt Estate, Enniskerry, Co. Wicklow. Open: 9:30 AM - 5:30 PM daily (last entry 5 PM). Entry Fee: Around €7 adults, €3.50 children. Parking €4. Well worth it.
- Blessington Lakes (Vartry Reservoir): Used for numerous water scenes and establishing shots of Kattegat from the water. Public access points around the reservoir perimeter.
Honestly, driving through Wicklow feels like a treasure hunt for Viking scenes. Keep your eyes peeled.
County Meath: Farmlands & Ancient Backdrops
Heading north from Dublin:
- Bective Abbey: This ruined Cistercian abbery near Trim doubled as a Frankish monastery and other settlements. Its imposing stone walls are instantly recognizable. Address: Bective, Co. Meath. Access: Open daily, free entry. Signposted off the R161. Parking available. Wear sturdy shoes – uneven ground.
- Trim Castle: Ireland's largest Norman castle. While not featured *as* heavily as others, its imposing silhouette appears in some wide shots representing distant strongholds. Address: Trim, Co. Meath. Open: Check times on OPW website (varies seasonally). Entry Fee: Around €5 adults for grounds/courtyard, extra for keep tour. Great history spot beyond Vikings.
County Louth & Beyond: Coastal Battles and Villages
- Annagassan: Believed to be the historical Linn Duchaill Viking settlement. The nearby beach and Cooley Peninsula landscapes were used for raids and coastal arrivals. Public beaches.
- Inch Strand (County Kerry): This stunning 4km long beach doubled for North African coastlines (Season 6) and some Atlantic coasts. Access: Public beach near Dingle. Ferries from Dingle town available seasonally. Car park (fee applies in summer). Windy! Always.
Beyond Ireland: Expanding the Viking World
So, where is the tv show Vikings filmed when they needed icy wastes or the Mediterranean? They packed up and went elsewhere.
Norway: The Fjords and Mountains Called Home
For the ultimate authenticity shots, especially establishing shots of fjords and mountains in the early seasons and later journeys back to Norway, they filmed in:
- Nærøyfjord: A UNESCO World Heritage site. That iconic shot of the longship sailing down a narrow, steep-sided fjord? Likely here. Accessible via boat tours from Flåm or Gudvangen. Tour Tip: FjordSafari offers RIB boat tours getting you close to the scenery.
- Vikingsholm (Haugesund): A purpose-built Viking settlement used for promotional filming and some establishing shots. Located near Avaldsnes (Norway's ancient royal seat). Address: Bukkøy, Haugesund. Open: Seasonal - check Vikings.fm website. Entry Fee: Approx 160 NOK. Worth it for immersive Viking life.
Seeing the Norwegian fjords makes you understand the scale the show aimed for. Wicklow is stunning, but Norway hits different. Colder too.
Iceland: Land of Fire, Ice, and Odin
When the script called for truly otherworldly, icy landscapes, Iceland delivered. Think the journey to the seer or visions of Yggdrasil.
- Reynisfjara (Black Sand Beach): Near Vík. Its basalt columns and crashing waves featured in mystical sequences. Access: Public beach, no fee. WARNING: Dangerous sneaker waves – stay well back!
- Þingvellir (Thingvellir) National Park: UNESCO site, rift valley. Used for its dramatic geology and wide-open spaces. Public access. Parking fee applies.
- Skógafoss & Seljalandsfoss Waterfalls: Majestic backdrops for dramatic moments. Both easily accessible from the Ring Road, parking fees apply. Prepare to get misted!
Morocco: Sun-Drenched Exotic Locales (Season 6)
For Ivar's storyline in the Rus Kingdom and later journeys, the production headed to Morocco.
- Atlas Studios, Ouarzazate: Massive film studio complex – interiors likely shot here.
- Aït Benhaddou: Famous UNESCO mud-brick ksar (fortified village). Used for Mediterranean/Rus city exteriors. Address: Along N9 highway between Ouarzazate & Marrakech. Access: Open site, small entry fee. Guided tours available. Hot and dusty – bring water and head covering.
Honestly, the shift to Morocco was visually jarring after years of misty Ireland. Interesting, but didn't quite capture the Viking feel for me personally. Still cool to see how versatile they got.
Your Ultimate Vikings Filming Location Cheat Sheet
| On-Screen Location | Real Filming Location | Country | Visitor Access | Key Details/Practical Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kattegat Village | Lough Tay (Guinness Lake) | Ireland (Wicklow) | Viewpoints Only (R759 Road) | No direct lake access. Private estate. Best views from Sally Gap road. Free. Parking limited. |
| Mystical Forests/Godswood | Luggala Estate/Lough Tay surrounds | Ireland (Wicklow) | Private (No Access) | Views only from public roads. Powerscourt Waterfall nearby offers similar vibes. |
| Water Scenes/Kattegat Bay | Blessington Lakes (Vartry Reservoir) | Ireland (Wicklow) | Public Access (Limited Shoreline) | Walking paths around reservoir. Fishing permits required. |
| Frankish Monastery | Bective Abbey | Ireland (Meath) | Open Daily, Free | Off R161 near Trim. Parking. Uneven terrain. |
| Norwegian Fjords | Nærøyfjord | Norway | Boat Tours Only (Flåm/Gudvangen) | UNESCO site. FjordSafari or ferry tours. Costs vary (approx €50-€100+). |
| Icelandic Wilderness | Reynisfjara (Black Sand Beach) | Iceland | Public Beach | Near Vík. Free. Extreme caution near water. Facilities nearby. |
| Rus Kingdom City (Exterior) | Aït Benhaddou | Morocco | Open Site (Small Fee) | UNESCO site. Between Marrakech & Ouarzazate. Hot, dry. Guides available. |
| North African Coast | Inch Strand | Ireland (Kerry) | Public Beach | 4km beach near Dingle. Parking fee in summer. Windy! |
Can You Actually Visit These Vikings Filming Locations?
Absolutely! But manage your expectations. Kattegat itself is gone. Once filming wrapped, the sets built at Lough Tay were dismantled. That stunning village overlooking the fjord? Pure movie magic, now stored in a warehouse somewhere, I imagine.
What you can experience is the raw landscapes that made those scenes unforgettable. Standing where Travis Fimmel stood as Ragnar, looking out over Lough Tay? Priceless. Hiking near Powerscourt Waterfall? You can practically hear the chanting.
Pro Tip: Don't expect replica longhouses or shields lying around. The magic is in recognizing the cliffs, the waterfalls, the contours of the land from your screen. Bring screengrabs on your phone for comparison!
Top Practical Tips for Planning Your Viking Pilgrimage
Want to know where the Vikings TV show was filmed *and* see it without hassle? Take it from me:
- Rent a Car: Public transport won't cut it, especially in rural Ireland or Iceland. Wicklow locations demand wheels. Book well ahead.
- Ireland Focus: If time/money is tight, prioritize Wicklow. You'll cover Kattegat views, forests, waterfalls.
- Guided Tours: Worth considering! Several operators run dedicated Vikings location tours from Dublin. Saves navigation headaches.
- Weather Gear: This is the North Atlantic. Rain, wind, cold sun – prepare for it all, any day of the year. Waterproof layers are non-negotiable.
- Respect the Land: Wicklow viewpoints get crowded. Park responsibly. Luggala is private – don't trespass. Leave no trace.
- Combine with History: Visit Dublin's National Museum of Ireland (Archaeology) to see REAL Viking artifacts. Puts the show's world into context.
Honestly, trying to cram Norway, Iceland, and Ireland into one trip is ambitious (and expensive). Pick your saga focus!
Frequently Asked Myths & Questions
Q: Is Kattegat a real place?
A: Historically, yes! Kattegat is the sea area between Denmark and Sweden. In the show? It's a fictional village filmed primarily at Lough Tay, Ireland.
Q: Where is the tv show Vikings filmed primarily?
A: The vast majority of filming, especially the iconic Kattegat scenes and surrounding landscapes, took place in County Wicklow, Ireland. Production studios were based at Ashford Studios nearby.
Q: Are there any organized Vikings tours?
A: Yes! Several companies operate from Dublin:
- Viking Tours Ireland: Focused Wicklow minibus tours visiting key sites like Lough Tay & Powerscourt. Approx €65 pp. Check their schedule.
- Glendalough Bus: While primarily focused on the monastic city, some routes pass near Vikings locations. Ask!
- Private Taxi Tours: More flexible, more expensive (€300+). Good for groups.
Q: Did they film any part of Vikings in Canada?
A: Nope. That persistent myth likely comes from the spin-off "Vikings: Valhalla," which *was* filmed primarily in County Wicklow, Ireland, using some of the same landscapes and studios, and also extensively in County Meath.
Q: Where exactly in Norway was Vikings filmed?
A: Primarily the Nærøyfjord region for scenery. Some promotional filming and specific shots were done at the Vikingsholm reconstruction near Haugesund. They didn't shoot entire episodes there like in Ireland.
Q: Can you see the Viking ships used in filming?
A: Not generally. Replicas were built for the show and are likely stored. However, you CAN see incredible real Viking ships in Oslo, Norway (Viking Ship Museum) and Roskilde, Denmark (Viking Ship Museum). Highly recommended!
Why Knowing Where Vikings Was Filmed Matters
It’s more than trivia. Figuring out where is the tv show Vikings filmed unlocks a travel experience steeped in dramatic landscapes and tangible history. You connect with the show on a visceral level. Feeling that Wicklow wind, gazing at the same Norwegian fjord that framed Ragnar's ambitions, standing on Iceland's volcanic soil – it transports you.
Knowing where Vikings was filmed also manages expectations. You won't find a reconstructed Kattegat (yet!). But you will find the soul of the show etched into those cliffs, forests, and shores. It’s raw, beautiful, and utterly immersive. Pack your sense of adventure.
Planning my own trip based on where the tv show Vikings filmed was half the fun. Scouring maps, matching scenes to locations, figuring out the logistics. The payoff standing atop Sally Gap, looking down at the "Kattegat fjord"? Pure Saga-worthy. Even if the parking was a nightmare.
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