If you’re a fan of the Netlix series The Witcher, then you’ve probably wondered at one point, where was The Witcher filmed?!

The hit series, based on the books by Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski, features lots of magical, and sometimes creepy, places where the action takes place. The crew really did a great job of scouting locations to bring the series to life, with all of the filming taking place in Europe.

We’ve done the research for you though, so if you want to know where all The Witcher filming locations are (from seasons 1 and 2), then just read on. Many of these gorgeous spots are places you can visit yourself, perfect if you want to go on a Witcher destination trip!

It probably goes without saying, but there are spoilers ahead if you haven’t watched season two yet!

The Witcher Season One Filming Locations

Much of season one was filmed in Hungary and on the Canary Islands, with a few notable scenes also filmed in Poland and Austria for that really medieval folktale feel.

Mafilm Studios (Budapest), AKA Blaviken

Two main film studios in Budapest were used for a lot of The Witcher, including the entirety of the events in Blaviken.

All the buildings and the market were built on set at the Mafilm Studios to represent Blaviken, where Geralt receives his infamous title of the Butcher of Blaviken… for saving the townsfolk from bandits.

Mafilm is the largest and most significant film studio in Hungary, having been established way back in 1948.

Origo Studios (Budapest), AKA Cintra Hall

The other main film studio in Budapest used while filming The Witcher was Origo Studios, which is where the interior halls of Cintra Castle were brought to life.

All the scenes of the main royal hall at different time points were filmed here on purpose-built sets.

Origo Studios is only ten years old but has already helped bring to life some major productions beside The Witcher, other projects they have been involved with include Inferno (the sequel to The Da Vinci Code), Blade Runner 2049 and Dune.

Fort Monostor (Komárom, Hungary), AKA The Walls of Cintra

Some of the exterior shots of the walls and ramparts of Cintra were, however, filmed on location at Fort Monostor.

This fort is located right on the border of Hungary and Slovakia, and it was an excellent choice for showing Cintra’s defenses as the Nilfgaardians attacked, and how Ciri escaped.

There are lots of interesting displays you can explore, explaining the history of the fort in real life.

Jaki Chapel (Budapest), AKA Stregobor’s Home Interior

While the exterior of Stregobor’s home in Blaviken was built on set, the interior scenes were filmed inside the Jaki Chapel in Budapest.

In real life the inner courtyard of the chapel is filled with plants, just like Stregobor’s illusion. You probably won’t see naked ladies everywhere if you visit for real though…

The Hills of Csákberény (Hungary), AKA The Battle of Marnadal

The Battle of Marnadal (where Cintra goes to meet Nilfgaard, King Eist is killed and Queen Calanthe severely injured) was filmed on the Hills of Csákberény.

Csákberény is a village in Hungary, about an hour west of Budapest, surrounded by sparse hills that are perfect for a big battle scene!

Szentendre Skanzen Village Museum (Hungary), AKA Yennefer’s Home Village

The first scenes of Yennefer at her home village were shot at the Szentendre Skanzen Village Museum, an open-air museum just outside of Budapest.

This museum depicts traditional Hungarian folk culture and architecture, so it was perfect as a stand-in for her rural home with a family of pig-farmers.

The scenes where Ciri is in a village (and steals a horse) in episode seven were also filmed here.

Kiscelli Museum (Budapest), AKA The Main Halls inside Aretuza

Two of the main interior halls of Aretuza were shot inside the Kiscelli Museum in Budapest.

Both the mage graduation ball scenes and the later conclave of the mages discussing what to do about Nilfgaard were filmed in different parts of this art museum.

While the art has been returned, even if you visit today you will easily recognize the parts used for filming.

Tata Castle (Hungary), AKA The Mayor’s House in Rinde

When Geralt first meets Yennefer she has taken over the Mayor’s house in Rinde (and has put a spell on everyone to have an orgy).

The scenes in and of the house were filmed at Tata Castle, a castle museum on the banks of Lake Oreg, about an hour out of Budapest. The interior houses exhibitions about the building’s history and medieval life.

Fényes Nature Trail (Hungary), AKA The Swamp Where Geralt Fights A Kikimora in Episode One

In the very first scene of The Witcher we see Geralt battling a kikimora in a swamp at night.

This scene, aside from giving us our first look at Geralt’s skills and powers as a witcher, was shot at the Fényes Nature Trail, which is located not far from Tata Castle.

While it looks far less creepy in daylight, you can definitely see how the paths over the water make this an ideal location to film this scene!

Szelim Cave (Hungary), AKA The Dragon’s Lair

When Geralt and Yennefer finally reach the dragon’s lair in “Rare Species”, these scenes were filmed inside the famous Szelim Cave, a tourist attraction located in Tatabánya, a town in the northwest of Hungary.

It’s very recognizable, with a hole in the roof where Borch Three Jackdaws entered in his dragon form.

The Geological Park of Bauxite Mining (Gánt, Hungary), AKA The Nilfgaardian Archaeological Dig

When Jennefer goes to find Istredd, she meets him at a Nilfgaardian archaeological dig site featuring lots of red dirt.

These scenes were filmed in Gánt, Hungary at the Gánti Bauxit Földtani Park (or Geological Park of Bauxite Mining in English), another open-air museum in what used to be a bauxite mine.

Visiting here in real life does feel a bit like you’re on Mars!

Roque de los Muchachos (La Palma, Canary Islands), AKA The Expedition Camp in “Rare Species”

While it seemed to be nearby, the area where the dragon hunters make camp before reaching the lair is actually filmed in the Canary Islands, at the Roque de los Muchachos – the highest point on La Palma Island.

Luckily you can drive all the way to the top, so it’s fairly easy to visit for yourself (if you’re in the Canary Islands, of course)!

Roque de Santo Domingo in Garafía (La Palma, Canary Islands), AKA Aretuza

Another filming location on La Palma was the location of Aretuza, the magical academy where Yennefer becomes a mage.

The actual fortress exterior was created with CGI, but the rocky outcrop it sits on and the offshore tower were created after filming the real life Roque de Santo Domingo and the mainland observation deck.

The Jungles of La Palma Island (La Palma, Canary Islands), AKA Brokilon Forest

When Ciri meets the druids inside Brokilon Forest, these scenes were brought to life by filming in the jungles of La Palma Island, including the Los Tilos Waterfall and the Fern Forest of Cubo de la Galga.

Both these locations are reasonably close to each other, so they make for a beautiful couple of places for hiking and seeing the beauty for yourself.

Barranco de Fataga (Gran Canaria, Canary Islands), AKA Posada and Dol Blathana

In episode two Geralt meets Jaskier the bard who follows him on his job looking for a devil.

The amusing scenes where Jaskier is following Geralt and they then find Torque the Sylvan were filmed around the Barranco de Fataga river on Gran Canaria. Of course, the exterior of the gravity-defying buildings where Geralt first meets Jaskier were added in digitally.

Maspalomas Dunes (Gran Canaria, Canary Islands), AKA The Desert Where Yennefer Takes Queen Kalis of Lyria

In episode four of season one, Yennefer portals to a bunch of different locations while trying to save Queen Kalis and her baby from a mage assassin.

The massive ‘desert’ they land in was actually filmed in the dunes of Maspalomas Beach on Gran Canaria. Covering 1,000 acres, these dunes are a protected nature reserve and one of the most famous sites to see on the island.

When Cirilla has a vision in a desert at night, that scene was also filmed in these dunes.

Roque Nublo (Gran Canaria, Canary Islands), AKA The Rocky Mountain Where Yennefer Fights The Assassin

When Yennefer, the Queen and her baby portal out of the rainy town to a rocky area, this spot was also filmed on Gran Canaria at the Roque Nublo.

Roque Nublo is a volcanic rock located on top of a mountain (hence its name “rock in the clouds”) and a popular place for visitors to Gran Canaria.

There are some other unique rock formations nearby so it makes for a memorable location for the site where Jennefer kills the assassin’s creature, fights the mages and tries to save the baby.

Reddit user henckens shared a short video showing the crew and actors on-site here rehearsing in 2019.

Guayedra Beach (Gran Canaria, Canary Islands), AKA The Black Sand Beach Where Yennefer Ends Up With The Baby

When Yennefer finally escapes with the baby she portals into the water of a black-sand beach before trying to revive the baby and then sitting on the shore to deliver her memorable monologue about how the baby didn’t miss out on much by not having a life.

These shots were filmed on Guayedra Beach in Gran Canaria, on the northwest coast of the island. The beach is quite small and feels very remote, just like it did for Yennefer.

Kreuzenstein Castle (Leobendorf, Austria), AKA the Abandoned Castle of Vizima

For the creepy and abandoned Vizima Castle in Temeria the crew of the Witcher headed to Kreuzenstein Castle in Austria to film the exterior shots.

The interior scenes were filmed on set in Budapest, but Kreuzenstein is still a gorgeous castle to visit for a guided tour of the many different areas. It’s definitely not creepy and abandoned in real life!

Ogrodzieniec Castle Ruins (Poland), AKA Sodden Hill

The producers of the Witcher series really wanted to be able to film at least something in Poland, since that’s where the author of the original series is from.

For the battle of Sodden Hill, they used the Ogrodzieniec Castle Ruins. While the battle in the books just took place on a literal hill, these castle ruins definitely made sense as a place for a last stand so that the mages weren’t all out in the open when opposing the Nilfgaardian army.

The Witcher Season Two Filming Locations

Due to the global pandemic, the second season was filmed entirely in the United Kingdom, with many scenes on location at the Arborfield Film Studios in Wokingham (west of London).

Other notable scenes were filmed around the Lakes District and other parts of Northern England, so you can easily visit them for yourself if you’re in the UK!

Arborfield Film Studios (Wokingham, Berkshire), AKA Kaer Morhen, Cintra, Oxenfurt and most interior locations

Most of the main interior scenes were filmed on sets at the Arborfield Film Studios. The exterior of Kaer Morhen and the Witcher training obstacle course were also built and then filmed here, as were massive sets for filming exterior scenes at Cintra and Oxenfurt. Presumably, the interior scenes at the Temple of Melitele were also created on set here.

Princess Royal Barracks (Deepcut, Surrey), AKA The Killer Trail at Kaer Morhen

For the training scenes we see of Ciri at Kar Morhen, part of the old army barracks grounds in Deepcut, Surrey were used to film the trail she and Geralt run and climb along in the snow, as well as where they find the Leshy.

This is also where Vesemir finds the Feainnewedd growing after their training.

Coldharbour Wood (Chichester, Sussex) and Bourne Wood (Farnham, Surrey), AKA The Elven Camp and Woods

When Fringilla and Jennefer are caught by elves and dragged to see Francesca and Filavandrel, this entire elven camp in the woods was created in the Coldharbour Wood in Chichester.

The scenes showing the aftermath of the Battle of Sodden were also filmed at Bourne Wood in Farnham, which has been used for other films like Gladiator and Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.

Gordale Scar (Malham, Yorkshire), AKA Where Ciri Is Chased By A Monster

In the series this location doesn’t really have a name, but it’s where Ciri runs to after she and Geralt find the Leshy in the woods, which is then killed by an even bigger monster that Geralt has never seen before.

Ciri runs through the impressive gorge of Gordale Scar, before the monster magically appears in front of her at the waterfall. This is a very epic spot in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, and well worth a visit even if you’re not a Witcher fanatic!

Plumpton Rocks (Yorkshire), AKA Where Geralt and Ciri Ambush the Chernobog

After Geralt meets Istredd and they visit the destroyed monolith outside Cintra, a monster resembling a chernobog comes through and then flies away. Later, Geralt and Ciri draw it out and Geralt kills it.

The filming location for this epic fight scene was the Plumpton Rocks near Harrogate. These unique rock formations next to a lake are very beautiful, and of course, treated us to images of Geralt leaping from seeminly out of nowhere to take down the Chernobog.

Hodge Close Quarry (Coniston, Lakes District), AKA The Cave Where Eskel Is Laid To Rest

After Eskel is infected by a Leshy and dies, Geralt and Vesemir take what remains of his body to a cave where wolves appear, presumably to eat the remains (fitting, considering they’re from the School of the Wolf).

This scene was filmed in the caves at Hodge Close Quarry, and apparently the cast, crew and filming equipment all had to be winched down in order to shoot there. Other shots of this scene may have also been filmed at Rydal Cave, which is not far away and much easier to visit.

Low Force Waterfall (Teesdale, Durham), AKA The River Ciri and Yennefer Cross

When Ciri and Yennefer are trying to get to Cintra to ‘rescue’ Geralt, they come across a river that needs to be crossed, except the bridge is broken. Here, Yennefer helps Ciri attempt to use her magic to mend it, although in her frustration Ciri accidentally teleports them and both their horses across instead.

This beautiful spot was filmed at the Low Force Waterfall on the River Tees. There’s also another waterfall called the High Force Waterfall a bit further along, if you do happen to be in the area.

Fountains Abbey (Ripon, Yorkshire), AKA The Location for Cahir’s Execution and Cintra

Obviously, the execution didn’t go quite as the mages intended, with Yennefer choosing to release Cahir and escape together, but it was a very memorable scene with the impressive abbey ruins lit up at night.

This scene was shot at the ruins of Fountains Abbey, a ruined Cistercian monastery that was founded in 1132 and operated for more than 400 years. The ruins are open to the public and very impressive even in their ruined state.

Scenes in the gardens of the Abbey were also filmed for exterior shots at Cintra, with this post showing Fringilla, a heavily pregnant Francesca and Cahir in costume for filming.

Frensham Ponds (Farnham, Surrey), AKA Just Outside Cintra

When Ciri and Yennefer reach Cintra, Yennefer finally realizes she doesn’t want to sacrifice Ciri, but after an accidental display of magic by Ciri, the Nilfgaardians send out soldiers to catch them. Luckily they are rescued by Geralt, Jaskier, Yarpen Zigrin and his crew.

This fight scene was filmed in between the Frensham Great Pond and Frensham Little Pond area in Surrey. The lakes are popular for swimming and sailing, but the space in between is perfect for galloping horses and fight scenes!

This area was also used for filming the scenes where Geralt and Istredd visit the destroyed monolith, which makes sense since they are supposed to be in the same location. See some set photos here.

Saunton Sands (Saunton, Devon), AKA The Sphere Where They See The Wild Hunt

In the very last episode, Ciri opens a portal to send Voleth Meir home but she, Geralt and Yennefer also land somewhere on another sphere. It is here that we finally see the Wild Hunt, who charge towards them saying that Ciri belongs to them.

This incredible scene, or at least the parts showing the Wild Hunt galloping on horses, was filmed on the beach of Saunton Sands in Devon. It’s a very wide beach, so it makes for an excellent spot when you want somewhere spacious for charging on horseback scenes. See this post for more photos from filming!

Did we miss any Witcher Filming Locations?

Let us know in the comments so we can update our list!