Free Cities Map
The complete map of the nine Free Cities of western Essos — Braavos, Pentos, Volantis, Myr, Lys, Tyrosh, Lorath, Norvos, and Qohor
The Free Cities are nine independent city-states in western Essos: Braavos, Pentos, Volantis, Myr, Lys, Tyrosh, Lorath, Norvos, and Qohor. They sit across the Narrow Sea from Westeros and act as centers of trade, banking, mercenaries, religion, politics, shipping, and old Valyrian influence.
What Are the Free Cities?
The Free Cities form the closest and most politically active Essosi world to Westeros.
The Free Cities are a chain of powerful independent city-states in western Essos. They are not united under one king, yet together they shape trade, finance, shipping, war, and diplomacy across the Narrow Sea.
Some Free Cities are coastal and maritime, like Braavos, Pentos, Lys, Tyrosh, and Volantis. Others sit farther inland, such as Norvos and Qohor, while Lorath remains more remote and isolated.
Their history is tied to old Valyria, migration, slavery, trade networks, mercenary companies, and rival city politics. For Westeros, these cities matter because exiles, sellswords, bankers, assassins, merchants, and political fugitives often move through them.
This page is your main hub for the Free Cities map, helping readers move from the full city-state network into deeper map pages for Braavos, Pentos, Volantis, Myr, Lys, Tyrosh, Lorath, Norvos, and Qohor.
The Essential Free Cities
These are the most important Free Cities for understanding western Essos and its connection to Westeros.
Braavos
The canal city of the Iron Bank and Faceless MenBraavos is one of the most powerful Free Cities, known for banking, naval strength, secretive origins, and Arya Stark’s training.
Explore Braavos →Pentos
The wealthy western gateway between Essos and WesterosPentos is closely tied to Targaryen exile, trade wealth, and the political movement between western Essos and the Narrow Sea.
Explore Pentos →Volantis
One of the oldest, largest, and most powerful Free CitiesVolantis carries deep Valyrian legacy and remains a major political, religious, military, and slave-trade power in southern Essos.
Explore Volantis →Myr
A Free City known for craftsmanship, lenses, and tradeMyr is part of the contested southern Free Cities zone and is known for skilled craft production, trade, and regional rivalry.
Explore Myr →Lys
A beautiful island city with deep Valyrian influenceLys is associated with beauty, pleasure, trade, and old Valyrian bloodlines, giving it a distinct identity among the Free Cities.
Explore Lys →Tyrosh
A colorful Free City tied to the Stepstones and trade routesTyrosh sits in a strategically important maritime zone and is known for dyed beards, trade, sellswords, and regional conflict.
Explore Tyrosh →Browse the Free Cities by Zone and Function
Move from maritime banking powers to inland religious cities, southern trade routes, and old Valyrian influence.
The Nine Free Cities at a Glance
A quick-reference guide to the major identity, location, and importance of each Free City.
| Free City | Type | Position | Best Known For | Story Importance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Braavos | Maritime city-state | Northwest Essos | Iron Bank, Faceless Men, canals | Major Arya and finance hub |
| Pentos | Coastal city-state | Western Essos | Targaryen exile links and trade wealth | Daenerys early arc |
| Volantis | Old southern power | Southern coast / river zone | Old Valyria, slaves, politics | Major lore power |
| Myr | Trade/craft city | Southern Free Cities zone | Lenses, crafts, regional rivalry | Trade and war context |
| Lys | Island city-state | Southern sea zone | Beauty, pleasure, Valyrian bloodlines | Cultural lore city |
| Tyrosh | Maritime city-state | Near Stepstones | Dyes, trade, sellswords | Strategic sea routes |
| Lorath | Remote city-state | Northern Essos | Isolation and older mysteries | Minor but distinct city |
| Norvos | Inland city-state | Interior Essos | Bells, priests, strict traditions | Religious identity |
| Qohor | Inland craft city | Near forest edge | Steelworking and dark reputation | Craft and lore significance |
Free Cities Map FAQs
The key questions readers ask when exploring the western Essos city-state network.
What are the Free Cities in Game of Thrones?
Where are the Free Cities on the map?
Which Free City is most important?
Are the Free Cities part of Essos?
Why are they called the Free Cities?
Explore the Free Cities One Harbor at a Time
The Free Cities are more than a list of names. They are the trade engines, banking powers, mercenary hubs, exile shelters, and old Valyrian echoes of western Essos.
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