White Harbour is the smallest of Westeros' major cities (slightly smaller than Gulltown), but it is nevertheless the largest settlement north of the Neck. It is located on the mouth of the White Knife, the principal river of the North, and is the seat of House Manderly. The castle, and later city of White Harbour, were founded by King Jon Stark after he drove out raiders who were using the harbour as a base for raids inland. Many centuries later the city was given to the Manderlys, an exiled house from the Reach, for loyal service to the Kings of the North.

White Harbour has much more contact with the south due to its position as the North's primary trade port, and there are more knights and followers of the Seven in White Harbour than anywhere else in the North. The city has access to very good fishing grounds and is also the home of many silversmiths.