From Barcelona: ‘Game Of Thrones’ Small Group Tour in Girona

Girona’s stone lanes did double duty as King’s Landing and Braavos, and this day trip helps you spot where Arya, Cersei and Jaime crossed the screen. I like that the guide uses scene photos to connect the real streets with the show, then gives you time to explore Girona on your own.

I also like the change of pace: a three-course lunch with homemade sangria in Blanes, followed by a medieval castle stop with views over the coast. Guides such as Sergio, Cam and Enrique are praised for mixing show details with local history, though you can’t count on a particular guide.

The main trade-off is a full day with a fair amount of walking, including Girona’s stairs and steep old lanes. If you want to linger at every filming spot or explore Girona at your own pace, the guided schedule may feel brisk.

The short version

• Girona plays two parts: Follow filming locations used for King’s Landing and Braavos, including the steps associated with the Sept of Baelor.
• Scene photos make the stops clearer: Your guide uses images to show how familiar scenes fit the streets around you.
• The group stays small: There are no more than 15 people, which makes it easier to hear the guide and ask questions.
• Lunch is part of the day: Expect a three-course meal at a family-run restaurant in Blanes, with homemade sangria.
• You get time to roam: After the guided walk in Girona, explore the medieval lanes and Jewish neighborhood independently.
• It is more than a TV tour: The castle stop, regional history and coastal lunch give the outing appeal beyond Game of Thrones.

From Barcelona to Girona’s medieval streets

The tour starts at 9 a.m. near the Palau de la Música Catalana, at C/ Palau de la Música, 1. Arrive a little early: the meeting point is beside one of Barcelona’s best-known buildings, and there is time to use the restroom or grab a quick coffee before the group leaves.

The drive to Girona takes about an hour. Your guide introduces Barcelona and Catalonia along the way, so the transfer becomes more than a stretch of road between stops. The vehicle is air-conditioned, and the group is capped at 15, a useful limit for a day that combines driving, guided sightseeing and free time.

Girona’s old quarter is the main event. Its medieval streets and stone steps served as settings for both King’s Landing and Braavos, and the guide leads you to filming locations associated with characters including Arya, Jaime and Margaery. The Sept of Baelor steps are among the recognizable spots. At each location, scene photos help you compare what you see with what appeared on screen.

That visual aid is a practical touch. Filming changes how a location appears, and a narrow street can be hard to identify from memory alone. A guide who knows the series can point out the connection without leaving you to guess which corner you are looking at. Sergio, Cam and Enrique are among the guides praised for lively storytelling and strong command of both the show and the region, but the guide on your departure may be someone else.

The show is only part of Girona’s appeal

You do not need to know every family tree in Westeros to enjoy the stop. The filming locations give the walk a theme, but Girona’s old town has plenty to hold your attention on its own: medieval architecture, narrow lanes and the historic Jewish neighborhood.

The tour includes a guided visit, then time to wander independently. That split works well. You get help finding the relevant scenes, but you can also pause for a closer look, browse a shop or stop at a café without keeping the whole group waiting. The exact amount of free time is not specified, so think of it as an opportunity for a short independent wander, not a long, unhurried visit.

Bring comfortable shoes. Girona has plenty of stairs, and the old lanes can be steep underfoot. If stairs are a concern, ask the operator about the route before booking. The tour information says most people can participate, but it does not describe an accessible alternative.

One of the day’s smaller pleasures is the Jaime-inspired ice cream. It is shaped like the character’s golden hand and served on a stick, a playful nod to the series and an easy photo stop. It was created by a Michelin-starred chef, according to the tour details. It is not a meal, of course, but it gives the Girona walk a memorable and distinctly silly souvenir.

A Catalan lunch in Blanes

After Girona, the group drives to Blanes, described as the gateway to the Costa Brava. Lunch is included at a family-run local restaurant. The meal is three courses, with local starters, a main course and dessert, and the owner welcomes the group with homemade sangria.

This is one of the day’s strongest reasons to consider the price. You are not just paying for transport and a guided walk: lunch is built in, and the meal offers a break from sightseeing at a local restaurant rather than another quick stop. The food is often singled out as a highlight, particularly the generous meal and the chance to try regional specialties.

The timing does mean lunch is a substantial stop in a packed day. If you prefer to choose your own restaurant or want to spend more time exploring Girona, a group meal may feel like a trade-off. Dietary needs are not described in the tour information, so contact the operator before booking if you need to check what can be accommodated.

The castle stop and return to Barcelona

The final visit is to a medieval castle, with time to look around and take in the views. The itinerary identifies it as Castillo de Garcimunoz and dates the structure to the 13th and 14th centuries. The remaining walls and structures give you a sense of its former scale, while the coastal views make this a fitting change of scene after Girona’s enclosed lanes.

The stop is brief, about 30 minutes, so treat it as a chance to see the site and enjoy the view rather than a full castle visit. The schedule places it around 4 p.m., with a return to Barcelona at roughly 5:30 p.m. Traffic can affect the timing. The tour ends at Plaça de Catalunya or back near the office, depending on group size and traffic restrictions; either way, the finish is central.

The drive back gives you a chance to rest after a full day. If you are planning dinner or another timed activity, leave room for a delay rather than assuming the return will be exact.

Is $127.03 a fair price?

At $127.03 per person, this is a good-value day if you want Girona’s filming sites, transport from Barcelona, a guide, the themed ice cream, lunch and a final castle stop without arranging the pieces yourself. The small-group limit matters, too. With up to 15 people, the experience is less unwieldy than a large coach tour, and it is easier to follow the guide through Girona’s narrow streets.

The cost makes less sense if your main goal is simply to see Girona. You could visit independently and set your own pace, but you would miss the guided connections between the filming locations, the included meal and the extra stops. The tour’s value rests on combining several experiences in one day, not on spending hours at any single site.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You need to reach the Barcelona meeting point yourself, and the 9 a.m. start means planning your morning transport in advance. The tour operates in English.

Who should book this day trip?

I’d choose this tour if you are a Game of Thrones fan who wants to see the Girona locations with someone who can connect the real streets to specific scenes. The scene photos, character trail and golden-hand ice cream give the show’s settings more context than a self-guided walk would.

It also suits you if you want a varied day outside Barcelona. Girona, a Catalan lunch in Blanes and a medieval castle make for a fuller outing than a simple city excursion. Several guides, including Sergio, Cam and Enrique, are praised for warmth, humor and engaging explanations, and the best experiences seem to balance show trivia with regional history.

Think twice if you want a slow, unscheduled day, dislike stairs or would rather spend your lunch hour choosing your own restaurant. Girona is the heart of the outing, but you share the day with the drive, the meal and the castle visit. If that mix sounds appealing, it is a practical way to see more of Catalonia in one day.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and end?

Meet at C/ Palau de la Música, 1, near the Palau de la Música Catalana, for a 9 a.m. start. The tour ends at Plaça de Catalunya or back near the office, depending on the group size and traffic restrictions.

How long is the tour?

The day lasts about 8 hours and 30 minutes. The expected return to central Barcelona is around 5:30 p.m., though traffic may affect the timing.

What language is the tour in, and how large is the group?

The tour is offered in English. The maximum group size is 15 people.

Are lunch and the themed ice cream included?

Yes. The price includes a three-course lunch at a restaurant in Blanes, homemade sangria and Jaime’s golden-hand ice cream in Girona.

Do I get free time in Girona?

Yes. After the guided visit to filming locations, you have time to explore Girona independently, including its medieval lanes and Jewish neighborhood. The exact length of this free time is not specified.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience starts. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours in advance are not accepted.