Westeros walks right through Girona. This small-group day trip from Barcelona follows filming locations that became King’s Landing and Braavos, with your guide spotting the scenes as you walk. I love the photo-to-location storytelling and the chance to taste Jaime’s golden hand ice cream, all while the group stays manageable.

The one thing to plan for is that Girona is a stair-heavy medieval town, so pack comfortable shoes and expect some uphill steps.

Key Highlights You Should Know

• King’s Landing and Braavos in real stone, including spots tied to the Sept of Baelor steps
• Scene matching with guide photos, so you can connect characters like Arya, Jaime, Cersei, and Margaery
• Jaime’s golden hand ice cream on a popsicle stick, made by a Michelin-starred chef
• A 3-course lunch in Blanes with housemade sangria, in a family-run local setting
• Castillo de Garcimunoz, a well-preserved medieval castle with excellent views over the Costa Brava

Why Girona Really Does Feel Like Westeros

Girona is one of those places that makes TV magic feel physical. The medieval streets, stone steps, and old-world corners are the reason the show’s locations work so well here. On this tour, you are not just looking at pretty buildings. You are learning where the camera found the world of King’s Landing and where it built Braavos, then stepping into the same viewpoints.

What makes it fun is the way your guide helps you match the setting to the story. You’ll think of characters like Arya, Cersei, Jaime, and Margaery Tyrell as you move from spot to spot. Even if you are not a hardcore fan, the city’s layout makes the connections easy to see.

I also like that the day mixes set-spotting with real sightseeing. Girona’s old alleyways, the Jewish neighborhood area, and the waterfront are built into the flow, so you are not stuck in a single fandom bubble all day.

Getting Started in Barcelona, Right Next to Palau de la Música

The day begins in central Barcelona at C/ Palau de la Música, 1, near the famous Palau de la Música. You meet in the morning, get a chance to use the restrooms, and you can grab a quick coffee before you head out. If you like starting your sightseeing early, this tour is timed well.

From there, you leave Barcelona through the Eixample district and settle into the ride to Girona. The drive is about an hour, and you’ll hear a brief introduction to Girona and the wider region before you arrive. An air-conditioned vehicle also matters on a warm day, especially since the day is long.

Small-group tours are usually about more than comfort. They also keep the day moving smoothly, and you spend less time waiting around at the curb.

The Girona Walk: Where Characters Come Alive

Once you reach Girona, the tour becomes all about walking and matching. You follow a route tied to key filming locations, with your guide pointing out where scenes were shot and how the show used the city’s medieval geometry. One of the big draws is the way you connect the physical space to specific moments, not just general “this is where they filmed” info.

Your guide will share photos at multiple sites. This helps you understand what you’re seeing, especially in places where the modern street layout can be slightly different from what you picture from the series. It also turns each stop into a mini story: you step forward, look around, then your guide anchors what you’re viewing back to the show.

If you get lucky with your guide, the experience gets even better. The names that show up again and again in the tour’s best days include Sergio, Enrique, Cam, and Xavi. The common thread is clear enthusiasm and strong explanations, plus a knack for getting everyone into the right spots for photos.

Sept of Baelor Steps, Stairs, and the Reality of Medieval Streets

Girona is gorgeous, but it is also practical to know ahead of time: there are lots of stairs. One reason the filming spots are so memorable is that the city’s levels and steps create natural “staging.” That means your feet will do some work.

The series references you might hear about include moments tied to the Sept of Baelor steps. When your guide points to the slope, the steps, and the angles, it clicks fast. You start seeing why the camera framed things the way it did.

Tip that is worth taking seriously: treat this as a walking day. Wear shoes you can trust on uneven stone, and plan to move at a steady pace during the stair sections. This is the main consideration for anyone who prefers flat routes.

The Jaime’s Golden Hand Ice Cream Moment

The tour’s most playful stop in the middle is the ice cream themed like Jaime’s golden hand, served on a popsicle stick. It is a fun break after you’ve been climbing, and it gives you something to take in that is actually local in spirit, not just “another souvenir photo.”

The ice cream is credited to a Michelin-starred chef, which is a big deal for a tour inclusion. It’s also a smart move for the pacing of the day. You get a sweet reset before you continue exploring Girona.

It is also the kind of food stop that families tend to enjoy. If you are bringing kids or teens, this is usually an easy win because it feels like part of the show without needing a long lecture.

Free Time in Girona: Medieval Alleys and Waterfront Views

After the guided filming locations, you get time to explore on your own. This matters because Girona is not just a filming set. It is a working medieval city with real neighborhoods and views.

During your independent time, you can wander the medieval alleys, spend time around the Jewish neighborhood area, and enjoy the historic architecture along the waterfront. The city’s compact layout makes it easier to do some gentle exploring after the structured parts of the tour.

I like having free time here because it helps the day feel less scripted. You can slow down for photos, pick a side street that looks interesting, or simply take in the city without listening to a headset for a few minutes.

Blanes Lunch on the Costa Brava, With Sangria Included

Around the early afternoon, you head to Blanes, described as a gateway to the Costa Brava. The change of scenery helps. You leave medieval streets and head toward the coast, and that shift makes the day feel like more than just “one city with extra stops.”

Lunch is included and it is not a quick sandwich style affair. It’s a restaurant meal with a wide range of local starters, main courses, and dessert. The host welcomes the group with homemade sangria, which gives you that unmistakably Catalan dining vibe.

This lunch stop is one of the most praised elements of the day. You are getting a full meal and a drink, which is part of why the tour feels good value at its price point. It also reduces decision fatigue. You don’t have to hunt for a good place to eat once you are already tired from walking.

Castillo de Garcimunoz: Castle Views That Close the Day Perfectly

After lunch, the last stop is Castillo de Garcimunoz, a medieval castle ruin and remains area dating back to the 13th and 14th centuries. This is where you get one more dose of “Westeros energy,” but in a more grounded way. It’s a real fortress story, with enough structure left to show how imposing it once was.

The views are a highlight. You’re looking out at the broader area around the Costa Brava, and that helps the whole day connect. You started with medieval streets, you drove through Catalonia, you ate by the coast, and now you end with a viewpoint that puts everything in context.

You’ll have time to roam and take photos, then you head back toward Barcelona. The day ends around 5:30 pm back at Plaça de Catalunya, with the option that the tour may also return closer to the office depending on the day’s logistics.

Price and Value: Is $127 Worth It?

At about $127 per person for a full 8.5-hour day, this tour can feel like a splurge until you break down what’s included. You get:

• a local guide for a structured route
• air-conditioned transportation from Barcelona and back
• the Game of Thrones filming location walk in Girona
• ice cream themed to Jaime’s golden hand
• a 3-course lunch in Blanes plus housemade sangria
• admission access for the listed stops (noted as free in the tour details)

That mix is the key to the value. Many tours charge extra for food or charge you for entrance. Here, lunch and the ice cream stop are built in, so you do not feel like you are paying again at every turn.

Also, the tour runs as a small group with a maximum of 15 travelers, and that tends to make the guide’s attention better, especially when everyone is trying to line up for photos on stairs and viewpoints.

One more practical angle: this is often booked well ahead, averaging about 53 days in advance. If you’re traveling during peak season, you’ll have an easier time if you lock it in early rather than waiting.

Who Should Book This Girona Game of Thrones Day Trip

This is a great fit if you want a day that blends show locations with real Catalan sightseeing. I especially think it’s ideal for:

• Game of Thrones fans who like story moments and want to stand in the real-world filming spots
• couples who want something more active than museum time, but still relaxed enough to enjoy lunch and scenery
• families who want a structured day with fun snacks and a castle with wide views

It can also work for people who are not die-hard fans. Girona itself is interesting, and the guide adds enough historical context to make the day enjoyable even if you are there for the city as much as the show.

Your main factor to consider is the walking. If you hate stairs or uphill stone steps, Girona may feel tiring. The tour is still manageable for most people, but the stair factor is real.

My Booking Advice, Straight Up

If you love show-based travel, you should book this. The combo of filming location photo matching, Jaime’s ice cream, and a proper coastal lunch makes it feel like a full day with multiple payoff moments. Plus, the small-group size keeps the vibe friendly, not rushed.

I’d book sooner rather than later, because the tour can fill and because the best days tend to hinge on guide energy and how smoothly the group moves through the stair areas. If you want a low-stress day in Girona with minimal walking, choose a different style of trip. But if you are happy to walk, this one is a strong value for a Barcelona base.

FAQ

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English only.

What is included with lunch in Blanes?

Lunch in Blanes includes a 3-course meal with a wide selection of local starters, main courses, and dessert, and it comes with homemade sangria.

Where do I meet, and what time does the tour start?

You meet at C/ Palau de la Música, 1, Ciutat Vella, 08010 Barcelona, Spain, and the start time is 9:00 am.

How much time do we spend exploring Girona on our own?

After the guided filming locations, you get some free time alone to wander Girona, including the medieval alleys, the Jewish neighborhood area, and the waterfront.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off is not included. The tour ends in Plaça de Catalunya.

How big is the group?

The group is kept small, with a maximum of 15 travelers, and it is described as suitable for most travelers.