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

Girona’s old quarter supplied the stone streets, stairways, and courtyards for King’s Landing and Braavos, and this day trip lets you see the real places behind the scenes. Your guide uses show photos to match filming spots with moments involving Arya, Jaime, Cersei, and Margaery.

I like the mix of screen history and real Catalan culture, especially the three-course lunch with homemade sangria in Blanes. I also like the generous free time in Girona, since you can step away from the show and enjoy the Jewish quarter and medieval lanes at your own pace. The drawback is the long day, with plenty of walking and stairs in Girona, plus several hours in a vehicle.

Key points to know before booking

• Girona does double duty: You follow Game of Thrones scenes while exploring one of Catalonia’s most atmospheric medieval cities.
• The guide shapes the experience: Guides such as Sergio, Enrique, Camilo, Sergi, Xavi, Stephen, and Sergey have led this tour, with praise focused on humor, history, and strong knowledge of the show.
• A fun food extra is included: Jaime’s golden-hand ice cream comes on a popsicle stick and is included in the tour price.
• Lunch is more than a quick stop: You eat a three-course meal at a local family-run restaurant in Blanes, with homemade sangria.
• The group stays small: The maximum is 15 people, which makes it easier to hear the guide and ask questions.
• Plan for a full day: The tour begins at 9 a.m. near the Palau de la Música and usually returns to central Barcelona around 5:30 or 5:45 p.m.

Girona turns medieval streets into Westeros

The strongest part of this outing is the Girona walking tour. The city’s old center has narrow stone lanes, steep stairways, old walls, and grand religious buildings that need little help to feel like a film set. Game of Thrones used these streets for both King’s Landing and Braavos, so the same city can feel like two different places depending on the scene.

Your guide points out the exact filming locations and shows photographs from the series to help you connect the real street with what appeared on screen. That visual comparison matters. Without it, you may recognize a general setting but miss the small details that made Girona useful to the production.

You follow scenes linked with Arya, Jaime, Cersei, and Margaery Tyrell. The steps used for the Sept of Baelor are one of the most recognizable stops, though the visit is not only about famous stairways. The guide also explains how a working medieval city can be prepared for filming and how streets, buildings, and angles are changed for the camera.

The show material works best if you have watched the series fairly recently. Still, you do not need to be a serious fan to enjoy Girona. The old quarter, Jewish neighborhood, and historic architecture give the walking tour a solid purpose even if you cannot name every character.

The walking is real, so wear sensible shoes

Girona is compact, but it is not flat. You will use stone lanes and climb a good number of stairs, particularly around the old quarter and the filming areas. One guide specifically warned that Girona has many stairs, and that is useful advice for anyone expecting an easy stroll.

This is not a hard hiking trip, and the tour notes say most people can take part. Still, comfortable shoes will make a clear difference. The paving can be uneven, and you may spend much of the 90-minute Girona visit standing while the guide explains scenes and local history.

You also get time to explore independently. That is a welcome choice because a guided filming walk can feel tightly packed with information. Use your free time to wander the medieval alleys, look around the Jewish quarter, or stop for a drink before meeting the group again.

The balance between guided time and free time is one of the tour’s better decisions. Guides such as Sergio were praised for giving clear explanations while still allowing people to explore on their own. That means you are not locked into a full day of group walking.

Jaime’s golden hand is the tour’s odd little treat

At some point during the Girona visit, you receive an ice cream shaped like Jaime Lannister’s golden hand. It is served on a popsicle stick and was created by a Michelin-starred chef as a nod to the character.

This is a small detail, but it gives the tour some personality. It is also included, so you do not need to budget extra for the treat. Expect a playful photo opportunity rather than a major food stop. If you are not a Game of Thrones fan, it is still an amusing local-style snack tied neatly to the theme.

The ice cream also breaks up the walking. Girona’s filming stops involve history, architecture, and scene references, so a quick edible joke keeps the mood light. Several guides have been praised for bringing energy and humor to this part of the day.

The ride from Barcelona gives you useful context

You meet at 8:45 a.m. at the tour office on C/ Palau de la Música, next to the Palau de la Música Catalana. The planned departure is 9 a.m. The office gives you a chance to use the restroom and possibly grab a quick coffee before setting off.

The air-conditioned vehicle takes about an hour to reach Girona. During the drive, the guide introduces Barcelona, Girona, and Catalonia. This is a good use of travel time because you get basic regional context before arriving at the main walking stop.

The vehicle is an important part of the value here. Girona, Blanes, and the final castle are separate stops, and arranging all three by public transport in one day would take more planning and likely more waiting. The exact vehicle depends on the group, but the group limit is 15 people.

The tradeoff is that the day includes several road journeys. You should expect a full schedule rather than a slow day based in one town. If you prefer to spend every hour exploring on foot, a self-guided Girona visit may suit you better. If you want three different stops without handling the connections yourself, the transport earns its place.

Blanes adds a proper Catalan lunch

After Girona, the tour continues to Blanes, described as the gateway to the Costa Brava. The lunch stop lasts about two hours, giving you time to sit down rather than rush through a sandwich.

The meal is served at a family-run local restaurant. You receive homemade sangria, a selection of local starters, a main course, and dessert. The exact dishes are not specified, so do not book this expecting a particular menu. The useful point is that lunch is built into the day and offers a taste of Catalan cooking in a local setting.

This is one of the tour’s strongest value points. The listed price is about $127 per person, and that includes transport, a guide, the themed ice cream, and a three-course restaurant lunch with sangria. Meals on organized day trips can sometimes be a rushed afterthought. Here, lunch has enough time to feel like a real part of the itinerary.

The restaurant setting also changes the pace after Girona’s stairs and photo stops. Guides including Sergio and Camilo have been especially praised for making the meal feel relaxed and social. You are eating with the group, so it is less suitable if you want complete privacy, but it suits people who enjoy a shared day out.

The final castle gives the day a wider setting

The final stop is a preserved medieval castle, listed as Castillo de Garcimunoz. The remaining structures date from the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, and the site gives you a sense of how imposing the fortification once was.

You get about 30 minutes to look around and enjoy the views before returning to Barcelona. The stop is not presented as a long castle tour with extensive indoor access. Think of it as a compact historical visit and a scenic finish after lunch.

This last stop helps the day feel broader than a television pilgrimage. You move from Girona’s urban medieval streets to a fortified site with open views toward the coast. Some descriptions of the outing and guide commentary also refer to castle sites around Blanes and Costa Brava, so the exact final viewpoint may depend on the day’s operating plan.

The castle stop will appeal most if you like ruins, old buildings, and views. If you are booking only for detailed Game of Thrones content, this is the least essential section. If you want a fuller day in Catalonia, it is a worthwhile addition.

The guides make a major difference

The guide is the part of this experience that can change the day from a basic transfer to a memorable tour. Sergio receives repeated praise for his show knowledge, history stories, humor, and attention to each person in the group. Enrique is also described as engaging and able to bring the day to life.

Camilo and Cam were praised for using photos and scene references at the filming locations. Sergi, Xavi, Stephen, and Sergey are also named as guides who added local history and kept the group involved. The consistent pattern is clear: the best guides connect the television scenes with the real places instead of simply pointing at a staircase and moving on.

Sergio’s book of Game of Thrones images is a particularly useful idea. Seeing the show frame beside the actual location helps you understand what the camera included, what it left out, and how the production shaped Girona for the series.

The tour operates in English only. That makes it straightforward for English speakers, but it is not the right choice if you need a multilingual experience. Since the maximum is 15 people, you should have a better chance of hearing the guide than on a large coach tour, though the actual group can be smaller.

Is $127 a fair price?

At about $127 per person, this is not the cheapest way to visit Girona. You could take public transport to Girona and explore independently for much less. That option would give you more control, but it would not include the Game of Thrones explanations, the ice cream, lunch, the castle stop, or the direct transport between locations.

The price makes more sense if you value convenience and a full day outside Barcelona. You are paying for an English-speaking guide, an air-conditioned vehicle, a small group, a three-course meal, sangria, and the Girona filming walk. The lunch alone is not the main reason to book, but it adds real value to a day that would otherwise be mostly transport and sightseeing.

I would consider the tour good value for a Game of Thrones fan who has only one free day for Girona and the Costa Brava area. It is less compelling for a budget-minded visitor who wants several hours in Girona without a fixed schedule.

Timing, meeting point, and practical details

The day begins at 8:45 a.m. at C/ Palau de la Música, 1, near the famous concert hall in central Barcelona. The formal start time is 9 a.m. You should arrive early enough to find the office, use the restroom, and settle in before departure.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. The tour normally ends near Plaça de Catalunya between 5:30 and 5:45 p.m., though the exact finish can change with traffic restrictions and group size. From there, you can use the metro or take a taxi back to your hotel.

The tour is offered in English and confirmation is provided at booking. It is near public transportation, and most people can participate, but the Girona stairs are worth keeping in mind. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. If the minimum group size is not reached, the operator may offer another date or a full refund.

Because the tour is booked, on average, about 53 days ahead, I would not leave it until the final day of your Barcelona stay if the schedule matters. That is especially true for peak travel periods.

Who should book this Girona day trip?

You should book it if you want three things in one day: Game of Thrones locations, Girona’s medieval center, and a guided outing beyond Barcelona. It works well for couples, families with older children, and small groups who prefer a planned day with food and transport included.

It is also a good fit if you are not a major fan but enjoy old towns, regional food, and castle views. The show theme gives the day its hook, while Girona and Blanes provide enough substance beyond the screen.

You may want to skip it if you dislike fixed itineraries, long vehicle rides, stairs, or group meals. A self-guided Girona visit would give you more time in the city and more freedom to choose where to eat.

Should you book it?

For most Game of Thrones fans staying in Barcelona, I would book this tour, especially if you want more than a quick train ride to Girona. The strongest reasons are the photo-based guiding, the small group size, the included lunch, and the chance to see Girona as both a real Catalan city and a fictional world.

Go in knowing that it is a full 8.5-hour day with stairs, road time, and a structured schedule. Wear good shoes, arrive early at the Palau de la Música meeting point, and choose this outing for the complete mix of filming sites, food, history, and coastal views rather than for Girona alone.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 8 hours and 30 minutes. It starts at 9 a.m. and usually returns to central Barcelona around 5:30 or 5:45 p.m.

Where does the tour start?

You meet at C/ Palau de la Música, 1, near the Palau de la Música Catalana in central Barcelona.

Where does the tour finish?

The usual end point is Plaça de Catalunya. Depending on group size and traffic restrictions, it may finish at the tour office instead.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The tour includes a three-course lunch at a family-run restaurant in Blanes, along with homemade sangria.

Is the Game of Thrones ice cream included?

Yes. You receive an ice cream shaped like Jaime’s golden hand on a popsicle stick during the Girona visit.

Is the tour offered in languages other than English?

No. The tour operates in English only.