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

Step into Westeros for a day. This 8.5-hour outing pairs Girona’s medieval lanes with Game of Thrones filming locations, a Catalan lunch in Blanes, and a castle stop on the Costa Brava. I especially like the guide’s use of scene photos to connect the real streets with the finished show, and I like that the day includes time to explore Girona on your own. The main drawback is the pace: Girona has many stairs, and the long day includes several drives.

The tour costs about $127 per person and runs in English with no more than 15 people. Guides such as Sergio, Camilo, Enrique, Xavi, and Stephen have earned strong praise for their humor, show knowledge, and care with the group. Still, check the final route before departure, since the castle stop has been described by different names and may vary with the day’s arrangements.

Key points at a glance

• Filming locations in real medieval streets: See Girona settings used for King’s Landing and Braavos, including the steps linked with the Sept of Baelor.
• Scene photos make the tour click: Your guide uses images from the series to show how the real location appeared on screen.
• A playful Jaime Lannister treat: Try an ice pop shaped like Jaime’s golden hand, made by a Michelin-starred chef.
• Catalan food is part of the price: The included meal in Blanes features local dishes, dessert, and housemade sangria.
• A full day beyond Barcelona: You get Girona, free time, Blanes, and a medieval castle before returning to the city.
• Small group, English only: The maximum group size is 15, with transport in an air-conditioned vehicle.

Starting beside the Palau de la Música at 8:45 a.m.

The morning begins at C/ Palau de la Música, 1, beside Barcelona’s famous Palau de la Música Catalana. You meet the guide at the operator’s central office, where you can use the restroom and grab a quick coffee before departure. The formal start time is 9 a.m.

This meeting point is practical if you are staying in central Barcelona. Hotel pickup is not included, so allow enough time to reach the office under your own steam. The tour ends around Plaça de Catalunya, only a short walk from the office, although the exact return point can depend on group size and traffic rules.

The first drive takes you out through the Eixample district and toward Girona. It lasts about an hour. Your guide uses this time for a short introduction to Barcelona, Catalonia, and Girona, so the ride is not simply dead time between stops.

I like this setup because the guide can give you useful context before you begin walking. You also get a chance to settle in, but remember that the day has an early start and a late finish. If your ideal excursion means sleeping in and moving slowly, this is not that kind of outing.

Girona, where King’s Landing meets Braavos

Girona is the heart of the tour. The city’s old quarter gives the show a convincing medieval setting, with stone lanes, stairways, old walls, and tightly packed buildings. Here you follow locations connected with Arya, Jaime, Cersei, Margaery Tyrell, and other major characters.

The guide does more than point at a street and name a scene. The best part of the presentation is the use of photos from the show. As you approach each place, the guide can hold up an image and help you match the camera angle, costumes, and action to the real setting in front of you.

That visual comparison matters. Filming locations can look surprisingly ordinary when no actors, costumes, or dramatic lighting are present. Seeing the finished scene beside the actual street helps you understand how television production reshapes a place.

You visit locations associated with both King’s Landing and Braavos. The steps connected with the Sept of Baelor are a major photo stop, and fans will recognize several other corners from the series. Guides such as Sergio have been praised for knowing both the show and the books, while Camilo has been singled out for bringing real enthusiasm to the scenes.

The tour also adds local history rather than treating Girona as a stage set. You walk through the medieval alleys, see the Jewish quarter, and take in the city’s old architecture. That balance is important. Even if your interest in the series has cooled, Girona itself gives the morning real value.

Be ready for Girona’s stairs

Girona’s old quarter is rewarding, but it is not flat. You should expect stairs and uneven medieval streets, especially around the filming locations and the old religious buildings. One person specifically warned that Girona has many stairs, so wear comfortable shoes and avoid bringing luggage.

Most people can take part, according to the tour information, but the walking portion still demands a reasonable level of mobility. The itinerary gives you about an hour and a half in Girona, including the guided route and independent time. That is enough to see the main areas, but not enough for a slow, thorough visit to every corner.

The free time is one of the tour’s better choices. After the guided filming walk, you can wander without having to stay in formation. You might use it to browse the Jewish quarter, take photos, stop for a drink, or revisit a favorite filming spot. The tradeoff is that you need to watch the time and return to the agreed meeting place.

Jaime’s golden hand on a stick

The Girona visit includes a fun food stop: an ice pop shaped like Jaime Lannister’s golden hand. It was created by a Michelin-starred chef as a nod to the character’s famous crown-related story.

This is a small detail, but it gives the tour some personality. It is also a good photo opportunity and a welcome break during the walking route. The treat is included, so you do not need to budget extra for it.

I would not book the entire day for the ice pop, of course. Think of it as a clever bonus that suits the theme without taking over the historic side of the visit. The food is likely to appeal most to committed fans and families, but it is still a lighthearted moment for anyone willing to play along.

Blanes and a proper Catalan lunch

After Girona, the vehicle continues to Blanes, known here as the gateway to the Costa Brava. The drive shifts the day from old-city streets to the coast and countryside, giving you a different view of Catalonia without adding another complicated transfer.

Lunch takes place in a family-run local restaurant. The meal includes three courses, with a selection of local starters, a main course, and dessert. Homemade sangria is served as part of the welcome and meal.

This is one of the tour’s strongest value points. A day trip can become expensive when you add lunch, drinks, snacks, and transport. Here, the main meal and the vehicle are included in the $127 price, along with the guide and ice pop.

The lunch also gives the day a more local feel than a quick sandwich stop near a tourist attraction. The setting is described as a restored farmhouse or local family restaurant in the countryside, depending on the account of the day. Previous meals have been praised as generous and authentic, with the food itself often called a highlight.

Do keep your expectations sensible. An included group lunch is designed to keep the day moving, not to offer a long restaurant experience with unlimited menu choice. If you have strict dietary needs, the supplied information does not explain how they are handled, so ask the operator before booking.

The final medieval castle stop

The last stop is a well-preserved medieval castle with broad views toward the coast. The itinerary names Castillo de Garcimunoz and places the stop at about 4 p.m., while some descriptions refer to a castle near Blanes or the Palace of Palafolls. The useful point is that you finish with a medieval fortress rather than simply driving straight back to Barcelona.

The remains date from the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries. Enough of the walls and structures remain to show how imposing the stronghold once was, and the elevated position provides the sort of coastal view that makes a short stop worthwhile.

You have about 30 minutes to explore before the return drive. That is not long enough for an extended castle visit, but it works as a final photo stop and a change of pace after lunch.

The castle is also a good reason for non-fans to consider the tour. Several people have enjoyed this part as much as the Game of Thrones locations, especially because it adds a real medieval site to the fictional story. If your main priority is a long Costa Brava visit, however, this itinerary only offers a brief taste rather than a full coastal day.

Returning to Barcelona around 5:30 p.m.

The vehicle returns to Barcelona at roughly 5:30 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. The usual end point is Plaça de Catalunya, with the possibility of finishing back at the office depending on traffic restrictions and the size of the group.

From Plaça de Catalunya, you can take the metro or a taxi onward. The guide can also suggest dinner options. This timing leaves you an evening in Barcelona, but the day will feel full, particularly after the early meeting time and several hours on foot.

The air-conditioned vehicle is a real advantage. Girona is about an hour from Barcelona, and the route also includes the drive to Blanes and the castle. A guided vehicle day removes the need to work out regional trains, restaurant reservations, and the castle connection yourself.

The downside is less flexibility. You cannot decide to stay longer in Girona or skip lunch and spend the afternoon on the coast. You are buying convenience and a clear route, not an independent road trip.

What the guides add to the experience

The guide can make or break a filming-location tour. The strongest guiding style here combines three jobs: explain the show, explain the place, and keep the day running on time.

Sergio receives repeated praise for his scene knowledge, historical stories, friendly manner, and attention to each person in the group. Camilo is described as funny, animated, and a serious Game of Thrones fan. Enrique is praised for turning the trip into a lively shared experience, while Xavi is noted for safe driving and helping people find good photo spots.

That range of names also tells you something practical. The experience may feel different depending on who leads your departure. The core route, transport, lunch, and inclusions remain the same, but the storytelling style can vary from guide to guide.

The maximum group size is 15. That is small enough for questions and group conversation without the price of a private tour. Some departures may be much smaller. One account describes a group of only four, which allowed for very detailed explanations.

The tour operates in English only. If you are comfortable following an English-speaking guide for a full day, that keeps the commentary clear. If not, the show’s visual references will still help, but the history and production details will be harder to follow.

Is the $127 price fair?

At about $127 per person, this is not a budget bus ride. It is also more than a simple Girona excursion because the price includes a guide, an air-conditioned vehicle, the Jaime golden-hand ice pop, and a three-course lunch with sangria.

I think the price is fair if you want several pieces handled for you in one day. You get round-trip transport from central Barcelona, a guided Girona route, free time, a restaurant meal, and a castle visit. Organizing all of that independently would require more planning, and the castle connection could be awkward without a car.

The value is weaker if you mainly want Girona. In that case, a shorter self-guided visit or direct transport could give you more time in the city for less money. You are paying for the combination of entertainment, guiding, food, and transport.

The tour receives a 4.8 rating from 217 reviews, with 96 percent recommending it. That is a strong record, but the most useful lesson is to check that the exact experience you book matches the advertised inclusions. One person was moved to a different Girona filming-sites outing when the original tour was unavailable and did not receive the promised lunch or ice pop. The guide was praised, but the substitution caused understandable frustration.

Who should book this day trip?

You should consider this tour if you:

• Love Game of Thrones and want to stand in recognizable filming locations.
• Want Girona with a guide rather than planning the route yourself.
• Enjoy combining pop culture with medieval architecture and local food.
• Prefer a small group to a large coach.
• Have one full day available from Barcelona.
• Like having lunch and transport included in the price.

You may want another plan if you want a relaxed day, dislike stairs, need hotel pickup, or prefer to spend most of your time in Girona. It may also disappoint serious Costa Brava explorers, since Blanes and the castle are short stops within a broader day rather than the main focus.

You do not need to be a fan to enjoy the outing. Girona’s old quarter, the Catalan meal, and the castle offer plenty beyond the television connection. Fans, though, get the clearest payoff from the photo comparisons and character trail.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund, and the tour requires a minimum number of people to operate.

Should you book the Girona Game of Thrones tour?

I would book it if you want an easy, social day that mixes Girona, television history, Catalan food, and a medieval castle. The strongest reasons are the guides, the scene-photo presentation, and the included lunch, not just the list of filming sites.

Book with the right expectations. This is a full 8.5-hour outing with driving, stairs, a timed lunch, and a short castle visit. If that sounds like a good use of one Barcelona day, the tour offers a lively route with plenty of variety. If you want slow wandering and complete control over your schedule, visit Girona independently instead.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at C/ Palau de la Música, 1, in Barcelona’s Ciutat Vella, beside the Palau de la Música. You meet the guide at 8:45 a.m. for a 9 a.m. departure.

Where does the tour end?

The tour usually ends at Plaça de Catalunya between 5:30 and 5:45 p.m. Depending on group size and traffic restrictions, it may finish back at the main office.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You need to make your own way to the central Barcelona meeting point.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 8 hours and 30 minutes, including the drives, Girona visit, lunch in Blanes, castle stop, and return to Barcelona.

Is the tour offered in languages other than English?

No. The tour operates in English only.

How large is the group?

The maximum group size is 15 people. Some departures may be smaller.

What Game of Thrones locations are included?

The Girona route includes filming locations connected with King’s Landing and Braavos, including the steps associated with the Sept of Baelor and places linked with Arya, Jaime, Cersei, and Margaery.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included at a local restaurant in Blanes and features three courses, local specialties, dessert, and housemade sangria.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.