REVIEW · BARCELONA
From Barcelona: ‘Game Of Thrones’ Small Group Tour in Girona
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Want to walk where the show was filmed?
This small-group day trip turns Girona into a Game of Thrones backdrop, with filming-location stops tied to Arya, Jaime, Cersei, and others. I love the photo-led walkthrough (your guide shows what was shot where), and I also love the built-in food break in Blanes with a hearty Catalan lunch and housemade sangria. One thing to consider: Girona is full of stairs, so comfy shoes matter.
What makes it work is the pacing. You start in Barcelona near Palau de la Música, head out in an air-conditioned van, then spend your morning and early afternoon hopping between the medieval center and the coast—finishing at the Castillo de Garcimunoz before you’re back in the city. Guides can vary, but names like Sergio, Enrique, Xavi, Camilo, and Stephen show up in past groups, and they all lean into the same idea: connecting the real streets to what you see on screen.
You’ll get the basics handled too: English-only tour, a mobile ticket, and the day ends around Plaça Catalunya so you can grab dinner easily. If you’re staying in Barcelona without a car, this is one of the more straightforward ways to hit both Thrones filming spots and the Costa Brava vibe.
In This Review
- Key Points Before You Go
- The Big Idea: Girona Turns Into Game of Thrones
- Morning Start in Barcelona: Palau de la Música to Girona
- Girona Filming Locations Walk: Arya, Jaime, Cersei, and Friends
- The Best Part: Free Time After the Guided Route
- Jaime’s Golden Hand Ice Cream: A Fun Detour That Actually Fits
- Blanes Lunch on the Costa Brava: Food Before the Views
- Castillo de Garcimunoz: The Castle Stop With Real View Power
- Getting Back to Barcelona: Easy End Point for Dinner Plans
- Price and Value: What You’re Really Paying For
- Who This Tour Fits Best (And Who Might Skip It)
- Should You Book This Game of Thrones Girona Day Trip?
- FAQ
- How long is the Game of Thrones Small Group Tour in Girona?
- What time does the tour start and where does it end?
- Is the tour offered in English?
- What is included in the lunch and drink?
- What is the included ice cream?
- Is hotel pickup included?
- What if I need to cancel?
Key Points Before You Go

- Girona’s medieval lanes double as King’s Landing and Braavos
- Your guide uses on-the-spot photos to match scenes to real locations
- Jaime’s golden hand ice cream on a popsicle stick
- A proper Catalan 3-course lunch in Blanes with housemade sangria
- A castle viewpoint stop at Castillo de Garcimunoz before heading back
- Small group size (max 15) keeps it friendly and photo stops workable
The Big Idea: Girona Turns Into Game of Thrones

The headline here is simple: Girona is beautiful in real life, and the show used that medieval texture as a ready-made set. When you stand in the same neighborhoods and streets where scenes were filmed, it clicks fast. You’re not just hearing about the series—you’re seeing how stonework, stairs, and alley widths shape the look.
I especially like how the tour treats Girona as a real city first. Yes, you’ll follow the show’s thread—people like Arya, Jaime, Cersei, and Margaery get their moments—but you also get time to wander the medieval quarters on your own. That time matters because Girona isn’t a theme park. It’s a living place with a Jewish neighborhood feel, old stone walls, and a waterfront you can actually enjoy without rushing.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Barcelona.
Morning Start in Barcelona: Palau de la Música to Girona
You begin at C/ Palau de la Música, 1, near the famous Palau de la Música in central Barcelona. It’s a good meeting spot if you’re using transit, and it’s close to where you can grab a quick coffee before the day starts.
The timing is set up so you’re not stuck in long early waits:
- You meet around 8:45am
- You roll out at 9:00am
- The drive to Girona is about 60 minutes
On the way, your guide gives a short history of Barcelona and then a more focused intro on Girona and Catalunya. This isn’t meant to be a lecture. It’s there so the sites feel connected once you arrive—why certain places exist, and why the region looks the way it does.
Girona Filming Locations Walk: Arya, Jaime, Cersei, and Friends

This is the core of the trip, and it’s where the tour earns its fan status. Once you’re in Girona, you follow a trail of show-related locations tied to key characters. What makes it better than a generic sightseeing walk is that your guide brings photos and uses them at each stop, helping you map scenes to actual steps, corners, and street angles.
You’ll hit multiple “wow” moments tied to the show’s world—settings that feel like King’s Landing and Braavos, including the kind of iconic steps you can recognize on screen. And yes, the photos make it easier to understand what you’re seeing. Instead of squinting and guessing, you get a visual match right in place.
One practical note: Girona has a lot of stairs. Even if you’re not going full-speed, the day is more “walk and climb” than “easy stroll.” If you’re planning to bring sandals, don’t. Wear shoes you trust for uneven stone and steps.
The Best Part: Free Time After the Guided Route
After the guided portion, you don’t just get dropped like luggage. You get time to wander independently. This is when Girona stops being a set and becomes a city you can enjoy at your own pace.
Use this window for:
- Medieval alley wandering at a slower rhythm
- Looking around the old Jewish neighborhood
- Taking in the waterfront area
It’s also the time to pause for a drink or a snack if you’re hungry. The tour builds lunch later in the day, so you don’t have to treat Girona like a quick drive-by.
Jaime’s Golden Hand Ice Cream: A Fun Detour That Actually Fits

One of the most memorable “only-on-this-tour” moments is the themed ice cream: Ser Jaime’s golden hand, served on a popsicle stick. It’s described as shaped to match the golden hand concept, and it’s created by a Michelin-starred chef as a nod to the character.
Is it a must? If you’re not a sweets person, you can skip it. But even then, I like it because it breaks up the walking with something light and playful. It also gives you a photo moment that doesn’t feel forced—once you’ve spent the morning matching scenes to streets, you want one small, silly payoff.
Tip: It’s easy to forget about timing when you’re chasing the next sight. Plan a moment to eat it slowly, not while rushing to the next viewpoint.
Blanes Lunch on the Costa Brava: Food Before the Views

At around 1:00pm, you head to Blanes, the gateway to the Costa Brava. The switch in scenery is part of the value here. You go from medieval stone to coastal energy fast enough that the day doesn’t feel repetitive.
Lunch is included, and it’s not just a token stop:
- You’ll eat in a family-run local restaurant
- It’s a 3-course lunch style meal
- There’s housemade sangria
- You’ll get a selection of local starters, mains, and dessert
I like that the tour doesn’t treat lunch like a waiting room. It’s positioned as a full reset. After stairs and photo stops in Girona, you’ll appreciate a proper meal where you can actually sit, talk, and recharge.
Also, Blanes is the kind of stop where you might notice locals running the rhythm of the day. That matters more than any perfect view.
Castillo de Garcimunoz: The Castle Stop With Real View Power

After lunch, you head to your last major stop: Castillo de Garcimunoz. The castle dates back to the 13th and 14th centuries, and enough remains to show how imposing it must have been.
This is where you get a classic travel payoff: height, walls, and wide sightlines. You also get a block of free time to wander the areas you can access and take photos without a constant call-and-response from the guide.
If you love history, you’ll enjoy seeing how the ruins still explain the original purpose. If you’re more about scenery, you’ll enjoy the views over the broader area and the sense of scale from up top.
Getting Back to Barcelona: Easy End Point for Dinner Plans

You return to Barcelona around 5:30pm to 5:45pm, ending in or near Plaça de Catalunya. That’s a smart finish point. From there, you can take the metro or grab a taxi without needing a car.
A small detail that helps: the day ends either at Plaça Catalunya or back near the office area, depending on traffic and group size. Either way, you’re not stranded in some far-out neighborhood with no easy transit.
Price and Value: What You’re Really Paying For

At $127.03 per person, the price looks like it might be “just a bus tour.” But in practice, a big chunk of the cost is covered by what’s included.
You’re paying for:
- Guided filming-location walking in Girona with photo matching
- Air-conditioned transport from Barcelona and back
- A full lunch in Blanes, including housemade sangria
- The Jaime golden hand themed ice cream
- A castle visit stop with time to explore
Even if you’re only mildly interested in Game of Thrones, you’re still getting a full day of sights plus a proper meal. If you’re a fan, the themed ice cream and the scene-matching photos are the kind of extras you usually end up paying for separately—or missing entirely—on DIY days.
Is it expensive compared to a train and your own plans? Yes, probably. But it’s cheaper than building a day where you also pay for transport, guide time, and multiple meals without losing your time.
Who This Tour Fits Best (And Who Might Skip It)
This tour is a great fit if:
- You’re a Game of Thrones fan who wants the places in real life, not just pictures
- You like history and medieval towns, even if you’re not deeply nerdy about it
- You want Costa Brava time without dealing with driving, parking, and scheduling
It might be less fun if:
- You hate walking uphill or climbing stairs. Girona’s steps are real, and the day has multiple walking chunks.
- You want total freedom with zero group timing. This is a guided structure day with set stops.
One encouraging point from the overall vibe of the experience: you don’t have to treat this like a series-only outing. The medieval city and the coast are the main characters too.
Should You Book This Game of Thrones Girona Day Trip?
If you’re visiting Barcelona and you want one day that mixes medieval streets, a coastal break, and a genuinely memorable themed bite, I’d book it. The best version of this tour is when you lean into the guide’s matching photos and actually take your time at the sites, especially in Girona.
I’d be picky only if stairs are a deal-breaker for you. Otherwise, it’s a strong day-trip value: guided, organized, and ends in the right place for an easy dinner in Barcelona.
FAQ
How long is the Game of Thrones Small Group Tour in Girona?
It runs about 8 hours 30 minutes.
What time does the tour start and where does it end?
You start at 9:00am (meeting begins around 8:45am) and you end around 5:30pm to 5:45pm near Plaça de Catalunya.
Is the tour offered in English?
Yes. The tour is English only.
What is included in the lunch and drink?
Lunch in Blanes includes a 3-course meal and housemade sangria.
What is the included ice cream?
You get Ser Jaime’s golden hand ice cream on a popsicle stick.
Is hotel pickup included?
No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.
What if I need to cancel?
You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
























