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

Girona can feel like a movie set, minus the crowd. This Game of Thrones-themed small-group tour turns medieval streets into recognizable scenes from King’s Landing and Braavos, with a guide who shows you the exact angles and context. I especially like the photo-based stop-and-match approach, and the tasty payoffs like Ser Jaime’s golden hand ice cream.

I also like how the day does not lock you in the whole time. You get guided time at the key locations, then you’re released to wander Girona’s alleys, the Jewish neighborhood, and the waterfront. The main drawback to consider is walking, because Girona involves lots of stairs and steep lanes.

Girona Becomes King’s Landing: What Makes This Tour Work

This is a straightforward, well-paced day trip built around two things: famous filming locations and a comfortable way to get there from Barcelona. You start in central Barcelona near Palau de la Música, hop into an air-conditioned vehicle, and land in Girona in time to explore before the day gets too hot or too crowded.

The show stuff is the hook. The payoff is how fast you start seeing the place like a set: the guide points out where scenes were staged, then you connect it to the character moments (Arya, Jaime, Cersei, and Margaery are all name-checked at the stops). When you also get a local-lunch reset in Blanes on the Costa Brava, the day feels like more than a one-note nostalgia tour.

A final point I appreciate: it’s small group, capped at 15 people. That matters when you want photo time and a guide who can answer questions without rushing everyone.

Key Moments and Standout Details

• Small-group focus: max 15 travelers, built for photo moments and real conversation.
• On-site visual matching: the guide uses photos as you approach each filming location so scenes make sense fast.
• Jaime hand ice cream on a popsicle stick: shaped like Ser Jaime’s golden hand, a nod made by a Michelin-starred chef.
• Girona’s medieval variety: Jewish neighborhood, medieval alleys, and waterfront time included.
• Costa Brava lunch in Blanes: housemade sangria served with a hearty 3-course meal.
• Castillo de Garcimunoz views: a well-preserved medieval castle stop with great scenery.

Starting in Barcelona Near Palau de la Música

You meet in central Barcelona at C/ Palau de la Música, 1, in Ciutat Vella. The location is handy because it’s close to public transport, and it also gives you an easy plan for breakfast or a quick coffee before the tour. If you arrive a touch early, there’s time to use the restroom and get set before you roll out.

The tour language is English only, and you start at 9:00am. You’ll also be in an air-conditioned vehicle, which is a real quality-of-life detail when Barcelona mornings are already warm or when you’re traveling in summer.

One logistics thing to know: there’s no hotel pickup and drop-off. That means you’ll want to be comfortable getting to the meeting point on your own, then returning near the end of the day.

The Drive to Girona: Learn the City Before the Set

The ride is about one hour. As you head out of Barcelona through the Eixample area, your guide gives you a quick orientation to Girona and the wider Catalonia context. It’s not meant to be a textbook lecture. It sets up what you’ll see so you recognize why the medieval layout matters.

This part is also where the guide’s personality starts to show. In the feedback I saw, names like Sergio, Enrique, Xavi, and Camillo came up again and again for bringing the story to life. You’re not just hearing facts. You’re getting a way to look at the streets as if they are already staging scenes.

Girona Filming Locations: Arya, Cersei, and the Sept Steps

Once in Girona, the tour becomes very concrete. You follow a trail of key filming locations and character footsteps, with the guide pointing out places that look like they belong in King’s Landing or Braavos. The stop logic is simple: walk to a location, get the scene context, then take photos from the spots the guide suggests.

This is where you’ll feel the benefit of the tour’s photo support. The guide shares images as you approach each area, which helps you line up the real street with the fictional one. The tour also specifically calls out the steps connected to the Sept of Baelor, so you’re not left guessing where the big show moments map onto Girona’s geometry.

What Girona Time Is Like Between Scenes

Girona is old, and it’s photogenic in a way that is not forced. After the guided filming stop sequence, you get free time to explore on your own. You can wander the medieval lanes, spend time in the Jewish neighborhood, and take in the waterfront views.

There’s one thing to respect: Girona involves stairs. Even if you’re comfortable walking, you’ll want shoes with grip and a plan to pace yourself. If you hate climbing, this is the part that may test you.

Jaime Hand Ice Cream: The Sweet, Silly Win

Midway through the Girona portion, there’s a themed ice cream stop. You’ll enjoy Ser Jaime’s golden hand on a popsicle stick. It’s playful, it’s easy to enjoy, and it gives you a fun souvenir moment that matches the show without feeling tacky.

And yes, it’s tied to the Michelin-starred chef note, so this is not just generic themed dessert. It’s a thoughtful, edible highlight that breaks up the walking and gets everyone smiling for photos.

Lunch in Blanes: Sangria, Local Starters, and a Real Break

After Girona, you drive to Blanes, described as the gateway to the Costa Brava. This is where the day shifts tone from medieval filming set to coastal Catalonia.

Lunch is included, and it’s set up for you to actually eat, not just “grab something.” You’ll stop at a family-run local restaurant. The owner welcomes the group with homemade sangria, then you get a selection of local starters, main courses, and dessert as part of a hearty 3-course meal.

Why This Lunch Adds Value

A lot of TV-and-movie tours cram you with sights and leave food to you, which can turn into an expensive, stressful scramble. Here, lunch is handled. You get time to settle, and the sangria is part of the experience rather than an optional add-on.

Also, Blanes helps because it’s a contrast setting. You’re not just revisiting the same architectural vibe again. You’re in a coastal town feel, which makes the castle stop afterward more interesting.

Castillo de Garcimunoz: Medieval Castle Views That Close the Loop

In the afternoon you head to the last stop: Castillo de Garcimunoz. The castle dates back to the 13th and 14th centuries, and it’s described as well-preserved enough to show how imposing it once was.

This is mostly a scenic, historical photo stop with time to wander. You’ll have some free time to take in the views and soak up the medieval atmosphere. The day ends with a return trip to Barcelona, typically arriving around 5:30 to 5:45pm.

One of the practical benefits of a final castle stop is that it gives you a wind-down. You can take your time, get a few last photos, then head back without needing to squeeze in one more “must-see” before dinner.

Price and Time: Is $127 Worth It?

The price is $127.03 per person, and the day runs about 8 hours 30 minutes. At face value, that can sound like a lot for a day trip. But this tour bundles the big costs that add up fast if you do it on your own.

You’re paying for:

• Transportation from Barcelona to Girona and on to Blanes and the castle, plus air-conditioned comfort
• A local guide who manages timing and photo stops
• A real included lunch with housemade sangria
• The themed ice cream stop
• Time for independent wandering after the guided scenes

Because lunch and the transport are built in, the money feels more balanced than tours that only provide a guide and then expect you to cover everything else.

It’s also booked around 53 days in advance on average, which suggests the departure dates can fill. If you’re traveling in peak season, don’t wait too long.

Small-Group Travel From Barcelona That Feels Personal

With up to 15 travelers, the whole day runs with less friction than bigger bus tours. You get more chance to stop for photos, and you’re not constantly dealing with “everyone line up now” energy.

The guide quality seems to be a real strength here. Many comments highlighted guides like Sergio and Enrique for doing two jobs at once: history context and show-specific scene connection. A repeated theme was the guide’s enthusiasm, and the way they used photos to help you visualize what was filmed in each location.

If you care about details, this format works because the guide can point out where to stand and how to frame your photos, not just where to walk.

Who Should Book This Girona and Game of Thrones Day Trip

This is a great pick if:

• You want Game of Thrones filming locations without doing the logistics yourself
• You like walking tours, with a guide-driven plan and photo time
• You want a day that includes both show highlights and Catalan food in a real coastal town

You might think twice if:

• You dislike stairs. Girona has plenty of them, and the old town layout means some uphill walking.
• You want a totally relaxed, lounging day. This is structured, with guided time and included stops.

If you’re visiting Barcelona and you only have one full day to spare, this fits nicely. It also works for non-fans, because the Girona medieval setting and Catalonia food stop are still the main show once you’re there.

Should You Book It?

I’d book this if you want a day that’s part filming locations, part medieval roaming, and part good food in Blanes. The biggest reason is the combination: the guide helps you see scenes in the right places, and the included lunch and ice cream make the day feel complete.

My practical advice: wear shoes for stairs, bring a water bottle, and keep your phone charged for photo matching. If you can handle a hilly old town walk, this is one of the more satisfying ways to turn a Barcelona day into something you can actually photograph and remember.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience start time, so you do have some flexibility.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

It starts at 9:00am in central Barcelona.

How long is the tour?

The duration is about 8 hours 30 minutes.

Is lunch included, and where is it?

Yes. You get lunch at a restaurant in Blanes, and the meal is described as a hearty 3-course lunch with homemade sangria.

What is included in the tour besides lunch?

In addition to lunch and a local guide, you also get ice cream shaped like Ser Jaime’s golden hand on a popsicle stick.

How big is the group?

The tour has a maximum of 15 travelers.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, the tour is English only.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. There is no hotel pickup and drop-off. You meet at the tour meeting point in Barcelona and end back near central Barcelona.