La Sagrada Familia

Why Girona Was Chosen for Game of Thrones

Girona served as a filming location for Game of Thrones series 6, standing in for Braavos (the House of Black and White sequences) and later for King’s Landing. The production team chose Girona for its extraordinary concentration of intact medieval architecture in a small area — the cathedral steps, the old Jewish quarter alleys, and the city walls provide a density of medieval atmosphere that almost no other European city can match in such a compact space.

The city’s honey-coloured stone buildings, narrow staircase streets, and Romanesque cathedral facade are visually distinctive in a way that reads as fantasy on screen while remaining entirely real. Unlike purpose-built sets, Girona’s medieval quarter is a living city — restaurants, shops, and residents occupy the same spaces where the series filmed. This duality makes the filming location tour a genuinely interesting experience rather than a theme-park exercise.

Key Game of Thrones Filming Locations

The Cathedral steps are the most recognisable location. The long, dramatic staircase leading up to the Gothic cathedral facade was used for the walk of shame sequence in King’s Landing and for other key King’s Landing crowd scenes. The steps are unchanged from the series and accessible freely at any time. The view back down over the old city rooftops from the top is exceptional.

The Banys Arabs (Arab Baths) served as the House of Black and White entrance. The Carrer de la Força in the old Jewish quarter appears in multiple Braavos scenes. Placa dels Jurats and the surrounding alleys feature in the scenes where Arya moves through the city. The Passeig Arqueologic (city walls) provided several outdoor filming positions for overhead and long-lens shots.

The Self-Guided Tour Route

The full GOT route covers about 1.5 kilometres within the old city and takes 60 to 90 minutes at a relaxed pace. Start at the Cathedral steps (northernmost point), descend through the Carrer de la Força into the Call, continue south to the Banys Arabs, then walk the city walls east before descending back to the river. Free maps with the filming locations marked are available at the tourist office on Rambla de la Llibertat.

Dedicated Game of Thrones guided tours of Girona are available, typically lasting 2 hours and including detailed production context and behind-the-scenes information. These are worth booking if you are a serious fan; for casual viewers, the self-guided route with a map is sufficient. Most tours run daily from April to October.

Combining GOT Spots with Regular Sightseeing

• Cathedral of Girona — GOT location + widest Gothic nave in the world, essential regardless
• El Call (Jewish Quarter) — Braavos filming + one of Spain’s best-preserved medieval Jewish quarters
• City Walls — free walk with filming views + best panorama of the old city rooftops
• Banys Arabs — GOT location + beautifully preserved 12th-century bath house, €3 entry
• Pont de les Peixateries Velles — Eiffel-designed iron bridge, riverside views, not a GOT location but essential

Ready to explore more of Barcelona?

• Private Gaudí Tours Barcelona
• Three Days in Barcelona Plan
• Barcelona in One Day Itinerary

More Places in Barcelona to Discover

• Fast Track Sagrada Família
• Park Güell Guided Visit
• Gothic Quarter Walking Tour

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