Game of Thrones Spain Locations: Girona, Seville & More
VISIT THE “GAME OF THRONES” SPAIN FILMING LOCATIONS!
I loved “Game of Thrones,” and still love visiting the stunning locations the cast and crew got to film at all over the world.
While some of the most famous scenes were filmed in Iceland and Morocco, today I want to show you the “Game of Thrones” locations in Spain.
Tours of “Game of Thrones” Filming Locations in Spain
The “Game of Thrones” filming locations are pretty easy to get to on your own. Renting a car and driving is the easiest way to go.
I usually use Discover Cars, since their search tool includes big international rental companies, plus locally-operated companies in each city or country.
➡️ CLICK to Rent a Car in Spain
If you’d rather have someone else do the driving and navigating, that’s fine, too!
These are a few of the excellent tour options, if you’re looking for a guide to lead you to the ancient sites used for various “Game of Thrones” scenes in Spain:
BOOK: Girona’s “GOT” Sites from Barcelona
BOOK: Girona “GOT” Walking Tour
BOOK: Bilbao to Gaztelugatxe & Other “GOT” Locations
“Game of Thrones” Spain: Girona Scenes
Girona is on the banks of the Onyar River, about 100 kilometers northeast of Barcelona. It’s an easy train ride away from Barcelona, making Girona a perfect destination for “Game of Thrones” lovers to check out!
➡️ CLICK to Book Trains in Spain
Girona’s history dates back to Roman times. Throughout the centuries, it has been shaped by various civilizations, including the Romans, Moors, and Christians. The city’s historical significance is reflected in its well-preserved medieval walls, narrow streets, and architectural gems. Many of them fit perfectly into what the “Game of Thrones” location scouts were looking for!
The heart of Girona is its Old Town, known as Barri Vell. The stone streets are lined with medieval buildings, Gothic churches, and picturesque squares.
Girona served as a prominent filming location for “Game of Thrones” during its sixth season.
Here are the notable “Game of Thrones” filming locations in Girona:
Girona Cathedral (Catedral de Girona): The towering Girona Cathedral and its massive set of steps were used as the backdrop for numerous scenes in the series.
The staircase and exterior were featured prominently as the Great Sept of Baelor in King’s Landing, where crucial events took place in Season 6.
In one of the most famous scenes in the series, Jamie Lannister dramatically swept in with an army to prevent Margaery Tyrell from taking her walk of atonement.
The Girona Cathedral stands where a mosque was originally built by the Moors. One of the towers still standing dates back to the 1100s. Much of the rest of the work was completed in the 1600s and 1700s.
I’m still not sure how he rode that horse up the steps in this scene:
The Theater: The “theater,” which was used to stage a play about the poisoning of King Joffrey, is actually a public bathroom these days. It’s attached to a music school called La Moderna, which can easily be found on Google Maps.
They used classic props and set dressings, rather than CGI to transform this open space:
Arab Baths (Banys Àrabs): The Arab Baths of Girona served as the setting for a scene involving Arya Stark in Braavos. These well-preserved baths showcased the city’s historical architecture.
Arya ducks into ancient baths, while being chased by the Waif.
The beauty of the true Arab Baths of Girona isn’t really captured on television. Viewers catch only a shadowy glimpse of Arya as she runs through the ancient baths, which date back to around 1200 AD.
It’s an interesting complex to walk through, and is now a protected national historic site.
Carrer del Bisbe Josep Cartañà: Girona turns into the streets of the mythical city of Braavos during Season Six, which is a really rough season for Arya Stark.
She’s blinded and tormented by odd characters, including the “man of many faces,” and an angry woman known as the “Waif.”
I’m not a fan of either character, but this site was really cool to see in person!
In Episode 1, Arya is begging on a set of stone steps, which you can find on Bisbe Jose Cartana Street, right behind the main cathedral.
It’s here where the Waif confronts Arya, throws her a stick, and forces her to fight (blindly).
Pujada de Sant Domenec: This staircase in Girona was featured during Arya Stark’s pursuit through the streets of Braavos.
During one of many chase scenes, Arya takes a leap, and lands in a market, set on the steps of Pujada de Sant Domenec.
It’s easy to find, thanks to the bright aqua-blue door at the top of the steps.
The Bridge: Arya’s view from this bridge is far more dramatic than reality in Episode 7.
This is one filming location where they relied heavily on CGI.
Using CGI, the graphic artists turned this spot into a canal, in the middle of an urban city location. There’s also a huge statue off in the distance. Arya stands here, after buying a ticket on a ship to go home, staring off, until she’s confronted by the Waif in disguise.
During a fight on the stone bridge, Arya is stabbed, and falls into the “water” below. Water only runs through the wash after a storm.
Sant Pere de Galligants: The bridge is next to an old abbey or monastery, Sant Pere de Galligants, which was used as the Citadel Grand Library where Samwell Tarly studied.
How to Get to Girona
You can fly directly into Girona-Costa Brava Airport (GRO). It’s a small airport, which serves major European hubs. Direct flights can usually be found from London, Dublin, Brussels, Frankfurt, Milan, Rome, and other big cities.
Barcelona to Girona
Most people visiting Girona fly to Barcelona. It’s a quick and easy trip to Girona, which you can take by train, bus, or car.
- By Train: Renfe operates regular train services between Barcelona and Girona. Trains depart from Barcelona-Sants station and arrive at Girona station, and trip takes an hour.
- By Bus: Several bus companies, such as Sagalés or Moventis, offer bus services between Barcelona and Girona. Buses depart from Barcelona’s Estació del Nord bus station and arrive at Girona bus station, and it usually takes about two hours.
- By Car: If you prefer driving, you can rent a car and take the AP-7 highway, which connects Barcelona and Girona. The distance is approximately 100 kilometers, and the journey usually takes around 1.5 hours, depending on traffic.
Rent a Car in Spain: Click Here for the Best Options!
“Game of Thrones” Spain: Seville Scenes
Seville, located in the Andalusia region of Spain, has stunning architecture, which provided the backdrop for several iconic scenes.
Here are the main “Game of Thrones” filming locations in Seville:
Real Alcázar of Seville: The Real Alcázar, a UNESCO World Heritage site, served as the Water Gardens of Dorne in the TV series. This magnificent royal palace, known for its Moorish and Mudejar architecture, appeared as the residence of House Martell in Sunspear.
Plaza de Toros de Osuna: The bullring in the town of Osuna, near Seville, was transformed into the Great Pit of Daznak in Meereen for the series. This arena hosted pivotal scenes, including Daenerys Targaryen’s escape on Drogon’s back.
Italica Archaeological Site: The ancient Roman ruins of Italica, located just outside of Seville, were used to depict the dragon-infested ruins of the Dragonpit in King’s Landing. The amphitheater at Italica played a prominent role in the series.
Alcázar Gardens: The gardens surrounding the Alcázar of Seville were utilized as a filming location for the Water Gardens of Dorne and other scenic scenes.
How to Get to Seville
Seville has its own international airport, Seville Airport (SVQ).
Málaga is nearby, and another good option on a driving tour of Southern Spain.
“Game of Thrones” Spain: Cordoba Area
Cordoba is an easy train ride south of Madrid. The area is home to a couple historic structures which were used in the filming of “Game of Thrones.”
Cordoba
Cordoba is home to a historic Roman bridge which is used in Season 5 of “Game of Thrones.”
It’s known in the TV series as the “Long Bridge” into the mythical Free City of Volantis.
While the bridge itself is recognizable, the city of Cordoba in the background is replaced by a new, CGI-enhanced version.
Castillo Almodovar del Rio
High on a hilltop about 30-minutes outside of Cordoba is a medieval castle known as Almodovar del Rio.
The castle can be seen in Season 7 of “Game of Thrones,” as Lady Olenna Tyrell looks out to see the Lannister army coming to conquer their castle.
“Game of Thrones” Spain: Gaztelugatxe Scene
The history of Gaztelugatxe dates back more than a thousand years. The name “Gaztelugatxe” is a Basque translation for “castle rock.”
The most notable feature of Gaztelugatxe is the small hermitage dedicated to Saint John the Baptist, known as San Juan de Gaztelugatxe.
The current structure you see on the rocks was built in the 10th century and has undergone renovations over the centuries.
Gaztelugatxe’s location on a rocky islet along the Bay of Biscay made it strategically important for defense purposes. It provided a vantage point to monitor the coast and protect against potential invasions.
Gaztelugatxe Scenes in “Game of Thrones”
Gaztelugatxe gained international fame after it was featured as the filming location for Dragonstone, the ancestral home of House Targaryen, in the TV series “Game of Thrones.” The scenic setting of the islet and its iconic stairway were used to depict Dragonstone’s exterior in the show.
The stunning cliffs, the stone bridge, and the stairway leading up to the hermitage created a memorable backdrop for this part of Season 7 of the series. The actual castle you see in the show is all CGI (computer-generated).
Today, visitors can walk the 241 steps across the rocks to the San Juan de Gaztelugatxe Chapel.
How to Get to Gaztelugatxe
You’ll need to book tickets to walk the steps. Sometimes during peak season they sell out, so book in advance by clicking here … or:
Book a Tour: Bilbao to Gaztelugatxe & Other GOT Locations
The drive from Bilbao to Gaztelugatxe is easy and scenic. There are several free lots around the site, so you’ll find plenty of space if you arrive early.
In addition to walking out to the chapel along the famous steps, the cliffs along the coast at Gaztelugatxe are stunning and worth exploring!
Are “Game of Thrones” Spain Locations Worth Visiting?
These historic sites were worth visiting long before the cast and crew of “Game of Thrones” arrived to film!
I’d have to say, for fans of the show, a trip to Girona delivers the most “bang for your buck.” It’s full of so many filming locations, plus it’s an easy ride from Barcelona.
I still need to write posts about the locations in Iceland and Morocco … so… more to come!
Check out our other guides to Spain:
