More than 14 million viewers tuned in to watch the final episode of “Game of Thrones” on HBO. But while the show may have ended, tourism based on its many real-life settings continues to grow. With the country of Spain one of the show’s most popular locations, tour operator Hidden in Spain has announced a new, customizable guided tour that takes guests to many of the show’s most recognizable settings.
Imagine your favorite GOT scenes and characters as you tour the Alcázar Palace of Seville, setting for the Water Gardens of the kingdom of Dorne; the coastal town of Peñíscola, setting for the city-state of Meereen; and the famous Roman bridge of Córdoba, which was transformed into the show’s Long Bridge of Volantis.
According to Hidden in Spain’s founder Luis Fernandez de Vega, the autonomous region of hills, rivers and farmland along Spain’s southern coast, known as Andalusia, provided the setting for many of the Game of Thrones’ locations. Under Moorish rule from the 8th – 15th century, the region now features a wide range of famous landmarks such as Alcázar Castle in Seville, Córdoba’s Mezquita Mosque-Cathedral, and Granada’s Alhambra palace. The region is also famous for flamenco and its many spectacular beaches.
Hidden in Spain’s tours inspired by Game of Thrones include visits to Cáceres in the province of Extremadura, the locale of the old Arab fortress of Castle of Trujillo, part of the defensive posts of King’s Landing. The city’s old quarter was another show favorite, with its renaissance palaces, buildings and Cathedral serving as background for show protagonists as they strolled through the streets.
The province of Guadalajara is also on the itinerary, with tours to some of the historic wonders found in the Sierra de Caldereros mountain range. Among these is the Castle of Zafra, one of the most beautiful though less-known castles in the cold and solitary mountains. The castle became the Tower of Joy, the home of Prince Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark after their elopement and secret marriage.
Another stop on Hidden in Spain’s tour is the Alcázar of Seville, or “Reales Alcázares de Sevilla,” a former royal palace and UNESCO World Heritage Site that served as the setting for Game of Thrones’ Water Gardens of Dorne. A visit is also on tap for the Osuna Bullring, a popular film location that was transformed into the Fighting Pits of Meereen. The tour then visits Seville’s Atarazanas, which served as the fortress of King’s Landing, where Queen Cersei crossed the vaults which contained the heads of Dragoon soldiers who were beaten in battles.
The city of Cordoba also features on the itinerary. Guests will visit its famous Roman Bridge, an extraordinary feat of architecture that has been declared an Asset of Cultural Interest. The bridge became the show’s Long Bridge of Volantis. Also, on the itinerary is Almodóvar Castle, a castle of Muslim Berger origin that served as the setting for House Tyrell’s home of Highgarden, as well as parts of Casterly Rock, the ancestral home of House Lannister.
The Andalusian city of Almería, which served as the fictional land of Dothraki, also features in Hidden in Spain’s tour. Among the settings is the Alcazaba of Almería, a fortified city that is also Spain’s second largest Muslim construction. The city served as part of the Water Gardens along with the Alcazar of Seville. The tour includes a visit to El Chorillo in the Sierra de Alhamilla mountain range, a location that served as the city of Vaes Dothrak. Scenes of the arrival of Daenerys Targaryen to Vaes Dothrak took advantage of the rugged beauty of the Tabernas desert in Rambla del Búhoin. The battle for control of Meereen was also filmed in Torre de Mesa Roldán in the Natural Park of Cabo de Gata.
Catalonia in the northeastern part of Spain offers popular beach resorts and the Pyrenees Mountains. Thanks to its medieval architecture and the Old Quarter, the city of Girona replaced Dubrovnik later in the series as the settings for Braavos and King’s Landing, while the city’s Cathedral became the capital of the Seven Kingdoms. Meanwhile, in Barcelona, fans will recognize the 11th century medieval Castle of Santa Florentina in Canet de Mar as Horn Hill, the seat of Tarly.
The tour will also take visitors to Basque Country, where numerous scenes were shot. The rocky peninsula and its hermitage in San Juan de Gaztelugatxe became Dragonstone; while Daenerys, Jon Snow, Tyrion Lannister, and other characters were filmed on the Itzurun beach in Zumaia.
About Hidden in Spain
Hidden in Spain is a boutique tour company offering custom tours in Spain. Operating from its headquarters in northern Spain, it takes guest on highly personalized journeys that reveal the hidden cultural, historical, culinary treasures, and natural beauty of the country, from Bilbao in the north to Málaga in the south. Luis Fernandez de Vega, founder of Hidden in Spain, and his team of experienced and knowledgeable travel specialists work with their clients on a one-to-one basis to create detailed tailor-made holiday packages to meet their specific interests. They take care of every aspect of tours, from domestic air, hotel and ground transportation, to excursions and scheduled events. Hidden in Spain takes clients beyond the well-worn and familiar tourist spots to find unique “insider experiences” that give their clients a deeper, more immersive connection with the Spanish culture. For more information, visit Hidden in Spain.
