Ah, Girona! Such a lovely city that's filled with a wealth of history. Currently, the city is most…read morepopularly known as the filming site for scenes from Game of Thrones. However, Girona is filled with numerous landmarks and stunning historic Gothic buildings. I embarked on a guided city tour and had a fabulous time learning about the history of the city. We walked through the beautiful alleyways and crossed over the gorgeous Onyar River which parts a section of the city. The Onyar River is also known for the "houses on the river" which feature colorful houses that overlook the river and give the city a bit of a Mediterranean city feel. The views of this sight are simply amazing! The most popular landmark in Girona by far is the Girona Cathedral. The cathedral is a popular spot for tourists as it's one of the major sites where episodes of Game of Thrones were filmed. It also has the largest Baroque staircase in the world with over 90 steps to the entrance. This is a popular picture taking area. In downtown, you'll find several shops, museums, and eateries. The city is small and very walkable, so a lot of ground can be covered with day tours which seem to be very popular here. Many people take day trips from Barcelona to Girona (which is what I did). I had a wonderful time exploring Girona and I would love to return again sometime.

This iconic area of Girona was once the city's Jewish Quarter. Cross over the canal, away from…read moremodern downtown, and go into the historic part of the city. Known for narrow, winding streets, steep stairs, and vaulted archways, El Call looks straight out of a story book. For this reason, HBO's Game of Thrones filmed some of its city scenes here. You may recognize locations in and around El Call - notably the Catedral de Girona - as parts of the cities of King's Landing and Braavos in the show. I recommend walking the old city walls to get a good look down into the quarter or simply wandering around. Every corner can be a unique photo op. The Catedral and Basilica always provide a point of orientation, so it's hard to get lost. There's a lot of walking to do, but many restaurants and cafés to provide meals, snacks, or just a place to rest. It's a photographer's dream, but you have to be ready for a little hike! If you're interested in the centuries of Jewish history here, don't miss the museum. There are a few small museums tucked into El Call, but the Jewish History Museum is the one to prioritize. Girona is an ancient place with many layers of history, but the preservation of El Call is the crown jewel of this hidden gem.