Now that summer is finally here, a trip abroad will be on many people’s minds. There’s nothing quite like getting away from it all and exploring somewhere new, especially when the sun’s shining.
Going away doesn’t have to break the bank either, and there are many destinations you can fly to from Manchester Airport with cheap tickets available. One of these is the Spanish city of Girona - and it’s been described as a “must” for Game of Thrones fans.
The city is located in Northern Catalonia, just over 60 miles north-east of Barcelona and it’s one of the most historical locations in Spain, dating back all the way to the Romans. Skyscanner shows flights to Girona in July starting from £30, with the return tickets starting from £56.
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Rich in beautiful buildings and ancient wonders, travel guide Lonely Planet even described it as a “jewellery box of museums, galleries and gothic churches”. The city even has one of the best-preserved Jewish quarters in Europe, an area called El Call, which has narrow cobblestone streets weaving through it.
Visitors can walk along Girona’s medieval walls, which offer incredible views of the city and the surrounding countryside. But one of the highlights of the city is the breathtaking cathedral.
Perched on the top of a hill it dominates the city’s skyline. It was built between the 11th and 18th centuries so features a mixture of architectural styles.
The cathedral has the largest Gothic nave in the world, stretching across 23m. But its the stunning baroque facade and steps which will capture the imagination of Game of Thrones fans.
It featured in series six of the show and served as the exterior for the Great Sept of Baelor in King’s Landing. Visitors have described it as a “must” for Game of Thrones fans.
One visitor wrote on TripAdvisor: “A must to visit, especially for those interested in a series like Game of Thrones. It is a spectacular monument not only because of religious values but also architectural beauty.”
Another wrote: “The cathedral in Girona was on our checklist to visit since we are Game of Thrones fans. It is simply majestic. The statues around the front door are great and the view from the stairs is a delight.”
Girona is also known for its many bridges - in fact it has 11 of them. But one of them has a rather interesting link to a famous landmark.
Pont de Les Peizateries Velles, also known as Eiffel Bridge, was built by Gustave Eiffel shortly before the construction of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. With its striking red latticework construction it’s easy to see the similarities with its French cousin.
Girona is a stone’s throw away from the famous Costa Brava, where you’ll find tiny seaside villages, rugged coastline and small coves. Many of these are easily reachable in a day from the city. There’s a range of accommodation options in Girona, with prices starting from around £60 per person per night.
