Underrated Spanish Cities Seen on Screen
Some places are known for their buildings, the kind you would see on a list of architecture-focused cities in Spain. Others got famous because a film crew showed up and turned an old wall or a quiet square into something people now recognize. Spain indeed has places like that — towns that were already beautiful long before any movie found them. So, in this post, you will see the best cities in Spain used in movies and series, where the real history is just as good as what you see on screen.
FREETOUR.com is a simple starting point if you want to know what these places really are like. Are you interested further? Check out these underrated cities in Spain too.
Do you know what screen tourism really is? It is not about standing where your favorite actor once stood. It is the camera showing you things you might miss if you were watching for yourself. A wide shot shows how big an area really is, and a close-up shows how narrow the streets are.
That is the beauty of set-jetting. A film or TV series is essentially a free tour guide, showing off places that were already special. And once you learn all the behind-the-scenes context, the city feels completely different.
Cáceres was already one of the most beautiful medieval cities in Spain long before it gained international attention from the hit HBO series Game of Thrones. The Old Town of Cáceres is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It has retained much of its original architecture and charm since the Middle Ages. This is one reason to come to this city long before there were dragons involved in a TV show.
Yes, Game of Thrones filmed several of its King's Landing scenes in Cáceres. Later, when they decided to create a spin-off called House of the Dragon, they returned to Cáceres. It is easy to understand why filmmakers chose this walled old town and its very historic area. After walking along the narrow winding streets, the Plaza Mayor opens up, and the Arco de la Estrella appears to have been designed for filming. Even today, the Bujaco Tower dominates the center of the plaza with its commanding presence. There are other historical sites nearby, including the Palacio de los Golfines. These locations are part of television history.
You can walk through Cáceres’ screen-worthy old town with a local guide who will help you better understand what you see. Guides know how many centuries old each stone building or section of sidewalk is, and which particular street became famous because of Game of Thrones filming in 2016.
It is easy to explore Girona’s filming streets and real history on foot, and honestly, calling it a fan-friendly city is a bit of an understatement. First of all, Girona can be considered one of the most walkable of all the cities in Catalonia. You can walk around the old part of the city in a day, even without a car. Perhaps this was one of the factors that influenced the city's selection as one of the best TV filming locations in Spain to visit.
The Girona Cathedral is located atop a big staircase (the same cathedral steps that many fans of Game of Thrones also recognize), although locals had been capturing its beauty for years before this TV show. In contrast, the quieter and much older stories of the Arab Baths and the Jewish Quarter lie below it, each having developed through hundreds of years of historical events, both positive and negative.
Some additions to the walking tour would include the Monastery of Sant Pere de Galligants and Plaça dels Jurats. Additionally, as you continue along the Onyar River, the multicolored homes may be one of the most photographed subjects in Girona, while the old Força Vella walls still surround the upper part of the city nearly completely.
Almería stands out here and is perhaps one of the most interesting underrated coastal cities in Spain. It has been one of the most filmed provinces in the whole country since the 1960s. The Tabernas Desert, Europe’s only real desert, served as a stand-in for the American Wild West during Spaghetti Westerns. Sergio Leone shot much of his Dollars Trilogy there, including The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly. You can still walk through old sets like Oasys MiniHollywood and Fort Bravo.
Later, Game of Thrones also shot there, adding a touch of fantasy to all those western landscapes. Other sights in the area are worth seeing on their own: the Alcazaba of Almería, the Mesa Roldán Tower and the wild coast of Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park.
It is worth taking the time to start in Almería before exploring its film landscapes, because the city gives you good context before heading into the desert.
If you are after movie locations in Spain beyond the usual costume dramas, you can discover Zaragoza's historic center before following its film routes. Zaragoza doesn't do fantasy or western movies, and this is part of what makes it distinctive. The city is proud of its own Spanish cinema history. It even calls itself Zaragoza, Ciudad de Cine, and the Zaragoza Film Office really works hard to attract film crews.
History goes back much longer than most people realize. Eduardo Jimeno Correas filmed one of the earliest Spanish movies right here: a short clip, Salida de misa de doce del Pilar de Zaragoza, shot outside the Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar way back in 1897. That church still stands in Plaza del Pilar, one of Spain's biggest squares, close to La Seo Cathedral, whose Mudejar architecture shows the mixing of Christian and Islamic influences. Walk down Paseo de la Independencia, and you can feel urban filming routes that have accumulated over a century of movies.
It is tempting to make an entire vacation around just one scene. However, once you have done that, your vacation has turned into checklist mode. At this point, you will be looking at camera angles instead of the city.
A few minutes of research on the location scouting beforehand can help you avoid a long day of searching. Additionally, these are real cities, not film sets, so people live and work here, churches conduct their regular services, etc. Understanding the behind-the-scenes context and filmmaking process also adds value to the viewing experience, as it indicates you are respecting the location used as a cinematic backdrop. Mixing your set-jetting adventure with historical knowledge of the area adds value to the experience. And check out which gateway cities in Spain serve as good bases for your trip.
That is where a guide really earns their money. Good guides tell you what that building was before cameras ever showed up: a monastery, an old family home, a market that has been open for six hundred years. They also know practical things, like which streets connect so you are not retracing your steps around town, when light is best for photography, and where crowds start to build up by mid-morning. FREETOUR.com works with local guides in each city for this reason — people who know both the show and the real place equally and don't elevate one over the other.
Just to clarify, this guide covers a lot intentionally. We mix westerns, old Spanish films, and fantasy TV because each city earns its spot for different reasons. Check out our guide to Game of Thrones filming locations if you are a big fan and want a trip built just around this film. That guide goes deeper into that topic with more cities and more scenes than we can fit here.
Which Spanish cities were used in movies and series?
Cáceres, Girona, Almería, and Zaragoza are great examples, and each served a different purpose: fantasy TV series, old westerns, and early Spanish films.
Which underrated Spanish cities have Game of Thrones filming locations?
Cáceres and Girona are the best-known Spanish locations for that show. Almería also appears briefly in a few desert and coastal scenes.
Was Game of Thrones filmed in Cáceres?
Yes. The old town stood in for parts of King's Landing, and it reappeared later in House of the Dragon as well.
Was Game of Thrones filmed in Girona?
Yes. Parts of cathedral steps and old streets were used for many scenes, and Girona remains one of Spain's most popular filming locations associated with the show.
Why is Almería famous for western films?
Because its desert looked exactly like the American West and it was both cheap and convincing. Sergio Leone and other directors shot Westerns there in the 1960s and 1970s.
Is Zaragoza really a film city?
Yes. They call themselves Ciudad de Cine and even recorded early Spanish films back in 1897.
How is this guide different from a Game of Thrones filming locations guide?
This one covers a broader range of topics, including westerns, older film history, and fantasy TV together. In contrast, a guide for Game of Thrones focuses just on that one show.
FREETOUR.com is a simple starting point if you want to know what these places really are like. Are you interested further? Check out these underrated cities in Spain too.
Quick Answer: Which Spanish Screen City Fits Your Interest?
- For Game of Thrones medieval streets: Cáceres
- For Game of Thrones cathedral steps and old-town drama: Girona
- For westerns, desert cinema, and film landscapes: Almería
- For Spanish film history and urban filming routes: Zaragoza
How Film and TV Change the Way You See a City
Do you know what screen tourism really is? It is not about standing where your favorite actor once stood. It is the camera showing you things you might miss if you were watching for yourself. A wide shot shows how big an area really is, and a close-up shows how narrow the streets are.
That is the beauty of set-jetting. A film or TV series is essentially a free tour guide, showing off places that were already special. And once you learn all the behind-the-scenes context, the city feels completely different.
Cáceres — Medieval Streets with a Game of Thrones Connection
Cáceres was already one of the most beautiful medieval cities in Spain long before it gained international attention from the hit HBO series Game of Thrones. The Old Town of Cáceres is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It has retained much of its original architecture and charm since the Middle Ages. This is one reason to come to this city long before there were dragons involved in a TV show.
Yes, Game of Thrones filmed several of its King's Landing scenes in Cáceres. Later, when they decided to create a spin-off called House of the Dragon, they returned to Cáceres. It is easy to understand why filmmakers chose this walled old town and its very historic area. After walking along the narrow winding streets, the Plaza Mayor opens up, and the Arco de la Estrella appears to have been designed for filming. Even today, the Bujaco Tower dominates the center of the plaza with its commanding presence. There are other historical sites nearby, including the Palacio de los Golfines. These locations are part of television history.
You can walk through Cáceres’ screen-worthy old town with a local guide who will help you better understand what you see. Guides know how many centuries old each stone building or section of sidewalk is, and which particular street became famous because of Game of Thrones filming in 2016.
Girona — Game of Thrones Drama in a Walkable Old Town
It is easy to explore Girona’s filming streets and real history on foot, and honestly, calling it a fan-friendly city is a bit of an understatement. First of all, Girona can be considered one of the most walkable of all the cities in Catalonia. You can walk around the old part of the city in a day, even without a car. Perhaps this was one of the factors that influenced the city's selection as one of the best TV filming locations in Spain to visit.
The Girona Cathedral is located atop a big staircase (the same cathedral steps that many fans of Game of Thrones also recognize), although locals had been capturing its beauty for years before this TV show. In contrast, the quieter and much older stories of the Arab Baths and the Jewish Quarter lie below it, each having developed through hundreds of years of historical events, both positive and negative.
Some additions to the walking tour would include the Monastery of Sant Pere de Galligants and Plaça dels Jurats. Additionally, as you continue along the Onyar River, the multicolored homes may be one of the most photographed subjects in Girona, while the old Força Vella walls still surround the upper part of the city nearly completely.
Almería — Western Landscapes, Desert Cinema, and Game of Thrones
Almería stands out here and is perhaps one of the most interesting underrated coastal cities in Spain. It has been one of the most filmed provinces in the whole country since the 1960s. The Tabernas Desert, Europe’s only real desert, served as a stand-in for the American Wild West during Spaghetti Westerns. Sergio Leone shot much of his Dollars Trilogy there, including The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly. You can still walk through old sets like Oasys MiniHollywood and Fort Bravo.
Later, Game of Thrones also shot there, adding a touch of fantasy to all those western landscapes. Other sights in the area are worth seeing on their own: the Alcazaba of Almería, the Mesa Roldán Tower and the wild coast of Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park.
It is worth taking the time to start in Almería before exploring its film landscapes, because the city gives you good context before heading into the desert.
Zaragoza — Spanish Film History Beyond the Usual Screen Routes
If you are after movie locations in Spain beyond the usual costume dramas, you can discover Zaragoza's historic center before following its film routes. Zaragoza doesn't do fantasy or western movies, and this is part of what makes it distinctive. The city is proud of its own Spanish cinema history. It even calls itself Zaragoza, Ciudad de Cine, and the Zaragoza Film Office really works hard to attract film crews.
History goes back much longer than most people realize. Eduardo Jimeno Correas filmed one of the earliest Spanish movies right here: a short clip, Salida de misa de doce del Pilar de Zaragoza, shot outside the Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar way back in 1897. That church still stands in Plaza del Pilar, one of Spain's biggest squares, close to La Seo Cathedral, whose Mudejar architecture shows the mixing of Christian and Islamic influences. Walk down Paseo de la Independencia, and you can feel urban filming routes that have accumulated over a century of movies.
Which Screen City Matches Your Travel Style?
| Screen Interest | City | Why It Fits |
| Medieval fantasy atmosphere | Cáceres | Walled old town, towers, stone streets, GoT connection |
| Dramatic old-town scenes | Girona | Cathedral steps, Arab Baths, Jewish Quarter, medieval routes |
| Western and desert cinema | Almería | Tabernas Desert, Spaghetti Westerns, film landscapes |
| Spanish film history | Zaragoza | Ciudad de Cine route, early cinema, urban Spanish filming locations |
How to Visit Filming Locations Without Missing the Real City
It is tempting to make an entire vacation around just one scene. However, once you have done that, your vacation has turned into checklist mode. At this point, you will be looking at camera angles instead of the city.
A few minutes of research on the location scouting beforehand can help you avoid a long day of searching. Additionally, these are real cities, not film sets, so people live and work here, churches conduct their regular services, etc. Understanding the behind-the-scenes context and filmmaking process also adds value to the viewing experience, as it indicates you are respecting the location used as a cinematic backdrop. Mixing your set-jetting adventure with historical knowledge of the area adds value to the experience. And check out which gateway cities in Spain serve as good bases for your trip.
How Local Guides Add Context Beyond the Screen
That is where a guide really earns their money. Good guides tell you what that building was before cameras ever showed up: a monastery, an old family home, a market that has been open for six hundred years. They also know practical things, like which streets connect so you are not retracing your steps around town, when light is best for photography, and where crowds start to build up by mid-morning. FREETOUR.com works with local guides in each city for this reason — people who know both the show and the real place equally and don't elevate one over the other.
If You Want a Pure Game of Thrones Route
Just to clarify, this guide covers a lot intentionally. We mix westerns, old Spanish films, and fantasy TV because each city earns its spot for different reasons. Check out our guide to Game of Thrones filming locations if you are a big fan and want a trip built just around this film. That guide goes deeper into that topic with more cities and more scenes than we can fit here.
Final Take
- Cáceres — for streets that already feel like they are straight out of a movie and with a strong connection to Game of Thrones
- Girona — for dramatic steps leading up to cathedrals and routes through the old town with an atmosphere reminiscent of Game of Thrones.
- Almería — for desert cinema, western landscapes, and one of Spain's richest identities for film tourism.
- Zaragoza — for those interested in filming routes and the history of Spanish films.
FAQ
Which Spanish cities were used in movies and series?
Cáceres, Girona, Almería, and Zaragoza are great examples, and each served a different purpose: fantasy TV series, old westerns, and early Spanish films.
Which underrated Spanish cities have Game of Thrones filming locations?
Cáceres and Girona are the best-known Spanish locations for that show. Almería also appears briefly in a few desert and coastal scenes.
Was Game of Thrones filmed in Cáceres?
Yes. The old town stood in for parts of King's Landing, and it reappeared later in House of the Dragon as well.
Was Game of Thrones filmed in Girona?
Yes. Parts of cathedral steps and old streets were used for many scenes, and Girona remains one of Spain's most popular filming locations associated with the show.
Why is Almería famous for western films?
Because its desert looked exactly like the American West and it was both cheap and convincing. Sergio Leone and other directors shot Westerns there in the 1960s and 1970s.
Is Zaragoza really a film city?
Yes. They call themselves Ciudad de Cine and even recorded early Spanish films back in 1897.
How is this guide different from a Game of Thrones filming locations guide?
This one covers a broader range of topics, including westerns, older film history, and fantasy TV together. In contrast, a guide for Game of Thrones focuses just on that one show.
