I gotta admit, I like House of the Dragon even more than the original series (I know, I’m blaspheming 🫣). And while watching dragons zoom over incredible landscapes on my TV at home in my PJs is great, actually walking through the set puts travel on a whole other level.
I am constantly reading fantasy novels, watching the latest and greatest on HBO, and Liz and I once planned an entire trip around checking out Harry Potter filming locations in England… and I know I’m not alone.
Recently, the House of the Dragon crew took over a slice of Spain’s Costa Brava. To walk in the footsteps of the Targaryens without fighting the crowds in places like Dubrovnik, you need to set your sights on Lloret de Mar.
Lloret de Mar overdelivers in every way. It’s gorgeous, it’s affordable, and it’s officially Europe’s next big tourism hotspot.
Here is exactly how to pull off the ultimate Spanish coastal escape.
The Logistics: The Easiest Route From The U.S.
Making your way to an actual hidden gem in Europe usually involves layovers and maybe even puddle-jumper flights. Not for this trip!
Lloret de Mar is surprisingly accessible for American travelers.
- The Flight: Don’t try to fly directly into the tiny regional airports. Instead, book a nonstop flight straight into Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN). Major U.S. carriers fly here daily from hubs all over the East Coast and Midwest.
- The Transfer: Once you land in Barcelona, you’re only like an hour from Lloret de Mar. You can rent a car and drive straight up the beautiful coastal highway or do what the locals do and catch the SARFA bus from the Barcelona airport terminal right into the center of Lloret. It’s cheap and air-conditioned.
Step Into The Seven Kingdoms: Santa Clotilde Gardens
The crown jewel of Lloret de Mar—and the spot where the HBO crew set up camp—is the Santa Clotilde Gardens.
- The Vibe: Think perfectly manicured, Renaissance-style botanical gardens sitting right on the edge of a massive cliff, dropping straight down into the electric blue Mediterranean Sea.
- The Experience: You don’t need an expensive pass to get in. You can just buy a cheap entry ticket at the gate and spend the afternoon meandering through the exact same pathways where the royal characters plotted their next moves. It’s visually staggering and totally worth a visit.
Hike The Ancient Coastline: The Camí de Ronda
If you spend your weekends back home rock climbing and hiking like me, you will go crazy for the coastline here.
You don’t have to just sit on a crowded town beach.
- The Trail: The Camí de Ronda is an ancient coastal footpath that weaves right along the jagged cliff edges of the Costa Brava. It was originally built for the Spanish Guardia Civil to patrol the coast for smugglers, but today it’s a world-class hiking route.
- Hidden Coves: Lace up your boots and hike just a few miles away from the main resort areas. You will find hidden coves like Cala Boadella. Reaching the sand takes a bit of physical effort, which acts as a natural filter that keeps the lazy crowds away.
Escape To A Neighboring Fortress: Tossa de Mar
Once you’ve explored the gardens and beaches of Lloret, you have to take a quick day trip up the road to its sleepy neighbor, Tossa de Mar.
- The Vibe: If Lloret de Mar is where the royals hang out, Tossa de Mar is the impenetrable medieval fortress.
- The Experience: It takes less than 20 minutes by car or local bus to get here. You can walk through the Vila Vella, which is the only remaining fortified medieval town on the Catalan coast. Hiking up the cobblestone paths to the ancient lighthouse gives you panoramic views of the Mediterranean that look straight out of a fantasy novel.
Authentic Catalan Tapas And Coastal Dining
Spain is legendary for its food, and the Costa Brava is an absolute culinary powerhouse.
- What To Order: The classic, fresh Mediterranean catches here are unbelievable.
- Where To Go: Skip the flashy restaurants on the main promenade that have multi-language picture menus out front. Duck into the narrow backstreets and find a dimly lit bodega. Order the pan con tomate (crusty bread rubbed with fresh tomato and olive oil), some thinly sliced Iberian ham, and a plate of simple grilled calamari.
Lloret de Mar gives you the perfect mix of epic fantasy history, outdoor adventure, and world-class food without breaking the bank.
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