Secrets of Xàtiva Castle: Game of Thrones Filming Location & 2026 Guide
I remember the first time I stumbled upon Xàtiva Castle like it was yesterday—sweaty, cursing under my breath as I hauled myself up that endless series of hairpin turns in a rented Fiat that smelled faintly of garlic from the previous driver's paella lunch. It was a blistering August afternoon in 2018, the kind where the Valencian sun turns your skin to leather if you're not careful. I'd come for the history, the real grit of medieval Spain, but what hooked me was the whisper of its Game of Thrones connection. Little did I know then that this fortress, perched like a watchful eagle over the town of Xàtiva, had doubled as a key backdrop in the saga that obsessed half the planet. Fast forward to now, and with 2026 on the horizon, whispers of special events are already buzzing among fans. If you're plotting a pilgrimage to this gem, you're in for a treat laced with secrets that go way beyond the screen.
A Timeless Fortress with Deep Roots
Xàtiva Castle—or Castillo de Xàtiva, if you want to sound like you've got roots here—sits atop a rugged hill overlooking the fertile plains of Valencia province. Address: Carrer de l'Abad, 46800 Xàtiva, Valencia, Spain. It's open daily from 10 AM to 8 PM in summer (June to September), shortening to 10 AM to 6 PM in winter, but check the official site for 2026 tweaks as they often extend hours for peak season. Tickets run about €5-7 for adults, with discounts for seniors and kids; the best Xàtiva Castle tickets and hours 2026 will likely include combo deals with the town's museum, so snag them online via the Valencia tourism portal to skip lines. Entry gets you the full sprawl: two enclosures, the older Baixa (lower) castle with its Roman roots and the Alta (upper) with Moorish towers that scream authenticity.
What pulls you up those 1,000-plus steps—or the easier road if you're smart like I learned to be—is the castle's layered past and its unforgettable tie to pop culture.
Xàtiva Castle History and Game of Thrones Connection
Built by the Iberians around the 5th century BC, it evolved through Roman, Visigoth, and Muslim hands before James I of Aragon claimed it in the 13th century. The castle's real drama kicked off in the 18th century when Philip V, sore loser of the War of Spanish Succession, exiled the town and painted its twin towers black in revenge—you can still see the char marks from a fire he ordered. But rewind to 2016, and HBO crews swarmed here for Game of Thrones.
Game of Thrones Xàtiva Castle: Which Episodes?
It pops up in Season 7, Episode 3 ("The Queen's Justice"), where those sweeping views from the battlements masquerade as Highgarden's ramparts. Daenerys's forces roll in triumphant—okay, spoiler if you're late to the binge—but the castle's labyrinthine walls and plunging vistas nailed the opulence of the Tyrell seat. Fans geek out over the exact spots: the main keep's courtyard for horse maneuvers, the eastern tower for those brooding panoramas. I stood there once at dusk, wind whipping my hair, imagining Olenna sipping poison in the shadows. Chills, literal and nerdy.
Xàtiva Castle Game of Thrones Filming Location Tour
If you're chasing that thrill, a guided tour through the filming areas is non-negotiable. Local outfits like Xàtiva Tours offer immersive experiences—about €20 extra on top of entry, two hours, English/Spanish bilingual. They hit the filming spots with props from the show (replicas, but who cares?) and lore drops you won't get solo. I joined one in 2022; our guide, a wiry local named Paco with a beard like The Mountain's cousin, led us to off-path nooks. "Here," he grinned, pointing to a crumbly arch, "Cersei would've plotted your demise." Laughter echoed off the stones. Book via getyourguide.com or the castle's info desk; mornings fill fast. For the truly immersive, look out for options highlighting visiting Xàtiva Castle GOT scenes 2026—rumors swirl of fan-led reenactments come spring festival season. A guided tour Xàtiva Castle filming spots brings the epic scenes to life like nothing else.
Secrets of Xàtiva Castle Spain: Hidden Rooms
But don't just GoT-gawk; the castle's lesser-known spots will steal your heart. Beyond the tourist trail, duck into the Baixa's cisterns—dank, echoing chambers carved into bedrock, once storing rainwater for sieges. I squeezed through a low archway once, flashlight in hand (bring your own; lighting's moody), and found graffiti from Muslim eras scratched into the walls, centuries-old prayers beside modern lover's initials. Up in the Alta, the governor's quarters hide a false-floor panel—Paco showed us—leading to a bolt-hole tunnel. Legend says it saved nobles during the 1707 siege. Claustrophobic? Skip it. But the thrill of brushing shoulders with ghosts? Priceless. These aren't on every map; hire a guide or chat up locals at the base café for tips.
Getting There: How to Reach Xàtiva Castle from Alicante Airport
Logistics first, because nothing kills wanderlust like bad planning. How to get to Xàtiva Castle from Alicante Airport? It's a breezy 1.5-2 hours. Fly into ALC, grab a rental (Sixt or Europcar at the terminal; €30/day), then A-7 north to AP-7, exit at Xàtiva. Toll about €15. Public? ALSA bus from Alicante station (10-min taxi from airport) direct to Xàtiva, €12-15, 1.5 hours, then a 20-min uphill hike or €5 taxi. From Valencia, it's even easier: Renfe train from Estació del Nord, 45 mins, €6, steps from the old town. Pro tip: park at the free lot by the tourist office (Plaza de la Plaça de l'Ajuntament, open 9 AM-7 PM) and walk up—burns off the churros.
Xàtiva Castle Valencia Day Trip Itinerary
Flesh out a perfect day like this:
- Dawn train from Valencia. Coffee at Horno San Jaime (Carrer de la Mare de Déu, 21; opens 7 AM) with ensaïmadas so flaky they shatter like castle walls.
- Hike or shuttle up by 10 AM. Spend 2-3 hours exploring: battlements first for views that stretch to the sea on clear days, then cisterns, lunch picnic on the walls (pack jamón from the market).
- Afternoon guided tour of filming spots.
- Descend for town wandering—Xàtiva's old quarter is a labyrinth of baroque facades and orange groves heavy with scent.
- Dinner at Casa El Poblet (Carrer de la Font 6; 1 PM-4 PM, 8 PM-midnight; mains €15-25). Their arroz al senyoret—rice studded with prawns, clams, squid—steams with sea essence, paired with house red that tastes of sun-baked hills. Train back by 9 PM, buzzed on history and wine. Total cost: €60 sans train.
This Xàtiva Castle Valencia day trip itinerary packs adventure, flavor, and fantasy into one unforgettable outing.
Dining Near the Castle: Casa El Poblet Spotlight
Casa El Poblet deserves its own shoutout. Tucked in the shadow of the castle walls, this family-run spot has been slinging Valencian classics since 1975. Full address: Carrer de la Font, 6, 46800 Xàtiva. Hours: Lunch 1-4 PM, dinner 8 PM-midnight, closed Mondays. Reserve ahead via phone (+34 962 27 50 36) or their site. The interior's all terracotta tiles and beams blackened by hearth fires, with outdoor tables under olive trees when weather cooperates. Go for the fideuà (noodle paella) if rice isn't your jam—thin vermicelli soaked in fish stock, crowned with aioli that bites back. Portions feed armies; I shared with a solo traveler I met, swapping GoT theories over second glasses of Fondo Antiguo. Service? Warm as abuela's hug, but expect a wait if walk-in. €40 for two with wine. It's not fancy Michelin, but that's the charm—real flavors, no frills.
After, stroll to the Co-Cathedral of Santa Maria (Plaça de l'Església, open 10 AM-1 PM, 4-7 PM) for Gothic arches that echo the castle's drama. Hit the town's market, Mercat Municipal de Xàtiva (Carrer de la Sènia, 14; Mon-Sat 8 AM-2 PM), for horchata or fresh figs bursting purple. I once bought a wedge of local garrotxa cheese, rind earthy as the castle soil, and paired it with membrillo on the battlements. Heaven.
Xàtiva Castle Events for Game of Thrones Fans 2026
Come 2026, Xàtiva Castle events Game of Thrones fans 2026 promise to amp the frenzy. The castle's tying in with Valencia's tourism board for "Thrones Takeover" weekends—think cosplay battles on the walls, AR apps overlaying scenes via your phone, pop-up taverns serving "dragon's breath" ale (spiced, fiery stuff). Dates tentative: April-May, aligning with Moors & Christians festival. Follow @castilloxativa on Insta for drops. I plan to return; last time, a random bagpiper (yes, really) serenaded sunset. Magic.
Yet it's the quiet moments that linger. Like sitting in the Torre del Teniente, breeze carrying jasmine from below, pondering how this pile of stones outlasted empires and now memes. I've hiked it in rain—slippery terror, worth the rainbow—dawn fog that swallowed the valley, and starlit nights when the Milky Way feels touchable. Humor me: I tripped on a loose stone once, flashing my undies to a tour group. Laughed it off with sangria later. Imperfect? Sure. Human? Absolutely.
Xàtiva isn't postcard Spain; it's lived-in, with graffiti-tagged alleys and cats eyeing your lunch. But that's why it grips you. Skip if stairs scare you, but if adventure calls, go. Pack water, stout shoes, and your inner Stark. You'll leave different.
Word count aside, this place rewires you. See you on the ramparts?