Looking for an incredible city break in Catalonia beyond Barcelona? Then Girona (Gerona in Spanish) might just be your new favorite destination. It’s located only 100 km north of Barcelona, which makes it just a short drive from my home. I’ve visited the city several times already and I can tell you it’s amazing and ideal for a weekend getaway or a day trip if you’re already in Catalonia. In this complete Girona travel guide, I’ll share the best things to do, the best places to eat and stay and I’ll also give you some practical tips to help plan your trip.
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Planning your trip?
Check the best hotels in Girona here (top locations sell out fast in high season).
Is Girona worth visiting?
Yes, Girona is absolutely worth visiting. It is one of the most beautiful cities that I have ever been to, and I’ve travelled a lot. The city offers a rich history, incredible food, stunning views and a relaxed, authentic atmosphere. I can’t say it’s a hidden gem anymore, because tourism is rising in the city, but it’s still far less crowded than Barcelona. You can visit the city as part of your road trip through Catalonia, on a day trip from Barcelona or the Costa Brava or you could come here for an incredible city trip.
When you’re there, I recommend to just start wandering around the city and let yourself be amazed by its beauty.
Best things to do in Girona
Girona is much smaller than Barcelona, but it still has plenty to see and do. You can easily fill a weekend exploring its charming streets. I love strolling around Girona, enjoying its history and amazing food. Whether you’re a foodie like me, a history lover, or just looking for picturesque spots, these are the must-see experiences to include in your Girona itinerary.
Explore Barri Vell (Girona Old Town)
The historic center of Girona, known as Barri Vell, is something you can’t miss while in Girona. It has lots of different historical influences which make the area very interesting. The old Jewish quarter, El Call, is beautifully preserved and is lovely to wander around. It feels like a labyrinth and it’s easy to get lost here, but definitely make your way up along Pujada de Sant Domènec, which is one of the most scenic spots in the old town. You can also visit the interesting Jewish Museum, to learn more about the history of Girona.
Barri Vell is small enough to be discovered on foot, but it has lots of stairs and differences in height, so it can sometimes feel like a workout while you’re exploring. But you will come across so many beautiful streets with old houses, tiny squares, restaurants and shops which makes it all very rewarding. You will also find Girona cathedral in the old town, with its impressive stairway leading up to it. Also worth mentioning are the Banys Àrabs, the Romanesque public baths that are in an incredible state.
Did you know…
…Girona was a filming location for Game of Thrones? Scenes were shot at Girona Cathedral, Banys Àrabs and Pujada de Sant Domènec. If you’re a fan, this adds a fun extra layer to your visit. You could even do a Game of Thrones tour if you’d like.
Walk the City Walls (Passeig de la Muralla)
My favorite highlight in Girona is walking along the medieval city walls, known as Passeig de la Muralla. The first time I was in Girona my husband and I stumbled upon them and we weren’t sure if we could walk up there, but yes you can and you should. It is amazing and I highly recommend it to anyone visiting Girona. The views from here are incredible. You can see the old town and the Pyrenees in the background. It’s one of the best free things to do in Girona and also a perfect spot to enjoy the sunset. I usually start the Passeig de la Muralla here and continue it for as long as you can to enjoy the views.
See the bridges and colorful houses on the Onyar River
If you’ve seen any pictures of Girona, you have probably seen the colorful houses along the Onyar River. This is another part of Girona that you can’t miss. Luckily they are unavoidable, since you have to cross one of the many bridges to get from one part of the city to the other. There are several bridges that you can use to cross the Onyar River, but some of the bridges are more beautiful or offer a better view of the colorful houses than others. The Pont de les Peixateries Velles (also called Pont Ferro) is the most striking one and was designed by Gustave Eiffel, who also designed the Eiffel Tower. It’s a great spot for taking photos.
The Pont de Sant Feliu offers another great view of the river and the vibrant houses. While you are there, you can enjoy Plaça De Sant Feliu with its Basílica de Sant Feliu in Barri Vell.
Relax at Plaça de la Independència
Across the river from the Barri Vell you’ll find Plaça de la Independència, which is one of the liveliest and most beautiful squares in the city. It is surrounded by the typical neoclassical style arcades that you see in many Spanish cities. Plaça de la Independència was named after the Spanish War of Independence against Napoleon Bonaparte.
This square is the perfect place to enjoy a coffee or glass of wine and soak up the local atmosphere on one of the terraces. During some periods of the year you’ll find market stalls here, like for instance during Christmas time.
Walk around Parc de la Devesa
If you’re in need of some tranquil time in nature, you can head to Parc de la Devesa, the main city park in Girona. It’s right next to the center of town, but still so quiet and perfect for a nice stroll. The high trees offer lots of shade, so in summer it’s a good way to cool off after climbing all the stairs in Barri Vell. The park is popular among locals but not many tourists go there, because simply most of them don’t know it’s there. It’s also a great place to go if you are visiting the city with kids, so they can burn off some energy.
Visit a local market
I always like to visit local markets in Spain, to see what kind of local products they have, buy some fruit, ham, and other local products. If you’re a fan like me, it’s fun to visit a local market in Girona, for instance Mercado del Lleó. It’s a covered market hall close to the Onyar river. If you happen to stay in an apartment while you’re in Girona, it might be nice to buy some things there that you can prepare yourself. It’s best to go to Mercado del Lleó in the morning, because at that time most locals are doing their grocery shopping and in the afternoon a lot of the stalls are closed. This is also the case in August, because many stalls close for the summer holidays.
There’s another lovely market in Parc de la Devesa, but this is a street market, El mercat de les Ribes del Ter. Here you can buy clothes, fruit and vegetables, meats and all sorts of other local products. This market is held every Tuesday and Saturday from 9.00 till 13.30.
Best day trips from Girona
If you have more time and want to explore other parts of Catalonia, Girona is a great base. You could discover some medieval villages, like Besalú and Pals, head into the Pyrenees, enjoy nature in Parc Natural de la Zona Volcànica de la Garrotxa or relax on one of the Costa Brava beaches. If you don’t have a private car to visit these places, it’s most convenient to join a guided tour, since a lot of these places are hard to reach with public transport.
Where to eat in Girona
Girona is a true foodie destination and maybe that’s why I love it so much. The food can make or break a destination if you ask me. But Girona scores high food-wise. The city offers everything from simple tapas to world-famous fine dining. It’s fun to walk around in the city center and choose a couple of places that seem nice, since there are so many to choose from. Barri Vell has lots of great restaurants, but if you are traveling on a budget, you might find better options elsewhere. I would recommend looking on the other side of the river for this.
In this Girona travel guide I’ll share some of my favorite restaurants, but there are loads more to choose from.
La Tabarra
La Tabarra is a nice little bar with great food. They have lots of good options to choose from, and not only the standard fried Spanish food that you often see in restaurants in Catalonia. The staff is super friendly here as well.
Somia Vins i Llibres
Somia is another great option. It’s both a book store and a restaurant, which is a great combination. The food is simple, but very good. One of the best things about the restaurant is its location in a quiet part of the city and the fact that they have a terrace, which is lovely when the weather is good.
Txalaka
This typical Basque pintxos restaurant is a great experience if you ask me. You can walk to the counter to choose whatever looks good and take it to your table to try it. There are also some amazing dishes that you can order from the menu. This restaurant is very popular with locals so it’s best to make a reservation, especially on Saturday or Sunday.
Try a local specialty
When visiting Girona, you should definitely try the Girona specialty: a Xuixo.
This is a sweet local pastry filled with custard that goes well with a coffee. They come in all sorts of flavors, so it’s fun to try a few.
Where to stay in Girona
Choosing the right area can make your trip to Girona even better. Since it’s the most beautiful area I’d recommend looking for a place to stay in Barri Vell, the old part of the city. Staying here means you are right in the middle of everything, you’re in the most charming part of Girona and everything you might need such as bakeries, restaurants and bars, is close by.
Book ahead if you want to stay in the old city center though, because accommodations here sell out very quickly, especially in summer. For an amazing river view stay, Gaia Apartments & lofts is perfect. If you have a bit more to spend, Hotel Palau Fugit is lovely and the location is great, although it’s not on the river.
If you can’t find accommodation in Barri Vell, another good option is staying in the Mercadal area. It’s a bit more modern and cheaper than the old town, but you are still close to all you want to see in Girona. Here I can totally recommend staying at Hotel Nord 1901.
Girona travel tips
Getting there
Girona is easy to reach by plane. Several budget airlines fly directly to Girona Airport, making it a quick option. Alternatively, you can fly to Barcelona-El Prat Airport and continue by train or bus. Public transport between Barcelona and Girona is frequent, reliable and affordable.
If you’re traveling by car, Girona is also very easy to reach. From Barcelona, it’s about a 1 to 1.5 hour drive, depending on traffic. Having your own car also gives you the freedom to explore more of the surrounding region, including the beautiful Costa Brava and nearby villages.
If you’re planning to travel during weekends or high season, it’s a good idea to book your transport in advance to secure the best prices and availability.
Insider tip
If you are coming to Girona by car, you can park for free in the city center at this location.
Getting around
The city is compact so almost everything is within walking distance. If you prefer to head out of Girona, it’s good to know that public transport is quite well arranged but for some places it’s easier to rent a car.
Best time to visit Girona
Girona is a year-round destination, but I think the best time to visit is in spring or autumn, although if you’re there in winter you can also get lucky with beautiful weather. One of the advantages of visiting the city in this season is that it’s less crowded during this time. The summer gets quite hot and busy, so it’s less fun to visit the city and I would recommend against it if you can.
Before planning your trip, it’s worth checking the local event calendar. Girona hosts several festivals throughout the year, including the Fires de Sant Narcís, the city’s biggest celebration. While the atmosphere is impressive, accommodation can be harder to find and prices may be higher. Another popular event is Temps de Flors, the annual flower festival held in May, when parts of Barri Vell are beautifully decorated with floral displays.
Girona travel guide final thoughts
With its narrow medieval streets, colourful riverside houses, incredible food, and fascinating history, Girona is an amazing city to spend time in. I’m sure you will feel the same. There’s always something new to discover so get ready for a memorable Catalan city break with this Girona travel guide.
Frequently Asked Questions about Girona
Is Girona a good day trip from Barcelona?
Girona can easily be visited on a day trip from Barcelona. By train, you can reach Girona from Barcelona Sants station in about 40 minutes, leaving you plenty of time to explore the city. Many of Girona’s sights can be seen in one day, including the old town, Girona Cathedral, the city walls and the colourful houses along the Onyar River.
How many days do you need in Girona?
I’d recommend spending two days in Girona if you can, especially if you prefer to explore at a relaxed pace. One day is enough to see many of the main sights, while two days gives you more time to wander through the old town without rushing and enjoy Girona’s food scene to the fullest.
Is Girona good for a weekend break?
Yes, Girona is an ideal destination for a weekend break. The city is compact enough to explore on foot, but there is enough to see and do to keep you busy for two days. A weekend city trip to Girona gives you time to explore all of the sights, enjoy the amazing food and simply take your time exploring and soaking in the local vibe.
Is Girona expensive to visit?
Based on my own experiences, I wouldn’t say that Girona is a cheap city to visit. Accommodation in the old town can be quite expensive, and the same applies to many of the restaurants in this area. There are plenty of places to enjoy incredible food, but you can expect to may more than in many other cities in Catalonia. Staying and eating outside the old town centre can help bring the costs down, at least a little.
What is Girona famous for?
The city of Girona is famous for its beautiful medieval old town centre, its colourful houses along the Onyar Rives and its historic Jewish Quarter. Parts of Girona were used as a filming location for the TV show Game of Thrones, which has made the city more popular with visitors.
Can you walk around Girona?
Yes, Girona is very easy to explore on foot. Especially in the old town, walking is the easiest and often the best way to get around. Keep in mind that the historic centre has quite a few stairs and differences in height, so Girona may be more challenging for people with mobility issues.
