Guide to Girona

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Girona is a gem of a city with population of roughly 100 thousand. It’s famous for its cathedral, medieval architecture, picturesque bridges, and colorful houses along the Onyar river. At a distance of about 100 kilometers northeast of Barcelona, Girona is a popular destination for day trips. The high speed AVE train can whisk you there in just 40 minutes from Barcelona Sants station.

Things to See and Do

Girona Cathedral

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In the first century BC, the Romans built a fortress with a triangular shaped perimeter, known as Força Vella. Girona Cathedral is situated in its heart and was built over hundreds of years, between the 11th and 18th centuries.

The Cathedral has varous architectural styles, from its Romanesque cloister to its baroque façade and Gothic nave. Dating from the 15th-16th centuries, the nave has a width of 23 metres – the widest in the Gothic style and the second widest of all, behind St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City.

City Walls

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One of the highlights of my visit to Girona was walking the Passeig de la Muralla. The original Roman walls were extended in the medieval ages, and you can walk a long stretch of it. Various towers dotted along the way are offer sweeping views of the city.

Parc de la Devesa

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Parc de la Devesa is the green lung of the city. Spanning 40-hectares, it is home to more than 2,500 one hundred year old trees. Long rows of majestic plane trees, mostly planted in 1850, reach a towering height of around 55-60 metres.

Plaça de la Independència

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Plaça de la Independència was designed by Martí Sureda i Deulovol. Its neoclassical buildings stand on the site of the old convent of Sant Agustí. The monument in the center by Antoni Parera commemorates the 1809 defenders of the city, during its siege by 35,000 French Napoleonic troops.

Banys Àrabs

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The Girona Arab Baths (Banys Àrabs de Girona) were built in the late 12th century, before being partially destroyed and then rebuilt. There are four main rooms: the Apodyterium, (changing room), the Frigidarium (the cold room), the Tepidarium (warm room), and the Caldarium (hot room). The Girona Arab Baths were famously used in an episode of Game of Thrones.

⚔️ Check out the Girona Game of Thrones Tour

Basilica of Sant Feliu

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The Basilica of Sant Feliu was the main church of Girona before the construction of the Girona Cathedral. It was built between the 12th century and 17th centuries. The bell tower was built between the 14th-16th centuries, and the Romanesque chevet, Gothic naves and a baroque façade between the 13th-18th centuries. It contains eight pagan and early Christian sarcophagi (4th century) and the Recumbent Christ (14th century) by the sculptor Aloi de Montbrai.

Jewish Quarter

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The well-preserved Jewish Quarter, known as “El Call”, is located within the Força Vella. It is made up of a labyrinth of narrow medieval streets, staircases, arches and patios. It was inhabited by the city’s Jewish community from the 12th to the 15th century. In 1492, King Ferdinand II of Aragon and Queen Isabella I of Castille issued the Alhambra Decree, ordering that all Jews be expelled from the country.

Cases de l’Onyar

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Les Cases de l’Onyar are situated between La Rambla and Carrer Argenteria overlooking the river. The buildings renovated versions of houses that stood on the city’s medieval wall. A first rehabilitation project was done in 1982 by the architects Josep Fuses and Joan Maria Viader. The colors of the houses were carefully chosen by the artists Enric Ansesa and Jaume Faixó.

Sant Pere de Galligants

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The Benedictine Abbey of Sant Pere de Galligants dates from the 12th century. From 1857, Sant Pere de Galligants was used as a museum of archaeology and fine arts. It is currently the headquarters of the Girona branch of the Museum of Archaeology of Catalonia.

Pont de les Peixateries Velles

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Built in 1877, this iconic bridge was designed by Gustave Eiffel before the Eiffel Tower. It offers great views of the colorful houses along the river through its red lattice barrier.

Day Trips from Girona

There are a wealth of great options for day trips from Girona.

Besalú is among the best preserved medieval towns in Catalonia. It was designated as a conjunt històric-artístic (historical national property) in 1966.

Castellfollit de la Roca is one of the smallest towns in Catalonia. The historic center, perched on top of a cliff ledge between two rivers, dates back to the Middle Ages.

Lloret de Mar is situated on the Costa Brava and is a popular seaside destination from Girona.

Local Festivals

Temps de Flors

The Temps de Flors festival takes place in mid-May every year in Girona’s Barri Vell neighbourhood. Monuments, courtyards and streets are crafted into beautiful ornamental gardens.

Fires de Sant Narcís

Girona’s largest annual celebration, dedicated to Sant Narcís, takes place on 29th October and the following week. It includes parades, fireworks, and castells (human castles).

Getting There

By Car: take the Autopista AP-7 in the direction of Girona. The journey of 100km takes roughly an hour and a quarter.
By Bus: you can get on a Alsa bus from Barcelona Nord station.
By Train: you can take the Renfe train from Barcelona Sants station. The AVE (Alta Velocidad Española) train takes only 40 minutes.
By Air: Girona has its own airport. The Girona–Costa Brava Airport is situated 12.5 km southwest of the city. Alternatively, you could use Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN).