Are you planning to visit this fascinating city and you’re wondering what are the best things to do in Girona? This medieval gem located in the heart of Catalonia has so much to offer, for all tastes and interests. Whether you’re interested in history, relaxation, cuisine, city life or nature, a weekend getaway or a day trip to Girona from Barcelona won’t disappoint you.
Get lost in its labyrinth of streets, enjoy a walk by the river, make a stop at its iconic cathedral, and be delighted by quality local cuisine in a city between the mountains and the sea, between tradition and modernity. Let’s take a look at the top things to do in Girona.
On this guide you’ll find…
How to get from Barcelona to Girona
Top things to see
Top things to do
Best restaurants in Girona
Best hotels in Girona
How To Get From Barcelona To Girona
By train
The best way to go from Barcelona to Girona is definitely by train: you leave from Barcelona’s city center and arrive at the heart of Girona, without having to worry about driving, parking, and highway tolls. You’re not gonna need the car much if you’re only planning to see the city of Girona anyway! The journey on the high speed train (AVE) departing from Barcelona Sants train station takes 38 minutes, and return tickets start at 25 EUR.
By car
Another option to get from Barcelona to Girona is by car. The drive to Girona takes about and hour and ten minutes with the AP-7 highway. The advantage of visiting Girona by car is that you can explore the surrounding area too, and it’s especially useful if you would like to combine your city trip with a beach trip to the Costa Brava!
With an organized tour
There are also organized trips from Barcelona, which are a great option if you don’t want to stress over the planning and finding your way around. This way, you’ll be able to make the most of your visit to Girona and explore as much as possible. Click here to book your tour to Girona from Barcelona.
Top Things To See In Girona
Girona’s Cathedral
This is definitely Girona’s most visited sight, so make sure to make a stop! Built on the highest point of the city, Saint Mary’s Cathedral shows a mix of romanic and gothic styles. Girona’s Cathedral was built between the 11th and 18th century and it features the world’s widest nave. The cathedral can be visited daily, tickets cost 7€, and opening times vary depending on the season. Click here to check opening times and tickets.
Girona’s Old Wall
For the best views of the city and the Pyrenees climb up this ancient wall, which is 3 km long and takes you on a scenic walk surrounded by picturesque gardens. It’s a great way to explore the city from a different point of view! Girona’s wall was built throughout many centuries, starting with a roman wall built here in the first century B.C. There are different itineraries that you can take to visit Girona’s old wall, and the walk along the entire wall takes around two hours.
El Call, the Jewish Quarter
A labyrinth of cobblestone alleys, Girona’s El Call is one of the world’s best preserved jewish quarters. Girona’s Jewish Quarter is definitely worth a visit as it offers a lot of history and insights into past life in Girona. In this area you’ll also find many charming little restaurants and cafes, so it’s the perfect place to make a lunch stop before you continue exploring Girona.
Jewish History Museum
In the heart of Girona’s Jewish Quarter you’ll find the Jewish History museum, located in the city’s old synagogue dating back to the 15th century. In this museum you’ll learn not only about the history of Girona’s jewish population, but also that of all of Catalonia, where Jewish populations made big contributions during the Middle Ages. The museum is open every day and the entrance fee is 4€.
Onyar River
The first thing you should do when you arrive to Girona is head for a walk along the Onyar river, which divides the city in half and is crossed by multiple bridges. The colorful houses on the sides, with the cathedral rising above them all, are definitely the most famous postcard of Girona.
Sant Pere de Galligants
Sant Pere de Galligants is an old benedictine monastery dating back to at least the 10th century. The monastery is one of the best examples of Catalan romanic style. The main nave, the cloister, and the elaborate details at Sant Pere de Galligants are truly special.
Today Sant Pere de Galligants is home to Girona’s archaeology museum, which is another great reason to visit. The museum is open to the public every day from Tuesday to Sunday, and tickets cost 6€ (free entrance the first Sunday of the month).
Girona’s Arab Baths
Don’t be confused by their name: Girona’s “arab” baths were actually built by christians in the 12th century, imitating the style of traditional arab and roman baths. They only started to be called “arab baths” during the 19th century, as they indeed resemble northern African baths.
The baths are divided into five chambers: the changing room, the cold water room, the warm room, the hot room, and the oven room. You can visit Girona’s Arab Baths every day, and the entrance fee is 2€.
Temps de Flors Flower Festival
Every year in May the city celebrates spring and flowers, and it’s possible to admire stunning installations and events all around the city. The event is called Temps de Flors, and it attracts big crowds who come to marvel at the city’s streets full of flowers and art.
Apart from flowers and art installations, during Temps de Flors there are many special activities taking place such as markets and concerts. Some of the must-see spaces during Temps de Flors include the city’s Arab Baths, the cathedral, Sant Feliu, Sant Nicolau, and Plaça dels Jurats.
Basilica of Sant Feliu
Sant Feliu is a basilica which functioned as Girona’s cathedral until the 10th century. It’s Girona’s oldest church, and as such, a really interesting landmark to visit during your trip to Girona. This gothic church also houses eight roman and paleochristian sarcophagi, which were found when the church was being built. The Basilica of Sant Feliu is open to visitors every day and the entrance fee is 7€.
Top Things To Do In Girona
Game of Thrones tour
Did you know that part of Game of Thrones’ sixth season was shot in Girona? In fact, if you pay attention you’ll find Girona’s streets and cathedral in 8 out of 10 episodes of that season. If you’re a fan of the show, then you definitely shouldn’t miss joining a tour of the Game of Thrones shooting locations around Girona: click here to book your tickets!
Game of Thrones scene shot in Girona 
Unfortunately, I didn’t find the Game of Thrones crew when I visited the exact same spot
Join a walking tour
Would you like to see as much as possible of the city, but without getting lost and making sure you tick off the best places to see in Girona? Then you should consider joining a walking tour! Walking tours are my favorite way to explore cities. This way you make sure you don’t miss any important landmarks, plus you’ll get the chance to ask your guide any questions and get lots of invaluable tips.
Visit Figueres and the Dalí Museum
If you’re visiting Girona for more than a day, then you should consider visiting Figueres, a small city 45 minutes away from Girona, home to Dali’s Museum. The visit to the museum is an amusing experience, since, of course, there’s no way that anyone could ever find the surreal artist’s museum and work boring at all. The museum is open every day (except for Mondays during low season) and tickets cost 15€.
Combine your trip to Girona with a visit to Costa Brava
The province of Girona is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in Catalonia and Spain (and, why not—the whole world!). This is why, if you’re visiting Girona in the summer, you should combine it with a trip to the Costa Brava. If you’d like to know more, here’s my list of the 20 best beaches in the Costa Brava, including all the details you need to know in order to choose your perfect beach destination this summer!
Join the Jewish Heritage guided city tour
If you’re interested in learning more about Girona’s old Jewish Quarter, then this tour will be perfect for you! Wandering around the little streets of the Jewish Quarter is one thing, but it’s a completely different experience to walk around with a knowledgeable guide who will tell you all the details about this particular area of the city and make you travel back in time. Click here to learn more about the Jewish Heritage guided city tour and book your spot!
Go on a “witches and ghosts” tour
If the idea of a conventional tour bores you, then why not join a different tour where you’ll get to see the city from a different angle and have lots of fun? This witches and ghosts tour of Girona will take you around the city’s most mysterious spots.
Best Restaurants In Girona
Girona’s cuisine reflects the convergence of mountain and sea. Some of the city’s most popular dishes include anchovies, botifarra sausage, mashed cabbage and potatoes, and dishes that will surprise many by their combination of seafood and meat. For a sweet treat you should definitely try xuxos, a fried pastry filled with cream.
El Celler de Can Roca
A must for food enthusiasts is the acclaimed Michelin-star restaurant El Celler de Can Roca, which has been awarded as the world’s best restaurant in numerous occasions.
Address: Carrer de Can Sunyer, 48, 17007 Girona
Price: €€€ / €€€
Massana
This Michelin-star restaurant is a little bit closer to the city center, and also an amazing choice for those looking for the best cuisine in Girona. At Massana everything is made with local ingredients, and traditional catalan dishes are given a contemporary twist.
Address: Carrer Bonastruc de Porta, 10, 17006 Girona
Price: €€€ / €€€
Bionbo Cafe Gastrobar
Bionbo Cafe Gastrobar is located next to the river and serves healthy, colorful, and original dishes made mostly with local and organic products.
Address: Carrer del Carme, 75, 17004 Girona
Price: €€ / €€€
Divinum
In the heart of Girona’s old center you’ll find Divinum, an excellent restaurant serving Catalan cuisine made with top-quality ingredients and beautifully presented.
Address: Carrer de l’Albereda, 7, 17004 Girona España
Price: €€€€ / €€€€€
El Vermutet
For a really laid-back experience head to El Vermutet, the ideal place to indulge in tapas in Girona’s old city center. If you haven’t tried vermouth yet, make sure to order a glass of this typical Catalan drink made with wine and herbs which is the perfect aperitif.
Address: Carrer Bonaventura Carreras I Peralta, 9, 17004 Girona
Price: € / €€€€€
Best Hotels In Girona
A day trip to Girona from Barcelona is a great idea, but one day may not be enough to really get to experience the city. If you would like to have more time to explore, take a look at some of the best hotels in Girona:
AS Palau dels Alemanys
Offering self-catered apartments in a traditional stone building, AS Palau dels Alemanys is the perfect place to stay and enjoy the medieval atmosphere of Girona. Click here for more information and to book your stay.
Montjuic Bed & Breakfast
Located on the hills surrounding the city, this bed & breakfast has a lot of charm and is the perfect choice for a relaxing stay close both to the city and the surrounding natural landscape. Click here to book your stay now.
Nord 1901
Nord 1901 is a 4-star boutique hotel located in the heart of Girona’s old center, surrounded by the city’s prettiest and oldest buildings. The rooms are modern and comfortable, and guests can also enjoy a peaceful garden with a pool. Click here to book your room.
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