Girona

Medieval streets, Costa Brava beaches, and tasty clams

Explore medieval streets and ancient churches in this Catalan city. Climb the hill for river views, then savor local clams after a day trip to Costa Brava beaches.

4.3
out of 5

Girona, a city in Catalonia, Spain, sits between Barcelona and Costa Brava. In its Old Town, you'll find the grand Girona Cathedral, the well-preserved Jewish quarter of El Call, and ancient city walls offering panoramic views. The city has recently gained attention as a filming location for Game of Thrones and as a training ground for professional cyclists.

Exploring Girona's Old Town

Girona's Old Town occupies a hill east of the Onyar River. As you walk through the narrow cobblestone streets, you'll encounter small squares and centuries-old churches. The Força Vella, the original Roman fortification, encircles much of the Old Town and provides views over the city's terracotta roofs and beyond.

The Girona Cathedral

At the heart of the Old Town stands the Girona Cathedral, an example of Catalan Gothic architecture. Its nave, at 23 meters wide, is the largest Gothic nave in the world. Inside, you can see the Tapestry of Creation, a piece of Romanesque textile art from the 11th century.

El Call: Girona's Jewish Quarter

El Call, Girona's Jewish Quarter, was home to a significant Jewish community from 982 to 1492. Today, you can explore the narrow, winding streets that have changed little over 500 years. The Jewish History Museum displays artifacts from medieval Jewish life in Girona.

Walking the Ancient City Walls

The Passeig de la Muralla, Girona's ancient city walls, now serve as an elevated walkway. From here, you can see the Old Town, the modern city, and the surrounding countryside.

The Houses Along the Onyar River

Along the Onyar River, you'll see a row of houses painted in shades of ochre, pink, and yellow. Cross the Eiffel Bridge, designed by Gustave Eiffel before his famous tower in Paris, for the best views of these riverside homes.

Girona for Game of Thrones Fans

If you've watched Game of Thrones, you might recognize several locations in Girona. The steps of the Girona Cathedral appeared as the Great Sept of Baelor, while the narrow streets of the Jewish Quarter served as the streets of Braavos.

Catalan Cuisine in Girona

You can taste traditional Catalan dishes in Girona. Try local specialties like xuixo (a sweet pastry filled with crema catalana) or botifarra amb mongetes (Catalan sausage with white beans) at one of the many restaurants in the Old Town. For fine dining, El Celler de Can Roca has received multiple awards as one of the world's top restaurants.

Day Trips to Costa Brava

From Girona, you can easily reach the Costa Brava coastline. A short drive will take you to fishing villages, coves with clear water, and sandy beaches. You might visit Cadaqués, once home to Salvador Dalí, or spend time on the beaches of Tossa de Mar or Lloret de Mar.

Getting to and Around Girona

You can reach Girona by train from Barcelona in 38 minutes on the high-speed AVE train. The city also has its own airport, Girona-Costa Brava, about 10 kilometers south of the city center. Once in Girona, you can explore the Old Town on foot or use local buses for longer journeys.

Cycling in and Around Girona

Many professional cyclists train in Girona, attracted by the varied terrain and mild climate. You can rent a bike to explore the surrounding countryside or join one of the city's bike tours. Many accommodations in Girona cater to cyclists with secure storage and repair facilities.

Average temperatures during the day in Girona.
October
16°
Nov
11°
Dec
8°
Jan
7°
Feb
8°
Mar
10°
Apr
12°
May
16°
Jun
20°
Jul
23°
Aug
23°
Sep
20°

What people say about Girona

4.3
People
5
Food
4
Spaces
4
Value
4
Safety
4

Articles about Spain

Image of Bucket list-worthy places in Spain
Image of Bucket list-worthy places in Spain

Bucket list-worthy places in Spain

December 2023,
Spain's reputation abroad is often relegated to images of flamenco dancers and bullfights, yet there's much more to discover. The nation presents a compelling blend of coastlines, mountain ranges, his
Image of The warmest places in Europe during winter
Image of The warmest places in Europe during winter

The warmest places in Europe during winter

September 2024,
Winter in Europe typically falls between December and March. During this time, temperatures can vary significantly depending on the region. In the northern parts of Europe, temperatures may drop below
Image of Game of Thrones filming locations
Image of Game of Thrones filming locations

Game of Thrones filming locations

December 2023,
Game of Thrones was filmed across large parts of Europe and Northern Africa. From Jon and Ygritte's love nest in Grjótagjá, Iceland to THE walk of shame in Dubrovnik, Croatia. The TV series is an adap
Image of The 30 best food cities in the world
Image of The 30 best food cities in the world

The 30 best food cities in the world

August 2023,
This is a list of the top food destinations in the world based on the opinions of travelers from more than 100 countries. If you travel to eat, this is for you! It doesn’t matter if you are a foodie o
Image of All World Expo locations since 1851
Image of All World Expo locations since 1851

All World Expo locations since 1851

January 2024,
For more than a century and a half, global citizens have congregated at World Expos to celebrate human achievement, explore pressing issues of the day, and experience the cultural expressions of peopl
Image of The best places for women to travel alone
Image of The best places for women to travel alone

The best places for women to travel alone

August 2023,
There are many places around the world that are great for female travelers! When choosing a destination to visit alone, women tend to look for places that are safe, easy to get around on foot or by pu
Image of The 3 best workation destinations in Europe
Image of The 3 best workation destinations in Europe

The 3 best workation destinations in Europe

December 2023,
Workation meaning The definition of workation is working while travelling. Workation is a portmanteau of the words "work" and "vacation," reflecting the concept of combining work responsibilities with
Image of The 20 happiest cities in the world
Image of The 20 happiest cities in the world

The 20 happiest cities in the world

September 2024,
This is a list of the top 20 happiest cities in the world according the World Happiness Report which is based on data from 160+ countries. The Nordics and Oceania are heavily over-represented, but the
Image of The best places to visit in March
Image of The best places to visit in March

The best places to visit in March

April 2024,
Spring bells! March is here; open your doors to exciting travel experiences. The journey reveals five different cities: History in Art, Paris; Spirituality and Chemistry, Bali; the sandy beaches and v
Image of The World’s Most Stunning Hikes
Image of The World’s Most Stunning Hikes

The World’s Most Stunning Hikes

October 2023,
Are you an avid hiker looking for a challenge? Look no further than some of the world's most incredible trails! From the breathtakingly beautiful landscape of Torres del Paine in Chile's Patagonia to
Image of Killing Eve filming locations
Image of Killing Eve filming locations

Killing Eve filming locations

May 2024,
The BBC thriller series Killing Eve has taken viewers to many places across Europe as it follows MI5 agent Eve Polastri and assassin Villanelle. The cat-and-mouse story unfolds in cities like London,
Image of The best lesser-known places to visit in Europe
Image of The best lesser-known places to visit in Europe

The best lesser-known places to visit in Europe

December 2023,
In the midst of European explorations, some cities remain less frequented by the throng of tourists yet hold an abundance of cultural wealth, natural beauty, and a compelling history. This guide aims
Image of The 20 most bike-friendly cities in the world
Image of The 20 most bike-friendly cities in the world

The 20 most bike-friendly cities in the world

January 2023,
To find the best cities for cycling, we looked at the Copenhagenize Index, a comprehensive ranking of the world’s most bicycle-friendly cities based on ambition, culture, and city design. Below you wi
Popular on Humbo right now
Humbo™AboutVisitedBucket listSustainable travelPrivacyTerms