An Overture
Girona is a beautifully preserved medieval city ~40 min by high-speed train north of Barcelona — Roman walls, colourful riverside houses (Cases de l'Onyar), one of Europe's best-preserved Jewish Quarters, Game of Thrones filming locations, and a world-leading food scene (El Celler de Can Roca). Bloggers single it out as "the perfect base," with the Costa Brava beaches, the Pyrenees, the Dalí Triangle and the Empordà wine region all within an hour's drive. Base here 3–4 days and you can even day-trip back into Barcelona.
Top Things to Do
Cathedral of Girona
Approached by a monumental staircase; holds the widest Gothic nave in the world and the 11th-century Tapestry of Creation. (A Game of Thrones "Great Sept of Baelor" location.)
Cases de l'Onyar & the bridges
The iconic painted riverfront houses, seen from the Pont de Pedra and the red-iron Pont de les Peixateries Velles (built by Gustave Eiffel's company).
Jewish Quarter (Call Jueu)
The best-preserved in Europe — wander Carrer de la Força (the old Roman road).
City Walls (Passeig de la Muralla)
~3 km of walkable ramparts with panoramic views; access near the cathedral.
Sant Feliu Church & Plaça del Vi / Rambla de la Llibertat
Gothic church and the historic squares at the city's social heart.
Walking Tours
Old-town walk
The walls walk is pinned mid-route so the map climbs the ramparts rather than skirting them. (Auto-splits into linked walking maps.)
Pont de Pedra → the arcaded Rambla de la Llibertat & Plaça del Vi → the Eiffel-built Pont de les Peixateries Velles for the Cases de l'Onyar view → up Carrer de la Força through the Jewish Quarter (El Call) → the Cathedral and the cinematic Pujada de Sant Domènec steps → the Basílica de Sant Feliu → onto the Passeig de la Muralla rampart trail → down to the Banys Àrabs → Sant Pere de Galligants → the riverside Parc de la Devesa.
Day Trips & Beyond
The Dalí Triangle
Figueres (the Dalí Theatre-Museum), Púbol (Gala Dalí's castle), and Cadaqués with Portlligat (Dalí's whitewashed coastal home).
Getting there: Figueres is ~40 min by train; Púbol and Cadaqués/Portlligat have no useful rail link, so a car is needed to do the full triangle.
SearchCosta Brava
Turquoise coves and cliff paths — Begur, Calella de Palafrugell, Llafranc, Palamós, Tossa de Mar; Cadaqués is the standout preserved fishing town.
Getting there: ~45 min by car; Moventis/Sarfa buses also run from Girona's bus station to the bigger coastal towns.
SearchBesalú & Banyoles
A fairy-tale medieval bridge town (gateway to La Garrotxa's volcanoes) and Catalonia's largest lake.
Getting there: 20–40 min by car, or Teisa buses from Girona.
SearchMedieval villages of the Baix Empordà
Peratallada, Pals, Monells — "postcard-perfect."
Getting there: ~30–45 min by car — a car is essential, as these villages have little public transport.
SearchEmpordà wine region & Empúries
Family-run wineries (Mas Llunes, La Vinyeta, Terra Remota, Espelt) and Greco-Roman seaside ruins.
Getting there: ~40 min–1 hr by car — a car is needed for the scattered cellars.
SearchBarcelona
day-trip into the city while based in calmer Girona.
Getting there: ~40 min by high-speed AVE/Avant train.
SearchHidden Gems
Pujada de Sant Domènec
The cinematic stone staircase (a Game of Thrones set) with a bohemian terrace.
SearchFood & Dining
Signature Dishes
Where to Stay
Best base: the Old Quarter (Barri Vell) for medieval atmosphere, or L'Eixample (new town) near the station for value. Specific picks:
- €100–180
- €120–200
- €130
- €100
- €140–175
- €100–120
- €65–125, budget
Practical Notes
Getting There & Around
- Getting there without a car: High-speed train ~40 min from Barcelona (hourly); standard regional trains ~1.5 hrs are cheaper. Girona also has its own airport.
- Getting around: The city is completely walkable — no local transport needed.
- With a car (for the region): Essential for the Costa Brava coves, medieval villages and wineries; rental offices are near the train station. The Dalí Triangle and Besalú are also reachable by bus/train but a car is far easier.
Good to Know
- Best time: Autumn (Sep–Nov) for warm weather and the Girona Fairs (giant puppets, human castles, late Oct–early Nov); spring is lovely but mid-May's Temps de Flors flower festival brings "genuinely overwhelming" crowds. Avoid the "stifling" peak-summer heat; winters are cold and damp.
- Pace: City sights take 4–5 hours; 3–4 days is ideal to enjoy the food and day trips.
- Booking: El Celler de Can Roca requires reserving months ahead.
Notable Insights
What the Guides Say
- Go Ask A Local: "Girona is the perfect base — you have the mountains, the Costa Brava, and the Empordà wine region all within an hour's drive... base yourself here for 3 or 4 days."
- Go Ask A Local: Its compact size (~100,000 people) gives a "peaceful atmosphere" with "town neighborliness" while keeping city amenities and a world-class food scene.
- Go Ask A Local: A smart strategy is to base in Girona and day-trip into Barcelona, escaping the big-city crowds and prices at night.