Is Girona Worth Visiting? Best Things To Do In One Day 2024
Are you planning a trip in Northern Spain and wondering if Girona is worth visiting? I’ve got you covered!
Girona is a charming city with plenty of history, culture, and breathtaking landscapes. As you wander through its well-preserved medieval streets and experience its unique blend of traditions, you’ll quickly realize why Girona is a must-visit destination.
Girona’s history is as captivating as its streets are picturesque. Founded by the Romans over two thousand years ago, the city has seen the rise and fall of various empires, including the Visigoths and the Moors. Its medieval quarter, known as the “Barri Vell,” is a testament to its rich past, with well-preserved walls, winding cobblestone streets, and ancient buildings that transport you back in time.
Is Girona worth visiting?
Yes! Girona is a very cool city worth visiting. Girona strikes a perfect balance between historical charm and vibrant modern life. Its rich history is tangible in its medieval walls, narrow winding streets, and well-preserved Jewish quarter.
In my opinion, it’s worth more than a day trip from Barcelona, but you could take an early train, spend the whole day there, and grab the last train back.
Pro Traveler Tip: If you’re road tripping through Costa Brava, don’t miss the beautiful seaside town of Cadaqués, less than an hour and half away.
BEST things to do in ONE DAY in Girona, Spain
Even with just one day, you can dive deep into Girona’s history, savor its culinary delights, and capture the essence of this enchanting city. Here’s how to make the most of your 24 hours in Girona.
Enjoy breakfast at La Fabrica
Begin your day at La Fabrica, a cycle café located in the historic Jewish Quarter. Known for its specialty coffee and hearty breakfast options, it’s the perfect fuel for your day ahead. Try their homemade cakes or a avocado toast. They open at 9 am, giving you a leisurely start to your day.
Passeig de la Muralla (City Walls)
After breakfast, take a short walk to the Passeig de la Muralla, the well-preserved city walls that offer unparalleled panoramic views of Girona. The walls are open all day and are free to walk along. Experience the unique feeling of being suspended between the medieval and modern worlds.
Visit Girona Cathedral
From the walls, descend into the heart of the Old Town. The cobblestone streets lead to the Girona Cathedral, a monumental Gothic masterpiece that towers over the city. Its striking façade and the 90-step staircase are a sight to behold and an excellent photo opportunity.
Visit Game of Thrones filming sites
If you’ve never seen Game of the Thrones, just skip over this agenda item. But if you’re a fan of the show there are several spots to check out.
Girona gained global fame as a filming location for “Game of Thrones”, specifically in season six. Wander through the atmospheric streets of the Old Town, and you’ll recognize scenes from Braavos and King’s Landing.
Here are a few spots not to miss:
📍The steps of the Cathedral of Girona – where Queen Margaery’s walk of shame happens and Jamie Lannister arrives on horse to interrupt.
📍The Arab Baths – when Arya Stark is being stalked by the waif she is seen in these Romanesque baths attempting to flee and hide. You can pay a small entrance fee to tour the structure.
📍 Plaza Del Jurats – This is next to to La Moderna music school and Arya watches a play here. Looking at the building from the open plaza you’ll recognize the arches which are behind a stage setup in the show.
📍Galligants Bridge – Used as a bridge with a view of Braavos where Arya is seen looking out. Though in real life there is no river beneath it and the view is not impressive. CGI is used to
You can even opt for a guided tour of the filming locations, if you’re a Game of Thrones superfan or don’t want to wander around finding the spots on your own.
Visit Placa de la Independencia
Check out Placa de la Independencia. This square is not only a hub of activity but also a place of historical significance, commemorating the Siege of Girona (1808-1809) during the Napoleonic Wars. The arcaded spaces around the square are perfect for enjoying a coffee while people-watching.
Enjoy lunch at Casa Marieta
This restaurant offers a taste of traditional Catalan cuisine in a historic setting. Situated in the heart of Placa de la Independencia, it’s perfect for experiencing local flavors like suquet de peix (fish stew) or botifarra (Catalan sausage).
River Onyar and Colorful Houses
Stroll along the riverbanks of the Onyar River. The river is lined with brightly colored houses that reflect beautifully on the water.
Indulge in culinary delights
Famous for El Celler de Can Roca, which was given the honor of Best Restaurant in the World in 2012. But if you didn’t book a reservation in advance or don’t have the budget for a meal there, then stop in Rocambolsec for some ice cream. It was also founded by the Roca brothers of El Celler de Can Roca.
Discover Girona’s Jewish History
Make your way to the Jewish History Museum to learn about the significant Jewish community that thrived in Girona during the medieval period.
Enjoy a drink at Cafe le Bistrot
As the day winds down, head to Cafe le Bistrot, situated in the heart of the Jewish Quarter on Pujada de Sant Feliu. Their front terrace is an ideal spot for enjoying a coffee, wine, or aperol spritz with views of the ancient stairway and the Basilica de Sant Feliu. Cafe le Bistrot is known for its relaxed ambiance and is a local favorite.
Explore Rambla de la Libertat
This bustling tree-lined street is the heart of Girona’s social life, filled with shops and cafes. It’s the perfect place for an afternoon stroll, people-watching, or picking up unique local souvenirs.
Enjoy Dinner in Old Town
Find one of the many restaurants around the Old Town to rest your feet and enjoy a well earned meal after your jam packed day of sight-seeing. Beyond El Cellar de Can Roca, there’s a lot for food lovers to indulge in a memorable dinner. Some more local spots to check out include:
🍴 Divinum: offers an innovative take on traditional Catalan cuisine.
🍴 La Penyora: intimate setting with a blend of Catalan and modern European cuisine.
🍴 Nu Restaurant: contemporary dining in a modern minimalist setting.
🍴 Llevataps: serves a variety of tapas and small plates with a good wine selection featuring local Catalan wines.
How to get to Girona
🚂 Train: Girona’s train station is well-serviced by Spain’s extensive rail network. The high-speed AVE train connects Girona with major cities:
- Barcelona: Depending on the train it can take 38 to 75 minutes. There is frequent daily services.
- Madrid: Roughly 3.5 hours on a direct AVE train.
- France: Direct trains from Paris (around 5.5 hours), Lyon (around 4 hours), and Marseille (around 3 hours) are available.
The other good news about the train station is that it’s only a short walk away to city center so you don’t have to take a cab or bus from the station.
✈️ Plane: Girona-Costa Brava Airport is the nearest airport. It’s about 12 km (7.5 miles) from Girona city center. The airport serves a variety of European destinations, mainly through low-cost carriers such as Ryanair.
From the airport, you can take a bus (30 minutes, services run hourly), a taxi (20 minutes, around €30-€35), or rent a car to reach the city center.
🚗 Driving: If you prefer the freedom of driving, Girona is well-connected by road. The main motorway is the AP-7, which runs from France all the way to Alicante, passing through Girona.
- From Barcelona: It’s about a 1.5-hour drive (120 km, 75 miles) on the AP-7.
- From Madrid: A longer haul, approximately 6.5 hours (680 km, 422 miles) mainly on the A-2 and AP-7.
- From the French border (La Jonquera): Just under an hour (75 km, 47 miles) on the AP-7.
Where to stay in Girona
📍Luxury: Hotel Carlemany, located in the heart of the city, offers upscale accommodations and easy access to Girona’s main attractions.
📍Budget-friendly: The Bloom BY PILLOW is a more budget friendly option, but still not super cheap. This is where I stayed and is a adequate hotel within a short walking distance to the old city. Only thing to note is that the rooms are quite small so it’s just a place to sleep, not have a relaxing hotel stay.
📍Boutique: For a more unique stay, consider the historic Bellmirall, located in the Barri Vell, or Old Quarter, which offers a blend of medieval charm and modern amenities.
If you enjoy camping, Costa Brava has a ton of amazing places nearby to camp.
TL;DR: Is Girona Worth Visiting?
Yes, Girona is definitely worth visiting, whether as a day trip from Barcelona or an overnight stop on your travels through Northern Spain. My easy one day itinerary introduces you to the charm of Girona and covers all the must-see sights.
From its historical roots to its vibrant culinary scene, Girona is a city that may be visited in a day but can be enjoyed over a two to three day trip at a more leisurely pace.
If you are a history buff or a lover of medieval cities, you should also visit Carcassonne, France.