Girona Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Girona featuring a small town or village and a river or creek
From medieval architecture and history museums to city rivers and a mountainous backdrop, this Catalonian city appeals to nature lovers and cultural enthusiasts.

Girona is a compact place with more than 2,000 years of history. The Romans settled here, as did the Visigoths and the Moors. At its heart is one of Spain’s best-preserved medieval quarters. With rivers flowing through it and lying close to the Pyrenees, the city is also popular with nature lovers. Hike and bike through mountains, navigate picturesque waterways and tour centuries-old buildings.

Familiarize yourself with Girona’s long history in the old quarter. Walk up 90 steps to reach the Cathedral of Girona, a magnificent Romanesque, gothic and baroque structure built between the 11th and 18th centuries. The cathedral's exterior was used in the filming of season six of Game of Thrones. Visit other city locations that appeared in the global TV hit, including the 12th-century Arab baths. See pagan and early Christian sarcophagi in the Church of Sant Feliu, Girona's first cathedral. Walk on the city’s ancient walls, the Passeig de la Muralla.

Uncover more of Girona’s past in the Archeology Museum of Girona, the Museum of Jewish History and the Girona History Museum.

With a mountainous backdrop and the confluence of four rivers, Girona has extensive natural beauty. Hike through La Devesa and Les Ribes del Ter parks, located on either side of the River Ter. Kayak along the waterway and take a mountain bike trip in the Gavarres Mountains. During winter, enjoy the ski resorts of the Girona Pyrenees.

To get to Girona, fly into Barcelona's international airport, 68 miles (110 kilometers) away. Alternatively, arrive by road or rail from France. Girona is just 40 miles (65 kilometers) from the French border. Get around by taxis, rental bikes and local buses. A rental car is a good idea for traveling farther afield, although several intercity bus routes connect the city with the rest of Catalonia.

Girona offers a wealth of cultural and historical gems and is gateway to some of Catalonia’s stunning natural scenery.

Where to stay in Girona

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Old Town Girona

5/5(1 area review)

Old Town Girona is noteworthy for its historical sites, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Jewish History Museum and Girona Museum of Art.

Old Town Girona
Girona featuring a small town or village

Eixample

3.5/5(2 area reviews)

Eixample is known for its abundant dining options, and you can plan a trip to Lake Banyoles and Onyar River while you're in town.

Eixample
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Barri Vell

5/5(2 area reviews)

Barri Vell is noteworthy for its historical sites, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Jewish History Museum and Girona Museum of Art.

Barri Vell
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el Carme

Bars and historical sites are notable features of el Carme. You might consider stopping by Gardens of the Wall while you're exploring the neighbourhood.

el Carme
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el Mercadal

5/5(1 area review)

Historical sites, river views and cafes highlight some of the noteworthy features of el Mercadal. Make a stop by Cinema Museum - Tomàs Mallol Collection or Eiffel Bridge while you're exploring the neighbourhood.

el Mercadal

Palau

Travellers like the golf courses in Palau, and Girona Golf Course is a top attraction you might want to visit.

Palau
Hotel BestPrice Girona
Hotel BestPrice Girona
3.5 out of 5
Carrer Barcelona 1, Girona, Girona
The price is AU$124 per night from 1 Apr to 2 Apr
AU$124
per night
1 Apr - 2 Apr
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Girona. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (239 reviews)
"Great budget hotel 3 minute walk from old town! Friendly staff at reception! Comfortable bed Great shower Good location Great price"

Reviewed on 17 Feb. 2024

Hotel BestPrice Girona
Hotel Gran Ultonia
Hotel Gran Ultonia
4 out of 5
Gran Via de Jaume I, 22 B, Girona
The price is AU$144 per night from 1 Apr to 2 Apr
AU$144
per night
1 Apr - 2 Apr
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Girona. Enjoy free WiFi, a rooftop terrace, and breakfast. Our guests praise the bar and the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9/10 Wonderful! (841 reviews)
Great hotel and roof top bar
"Loved this hotel. Very very clean with a great roof top bar. Loved it"

Reviewed on 25 Mar. 2024

Hotel Gran Ultonia
Hotel Carlemany Girona
Hotel Carlemany Girona
4 out of 5
Placa Miquel Santalo, Girona
The price is AU$182 per night from 14 Apr to 15 Apr
AU$182
per night
14 Apr - 15 Apr
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Girona. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and breakfast. Popular attractions Lake Banyoles and Former Hospital of ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (591 reviews)
"So easy to walk to from the railway station. The best big fluffy towels ever. Very comfortable."

Reviewed on 17 Mar. 2024

Hotel Carlemany Girona
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Pierre & Vacances Estartit Playa
Pierre & Vacances Estartit Playa
3 out of 5
Avenida Costa Brava, 16, L'Estartit, Torroella de Montgrí, Girona
Stay at this 3-star eco-certified apartment in Torroella de Montgrí. Enjoy free WiFi, onsite parking, and a garden. Our guests praise the property condition ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (155 reviews)
Good value apartment, with pool.
"Friendly & easy check in, plenty of free street parking in 2nd week of October. Nice apartment, with balcony overlooking the pool, which also looked very nice, sadly no time to use it."

Reviewed on 18 Oct. 2023

Pierre & Vacances Estartit Playa
L'Escala Resort
L'Escala Resort
3.5 out of 5
Carrer dels Masos, 4-62, L'Escala
Stay at this 3.5-star aparthotel in L'Escala. Enjoy 7 outdoor pools, a rooftop terrace, and WiFi. Popular attractions Platja de Riells and The Site are located ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (342 reviews)
"Although it's not close to the beach, it's in a nice quiet area of town. It's a pity the pools are extremely tiny...almost private for each building and not all buildings have one so even though we stayed for three weeks we couldn't use one at all."

Reviewed on 2 Oct. 2023

L'Escala Resort
Aparthotel Costa Encantada
Aparthotel Costa Encantada
4 out of 5
Cami de Santa Cristina-Les alegries s/n, Lloret de Mar
Stay at this 4-star spa aparthotel in Lloret de Mar. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and free water park access. Our guests praise the pool and the property ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,013 reviews)
Exactly what we needed
"Great hotel, lovely staff and so good with kids. Our second stay and will come back"

Reviewed on 26 Oct. 2023

Aparthotel Costa Encantada
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Activities

Reviews of Girona

4.7
Top destination
5 - Excellent
4
" "5 - Excellent 66.66666666666667%
4 - Good
2
" "4 - Good 33.333333333333336%
3 - Okay
0
" "3 - Okay 0%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
17 Mar 2020

Prepare to walk and be emersed in history great place

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
12 Oct 2019

We went there for a quiet break after spending 28 days in a group situation. It was easy to walk, good food and relaxed atmosphere