Girona is an ideal holiday destination, and we’re not just talking about the city, but also the surrounding area, where you’ll find beautiful beach landscapes, turquoise blue waters and whitewashed houses, inland medieval villages that have been used as the setting for television series and an infinite number of nature trails. What more could you ask for? You won’t have enough days to explore the whole province. That’s why Passporter has prepared this post to help you organise your trip around Girona.
In this post we tell you everything you need to know to get around the region; where to sleep, the best restaurants to eat and all the options you have to get around. In addition, we give you some tips that will be of great help. But most importantly, we have prepared a list of the must-see places in the region such as Cadaqués, Calella de Palafrugell and Tossa de Mar. Are you ready to set off on your journey? Then read on and don’t miss a thing.
What are the best places to see in the surroundings of Girona?
1. Calella de Palafrugell
Like Cadaqués, Calella de Palafrugell is another pretty fishing village on the Costa Brava that has survived overcrowding. It’s a quiet and simple place where you can stroll around and visit craft shops. It also has some of the best beaches in the region, such as El Golfet and Port Bo.
From girona the best option is to go by car, as it only takes 50 minutes compared to the 2 hours it would take you to get there by public transport.
2. Cadaqués, a picture-postcard village
Cadaqués is probably the best known coastal village in Catalonia for its beauty and privileged position on the Costa Brava. Getting there is not easy as you have to drive through a narrow mountain pass, but once you’re there, you’ll be fine.
Cadaqués is a small village of white houses, blue windows and climbing bougainvilleas on the beachfront and surrounded by mountains. There you can visit Dalí’s house, stroll through its streets, swim in the sea and eat in one of its restaurants.
3. Figueres and the Dalí Museum
Although Figueras is a beautiful medieval walled town, the truth is that its fame is due to Dalí, who was not only born there, but also has a surrealist museum that commemorates his work and life. Admission varies between €15 and €20 depending on the day of the week, and the museum is open daily from 10am to 6pm except Mondays.
Figueras can be visited in a morning, in which as well as seeing the Dalí museum we recommend a stroll through the old town and a visit to the Castell de Sant Ferran. There is a direct train from Girona which takes 30 minutes and by car it takes 40 minutes.
4. Tossa de Mar and the Vila Vella
This small coastal town hides a wonderful beach with incredible views. At one end of the beach there is a small hill on which is built a castle which you can climb for free and which protects the Vila Vella, the historic centre of the town. On your visit you can’t miss the medieval buildings in this area, so we recommend strolling through its narrow alleyways.
If you go from Girona the best option is by car, as by public transport you have to take three buses and it takes more than 2 hours. By car, you will arrive in less than 1h.
5. Besalú
Besalú, as well as being one of the best preserved medieval villages in the interior of Girona, is famous for its historical legacy. In this charming village on the banks of a river you can’t miss the church of Sant Vicenç, the Romanesque bridge, the house of Cornellà and the façade of the old church hospital of Sant Julià, original from the 12th century. Another point of interest in Besalú is the Jewish quarter, where you will find Miqvé, an old Jewish ritual bathhouse. The only way to get to Besalú is by car and it takes 40 minutes.
6. Peratallada, the best preserved medieval village
Peratallada is one of the most beautiful inland villages around Girona and where medieval architecture is best preserved, which is why it has been recognized as a historic-artistic site and Bien de Interés Cultural. On your walk through Peratallada you cannot miss the portal of the virgin, the church of Sant Esteve, the street of La Roca, the Plaza dels Esquiladors and the Torre del Homenaje.
From Girona you can only get there by car or with organised visits. It takes 45 minutes by road.
7. Castellfollit de la Roca
This inland village is characterised because it is built on the edge of a 50m cliff over the river Fluviá and located in an exceptional natural enclave, surrounded by nature. The image is incredible, you won’t be able to stop taking photos. In the centre of the village, the old quarter is made up of small streets where a Roman road used to pass, and where you will also see the old church of Sant Salvador. It is a perfect destination to spend the morning and take a stroll through the surrounding woods.
8. Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park
La Garrotxa is the most important volcanic park in the whole peninsula as it is home to more than 40 cones and 20 lava flows. In the park you can observe more than a thousand plant species, including oaks, beeches and holm oaks.
The most famous volcanoes in the area are Santa Margarita, Montsacopa and Croscat. There are several easy hiking trails that include the volcanoes and can be done on foot, by bike or even on horseback.
The best time to visit the park is in autumn, when the leaves on the trees turn colour. Throughout the park you’ll find many routes for all levels and with different landscapes, including the Fageda d’en Jordà, an incredible beech forest.
9. Monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes
This Romanesque-style architectural complex from the 10th century is located at the top of the Sierra de Rodes and its terraces rise above an extensive forest. The complex consists of a church, the bell tower, the cloister, the sacristies, the living quarters and the Abbot’s palace.
The visiting hours are from 10:00h to 17:30h from October to May and the rest of the year from 10:00h to 20:00h, and the entrance fee is 6€. There is also a restaurant inside the complex.
To organize your trip, we recommend using the Passporter where you can get inspiration from the experiences of other travellers and choose the places that interest you most to add them to your route map.
Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.
Where and what to eat around Girona?
The province of Girona has a lot to offer on a cultural and historical level, however, one of its main attractions is its gastronomy, a perfect combination of products from the land and the sea. Some of the best-known dishes are the tortilla Payesa, Patatas de Olot, monkfish and prawn suquet, and mar y montaña, a prawn, potato and chicken stew. Here is a list of some restaurants where you can sample Catalan gastronomy.
- Share: This award-winning restaurant is located in Cadaqués and is one of the best restaurants in the region. It offers à la carte and tasting menu, and has a very nice patio where you can eat in the shade. The service is impeccable. It’s not the cheapest, but the price is commensurate with the quality of the food.
- La Roca de Tossa: If you are a rice lover, this is your restaurant. In addition to the menu with various rice dishes, they offer a menu for 15 € which is very good. The restaurant is centrally located, but is only open for lunch.
- Bocam: is one of the best restaurants in Figueres. It mixes traditional Catalan cuisine with elements of international cuisine. It’s a pleasure to eat here, and the price is very reasonable.
Where to stay around Girona?
Around Girona, there are countless beautiful and charming villages that invite you to spend the day and night. Whether you’re a lover of the coast or the mountains, in Girona you’ll find the ideal place for you. However, bear in mind that it is a very touristy area and prices can be a little high. Here’s a list of some of our favourite hotels in the region:
- Boutique Hotel Villa Gala: is a beautiful hotel in the pure style of Cadaqués. It is located 50 metres from the beach and has a swimming pool, restaurant and bar. The price per night starts at 200€ and breakfast is included.
- Hotel Delfin: This four-star hotel is one of the best options for a family stay in Tossa de Mar. As well as offering family rooms, it has a swimming pool and restaurant. The price per night starts at 75€ and breakfast is included in the price.
- Can Cocollona: This is a pleasant hostel located in Peratallada. It has shared areas such as kitchen, terrace and lounge. The bunk bed costs 28€ and they also have private rooms.
In this post, you can find more accommodation options in Catalonia: The best hotels in Catalonia
How to get around Girona
To get around Girona, the best way is to go by private car or hire one. At the airport or in Girona there are several companies to choose from. In the tourist destinations you’ll find car parks where you can leave your car, although you should bear in mind that most of them have to pay.
There are many inland towns that are impossible to reach by public transport, and many beach towns that take more than two hours to reach because you have to make several transfers. Another option is to hire organized excursions, which will get you there and back as quickly and comfortably as possible.
What should I consider before travelling to the Girona area?
- The best time to travel around Girona is between May and July, and September and October.
- To get around the area it is recommended to hire a car as there are destinations with no public transport links.
- Catalonia is an expensive destination, try to stay away from the more touristy areas to save money.
- Be covered for medical emergencies: travel insured
- In Barcelona, as in any other big city, you have to be careful with your belongings, especially in the metro.
- Spanish and Catalan are spoken throughout Catalonia, but in the smaller villages you may be spoken to in Catalan.
- The region is very touristy, so avoid the summer months and bear in mind that it’s always better to get up early than queue.
How to prepare what to see on your trip around Girona
Register or download the Passporter App and discover all its possibilities.
- Get inspired by the experiences of other travellers
- Create your own itinerary and add suggestions from the app to it.
- Add the stops you’re most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest listed in this post as a reference).
- Organise your itinerary by route days according to their location on the map (you can take inspiration from the routes presented in the post).
- Check out the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
- Make any modifications you need to make, and you’re all set for your trip.
- Share your experience. Upload photos of the places you’ve visited on your trip to the app and recommend other travellers what to see around Girona.
Frequently asked questions about a trip around Girona
The best time to travel around Girona is between May and July, and September and October.
The best way to get around Girona is by car or train (rodalies).
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