Things to do in Girona Spain

Girona is a small city yet charming in the north-east of Catalonia, Spain. The medieval architecture, walking along the Onyar River and seeing the colourful houses that line it, and getting lost in the beautiful stone streets of the Jewish quarter are just a few examples of the many attractions that Girona has to offer. It is also has a great location on the Costa Brava and is close to some of Spain’s most stunning towns and beaches. Find out all the things to do in Girona Spain in this article.

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Places you can miss in Girona

Cases de l’Onyar

When you arrive in the welcoming city of Girona, one of the first things you come across on your walk into the old quarter is the Onyar River and the picturesque houses that tower above it. The curious thing about these colourful, humble-looking houses is that they are actually the rear façade of the buildings on Rambla de la Llibertat, the main street in the old town, where there are examples of modernista façades such as Casa Norat.

Three bridges cross the river that lead to the historic quarter (Sant Agustí, Pont de les Peixateries Velles and Pont de Pedra) and you can get beautiful views and photographs of the houses of the Onyar de Girona on any of them. In addition, the bridges themselves are an essential stop, especially the Pont de les Peixateries Velles, built with intertwined red iron bars by Gustav Eiffel’s company.

Santa María Cathedral, a must-see in Girona

Girona’s Santa Maria Cathedral is one of the main Baroque churches in Spain and the star of the city’s skyline. To get there, we recommend getting your legs ready, as it is at the top of a hill that can be reached via Carrer de la Força, the main street of the old Roman Gerunda. Behind the steep but beautiful stone street awaits an impressive baroque staircase that raises the Cathedral above any other building in Girona. It is also worth going inside the Cathedral, where you will find a museum with the 11th century Romanesque tapestry of the Creation and the widest Gothic nave in the world.

Admission fee: General admission: €7 (includes audioguide) Reduced: €5 for retired persons and students with ID (includes audioguide) Free: children under 7, members of religious orders and natives/residents of Girona, Spain.

Visiting hours: (currently closed until June) July and August: from 10am to 7.30pm. November to March: from 10am to 5.30pm. Rest of the year: from 10 a.m. to 6.30 p.m.

Church of Sant Feliu

The Church of Sant Feliu was the first cathedral in Girona until the 10th century when it became a basilica. Along with the Cathedral of Santa Maria, it is one of the most impressive places in Girona and stands out for its beauty and height. Although it is mainly Gothic in style, it is built on a Romanesque layout and has a Baroque façade. It is famous for its tall bell tower, which looms above the other buildings, waving to passers-by. In the square where the church is located, there is also a replica of the symbolic sculpture of the lioness, also called Culo de la Leona, due to the tradition of kissing her behind on arriving in Girona as a symbol of good luck.

El Call, the Jewish quarter of Girona

El Call in Girona is located to the right of Carrer de la Força and is one of the largest and best-preserved Jewish quarters in Europe. This is because Girona had a significant Jewish presence from 890 to 1492, the year in which the Catholic Monarchs expelled them from Spain. Like other Jewish quarters, Girona’s is practically a labyrinth of narrow streets in which you can still feel the medieval atmosphere. In addition, an essential thing to do in Girona is the Museum of Jewish History, located in an old synagogue.

Arab Baths

The Arab Baths are one of the most spectacular places to see in Girona Spain. They are a Romanesque construction that imitate the Muslim baths, built in the 12th century. Although it was closed in the 15th century, when it became part of a Capuchin convent as a pantry, it was originally used as a bathhouse with an Arab-style steam heating system. It is now open to the public and you can visit its main room, which is exquisitely beautiful, with a small central pool surrounded by six columns that hold up a beautiful dome.

Price: General admission: €3 Reduced: €1 (students, seniors, under 16s)

Opening times: March to October: Monday to Saturday from 10am to 6pm; Sundays and public holidays from 10am to 2pm. November to February: Monday to Friday, 10am-2pm; Saturdays, 10am-5.30pm; Sundays and public holidays, 10am-2pm.

Rambla de la Llibertat

This is the main street in the old quarter and one of the busiest in Girona Spain. It is home to a large number of shops and restaurants. In the past, Rambla de la Llibertat was the market street and nowadays the tradition has been preserved due to the beautiful flower market that is held on Saturdays.

Plaça de la Independència

La Plaça de la Independència is a beautiful pedestrian square in the new part of the city. It was built on the site of the former convent of Sant Agustí in a neoclassical style, with porticoes and mustard colour façades. This is one of the most atmospheric squares in the city thanks to the many terraces of bars and restaurants. Some of them are authentic Girona classics that you can’t miss, such as Casa Marieta or Café Royal.

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.

Things to do in Girona in 3 days?

Day 1:

• Rambla de la Llibertat
• Plaça de la Independència
• Les Peixaterias Velles bridge
• Cases de l’Onyar
• Calle de la Força
• Santa María of Girona Cathedral
• Church of Sant Feliu

Days 2 and 3:

Girona is a city that can be comfortably visited in just one day. Therefore, if you decide to stay for 3 days, we recommend going on excursions around the province. Examples of places you can visit are:

• Besalú (35km away)
• Figueres (43 km away)
• Cadaqués (64 km away)

Where to eat in Girona?

• El Celler de Can Roca: Considered the best restaurant in Girona and in the world, El Celler de Can Roca offers, as you can imagine, an unparalleled gastronomic experience. So much so that, although reservations must be made a year in advance, getting a place is not always easy. The Roca brothers have two menus: the Classic Tasting Menu and the Festival Menu. The former is €190 per person plus €75 with wine pairing, and the latter €220 plus €110 for wine pairing.
• Can Roca: For those who don’t want to miss out on the Roca family’s cuisine, Can Roca is a must. This restaurant, owned by the mother of the family, is also one of the best in Girona, but it has nothing to do with the brothers’ restaurant. It has set menus for €12 with an appetiser, starter, main course and dessert.
• Massana: This Michelin-recommended restaurant is the perfect example of how tradition and creativity can go hand in hand. They have dishes for €20 and €30 and a set menu for €118. To get a table you need to book a few days in advance.
• Rocambolesc: Probably the best ice cream parlour in Girona, Spain. As you might have suspected from its name, it’s part of the Roca brothers’ universe, so it’s not surprising that it’s full of fantasy and unique flavours. At Rocambolesc you can enjoy surprising recipes such as yoghurt ice cream with dulce de leche, guava jam and candyfloss for a very affordable price (from €3).
• La Fábrica: In a cosy little square you’ll find this magnificent café which serves the best breakfasts and brunches in Girona. This place is perfect whether you are hungry or just want to sit down and have a coffee in one of the most pleasant corners of Girona (€5 – €15).

Where to stay in Girona?

• Hotel Peninsular: A family-run hotel with 150 years of history, 10 minutes from the old town. Its rooms are simple but comfortable and functional, with private bathroom and toiletries. Price per night for two people: from €54.
• Erba by Pillow: A hotel next to the Onyar river and close to the Cathedral with all the necessary amenities and an affordable price. Price per night for two people: from €57.
• Carlemany Girona: A 4-star hotel 600 metres from the historic centre and 400 metres from Girona train and bus station. Price per night for two people: from €74.

How to organise the things to do on your trip to Girona, Spain?

With the Passporter app you can:

• Get inspiration from the experiences of other travellers.
• Create your own itinerary and add the app’s suggestions to it.
• Add the spots you are 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 days and according to their location (you can take inspiration from the routes presented in the post).
• Check the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
• Make the necessary modifications and you are ready for your trip.
• Finally, share your experience. Upload photos of each of the places you have visited to the app so you can inspire other users.

If you have any doubts about how to plan your itinerary, you can read our post: How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter.

Frequently Asked Questions about Girona, Spain