Girona is easy to see in a day. Its old town is compact and walkable: the cathedral, the Call, the colourful Onyar houses and the city walls. It's 38 minutes from Barcelona by high-speed train.
Recommended tours
| Plan | Activity | From |
|---|---|---|
| The essentials with a guide | Barri Vell small-group walking tour, 4.8★ (826) | €35 |
| For fans of the show | Game of Thrones tour, 4.9★ (951) | €35 |
| Girona and the Costa Brava | Girona, Costa Brava and medieval villages, 5.0★ (228) | €89 |
| From Barcelona with Dalí | Girona, Figueres, Dalí and Cadaqués, 4.7★ (2,352) | €69 |
One-day route
| Time | Stop |
|---|---|
| 9:30 | Onyar houses and the Eiffel iron bridge |
| 10:00 | Cathedral and steps |
| 11:30 | The Call (Jewish quarter) |
| 13:00 | Arab Baths and Sant Pere de Galligants |
| 14:00 | Lunch in the Barri Vell |
| 16:30 | Walk along the city walls |
- Cathedral: the widest Gothic nave in the world and the Tapestry of Creation. Its steps were the Great Sept of Baelor in Game of Thrones.
- The Call: one of Europe's best-preserved medieval Jewish quarters.
- City walls: the best viewpoint in town, and few people climb up. Best at sunset.
Eating
Look for Empordà cooking in the Barri Vell, one street back from the Rambla (the Rambla terraces cost more). Try a xuixo, the local pastry, and an ice cream at Rocambolesc.
Mistakes to avoid
- Seeing it in half an hour: Girona deserves a full day.
- Skipping the cathedral interior: the nave and tapestry are worth the ticket.
- Leaving before sunset: the light on the Onyar and the walls is the best part of the day.
- Coming during Temps de Flors (mid-May) without booking: the city fills up.
If you have more time, see the Costa Brava day trips from Girona.
