Girona

Spain

Colorful houses hanging over the Onyar river Girona is an ancient town several thousand years old in Catalonia, Spain. The city has approximately 100,000 people and serves as the capital of the Girona Province in Catalonia which includes the counties (or comarques) of Alt Empordà, Baix Empordà, Garrotxa, Gironès, Pla de l'Estany and Ripollès.

Girona has an attractive Jewish quarter and is often overlooked by budget fliers arriving at Girona-"Barcelona" airport. Girona makes an excellent stop-off as part of a tour of Catalonia or escape from the noise and speed of Barcelona or as a long weekend getaway with one of those budget airlines.

The town is said to consistently win a country-wide poll of citizens on preferred city to live in. Geographically set at the confluence of the Ter, Onyar, Galligants and Güell rivers, it has been a focal point of this region in Catalonia since prior to being part of the Roman Empire.

The Old Town is on the east bank of the river, with pedestrianized narrow streets surrounded by the old city walls. The "Rambla", running parallel to the river, contains many street cafés and touristy restaurants. Tourist information is at the south end of the Rambla, beside the river. The newer town center on the west bank has wider streets contains more shops and hotels, plus slightly cheaper restaurants.

Girona also has an ancient and proud Jewish heritage, although in part due to the anti-Jewish policies of both the Spanish Inquisition and secular authorities, few Jews actually live in Girona today.

In August, the city becomes very quiet on Saturday and Sunday, as most citizens escape to the sea.

Girona has a mild climate. In winter temperatures can drop to below −5 °C (23 °F). In summer temperatures often soar to 30–40 °C (86–104 °F). Rain is common in winter and spring and thunderstorms often occur.

If you want to see the near Costa Brava plan your trip for the months between May to October.

Narrow Streets in Girona

The town's architecture is varied and atmospheric resulting from the myriad of occupations and invasions with many narrow streets, a castle, and an impressive walled section.

  • Banys Arabs, c/de Ferran Catolic. Apr-Sep: M-F 10:00-19:00, Su and holidays 10:00-14:00; Oct-Mar: daily 10:00-14:00. A museum, not an actual bath. €4.
  • Catedral de Girona, Plaça de la Catedral (there are stairs to the main door of the cathedral on the la Força street. Begun in the 11th century in the Romanesque architectural style; continued in the 13th century in the Gothic style. Includes the widest Gothic nave in the world.
  • Església de Sant Feliu. Second church in the city. Closed for renovation as of Sept 2007.
  • El riu Onyar. Although it dries up in the summer (and gets a bit stinky!), the houses along it are very pretty. The bridge is by Gustave Eiffel.

Banys Arabs, c/de Ferran Catolic. Apr-Sep: M-F 10:00-19:00, Su and holidays 10:00-14:00; Oct-Mar: daily 10:00-14:00. A museum, not an actual bath. €4.

Catedral de Girona, Plaça de la Catedral (there are stairs to the main door of the cathedral on the la Força street. Begun in the 11th century in the Romanesque architectural style; continued in the 13th century in the Gothic style. Includes the widest Gothic nave in the world.

Església de Sant Feliu. Second church in the city. Closed for renovation as of Sept 2007.

El riu Onyar. Although it dries up in the summer (and gets a bit stinky!), the houses along it are very pretty. The bridge is by Gustave Eiffel.

  • Walk along the ancient walls (yes, you can get on there) for excellent views of the city.
  • Enjoy the numerous cafes which are especially atmospheric at night.
  • The ancient narrow streets of the old Jewish section.
  • Check out Girona's lively "discoteca" club scene.
  • Play Golf on all the fantastic courses in the surroundings
  • Watch football ie soccer. Girona FC were relegated in 2019 so they now play in Segunda División, the second tier of Spanish football. Their Montilivi stadium, capacity 13,500, is 2 km south of city centre.
  • Semana Santa. the week between Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday. Visit Girona when many celebrations take place in the city and Christians march through the streets in the evening with replicas of Jesus on their shoulders and play music. Make sure to book ahead since accommodations fill up quickly during that time and often nothing is left shortly before the celebrations.

Watch football ie soccer. Girona FC were relegated in 2019 so they now play in Segunda División, the second tier of Spanish football. Their Montilivi stadium, capacity 13,500, is 2 km south of city centre.

Semana Santa. the week between Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday. Visit Girona when many celebrations take place in the city and Christians march through the streets in the evening with replicas of Jesus on their shoulders and play music. Make sure to book ahead since accommodations fill up quickly during that time and often nothing is left shortly before the celebrations.

The old town contains mostly touristy shops. There is also a good selection of modern shops selling the latest clothes.

Market on Saturday. Cheap goods market along river bank in the park north-west of town centre. Craft stalls in the old town.

In the old town, many touristy cafes offer menu del dia for €10-13, even on Sun. Areas with dense coverage of faceless touristy cafes are: Plaça Independencia; Rambla de la Lliberitat (near cathedrals). However, try to avoid the restaurants at and near Rambla de la Llibertat, they are very touristy, waiters do not speak English and even if you do find menus in English they are usually poorly translated and the dish you get can vary substantially from its description in the menu. Especially avoid tapas at these restaurants, aside that it is not an authentic Catalan dish, you will get just a poorly styled mish-mash at one small plate.

Like any other Catalan city, cafes are closed from 16:00 until dinner time (about 20:00-20:30). Exceptions are only touristy cafes at Rambla de la Lliberitat.

  • Gran Muralla, Francesc Eiximenis. The best selection of Japanese and Chinese food, featuring sushi, Beijing duck, thai salad.
  • El Pou del Call, C/ Força, 14, +34 972 22 37 74. Excellent and good value local Catalonian dishes.
  • König. Sandwiches and hamburgers
    *Frankfurter König Girona Nord, +34 972 297 504. Cheap food such us pizzas, steak, french fries; and also a place to have a drink.
    *Frankfurter König 2, Pl. Independència, 2, +34 972 202 099.
    *König Sandwiches, c/Calderers 16 (right under Esglesia de Sant Feliu, +34 972 225 782. Modern minimalistic design interior; two floors; well-airconditioned; some WiFi coverage for outdoor tables. Combined dishes (salad+main+side dish): €5.8-6.5; salads €5-7; focaccia sandwiches €3.8-4.5; hamburgers €2.5-3.5; toast sandwiches: €3.6-4.
    *König Bar-Restaurant, C.C. Espai Gironès, Salt, +34 972 439 123.
  • La Dolce Vitta, Plaça Independencia. Italian food for everyone at reasonable prices.
  • 1900, C/ Obra, 2 (in a small square, between Pont de Pedra and Pont de Ferro. Coffees, teas, and hot chocolates. Simple selection of pastries and waffle. Reasonably priced and delicious with the bonus of free Wi-Fi. Beautiful place with gorgeous, clean bathrooms. Drinks €1-4.
  • DO taverna catalana, Plaça Independencia, 16, +34 972 222 740. Toasts and "tapas", salads and cold cuts Basque restaurants:
  • Txalaka, Carrer Bonastruc de Porta 4. Very good Basque restaurant serving pintxos (similar to tapas). Can be crowded with locals in the evening after 22:00 (which is a good sign for a restaurant!)
  • Zanpanzar, Carrer Cort-Reial, 10, 17004, +34 972 21 28 43. Fantastic atmosphere, good for a quick tapa and beer.
  • Lizarran, Plaça de la Independència, 14, 17001. One of the 200 Lizarran restaurants in 8 countries. Sweet:
  • Rocambolesc, Carrer Santa Clara, 50, 17001. Ice cream parlor by one of the brothers of "El Celler de Can Roca" (3 Michelin stars). €2-3.
  • Llagurt, Carrer Argenteria, 3. Wide variety of artisan and organic yogurts.
  • Xocolateria l'Antiga, Placa del vi 8. Charming and classical place in the old town where you can enjoy a typical cup of "xocolata calenta" (hot chocolate).
  • Crepdequè, C/Ballesteries 49 Girona. Grab a crêpe in this tiny and classic place of Girona.

Gran Muralla, Francesc Eiximenis. The best selection of Japanese and Chinese food, featuring sushi, Beijing duck, thai salad.

El Pou del Call, C/ Força, 14, +34 972 22 37 74. Excellent and good value local Catalonian dishes.

König. Sandwiches and hamburgers

*Frankfurter König Girona Nord, +34 972 297 504. Cheap food such us pizzas, steak, french fries; and also a place to have a drink.
*Frankfurter König 2, Pl. Independència, 2, +34 972 202 099.
*König Sandwiches, c/Calderers 16 (right under Esglesia de Sant Feliu, +34 972 225 782. Modern minimalistic design interior; two floors; well-airconditioned; some WiFi coverage for outdoor tables. Combined dishes (salad+main+side dish): €5.8-6.5; salads €5-7; focaccia sandwiches €3.8-4.5; hamburgers €2.5-3.5; toast sandwiches: €3.6-4.
*König Bar-Restaurant, C.C. Espai Gironès, Salt, +34 972 439 123.

La Dolce Vitta, Plaça Independencia. Italian food for everyone at reasonable prices.

1900, C/ Obra, 2 (in a small square, between Pont de Pedra and Pont de Ferro. Coffees, teas, and hot chocolates. Simple selection of pastries and waffle. Reasonably priced and delicious with the bonus of free Wi-Fi. Beautiful place with gorgeous, clean bathrooms. Drinks €1-4.

DO taverna catalana, Plaça Independencia, 16, +34 972 222 740. Toasts and "tapas", salads and cold cuts

Txalaka, Carrer Bonastruc de Porta 4. Very good Basque restaurant serving pintxos (similar to tapas). Can be crowded with locals in the evening after 22:00 (which is a good sign for a restaurant!)

Zanpanzar, Carrer Cort-Reial, 10, 17004, +34 972 21 28 43. Fantastic atmosphere, good for a quick tapa and beer.

Lizarran, Plaça de la Independència, 14, 17001. One of the 200 Lizarran restaurants in 8 countries.

Rocambolesc, Carrer Santa Clara, 50, 17001. Ice cream parlor by one of the brothers of "El Celler de Can Roca" (3 Michelin stars). €2-3.

Llagurt, Carrer Argenteria, 3. Wide variety of artisan and organic yogurts.

Xocolateria l'Antiga, Placa del vi 8. Charming and classical place in the old town where you can enjoy a typical cup of "xocolata calenta" (hot chocolate).

Crepdequè, C/Ballesteries 49 Girona. Grab a crêpe in this tiny and classic place of Girona.

  • Divinum, C/Albereda, 7, +34 872 080 218. Great wine and cheese tasting, tapas, sometimes live Jazz music. Reasonable price. It's a small place, so you might need to book.
  • Draps, Carrer Cort-reial, 2, 17004. Good dishes. Most of them are made to share in 2 people, so the prices have to be divided in 2.
  • La Poma, Carrer Cort-Reial, 16, 17004, +34 972 21 29 09. Cosy and modern place with exquisite dishes and a wide and varied wine list.
  • Le Bistrot, Pujada de Sant Domenec, 4 (halfway on going down from Catedral by either side of Pujada de Sant Domenec, +34972 21-8803. Outdoor tables on arguably most spectacular staircase in the town. Alternatively, consider indoor seats near backyard windows. Frequented by students of the local university. Menu del dia: €17-20, available on Su also; no traditional menu.
  • Vintages, Carrer Cort-Reial, 15, 17004, +34 972 206 326. Seasonal products and dishes. Wide wine list.
  • Vinil, Carrer Cort-Reial, 17, 17004. Small and friendly place with excellent and tasty food.
  • La Penyora, Carrer del Teatre, 3, 17004. Great food and atmosphere, with a particular decoration, in a pretty little street in the old town.
  • Els Jardins de la Mercè. Peaceful and charming place with a fantastic garden in which to eat and drink. Excellent food and staff.
  • Mimolet, Carrer Pou Rodó, 12, 17004, +34 972 202 124. Amazing food with a delicious set menu and wines.
  • LlevaTaps, Plaça de l'Oli, 1, 17004, +34 972099112. Creative, fresh and seasonal products, along with wines from Empordà.
  • Vinomi, Passeig Sant Joan Bosco, 59-61, 17007. Wide range of wines and pretty good food. A bit far from the center.
  • El Cau del Llop, Carrer de Sacsimort, 5, +34 972 220 211. Traditional and simple cuisine with an extremely accurate selection of the products.
  • L'Alqueria, Ginesta núm. 8. 17001, +34 972 22 18 82. Traditional Valencian food, with an extensive range of rice dishes.
  • Arròs i Peix, C/ Ciutadans 20, +34 972 426 300. Fish and seafood: Pick out your fresh fish and have it cooked while you enjoy a glass of cava
  • El Didal, C/Lluís Batlle i Prat, 4, +34 972487898. Decorated with old irons as wall lights, ironing boards and sewing patterns. "El Didal" means "The Thimble".
  • Cal Ros, +34 972 219 176. With more than a century of history, this restaurant serves traditional Catalan food but with twists to a new modern and creative cuisine.
  • Bionbo, C/ del Carme 75, +34 972 299 309. Informal, fresh and dynamic cuisine with Catalan roots that blends flavours from around the world

Divinum, C/Albereda, 7, +34 872 080 218. Great wine and cheese tasting, tapas, sometimes live Jazz music. Reasonable price. It's a small place, so you might need to book.

Draps, Carrer Cort-reial, 2, 17004. Good dishes. Most of them are made to share in 2 people, so the prices have to be divided in 2.

La Poma, Carrer Cort-Reial, 16, 17004, +34 972 21 29 09. Cosy and modern place with exquisite dishes and a wide and varied wine list.

Le Bistrot, Pujada de Sant Domenec, 4 (halfway on going down from Catedral by either side of Pujada de Sant Domenec, +34972 21-8803. Outdoor tables on arguably most spectacular staircase in the town. Alternatively, consider indoor seats near backyard windows. Frequented by students of the local university. Menu del dia: €17-20, available on Su also; no traditional menu.

Vintages, Carrer Cort-Reial, 15, 17004, +34 972 206 326. Seasonal products and dishes. Wide wine list.

Vinil, Carrer Cort-Reial, 17, 17004. Small and friendly place with excellent and tasty food.

La Penyora, Carrer del Teatre, 3, 17004. Great food and atmosphere, with a particular decoration, in a pretty little street in the old town.

Els Jardins de la Mercè. Peaceful and charming place with a fantastic garden in which to eat and drink. Excellent food and staff.

Mimolet, Carrer Pou Rodó, 12, 17004, +34 972 202 124. Amazing food with a delicious set menu and wines.

LlevaTaps, Plaça de l'Oli, 1, 17004, +34 972099112. Creative, fresh and seasonal products, along with wines from Empordà.

Vinomi, Passeig Sant Joan Bosco, 59-61, 17007. Wide range of wines and pretty good food. A bit far from the center.

El Cau del Llop, Carrer de Sacsimort, 5, +34 972 220 211. Traditional and simple cuisine with an extremely accurate selection of the products.

L'Alqueria, Ginesta núm. 8. 17001, +34 972 22 18 82. Traditional Valencian food, with an extensive range of rice dishes.

Arròs i Peix, C/ Ciutadans 20, +34 972 426 300. Fish and seafood: Pick out your fresh fish and have it cooked while you enjoy a glass of cava

El Didal, C/Lluís Batlle i Prat, 4, +34 972487898. Decorated with old irons as wall lights, ironing boards and sewing patterns. "El Didal" means "The Thimble".

Cal Ros, +34 972 219 176. With more than a century of history, this restaurant serves traditional Catalan food but with twists to a new modern and creative cuisine.

Bionbo, C/ del Carme 75, +34 972 299 309. Informal, fresh and dynamic cuisine with Catalan roots that blends flavours from around the world

  • El Celler de Can Roca, Can Sunyer, 48 17007, +34 972 222 157. closed Christmas, Easter, 1 week end Aug/beginning Sept, Sun and Mon. 3 Michelin stars. Considered nowadays "the best restaurant in the world". It won the 1st position in "The World's 50 Best Restaurants 2013". Reservation required menu €130-180 (2013).
  • La Massana, Carrer Bonastruc de Porta, 10, 17001, +34 942 212820. 1 Michelin star menu €80, a-la-carte €52-67.
  • Nu, Carrer d'Abeuradors, 4, 17004, +34 972 22 52 30. menu €36-45, A-la-carte €31-35. Excellent and creative menu. The owner also owns La Massana. closed 1 week in Jun and Nov, Sun.

El Celler de Can Roca, Can Sunyer, 48 17007, +34 972 222 157. closed Christmas, Easter, 1 week end Aug/beginning Sept, Sun and Mon. 3 Michelin stars. Considered nowadays "the best restaurant in the world". It won the 1st position in "The World's 50 Best Restaurants 2013". Reservation required menu €130-180 (2013).

La Massana, Carrer Bonastruc de Porta, 10, 17001, +34 942 212820. 1 Michelin star menu €80, a-la-carte €52-67.

Nu, Carrer d'Abeuradors, 4, 17004, +34 972 22 52 30. menu €36-45, A-la-carte €31-35. Excellent and creative menu. The owner also owns La Massana. closed 1 week in Jun and Nov, Sun.

  • Il piccolo cafe, Passeig Canalejas. Su-W 09:00-00:00, Th-Sa 09:00-03:00. Very good atmosphere. Next to the river, Plaza Independencia and the car park area, Gayfriendly bar and good ambient.
  • La Bodega, Carrer Bonaventura Carreras i Peralta, 2. Very good atmosphere. Small winery in the heart of the Old Town, where people stand outside drinking wine or beer. Each cup costs around 2€, with some snacks included.
  • The River Cafè, Carrer de les Ballesteries, 23, 17004. Live music, drinks and food. Open all day.
  • Context Cafè-Bar, Carrer Pou Rodó, 21. Cafe and book shop: Drinks, good food, books, live music and many other activities.
  • Mckiernan's, Rambla de la Llibertat, 32, 17004. An Irish pub, crowded on weekends. Suitable place to have a drink. English friendly.
  • Sunset Jazz Club, Carrer de Jaume Pons Martí, 12, 17004. Live music shows, some of the top musicians of the national and international scenes, in addition to the great live jazz shows. Wide selection of the international classics and self created cocktails. Very cosy place.
  • Siddharta, Pedret, 116, 17007. A suitable place to try herbal teas.
  • Cu-Cut!, Plaça independència, 10, 17001. Nice place for the first drinks, and maybe the last too.
  • Lola cafe, Carrer Bonaventura Carreras Peralta, 7. Spanish rumba pub, every day there is a guest rumba band playing live. The maids are the nicest neighborhood.

Il piccolo cafe, Passeig Canalejas. Su-W 09:00-00:00, Th-Sa 09:00-03:00. Very good atmosphere. Next to the river, Plaza Independencia and the car park area, Gayfriendly bar and good ambient.

La Bodega, Carrer Bonaventura Carreras i Peralta, 2. Very good atmosphere. Small winery in the heart of the Old Town, where people stand outside drinking wine or beer. Each cup costs around 2€, with some snacks included.

The River Cafè, Carrer de les Ballesteries, 23, 17004. Live music, drinks and food. Open all day.

Context Cafè-Bar, Carrer Pou Rodó, 21. Cafe and book shop: Drinks, good food, books, live music and many other activities.

Mckiernan's, Rambla de la Llibertat, 32, 17004. An Irish pub, crowded on weekends. Suitable place to have a drink. English friendly.

Sunset Jazz Club, Carrer de Jaume Pons Martí, 12, 17004. Live music shows, some of the top musicians of the national and international scenes, in addition to the great live jazz shows. Wide selection of the international classics and self created cocktails. Very cosy place.

Siddharta, Pedret, 116, 17007. A suitable place to try herbal teas.

Cu-Cut!, Plaça independència, 10, 17001. Nice place for the first drinks, and maybe the last too.

Lola cafe, Carrer Bonaventura Carreras Peralta, 7. Spanish rumba pub, every day there is a guest rumba band playing live. The maids are the nicest neighborhood.

As is typical with these region of Catalonia, it can get quite hot in the summer. Take care and drink plenty of water throughout the day. There are a number of public water fountains which anyone can make use of and they are clearly marked on the city maps you get from the tourists office.

As for crime, Girona is generally a very safe town with a vigilant local population. It experiences crime that is typical of any city its size, but visitors have little to worry about from the town itself beyond possibly pickpocketing in large crowds. However, it is not uncommon to see local drunks and other vagabonds at the entrances to the footbridges across the Onyar River, especially on the Old Town side. While they generally keep to themselves, they will often beg for change.

While not the destination that Barcelona is for "stag" parties from Northern Europe, Girona does see its fair share of them, given that many of them fly in to the Girona Airport on their way to Barcelona.

It should go without saying, as it would seem obvious, but don't attempt to jump in to the Onyar River from any of the bridges across it. In addition to being difficult to get back out of, the water simply isn't deep enough for the height, and you will sustain any number of grievous injuries upon landing.

  • Barcelona – An hour to the south by train and the capital of Catalonia with an endless list of things to see and do.
  • Costa Brava – Rocky cliffs and a mix of pebble beaches and sandy beaches at Blanes, Cadaqués, Tossa de Mar ...
  • Girona Pyrenees – Monumental mountain towns, skying resorts and la Garrotxa volcanoes.