A Day Trip to Girona, Spain

If you find yourself with some spare time while in the Catalonia region of Spain, a great option for a day trip is to the small city of Girona. While only a 40 minute train ride from Barcelona, the colorful city couldn’t feel more different than the bustling Catalonia capital. The city is characterized by gorgeous medieval and Roman architecture, a picturesque river, and winding streets filled with quaint shops and restaurants.

If you’re interested in exploring Girona, keep reading to learn everything you need to know to plan the perfect trip!

How to Get to Girona

Unless you already have a rental car, I would recommend taking the high-speed train to Girona. It’s only a 40 minute trip from Barcelona and there are multiple departure times a day. If you are really set on driving, keep in mind that parking can be difficult in the city. You may end up walking a fair bit to reach the Old Quarter.

If you take the train from Barcelona, it leaves from Barcelona-Sants station which can be reached by metro. You can purchase your tickets when you arrive at the station from a kiosk or online beforehand from Rail Europe. If you’re in Spain during peak season, it’s never a bad idea to buy in advance. When making your purchase, make sure to choose the high-speed option because there are other trains that make many stops along the way.

What to Do in Girona

Even through Girona is small, there is a surprising amount of things to see and do to keep you busy! You can easily spend a day exploring the area.

Tour Girona’s Walled Old Quarter

Girona has a long and complicated history. The city’s origins date back more than 2,000 years when it began as a small Iberian settlement before garnering the interest of the Romans who built a citadel there and named the city 'Gerunda'. Since then, the city has undergone twenty-five sieges and been captured seven times.

If you have time to take a walking tour of Girona, you won’t regret it. You’ll get to hear the story behind some of the city’s more iconic landmarks including the Cathedral of Girona, 13th-century Jewish Quarter, Basilica de Sant Feliu, Banys Àrabs, Sant Pere de Galligants, and more.

One of the best preserved remnants of Girona’s past is the Muralles de Girona—the city walls protecting the Old Quarter. These ancient walls were built during the Roman period in the first century BC and are still in excellent shape. The walls are open to the public and if you decide to walk their perimeter, you will be rewarded with breathtaking views of the city and surrounding countryside.

Something else a tour might highlight is Girona’s more recent history in the entertainment industry. Girona has been used as a filming location for several well-known television shows and movies. Perhaps most famously, the Cathedral of Girona and various streets within the Old Quarter were used prominently in the Game of Thrones.

Get Lost in the Winding Streets

In my opinion, the best way to get acquainted with Girona is to wander the winding streets of the Old Quarter. The Old Quarter hugs the River Onyar and is filled with medieval architecture, colorful old homes, and picturesque bridges. It’s the perfect area to get lost in and feel like you’ve stepped back in time.

For you photographers out there, two of the best locations to capture iconic pictures of the city are from Pont de Sant Agustí and Pont de les Peixateries Velles (Eiffel Bridge).

Take Advantage of City Festivals

Girona has several festivals throughout the year that get a lot of attention. My husband and I visited the city during Temps de Flors, a famous flower festival. I loved seeing all the flower displays, especially mixed in with the ancient architecture. Unfortunately, that did mean that the city was much busier than it normally would be. I actually would have preferred to forgo the festival in exchange for fewer crowds, but that’s just me! It’s a really interesting way to experience the city, so something worth considering.

Where to Eat in Girona

Even though Girona is small, there are a surprising number of great restaurants and bars in the area. Below are a few options to consider.

El Celler de Can Roca

This chic bistro is known for inventive variations on traditional Catalan recipes.

Massana Restaurant

If you’re looking for fine dining, this is it! It has an excellent tasting menu that includes a wine pairing.

Crepdeque

If you’re a crepe lover, this is a can’t miss! I was a big fan of their more savory options.

8de7

This stylish venue offers contemporary Catalan small plates which are great for sharing.

LaFerla

If you’re looking for homemade pastas and local ingredients, this Mediterranean restaurant is the perfect choice.

Girona makes for the perfect day trip. No matter how you choose to experience the city, you’re sure to fall in love with it. For additional Spain recommendations, be sure to check out my posts highlighting the top seven things to do in Barcelona and how to plan a day trip to Montserrat. As always, if you have any questions, do not hesitate to reach out! I’m happy to help.

If you’re planning a more extensive trip to Spain, be sure to check out the top 7 things to do in Barcelona and planning a day trip to Montserrat!

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My name is Kolby Tallentire and I’m the creator of Tallentire Travels! This site formed out of my unending love of travel. My goal is to bring you the best travel recommendations for every destination. Learn More