Wanderyn
Girona
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
city · ES

Girona

Recommended stay: 1 day
Getting around: Girona's old town is compact, hilly, and made for walking, with the cathedral steps, medieval walls, and colorful riverside houses along the Onyar all within a short distance of each other. It has an AVE high-speed train station connecting to Barcelona in under 40 minutes, making it one of the easiest and most worthwhile day trips from the city, and it's also a hub for exploring the Costa Brava if you're driving.
Hours: The cathedral and Arab Baths close for a midday break and on certain days depending on season; the medieval city walls (Passeig de la Muralla) are free to walk and offer good views, open during daylight hours.

Girona's old town is one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Catalonia, built up a hillside above the Onyar river, whose banks are lined with brightly painted houses that make for the city's most photographed view. Its Jewish quarter (El Call) is among the best-preserved in Europe, a legacy of what was once a significant medieval Jewish community before the 1492 expulsion, and the cathedral has the widest Gothic nave in the world.

Girona gained a wider following after appearing as a filming location for Game of Thrones (its medieval streets stood in for parts of Braavos and King's Landing), which brought a wave of new visitors and themed walking tours, but the city's real appeal — dense medieval architecture, a walkable defensive wall, and a genuinely good, less touristy food scene than Barcelona — holds up on its own merits.

Girona FAQs

Is Girona worth a day trip from Barcelona?

Yes, very much so — the AVE train takes under 40 minutes and the old town is one of the best-preserved medieval cores in Catalonia.

Is Girona connected to Game of Thrones?

Yes, several scenes were filmed in its medieval streets, and themed tours now capitalize on this, though the city's history stands independently of the show.

How long do I need in Girona?

A full day covers the old town, cathedral, Jewish quarter, and city walls comfortably; it also works as a half-day stop if time is tight.

Is the Girona Cathedral worth visiting?

Yes, it has the widest Gothic nave in the world and a good small museum, plus the climb up its famous steps for a view over the old town.

Can I combine Girona with the Costa Brava?

Yes, it's a natural inland base for exploring Costa Brava towns like Tossa de Mar or Cadaqués if you have a car.

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