From Barcelona to Girona: 10 Great Things to Do in Girona, Spain

Planning a trip to Girona, Spain? What are the best things to do in Girona? We cover the highlights of this wonderful city and a few delicious eats.

Girona combines historical charm with vibrant cultural scenes in northeastern Spain’s Catalonia region. Notable for landmarks like the Girona Cathedral and the Eiffel Bridge, the city is more than just a scenic backdrop from Season 6 of Game of Thrones. It offers a rich history and culture, Michelin dining, and unique shopping experiences.

The warmth and hospitality of the locals immediately made us feel welcome. After concluding our Western Mediterranean cruise on the Norwegian Epic, we sought a peaceful escape from busy Barcelona and found it in Girona. This stay was undoubtedly the highlight of our extended week in Spain.

We spent three days in Girona, making it our home base. It is an ideal base for exploring the broader Northwest Region of Catalonia or venturing to the Costa Brava coast. You can plan a longer stay, or a day trip from Barcelona is enough to see this charming city, even if you’re docked in the city with a cruise. It’s very walkable, and you can experience the highlights in a short amount of time.

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In this post, we discuss the things to do in Girona and share our experiences and tips we learned from our trip.

Upon arriving in Girona and parking our rental outside the old city, we had no idea that turning a corner on the cobblestone streets would bring us face-to-face with the magnificent Cathedral of Girona. The sight was so stunning that all I could utter was, “Wow, wow!” Hubby, trailing with our suitcase, stopped in his tracks, his eyes wide with awe.

The grandeur of the Cathedral, one of the largest in Europe, is truly unexpected in person and far surpasses what any photo can capture. While many tourists snap a picture from the outside and move on, we highly recommend stepping inside to appreciate its full splendor. Inside, the beauty of the cathedral unfolds just as impressively.

Behind the Cathedral, don’t miss the serene Jardins de La Francesa, a lovely garden area that offers a perfect spot for reflection.

Key Facts About the Cathedral of Girona:

• Official Name: Cathedral of Saint Mary of Girona
• Architectural Styles: A blend of Romanesque, Baroque, and Gothic
• Steps to Enter: 90 steps leading up to the entrance
• Filming: Featured in Season 6 of Game of Thrones
• Noteworthy Feature: The Gothic Nave, the largest in the world, surpassing even St. Peter’s at the Vatican in size
• Entrance Fee: 7.50 €

Exploring the Cathedral of Girona offers a journey through remarkable architectural styles and a chance to step into a scene from Game of Thrones, making it a must-visit during your time in the city.

Note: Directly across from the Cathedral, Cafè l’Arc is a popular spot to grab a coffee and enjoy the view. It’s often busy, so snagging a seat can offer a perfect pause in your exploration of Girona.

Tour Ideas for Games of Thrones Fans:
Game of Thrones Walking Tour of Girona [book here]
Game of Thrones SMALL GROUP Tour in Girona from Barcelona [book here]

2. Walk the City Wall of Girona

Don’t miss the breathtaking city views from Girona’s Old City Wall, one of Europe’s longest and best-preserved medieval walls. This remarkable structure, spanning approximately 3 kilometers, was constructed between the 9th and 17th centuries to protect Girona from invaders.

While it’s easy to overlook, we highly recommend adding this FREE public gem to your itinerary. Start your exploration behind Girona Cathedral; one of the wall’s entrances is just around the corner. Prepare for a bit of a climb as no signs guide the way—this part of your visit will involve a mini adventure. Follow the path around the cathedral until you encounter rustic iron gates that lead to a garden and down some rocky steps. This route is a bit tricky, so those who need steadier footing should take care.

The walk along the wall takes about 30-40 minutes and offers stunning panoramas of the city. Several staircases and viewpoints provide unique perspectives. The journey concludes with an exit down a set of stairs leading to a different part of Girona.

100% worth the trek.

3. Explore the Jewish Quarter (El Call)

Situated in the old town, El Call, the Jewish Quarter of Girona, stands out as one of the city’s most picturesque and well-preserved areas. Just steps away from the Cathedral, this neighborhood is steeped in history, with the Jewish History Museum close by, adding depth to its rich past.

Our Airbnb was conveniently located in this area, allowing us to explore its narrow, winding streets brimming with character effortlessly. It’s nearly impossible to resist photographing every turn.

What captivated me most were the ancient homes along the main streets, now transformed into charming apartment buildings. The doors to these buildings are occasionally left open, revealing stunning courtyards that offer a glimpse of the charm hidden behind the facades.

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Interestingly, the Eiffel Bridge (Pont de les Peixateries Velles) was designed and built by Gustave Eiffel—yes, the same engineer behind the Eiffel Tower in Paris!

Constructed in 1877, just before the Eiffel Tower, this bridge is a marvel of engineering. Its striking red paint sets it apart from the surrounding pastel-colored buildings, creating a vivid contrast. Spanning the river, the bridge connects Girona’s old town with the newer parts of the city, offering stunning views and a perfect photo opportunity.

Traveling brings surprises, like learning that this architectural gem shares its creator with one of the world’s most famous monuments. It’s no wonder that the Eiffel Bridge is a favored spot for photographers and one of the top attractions in Girona.

5. Go on a Girona Food Tour

The best tagline ever belongs to Girona Food Tours.

A food tour in Girona is delicious but fun and educational, seamlessly blending food, history, and culture. We had an amazing experience with Girona Food Tours, which provided an exceptional guide and a well-planned route through the city’s culinary highlights. Given the fantastic array of foods we tried, the cost was worth every penny.

You’ll start your foodie journey at a local bakery cafe, visit places like a vibrant farmers market, and enjoy a jamón tasting. The tour includes a fantastic lunch with wine, tapas, and an entrée and concludes delightfully with dessert.

The tour also offers insights into Catalan culture. On tour, they explained the traditional five meals daily, including why the heaviest meal is eaten at lunchtime. This sheds light on the cultural practices of siestas and late-night tapas.

We recommend booking food tours in advance, ideally on one of the first days of your trip, to enhance your understanding and enjoyment of the local cuisine.

Tour Ideas:
Walking Tour in Girona History and Gastronomy with Tasting [book here]
The Original Girona Food & Market Tour [book here]

6. Try the Local Girona Pastry: Xuixo

One of our first delightful discoveries on the Girona food tour was at a charming local bakery and cafe, where we encountered the xuixo (pronounced “shoo-shoo”). This flaky, buttery pastry, a specialty of Girona, is deep-fried and generously filled with Catalan cream, then rolled in cinnamon sugar. It’s an indulgence worth adding to your culinary adventures in the city. Truly, it was one of the best pastries I’ve ever had, and I am still thinking about it.

7. Visit Mercat del Lleó

This is one of the shops at the market where we stopped to taste local cheeses, jams, and olive oils. We took a few things home from here.

Even if you decide against a food tour, visiting Girona’s Mercat del Lleó is a must for any food lover. This vibrant farmers market is a treasure trove of the freshest produce, meats, and local delicacies—everything a local would need to prepare a delicious meal.

While exploring the market, we tried something our-of-the-norm at a local butcher’s stall—the candied meat sausage. According to local legend, this unusual dish was created by a woman who hoped to deter her husband from inviting guests by serving them something bizarre. Contrary to her intentions, it became a beloved specialty. The sausage certainly has an acquired taste; I found it intriguing, but I could only manage a few bites while my husband thoroughly enjoyed it.

Don’t miss the chance to pick up some unique Girona treats to take home; it’s a perfect way to bring a taste of your travels back with you.

Girona’s Arab Baths (Banys Arabs) are among the most impressive and best-preserved in Europe, dating back to the 12th century. Originally designed as a sophisticated spa, these baths showcase remarkable engineering from the medieval period. Adding to their allure, they were also featured in Season 6, Episode 8 of Game of Thrones.

After a day of exploring, treat yourself at Rocambolesc Gelateria. This unique spot was created by Jordi Roca, the youngest of the three Roca brothers of the famed Celler de Can Roca, and it’s a delicious gem in Girona. The gelato shop gives off strong Willy Wonka vibes, making it a fun and must-visit location.

The gelateria is about delicious gelato and celebrating a local culinary hero, which makes Girona’s residents proud. If you can’t dine at the restaurants, sampling gelato at Rocambolesc is a great alternative.

One highlight is their ice cream sandwiches: choose a flavor, and they’ll stuff it into a brioche bun and toast it, serving it warm with cold, creamy gelato inside. They also offer a variety of interesting, sometimes seasonal, homemade flavors.

Don’t miss our video of the ice cream sandwich being prepared.

While exploring Girona, stroll down Rambla de la Llibertad, one of the city’s most iconic streets. Lined with trees and brimming with shops, cafes, and restaurants, it’s the perfect spot for an afternoon wander. As you meander, admire the stunning architecture that characterizes this vibrant area. Whether it’s a peaceful walk or catching an impromptu protest, the Rambla is a dynamic part of Girona’s charm.

Plan a Day Trip to Girona from Barcelona

Planning a day trip to Girona from Barcelona is a great idea and perfectly doable!

• Start Early: Catch a train from Barcelona-Sants station to Girona.
• Book Round-Trip: Ensure you have a set departure from Girona and secure your return ticket in advance. [Book tickets on Trainline.com]
• Optional Drive: Rent a car and drive to Girona.
• Explore at Leisure: The old town is compact and can be comfortably explored on foot in a day.
• Dine Out: Interested in Michelin-guide dining in Girona? Book your table ahead of time.

Is one day enough in Girona?

If you’re short on time, one day is sufficient to see Girona’s highlights like the Girona Cathedral, the Eiffel Bridge, and the city wall. However, for a more relaxed experience, we recommend staying at least two days. This allows you to explore the city more thoroughly and enjoy its attractions without feeling rushed.

Can I Plan a day trip from Barcelona cruise port to Girona?

YES. If you have a long day at Barcelona port, you can make this a quick day trip to Girona by taking the train, taking a tour, or renting a car. The key is to leave as early as possible and book the fast train out of Barcelona-Sants station (a 20-minute car ride from the cruise terminal), which is a 40-minute train ride to Girona. The Girona train station is about a 15-minute walk to Old Town. Always plan to return to the port in time for your cruise departure.

Tour Ideas:
Private Medieval Girona Tour with Pick-Up [book now]
City Explorer: Girona Private Day Trip [book now]

Planning a longer stay in Girona, Spain?
See what hotels and B&Bs are available in the area.

Is there a train from Barcelona to Girona?

Yes, a high-speed train from Barcelona to Girona will get you there in just 40 minutes. You can check the schedule and book tickets from Barcelona-Sants station online. Make sure to confirm the timing before your trip to plan accordingly.

Is Girona worth visiting?

Yes! Girona is perfect if you enjoy charming European medieval cities with lots of history, great foodie spots, and things to do. The city is also very walkable and easy to get around.

What is there to do in Girona, Spain?

There is plenty to do in Girona, Spain—enough to warrant a visit at least once. In Roman times, it was the gateway to Spain. The city’s long and varied history makes it so interesting to visit.