Girona

Barri Vell Boutique Hotel

A restored stone building inside the old town walls, steps from the cathedral stairs and the lanes of El Call.

Cases de l'Onyar Riverside Apartment

A modern apartment with views of the colorful riverside houses, a short walk across Eiffel's footbridge to the old town.

Gran Via Family Hotel

A practical modern hotel on Girona's newer boulevard, close to the train station and a 15-minute walk to the old town.

El Call Jewish Quarter Guesthouse

A small guesthouse inside a centuries-old building in El Call, on narrow medieval lanes near the Museum of Jewish History.

Devesa Park Family Apartment

A spacious apartment near the tree-lined Parc de la Devesa, with easy access to both the old town and modern Girona.

Girona-Costa Brava Airport Hotel

A convenient hotel near GRO airport for early Ryanair flights, with a shuttle bus into central Girona in about 20 minutes.

Girona-Costa Brava Airport (GRO)

A Ryanair hub about 12 km south of the city, often cheaper to fly into than Barcelona, with a direct bus to the center.

Girona AVE High-Speed Train Station

Girona's train station connects to Barcelona Sants in about 38 minutes and to the French border and Paris northward on the high-speed line.

Walking the Old Town

Barri Vell is entirely walkable, though narrow stone lanes and staircases mean comfortable shoes matter more than a stroller.

Girona City Buses

A local bus network links the train station, Devesa park and outer neighborhoods to the edge of the old town.

Regional Trains to Costa Brava and Figueres

Regional Rodalies trains from Girona reach Figueres in about 30-40 minutes and connect toward Costa Brava coastal towns via bus transfers.

Car Rental for Costa Brava and Besalú

A rental car is the easiest way to reach smaller Costa Brava coves and the medieval town of Besalú, which have limited public transport.

El Celler de Can Roca

El Celler de Can Roca is a fine dining restaurant run by three brothers, celebrated for its inventive variations on traditional Catalan recipes. It boasts a 4.8-star rating from 4673 reviews.

📍Carrer de Can Sunyer, 48, 17007 Girona, Spain · View on map

Casa Marieta Restaurant

Casa Marieta Restaurant is an upscale family landmark offering traditional Catalan dishes in a cozy space with wood beams and stone walls. It's highly acclaimed with a 4.4-star rating from 7937 reviews.

📍Pl. de la Independència, 5, 6, 17001 Girona, Spain · View on map

La Fabrica Girona

La Fabrica Girona is a highly-rated brunch restaurant, boasting 4.5 stars from 4215 reviews. This mellow spot offers brunch, coffee, cocktails, and vegan snacks, featuring bikes on the walls and outdoor seating.

📍Carrer de la Llebre, 3, 17004 Girona, Spain · View on map

Restaurant El Cul del Món

Restaurant El Cul del Món is a highly-rated restaurant, boasting 4.5 stars from 1758 reviews.

📍Disseminat de Sant Daniel, 3, 17007 Girona, Spain · View on map

Octopus | Girona

Octopus | Girona is a seafood restaurant. It boasts a 4.5-star rating from 1171 reviews.

📍Carrer Migdia, 24, 17002 Girona, Spain · View on map

B-12 Restaurant Bar Vegà

B-12 Restaurant Bar Vegà is a vegan restaurant with a rating of 4.3 from 973 reviews.

📍Carrer de les Hortes, 7, 17001 Girona, Spain · View on map

Walking the City Walls (Passeig de la Muralla)

A walkway along Girona's medieval ramparts offers wide views over the old town's rooftops and the surrounding hills, a favorite with kids who like to explore.

Museu del Cinema

An interactive museum tracing the history of cinema through pre-film optical toys, early cameras and hands-on exhibits that fascinate curious kids.

Dalí Theatre-Museum Day Trip

A short train ride to Figueres brings the family to Salvador Dalí's surreal, playful museum, designed by the artist himself with a geodesic dome roof.

Rocambolesc Ice Cream Stop

Jordi Roca's colorful ice cream shop with build-your-own cones and unusual toppings is a guaranteed hit for kids after a day of walking.

Costa Brava Beach Day

Coves like Tossa de Mar and Calella de Palafrugell are an easy drive or bus ride from Girona, offering calm water and sandy stretches for kids.

Game of Thrones Location Spotting

Older kids and teen fans can recognize Girona's cathedral steps, Sant Feliu and the old town lanes used as Braavos and King's Landing in season 6.

Catedral de Girona (Santa Maria)

A Gothic cathedral with the widest Gothic nave in the world, reached by a dramatic flight of 90 Baroque steps that doubled as the 'Sept of Baelor' in Game of Thrones.

El Call Jewish Quarter

One of Europe's best-preserved medieval Jewish quarters, a maze of narrow 12th-century lanes and stairways once home to a thriving Jewish community.

Museu d'Història dels Jueus

Housed in a former synagogue building within El Call, this museum traces the life, culture and eventual expulsion of Girona's medieval Jewish community.

Pont de les Peixateries Velles (Eiffel Bridge)

An iron pedestrian footbridge over the Onyar river designed by Gustave Eiffel's company, offering the classic postcard view of the colorful riverside houses.

Banys Àrabs (Arab Baths)

A 12th-century Romanesque bathhouse inspired by Moorish design, with a striking domed central chamber and columned apodyterium room.

Monestir de Sant Pere de Galligants

A Romanesque monastery beside the Galligants stream now housing Catalonia's Archaeological Museum, with a peaceful cloister and bell tower.

Mass at Catedral de Girona

Girona's cathedral, dedicated to Saint Mary, holds regular Catholic Mass in its vast Gothic nave, the widest of its kind in the world.

Basílica de Sant Feliu

A Romanesque and Gothic basilica just below the cathedral, holding early Christian sarcophagi and the tomb of Sant Narcís, Girona's patron saint.

El Call Synagogue Site

The medieval synagogue site within El Call, now part of the Museum of Jewish History, marks the spiritual heart of Girona's historic Jewish community.

Monestir de Sant Daniel

A quiet Benedictine convent on the eastern edge of the old town, still home to a small community of nuns amid a peaceful valley setting.

Esglesia de Sant Feliu Bell Tower

The truncated bell tower of Sant Feliu, damaged by lightning centuries ago and never fully rebuilt, remains a distinctive feature of Girona's skyline.

Setmana Santa Processions

Holy Week processions wind through the old town's stepped lanes with religious brotherhoods and traditional Catalan hymns.

Girona Fira de Mostres Exhibition Ground

Girona's exhibition and trade fair venue hosts regional business, agricultural and consumer fairs throughout the year.

Parc Científic i Tecnològic de la Universitat de Girona

A university-linked science and technology park hosting startups, research labs and companies in food tech, robotics and health innovation.

Girona Coworking Spaces

Several coworking hubs near the train station and Gran Via offer fast internet, meeting rooms and flexible desks for remote-working parents.

Girona Food Industry Cluster

The province around Girona hosts a cluster of food and culinary innovation businesses, anchored by the reputation of Michelin-starred kitchens like El Celler de Can Roca.

Universitat de Girona Conferences

The public university hosts academic conferences across sciences, tourism studies and the humanities, with several buildings inside the historic center.

Girona Chamber of Commerce Events

The regional chamber of commerce hosts networking sessions and business seminars covering the province's tourism, food and manufacturing sectors.

Emergency Number 112

Dial 112 for life-threatening emergencies anywhere in Spain.

Hospital Universitari Doctor Josep Trueta

Girona's main reference hospital, a short drive or taxi from the old town, provides full 24-hour emergency care.

Pharmacy (Farmàcia) Locator

Green cross pharmacy signs are found throughout the old town and Gran Via; a rotating 'farmàcia de guàrdia' stays open overnight in each district.

Steep Stairs and Cobblestone Safety

The cathedral's 90 steps and El Call's polished medieval lanes can be slippery and steep — wear shoes with good grip, especially after rain.

Summer Heat Precautions

July and August bring high inland heat with little shade in open old-town squares — carry water and plan outdoor sightseeing for morning or evening.

Rain and River Level Awareness

Heavy rain can raise the Onyar river quickly — during storms, avoid the lowest riverside walkways and follow posted local advisories.

Road Cycling Around Girona

Girona has become a hub for professional and amateur road cyclists, with quiet countryside roads and gentle climbs through the surrounding hills.

Costa Brava Coastal Hiking

The Camí de Ronda coastal path links Costa Brava's coves and cliffs with scenic day-hike sections near Tossa de Mar and Calella de Palafrugell.

Onyar River Kayaking

Guided kayak tours on the Ter or nearby rivers near Girona offer a different vantage point on the Catalan countryside for active families.

Golf in the Girona Countryside

Several well-regarded golf courses in the countryside around Girona and toward the coast offer a relaxed round set among Catalan hills.

Running the City Walls Loop

An early-morning run along the Passeig de la Muralla and around Parc de la Devesa gives active travelers a scenic loop before sightseeing begins.

Girona FC Football Match

Watch Girona FC play at Estadi Montilivi, a compact stadium a short walk from the old town with a passionate local following.

Private Guided Old Town Tour

A certified local guide leads a private family tour through the cathedral, El Call and city walls, adding historical context an audio guide misses.

Airport Transfer & Fast Track

A private door-to-door transfer from Girona-Costa Brava Airport (GRO) skips the shared-shuttle wait for families with luggage or young children.

El Celler de Can Roca Reservation Assistance

A concierge service that monitors the restaurant's release windows and secures a table months ahead for families set on dining there.

SIM Card & Travel WiFi

Spanish SIM cards are available at GRO airport and shops near the train station — cheap EU data roaming covers the whole trip.

Luggage Storage Near the Train Station

Store bags at a certified facility near the AVE station to explore the old town freely before check-in or after checkout.

Family Photography Session

Local photographers offer family photo sessions on the cathedral steps or Eiffel's footbridge overlooking the colorful riverside houses at golden hour.

Best Family Months

April, May, June, September and October offer the mildest, most walkable weather for the cathedral steps and city walls.

Temps de Flors Flower Festival

For about two weeks in May, courtyards, staircases and monuments across the old town fill with elaborate flower displays, Girona's signature annual event.

Hot, Crowded Summer

July and August bring the highest temperatures and biggest crowds in the narrow old-town lanes — plan indoor breaks during peak afternoon heat.

Fires de Sant Narcís

Girona's autumn festival, honoring patron saint Sant Narcís, runs from late October into November with concerts, markets and fairground rides across the city.

Mild Wet Winters

December through February stays cool but rarely freezing, with occasional rain and shorter daylight hours for sightseeing.

Shoulder Season Value

April, June, September and October offer noticeably lower accommodation prices than the Temps de Flors and summer peaks, with comfortable sightseeing weather.

Arrive Early for the Cathedral Steps

The 90 Baroque steps are the city's most photographed spot and a Game of Thrones filming location — arrive before 9am to shoot them without crowds.

Wear Sturdy Shoes in El Call

El Call's narrow lanes and stairways are uneven and occasionally slippery underfoot, so trade sandals for supportive walking shoes before exploring.

Girona Works Well as a Barcelona Day Trip — But Stay a Night

The 38-minute AVE from Barcelona makes Girona an easy day trip, but staying one quiet night lets families see the old town at dusk without the day-tripper crowds.

Book Temps de Flors Accommodation Early

The May flower festival fills every courtyard and monument with displays and draws huge crowds — reserve rooms and restaurant tables well ahead if visiting then.

Flying into GRO Is Often Cheaper Than Barcelona

Girona-Costa Brava Airport is a Ryanair hub, and comparing both airports for the same dates frequently turns up meaningfully lower fares into GRO.

Skip the Wait at El Celler de Can Roca — Try Rocambolesc Instead

El Celler de Can Roca requires reservations months in advance, but Rocambolesc, the Roca family's ice cream shop, offers a same-day taste of their creativity.