How to Spend a Day in Girona - A Local’s Itinerary
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Girona seen from above. Photo: Patronat de Turisme Costa Brava Pirineu de Girona, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Girona is my hometown and it is my city. I love it, I appreciate it, and also, after spending my whole life here, I know it very well. I’m very proud of this little city to the north of Barcelona, and I never get tired of sharing it with friends from other parts of Spain and visitors from abroad.
Because Girona is small, if you plan your route here well you can easily see everything of touristic interest in as little as a (very busy) morning or afternoon. And that’s exactly what I’ve planned for you with this itinerary! Below, I’ve outlined a comprehensive walking route through town that takes in all the main sights and shows you the very best that Girona has to offer.
The route should take you about 4 or 5 hours if you do everything, but it might be more pleasant if you extend it a bit, adding in some stops for coffee, treats (we have some excellent traditional sweets here and a fantastic culinary scene overall), or a meal or two. And if you’re here for more than just day, you could also break this up a bit, dooing part of the route in the morning, then heading out of town for the afternoon either to the coast or surrounding countryside, and finishing up the rest of the plan later in the day.
There’s no wrong way to explore Girona, so no matter how you visit, I’m sure you’ll have a great time.
One final note before we get into the itinerary: Girona’s old town (the Barri Vell) has A LOT of stairs and steep streets, so you should wear comfortable shoes and be prepared for a bit of effort. The hard work will make you appreciate the sights and views that much more!
Also, while I’ve tried to provide a nice introduction toeach of the places that I’ve included in the itinerary (so that you know what you’re seeing), there is of course a limit to what I can include in an article like this. There’s also a limit to what I know, as I’m not a historian or local guide.
With that in mind, if you want to really get to know everything about this place, I’d suggest taking a walking tour with my cousin Dolça, who is a local guide here in Girona. She’s great, and I’m not saying that just because we’re related!
And once you’ve finished reviewing the itinerary, have a look at some of our other guides and articles on Catalunya to help with more of your planning:
Table of Contents
Girona planning cheatsheet
Plan your itinerary with expert advice
- Book a Spain travel consultation with a local expert
My favorite hotels in the Costa Brava
- Mas de Torrent - total luxury in Calella de Palafrugell. $300/night
- Hotel Aiguablava - an elegant classic in Begur. $175/night
- Hotel Aiguaclara - eclectic, boutique style in the heart of Begur. $120/night
- Hotel Casamar - breezy ocean views in Llafranc. $115/night
Guided tours and activities
- Private tours of Barcelona and Girona with Dolça
- Private Costa Brava day trip from Barcelona
- Small group full-day Costa Brava tour
- Highlights of Catalonia: Montserrat, Girona, & Costa Brava in a day
- Half-day Catamaran cruise (from Lloret de Mar)
How to get around
- Car rentals with DiscoverCars
- Train tickets from Renfe
- Bus routes at Sarfa and Sagales
My suggested Girona walking tour
Let’s start our tour of Girona at one of its most iconic sights, the Pont de Pedra (“Stone Bridge”) which lies at the crossroads between the old city and the modern expansion where most of us locals actually live nowadays.
Here, you’ll be introduced to one of the most beautiful sights in Girona, with the row of colorful houses known as the Casas de Onyar extending out in front of you on either side of the Onyar River. If you’ve already seen photos of Girona, there’s no doubt that this vista will have been among them.
You can also see the city’s towering cathedral in the background from here, as well as several other bridges that cross the river. Be on the lookout for one in particular, the red iron bridge called Pont de les Peixateries Velles, which is also known as the Eiffel Bridge, because it was built by the company of Gustave Eiffel, the architect of the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
The Pont de Pedra. Photo: Czeva, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The colorful Casas de Onyar with the cathedral rising above
Girona’s “Eiffel Bridge”
Cross the bridge and you’ll find yourself on the Plaça del Vi, one of Girona’s main squares, and a lovely open space that holds our City Hall and a bunch of cozy bars and restaurants lying beneath the porticoes surrounding the square. It’s a great spot to grab a coffee (or a drink, depending on what time you’re here).
Two of the Historic Quarter’s principal streets begin on either end of the square, running parallel to each other and the river throughout much of the Old Town. These are the Carrer Ciutadans and La Rambla de La Llibertat, and they’re both worth strolling along. There are tons of tiny little alleyways running between them, as well as pretty squares, countless lovely old buildings, and medieval porches and porticos.
So take your time here and just weave back and forth between the two streets, enjoying the atmosphere and architecture. The entire area is completely pedestrianized, so it’s a joy to wander in.
Just a short ways down the Carrer Ciutadans is the Carrer de la Cort Reial, and the intersection of these two streets is a wonderfully lively little spot, especially in the evenings when it feels up with people out and about for tapas, drinks, or just to chat with friends. This was once where the city’s hay market was, and it’s now a popular gathering spot.
If you turn right on this street, you’ll see one of the most beautiful and iconic corners of Girona, with the Pujada de Sant Domènec and its famous staircase directly in front of you. Right where the stairs begin is the famous El Bistrot bar, with its outdoor tables atop the steps, and on the left, you have the former palace of the Agullana family, with its unbelievably pretty vaulted porch suspended in the air above you. If you’re a fan of the Game of Thrones TV show, you’re sure to recognize this as one of its filming locations. I’ve actually been here while they were recording scenes, which was pretty cool!
Less-well known but still very interesting is the Odeon Theater here, which was a theater built in the 19th century that has since been converted into a bicycle shop and event hall. I don’t know if this is common knowledge, but Girona is a major destination and point of reference for cycling lovers all over the world, thanks in large part to Lance Armstrong, who came here 20 years ago to train. He chose the city because it and the surrounding region have very little car traffic, the difficult terrain makes for tough but good training, and the landscapes are spectacular.
The Plaça del Vi during the Temps de Flors festival. Photo: Enric, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
La Rambla Llibertat. Photo: Soniettte, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped
The Pujada de Sant Domènec. Photo: Emvallmitjana, CC BY-SA 3.0 ES, via Wikimedia Commons
When you’re ready to move on, make your way to Carrer de la Força (which is really just the extension of Carrer Ciutadens), which is the main street of the Jewish Quarter (“El Call”). Girona had a thriving Jewish community for many hundreds of years, from the middle ages until the Spanish inquisition, when they were expelled from the city - in 1492 specifically. This is of course a very sad history, and while the community never returned, the neighborhood is stunningly beautiful, filled with dark and narrow, almost cinematic alleys, little staircases, and ancient stone buildings.
If you continue all the way along Carrer de la Força, it will eventually take you to the absurdly impressive Catedral de Girona. This is a monumental building and it stands atop a massive staircase towering over its namesake square. The cathedral and steps also make an appearance in the Game of Thrones series, although in the show they have a view out to the sea, which of course is not actualy the case. The real view isn’t bad either though!
Ok, it’s now time to climb the famous stairs and head up to the cathedral. I suggest you count each one as you ascend them (I won't tell you the exact number!), but if you want to skip the stairs there’s also a side alley off the square that will get you up there.
Head inside the cathedral and prepared to be awed by its vastness; this church has the widest Gothic nave in the world, and it’s so broad it feels like a soccer stadium! The church museum is worth visiting, with its 11th-century Tapestry of Creation and the Romanesque cloister, which is truly magnificent.
While at the cathedral, make sure you find the petrified witch, a gargoyle statue similar to the ones in the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris. There’s a legend surrounding this statue, which says that in the 15th-century an evil witch was terrorizing the city, until, as divine punishment, an angel turned her to stone. There’s a lot more to the story than that, but I’ll let you do some research if you want to know the whole legend!
Carrer de la Força in the Jewish Quarter. Photo: Enfo, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The main façade of the cathedral and the monumental staircase leading to it. Photo: Fernando, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The stairs and square leading up to the cathedral. Photo: Doronenko, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
You’ve just climbed the stairs to the cathedral, but it’s now time to head even higher! So go behind the church to the Jardins dels Alemanys (Gardens of the Germans), a lovely little elevated green area that’s one of the entry points to Girona’s city walls.
It’s now time to walk along the Passeig de la Muralla, which in total is a 3-kilometer walkway that runs all along Girona’s incredibly impressive city walls. Starting at the Gardens, you can climb the Torre de les Hores, which provides a privileged view of the old quarter, the wall itself, and the entire region (including the Saint Daniel Valley, where I have lived all my life!). If you happen to be here in the evening, it’s a spectacular spot catch the sunset.
However you choose to walk the walls, at some point make your way to/along the northern stretch of them, which is known as the Passeig arqueològic. Toward the end of the walls, you’ll reach the Monastery of Sant Pere de Galligants, a super impressive 10th century former monastery. It’s an archaeological museum nowadays, and unless you’re super interested in that, I’d skip heading inside. Its really the structure itself that’s noteworthy.
From the monastery, you’re just a few steps away from another of Girona’s most famous sights: the 13th-century Banys Àrabs (“Arabic Baths”). Their name is totally misleading as the baths are not in any way Arabic and have nothing to do with the period when the Moors controlled Girona, but they’re still a special place. Tiny, intimate, and very atmospheric. And just to confuse you a bit more, you should know that they were actually built in the style of a traditional Roman bath!
The Monastery of Sant Pere de Galligants
Looking out over the city from the walls
A section of the massive city walls. Photo: Zorro2212, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
From the baths, head down to the banks of the Onyar River (just a few steps away) until you reach the Basilica of Sant Feliu, with its characteristic pointed bell tower. This is another of Girona’s most important churches, and it was actually the city’s principal place of worship before the cathedral was built.
The church is interesting for its mix of Romanesque, Gothic, and Baroque elements, but the real reason to visit is to head inside to see the tomb of Saint Narcís, the our patron saint. Legend has it that during the French siege of Girona in 1285, soldiers came here intending to loot the saint’s sarcophagus but were thwarted by thousands of flies who rushed out of his tomb, sending the would-be thieves fleeing.
Just beside the Basilica is the Plaça de la Lleona, with the river directly in front of it. Here, you’ll find a small but very important statue of a lioness atop a column. This has long been a symbol of Girona, which according to tradition, is guaranteed to ensure your return to the city if you kiss her bottom!
There used to be a few steps here that made it possible to get up and give her a smooch, but they removed those following covid for hygienic reasons. The original 12th-century statue was also actually moved elsewhere in the 1980’s so what you see today is a replica. Even so, you can still give the statue a little rub and hopefully it’ll still ensure you make it back here at some point in the future!
The Basilica of Sant Feliu. Photo: Doronenko, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The La Lleona statue. Photo: Enfo, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Ok folks, we’ve almost finished our walking tour of Girona, but I can’t let you depart my city until you’ve seen a bit of the modern part of town where we locals actually live, work, and hang out these days. There’s no doubt that it’s the historical side of Girona that is of primary touristic interest, but this is also a really nice city in its own right, and even the newer areas, called the Eixample, are pretty, pleasant, and lots of fun. This part of town is also a lot livelier!
So, to get there, cross the wooden bridge of Sant Feliu, which is right in front of you and will give you another beautiful view of the river and the pastel-colored housed rising over the Onyar River. Turn left once you reach the other side, and walk along the riverside until you get to Plaça de la Independència.
This is the main square in the Eixample, and it’s a beautiful spot, full of bars, cafes, and restaurants, many with outdoor seating spilling out over the square. It’s always filled with people and is a great spot to grab a drink or something to eat and watch local life go on around you.
When you’re ready to leave the square, stroll along Carrer Santa Clara (which passes right by the plaza), which is one of the main streets in this side of town, filled with shops. This is where you’ll find Rocambolesc, the ice cream shop of the famed restaurateur Jordi Roca. Do not miss the chance to sample some of his fabulous ice cream, so grab a sweet treat to congratulate yourself on a thorough exploration of Girona, my hometown!
I sincerely hope you enjoy yourself here and that you find Girona to be as charming as I do. Thanks for visiting my little corner of the world!
The Bridge of Sant Feliu. Photo: Usbridges, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Plaça Independència. Photo: Enfo, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Santa Clara Street in the Eixample. Photo: Enric, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped
Tours & experiences
Girona walking tours
Explore Girona on a city center walking tour with Dolça, our favorite local guide (3 hours).
If you’re worried you might get hungry while exploring, opt for this small group city center food tour.
Day trips from Girona
If you’ll be staying in Girona, the Costa Brava is of course just beyond your doorstep, but you have some other neat (and different) options too.
The Empordà countryside is a gorgeous rural area that is great for outdoors exploration and also produces excellent wine. So, hiking, cycling, and wine tasting are all possibilities.
You also have the excellent Dalì museum in Figueres and his house-museum in Portlligat.
This half-day wine tour takes you through pretty countryside and lets you sample some good local wines at two different vineyards.
For a day of exploring the Costa Brava’s medieval villages, this full-day tour visits Begur, Pals, Peratallada, Llafranc, and Calella de Palafrugell.
Dive into the life and art of Salvador Dalí on an art-history day trip that visits the Dalí museum in Figueres, his house-museum in Portlligat, and the pretty town of Cadaqués.
See the gorgeous village of Besalu, hike around Banyoles Lake, and see some of the prettiest countryside in Catalonia on this alternative day tour.
More Spain travel info
For more advice on planning your trip to Spain and the Costa Brava, check out some of our other guides and itineraries!
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