Girona

Girona has an attractive Jewish quarter and is often overlooked by budget fliers arriving at Girona-"Barcelona" airport. Girona makes an excellent stop-off as part of a tour of Catalonia or escape from the noise and speed of Barcelona or as a long weekend getaway with one of those budget airlines.
The town is said to consistently win a country-wide poll of citizens on preferred city to live in. Geographically set at the confluence of the Ter, Onyar, Galligants and Güell rivers, it has been a focal point of this region in Catalonia since prior to being part of the Roman Empire.
The Old Town is on the east bank of the river, with pedestrianized narrow streets surrounded by the old city walls. The "Rambla", running parallel to the river, contains many street cafés and touristy restaurants. Tourist information is at the south end of the Rambla, beside the river.
The newer town center on the west bank has wider streets contains more shops and hotels, plus slightly cheaper restaurants.
Girona also has an ancient and proud Jewish heritage, although in part due to the anti-Jewish policies of both the Spanish Inquisition and secular authorities, few Jews actually live in Girona today.
In August, the city becomes very quiet on Saturday and Sunday, as most citizens escape to the sea.

Climate

Girona has a mild climate. In winter temperatures can drop to below −5 °C (23 °F). In summer temperatures often soar to 30–40 °C (86–104 °F). Rain is common in winter and spring and thunderstorms often occur.
If you want to see the near Costa Brava plan your trip for the months between May to October.

Girona is north of Barcelona and can be reached from there by bus, train, or car. There is an airport close to the town with a wide range of connections on Ryanair. It is also 98 km (61 miles) away from Barcelona.

By plane

• Girona Airport

  phone: +34 972 473 681, +34972 186 675
  Ryanair mentions "Barcelona" in their description of Girona airport to suggest it being closer to that city than it actually is. In reality the airport is a 1-hr bus ride from Barcelona center. There is also an hourly bus into Girona from the airport, which is a 25-minute ride and connects the airport with Girona's railway station. Buses leave at 30 minutes past the hour from the airport and on the hour from the bus terminal.
  
  Bizarrely while the new standard gauge high speed railway line passes within less than a kilometer of the terminal, there is no stop serving the airport.

By bus

Girona is a local hub for bus travel. Since May 2017, buses stop in an underground facility connected to the train station instead of the - still extant - former above-ground facility. One of the bus companies is Sagalés.

By train

• Girona train stationThere are commuter trains to Girona leaving from Barcelona every 30 minutes in peak hours, hourly otherwise. All trains start at Barcelona Sants station with other stops at Passeig de Gràcia and Clot Aragó. Trains run M-F 06:00-22:00, Sa 07:00-22:00, Su 08:00-22:00. The journey takes between 1 hr 20 min and 1 hr 35 min from Barcelona Sants and the ticket costs between €8.50 and €12: MD trains are faster, more comfortable but quite expensive; Regional trains (R) call at almost all stations and their seats are not designed for long trips but tickets are 30% cheaper. There are no round trip discounts but 10 trip travelcards are available, €60 for R trains only, €70 for R and MD trains, valid for 90 days after purchase and allowing multiple passengers on the same trip, so it's convenient for small groups from 4 people upwards or repeating trips. On weekdays there are also some direct trains from the Maresme coastal zone to Girona (Mataró, Arenys, Calella, Santa Susanna...), on weekends changing trains in Maçanet is required and due to poor schedule coordination you may find yourself waiting for 50 minutes in a station far away from everywhere. default Timetables (line R11 and RG1 from Barcelona, RG1 from Maresme region). As almost all trains continue to Figueres, there's also one train every 30 minutes during peak hours. From Portbou and the French border, however, trains run only once every two hours.
  On the other hand, you can use high speed trains coming from either Madrid and Barcelona (AVE) or Paris, Perpignan and several other southern France cities (TGV). The schedule is quite irregular and changes frequently, check with Renfe and SNCF respectively. Both AVE and TGV trains have all compulsory reservation. AVE trains on Barcelona only stop at Sants station and take 38 minutes to reach Girona. Fares are €16 single. A round trip is only slightly more expensive on AVE than MD but the travel time is sharply shorter, however there are no convenient travelcards usable for small groups. From places farther than Barcelona and from France tickets are cheaper if bought well in advance. If boarding an AVE train in Spain you'll need to pass through a security scan and all luggage will be X-rayed: take this into account to get to the station with enough time.
  Other than Madrid, Zaragoza, Lleida and Tarragona, there are no direct trains from other Spanish cities.

On foot

Both the Old Town and the New Town across the river are highly pedestrianized.
Most of the streets in the Old Town have large cobblestones and steep stairs going up the hill upon which Girona is built. Walking in high heels or with rolling luggage is quite difficult at some points, so plan accordingly.

By bus

There are local buses, but their routes can be quite confusing for non-locals. Furthermore, all touristic areas are near one from another. Single ticket is €1.30.

By car

A car is not only unnecessary in Girona, but also quite cumbersome. Rentals are available for those wishing to make day trips to the outlying villages and castles in the area.
Girona have the same problems that plague other major European cities, but in a minor scale; traffic jams and narrow streets in some areas, coupled with a very complicated road system.
Having a driving map is essential as few bridges over the river makes it difficult to get from one riverside to the other.
Navigating with an average tourist map is frequently misleading: many streets are one-way; left turns are more rare than rights (and are unpredictable).

The town's architecture is varied and atmospheric resulting from the myriad of occupations and invasions with many narrow streets, a castle, and an impressive walled section.

• Banys Arabs

  address: c/de Ferran Catolic
  A museum, not an actual bath.

• Catedral de Girona

  address: Plaça de la Catedral
  Begun in the 11th century in the Romanesque architectural style; continued in the 13th century in the Gothic style. Includes the widest Gothic nave in the world.

• Església de Sant FeliuSecond church in the city. Closed for renovation as of Sept 2007.

• El riu OnyarAlthough it dries up in the summer (and gets a bit stinky!), the houses along it are very pretty. The bridge is by Gustave Eiffel.

• Walk along the ancient walls (yes, you can get on there) for excellent views of the city.
• Enjoy the numerous cafes which are especially atmospheric at night.
• The ancient narrow streets of the old Jewish section.
• Check out Girona's lively "discoteca" club scene.
• Play Golf on all the fantastic courses in the surroundings
• Watch football ie soccer. Girona FC were relegated in 2019 so they now play in Segunda División, the second tier of Spanish football. Their Montilivi stadium, capacity 13,500, is 2 km south of city centre.

• Semana SantaVisit Girona when many celebrations take place in the city and Christians march through the streets in the evening with replicas of Jesus on their shoulders and play music. Make sure to book ahead since accommodations fill up quickly during that time and often nothing is left shortly before the celebrations.

The old town contains mostly touristy shops.
There is also a good selection of modern shops selling the latest clothes.
Market on Saturday. Cheap goods market along river bank in the park north-west of town centre. Craft stalls in the old town.

In the old town, many touristy cafes offer menu del dia for €10-13, even on Sun. Areas with dense coverage of faceless touristy cafes are: Plaça Independencia; Rambla de la Lliberitat (near cathedrals). However, try to avoid the restaurants at and near Rambla de la Llibertat, they are very touristy, waiters do not speak English and even if you do find menus in English they are usually poorly translated and the dish you get can vary substantially from its description in the menu. Especially avoid tapas at these restaurants, aside that it is not an authentic Catalan dish, you will get just a poorly styled mish-mash at one small plate.
Like any other Catalan city, cafes are closed from 16:00 until dinner time (about 20:00-20:30). Exceptions are only touristy cafes at Rambla de la Lliberitat.

Budget

• Gran Muralla, Francesc Eiximenis. The best selection of Japanese and Chinese food, featuring sushi, Beijing duck, thai salad.

• El Pou del Call

  phone: +34 972 22 37 74
  address: C/ Força, 14
  Excellent and good value local Catalonian dishes.

• KönigSandwiches and hamburgers

• Frankfurter König Girona Nord

  phone: +34 972 297 504
  Cheap food such us pizzas, steak, french fries; and also a place to have a drink.

• Frankfurter König 2

  phone: +34 972 202 099
  address: Pl. Independència, 2

• König Sandwiches

  phone: +34 972 225 782
  address: c/Calderers 16
  Modern minimalistic design interior; two floors; well-airconditioned; some WiFi coverage for outdoor tables.

• König Bar-Restaurant, C.C. Espai Gironès

  phone: +34 972 439 123
  address: Salt

La Dolce Vitta, Plaça Independencia. Italian food for everyone at reasonable prices.

1900

address: C/ Obra, 2

Coffees, teas, and hot chocolates. Simple selection of pastries and waffle. Reasonably priced and delicious with the bonus of free Wi-Fi. Beautiful place with gorgeous, clean bathrooms.

DO taverna catalana

phone: +34 972 222 740

address: Plaça Independencia, 16

Toasts and "tapas", salads and cold cuts

Basque restaurants:

• Txalaka

  address: Carrer Bonastruc de Porta 4
  Very good Basque restaurant serving pintxos (similar to tapas). Can be crowded with locals in the evening after 22:00 (which is a good sign for a restaurant!)

• Zanpanzar

  phone: +34 972 21 28 43
  address: Carrer Cort-Reial, 10, 17004
  Fantastic atmosphere, good for a quick tapa and beer.

• Lizarran

  address: Plaça de la Independència, 14, 17001
  One of the 200 Lizarran restaurants in 8 countries.

Sweet:

• Rocambolesc

  address: Carrer Santa Clara, 50, 17001
  Ice cream parlor by one of the brothers of "El Celler de Can Roca" (3 Michelin stars).

• Llagurt

  address: Carrer Argenteria, 3
  Wide variety of artisan and organic yogurts.

• Xocolateria l'Antiga

  address: Placa del vi 8
  Charming and classical place in the old town where you can enjoy a typical cup of "xocolata calenta" (hot chocolate).

• Crepdequè

  address: C/Ballesteries 49 Girona
  Grab a crêpe in this tiny and classic place of Girona.

Mid-range

• Divinum

  phone: +34 872 080 218
  address: C/Albereda, 7
  Great wine and cheese tasting, tapas, sometimes live Jazz music. Reasonable price. It's a small place, so you might need to book.

• Draps

  address: Carrer Cort-reial, 2, 17004
  Good dishes. Most of them are made to share in 2 people, so the prices have to be divided in 2.

• La Poma

  phone: +34 972 21 29 09
  address: Carrer Cort-Reial, 16, 17004
  Cosy and modern place with exquisite dishes and a wide and varied wine list.

• Le Bistrot

  phone: +34972 21-8803
  address: Pujada de Sant Domenec, 4
  Outdoor tables on arguably most spectacular staircase in the town. Alternatively, consider indoor seats near backyard windows. Frequented by students of the local university.

• Vintages

  phone: +34 972 206 326
  address: Carrer Cort-Reial, 15, 17004
  Seasonal products and dishes. Wide wine list.

• Vinil

  address: Carrer Cort-Reial, 17, 17004
  Small and friendly place with excellent and tasty food.

• La Penyora

  address: Carrer del Teatre, 3, 17004
  Great food and atmosphere, with a particular decoration, in a pretty little street in the old town.

• Els Jardins de la MercèPeaceful and charming place with a fantastic garden in which to eat and drink. Excellent food and staff.

• Mimolet

  phone: +34 972 202 124
  address: Carrer Pou Rodó, 12, 17004
  Amazing food with a delicious set menu and wines.

• LlevaTaps

  phone: +34 972099112
  address: Plaça de l'Oli, 1, 17004
  Creative, fresh and seasonal products, along with wines from Empordà.

• Vinomi

  address: Passeig Sant Joan Bosco, 59-61, 17007
  Wide range of wines and pretty good food. A bit far from the center.

• El Cau del Llop

  phone: +34 972 220 211
  address: Carrer de Sacsimort, 5
  Traditional and simple cuisine with an extremely accurate selection of the products.

• L'Alqueria

  phone: +34 972 22 18 82
  address: Ginesta núm. 8. 17001
  Traditional Valencian food, with an extensive range of rice dishes.

• Arròs i Peix

  phone: +34 972 426 300
  address: C/ Ciutadans 20
  Fish and seafood: Pick out your fresh fish and have it cooked while you enjoy a glass of cava

• El Didal

  phone: +34 972487898
  address: C/Lluís Batlle i Prat, 4
  Decorated with old irons as wall lights, ironing boards and sewing patterns. "El Didal" means "The Thimble".

• Cal Ros

  phone: +34 972 219 176
  With more than a century of history, this restaurant serves traditional Catalan food but with twists to a new modern and creative cuisine.

• Bionbo

  phone: +34 972 299 309
  address: C/ del Carme 75
  Informal, fresh and dynamic cuisine with Catalan roots that blends flavours from around the world

Splurge

• El Celler de Can Roca

  phone: +34 972 222 157
  address: Can Sunyer, 48 17007
  3 Michelin stars. Considered nowadays "the best restaurant in the world". It won the 1st position in "The World's 50 Best Restaurants 2013". Reservation required

• La Massana

  phone: +34 942 212820
  address: Carrer Bonastruc de Porta, 10, 17001
  1 Michelin star

• Nu

  phone: +34 972 22 52 30
  address: Carrer d'Abeuradors, 4, 17004
  Excellent and creative menu. The owner also owns La Massana.

• Il piccolo cafe

  address: Passeig Canalejas
  Very good atmosphere. Next to the river, Plaza Independencia and the car park area, Gayfriendly bar and good ambient.

• La Bodega

  address: Carrer Bonaventura Carreras i Peralta, 2
  Very good atmosphere. Small winery in the heart of the Old Town, where people stand outside drinking wine or beer. Each cup costs around 2€, with some snacks included.

• The River Cafè

  address: Carrer de les Ballesteries, 23, 17004
  Live music, drinks and food. Open all day.

• Context Cafè-Bar

  address: Carrer Pou Rodó, 21
  Cafe and book shop: Drinks, good food, books, live music and many other activities.

• Mckiernan's

  address: Rambla de la Llibertat, 32, 17004
  An Irish pub, crowded on weekends. Suitable place to have a drink. English friendly.

• Sunset Jazz Club

  address: Carrer de Jaume Pons Martí, 12, 17004
  Live music shows, some of the top musicians of the national and international scenes, in addition to the great live jazz shows. Wide selection of the international classics and self created cocktails. Very cosy place.

• Siddharta

  address: Pedret, 116, 17007
  A suitable place to try herbal teas.

• Cu-Cut!

  address: Plaça independència, 10, 17001
  Nice place for the first drinks, and maybe the last too.

• Lola cafe

  address: Carrer Bonaventura Carreras Peralta, 7
  Spanish rumba pub, every day there is a guest rumba band playing live. The maids are the nicest neighborhood.

Budget

• Room In Girona

  phone: +34 972 426 480
  address: Santa Clara, 9

• Xanascat. Alberg Cerverí

  phone: +34 972 21 80 03
  address: Carrer Dels Ciutadans, 9, 17004

Mid-range

• Bells Oficis

  phone: +34 972 228 170
  address: Germans Busquets, 2, 2d floor
  Small bed and breakfast

• Borràs Guesthouse

  phone: +34 972 22 40 08
  address: Travesía Auriga, 6, principal-2ª

• Ibis Girona Costa Brava

  address: C/ Francesc Ferrer 16-18

• Viladomat Guesthouse

  address: Ciutadans, 5

Splurge

• Hotel Bellavista

  address: Pujada Polvorins, 1
  The only 5-star hotel in Girona.

• Hotel Carlemany

  address: Plaça Miquel Santaló

• Hotel Ciutat de Girona

  phone: +34 972 48 30 38
  address: Carrer Nord, 2
  Near downtown.

• Hotel Ultonia

  phone: +034 972 203 850
  address: Gran Via de Jaume I, 22
  A modern hotel.

As is typical with these region of Catalonia, it can get quite hot in the summer. Take care and drink plenty of water throughout the day. There are a number of public water fountains which anyone can make use of and they are clearly marked on the city maps you get from the tourists office.
As for crime, Girona is generally a very safe town with a vigilant local population. It experiences crime that is typical of any city its size, but visitors have little to worry about from the town itself beyond possibly pickpocketing in large crowds. However, it is not uncommon to see local drunks and other vagabonds at the entrances to the footbridges across the Onyar River, especially on the Old Town side. While they generally keep to themselves, they will often beg for change.
While not the destination that Barcelona is for "stag" parties from Northern Europe, Girona does see its fair share of them, given that many of them fly in to the Girona Airport on their way to Barcelona.
It should go without saying, as it would seem obvious, but don't attempt to jump in to the Onyar River from any of the bridges across it. In addition to being difficult to get back out of, the water simply isn't deep enough for the height, and you will sustain any number of grievous injuries upon landing.

• Barcelona – An hour to the south by train and the capital of Catalonia with an endless list of things to see and do.
• Costa Brava – Rocky cliffs and a mix of pebble beaches and sandy beaches at Blanes, Cadaqués, Tossa de Mar ...
• Girona Pyrenees – Monumental mountain towns, skying resorts and la Garrotxa volcanoes.