In the old town
- Climb the Cathedral steps. Then step inside the widest Gothic nave in the world.
- See the Onyar houses from the Eiffel-built Pont de les Peixateries Velles.
- Kiss the Lleona at Sant Feliu so you're sure to come back.
- Get lost in the Call, one of Europe's best-preserved Jewish quarters, and visit its history museum.
- Walk the city walls at sunset for views over the rooftops.
- Visit the Banys Àrabs, Romanesque baths built in the Moorish style.
- Explore Sant Pere de Galligants, a Romanesque monastery that now houses the archaeology museum.
Eat and drink like a local
- Eat a xuixo, Girona's crema-filled pastry.
- Shop at the Mercat del Lleó for cheese, fuet and seasonal fruit.
- Get an ice cream at Rocambolesc, from the Roca brothers of El Celler de Can Roca.
Live the traditions
- Time your trip for a festa: Sant Jordi (April), Temps de Flors (May), Sant Joan (June) or the Fires de Sant Narcís (October).
- Watch castellers build their human towers, or join the circle for a sardana.
- Learn some Catalan. Few visitors try, and the ones who do get a much warmer welcome. A 1-day taster gets you started.
Beyond the city
- Day-trip to Besalú and the Garrotxa volcanoes, with medieval bridges and extinct craters.
- Head to the Costa Brava: the camí de ronda, Cadaqués, and Dalí's Figueres.
Do 12 of these 15 in a single week
Girona Essentials covers most of this list, with a local guide and a little Catalan for each stop. Add the 7-day Costa Brava extension to cover all 15.
Practical information
- Getting there: Girona–Costa Brava airport, or Barcelona airport (about 1h15). The high-speed train from Barcelona takes under 40 minutes.
- Getting around: The old town is walkable (and steep). Use buses or a guided trip for the province.
- Language: Catalan is the everyday language. Spanish is understood everywhere, and English widely in tourist areas.
- How long to stay: See is 5 nights in Girona too many?