Gironès · España
Girona
Catalan medieval city on the Onyar: colourful riverside houses, a vast cathedral, an intact Jewish quarter and Game of Thrones filming.
Updated: 2026-06-04
About Girona
Girona can be walked in a day, but it stays with you far longer. The first image is always the same: the colourful houses leaning over the river Onyar, the faded ochre and washed-out reds reflected in the water that appear on every postcard of the city. You cross the Pont de les Peixateries Velles —the red Eiffel bridge— and suddenly you are inside the old town, a stone maze that climbs and drops without pause. What surprises about Girona is not a single monument but the density: within a handful of streets you have a cathedral with one of the widest Gothic naves in the world, Arab Baths that are actually Romanesque, a Romanesque-Gothic basilica, and El Call, the best-preserved Jewish quarter in Europe, with alleys so narrow the light barely reaches. Walking the Passeig de la Muralla, the path along the top of the old city walls, gives the best view over the rooftops and the surrounding hills; it is free and almost nobody rushes it. Girona shot to fame when Game of Thrones filmed its sixth season here, and you still see groups hunting for the cathedral steps. But the city is much more than that: it has a serious food scene —El Celler de Can Roca, for years rated the best restaurant in the world, is here— and a university buzz that keeps it alive off-season. The honest part: the centre is small and fills up in high season or during Temps de Flors, the slopes punish your knees, and many people visit only as a half-day trip from Barcelona, which is a shame. Give it at least one night. Seeing it empty at dawn, the river still and the stones cool, is when you understand why it grabs you.
When to go
Temperature, rainfall and crowds month by month.
| Month | Temp. | Rain | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7.6°C | 45 mm | Low |
| February | 8.8°C | 40 mm | Low |
| March | 11.5°C | 55 mm | Medium |
| April | 13.5°C | 65 mm | Medium |
| May | 17.5°C | 75 mm | High |
| June | 21.5°C | 55 mm | High |
| July | 24°C | 30 mm | High |
| August | 24.1°C | 50 mm | High |
| September | 20.5°C | 80 mm | Medium |
| October | 16°C | 90 mm | Medium |
| November | 11°C | 60 mm | Medium |
| December | 8.2°C | 50 mm | Low |
Festivals & events
Girona, Temps de Flors
2026-05-09 → 2026-05-17
The flower festival turns courtyards, monuments and corners of the old town into floral installations. Free entry, nine days. The 71st edition.
Fires de Sant Narcís
2026-10-24 → 2026-11-01
Girona's main festival around 29 October, Sant Narcís day: concerts, fairground rides, popular culture and the traditional 'tarlà' and castells. Check the official site for the exact dates each year.
What to see & where to eat
Catedral de Girona (Santa María)
monumento
The cathedral with the widest Gothic nave in the world, atop 90 Baroque steps. Inside, the famous 11th-century Tapestry of Creation.
Banys Àrabs
monumento
Despite the name, these are 12th-century Romanesque baths inspired by hammams. The cold room with its domed octagonal lantern is the most photographed.
Cases de l'Onyar i Pont de les Peixateries Velles
puente
The colourful houses over the river and the red iron bridge built by Eiffel's firm in 1877. Girona's definitive postcard view.
El Call (barrio judío)
barrio
One of the best-preserved medieval Jewish quarters in Europe: very narrow stone alleys and the Museum of Jewish History.
Basílica de Sant Feliu
monumento
Romanesque-Gothic church with a bell tower truncated by lightning, the tallest in the city. It holds Roman early-Christian sarcophagi.
Passeig de la Muralla
mirador
Free walk along the top of the old Carolingian walls, with towers to climb and the best views over the rooftops and surrounding hills.
Average prices
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee (cortado) | 1,60 € |
| Small draft beer | 2,50 € |
| Set lunch menu | 15 € |
| Hotel night (mid-range double) | 95 € |
| Cathedral ticket (with audio guide) | 8 € |
Getting there
- From Barcelona-Sants the AVE/Avant takes about 38 min (fastest ~26 min); around 30 trains a day. The regional (R11) is cheaper but slow (~1h20). The station is a 10-15 min walk from the old town.
- Via the AP-7 from Barcelona, about 100 km / 1h15. From France, the same motorway heading south. Driving inside the old town is unfeasible; park outside.
- The old town is largely pedestrian. Use the Pla de Barcelona, Hospital or La Copa car parks, or the metered zones on the new side, and cross the river on foot.
Book your visit
Frequently asked questions
- How many days do I need to see Girona?
- A full day covers the old-town essentials (cathedral, Arab baths, El Call, the walls and the Onyar houses). But it is worth staying one night to see it without crowds at dawn or dusk.
- Is Girona an easy day trip from Barcelona?
- Yes. The AVE/Avant from Barcelona-Sants takes about 38 minutes and trains are frequent. The station is a 10-15 minute walk from the old town, making it one of the easiest day trips in Catalonia.
- Where was Game of Thrones filmed in Girona?
- Season six used several locations: the cathedral steps stood in for the Great Sept of Baelor, and the alleys of El Call and the Passeig Arqueològic doubled as Braavos. There are guided tours dedicated to these spots.
- When is the best time to visit Girona?
- Spring and autumn are ideal for mild weather. May is spectacular thanks to the Temps de Flors flower festival, though the city gets busy. Summer is hot (inland) and winters are cold for the region but quieter.