Fires de Sant Narcís
The Fires de Sant Narcís are Girona's Festa Major: roughly ten days in late October, around the 29th, with over 200 free events. Documented since the 14th century, it is the oldest fair in Catalonia, featuring the famous fira d'atraccions in the Parc de la Devesa and the old town spilling out into the streets.
The oldest fair in Catalonia and the legend of the flies
The Fires de Sant Narcís began as a medieval agricultural and livestock fair tied to the feast day of Girona's patron saint. Written records date back to the 14th century — over 600 years — making it the oldest fair in Catalonia with a documented history. Sant Narcís was a martyr-bishop of the 4th century; the traditional date of his death, 307 AD, comes from legendary sources rather than reliable historical documents. He was declared patron of the city in 1387. The symbol of the festival is the fly: according to the legend of 1285, when the troops of Philip III of France desecrated his tomb, a swarm of flies emerged and drove the army away. Tradition repeats the miracle in 1653 and 1684. Today you can spot sculpted flies on facades throughout the Barri Vell and on the Petjada de Sant Narcís (marble, 2015). One thing to keep in mind: this is legend, not documented history — Counter-Reformation theologians themselves dismissed it.
Rides at the Devesa, castellers, correfocs and gegants
The ticketed heart of the festival is the fira d'atraccions in the Parc de la Devesa, held there since 1960 and the largest funfair in Catalonia by number of attractions. There is no general admission: each operator charges individually per ride, so costs add up fast if you're going with kids. There are usually family discount sessions and a sensory-friendly session with reduced noise and lights. The rest of the programme is rooted in popular culture and almost entirely free: a castellers display on the Cathedral steps, parades of gegants i capgrossos, sardanes, havaneres, and a nocturnal correfoc through the old town. One critical tip: the correfoc throws real sparks. Wear old cotton clothing, a hood and closed shoes, keep your distance from the Diables, and don't bring small children into the thick of the procession. Check web.girona.cat for dates and the full lineup each year.
The Barri Vell during the festival
During the Fires, the Barri Vell stops being a postcard and becomes a stage. The Cathedral steps host the castellers display; the squares of the old town — Plaça del Vi, Sant Domènec, the cobbled carrers — fill with gegants parades, craft markets and the correfoc procession. The main day is 29 October, with a solemn mass at the basilica of Sant Feliu presided over by the bishop. An honest strategy for avoiding the crowds: visit the Cathedral (7 €, Girona Episcopal combined ticket 10 €) and the Museu d'Art in the morning, when the old town can still breathe; save the afternoon and evening for the street events. On the central weekend — especially the night of the correfoc — the Barri Vell fills to capacity and its narrow streets become bottlenecks. If crowds overwhelm you, that stretch is not for you.
How to get from Barcelona and practical tips
From Barcelona Sants there is a direct AVE/Avant train to Girona in 39–42 minutes, no connection required, with around 14–18 direct services per day (first departure around 6:00 on weekdays, ~7:05 on weekends; last service around 23:00). Fares start from ~€7.30 booked in advance, with an average of around €24; always check Renfe as prices vary considerably by day and season. From Girona station (Plaça Espanya) to the fira d'atraccions in the Parc de la Devesa is about a 5-minute walk (roughly 350 m); to the Barri Vell, between 10 and 20 minutes depending on where in the old town you're heading. Late-October weather: highs around 20 °C and lows dropping to 9–13 °C, with an 18% chance of a rainy day. Bring a layer for correfoc nights and open-air concerts. If you're only going for one day, go on a weekday — the central weekend draws more than 200,000 people.
Frequently asked questions
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