Girona, in the northeast of Catalonia, is a small medieval city that attracts visitors with its picturesque houses, romantic old town and imposing Cathedral. An ideal excursion to enjoy during a family vacation or a romantic getaway. Read on to discover 10 must-see places to visit in Girona!
From the Pont de Pedra and the Pont de Ferro you get one of the most spectacular views of the city of Girona: the Onyar river, with the colorful houses of the Rambla de la Llibertat and Argenteria street towering above the river and the Cathedral of Girona and the Church of San Felix in the background.
The colorful houses of the Onyar River are one of the most representative elements of the town, making counterpoint to the gray stone of the monumental architecture of Girona. If you are looking for a place to take a picture, this is one of the most photographed of the city.
At the top of the city is the majestic Cathedral of Santa Maria de Girona, built between the eleventh and eighteenth centuries. The Cathedral has the peculiarity of having several architectural styles (such as Romanesque, Baroque or Gothic) having undergone modifications over the centuries. It has the widest Gothic nave in the world, 22.98 meters, being the widest nave of any style except that of St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican.
Game of Thrones (HBO) fans will easily recognize Girona Cathedral in the sixth episode of the sixth season of the series, representing the “Great Sept of Baelor” in “King’s Landing”.
The Jewish quarter, Call Jueu in Catalan, is another of the essential places to visit in Girona. It is located on carrer de la Força and consists of a maze of narrow streets and courtyards that maintain the medieval essence of the city.
It was the center of one of the most active Jewish communities in Spain, with more than 800 people of Jewish ethnicity in the twelfth century. Today, it is one of the best-preserved Jewish neighborhoods in the world and its ancient synagogue houses the Museum of Jewish History, the place to go to learn about the history of this community.
Another place to visit in the city of Girona are the Arab Baths, a 12th century Romanesque construction that stands out for its excellent preservation and beauty. These baths are very similar to the Roman and Muslim baths, hence its name.
The interior is divided into five rooms: the changing rooms, the cold room, the warm room, the hot room and the furnace and boiler room. Its roof with a vaulted ceiling supported by fine columns and the ornate capitals around the central pool stand out.
The city of Girona, due to its strategic location as a border town, has a wall that follows the limits of the ancient medieval city. It has a height of 60 meters (which varies in different sections) and a total length of about 2 kilometers.
It is a defensive Carolingian construction of sandstone, with four access points and several towers. You can walk along the wall, from where you get some of the best panoramic views of Girona.
One of the most emblematic bridges of the city of Girona, along with the Pont de Pedra, is the Pont de les Peixateries Velles, more popularly known as Pont de Ferro, which crosses the Onyar River from Santa Clara Street to the Rambla de la Llibertat.
It was built in 1877 by the company of the engineer Alexandre-Gustave Eiffel, author of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. It consists of a red iron structure composed of "L" shaped pieces and a pavement made of wooden planks.
Parallel to the Onyar River is the Rambla de la Llibertat, one of the busiest places in the city. This street that runs from the Pont de Pedra to Argenteria street is one of the main centers of commerce and leisure in Girona.
The Rambla stands out for its arcades, with low ceilings and uneven arcades, which served as a meeting point for the markets. Among its facades stands out the Norat house, a modernist building dating from 1912.
One of the most hidden places in Girona city is the Pujada de Sant Domènec, in the heart of the Barri Vell. The Renaissance Palace of Calemany, the Palace of Agullana and the baroque-neoclassical church of Sant Martí Sacosta, at the top of the stairs. A charming corner to visit all year round, but especially during the month of May, when it is decorated with flowers for the Girona Temps de Flors festival.
La Pujada de Sant Domènec has been chosen on multiple occasions as the setting for national and international film series and movies. It was another of the scenarios chosen by the producers of Game of Thrones to give life to the city of “Braavos”.
The Monastery of Sant Pere de Galligants is an ancient Benedictine abbey, characterized by its bell tower and its chevet, which has a complicated asymmetrical shape. Moreover, unlike most monasteries, this one is located in the urban fabric of the city.
Together with the church of Sant Nicolau, they house the Museum of Archaeology of Catalonia. It is one of the most important Romanesque complexes in Catalonia and has been declared an Asset of Cultural Interest and Historical Heritage of Spain.
One of the most emblematic squares of Girona, along with the Plaça del Vi, is the Plaça Independència. It has the typical architecture of the Spanish arcaded squares, such as the Plaza Mayor in Madrid or the Plaza Real in Barcelona.
Are you one of those who take the opportunity to get to know the local gastronomy while traveling? In this square you will find many terraces and restaurants of all kinds, the perfect place to recharge your batteries after visiting the main monuments of the city of Girona.
Now that you know what to see in Girona in one day, take a look at Rosamar Hotels in Lloret de Mar, next to the Costa Brava, and come and discover the city of Girona. Hotel Rosamar Garden Resort, Hotel Rosamar & Spa will be open until the beginning of November and Hotel Rosamar Es Blau Adults Only (+16) and Hotel Rosamar Maxim Adults Only (+18) until October 16.
If you are looking for a hotel for a family vacation, the 4-star Hotel Rosamar Garden Resort and the 4-star superior Hotel Rosamar & Spa are perfect for you. They have activities for children and adults, as well as a multitude of services for the whole family.
If you prefer a romantic getaway for two, choose between Hotel Rosamar Es Blau Adults Only (+16) and Hotel Rosamar Maxim Adults Only (+18). These hotels, 4-star superior and 4-star respectively, are adults-only hotels located very close to the beach in Lloret de Mar, perfect for relaxing and enjoying the tranquility of the Costa Brava in autumn.
Stay at Rosamar Hotels and live unique moments with your loved ones!
From October 29 to November 7, the festivities of the city of Girona are celebrated in honor of Sant Narcís, patron saint of the city. For ten days, you will be able to find craft and food stalls, fairground attractions, musical and theatrical performances, concerts, sardanes, encounters of giants, performances by the castellers and fireworks castles, among other activities.
If you are near the capital of Girona this Christmas and you do not have plans yet, in this post we bring you some of the best activities and events to attend as a couple, as a family or with friends that take place in the province so that you do not you will not be bored for a single second.
The interior of the province of Girona hides unique natural spaces, from large lakes to spectacular natural parks. In this post, we discover some of the places that you cannot miss near the city of Girona if you are a true nature lover.
The province of Girona is a place of reference for gastronomy lovers. This 2022, thirteen restaurants in Girona have been awarded a star in the Michelin Guide. Discover which restaurants we are talking about and start planning your gastronomic getaway in the province of Girona.
If you are one of those who like to make the most of your holidays and discover unknown touristic places, on the Costa Brava and in the province of Girona you will find a spectacular religious heritage far from mass tourism: we will show you the Monasteries of Sant Pere de Rodes, Sant Feliu de Guíxols, Sant Pere de Besalú, Sant Daniel and Sant Pere de Galligants!
On the Costa Brava you will find many places to enjoy a shopping afternoon. From streets full of stores to shopping centers and outlets with great discounts from the main brands. Discover them in our post!