🇪🇸Spain · Places to discover
What to see in Gérone?
16 places selected by the community - landmarks, nature, hidden restaurants and activities.
Girona operates on two speeds: the Barri Vell, its medieval centre ringed by Roman walls, functions by its own rules, indifferent to the tourist surge pouring in from Barcelona. The Gothic cathedral and the coloured houses along the Riu Onyar are enough to understand why the city served as a Game of Thrones set, but Girona existed long before that and will endure long after.
Spring and autumn are the seasons to prioritise, when the light is sharp and the streets breathable. Two days will cover the essentials without rushing. You arrive by train from Barcelona in forty minutes, which settles the transport question. The classic pitfall: confining yourself to the Jewish quarter and cathedral without walking the city walls, which offer the best vantage point for understanding the place from above.
Landmarks & heritage
5 places
1Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0Landmark
Banys Àrabs de Girona
Remarkably well-preserved 12th-century Arab baths, a rare blend of Romanesque and Moorish styles. One of the few medieval examples of this type in Spain outside Andalusia.
2Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0Landmark
Onyar Houses
Row of medieval houses with coloured façades (ochre, pink, yellow) overlooking the Onyar river. The best viewpoint is from the Pont de Pedra, especially in the late afternoon.
3Wikimedia CommonsLandmark
Girona Medieval Ramparts
Walkable medieval ramparts offering a elevated stroll around the entire old town. The northern section leads to the Gironella Tower with a panoramic view over the rooftops.
4Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0Landmark
Pont de les Peixateries Velles
Red metal footbridge spanning the Onyar, designed by Gustave Eiffel in 1877. Iconic view of the colourful houses reflected in the river – the postcard image of Girona.
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Landmark
Landmark
Call Jueu de Girona
One of the best-preserved medieval Jewish quarters in Europe, with its labyrinthine alleyways and Jewish history museum. Getting lost in its narrow streets at dusk is a unique experience.
Museums
2 places
6Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0Museum
Girona History Museum
History museum housed in a former Capuchin convent, retracing 2,000 years of the city's history with remarkable archaeological collections. Free entry on Sundays for residents.
7Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0Museum
Girona Art Museum
Fine arts museum housed in the former episcopal palace adjoining the cathedral, with a collection spanning medieval to modern Catalan painting. The architectural setting is as impressive as the artworks.
Religious sites
3 places
8Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0Religious site
Catedral de Girona
The widest Gothic nave in the world, at 23 metres across. The monumental staircase and austere interior are striking—less crowded early in the morning before tour groups arrive.
9Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0Religious site
Monestir de Sant Pere de Galligants
12th-century Benedictine Romanesque abbey housing the Museum of Archaeology of Catalonia. Its cloister with sculpted columns is one of the finest Romanesque examples in the region.
10Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0Religious site
Basilica of Sant Feliu of Girona
Gothic church of imposing proportions nestled at the foot of the cathedral, with Roman sarcophagi set into the walls. Less visited than the cathedral but equally fascinating.
Parks & gardens
2 places
- 11
Park
Park
Jardins de la Francesa
Terraced gardens clinging to the medieval walls, little known to tourists. They offer a peaceful view over the old town and cathedral, with rose bushes and a romantic atmosphere.
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Park
Park
Devesa Park
Europe's largest plane tree park, with century-old trees forming vegetable cathedrals. Locals come here to jog, picnic and stroll – far from any tourist bustle.
Viewpoints
3 places
13Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0Viewpoint
Gironella Tower
Medieval tower at the summit of the northern ramparts offering a 360° panorama over the old city, the plain, and on clear days, the Pyrenees. Accessible via the rampart walkway.
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Viewpoint
Viewpoint
Jardí dels Alemanys Viewpoint
Small secret garden on the ramparts with a direct view over the Romanesque apse of the cathedral. Very little frequented, it's the preferred photo spot for locals to capture the cathedral.
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Viewpoint
Viewpoint
Riu Onyar - Passeig de la Muralla
Promenade along the Onyar river between the bridges, with views of the colourful houses from below. In the evening, reflections in the water and the lighting of the facades create a magical atmosphere.
Activities
1 place
16Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0Activity
Temps de Flors – Girona Flower Festival
Each May, the old town transforms into a giant floral gallery – courtyards, ramparts, alleys and monuments are filled with spectacular flower installations. It is the most eagerly anticipated event for locals.
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