Girona - The Hidden Beauty of Catalonia

The Spanish city in the northeastern part of Catalonia has long had a dreary image. However, Girona has transformed and now shines in vibrant colors and new splendor. With nearly 100,000 residents, it is often overshadowed by the great beauty of Barcelona, but we would like to show you in this article that the city is worth more than just a short day trip.

The city of Girona, known as Gerona in Spanish, is the northernmost, easternmost, and also the smallest of the four provincial capitals of Catalonia. Due to its location, it is also called the 'City of Four Rivers' since it lies in the Ter Valley at the confluence of four different rivers. In the past, these rivers frequently overflowed their banks, flooding parts of the city, which contributed to Girona's rather poor reputation. However, thanks to a dam, this problem is now a thing of the past, and the city is flourishing in its beauty. If you find yourself at the Costa Brava, you should definitely not miss this little city.

When you arrive in Girona, you can get an initial overview of the city from the walkable city wall in the old town. Some parts of this structure were already built by the Romans, while other sections followed years later.

In just about half an hour, you can leisurely stroll along the wall, with its lookout towers, and enjoy the fabulous view of the city and the snow-capped Pyrenees in the distance. The sight is particularly stunning when the sun slowly sets on the horizon, casting a warm glow over the buildings. During popular peak times, the narrow paths and stairs can get quite crowded. Therefore, I recommend admiring the city from above either in the early morning or late evening. In the evening, the wall is also illuminated, a sight you shouldn't miss. Standing on the wall and gazing out, you see a city that has been besieged 25 times but has only been captured four times. Quite impressive, isn't it?

From the wall, you may have already seen that Girona is split in two by a river. The Onyar separates the historic old town, Barri Vell, from the modern part, Mercadal. The banks of the old town are lined with colorful building facades, and several bridges connect the two parts of the city. One of them is particularly well-known and popular among photographers and tourists alike: the orange-red Eiffel Bridge, designed by Gustave Eiffel, which upon closer inspection even resembles the Eiffel Tower. From here, you can enjoy a fantastic view of the old town and the impressive cathedral. Don't worry about missing this bridge-thanks to its central location, you'll certainly cross it several times.

Once you pass through the thick city walls, you feel as if you've traveled back in time. Modern influences are almost nonexistent here. In the city center, you can wander through the history of Girona: simply meander between the stone houses along the cobblestone streets, lose yourself in the narrow alleys, and discover the most beautiful hidden corners of the city. However, before exploring the city on your own, you should treat yourself to a small refreshment. La Fabrica is an excellent place for a delicious breakfast to start your day satisfied.

We particularly enjoyed drifting through the historic old town with its medieval buildings. In the architecture of the buildings, you will find Roman, Moorish, and Jewish influences that exude a very special atmosphere.

Let your intuition guide you amidst the maze of stairs and alleys; somehow, you'll always find a way back. The stone walls adorned with blooming plants and their heavy wooden doors will instantly transport you to another time and fill you with holiday spirit. Stroll through the small shops lining the streets and make yourself comfortable in one of the cafés or restaurants while enjoying delicious tapas.

As you wander through the streets, sooner or later you'll also pass by the Rambla de la Libertad. It's much less crowded here than on Las Ramblas-a world-famous attraction in Barcelona. Yet there is plenty to offer for shoppers. Many cafés invite you to linger in the shade of the trees while the crowds pass by.

You should definitely pay a visit to the Jewish Quarter 'El Call' within the old town. Jews began settling here as early as the end of the 9th century. Today, El Call is considered the best-preserved Jewish quarter in all of Europe.

Especially when dusk falls and only dim light spills into the poorly lit alleys, you feel like you're in the Middle Ages. It's truly a magical atmosphere, we can assure you! But even during the day, a detour here is worthwhile. You can leisurely stroll past the displays of the Jewish shops and perhaps discover a souvenir or two. Those interested in the history of the city's Jews should also visit the Jewish Museum.

The most famous landmark in the city is the Cathedral of Santa Maria, which was built from the 11th to 17th centuries and impressively overlooks the city. To reach its massive iron portal, you'll first need to climb 90 stone steps. But the climb is worth it, as inside the magnificent structure is the largest Gothic nave in the world. The Santa Maria de Girona not only boasts an impressive 30 chapels with numerous treasures, but it is also considered one of the most beautiful churches in all of Spain.

In 'competition' with the impressive cathedral is the Church of Sant Feliu. Inside the church, along with Gothic decorations and impressive architecture, you can also take an interesting tour through the city's history. Here, for example, you can visit the chapel of the city patron Saint Narcis. We recommend purchasing a combo ticket for the church and the cathedral, as this can save you quite a bit.

In the square in front of the church, you will also find a statue of a lioness. It is said that if you kiss her backside, you will eventually return to the city. However, the original is no longer accessible to the public; it is located in the Museo d'Art de Girona. Although we had to settle for the replica, we are still confident that we will soon return to this beautiful city.

If you kiss the lioness's backside, it is said that you will return to the city.

You may have seen in previous articles that we've taken you to various Game of Thrones filming locations. Girona is also one of the special places where the successful series was filmed. Parts of the 6th season were shot in this medieval city, which serves as a perfect backdrop. Perhaps you'll even recognize some of the locations from the scenes during your visit? This might include the stairs in front of the cathedral or the 'Banys Árabs', which were built in the style of Arab baths. For all GoT fans: you can sit on the Iron Throne and capture the perfect memory photo.

When we visited the city in mid-May, we were lucky to be there just in time for Temps de Flors, the flower festival. For eight days, the old town is then adorned with a dazzling array of colorful flowers, and visitors are even granted access to old courtyards and galleries that are usually not open to the public. A visit to the Pujada de Sant Domenec, a staircase in the old town that is overflowing with flowers during this time, is particularly worthwhile and attracts crowds of tourists. Would you like to experience the Temps de Flors flower festival in Girona as well? It will take place from May 10th to 18th in 2025.

If you visit in the summer and are looking for a little refreshment, there's no need to despair in Girona. A bit outside the city, Lake Banyoles awaits with its cool waters. Whether you want to swim here, take a little boat across the lake, or just enjoy a nature walk-Banyoles is a worthwhile destination to unwind. You can comfortably circle the lake in about 1.5 hours. Keep your eyes peeled, as small colorful pavilions have been erected around the lake, which adorn the banks. After enjoying the peaceful nature, you can recharge at one of the restaurants by the lake while enjoying the view of the calm water, which sparkles in the sunlight. We were particularly impressed by the delicious food and the wonderful location of Banys Vells Banyoles. A good wine and tasty tapas that you can enjoy with the breathtaking view of the lake perfectly round off your relaxing day.

You can easily fly directly to Girona Airport from several major airports in the United States. Or you can do it like most other visitors to the city and combine your Barcelona vacation with a day trip to Girona. The city is just over an hour's drive from Barcelona. So, it's worth renting a cheap rental car on-site and having the flexibility to decide your own schedule without being tied to specific tours. The city's convenient location between the Pyrenees and Costa Brava also allows for many trips to the surrounding areas worth seeing. Since the climate in Girona is also very pleasant and mild even in winter, it is worth a visit at any time of year.