Girona is easily seen in a day. Its old town is compact and walkable, so a single day covers the cathedral, El Call, the Oñar houses and a stroll along the walls. It's the classic day trip from Barcelona, but it's worth staying for lunch and sunset over the river.
Getting there
By high-speed train from Barcelona in 38 minutes (several daily). The station is a 15-minute walk from the old town. That makes it perfect for a there-and-back day trip, though it pairs beautifully with the Costa Brava.
The one-day route
Start by crossing the Pont de les Peixateries for the photo of the colourful Oñar houses. Climb to the Cathedral up its monumental staircase (a Game of Thrones location), step inside to see the widest Gothic nave in the world, and walk El Call, one of the best-preserved medieval Jewish quarters in Europe. Drop down to the Arab Baths and the monastery of Sant Pere, and finish along the top of the Carolingian walls, with views over the rooftops and countryside.
Where to eat
Girona is a gastronomic capital (home to El Celler de Can Roca). Reservations are essential there, but there are excellent taverns in the Barri Vell and the Rambla de la Llibertat. Try a good rice dish or Empordà cuisine.
What we don't recommend
- Crossing the old town in 10 minutes. It deserves stops: every street has a story.
- Going just for the Game of Thrones photos. The city is much more than a film set.
- Skipping the walls. They're the best viewpoint and almost no one climbs up.
In one sentence
Girona in a day is medieval stone, colour over the river and a cinematic cathedral. With spare time, the Costa Brava and the Dalí Theatre-Museum in Figueres are half an hour away.