Girona

Medieval Walls, Colorful Rivers, Catalan Soul

Girona stands out as a city where medieval charm meets modern life along Spain’s northeastern coast. Its historic center features colorful houses, ancient stone walls and narrow streets that tell stories of different cultures over centuries. The city sits near the Mediterranean Sea, offering beaches close to urban areas. Girona is known for its well-preserved Jewish Quarter, vibrant markets and a mix of Catalan traditions with influences from nearby France. Visitors find museums, local cuisine and easy access to both cultural sites and natural landscapes in this compact destination.

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City in Spain

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$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 8.0

General Safety:	8
Health & medical:	8
Accessibility:	7
Tap water:	9

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4/5

English is widely spoken in hotels, restaurants, and tourist attractions. Most signage and menus are in English, and younger locals are comfortable with visitors. In markets and with older residents, Spanish or Catalan is more common.

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Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Girona Summary

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Strong for medieval streets and Catalan culture. Walk ancient city walls, explore historic quarters, visit museums and cafés and enjoy nearby countryside cycling.

Place score

7.6

Best at:

Walkable

Traditional culture

Cycling

Cosy towns

Spotless

Personal score

Suited for

👶 8

Families

🧓 8

Seniors

🛡️ 8

Travel Beginners

❤️ 8

Couples

Spain – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	230 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type C , Type F Type C: Type F: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Euro (EUR) £1 ≈ €1.19
Cashless info:	Rating 5/5 Cashless payment is widely accepted in Spain, particularly in urban areas and tourist destinations. Credit and debit cards are commonly used, and mobile payment options are available in many establishments. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is not mandatory in Spain but appreciated for good service. In restaurants, rounding up the bill or leaving 5-10% is customary. Taxi drivers and hotel staff may also be tipped, though it is less common.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is restricted in some regions, particularly in tourist-heavy cities. Local laws may vary.
Public smoking:	Smoking is banned indoors in public places but allowed in designated outdoor areas.

La Tomatina (August)	A famous tomato-throwing festival, expect large crowds in Buñol.
Semana Santa (March/April)	Religious parades and events make this a busy time in major cities.
Christmas (December)	Markets and festive celebrations, with tourist areas becoming busier.

Emergency contact:	Emergency Number: 112 (Police, Fire, Ambulance)
Taxi apps:	Cabify, Bolt, Uber
Other:	Spain is known for its diverse culture, stunning architecture, and vibrant festivals. Public transport is reliable and efficient, making it easy to explore.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Girona, Spain

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Jul

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High season:	May - Sep.
Shoulder season:	March - April, Oct.
Crowdedness:	6 (Many tourists)

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Climate details

Girona Temps de Flors flower festival, mid May, the old town's courtyards and streets filled with displays

Sant Narcís fair and festivities late October, with many events and street stalls

August: some local shops and restaurants close as residents leave

Don't miss

⛪ Climb Girona Cathedral steps, marvel at its Gothic nave
🏰 Walk along the medieval city walls, Passeig de la Muralla
🕍 Explore the atmospheric Jewish Quarter El Call
🌉 Cross the red Eiffel Bridge over Onyar River
🛁 Visit the historic Arab Baths with Roman influences
🏞️ Relax beside the colorful Onyar River houses

You've been here?

Why travel to Girona?

Girona is a dream for anyone who loves history, architecture and a walkable old town. Wander the ancient Jewish Quarter, climb the city’s medieval walls for sweeping views and cross the iconic red Eiffel Bridge over the Onyar River. The cathedral’s grand staircase is a must for fans of both history and TV – it starred in Game of Thrones! The city is also a gateway to natural beauty, with rivers, parks and the Pyrenees nearby for hiking and biking. Girona’s food scene is vibrant, from bustling markets and tapas bars to Michelin-starred restaurants. But take note: the old town’s cobblestones and steep steps can be tough for those with mobility issues and it gets busy during festivals and weekends. Summers are hot and spring/fall can bring sudden rain. Public transport to the coast is limited, so a car is best for exploring the wider region. Still, Girona’s mix of culture, color and Catalan warmth makes it an unforgettable stop.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Cinema Museum
2 Plaça de la Independència
3 Sant Feliu
4 Passeig de la Muralla
5 Monument to the builders of the Cathedral of Girona

🎡Places for activities

1 Museu d'Història dels Jueus
2 Passeig de la Muralla
3 Nafent bike rental
4 Cinema Truffaut
5 Cinemes Albéniz Plaça
6 Teatre municipal

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Sant Miquel de les Formigues
2 Lake of Banyoles
3 Onyar
4 Parc de les Ribes del Ter
5 la Devesa

🛍️Shopping

1 29-Mercat del Lleó

🎈Events

Temps de Flors (May flower festival)
Girona Festival (late October)
Sant Narcís Fair
Holy Week processions
Jazz Festival
Medieval Fair
Christmas markets
Film & TV location tours
Sant Jordi Day (April)
Food and wine fairs

Explore on map

Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Explore Barri Vell on foot; cobblestones and steps are everywhere.
Walk the Passeig de la Muralla city walls for panoramic views and orientation early.
Get pleasantly lost in the Jewish Quarter; bring offline maps for narrow lanes.
Visit the Onyar riverfront around golden hour; colorful façades and bridges photograph beautifully with fewer crowds.

How to travel to Girona

Girona is 99 km from Barcelona and easily reached by high-speed train (about 40 minutes), regional trains or bus. Girona-Costa Brava Airport has flights from across Europe, with buses and taxis to the city center. Driving is straightforward and the French border is just an hour away.

Access summary

From Girona–Costa Brava Airport (GRO): Bus or taxi to center, about 20–30 min.
From Barcelona: Direct train or bus to Girona, usually 1–1.5 hours.
From Barcelona Airport (BCN): Train+train or bus to Girona, roughly 1.5–2.5 hours.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Girona

Girona offers everything from boutique hotels and charming guesthouses in the old town to modern hotels near the train station. For a quieter stay, look for accommodation on the city’s edge or in nearby villages. Book ahead for festivals and spring/summer weekends, as rooms fill quickly.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

DoubleTree by Hilton Girona

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How to get around Girona

Girona’s old town is compact and best explored on foot, but be ready for cobblestones and stairs. Local buses connect neighborhoods and nearby towns. Taxis and rental bikes are available and a rental car is useful for day trips to the coast or mountains. Parking in the old center is limited – use public lots or park outside and walk in.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-28 %

Daily expenses in Girona are around 28% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend considerably less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-3 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to EUR) is 3% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£44	£102	£258
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£14	£41	£90
🍝 Food per day	£24	£53	£142
🚕 Transportation per day	£6	£8	£26

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£20
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£13
🍟 Fast food combo	£8
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£8
☕ Cappuccino	£1.80
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£3

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£1.40
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£15
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£1.40

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£7.50
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£55
🤧 Cold medication	£7
💇 Basic haircut	£12.50

Safety information overview

General safety

Girona is very safe, with low crime rates. Usual precautions apply: keep valuables secure in busy areas and on public transport. The old town can be slippery after rain — watch your step on cobbles and stairs.

Health & Medical

Medical care is excellent, with clinics and pharmacies throughout the city. Tap water is safe to drink. No special vaccinations are needed, but travel insurance is always a good idea.

Accessibility

Most main attractions are accessible, but cobbled streets, hills and historic buildings can be challenging for those with mobility issues. Check ahead for accessibility at specific sites if needed.

Tap water

Tap water is safe and widely available. Public fountains exist in parks and squares, but carrying a refillable bottle is handy, especially in the summer heat.