What to do in Girona

Girona, in Catalan, or Gerona in Spanish, is a beautiful little city on the Eastern coast of Catalonia, Spain. Located 99 km (62 mi) north of Barcelona, it’s a great town to visit on a day trip escape from the big city. Girona sits at the head of two rivers, the Ter and Onya rivers. Girona is also a 30-minute drive from the stunning beaches of Costa Brava, and about an hour and a half from the stunning Pyrenees mountains.

Alfonso I, the King of Aragon, proclaimed Girona a city back in the 12th century. He was well- known as El Batallador, or ‘the warrior’.

During the 12th century, Girona was a central hub for Judaism. The Jewish community flourished the most well-known center for Kabbalism in Europe was founded here. Today, the Jewish quarter is one of the most well-preserved in all of Europe. Tourists can visit what is called the ‘Montjuïc’, the ancient Jewish cemetery.

Plaça de la Independència

Gironas most popular gathering point is Placa de la Independencia, and is symbolic of the Spanish war of independence against Napoleon Bonaparte. Surrounded by restaurants and cafes, it’s definitely a point of interest for history buffs.

Cathedral and Steps

The Girona cathedral is one of the most famous places to visit in the city. It was once used as a Mosque by the Moors. As well as hosting the annual flower exposition, the cathedral is also where the count of Barcelona, Roman Berenger, and his wife are buried.

Game of Thrones Filming Location

Further fame for the cathedral can be credited to the HBO series, Game of Thrones. Several scenes for Braavos, as well as parts of King’s Landing and Old Town were filmed in Girona. The 91 stone-steps of the cathedral are especially notable for scenes with main characters such as Jaime Lannister and Cersei.

Eiffel bridge

Another famous sight in Girona is the Eiffel bridge. Very few realize that before and after designing the Eiffel tower, Gustave Eiffel designed bridges and other pieces of architecture as well. Girona is home to one of his bridges. While it is small, it’s worth a visit. It’s style is distinctly ‘Éiffel’ and if you haven’t yet been to Paris, you can at least lay claim to seeing some of his work!

Cases de l'Onyar

The houses that line the river Onyay, are a trademark site of the city. Painted in summer pastel colours, the make the perfect backdrop for a Spanish holiday photo op.

Activities

After visiting all the historical hotspots, venture just outside the city for an abundance of fun activities to try.

Hot air ballooning is an amazing way to see the whole city from the air, or you can head to the coasts and go coasteering, or stand-up paddle boarding. In addition, there are kitesurfing, rock climbing, canyoning and Via Ferrata activities available as well.

If you are into mountain biking, there are tons of single tracks trails to ride in the Les Gaverres Massifs, along with beautiful views of the Onyar River.

Hikers can explore the Massis of l’Ardenya, a Catalan coastal range where rugged shores meet the mountains.