Girona, a heritage stopover on the Costa Brava

Between Perpignan and Barcelona, at the gateway to the Costa Brava, Girona was built on Iberian and then Roman foundations. Situated on the banks of the River Onyar, on the famous Via Augusta, the main road in the Roman road network, the city, nicknamed "Little Florence", has a population of around 100,000. Long neglected, the historic centre began to be restored in the 1980s under the impetus of a major European heritage preservation movement. Girona's Jewish quarter, the Call, with its maze of medieval streets, remains one of the best preserved in Spain, and indeed in Europe.

In homage to the various medieval guilds and markets, the narrow streets of the Barri Vell, literally the 'Old Quarter', are full of history and bear ancient names such as Plaça del Vi (Wine Square ),Plaça de l'Oli (Oil Square) and Plata Mundi (Silver Street). Take your time to wander around this district, which is also full of shops, and get lost.

Girona's most important monument, Santa Maria Cathedral, with its imposing Gothic nave - the second widest in the world after St Peter's in Rome, according to several experts - dominates the old quarter. The square in front, built on Roman ruins (cloister and bell tower) faces the Pyrenees, and the monumental staircase leading up to it is reminiscent of the Spanish Steps in Rome.

A tradition dating back to the Middle Ages is still alive and well in Girona, next to the Basilica of Sant Feliu: the Lleona, a lioness sculpted on a column, presents her behind to be kissed by visitors to the city! It's said to bring good luck...

Visit Girona's Santa Maria Cathedral

⏰Hours:

November-March: 10am-5pm, Sunday 12pm-5pm

March-June, September-October: 10am-6pm, Sunday 12pm-6pm

June-September: 10am-7pm, Sunday 12pm-7pm

👛Admission:

Full price: €7

Combined ticket for the Cathedral + San Feliu Basilica + Girona Museum of Art: €10

Free for children under 8

To visit Girona Cathedral, climb up the narrow streets, enter the Alemanys gardens and finally walk along the city walls. The old watchtowers are ideal vantage points from which to admire the panoramic views over the whole valley and the surroundings of this charming town.

Another attraction of the heart of Girona is its architecture. The colourful houses lining the river Onyar stand side by side with the old stones of the Carrer de la Força, the old Jewish quarter of Girona, founded in the 9th century... A real journey through time, which we'd gladly extend with an overnight stay!

• By car, Girona is 65 km from Le Perthus and 85 km from Cerbère, on the French border, and 100 km from Barcelona.
• By train, you can get to Girona by TGV from Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Toulouse, Carcassonne, Montpellier, Valence, Nîmes, Béziers and Perpignan.
• From the Costa Brava resorts, there are frequent bus services between Girona and its bus station.
• By plane, Girona-Costa Brava airport is served by flights from Brussels. Barcelona - El Prats airport has good rail and bus links to Girona.

Getting around Girona?

Girona and its historic centre are best visited on foot.

When should I come to Girona?

Girona is a pleasant city all year round. On 5 January, the Cavalcade of the Three Wise Men celebrates the city with parades and processions. If you love flowers, don't miss the famous "Flower Time" festival in May, when the city is transformed into a colourful garden.

For art, history and culture buffs, there's plenty to do in Girona, which boasts an astonishing concentration of museums:

• The Cinema Museum (Museu del Cinema), the only one of its kind in Spain, houses a collection of interactive replica objects and recounts 400 years of the history of the 7th art.
• The Museum of Jewish History(Museu d'Historia dels jueus) tells the story of this community, its relationship with Christians and the El Call district.
• The Museu d'Arqueologia de Catalunya (Archaeological Museum of Catalonia) is worth a visit both for its ancient collections and for its site, the 12th-century Sant Oere de Galligants monastery.
• The Girona History Museum traces the city's history from its Roman foundation to the Napoleonic Wars.
• To learn more about local architecture, visit the Casa Maso and admire the buildings designed by Rafael Maso, a representative of the Modernist movement, and in particular the Casa de la Punxa, located in carrer de Sant Eugenia.
• There is also the Museu d'Art de Girona (Girona Art Museum), with works ranging from the Middle Ages to the early 20th century.

The Girona museum card

If you want to visit several of Girona's museums, the Girona Museus card is a good idea. After your first admission at full price, you will receive a 50% discount on all subsequent museum admissions.