Girona

City · Catalonia, 🇪🇸 Spain

Girona is a medieval city in Catalonia, about 100 km north of Barcelona. Its old quarter rises above the river Onyar, with a Gothic cathedral, a Jewish quarter and a walkable city wall.

The city is small and easy to see in one or two days. It is also a good base for the Costa Brava, the Pyrenees foothills and the Dalí sites around Figueres.

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When to visit

Late spring and early autumn are the most comfortable seasons. Summer is hot and humid. Winter is mild but can be damp, and autumn brings the heaviest rain.

The biggest event is the Temps de Flors flower festival in May. Flower displays fill the historic courtyards, churches and streets.

Best time to visit: May, June, July, August, September, October

Select a month

Typical weather in January

Fair

13° (feels like 8°) · extremes 2°–17°
7° at night
7 rainy days
12 sunny days
5 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
UV index 1 · low

Typical weather in February

Fair

14° (feels like 9°) · extremes 1°–18°
7° at night
6 rainy days
13 sunny days
6 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
UV index 2 · low

Typical weather in March

Good

16° (feels like 12°) · extremes 4°–20°
9° at night
8 rainy days
14 sunny days
7 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
UV index 4 · moderate

Typical weather in April

Good

18° (feels like 14°) · extremes 7°–22°
11° at night
8 rainy days
14 sunny days
8 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
UV index 5 · moderate

Typical weather in May

Great

21° (feels like 19°) · extremes 10°–25°
14° at night
9 rainy days
16 sunny days
9 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
UV index 6 · high

Typical weather in June

Great

25° · extremes 14°–30°
18° at night
7 rainy days
19 sunny days
11 hours of sunshine per day
Comfortable humidity
Light breeze
UV index 7 · high

Typical weather in July

Great

28° · extremes 17°–32°
20° at night
6 rainy days
22 sunny days
11 hours of sunshine per day
Humid air
Light breeze
UV index 8 · very high

Typical weather in August

Great

28° · extremes 17°–32°
21° at night
7 rainy days
19 sunny days
10 hours of sunshine per day
Humid air
Light breeze
UV index 7 · high

Typical weather in September

Great

25° (feels like 24°) · extremes 14°–29°
18° at night
8 rainy days
13 sunny days
8 hours of sunshine per day
Comfortable humidity
Light breeze
UV index 5 · moderate

Typical weather in October

Great

22° (feels like 19°) · extremes 10°–26°
15° at night
8 rainy days
11 sunny days
6 hours of sunshine per day
Comfortable humidity
Light breeze
UV index 3 · moderate

Typical weather in November

Good

17° (feels like 13°) · extremes 5°–21°
10° at night
7 rainy days
10 sunny days
5 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
UV index 2 · low

Typical weather in December

Good

14° (feels like 9°) · extremes 3°–18°
8° at night
6 rainy days
10 sunny days
5 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
UV index 1 · low

Climate data: NASA POWER (MERRA-2) · 1996–2025

Top sights

Catedral de Girona is a cathedral at the top of a wide Baroque staircase. Inside is a very wide Gothic nave, and the treasury holds the Tapestry of Creation.
Basilica de Sant Feliu is a Gothic church with a tall tower, built over early Christian tombs.
Església de Sant Pere de Galligants is a Romanesque monastery with a cloister. It now holds an archaeology museum.
Museu d'Història dels Jueus is in the Call, the medieval Jewish quarter, and explains the history of Jewish life in Girona.
The city walls offer a walk around the old town with views over the roofs. Start near the cathedral.
The colorful houses along the Onyar are the best-known view. Cross the Eiffel bridge (Pont de les Peixateries Velles) for a good photo spot.

Featured Lists

Doronenko / CC BY-SA 3.0

Girona's Essential Landmarks

Girona’s historic core features a dense concentration of medieval and Romanesque architecture. This selection includes the Cathedral of Saint Mary, known for its exceptionally wide Gothic nave, and the fortified Muralles de Girona, offering elevated views across the city. The list highlights the Jewish Quarter's heritage at the Museum of Jewish History and the engineering of Gustave Eiffel’s iron bridge. From the 17th-century Castell de Montjuïc to the Romanesque Sant Pere de Galligants monastery, these sites trace the city's evolution through its defensive walls and iconic river crossings.

10 places

Doronenko / CC BY-SA 3.0

Historic Sites and Viewpoints

This collection highlights Girona’s defensive evolution and architectural landmarks. It features the 17th-century Castell de Montjuïc and the medieval City Walls, which provide panoramic walkways over the old town. Engineering highlights include Gustave Eiffel’s iron bridge and the mid-19th-century Pont de Pedra. The list also includes the symbolic Romanesque sculpture of La Lleona and monuments commemorating the Napoleonic sieges, offering a comprehensive look at the city's strategic and cultural history.

9 places

אריה דרזי, ARIE DARZI / CC BY-SA 3.0

Girona's Cultural Hubs

Girona's cultural scene is anchored by diverse institutions ranging from the Museum of Jewish History in the historic Call to the Tomàs Mallol Cinema Collection. The city repurposes heritage structures, such as the 12th-century Romanesque Chapel of Sant Nicolau and the 14th-century Convent of La Mercè, for contemporary art and performance. Modern facilities like the Carles Rahola Public Library and the Girona Auditorium complement independent spaces like the La Volta galleries, which focus on local artistic production in the Sant Narcís neighborhood.

17 places

Enfo / CC BY-SA 4.0

Girona's Parks and Gardens

Girona’s green landscape ranges from the massive Devesa Park, featuring over 2,500 century-old plane trees, to historic terraced gardens like the Jardins de la Francesa. These spaces follow the paths of the Ter and Onyar rivers, offering unique sites like the Jardins dels Alemanys with its 19th-century ruins and the Jardins de les Pedreres, set within former stone quarries. This collection highlights the city's botanical diversity and its integration of historical ruins within public parks.

22 places

What to experience

Walk the old city wall at the end of the day. The path is open to walkers, and the light is best before sunset.
Climb the cathedral stairs and then walk down through the Call. Allow time to stop in small shops and courtyards.

Tours & Activities

Girona — Map

Day trips

Banyoles (about 20 km, 25 minutes by car): a town beside a large lake with walking and cycling paths.
Besalú (about 35 km, 45 minutes by car or bus): a medieval town with a stone bridge.
Figueres (about 35 km, 30 minutes by train): the town of the Dalí Theatre-Museum.
Cadaqués (about 75 km, 1 hour 30 minutes by car): a white fishing village on the coast.

Where to explore

Other destinations in Catalonia:

Nearby: Banyoles for the lake, and Cadaqués for the coast.
Big city: Barcelona is about 40 minutes away by high-speed train.

Getting there

By air: Girona-Costa Brava Airport (GRO) is about 12 km south of the city and has low-cost flights. A bus runs to the city center. Many visitors fly to Barcelona (BCN) instead.
By train: High-speed trains from Barcelona take about 40 minutes. Slower regional trains take about 1.5 hours. Book on Renfe.
By bus: Buses connect Girona with Barcelona, the airport and Costa Brava towns.
The train station is a short walk from the old town.

Getting around

On foot: The old town is compact, with some steep stairs and cobbled lanes.
Cycling: Cycling is popular, and flat paths follow the river.

Driving

Is a car worth it?: Not for the old town. A car helps for the Costa Brava and small villages.
Parking: Use a car park outside the old town and walk in.
Restrictions: The old quarter is mostly pedestrian.

Food & drink

Girona is known for Catalan food, with rice and fish dishes from the coast and sausage from inland. Xuixo is a local sweet pastry filled with cream.

The restaurant El Celler de Can Roca has three Michelin stars and a long waiting list. For everyday meals, look in the arcaded streets around the Plaça de la Independència and on the Rambla de la Llibertat.

Breakfast

Churros Churros con ChocolateFried dough sticks served with a thick, dark hot chocolate for dipping — a classic Spanish breakfast or late-night snack.

Lunch

Paella ValencianaA saffron-scented rice dish cooked in a wide, shallow pan. The traditional Valencian version uses chicken, rabbit, and green beans — best eaten at midday.

GazpachoA cold, blended soup of raw tomatoes, cucumber, pepper, garlic, olive oil, and vinegar, originally from Andalusia. Served as a drink or a starter, especially in summer.

Dinner

Pulpo a la GallegaBoiled octopus sliced onto a wooden board and dressed with olive oil, coarse salt, and smoked paprika — a signature dish of Galicia.

Snacks & street food

Jamón IbéricoDry-cured ham from acorn-fed Iberian pigs, sliced paper-thin and eaten on its own or with bread. The finest grade, jamón ibérico de bellota, is one of Spain's most prized products.

Tortilla EspañolaA thick potato and egg omelette, served warm or at room temperature, found in virtually every bar in Spain. Often eaten as a tapa or a quick meal.

Patatas BravasFried potato chunks served with a spicy tomato sauce or aioli — one of the most common tapas across the country.

PintxosSmall snacks anchored to slices of bread with a toothpick, the Basque Country's answer to tapas. Found in bar counters across San Sebastián and Bilbao, often with elaborate toppings.

CroquetasCrispy breaded cylinders with a creamy béchamel filling, typically made with jamón, bacalà (salt cod), or mushrooms.

Drinks

Rioja Wine Vino de RiojaSpain's best-known wine region produces full-bodied reds from Tempranillo grapes, aged in oak. The crianza, reserva, and gran reserva labels indicate increasing age and complexity.

Safety & health

Girona is very safe. Keep your bag closed in crowded places, and watch your step on steep, cobbled streets.

History

Girona has Roman roots and a long medieval history. Its Jewish quarter was one of the most important in Catalonia, and its story is told at Museu d'Història dels Jueus.

Catedral de Girona was begun in the 11th century and rebuilt in the Gothic period, and the Baroque staircase was added in the 17th century. Església de Sant Pere de Galligants is a Romanesque monument from the Middle Ages.