What to See in Girona

Girona, also known as the “City of the Four Rivers,” is a historic city located in northeastern Catalonia, just 100 kilometers from Barcelona. Visiting Girona is a unique experience. Whether it’s for its walls built in the 1st century BC by the Romans or the majesty that envelops anyone who climbs the stairs leading to the Cathedral, it is one of the most recommended excursions near Barcelona.

In addition, Girona features spectacular, easily recognizable locations from the famous series Game of Thrones. Sign up for a guided tour of the Game of Thrones Girona to marvel at hundreds of stories and places you won’t want to miss.

Sites to Visit in Girona: The Cathedral

 

Just as Montserrat is a fundamental part of Catalan identity, the Girona Cathedral, also known as the Cathedral of Santa Maria, is a pillar of the Girona entity. It was constructed between the 11th and 18th centuries. Due to this extended timeframe, the cathedral showcases different styles such as Romanesque, Gothic, and Baroque.

Once inside the cathedral, you will be impressed by the vastness of its single central nave, its cloister, and various medieval treasures such as the Tapestry of Creation.

The Houses of the Onyar River

 

There are many iconic sites to visit in Barcelona, but one of the most typical images of Catalonia is the facades of the houses along the Onyar River. These are colorful buildings situated right at the river’s edge that runs through Girona, with their reflections on the water creating a postcard-worthy scene.

To appreciate this image, you just need to position yourself on any of the bridges that cross the river. The most popular one is the Peixateries Velles Bridge (a fun fact about this bridge is that it was built by Gustave Eiffel long before the Eiffel Tower in Paris).

El Call, the Jewish Quarter of Girona

 

In the old town of Girona lies El Call, the Jewish Quarter. Considering that Jews were expelled from Spain by the Catholic Monarchs in 1492, it is remarkable that over five hundred years later, El Call still retains much of its original state, making it the best-preserved Jewish quarter in all of Europe.

To truly experience El Call, the best approach is to wander through its cobblestone streets, but be sure not to miss Calle Força, Calle de Manuel Cundado, and Calle Sant Llorenç. The Museum of the History of the Jews is also one of the highlights of this historic neighborhood.

The Walls of Girona

Views from the Walls of Girona

 

Thanks to its strategic geographical location, the city of Girona had to defend itself against various invaders throughout its history. This is why the Romans were the first to build a wall to protect the city in the 1st century BC. Since then, especially during the Middle Ages, the walls were expanded and reinforced with watchtowers, eventually becoming one of the largest Carolingian walls in Europe.

The best part about the walls of Girona is that there are several access points where you can walk along them. If you visit the walls at sunset, you’ll be treated to one of the most spectacular views of the city.

The Arab Baths, a Gem in the Old Town of Girona

 

One of the most surprising sites to visit in Girona is the Arab Baths. Interestingly, they were not built by Arabs; it was actually King Alfonso I the Chaste who ordered their construction in 1194, following the style of Muslim baths.

The Arab Baths of Girona have been declared a site of national interest. To visit, head to Plaça dels Jurats, in front of the Girona City Hall. They are open Monday to Saturday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM and Sundays until 2:00 PM. Admission costs €3 per person, while children under 8 enter for free, and students only pay €1.

La Pujada de Sant Domènec

 

La Pujada de Sant Domènec is one of the hidden romantic spots in Catalonia. It is a baroque stepped street that winds between ancient historical buildings such as the Calemany Palace, the Aguilana Palace, and the church of Sant Martí Sacosta.

This street is so charming that several scenes from the series Game of Thrones were filmed here, as well as scenes from the movie El Perfume, directed by Tom Tykwer.

The Game of Thrones Filming Locations in Girona

In the popular series Game of Thrones, many scenes were filmed in Girona. For example, in the sixth season, the character Sam takes refuge in an ancient library because he knows he will find the knowledge he needs to defeat the White Walkers.

 

The Monastery of San Pere de Galligants, one of the filming locations for Game of Thrones

 

The ancient library is actually the Monastery of Sant Pere de Galligants. The list continues with the Galligants Bridge, Plaça del Jurats, Carrer de L’Escola Pia, the Arab Baths, Pujada de Sant Domènec, and several other locations.

Whether you are a fan of the series or just want to see Girona from a different perspective, we invite you to join a Game of Thrones tour in Girona, where a super fan guide will share a ton of stories and secrets about the show.

Girona: Where You’ll Eat Like Royalty

Beyond the typical arroz de Pals or botifarra dulce, the province of Girona stands out on the map for its 18 Michelin stars spread across 13 restaurants, making it the province with the most Michelin stars per capita in the world.

Some of these restaurants are reasonably priced, such as Plaça del Vi 7 (Plaza del Vi 7, Girona), which is a traditional tapas bar focused on Catalan recipes.

On the other end of the spectrum is one of the best restaurants in the world, El Celler de Can Roca (Can Sunyer 48, Girona). Known for its creative cuisine, it offers a tasting menu that will delight your palate (and your wallet, too).

 

Discover the best tours in Barcelona and its surroundings. You can become an expert on Gaudí’s buildings, take a cable car to Montjuïc, visit Montserrat, explore the Mediterranean town of Sitges, and much more.