Girona is a charming Catalan city with a beautifully preserved medieval old town, colourful riverside houses, and an impressive Jewish Quarter. It’s a wonderful place to visit, and a great day trip from Barcelona with rich history, great food, and fewer crowds than Barcelona. As there are plenty of things to do in Girona, you could easily spend a whole weekend here, but for this post, let’s assume you only have enough time for a day in Girona and plan the perfect Barcelona to Girona day trip!
How to get to Girona from Barcelona in a Day
Girona is well connected to Barcelona via public transport, and unless you have your own car then it is far easier to go to Girona by bus or train than it is to hire a car just to drive to Girona.
Train from Barcelona to Girona
This is the easiest and quickest way to get to Girona from Barcelona so you can make the most of your day trip. Trains run regularly from Barcelona, and the high-speed AVE trains from Barcelona to Girona only take 38 minutes from Sants Station.
Check the timetables and prices on the Renfe website where you can buy e-tickets in advance online for the fast trains. Girona train station is in the centre of Girona, about 15 minutes’ walk from the old town.
Buses from Barcelona to Girona
Buses leave from Barcelona Estació del Nord, and take just under 2 hours to reach Girona. The downside of taking the bus for a Barcelona to Girona day trip is that you might not arrive until the middle of the day, so this option is better if you’ve got a night or two to spend in Girona. Buy bus tickets from the bus station or in advance from Omio.
Day Tours to Girona
You can also join a tour from Barcelona to Girona if you prefer the added convenience and benefits of having a guide show you around.
Some tours also include visits to Figures to the Dali museum, or to the Costa Brava beaches and fishing villages along the way, which are useful to see more of Catalonia, but you’ll have less time to explore Girona.
This tour is just to Girona, and includes coach transport to Girona, a two-hour walking tour of Medieval Girona and free time to explore the city on your own.
The Best Things to Do in Girona on a Day Trip
While you’ve only got a day in Girona, don’t rush to do too much. The Old Town is fairly compact and this is where you’ll spend most of your time. Girona is quite hilly, so expect to walk up and down quite a bit – comfy shoes are a must for the cobbled streets!
Admire Girona’s Bridges
The Onyar River flows through Girona, and there are several bridges which cross the river – providing wonderful views and photo opportunities on your walk from the train station.
The Pont de Pedra has lovely views of the colourful houses along the river, while the most famous bridge in Girona is the Pont de les Peixateries Velles, with a criss-crossed lattice iron walkway, that was designed by Gustave Eiffel (yes, the Eiffel Tower guy!).
This is one of the best places to take photos in Girona, especially on a still day when the colourful houses which line the riverbanks have crystal clear reflections in the river. It’s painted red, although last time I visited it was decorated yellow for the Temps de Flor Festival, which made a nice change!
Wander the Old Town
One of the best things to do in Girona is simply to walk around. The maze of narrow streets, pretty squares and independent shops makes a day wandering in Girona well spent indeed! While you can quite happily explore by yourself, if you’d like to join a tour this Girona walking tour is highly rated and means you won’t miss anything!
Some of my favourite spots that are easily missed include:
Explore the Jewish Quarter
Girona’s Jewish Quarter (El Call) is one of the best-preserved in Europe. You can visit independently, or to get a deeper insight, you could join a Jewish Heritage tour, which includes exploring the Jewish Quarter and a guided visit to the Museum of Jewish History, which is housed in what was the last known synagogue in Girona.
The museum charts the history of Jewish people in Girona, from their arrival at the end of the 9th Century to their expulsion in 1492, and includes archaeological remains of the Jewish Quarter and objects from daily life in the Middle Ages.
Visit the Arab Baths (Banys Àrabs)
These well-preserved Romanesque baths date back to the 12th century and give a fascinating glimpse into Moorish life in Girona. There is a small entry fee (currently €3) and there are guided tours available for an extra fee, although the language of the tours is based on the visitors who sign up with no set times for English tours.
The small complex includes a changing room, cold room, and hot room, all centred around a beautifully preserved octagonal pool beneath a stone cupola. I visited during the Girona Flower Festival when the baths were decorated with flowers.
Admire Girona Cathedral & Basilica de St Feliu
Girona’s cathedral is the most recognisable building in Girona, perched above an impressive staircase leading up to the Baroque façade. The cathedral is a mix of architectural styles, as different architects left their mark throughout the years. The Romanesque church was built in 1064, with a Gothic redesign in the 1400s, which includes the widest Gothic nave in the world.
Entrance to the cathedral and the nearby Basilica de St Feliu costs €7.50 per adult (with discounts for retirees, students and children), and this ticket allows you to visit the different spaces on the same day or on separate days. It is valid for 12 months from the date of purchase.
You can also get an alternative ticket if you plan to visit the Cathedral, the Art Museum and Sant Feliu Cathedral. This pass costs €12 per person and includes entry into all 3 attractions, with a bonus audio guide at the Girona Art Museum. You’ll need to visit the Art Museum first to collect your tickets for the cathedral and church.
Walk the City Walls
Girona’s Passeig de la Muralla – city wall walk – has some of the best views of the city from the medieval walls. Admire the views of Girona’s pretty rooftops, with the spires of the cathedral and beautiful Catalan countryside beyond.
You could walk all along them, but I just went to the Torre de Sant Domenec and turned back. This watchtower built into the wall has even more beautiful views!
Game of Thrones Tour
Girona was used as a filming location for Game of Thrones, so fans of the show will recognise some of the locations as they explore the city, or you could take a dedicated Game of Thrones tour to see all of the sights and get more insider info on the show.
A dedicated Game of Thrones tour like this one takes 2.5 hours either in the morning or afternoon and includes the chance to
- Compare shots from the series with the actual shooting location
- Learn the history of Girona
- Walk along the old Girona and see many of its sights
- Discover every hidden corner of the city
These tours are for a minimum of 2 people
Or if you prefer a whistle-stop tour without the added extras, this hour-long tour only visits the Game of Thrones locations, so you can explore the rest of Girona at your own pace.
Eat Delicious Food
If you’re looking for somewhere tasty for lunch, check out Taverna d’El Foment (where I had a lovely meal) or nearby Fonda d’El Foment, which takes reservations. Just across the river, Restaurant Probocador and Restaurant 8de7 both get great reviews as well. For dessert, get a xuixo from a bakery or an ice cream from Roli Gelateria – or both!
If you would like to learn more about Girona’s food scene, consider joining a food tour like this one, which starts at 11am and includes a visit to a local market and several tastings, or book a table at one of the Michelin-starred restaurants like El Celler de Can Roca.
Eat a Xuixo for Dessert
Xuixos are delicious doughnuts and a Girona speciality. Traditionally, they have a cream filling, although you can also find chocolate, pistachio and other flavours these days – including a savoury version filled with sobrasada (spicy sausage paste) which I wasn’t brave enough to try!
There are lots of bakeries selling these sweet treats, I got mine from Pastisseria Forn Montserrat close to the Basilica de Sant Feliu. I tried the chocolate and cream options (for research purposes, of course!) and they were both delicious.
Visit Temps de Flors – The Girona Flower Festival in May
One of the highlights of any trip to Girona – or indeed to Barcelona – is the wonderful flower festival which takes place over a week in May every year. The streets and buildings in Girona are decorated with beautiful flowers in intricate designs. It is a popular event, so it will be busy, but it’s definitely worth battling the crowds if you are here at the right time.
The festival runs for a week, but it is best to visit in the first few days, as the flowers begin to wilt and the displays suffer from wear and tear with all of the visitors. If you’re planning to spend the night in Girona, book your hotel well in advance, as you might struggle to find somewhere at the last minute.
If you are visiting for the day, then take an early train from Barcelona to beat the crowds – I took an 8am train and had a little while to enjoy the streets before the tour groups arrived!
Other Things to Do in Girona
If you have more time in Girona or want to explore the more modern parts of the city outside the Old Town, here are a few more ideas for you:
Check out the Cinema Museum
The Cinema Museum from the collection of Tomàs Mallol is a fantastic pick if you’re into film history or just curious about how moving images evolved. Housed in a restored building, the museum takes you on a 400‑year journey through pre‑cinema toys like shadow puppets and magic lanterns, early cameras and projectors, right up to the dawn of the Lumière brothers – all beautifully and interactively displayed.
Visit the Market
El Mercat del Lleó is Girona’s fresh food market, open from 8am to 2pm from Monday to Saturday. It’s a great place to pick up some fruit or supplies for cooking if you’re spending the night in Girona.
Take a Walk in the Park
El Parc de La Devesa is a large urban park just across the river in Girona. There is a kids’ play area, some ornamental gardens and footpaths through the trees to give you some time in nature away from the city.
Where to Stay in Girona
If you decide to spend a night or two in Girona, there are some great hotels to choose from. I haven’t recommended any apartments as Girona has the same issue as Barcelona with Airbnbs and holiday rentals taking housing stock from local people.
$ Pensión Borràs – Just outside the Old Town, this hotel has simple, clean rooms and gets great reviews for the friendly staff.
$$ Pensió Bellmirall – In a quiet but central location, this characterful hotel has a mix of single, twin and double rooms to choose from. Guests love the terrace area where breakfast is served in summer, and the wonderful hosts.
$$$ Hotel Palau Fugit – this stunning 4* hotel has spacious guest rooms, spa facilities, a seasonal outdoor swimming pool, and a lush garden. A perfect stay for couples on a romantic trip.
I hope this has helped you to plan a perfect day trip from Barcelona to Girona, and even convinced you to extend your stay here! If you’d like more ideas for exploring Catalonia, check out my pick of the best day trips from Barcelona.