Girona Old Town
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Girona Old Town - by Lucas Gallone on Unsplash
Description
Girona is a popular tourist destination thanks to its well-preserved old quarters and good transport connectivity. Its history goes back to the time of Iberian settlements after which it changed hands with the Moors between the 8th and 11th centuries. From the 12th to the 15h century it saw the development of a large Jewish community until Judaism was outlawed from the country in 1492; the Jewish quarter ("Call") is one of the city's main attractions. Other highlights include the bridges over the Onyar river and the views of colourful houses flanking it, the defensive walls (recently renovated), the Cathedral (covered under a separate review), The Collegiate Church of Sant Feliu, the Arab Baths (Banys Àrabs) and Plaça de la Independència which commemorates the War of Spanish Independence in 1808-1814 against Napoleon Bonaparte.
Access & Transport
The city has its own airport (15km south): Girona Costa Brave. It can also be reached easily from Barcelona by train (60-90') or car (Expressway AP-7, 105km) and is located on the train line between France and Barcelona. Figueres is 43km to the North and Perpignan in France, 95km.
Instructions & Recommendations
We recommend taking advantage of a visit to the city to see its Cathedral (separate activity review) and, why not, join an evening tapas tour. The town of Figueres with the Dali Museum and the village of Cadaqués can also be visited as a day trip.
Environmental & Social
Environmentally neutral Socially, the benefits of tourism balance out the drawbacks of over-commercialisation.
Conclusion
It would be hard not to highly recommend a visit to Girona, so we won't... It has monuments, lively areas and quaint streets, a long history, great food and bars. It can also be used as a base to explore north-eastern Catalunya.
Key positive
One of the best-preserved medieval cities in Catalunya
Easy to get to from Barcelona
Key negative
Some streets can feel very touristy nowadays
Suitability
Most areas are accessible to visitors with reduced mobility, but wheelchair users may not be able to cross the Onyar river one of the narrow pedestrian bridges as they tend to be accessed by a flight of stairs.
About this Rating
TYPE
Onsite
RESEARCHED IN
May 2024
PROVIDER
Koreval
av. transport time:1h
est. visit time:5h
Sunrise / early morningOk
MorningOk
Lunch timeOk
AfternoonOk
Sunset / eveningOk
Night – bef. midnightOk
Night – aft. midnightNo