Girona is characterized by day tourism, huge buses full of tourists stop here every day. For many, Girona is perfect as a passage on the way to Costa Brava or to Barcelona. In any case, Girona has a lot to offer and is definitely worth a visit. In the meantime I’ve been to Girona a few times and fell in love with this charming, small, colorful city on my first visit.
Girona at a glance
- Parking: According to our report, there is free parking near the cinema. Free parking is rare in the area
- Arab baths: from the 12th century, described in this article as baths from 1194
- Eiffel Bridge: The Pont de les Peixateries Velles over the Onyar. Gustave Eiffel built them just before he designed the Eiffel Tower
- Game of Thrones: Locations in the old town around the cathedral
- Old Town: Time travel to the Middle Ages, cathedral, city wall route and shopping streets
Park dilemma
When we drive to Girona, we always park in the (free!!!) parking lot near the cinema. You often look in vain for free parking spaces in the area. After my parking garage dilemma (I had to pay seriously €13 for a few hours!!!) we won’t give up so quickly and look forward every time we finally find a free place to park (there will be a lap in the car first. Juhuu).
Pok kisses promise an early return
Once the parking is done, you can walk towards the city center. Our path leads us past the Parc de la Devesa and over the Pont de San Feliu bridge. A photo (or rather 10) is taken here first, because from the bridge you have the best view over the colorfully painted houses on the River Onyar. Orange, yellow, red,… I can never get enough of it. Continue past the lion statue La Lleona on the Plaça de Sant Feliu in the direction of the old town.
The four-meter-high column represents a lion (or actually a lioness) winding around the column. Supposedly you can’t be a real citizen of Girona without once kissing the lioness’s butt. For the visitors of the city, the kiss promises an early return to Girona. Personally, I find this custom really funny, but still a bit disgusting. The buttock of the lioness was therefore still unaffected by me and that will not change either. I have returned to Girona many times.
Arabic baths from 1194
On the Carrer dels Calderers we continue until we come to the Pujada de Sant Feliu, a small alley that leads us up to the left. Here you will find a nice place to eat a bite or have coffee. Strengthened, we walk past the Basílica Sant Feliu to the Arabic baths. Admission costs only €2 (students only pay half), so a real bargain, our wallet is happy.
become stone
Later we follow the stairs that go up to the right of the baths and get to the back of the Girona cathedral. From here you can enjoy a beautiful view over the city while on one of the countless benches you can take a break in the shade. We continue to the Frenchwoman’s garden (Jardins de la Francesa), where, oh how much I love her, invite blue benches to linger.
There is a special detail to discover on the facade of the cathedral, namely the so-called witch. This slightly different gargoyle is attached to one of the cathedral’s pillars. According to legend, a woman familiar with the art of witchcraft threw stones onto the processions until she herself was petrified. An old folk song says: “You throw stones and you will throw stones; so you will become stone”.
Game of Thrones in Girona
The varied city wall route, which we will postpone later, also starts from the Frenchwoman’s garden. Now it’s about the cathedral, out of the garden and the square in front of the cathedral. Of course, there are also benches there again, this time made of stone, on which you can insert a short siesta in the sun. I really like this city! The cathedral was built in various stages in the 14th, 15th. and 17.
cent. Built and owns the widest Gothic nave in the world. From the cathedral lead a proud 90 stairs down. The staircase is the largest baroque staircase and has already been the scene of the famous TV series Game of Thrones. For all fans, not including me (yes really not), will also be extra Got Tours offered by the city.
Time travel to the Middle Ages
Arrived at the bottom, we continue on the Carrer de la Força towards the old town and the Jewish quarter. Narrow, dark alleys await us and we realize why Girona served as a medieval film set. We also feel transported back to another time. From 889 to 1492, i.e. 600 years (!!!) for 600 years (!!!), the Street of Kraft was part of the Jewish quarter, also known as a call, and formed its own microcosm with the surrounding streets and buildings.
Must be shopping
We always just come past tapas bars and restaurants to Plaça del VI and turn right over the Pont de Pedra bridge to the other side of the city. Immediately to the right we turn into the Carrer de Santa Clara and always follow it straight until we reach the next bridge. Of course, we can’t get past one or the other shop without even taking a look inside. In Girona there are really many cute little shops and boutiques that delight the shopping heart.
Eiffel Bridge
We now go to the right, past almost kitschy, beautifully blooming pink trees over the Pont de Les Peixeteries (bridge of the fish shops) back to the other side. Girona has a variety of bridges connecting the city sides, separated by the River Onyar.
The Pont de Les Peixeteries is a special highlight. Constructed by Gustave Eiffel, the striking red metal structure leads us to the Rambla de la Llibertat.
most beautiful bridge of Girona
There is a lively hustle and bustle here. Cafes and boutiques attract. Strolling along this road, we come to the Plaça de la Independència via the Pont de Sant Agustí turning left. Among the tours, it’s time to finally drink a Café Con Leche and watch the hustle and bustle on the square, one of my favorite hobbies in foreign cities.
After our short break, we pass the Plaça de la Independència and over the Pont d’en Gómez, in my opinion the most beautiful bridge in Girona.
high up
Once back at our starting point at the lion statue, we want to explore part of the city wall. Once at the top, a bench in the sun awaits us again. From here we enjoy the view of other sights such as the Basílica Sant Feliu, the cathedral, the Església de Sant Nicolau, the monastery of Sant Pere de Galligants and the many small gardens and parks in between. In Girona, you will never get bored, hiding behind the various staircases through the narrow streets many a surprise.
Definitely try it:
tapas in Zanpanzar
ice from Rocambolesc
Frequently asked questions about Girona
Where to park for free in Girona?
In our report we park at the free parking lot near the cinema. Free parking in the area is often searched in vain.
Who built the Eiffel Bridge in Girona?
The Pont de les Peixateries Velles over the Onyar comes from Gustave Eiffel, who designed it just before the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
What time did the Arab baths come from?
The Banys Rabs are well-preserved 12th-century baths. Our post is the year 1194.
Was Game of Thrones filmed in Girona?
Yes, Girona was the location of the series. We describe the locations around the cathedral in this article.
More on this: More about Girona: A walk through Girona with cathedral and old town, A walk through Girona, Girona: Living city with history, Temps de Flors 2019 – Girona.
