Girona Day Trip from Barcelona | Top Highlights & Tours

Why Take a Day Trip from Barcelona to Girona?

So you have a day to spare on your trip to Spain and are considering heading down to Girona, this section will cement the reasoning as to why it is a must to take a Girona day trip.

1. Catalan Culture:

When you go from Barcelona to Girona, you will see a stark contrast in the lives of its citizens. Barcelona is a tourist destination and is always hustling and bustling; Girona on the other hand is a quaint city in the countryside. Here you can truly see what Catalan culture looks like. You can discover what life as a Catalan is like in this idyllic city.

2. Girona Cathedral:

If you have watched the very popular TV show, Game of Thrones, this cathedral is instantly recognizable. It is where a majority of season six was filmed. The cathedral is also known for its large Gothic nave, which is 23 meters wide, making it the largest in the world. It is also a very important part of the city skyline, making it a must see place in the city.

3. Museu d'Història dels Jueus:

The community of Jewish people in Girona has existed for a long time. The Girona Jewish quarter is the place where they have made it their stronghold. The museum of Jewish history is the place that illustrates the long and storied relevance of the community to the city of Girona.

4. River Onyar:

On your Girona day trip, if peace and quiet is what you are looking for, then you should definitely make your way to the many bridges that cross over this serene river. On either side of the river you will see houses with brightly coloured facades, making it a postcard worthy place.

5. Make your way to Figueres:

Located around a 100 kms away from Girona, this place is home to the Dali-Theatre museum, the second most visited museum in all of Spain. Being the home of Salvador Dali, you can find some of his more nuanced works in this museum. You can also check out the Castell de Sant Ferran, which is the largest castle in all of Europe.

Essential Info

The half-day trip commences at 8:30 AM. The tour lasts for 11 and a half hours.

Between the 13th-31st March, the trip takes place on Tuesday and Saturday. From the 1st of April till the 8th of November, there are daily trips, except on Mondays. From 9th November to 20th March 2021, the trips are on Tuesday and Saturday.

The tour is not available on the following dates: 25th Dec, 26th Dec, 01st Jan and 06th Jan.

Address: Not Applicable | Google Maps

Ticket Prices: 79 Euros

Train: The high speed AVE trains will take you from Barcelona to Girona in a matter of 40 minutes. These trains are also far more frequent than buses, giving you the flexibility to travel to the city freely!
Metro: Unfortunately the metro lines do not extend to Girona.
Road: You can rent a car and drive to Girona, all you need to do is take the AP7 from Barcelona to Girona. Another thing of note is that these roads are tolled. It will take you an hour to reach Girona.
Bus: One bus company called Sagales organizes a few trips to Girona from Barcelona throughout the day, however, you will need to check your schedule to get an idea of when to catch the bus.

If you have one day and want to explore Girona, the Girona and Figueres tour is the best option. You will be taken to the city in an air conditioned bus and will be accompanied by an experienced guide who will lead you through the city and take you to the best stops in Girona. You will be given ample time to feast on some delicious food in Girona before you head off to explore Figueres. At Figueres you will be taken to the Dali Theatre-Museum where you can wonder at the works of Salvador Dali. You can explore the halls decked with some of the Spanish master’s finest works. You can get these tickets on websites such as Headout for the outstanding price of just 79 Euros!

Best Time To Visit Girona

Spring

The city of Girona is a beautiful sight during spring or the Primavera as the locals call it. The city invites many visitors as the weather is quite pleasant during this time. You might also find rain during this time as it is common for the coity to experience 5 to 6 days of rain a month.

Summer

The summer months in Girona are quite warm, making it a perfect time to visit the city. The months of June, July and August are the second busiest time in the city.

Autumn

This is the time when hotels are very cheap, due to the fact that the region experiences days of heavy rainfall and snow. Temperatures are also quite pleasant, making it a good time to visit.

Winter

The weather during winters is quite cold and Girona is a place warm weather travellers avoid. It rains or snows only 2 to 3 days during this time.

Top 10 Things to do/see around Girona

Visiting Girona for a day trip can be quite the experience. It is a Spanish city with its own set of hidden treasures and in this section, we hope to unearth some of them and help you get the experience you deserve:

Eat at a Michelin starred restaurant

Surprisingly Girona has a number of Michelin starred restaurants that you can’t cover in a day's time. There are more Michelin starred restaurants here in Girona than in Barcelona! In fact El Cellar de Can Roca, a three star restaurant, has often been named as the best restaurant in the world. You can enjoy a fine dining experience in this quaint and quiet city.

Tourists enjoying a traditional drink at a café during a Barcelona to Girona day trip.

Enjoy a traditional drink

Girona is home to many culinary delights and cocktails also come in that circle. Head on over to El Vermutet Can Gombau to enjoy a refreshing sip of the traditional vermouth. Here you can enjoy some of the classiest drinks with a view that matches the coolness of your drink. The garden patio makes for the best place to cool down after a long day of exploring.

Visit Placa de Sant Felix

One of the first churches consecrated in Girona. It began construction in the 12th century and was subsequently completed in the 17th century. The building is unique in the fact that it is mostly Roman in design with a Gothic nave and a covered Baroque facade. You can also indulge in the local tradition of caressing the Lionesses’ bum!

River views

The River Onyar splits this Catalan city into two, chances are you will see this river multiple times as you make your way in and around the city. While you can spend a long time looking at the beautiful river, it is the buildings that are lined up along the river that are the highlight. These buildings are painted in bright colours and make for a stunning backdrop for photographs.

Pont de les Peixateries Velles

The Eiffel Bridge, is one of the many bridges that span across the Onyar River. This particular bridge was built by the same company that constructed the Eiffel Tower, hence the name. In particular, the Eiffel Bridge is the most famous in all of Girona as it links the old town center to the new one.

Girona Old Quarter

Perhaps the area where you can see the best places on your Girona day trip, the Old Quarter houses many important buildings. The Cathedral is one of the most important spots in the city and makes for a great place to spend your evenings.

Walk the Girona Wall

A structure that surrounds the city, the Girona wall makes for the best place to get panoramic views of the city from. You can stroll around the wall and view both the new and old parts of the city. The horseshoe shaped wall has many entry points allowing you to explore all of the city with ease.

Sant Pere de Galligants

A very important monument in the city of Girona, the Sant Pere de Galligants is a Benedictine abbey constructed around the 12th century. Known for its beautiful architecture, its towers and bells are a sight to behold. If you are in Girona and in the Old Quarter, you simply cannot miss this place.

Bike around the city

If you are still wondering what to do in Girona, then worry not, for you can pick up a bike on rent and cycle your way around the city. Its roads and lanes are quite narrow for vehicles to pass and cycling makes for the best way to explore Girona. You can explore the museums and cross the river on your bike ride, giving you an unforgettable scenery along the way!

Visit the many cafes

Girona is home to many small and beautiful cafes that serve some delicious foods at affordable prices. What’s more is that a majority of these cafes are nestled in perfect spots, ones that give you a view of what life is like in the Catalan city.

Your Experience on a Girona Day Trip

With a Girona Day tour not only will you get to experience the city in its element, but you will get to peek behind the curtain of history. A city that has a multicultural community, filled with monuments from hundreds of years ago and a community that still embraces its past, Girona has it all. Your day will be enriched by learning what life is like in the Catalan countryside and how one day can give you a memorable experience unlike any other.

Know Before You Go

Be aware of pickpockets and always ensure that you are aware of your belongings in crowded areas.
The locals speak Catalan, although they may understand Spanish it is advisable to pick up a few Catalan words to help you out.
When visiting religious places, such as the many churches, wear clothing that covers shoulders and knees. Also avoid open toed footwear.
Wear a comfortable pair of shoes. You will be walking a lot and will not want to hurt your feet.
Smoking is prohibited in almost all areas of the city, you should only smoke in designated zones.
Tipping in Girona is customary, the standard rate is 10-15% of your bill.
Wear a N95 grade mask in crowded places, avoid touching your face and wash hands as frequently as you can to avoid Coronavirus.