Is Girona Worth Visiting? My Honest Opinion After Visiting
I first heard about Girona while browsing Game of Thrones filming locations and learned that it replaced Dubrovnik as a filming location for some scenes in later seasons. As a Dubrovnik local and a big fan of the series, I immediately added it to my travel bucket list.
But if you’re not a GoT fan, you might be wondering, is Girona worth visiting?
I’ve got good news for you: even if you’ve never heard about the series, there are so many reasons you should visit Girona beyond seeing the filming locations! Keep reading to see if Girona is worth the detour on your next trip to Spain!
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Is Girona Worth Visiting? Quick Answer & My Experience
The quick answer is yes, Girona is definitely worth visiting if you’re already in Barcelona or planning a trip to the Spanish Costa Brava.
I visited Girona on a day trip from Barcelona, taking a local train for less than 10€ in one direction that took about an hour and a half. There are quicker trains, but they’re also more expensive. I don’t think it’s worth paying more than double the price of the regional train for a 30-minute shorter trip, but it’s good to know you have options if you prefer a more comfortable journey.
Girona surprised me in so many ways, especially compared to Barcelona. I wasn’t expecting to find a walled medieval hilltop town with cobbled streets so close to the modern seafront resorts. If you love picturesque towns that feel like you stepped back in time, I’m sure you’ll love Girona.
The only downside I’d say is the temperatures. I visited in August, and it was hot. No, it was actually scorching. The fact that I decided to walk the city walls at 1 PM definitely didn’t help.
What I Love About Girona
I loved so many things about Girona, and I truly believe it’s the perfect place to escape Barcelona crowds and busy seafront resorts.
Charming Old Town
The main reason to visit Girona is naturally to see the Old Town. The train will leave you across the river from the historic center, but it’s just an easy 15-minute walk until you’re on the other side.
I started my visit by walking the city walls, and I was so surprised that it was completely free. Especially compared to walking the city walls in Dubrovnik, which costs almost 50€! The views were incredible, and it was such a cool experience to climb the ancient towers.
Once in the historic center, I loved the cobblestone streets, old parks, and stone buildings. It felt so authentic and like stepping back in time.
Fascinating History
The first settlements in Girona date back 2000 years, and over the course of time it housed Iberians, Romans, Moors, and Jews. It’s interesting to know this, as you’ll see the historic evidence of all of these groups all over the city.
Don’t worry if you didn’t do your homework before coming; there are information boards in front of most monuments telling you the history of the place.
Walkable City
You can easily explore the entire city of Girona on foot at a leisurely pace. Also, many streets in the historic center are pedestrian-only, or at least cars are not supposed to be there unless someone blindly following Google Maps gets stuck on narrow roads.
After visiting larger cities like Barcelona or Madrid, I truly appreciated how calm the city was. I only spent 1 day in Girona, but I got to see everything I wanted without rushing or needing to use public transport at all.
Game of Thrones Filming Location
Even though the hype around this series has died down quite a bit in recent years, Game of Thrones still has many dedicated fans who’d like to see the filming locations in real life.
Now, I’ve seen people walking down the stairs in front of the cathedral yelling “Shame!” and while I didn’t say anything there, I feel like you should know that scene wasn’t filmed there. The stairs scene was actually filmed in Dubrovnik!
That being said, there are many other filming locations in the city, and the best way to find them all is by joining a guided Game of Thrones walking tour. I’ve overheard several private tours while walking around, and the information the guides shared was very detailed and interesting to learn!
‼️🕍 There are not as many Game of Thrones walking tours in Girona as there used to be, so make sure to book yours in advance if you want to join one while you’re there!
Easy Day Trip From Barcelona
Finally, I’d say a very good reason to visit Girona is that it’s so easy to visit on a day trip from Barcelona. At the same time, it makes for a great change of scenery and a more authentic experience.
That’s not to say that Barcelona is not worth visiting, because it certainly is! But we can all agree that Barcelona can be a bit overwhelming, especially in the peak summer season.
Girona felt like such a breath of fresh air, metaphorically of course, because it was almost 40°C when I visited. I was the only person walking on many streets that I wandered, and even in front of the main tourist attractions there was only a handful of other tourists.
You don’t want to worry about train departure times and tickets? You can also join this organised day tour to Girona and other villages from Barcelona! 🚌👫
Why You Might Want To Skip Girona
While I loved Girona, I can see why it might not be the best choice for all visitors.
It’s Extremely Hot In the Summer
The main reason to skip Girona would be the temperatures. I can’t deny that exploring the city during a heatwave wasn’t as enjoyable as it could have been if I wasn’t on the brink of heatstroke the entire time.
Summer temperatures in Girona are not a joke, and I totally understand you might want to spend your time at a beach instead. It was around 35°C when I was there, but it honestly felt like 40°C when I was walking the city walls.
If I were to visit Girona again, I’d do it during shoulder season. I think it would be a perfect place to visit in Europe in the fall. The region is still pretty warm until late November, so you have plenty of time to visit.
It’s Not On the Beach
I know this one is quite obvious when you look at the map, but I’ve been told before that Girona is a beach town. It is most certainly not. It takes about an hour to get to the beach from Girona by public transport, which makes it not a beach town in my books.
That being said, if you’re in the area for summer holidays and staying on the coast, you can still visit on a day trip. I just wouldn’t actually stay in Girona expecting the beach. The other way around still makes for a fantastic beach vacation.
Best Things To Do in Girona
By now I hope I convinced you that Girona is worth visiting, but you might still be wondering what to do in the city. Here are my favorite things I did in Girona.
Walk the City Walls
The first thing I did when I arrived in Girona was to walk the city walls. To be honest, I wasn’t planning to do that first, but I found myself in front of the south entrance to the walls and thought it was as good a time as ever.
There are several entry points to the wall, but I really liked starting from the South next to the Jardins de les Pedreres and walking all along the walls until the Cathedral and Jardins dels Alemanys.
Climb the Cathedral Stairs
Girona Cathedral is the most recognizable tourist attraction in the city, probably because many people think it was featured in Game of Thrones. It actually wasn’t! The famous stairs scene was filmed in Dubrovnik, but I admit that these stairs look so similar.
See the Arab Baths
Another popular tourist attraction in Girona is the Arab Baths. It’s not free to visit, and you’ll have to pay around 5€ to see it. It’s right in the city center, just a couple of steps behind the cathedral, so it makes for a fun addition to your Girona itinerary.
Join Game of Thrones Tour
If you’re a fan of the series, it is totally worth joining a Game of Thrones guided tour and learning more about the filming process. It’s actually kinda cool to walk the streets and sit on benches that were featured in the series. I especially love comparing how the places we see on screen look in real life.
Wander Cobblestone Streets
My favorite thing to do in Girona was literally just wandering the cobblestone streets and seeing what lies around the corner. I didn’t actually follow a set itinerary, so everything was a bit of a surprise. I especially loved the narrow streets and the old park behind the cathedral as I was the only one there.
Admire the Riverside Views
One of my favorite viewpoints in Girona is not even from the City Walls. It’s actually from the Pont de Pedra Barri where you can see the colorful houses lining the river and the famous red metal Pont de les Peixateries Velles.
Stay Longer
While I only visited Girona on a day trip, I’m sure I’d stay longer if I had a chance to come back. I noticed a lot of cycling trails leading out of the city, and learned that this region is actually quite popular with cyclists. If that’s something you’re into, it would be so much fun to stay several days in Girona and explore the surrounding area on a bike.
Where To Stay in Girona?
Girona is a pretty small and walkable city, so you can’t really go wrong. Personally, I’d say in the historic center because it’s more picturesque and authentic, but if you prefer more modern hotel options, those will be across the river. It’s not necessarily a bad thing either, as you can see the historic center from your window.
- TOP Pick: Pensió Bellmirall (stay in the historic house!)
- Luxury Option: Hotel Nord 1901 (they have a pool!)
- Budget Pick: Hotel BESTPRICE
Final Thoughts: Is Girona Worth Visiting?
A day trip to Girona was one of my favorite days during my 5 days in Barcelona, and I feel like that says a lot. I 100% believe that Girona is worth visiting and that most travelers will enjoy their time in the city.
Honestly, if you love picturesque medieval towns and you want to feel like you stepped back in time, this is the place to go! Girona is big enough to spend a day there, but small enough to still feel authentic and cozy.
Also, it has quite a unique architecture and history compared to other historic Spanish towns I visited, like Cordoba or Granada.
🇪🇸☀️ Planning a trip to Spain? Check out my ultimate guide to solo travel in Spain to help you plan the entire trip, from places to visit, where to stay, and how to get around!
