Girona
Travel Guide

Girona is a city that marks you. Not only the appeal of its old town and surrounding area is indisputable, but the natural environment and the people surrounding this Catalan city in Spain is fantastic... the sea and the mountains basically go hand in hand. Girona is authentic, it's well maintained and all it's people love it. Few are those who speak ill of it. Gironans boast about their city with sympathy and pride and... it's no wonder. It's capital of this region of Catalonia, whic is a land with nature, agriculture, industry, handcraft, good cuisine and folk traditions. The province of Girona is often compared with Italian Tuscany, but with a point in its favor: Costa Brava. Costa Brava has fantastic villages, beaches and caves where days are lived intensely under the sun of the Mediterranean Sea.
Sports culture and, above all, cycling is deeply rooted in this land. And don't forget good wine, l’Empordà, rural hotels in masies -the old traditional houses of Catalan farmers - and good restaurants. Girona is on of the Spanish regions with the most Michelin-starred chefs but it's no surprise, good eating is the main criterion of Gironans. The city -and the province in general- gets people excited... few know how to escape the magic it exudes. And as some Gironans say when you visit their lands, 'do you come or do you stay'?

You need to be registered in Bautrip in order to save or like an article.
Join us!
Are you a member of Bautrip?
Log in

Girona Overview

Language

Catalan, Castilian and English. Catalan is one of the two languages that coexist along with Spanish in Catalonia. Generally, everyone speaks both languages but Catalan is the most spoken language by the majority of the population of Girona, although everyone speaks Castilian. If you speak English and even French you will be able to communicate.

Weather

Climate in Girona is Mediterranean, with cold winters and hot summers. Because of its closeness to the sea, temperatures are not extreme but it's also surrounded by mountains and sometimes the apparent temperature is colder than the actual temperatures. The coldest months are from November to February and the warmest from May to September.

Money

Euro (EUR). You can make currency exchange at the airport in Girona or Barcelona without any problems. There are exchange offices and ATM's. In the city of Girona you can also change your currency for the euro in banks and exchange houses.

When to go

During spring or summer. Spring is when it starts to get warm but temperatures remain cool under the Mediterranean sun; a fantastic climate to palate the city and nature that surrounds it. During summer, although it's hot, it's also a good time to go because there are many towns close to the sea to spend the day. Autumn is also a good time. There is a natural environment that is worth visiting. Winter is also a good time, though, since you can go skiing in the Pyrenees of Girona. If you adapt easily to cold and hot temperatures, Girona is a destination to visit all year round!

Days

Min. 3 days: To visit the city of Girona we recommend you spend at least 2-3 full days. The city has a very interesting past and you will notice right away that one morning isn't enough time for anything. In Girona you have to walk, look around... and if you can read before arrival or hire a guide, then it's even better: there are corners that only Gironans know and it really is a luxury to visit Girona with its people, they are very proud of their city. The third day or the following ones we recommend you go out to explore the villages next to the sea or the mountains around it. You will not regret it... Quite the opposite: They'll make you wanna go back!

Surroundings

Cadaqués (Fishing village, home of Salvador Dalí)
Figueres (city, Salvador Dali Museum)
Besalú (Medieval village)
Calella de Palafrugell (Fishing village)
Begur (Medieval coastal town)
Monells (Medieval village)
Sant Gregori (Natural Park)

Store Hours

Most shops and stores open from 09.30am to 01.30pm and from 4.30pm to 8.30pm. In Girona, timetables come a little earlier than in Barcelona, but it's only an hour drive away from the capital. Shopping malls have longer working hours. They are usually open from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.