Girona Cathedral
ModerateThe widest Gothic nave in the world
Climb the great baroque stairway, then step into a single Gothic nave of extraordinary width.
Barri VellGothicView
Girona & the Costa Brava, Spain
Ideal: 3–4 daysBest: May–Jun, Sep–OctPrice: Expensive
In 60 seconds
Girona & the Costa Brava in 60 seconds
Girona is a compact, handsome Catalan city of painted houses on the River Onyar, a hilltop cathedral reached by a great baroque stairway, walls you can walk along, and the Call, one of the best-preserved medieval Jewish quarters in Europe. It is also a food city: the Roca brothers' El Celler de Can Roca has twice been named the world's best restaurant, and their ice-cream shop, Rocambolesc, is in the old town. Beyond lies the Costa Brava, a coast of pine-backed coves and whitewashed fishing towns — Calella de Palafrugell, Tamariu, and Cadaqués at the end of a mountain road, where Dalí lived at Portlligat. His theatre-museum fills Figueres. Two days in Girona, more on the coast.
MedievalCoast
Best for
- Food
- Art
- Beaches
- Weekend
Known for
- Girona old town
- El Celler de Can Roca
- Costa Brava coves
- Dalí
Skip if
You want the coast to yourself in August — the Costa Brava's coves are packed and parking is hard in high summer.
Your match
Choose a few travel interests and we will show how well Girona & the Costa Brava fits them. Choose interests
See
Must experience
The things that would make the trip incomplete without them.
The Call
Medieval Jewish quarter
Narrow stepped lanes and a museum of Jewish history on the site of the last synagogue.
Barri VellFreeHistory
Dalí Theatre-Museum
ExpensiveDalí's own museum in Figueres
A building topped with giant eggs, designed by Dalí as his monument, where he is buried.
FigueresArtSurreal
Calella de Palafrugell
Fishing village of arches and coves
Whitewashed arches over the beach and coves linked by the coastal path to Llafranc.
Costa BravaCoastSwimming
Eat
Where to eat
A short list, kept short on purpose. Each entry answers one question: when is this the right choice?
More places to eat
Too few picks yet for their own heading, so they share this list.
El Celler de Can Roca
Very expensiveThe Roca brothers' three-star restaurant
One of the world's most celebrated tasting menus; tables are released months ahead.
TaialàBook far aheadTasting menu
Rocambolesc
InexpensiveJordi Roca's ice-cream shop
Ice creams and lollies shaped like noses and fruit, from the pastry chef of El Celler de Can Roca.
Barri VellIce creamPlayful
Beyond the obvious
Hidden gems
Less obvious, rarely queued for, and usually the part people remember.
Passeig de la Muralla
A walk along the city walls
Walk the ramparts round the old town for views over the rooftops to the Pyrenees.
Barri VellFreeView
Cadaqués & Portlligat
Dalí's white bay
A white town at the end of a mountain road, and Dalí's house in the next cove (booking essential).
Cap de CreusArtCoast
Orientation
Neighbourhoods
How the city is actually divided, and what each part is for.
Barri Vell
The old quarter on the hill
Cathedral, Call, Arab baths and the Rambla by the river.
Stay
Where to stay
Areas rather than hotels — pick the right one and the rest follows.
Girona old town
ExpensiveHotels by the river
Easy for trains to Barcelona and Figueres.
TrainsWalkable
Costa Brava villages
ExpensiveLlafranc, Calella, Tamariu
Stay by the sea for the coastal path and evening swims.
BeachSummer
Practical
Know before you go
- Getting in
- Fast trains from Barcelona take about 40 minutes; Girona airport has budget flights.
- Getting around
- Walk the city; buses reach the coast, but a car makes the coves easier.
- When to go
- May, June, September and October; the Temps de Flors flower festival fills the old town in May.
- Taste locally
- Pa amb tomàquet, suquet fish stew, Empordà wines, crema catalana and xuixos pastries.
Plan this trip — useful links
Context
History in 5 minutes
Enough to make what you are looking at legible.
- 100s BC
The Romans found Gerunda on the Via Augusta.
- 1492
The Jews are expelled, ending centuries of life in the Call.
- 1974
Dalí opens his Theatre-Museum in Figueres.
Further out
Nearby escapes
Worth a day if you have one to spare.
Barcelona
Catalonia's capital
Barcelona has its own guide.
40 min by fast trainCityGaudí