GIRONA: WHAT TO VISIT IN 1 DAY?

Girona is a special city for me because of some adventure at the airport, about which you can read here. Now i will tell you what you can see in Girona and  where is recommended to go if you have only one day  for visiting. I hope that Girona will  nicely surprise you as much as me a few years ago. Did you know that the biggest historic Jewish district in Europe is just in Girona, together with the best preserved medieval old town in Spain? I discovered it only later. In Girona we can feel the mix of Jewish culture (600 years) and climate Arabic (200 years under the rule of the Moors ), but mostly you will remember Girona as the medieval town .

9. girona stare miasto


How to get to Girona from Barcelona?


It is actually very easy to get from Barcelona to Girona. We can go of course with rented car but we can also choose between trains  (ticket about 10-20 €) and buses (ticket 15 €). By train it will takes you 40 minutes or 1h20 min. depends on train while by bus it’s 1h30 min. I traveled by bus from the Nord Station to Girona Airport but personally I recommend you train from Passeig de Gràcia Renfe Station or Sants Estació.

Here you can check: connections, train schedule, bus schedule

Once you get to Girona you head straight to the Tourist office in the Old Quarter (‘Casc Antic’ ) where you will get free map.


Bridge Pon Eiffel and famous Girona cathedral


At first I walk Pon Eiffel bridge (yes, its name derives itself from the tower in Paris) over Onyar River to get to the other part of the town. The buildings called Casas de Onyar look like little coloured boxes. Their pastel colours get reflected in water which gives an incredible visual effect.

9. girona pon eiffel

After a short walk in cobbled little streets I get to a famous gothic cathedral in Girona, which makes a huge impression on me from the very beginning. It’s phenomenal both outside and inside. I spend there one hour as it offers quite a lot to see. The Cathedral in Girona has the widest Gothic nave in the world. To reach the main entrance, you must go up a large staircase from the late 17th century. You will be impressed by the main façade is Baroque from the 12th century cloisters , gothic arches and stained glass windows.

30. katedra girona

OPENING HOURS & ENTRANCE

The cathedral is open every day (April – October 10: 00-18 : 30; November-December 10: 00-17 : 30 ). The admission ticket (normal 7 euros , reduced 5 euros ). Free entry is on Sundays and for children under 7 years old.

Later a quick photo session at the stairs from where you can see rooftops. As at its foot there is Jewish district El Call. This is the biggest historic Jewish district in Europe. It is a place where you can walk long hours ahead overlapping with courtyards to hear some local stories.

9. el call girona


The extraordinary architecture and an infinite number of churches


Another point is a roman church Sant Feliu, which is St. Felix. It was the first cathedral in Girona until the 10th century. Its tower can be seen from quite a distance. In the church, besides gothic and baroque ornaments there are Roman and early Christian graves (eight pagan and early Christian sarcophagi from 4th century).

OPENING HOURS & ENTRANCE

It can be visited 10:00 -17:30 (Monday – Saturday) and 13:00 – 17:00 (Sunday).  The ticket is combined with the Cathedral. 

9. kosciol sant feliu_laznie arabskie

Right behind the church there are Arabian baths (Banys Arabs), which were later made over into utility rooms by Capuchins.

OPENING HOURS & ENTRANCE

The entrance is 2 euro normal and 1 euro reduced. You can visit it from Monday to Saturday 10:00 -19:00 and Sunday 10:00 – 14:00  (april – september) and  daily 10:00-14:00 (october -march).

9. Sant Nicolau i klasztor Sant Pere de Galligants

On my way I also drop in Sant Nicolau church and Sant Pere de Galligants monastery  from 12th century which has a beautiful yard. Today is used as museum. Together with the church of Sant Nicolau (now an exhibition room), form one of Catalonia’s most important Romanesque sites.

OPENING HOURS & ENTRANCE

You can visit it from Tuesday to Sturday 10:00 – 19:00 (1.06-30.09) or 10:00 – 18:000 (1.10-31.05) and Sundays 10:00-14:00. On Monday is closed. The normal ticket is 4 euro and reduced 3,50 euro. For children under 8 years old is free entrance.

30. Sant Pere de Galligants


Let’s meet at Rambla in Girona


Girona impressed me not only with its medieval architecture but also with the huge influence of recession which was visible there. The time, however, didn’t stand still. At the end of the day you should go to relax in a café at the main promenade in town called Rambla de la Libertat. See you next time Girona!

9. Girona Rambla


How do you like my way to visit Girona? Do you already charmed by Girona?  Who of you have been, and would like to share experiences? You need more informations? If so, let me know in the comments.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *