8 Best Things to See and Do in Girona Spain in 2024

This noble medieval city is one of Spain’s last surviving Jewish areas. Girona is located in northeast Catalonia. For many centuries Girona was sought after by many including Moors and Napolean. The city has faced more than 20 attacks in the entire history and this explains why the whole city is covered by high walls reinforcements that stands strong till date. Girona is also the backdrop of Braavos in Game of Throne, Season 6.

We have listed some of the best things to see and do in Girona.

Top Things to do in Girona Spain

Walking the city walls of Girona
Girona Cathedral
El Call
Museum of Jewish History
Church of Sant Feliu
Arab Baths
Rambla de la Llibertat
Food scenes of Girona

Building of Girona — Image Source: Pixabay

Read on to understand more about these places.

1. Walking the city walls of Girona

Built originally by the Romans, Girona’s impressive wall was later expanded twice, once in the early 800s during Charlemagne time and again in the 14th century. The walls are in good condition even today, thanks to the frequent restoration work. You will be amazed to find you can walk on the walls for nearly the whole of the old quarter. You can also climb up the stairways leading to the watchtowers which will give you some of the best places to witness Girona’s skyline. The walkway narrows a bit and you might find it a little difficult. We recommend you wear good walking shoes and also take breaks in between when you can take some rest in the shaded garden area by the street.

2. Girona Cathedral

One of the most beautiful sights in the city is the view of the Cathedral from the bottom of the stairway at Place de la Catedral. You will surely be breath-taken by this almost-monolithic building and its ornate frontage. For fans of architecture and history, you will be amused you find that the cathedral combines architectural style from many periods in time. The main layout is the widest gothic nave of any church in the world and this is gothic architecture. This is also the second-largest in the world, second to St. Peter’s Basilica making it one of the best things to see and do in Girona. You will find the original bell-tower from the Roman period. This also includes a gallery and narrow twin-arches, both built around the 1100s. The museum holds the Tapestry of Creation which is compared to the Bayeux Tapestry for its historical significance.

3. El Call

You will be surprised to learn that most of Girona’s Jewish quarters still stands, even though the Spanish Jews were expelled by the Catholic Monarchs in the early 16th century. This ghetto is one of the largest in Spain, built over a span of 300 years starting from the 1100s. At its prime, Girona was the most important Kabbalistic schools known to be the home of many important Jewish poets and thinkers. The stone walls and chasm-like alleys with secret gardens and stairways make this spot a very photogenic location and also one of the best things to see and do in Girona. Interested in the city’s history? Visit the Museum of Jewish History to understand more about Girona’s historic Jewish community.

4. Museum of Jewish History

The museum located in El Call gives you a glimpse of Girona’s Jewish quarters and the life of the people who resided in them. You will be taken through the Jewish community’s role in the city’s earliest developments. These insights are shared with the help of artefacts and documents that were discovered during the El Call’s excavations. You will find the Synagogue as one of the eleven galleries in the museum. In the Synagogue, you will find a 14th-century stone invoking the Psalm of David, written in Hebrew. There is also a section that is dedicated to Jewish burial rites and in this, there are two tombstones which are well preserved. They were recovered from a site in the north of the city.

Girona Architecture — Image Source: Pixabay

5. Church of Sant Feliu

Sant Feliu was the city’s cathedral till the 900s. Built around the 500s, the design is somewhat gothic but with a romanesque layout. The church’s gothic tower is notable for its flat edge as opposed to the usual point. You will find the early-Christian sarcophagi and eight Roman which dates to years between 200 and 400 making it one of the best things to see and do in Girona. Inside the church the remains of San Narcisco, the 4th-century martyr is kept. The tomb made around the middle ages is an astonishing gothic artwork.

6. Arab Baths

These baths, in the early days, were built outside the city walls, but later when the city of Girona developed, these became very accessible and also a part of the city. You will find these Arab baths very close to the cathedral. These structures follow both the Greco-Roman and the Moorish traditions and have a medieval, romanesque origin. You will find a cold room, a warm bath and a steam room called the frigidarium, tepidarium and caldarium respectively. Undoubtedly the most beautiful area is the changing room called the apodyterium where heavily ornate eight columns surround an octagonal-shaped pool. It is undoubtedly one of the best things to see and do in Girona.

7. Rambla de la Llibertat

Very different from the other streets. Girona’s Rambla de la Llibertat is an elegant and wide pedestrian path that is laid parallel to the Onyar, a place where people shop and meet up for coffee. There is a flower market that opens here every Saturday. The last main reconstruction happened around 1885 when the path was widened by demolishing some buildings and planting the trees. You will find a mix of neoclassical, baroque and gothic architecture in this street. The long arcade helps you hide in summer from the sun.

8. Food scenes of Girona

A must-visit for any food enthusiast, El Celler de Can Roca has been rated one of the best restaurants in the world since the year 2011. This world-class restaurant is run by the three Roca brothers. You will find numerous wineries tours and also many villages producing Cava. Ready for some experimentation? Head to the city’s El Lleó market, to buy some fish and meat that the local restaurants use.

Girona City bridges — Image Source: Pixabay

With this exhaustive list of the Top things to see and do in Girona, all set for your next Spain vacation? Wondering how to go about the itinerary planning and booking? Fret not. Reach out to our destination experts at Pickyourtrail for some specialist advice. Also, check out our recently booked Spain travel packages for inspiration. Adios Amigos!