Girona City Guide
| fast facts |
population
89,000
getting there
nearest airport: Girona (approx 10km)
getting around
-to edit
tourist office
Rambla de la Llibertat, 1
17001 - Girona
tel: 972 22 65 75
email: unavailable
main public holidays
1 and 6 January
Easter - Semana Santa
23 April – Sant Jordi (St Georges day) patron saint of Catalunya
1 May
24 June
25 July
15 August
11 September – Cataluya National Day
12 & 29 October
1 November – All Saints day
6, 8, 25 and 26 December
Girona hotels
Overview
Though just an hour from the coast, up until recently most tourism to this elegant city has been that of day trippers dragging themselves off the beach. Yet the airport has been used since the first package holidays to whisk the hoards straight past the city to the resorts of Tossa and Lloret de Mar. Things are changing and Girona is becoming a destination in its own right whilst also being a gateway to rest of this beautiful province.
Countless invasions have shaped Girona into what it is today which is a small yet beautifully formed, proud and prosperous city. The Romans were the first to put their cultural and architectural stamp on the city from the 1st century BC, creating the fortress town they called Gerunda, with many excellently preserved examples of their reign still to be found throughout the city. Other major influences included The Moors from the 8th century and the Jewish from the 9th century who, prior to their expulsion in 1492, inhabited the maze of streets around C/ Força for over 600 years.
The River Onyar (Riu Onyar) separates the old city, known as the Barri Vell, from the new and if you've seen any image of Girona it's probably of the cases de l'Onyar (pastel coloured medieval houses) with the river in the foreground marking the divide. Running parallel to the river within the old city is the Rambla Llibertat lined with shops, cafés and bars, taking you towards the magnificent cathedral.
West of the River Onyar is the new town which, though lacking the charm of the old part, is nevertheless not unattractive with wide streets, some beautiful squares and el Parc de la Devesa, Girona's biggest park.
Highlights
The Cathedral
This imposing building which is reached via a wonderful flight of steps and the result of many different architectural influences from the 11th to 18th centuries. The original Romanesque building dates from 1083 and it is said to have Europe's widest gothic nave.
Jewish quarter
This evocative area with its labyrinth of narrow streets off c/ de la força known as the 'call' is the best preserved area of its kind in Europe.
Jewish Museum
Located within the Jewish quarter and telling the story of the history of this community.
Opening hours:
Jun-Oct: Mon-Sat 10am-8pm, Sundays and holidays: 10am-3pm
Nov-May: Mon-Sat 10am-6pm, Sundays and holidays: 10am-15pm
'la muralla' (city walls)
Walk around the ramparts which have watchtowers and spiral staircases leading off them with fantastic views across the city and to the Pyrenees on clear days.
Banys Arabs (Arab baths)
Unfortunately no longer in use but well worth a look especially the Frigidarium or cold water room.
Opening hours:
1 Oct – 31 Mar: 10am-14pm
1 Apr – 30 Sep: 10am-19pm
Sundays and holidays: 10am-14pm
Sant Pere de Galligants Monastery
This 12th Century Benedictine monastery is one of best examples of Catalan Romanesque architecture and also houses the Archaeological museum of Catalunya.
Eating & Drinking
general areas
Ramblas de la Llibertat – cafés
Plaça del Vi – cafés
c/ de la Força – catalan restaurants & chic bars
c/ Cort Reial – restaurants & tapas bars
Plaça Independència – restaurants & bars round square – river & cathedral views
restaurants
zanpazar – Tapas – c/ Cort Reial – tel: unknown
el Palau de la Mercè – Catalan – Pj de la Mercè 10 – tel: 972 221 360
el Cellar de Can Roca – Catalan (Michelin 2 star) – Carretera Taialà 40 - tel: 972 222 157
Café bar l'arc – near Cathedral – music in evening
La Crêperie Bretonne – French – c/ Cort Reial 14 - tel: 972 218 120
Le Bistrot – French – Pujada Sant Domènec 4 – tel: 972 218 803
Casa Marieta – Catalan - Plaça Independència 5-6 - tel: 972 201 016
Boira – Catalan - Plaça Independència 10 – tel: 972 218 443
Nightlife
The area around c/ Calderas and C/ Ballesteries has lots of lively bars and in summer el Parc de la Devesa opens bars known as las carpas with music and dancing from Wednesday to Saturday.
Shopping
In the old town there are many smaller independent gourmet food shops, galleries and antique shops. The Ramblas de la Llibertat and c/ Santa Clara across the river in the new town are where you'll find the chains and clothes boutiques.
Plaça Independència plays host to a local produce and craft market every Saturday.
Festivals
5 January – three kings
This marks the traditional time of Christmas present giving in Catalunya and the evening of the 5th of January is when it all starts with the arrival 'from the east' of the three kings. A parade through town with sweets being thrown to children from floats.
May - Temps de Flors - Flower festival
For nine days at the beginning of May Girona turns into an explosion of colour with both residential and public building adorned with displays, many of which are open to the public although most are visible from the streets.
September - Jazz festival – September/October
If you're a Jazz aficionado this excellent annual festival last for over three weeks.
1 November – Fires de Sant Narcís – Festival of Saint Narcis
The whole of the old town becomes an outdoor market with antiques, traditional food, crafts, art and painting stalls. The Trobada de gegants, giant papier mache figures, is held on the following Sunday.
