Girona is 37 minutes from Barcelona by AVE train and is, by almost every measure, more interesting than the mass-tourism version of Barcelona. The medieval Jewish Quarter (El Call) is one of the best preserved in Europe. The Onyar River houses — candy-coloured buildings stacked against each other and reflected in the water — are one of Catalonia's defining images. The cathedral steps appeared in Game of Thrones. And the Costa Brava coast, 40 minutes east by car, has some of the most beautiful coves in the Mediterranean.
It's cheaper than Barcelona, less crowded, and more authentically Catalan. The city repays at least one overnight stay — but even a day trip from Barcelona gives a very good return.
Daily Costs 2026
Cheaper than Barcelona, good value for what it offers
| Item | Cost (2026) |
|---|---|
| Train from Barcelona (Passeig de Gràcia) | €8–15 single (AVE/Regional) |
| Hostel dorm | €18–26 |
| Budget hotel / guesthouse | €50–70 |
| Mid-range hotel | €80–120 |
| Girona Cathedral | €7.50 (free Sunday mornings) |
| El Call Jewish Quarter Museum | €4 |
| Roman walls walk | Free |
| Lunch menú del día | €12–15 |
| Day trip total from Barcelona (train + sights + lunch) | €35–50 |
Medieval Old Town (Barri Vell)
Jewish Quarter, cathedral, and the Roman walls
El Call (Jewish Quarter). The Jewish community of Girona was one of the most important in medieval Iberia — the Kabbalah tradition that influenced European mysticism was centred here in the 12th century. The narrow streets of El Call, centred on Carrer de la Força, are medieval in scale and atmosphere. The Centre Bonastruc ça Porta (€4) is the site of the main medieval synagogue and now a museum of Jewish history in Catalonia. Free to walk the streets at any hour.
Girona Cathedral (€7.50, free Sunday 10:00–13:30). Construction spanned 700 years — the foundations are Romanesque (11th century), the nave is Gothic (14th–17th century), and the façade is Baroque (18th century). The Gothic nave, at 23 metres wide, is the widest Gothic nave in the world. The treasury contains the 12th-century Tapestry of Creation — one of the most important examples of Romanesque textile art in existence.
The Onyar River houses (free from outside). Stand on the Pont de les Peixateries (iron bridge designed by Gustave Eiffel) and look north for the famous view of pastel-coloured houses (ochre, red, green, cream) stacked on the riverbank. Best photographed in morning light before 10:00 and at sunset.
Roman walls (free). A 9km circuit of medieval and Roman defensive walls runs around the Barri Vell, parts walkable at rooftop level. Access from the cathedral area via the Jardins dels Alemanys steps. The highest sections give views over the city and the Pyrenees.
Game of Thrones Locations
Braavos on location in Girona
Girona doubled as Braavos for Arya Stark's Season 6 storyline (and later episodes). The most recognisable location is the Girona Cathedral steps — the 90-step Baroque stairway leading up to the cathedral façade appeared as the steps of the Great Sept of Baelor where Cersei Lannister completed her walk of shame. The steps are free to walk (the cathedral entry fee only applies to the interior).
Other Braavos locations: the Banys Àrabs (Arab Baths, €3.50 — the outdoor pool section appeared as the House of Black and White interior); the streets of Carrer de la Força and Carrer del Bisbe Lorenzana in El Call; the Pont de Sant Agustí over the Onyar. The Girona tourist office provides a free Game of Thrones filming map at the tourist information centre (Rambla de la Llibertat 1).
Costa Brava Beaches
The best coves, 40–60 minutes from Girona
The Costa Brava (Rough Coast) runs from Blanes north to the French border — 200km of limestone headlands, pine-forested capes, and hidden coves. The best beaches require a car (no public transport to the coves). Girona is the best base for a combined city-coast visit.
Cala Sa Tuna (near Begur, 45 minutes from Girona). A small sheltered cove with crystalline water and a handful of fishing boats pulled up on the sand. No sun lounger operators. Access by a 10-minute walk from the Begur–Pals road. Extremely beautiful in early morning before day-trippers arrive.
Cala de Tamariu (near Begur, 45 minutes). Slightly larger than Cala Sa Tuna with a small beach restaurant. Well-signposted; small pay car park. Consistent clear water and calm conditions make it good for snorkelling.
Platja de Pals (30 minutes from Girona). A long sandy beach in the Empordà coastal plain — one of the few long sandy beaches on the Costa Brava (most are rocky or pebble). Good for families; some facilities. Less dramatic than the coves but more practical for swimming.
Cadaqués (1.5 hours from Girona, car required). The whitewashed fishing village at the tip of Cap de Creus where Salvador Dalí lived for much of his life. Beautiful and genuinely unspoiled — no coastal road development, accessible only by a winding mountain road that deters most mass tourism. The Dalí House at Portlligat is nearby (€14, book in advance).
Practical Tips
Getting there, getting around, what to book
Getting there from Barcelona: AVE high-speed train from Barcelona Passeig de Gràcia (37 minutes, €8–15 single, book in advance for cheapest fares). Regional trains (1 hour, €8–10) run more frequently and don't require advance booking. The Girona train station is a 15-minute walk from the Barri Vell across the Onyar bridge.
Getting to the Costa Brava: A car is necessary for the best beaches. Rent at Girona airport (Ryanair's main hub — car rental is often very cheap here, €20–30/day for a small car). Alternatively, AMPSA buses run from Girona bus station to Palafrugell (for Begur coves) and Cadaqués, but with limited schedules.
What to book in advance: El Celler de Can Roca (3 Michelin stars, rated world's best restaurant multiple times) is located in Girona. Tables book out 11 months in advance. The lunch menu (€250pp) is released the first day of each month at 09:00 Spanish time and sells out in minutes. Worth trying, but don't plan a trip around the expectation of getting a table.
Disclosure: Tour links are affiliate links. We earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Disclosure: These are affiliate links. We earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
FAQ
Common questions about Girona and Costa Brava 2026
Is Girona worth visiting as a day trip from Barcelona?
Yes — 37 minutes by AVE, 4–6 hours covers the medieval city very well. Stay overnight to add the Costa Brava the next day. Girona is more authentic and less crowded than central Barcelona for the same transport cost.
What Game of Thrones scenes were filmed in Girona?
Girona doubled as Braavos in Season 6 and later. Key locations: the cathedral steps (Great Sept of Baelor), the Arab Baths, and multiple streets in El Call Jewish Quarter. Free filming map from the tourist office on Rambla de la Llibertat.
How much does it cost to visit Girona from Barcelona?
Train return: €16–30. Cathedral: €7.50. Jewish Quarter museum: €4. Lunch: €12–15. Day trip budget total: €40–55. Overnight in a budget hotel adds €50–70.
What is the best Costa Brava beach?
For beauty: Cala Sa Tuna near Begur — small, sheltered, clear water, no commercialisation. For scenery: Cadaqués and Cap de Creus (more distant, 1.5 hours from Girona). For families: Platja de Pals (long sandy beach with facilities).