Girona Local Attractions

Girona lies to the north of Barcelona in the Ter River valley between the mountain massifs of Las Gavarres and Las Guilleries. Its strategic location made it an important stronghold, and its history features a never-ending list of military events. The twelfth century saw the building of many outstanding Romanesque constructions, and during the Gothic period the city began to expand and enlarge its walled sections. During the sixteenth and seventeenth century there was still an increase in defensive construction which included fortresses and military barracks.

Girona Cathedral is an enormous construction which was built over many centuries, with its cloisters and Carlemany Tower containing some fine examples of Romanesque art. The Gothic nave is unique, while the main façade shows clear Baroque influences.

The former Episcopal Palace has been converted into an Art Museum, and other buildings of interest include the fourteenth Convent of Sant Doménec; the Church of Sant FéIiu, which has a Romanesque ground plan and a Gothic vault, and contains the Chapel of Saint Narcís (Girona’s patron saint); the twelfth century Monastery of Sant Pere de Galligants is the location of the Archeological Museum whose cloisters preserve an important collection of Jewish steles that came from the cemetery of the ancient Hebrew community who lived in medieval Girona.

The Jewish Le Call quarter runs parallel to Calle La Força and spreads out in a maze of small, narrow and steeply sloping streets which still maintain their medieval atmosphere. It was founded in the ninth century, and right up until the expulsion of the Jews in 1492 was home to a thriving community of almost a thousand inhabitants (20% of the city’s population at the time).

The Arab Baths is a structure that houses ancient facilities that were used for public bathing. The whole building is actually Romanesque in design and architecture with three rooms: the frigidarium cold water room; the caldarium hot water room and the tepidarium or lukewarm (tepid) water room.

A good way to view the old city is from the top of the medieval walls which are still very much in tact. It will take about 30 minutes to go from one end near the Placa Catalunya to the northern end near the cathedral and Arab Baths. Another good way to view Girona is from any of its dozen bridges that join the medieval eastern half with the new city on the western bank.

If you are planning to explore the area outside of the city centre and play some golf or go to some of the more out of the way beaches then you might consider hiring a car. There are a number of car hire firms based at Girona Airport who will be pleased to have a vehicle awaiting your arrival. This also cuts down on transfer costs for you and your family.

We also provide information on sporting and leisure amenities in Girona which includes a Girona Area Guide, the best Girona Shops, Girona Markets, Girona Golf Courses, where to find Girona Beaches, recommended Girona Restaurants and Girona Local Attractions