Planning a trip to Girona? Most visitors come as a day trip from Barcelona, and that genuinely works — but if you have the flexibility, staying a night unlocks a completely different, quieter side of the city once the day-trippers leave.
✔ Best day-trip plan: old town + cathedral + Jewish Quarter + Game of Thrones tour
✔ Best for food lovers: stay overnight and book dinner in the old town
✔ Best experience: 2 days to properly explore without rushing
The Perfect Girona Day Trip
Take the early AVE train from Barcelona Sants (as little as 38 minutes) and arrive by mid-morning. Start at the Girona Cathedral and its famous Baroque staircase, then walk down into The Call, Girona's Jewish Quarter, for its narrow medieval lanes. Take the Game of Thrones walking tour around midday — it covers the cathedral steps and several other filming locations with context a self-guided visit would miss. Finish with lunch in the old town and a walk along the Onyar River houses before catching an afternoon train back to Barcelona.
Book the Game of Thrones Walking Tour
The single most popular experience in Girona — reserve ahead
Check Availability →2 Days: The Slower Version
With an overnight stay, spread the day-trip itinerary above across two mornings, and use the extra time for the city walls walk (Passeig de la Muralla) and a proper sit-down dinner — Girona's food scene, anchored by El Celler de Can Roca, is a legitimate reason to stay rather than rush back to Barcelona. Evenings in the old town, once the day-trip crowds have gone, are a genuinely different experience from the daytime version most visitors see.
Tip: Book any Celler de Can Roca-adjacent fine dining well in advance — the city's top restaurants have limited seating and a growing international reputation.
❓ Girona Itinerary FAQs
Is a day trip enough for Girona?
Yes — a well-planned day covers the cathedral, Jewish Quarter and Game of Thrones sites comfortably, especially given the fast train connection from Barcelona.
Should I stay overnight in Girona?
If food and a slower pace matter to you, yes — the old town after the day-trip crowds leave is a genuinely different, quieter experience, and it's the only way to properly enjoy Girona's restaurant scene.
How do I get from Barcelona to Girona?
The AVE high-speed train from Barcelona Sants takes as little as 38 minutes, making Girona one of the easiest and most efficient day trips from Barcelona.
Can I combine Girona with the Costa Brava?
Yes — Girona is inland but close to the Costa Brava's beaches, making it a practical base for combining old town sightseeing with coastal time if you have a car.