Medieval streets, Game of Thrones filming spots, and one of the world's best restaurant scenes — 40 minutes from Barcelona
🔥 Check Top Girona Tours 🏨 Compare Hotel PricesGirona is one of Catalonia's most rewarding cities and arguably its most underrated — a compact, walkable old town of Roman walls, a colossal Gothic cathedral, and one of the best-preserved Jewish quarters in Europe, all sitting a 40-minute high-speed train ride from Barcelona. Most visitors treat it as a day trip, and while that works, Girona genuinely rewards an overnight stay once you factor in its restaurant scene, which punches well above its size — this is the home city of El Celler de Can Roca, repeatedly ranked among the best restaurants on earth.
Girona's colourful houses stacked along the Onyar River are one of the most photographed scenes in Catalonia, and its old town doubled as Braavos and parts of King's Landing in Game of Thrones — the steep cathedral steps and narrow medieval lanes are instantly recognisable to fans. Add the Costa Brava's beaches within easy reach and Girona works equally well as a standalone base or a Barcelona add-on.
👉 This guide covers the old town, the food scene, and how to fit Girona around a wider Catalonia trip.
💡 Quick Girona facts:
Walk the exact steps used as Braavos and the King's Landing "Walk of Shame" staircase, with a guide pointing out filming details a self-guided wander would miss entirely.
Check Availability →One of the best-preserved medieval Jewish quarters in Europe, home to Nahmanides, one of history's most significant rabbi-philosophers — narrow stone lanes that feel genuinely untouched by time.
Explore The Call →Home to the widest Gothic nave in the world and a monumental Baroque staircase — the same steps used for King's Landing's iconic scenes.
Book Cathedral Tours →Sample xuixo pastries and ratafia liqueur in the Jewish Quarter, with a local guide explaining exactly why this small city has such an outsized culinary reputation.
Find Food Tours →The Passeig de la Muralla footpath runs along restored Roman-era walls, with sweeping views over the cathedral, the old town rooftops and the Pyrenees on a clear day.
Explore More Tours →The candy-coloured houses lining the Onyar are Girona's signature photo — best viewed from the Eiffel Bridge (yes, that Eiffel) at golden hour.
Book Girona Tours →The Game of Thrones walking tour is consistently the most booked experience — reserve ahead
Find Best Girona Tours →Guesthouses and simple hotels a short walk from the old town from €55/night.
Check Budget Hotels →Boutique hotels inside converted old town buildings from €110/night — the sweet spot for atmosphere and location.
Compare Options →Restored historic properties with river or cathedral views from €200/night.
View Luxury Hotels →The AVE high-speed train from Barcelona Sants takes as little as 38 minutes, making Girona one of the easiest, most efficient day trips in Europe — or a genuinely practical standalone base if you'd rather skip Barcelona's crowds and prices entirely.
Girona–Costa Brava Airport is a major hub for budget airlines including Ryanair, with direct flights across Europe — useful if Girona, not Barcelona, is your actual entry point to Catalonia.
Compare tours and hotels before prices increase
Book Tours Now → Find Hotels →