What to See in Girona? 5 Unforgettable Places to Visit in 2 Hours
Don’t let its size fool you: Girona is a city with a lot to offer.
But you might not have enough time on your next visit to wander its streets as much as you’d like.
That’s why we’ve put together this list of the most emblematic places to see in Girona.
Each of them can be visited in two hours (or even less), so even if you only have one day, you’ll have time to see them all.
Also, at the end of the article, we’ll tell you how to learn more in depth about the history of each of these places.
Put on comfortable shoes, because we have a lot of walking ahead.
What You Can See in Girona on a One-Day Visit
Girona is a city you could visit for days without getting tired.
But if you’re only going to spend a single day there, these are five places you absolutely must see.
Take note.
The Historic Center and the Cathedral
Our first stop, as it couldn’t be otherwise, is the historic center.
The streets in this part of the city keep the essence of the medieval era. Walking through them is like traveling back centuries in time.
Within your tour of this area, there are several key points you shouldn’t miss. Among them is the Jewish Quarter, one of the best-preserved in Europe.
Also, in this area stands the Girona Cathedral, one of the most emblematic buildings in Girona city, recognized for having the widest Gothic nave in the world.
The Arab Baths
Another gem of Girona’s old town worth spending a few minutes on.
Although called Arab Baths, it is actually a Romanesque building designed to imitate the essence of oriental baths.
They are very close to the cathedral, so you can stop by before finishing your walk through the historic center.
The Hanging Houses on the Onyar River
The Onyar River divides the city into the old and new parts.
The bridges that cross it are a must-see during your visit to Girona. Especially the Iron Bridge (built by Gustave Eiffel) and the Stone Bridge of Isabel II.
From the Iron Bridge, you’ll enjoy magnificent views of the Hanging Houses on the Onyar.
These buildings — which seem to float over the riverbanks — are famous for their colorful façades that look like a postcard from Northern Europe.
The Girona City Walls and the German Gardens
Girona’s line of fortifications has survived centuries of attacks and invasion attempts.
Construction began during Roman times, in the 1st century BC, and continued expanding until the 9th century AD. For that reason, along the walkway on top of the walls, you can find everything from Latin inscriptions to Arabic letters.
Through them, you’ll reach the German Gardens, an ideal spot to visit in Girona if you’re traveling with children.
These gardens owe their name to an old barracks of German mercenaries that settled there in the 17th century.
Today, the ruins of this barracks blend perfectly with one of the city’s most attractive gardens.
Also, from the top of the walls, you’ll have a privileged view of the sunset over Girona.
The Sant Feliu Neighborhood
If you want to enjoy Girona’s nightlife, the Sant Feliu neighborhood is the place to be.
This area is known for its many upscale restaurants and music clubs, where you can have a drink while enjoying a jazz concert.
It also houses the Basilica of Sant Feliu, which was Girona’s first cathedral and the only one until the 10th century.
Inside the basilica, several works of art are preserved, such as eight pagan and early Christian sarcophagi, and the Recumbent Christ by master Aloi.
All this without forgetting the hidden history of this neighborhood.
As we explain in one of our Girona tours, this area was known for five centuries as the city’s Chinatown and the place where brothels were concentrated.
Would You Like to Know the Real Girona?
The places we have shown you in this one-day tour are some of the most emblematic in Girona.
But just that won’t let you know all the intricacies the city hides.
If besides visiting Girona you are also interested in knowing more about its history, legends, and secrets, there is a solution: book one of our private tours.
In these private routes, you and your companions will have a guide just for you, who will explain in great detail all the places we’ve seen in this article.
Also, by their side, you will discover those details of Girona’s past that don’t appear in any travel blog and only local guides know.
If you want to dive deeper into the city’s history and understand what life was like in the past, click here and book your private tour now.