Girona travel tips: An idyllic alternative to Barcelona

Travelers love Barcelona and are not alone: ​​every year more than 27 million visitors from all over the world come to Spain’s most popular city. / Girona travel tips.

The crowds of tourists clog the city and make it expensive. So why not do yourself and the people of Barcelona a favor and travel to another Catalan city? Namely Girona

Located a hundred kilometers north-east of Barcelona, ​​the city of just over 100,000 inhabitants offers impressive medieval architecture and a magical setting: it lies at the foot of the Pyrenees on four rivers: the Ter, Onyar, Galligants, and Güell.

Sights in Girona

Girona’s most famous attraction is Les Cases de l’Onyar, the Houses of Onyar. The colorful facades are partly from the 19th, partly from the 20th century and, since their renovation in the 1980s, have formed one of the most unique waterways in the world. They seem to float above the water and stretch out on both banks of the Onyar River, which bisects the city in its middle.

The two opposite banks are connected by two bridges designed by the same architectural firm as the Eiffel Tower. Only one house is open to the public, Casa Masó, which is considered one of the finest examples of modern Catalan architecture. After sightseeing, you can rest with a picnic in the green Devesa Park. Then it’s on to the old town, because in little Girona you can easily reach everything on foot.

Historical buildings, cafes and revolving scenery in Girona

The neighborhood of Barrí Vell is at least as beautiful as Barcelona’s Barri Gòtic, but much emptier and feels far more authentic. Because here you will not only find the most beautiful and oldest buildings in the city, but also the University of Girona. Many students bustle in the cafés and bars of the quarter, which is dominated by a huge, white cathedral.

The scene of the successful series “Game of Thrones” was filmed on the dramatic baroque staircase of the church, in which Queen Cersei has to endure the path of shame. Another attraction are the Arab Baths of Girona. This is an ancient, Romanesque bathing facility, which also served as the location for the series due to its mystical and well-preserved architecture. Admission is only two euros.

On the old city wall of Girona you can walk for free on the so-called Passeig Arqueològic. From there you have a wonderful view over the city. In the Jewish quarter of El Call there is a maze of stone streets and medieval buildings to explore. Caution: High shoes are not a good idea given the numerous stairs that you have to climb.

In the Carrer de la Força 8 there is a very interesting museum on the Jewish history of the city. Those who get tired and hungry after a long day of exploring can head to Carrer de la Cort Reial for dinner. One of the many restaurants offers delicious tapas at affordable prices and good Spanish wine.

The Flower Festival

If you want to see Girona in its most colorful guise, you should travel to the city in spring. In the first two weeks of May, the Temps de Flors flower festival takes place every year, during which the entire Barrí Vell is staged with carpets of flowers, sculptures and light installations.

For many weeks afterwards, works of art made of paper flowers can still be found all over the city, towering imposingly in the many public squares, but often completely hidden in one of Girona’s countless alleys.

Arrival to Girona

With the fast train from Barcelona you can reach Girona in just 40 minutes. This makes the city all the more suitable for a day trip. Since it is close to Barcelona, ​​it is used by numerous European low-cost airlines as an alternative airport for the Catalan capital. For example, Ryanair flies directly to Girona from Karlsruhe, Memmingen and Bremen. If you are on a road trip, the French border is also not far.

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