Girona, located in northeastern Catalonia, Spain, is known for its medieval architecture, including narrow cobblestone streets, ancient walls, and the picturesque Jewish Quarter (El Call). Girona was founded by the Romans in 79 BCE as Gerunda, a fortified settlement along the Via Augusta, an important Roman road connecting Rome to Spain. Remnants of this Roman past, including sections of the original walls, can still be seen today​

Eiffel Bridge
Designed by Gustave Eiffel, this red iron bridge over the Onyar River offers beautiful views of Girona’s colorful riverside buildings.

Passeig de la Muralla
Walking along Girona’s medieval city walls offers panoramic views of the city and surrounding countryside. These walls date back to Roman times and provide access to several lookout towers​.

Girona Cathedral
Officially named the Cathedral of Saint Mary of Girona, this cathedral is a stunning architectural landmark located at the highest point of Girona’s historic Barri Vell (Old Quarter).

Many scenes from The Game of Thrones were actually filmed in the city, particularly around the cathedral and the narrow streets of the Jewish Quarter​.

Girona is easily accessible from Barcelona by train or car, making it a perfect destination for a day trip. From Barcelona Sants station, the high-speed AVE or AVANT trains take about 38 minutes to reach Girona. Tickets cost between €10-€20 depending on the type of train and booking time. We pre-booked our tickets about a month beforehand and they cost us €18 per person roundtrip. The trains are very comfortable and run in a timely manner.

If you have an extra day to spare during your trip to Barcelona, I highly recommend taking a day trip out to Girona. The journey only takes 38 minutes and it was nice to get out of the hustle and bustle of the big city. We spent the day walking around the Old Town, walking along the old city walls, and just popping into stores and coffee shops.