Girona
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Logistics
Getting There
Girona has its own airport about 20 minutes away from the city center. This makes it easy to get to travel to from European cities with direct flights here. For those not as lucky to fly direct into Girona, one can also fly to Barcelona and get a transfer to Girona.
Getting Around
The city center is very walkable, making it a nice city to base yourself in and explore. To visit the areas around Girona, consider renting a car or a bike. If you like to cycle, this is a cyclist hot spot with access to mountains, coast, and countryside roads pretty quickly after you get out of the city.
Accommodations
Try to stay in or around the city center. This makes it easy to go out for meals and explore the town. The city has tons of cute coffee shops, tapas bars, and places to pop into for a drink so it’s quite nice to be centrally located to be able to take advantage of it.
Bravissimo – they host a variety of properties in Girona. The Pou Rodó location was perfect for 3 to 4 people, especially those interested in cycling in the area. It was easily walkable to nearby cafes and restaurants, but also quick to get out on the road. The accommodations also had spots to store the bicycles inside.
Things to do and see
City Center
Wander the pedestrianized streets of Girona, filled with cute cafes, shops, tapas bars, and other great spots to sit for a drink. The city center is very pretty and it is nice to get lost in the streets while exploring.
Cycling
Many come to Girona as it has become a cycling hub for those who enjoy to get out and explore an area on two wheels. As the town is quite small, but offering nice cafes, tapas bars and shops, it stands as as great home base for cyclists. They can get out on the bike during the day with cafes to grab a morning coffee at beforehand, and restaurants to indulge at following a cycle.
Renting
Cycle Tours Catalonia – This spot has a variety of bikes and the shop is very helpful with nice employees there to help you out. Highly recommend renting from here!
Routes
Rocacorba
H1 iconic climb around Girona. The climb is a 9.82km climb with a total elevation of approx. 723m and average gradient of 6.5%. The climb starts out more gradual, but do not be deceived as the second half is generally steeper and overall tougher. The climb itself does not have good views as you are winding up the climb with trees around you. The views really do not become apparent until you reach the top where it provides a glorious view over the surrounding area.
Unfortunately the road up (and down) is not a great road with some very large pothotels and some dangerous bumps. This makes descending work as well as you’ll need to control your speed and watch the road.
All in all, this is a tough climb. It’s one I’d recommend doing once but not again personally. I think it’s worth the challenge to have done it, but not worth a repeat.
Coming from Girona, you can do an approx. 75km loop that passes by (or around) Banyoles Lake to then continue onward to the climb.
Banyoles Lake
Very pretty lake which provides a nice spot to ride to or around from Girona. The lake is not that large so does not take long to cycle around, but is a pretty spot with some places to stop around for a coffee or snack.
Costa Brava
Gorgeous coast line to the East of Girona. Girona is set somewhat inland from the coast, but close enough that it’s well worth heading out to the coast. Plan a nice loop from Girona to enjoy the rolling coastline by bike and take in the scenic views over the Mediterranean.
Els Angels
A nice climb just outside Girona. It only takes a few kilometers to get to and then you immediately start climbing. This is a gradual climb of approx. 4% over 11 kms. The roads are great, which makes for a great descent.
Food and Drinks
La Comuna Cafe
Cafe
Girona
Cute café on the edge of the pedestrianised area with good coffee and breakfast options. Good spot to work from if need wifi
Espresso Mafia
Cafe
Girona
Excellent takeaway coffee. There’s space to sit as well, but we used this one to grab on the go
La Fabrica
Brunch
Girona
Cute café off the main pedestrian street with a good brunch selection
Federal Cafe
Brunch
Girona
Another nice café with good brunch selection to enjoy a sit down morning brunch
Eat, Sleep, Cycle Cafe
Cafe
Girona
Great spot to grab lunch or a snack at the end of a cycle. With lots of outdoor tables and places to park your bike outside, it provides a good destination to enjoy a well deserved bite or drink after a ride
Rustik Emporda
Cafe
Bellcaire d’Empordà
Outside Girona, this is a good café to add to your cycle route to stop for a cup of coffee and snack on the god
La Maglia Coffee & Co
Cafe
Platja d’Aro
Another café outside Girona, perfect for a bite when on Costa Brava. Unfortunately it does not come with a view, but it is friendly for cyclists
Hors Categorie
Brunch and Dinner
Girona
From coffee to beer, brunch to burgers, there’s a varied menu at this cyclist spot. Stop here for whatever you fancy and enjoy a meal or drink here.
Bravola Focacceria
Lunch
Girona
Small and simple menu with focaccia sandwiches to have on the go
El Cafe
Dinner
Girona
Tapas bar in town, great for a drink and small bites to share
Bartali Pizza
Dinner
Girona
Pizza spot where you can sit down or order food for pick-up, with both pizza and pasta options
Taverna d’El Foment
Dinner
Girona
Catelan restaurant with nice outdoor seating. Order a bunch of Catelan dishes to share with your group
Vii, Tapes i Platillos
Wine Bar
Girona
Lovely wine bar in town with a large wine menu and a variety of Catelan dishes
Crepedeque
Dessert
Girona
Crepe window with tons of sweet and savoury options
Other Notes
Language
Spanish is spoken in Girona, specifically a Catelan spanish. We found English to be widely spoken here and had no challenges communicating
Duration
For cyclists, a long weekend (or more) is a great amount of time to visit as it is a great place to be based for a cycling holiday. There’s lots of nice rides from Girona and then the city itself provides nice options for meals and days off.
For non-cyclists, I’d recommend 2-3 nights, 1 focused on the city itself and 1-2 to go out to Costa Brava and drive along the coast, picking a cove or beach to enjoy time at the beach or for a meal on a nice day.
Food to try
Xiujo Xiujo – local cinnamon donut stuffed with a crème, sometimes different flavors including chocolate or apple fillings are available.