Major city · Spain
Girona
Give Girona 2 nights: one full day for the cathedral, walls and Old Town, one for the Jewish quarter and museums. Skip it only if you are here purely for Costa Brava beaches.
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (30–40 °C), winter windsavoid Jul–Aug (86–104 °F), winter winds
- Airports
- GRO · BCN
- Nights
- 2
Rules in force · 9Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Iberia ↗Plan meals on the Iberian clock: Spanish kitchens serve lunch from about 13:30–14:00 and dinner from 20:30–21:00; Portugal eats an hour or so earlier. Early evenings are for tapas or petiscos, not full meals.
- Iberia ↗Inland Spain and Portugal (Seville, Córdoba, Madrid, the Alentejo) pass 40 °C in heatwaves from late June to August: sightsee before 11:00 and after 18:00, and keep July–August for the coasts and the green north.
- Iberia ↗Andorra and Gibraltar have their own border and customs rules and are reached only through Spain (or France for Andorra); read their pages before adding them, especially if you hold a limited Schengen visa.
- Spain ↗Spain is in the Schengen area. Check the entry rules for your passport on official sources; the EU's Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors at the first Schengen border, and further pre-travel authorisation rules are being introduced.
- Spain ↗High-speed trains have airport-style baggage screening at the station and boarding gates that close a few minutes before departure: arrive early.
- Spain ↗Carry your passport or ID: police may ask for it, and hotels must register every guest's document.
- Spain ↗The Alhambra in Granada and the Sagrada Família in Barcelona sell timed tickets that sell out weeks ahead in season; book on the official sites before you fix your dates.
Girona is the chief city of the province of the same name in Catalonia, about 100 km northeast of Barcelona and 40 minutes away by high-speed train. It is a walled medieval city on a hillside, with a cathedral, a former Jewish quarter and one of Europe's best-preserved old towns. Most travellers use it as a base for the Costa Brava or as a stop between Barcelona and France, but the city itself deserves a full day.
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Girona, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the euro (EUR, €).Spain-wide
- SIM or eSIMcheckEU and EEA plans roam at home prices; UK and other plans may charge — check before you land.Spain-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe across the mainland; it tastes of chlorine in some coastal areas.Spain-wide
- TippingRestaurant: Round up or 5–10% for good service; service is not usually added.Spain-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/F. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Spain-wide
- SafetyGirona is a safe city for tourists; the main risks are pickpockets in crowded Old Town streets and on the train from Barcelona, summer heat…
- RestroomsFew public toilets; use bars and cafés (buy a coffee).Spain-wide
- Emergency numbers112 All emergency services · 091 National police · 062 Guardia Civil (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysSmall shops close about 14:00–17:00 and on Sundays; big chains and department stores open all day.Small shops close about 2:00 PM–5:00 PM and on Sundays; big chains and department stores open all day.Spain-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportGRO Girona–Costa Brava Airport (Ryanair is the main operator; Sagalés bus 607 to the bus station, about 30 min).
- Getting aroundThe centre is compact and mostly pedestrianised: Old Town and New Town are 10–15 min apart on foot, but expect gradients…
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee€1.50–2.50 (≈ US$2–3)
- Beercaña in a bar / can in a supermarket€2–3.50 (≈ US$3–5)€1–2 (≈ US$2–3)
- Taxi, about 5 kmTaxi, about 3 miTaxi across the centrecheck€8–12 (≈ US$10–14)
- Metro or bus rideLocal bus single ridecheck€1.50–2 (≈ US$2–3)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week€10–20 (≈ US$12–25)
- Museum or sight ticketCathedral entry (two churches)check€7.50 (≈ US$9) adult, €5 (≈ US$6) student, €1.50 (≈ US$2) child
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per person€25 (≈ US$30)
- Mid-range bedDouble room, mid-range hotel, a night, per room€110 (≈ US$130)
- High-end bedDouble room, mid-range hotel, a night, per room€220 (≈ US$300)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget €50 (≈ US$60) · Mid €110 (≈ US$130) · High €200 (≈ US$250)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- GRO Girona–Costa Brava Airport (Ryanair is the main operator; Sagalés bus 607 to the bus station, about 30 min) · BCN Barcelona–El Prat (Sagalés bus 602 to Girona, about 2 h 30 min; or train from Barcelona Sants)
Weather and climate
Girona: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
14°C57°F
1°C34°F
6 rd
Feb
15°C59°F
2°C36°F
5 rd
Mar
17°C63°F
4°C39°F
6 rd
Apr
20°C68°F
7°C45°F
7 rd
May
23°C73°F
10°C50°F
7 rd
Jun
28°C82°F
14°C57°F
6 rd
Jul
31°C88°F
17°C63°F
4 rd
Aug
31°C88°F
17°C63°F
5 rd
Sep
27°C81°F
14°C57°F
7 rd
Oct
22°C72°F
11°C52°F
8 rd
Nov
17°C63°F
5°C41°F
6 rd
Dec
14°C57°F
2°C36°F
5 rd
High / low °C°F · rd = rain days
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The centre is compact and mostly pedestrianised: Old Town and New Town are 10–15 min apart on foot, but expect gradients, cobblestones and stairs in the Old Town. Local buses (lines L1–L12) cover the suburbs, the station and Montjuïc. Girocleta is the bike-share scheme based at the bus station; many signed cycle routes leave the city.
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Banyoles
goDoor to door: About 45 min
Bus from Girona bus station, about 30 min
Lake, old town and a pleasant half-day; good in summer heat.
Besalú
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Bus from Girona, about 45 min
Medieval bridge and old town; small, so half a day is enough.
Figueres
goDoor to door: About 45 min
AVE or regional train from Girona station, 20–30 min
Dalí Theatre-Museum; book tickets ahead in high season.
Costa Brava beaches
goDoor to door: 1–1.5 h
Bus to Lloret de Mar or Blanes, 40–70 min
Girona is the closest city to the southern Costa Brava; day-trip by bus or car.
Camprodon
overnightDoor to door: About 2 h
Bus or car into the Pyrenees, about 1 h 30 min
Mountain valley; better as an overnight than a rushed return.
Ripoll
cautionDoor to door: About 2 h
Train or bus, about 1 h 30 min
Monastery and Pyrenees gateway; check connections, they are infrequent.
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Barri Vell (Old Town)
East bank of the Onyar; cathedral, Jewish quarter and walls on foot. Steep streets and cobblestones; few cars.
New Town (west bank)
19th-century grid around Plaça de la Independència; most shops, hotels and restaurants, plus the railway and bus stations.
Around the station
Practical for one night or an early train; 10–15 min walk to the Old Town.
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- €50–80 (≈ US$60–95) excl. bed
- Mid
- €90–150 (≈ US$110–180) excl. bed
- High
- €180 (≈ US$250)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room, mid-range hotel1 × 2 nights × €110 | €220 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × €110 | €440 |
| Sagalés bus GRO airport to Girona, both ways2 × €5 · check | €10 |
| Cathedral and Sant Feliu combined ticket2 × €8 · check | €15 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × €15 | €30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | €72 |
| Trip total≈ €197 per person per day, bed included | €787≈ US$950 |
2026 estimate in euros; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | €1.50–2.50 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Menu del dia (lunch, weekdays) | €12–18 (≈ US$14–25) |
| Beer: caña in a bar / can in a supermarket | €2–3.50 (≈ US$3–5) / €1–2 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Taxi across the centrecheck | €8–12 (≈ US$10–14) |
| Local bus single ridecheck | €1.50–2 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Cathedral entry (two churches)check | €7.50 (≈ US$9) adult, €5 (≈ US$6) student, €1.50 (≈ US$2) child |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | €10–20 (≈ US$12–25) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Do not drive into the Old Town streets: they are narrow, pedestrianised and easy to get stuck in.
- Summer heat: 30–40 °C in July and August; plan sightseeing for the morning.Summer heat: 86–104 °F in July and August; plan sightseeing for the morning.
- Winter can bring cold mountain winds and temperatures below −5 °C, plus frequent rain.Winter can bring cold mountain winds and temperatures below 23 °F, plus frequent rain.
- The Onyar river can dry to a trickle in summer and smell.
- Some sights close on Mondays or have short Sunday hours: check before you go.
Emergency numbers
- All emergency services
- 112
- National police
- 091
- Guardia Civil
- 062
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
GironaGirona
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A aquesta adreça, si us plauTo this address, please
Emergency
- All emergency services112
- National police091
- Guardia Civil062
Embassy
No embassies in Girona; most countries have embassies in Madrid and consulates in Barcelona.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- GRO airport → Girona bus station, Sagalés 607: about €2.60 (≈ US$4), about 30 min (check)
- Barcelona Sants → Girona, AVE: about €15–30 (≈ US$18–35), 40 min (check)
- Taxi across the centre: €8–12 (≈ US$10–14) (check)
Say or show
- Hola — Hello (OH-lah)
- Gràcies — Thank you (GRAH-see-es)
- Si us plau — Please (see oos PLOW)
- Quant costa? — How much is it? (kwant KOS-tah)
- El compte, si us plau — The bill, please (el KOM-teh, see oos PLOW)
- On és el lavabo? — Where is the toilet? (on es el lah-VAH-boo)
Catalan is co-official here; Spanish works everywhere, but a few Catalan words go a long way.
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Girona. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (30–40 °C), winter winds · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 6 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for GRO: Sagalés 607 times field-checked, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: Cathedral and walls, the Call, Plaça de la Independència, station and Devesa.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (cathedral, Sant Feliu, Arab Baths, Cinema Museum) and eat pages with last orders.
- Costa Brava and Pyrenees day-trip fixtures so gates A–D can go green.
Sources
- officialGirona Tourism
- officialGirona Cathedral
- officialGirona–Costa Brava Airport (Aena)
- officialSagalés
- officialRodalies de Catalunya
- secondaryWikivoyage: Girona, revision 5286847 (CC BY-SA 4.0)