Girona Overview
Girona Province is known as the Costa Brava (wild coast) and is characterized by scintillating beaches, magnificent coastal towns and picturesque villages, as well as bewitching historic medieval villages as you travel further inland; toward the north and the border of France.
The Province’s capital of the same name, Girona, is a magical city that is a bit more tranquil than bustling Barcelona.
Girona’s old town lies east of the Riu Onyar, and is punctuated by Força Vella, a Roman fortress built in the 1st century BC.
The famous Jewish quarter is one of the oldest and largest historical Jewish quarters in Europe. It takes up half of the Força Vella, and here you are met with narrow, winding streets that will give you a peek into a devastating era.
Best Sellers for Girona
Don’t miss this opportunity to visit some of the most popular spots in Girona.
CLICK ON THE WIDGET BELOW TO DISCOVER MORE ABOUT SALVADOR DALI’S GIRONA
Changes to Offerings
Please note that changes to offerings in the Widget might occur after publishing them, as they either go out of season or became unavailable for some or other reason. In this case you will notice that it has been replaced by another offer.
More About the Bestsellers for Girona
Learn More About the Bestsellers for Girona
Figueres – Dali Theatre and Museum: Fast Track Ticket
If you visited the Dali Theatre Museum and Dali House-Museum in Cadaqués, this trip takes you to the home town of Salvador Dali where you will not only learn more about the artists’ works, but have an opportunity to view his stunning jewelry designs.
The Dali Jewels Collection is a permanent exhibition which were made by Argentinian-born goldsmith Carlos Alemany in New York.
The collection consist of gold jewels, precious stones, drawings and paintings relating to the artists' jewelry designs.
The museum itself was also designed by Dali, and you will be astounded by the wacky architecture both outside and inside the museum.
Housed in the museum is Dali’s tomb, the surrealist bookstore, paintings, sketches, drawings, sculptures, illusions and three-dimensional installations.
You just cannot miss this opportunity to explore the works of Dali in-depth to get deeper insight into his imagination. Don’t delay, as you’ll miss a wonderful opportunity to explore the artists’ very intimate life.
CLICK ON THE WIDGET NOW FOR AN INTIMATE JOURNEY INTO THE LIFE OF THIS TALENTED ARTIST
Girona – Barcelona City to/from Girona Airport: Bus Transfer
If your visit to Catalonia takes you from Barcelona to Girona, a bus trip is ideal to get great views of the magnificent scenery between the cities.
You can board the bus at either one of these airports, depending where you’re starting and ending your visit. The one-way ticket also offer you WiFi on the bus.
CLICK ON THE WIDGET NOW TO AVOID NAVIGATING THE BUSY STREETS OF BARCELONA & GIRONA ON YOUR OWN
Roundtrip Upgrade for Girona Airport to/from Barcelona City + Girona Airport Bus Transfer + Barcelona City Audioguide
This package is useful if you want to explore Barcelona as it includes an Audio Guide to help you plan your stay better. The Upgrade offers you quick and easy transport between Girona and central Barcelona.
The bus is comfortable and the audio guide will be ideal for you to explore Barcelona. The app provides you with more than one hundred points of interest in the city of Barcelona, audio commentaries by local experts, offline interactive digital maps, as well as navigation.
Get your roundtrip upgrade if you’re looking for an easy way to explore Barcelona during your trip, as well as take advantage of the Airport Bus Transfer.
CLICK ON THE WIDGET NOW FOR A COMFORTABLE RIDE BETWEEN GIRONA & BARCELONA
Girona – The Girona Pass
The Girona pass is ideal for first-time travelers to Girona to get to know the most iconic and prominent landmarks and places. The pass gives you opportunities to plan your trip around the places that you’ve always wanted to visit, as well as discovering other places that you think might be interesting.
However, the pass is also useful if you're a seasoned traveler to the city. Especially if you're spending just a day or so in the city and want to visit ‘old haunts’ that you fell in love with on your first visit.
The Girona Pass is a great way for you to explore some of Girona’s most iconic landmarks to learn more about their intriguing histories.
CLICK ON THE WIDGET NOW TO ENJOY THE BEST GIRONA HAS TO OFFER ... ON YOUR OWN TERMS
Learn More About Salvador Dali, Spain’s Gifted Surrealist Artist
Salvador Domingo Felipe Jacinto Dalí I Domenech or, in short Salvador Dali, was a Spanish Surrealist artist renowned for his technical abilities, precise draftsmanship, and arresting and strange images in his work.
He was born in Figueres, Spain, and received his formal education in Fine Arts in Madrid.
Much influenced by the Impressionist and Renaissance masters, he became increasingly attracted to Cubism and avant-garde movements. His move to Surrealism started when he joined the group in 1929.
There are two major museums devoted to Salvador Dalí’s work – one in his hometown of Figueres, the Dalí Theater-Museum and the other, the Salvador Dalí Museum in St. Petersburg, Florida.
Learn More About Figueres, Spain
Figueres is located in, and is the capital city of Alt Empordà County in the region of Girona Province.
Situated between the eastern end of the Pyrénées and the Costa Brava, the city offers tourists an opportunity to experience both the Spanish and French Catalan culture.
Keeping watch over the town is the Fortress of Sant Ferran, built in the 18th century.
This colossal fortress is one of the largest bastions in Europe. It was built as a frontier fortress for the Franco-Spanish wars. During Franco’s dictatorial rule, the fortress was used as a concentration camp and prison.
Figueres was once home to a Jewish community prior to the expulsion of the Jews in 1492. Today, only a small Jewish quarter remains in the old town around Carrer Magre.
The town has some interesting buildings dating back to the medieval period, a square dedicated to Salvador Dali, some notable churches, museums and a convent.
Learn More About the Landmarks You'll Visit
Basilica of Sant Feliu
The stunning Basilica of Sant Feliu is located in the heart of Girona. The intricate architecture and its rich history dating back to the 9th century will captivate you.
It houses the offices of the Parish of Sant Feliu and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Girona (this was the main church of Girona before construction of the Girona Cathedral). The church was built between the 12th and 17th centuries in honor of Sant Feliu.
The church has retained much of its Romanesque structure, which was completed later with a Gothic nave and covered Baroque façade.
The Basilica’s graceful bell tower rises above the Girona skyline, and as you approach, you are greeted by a beautiful façade.
The interior has fine stained-glass windows, and each of its chapels are adorned with magical art works and awesome historical artefacts.
The most prominent feature of the church is its magnificent altar, depicting various saints and Biblical scenes.
The Basilica hosts concerts and exhibitions from time to time, to give visitors an opportunity to experience the community’s culture.
The Cathedral of Santa Maria de Girona
The Cathedral of Santa Maria is located at the highest point of old Girona, and is another feature that define the city’s skyline.
The church was constructed between the 11th and 18th centuries, giving the building its distinctive architectural styles, namely, the Baroque style of the main façade, the cloister’s Romanesque style, the Charlemagne tower and the Gothic nave.
The original cathedral was the seat of the Bishop of the Diocese. Bishop Pere Roger renovated the first building in 1015, and a new Romanesque Cathedral was consecrated in 1038. At this time, the bell tower, the cloister and two of the clergyman’s rooms remained.
Construction of the Gothic building began in the 14th century and was completed in 1604.
There are a flight of ninety steps leading to the entrance, the exterior to the north contains the porch of Sant Miquel, and to the south you’ll come across the porch of the Apostles dating to the 14th century.
What’s interesting about the steps leading to the entrance is that it’s made up of three vertical sections. Beside the tower the gargoyle of a witch will attract your attention. The gargoyle has an interesting legend that you’d like to hear about from the locals.
The 12th century tower has six floors, is crowned with a bronze angel and was re-used as a buttress for the central construction.
The fine interior has an immense Gothic vault and thirty chapels with images and altarpieces. The high altar includes a silver and gold altarpiece and Charlemagne’s Romanesque marble seat.
The cloister is situated to the north with a column containing Biblical scenes and other images sculpted into the capitals.
The Girona Museum of Art
The Girona Art Museum is home to the most important collection of Girona province displaying Catalan art.
The chronological presentation of pictorial and sculptural works offered by the museum date from different periods, namely, Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, Realist, Art Nouveau and Noucentista. There are special rooms dedicated to ceramics, glassware and liturgical art.
Some of the most important artworks in the museum include a permanent exhibition of an early Christian tombstone from Empúries and a significant collection of liturgical works.
They include Sant Pere de Rodes’ 19th century works, the 15th century illuminated manuscript of Martyrology of Usuard, and altarpiece ensembles dating from the 15th to the 16th centuries.
There are also major Catalan Renaissance and Baroque works and works by 19th and 20th century painters like Urgell, Vayreda, Rusiñol, Berga and Bertrana.
Temporary exhibitions and activities are hosted periodically in the museum’s exhibition rooms and garden.
I hope the information provided will inspire you to explore Girona to learn more about one of the most overlooked Spanish Catalan regions.
Have a wonderful journey!
Our Travel Partnerships & Affiliate Links
Disclosure: Please note that we have relationships with companies mentioned on our website and blog. If you purchase from them using any of the links provided in our "Limited Time Offers & Great Discounts" Category, we may receive a commission. Please read more about our relationships with partners in our blog post here:
Please also read our website terms and privacy policy below. Thank you!
Comments