Girona is an outrageously beautiful city only 40 minutes from Barcelona, with stony medieval architecture, picturesque riverbanks & plenty of nerdy photo opps for Game of Thrones fans, given the city’s stint as Braavos.

Compact as it is, Girona makes a great place to explore for a day or two! And, with its little airport that conveniently services budget airlines like Ryanair, it makes for a great add-on to any budget-friendly trip around Catalonia (whether your main destination is Barcelona, Tarragona, or elsewhere.

So, read on for some of the best things to do in Girona, from epic views and unique museums to colourful must-sees set along a dreamy stone backdrop.

1. Girona Cathedral

In the heart of Girona’s historic quarter, you’ll find Girona Cathedral – a proud architectural marvel that has stood on this very spot for 960 years. Dating back to the 11th century, this majestic cathedral boasts a unique blend of Romanesque, Gothic, and Baroque styles, reflecting centuries of architectural evolution… and you have to brave a pretty lengthy set of steps to get there!

Trust me, it’s worth it though. As you step inside, you’ll be greeted by soaring vaulted ceilings, imposing stone columns, and lovely stained glass windows that illuminate the interior with bright pops of colour.

Visitors can explore the cathedral’s chapels, crypts, and cloisters, climb the cathedral’s grand staircase for epic views, or just ogle at the beauty of it all. Hands down, this landmark is the top thing to do in Girona, so don’t miss it.

NOTE: Contrary to popular tourist belief, these are NOT the ‘shame, shame, shame’ stairs from Game of Thrones. Those are in Dubrovnik!

2. Passeig de la Muralla

And for more wonderful views, one of the best Girona things to do is a walk along along the Passeig de la Muralla, the city’s ancient walls.

These walls date back to Roman times when Girona, known as Gerunda during the Roman Empire, was a strategic city on the Via Augusta, the main road connecting Rome with the Iberian Peninsula. Over the centuries, the walls were expanded and fortified during the medieval period, particularly in the 14th century, as Girona became an important defensive stronghold against various invasions.

Today, visitors can enjoy the scenic Passeig de la Muralla walking route along the remains of these walls, with panoramic views of Girona’s historic center, the iconic Cathedral of Santa Maria, and the River Onyar. Highlights of the walk include several restored towers and lookouts, such as the Torre Gironella, and ancient gateways like the Portal de Sobreportes. Just beware that these towers usually use the same stairs up/down, so they can get a bit crowded during busy periods!

Doing this is a great way to orient yourself in Girona, and just enjoy some epic views, so I’d highly recommend it.

3. El Call (Jewish Quarter)

Another fun must-do in Girona is a wander through El Call, the city’s historic Jewish Quarter made up of narrow, labyrinthine streets, hidden courtyards and (admittedly) a lot more steps! This does however guarantee you the best souvenir of all: shapely calves.

Dating back over 500 years, this quarter holds deep significance as one of the best-preserved Jewish quarters in Europe. Today, visitors can find a maze of narrow stone streets lined with cute shops, cafés and restaurants, along with some interesting museums and other sites.

Some must-sees include…

• Centre Bonastruc ça Porta: the site of a 15th century synagogue that now houses the the Girona Museum of Jewish History and the Nahmanides Institute (more on that later).
• Pujada de Sant Domènec: the stairs leading up to the church of Sant Martí are one of the prettiest and most recognizable spots in the city (see photo below).
• Carrer de la Força and Pujada de la Catedral: Carrer de la Força is the main tiny road through El Call, which connects to Pujada de la Catedral and then goes up some stairs to the cathedral. Both these streets are very atmospheric; Carrer de la Força is lined with shops and Pujada de la Catedral features some interesting sculptures and monuments. Make sure you wander along them both!

4. Arab Baths

A key highlight in El Call are the Arab Baths, a gorgeous relic of Girona’s Moorish past.

Modeled after traditional Roman thermal baths (like you’d see in Bath or Varna), this Girona attraction is sadly these days no longer a functional bath house, but rather a series of vaulted rooms adorned with elegant horseshoe arches and intricate stonework for you to ogle at. Visitors can explore the various chambers, including the cold room, warm room, and hot room, which were once used for cleansing rituals and relaxation… but don’t expect to get all sudsy here yourself!

These days, a quick wander through is all you can get – a visit that usually takes no more than 20 minutes given the Baths’ size.

Visitor info: Entry to the Arab Baths requires a small fee, and they are typically open daily during specified hours, so be sure to check their official website for more info.

5. Eiffel Bridge (Pont de les Peixateries Velles)

Another architectural highlight of Girona is the Eiffel Bridge, a divisive structure designed by Gustave Eiffel himself (yes, of the Eiffel Tower).

This bright red bridge sticks out like a sore thumb in Girona’s cityscape, with an industrial design that’s characteristic of Eiffel’s architectural style. The bridge was constructed in 1877, just a few years before his iconic work on the Eiffel Tower in Paris and is made from red iron latticework.

Today the Eiffel Bridge is an essential part of Girona’s urban landscape, linking the old town to the more modern parts of the city on the opposite bank.

Another perk of visiting this bridge is that from here, you can photograph the colorful Onyar Houses, a picturesque row of buildings along the riverbank that adds a touch of magic to Girona’s landscape:

6. Jardins de la Francesa & Jardins dels Alemanys

And if you enjoy frolicking amidst greenery while exploring, then the two gardens of Jardins de la Francesa & Jardins dels Alemanys are worth a visit while you’re in Girona – and they’re conveniently close to each other as well!

The Jardins de la Francesa (Garden of the Frenchwoman) gets its name from a legend about a local French woman who was said to have lived in this area during the Napoleonic Wars. Nestled against Girona’s medieval ramparts, this garden is a peaceful retreat with winding paths shaded by trees and beautiful views of the city’s rooftops.

Nearby, the Jardins dels Alemanys (Garden of the Germans) are equally lovely. This garden occupies the site of an old military barracks that housed German mercenaries during the 19th-century Peninsular War. Today, they offer a blend of greenery and ruins, with ivy-clad walls as remnants of the ancient fortifications.

If you’re looking for a quiet spot to escape the rest of the city, either (or both!) of these gardens offer a perfect combination of history, beauty, and calm.

7. Sant Pere de Galligants

Once upon a time, this Romanesque Benedictine abbey would have been home to a community of Benedictine monks. Today, it’s one of Girona’s most important Romanesque monuments, with a history that dates back to the 10th century.

Luckily for giddy tourists like you and me, the monastery’s impressive church and cloister have survived the centuries and the church, with its distinctive octagonal bell tower and elegant round arches, is now an architectural highlight of the city that you can actually admire inside.

And that’s because today, it is home to the Archaeological Museum of Catalonia, where visitors can browse a collection that spans from prehistory to the Middle Ages, with artefacts from various archaeological sites from the province of Girona. On display you’ll find everything from prehistoric tools to Roman mosaics and since it was founded in 1846 it’s also one of the oldest museums in all of Catalonia.

8. Plaça de la Independència

Moving over to Girona’s more modern side, one of the highlights of any sightseeing tour around the city is a visit to the Plaça de la Independència, a bustling square surrounded by charming cafés and shops.

This square commemorates the city’s resistance during the Peninsular War, particularly the heroic defence against Napoleonic troops during the sieges of Girona in 1808 and 1809. Named after Spain’s fight for independence from French occupation, this neoclassical square is one of the city’s most iconic public spaces. Built in the 19th century, it features uniform arcades and a central monument dedicated to the defenders of Girona.

Today, it makes for a great photo opp, and a nice spot to enjoy a leisurely coffee.

Now, if you’re looking for more cultural and historic attractions in Girona then there are a number of excellent museums to check out, including the Girona Art Museum.

This museum is a treasure trove of Catalan art, housed within the magnificent Episcopal Palace, adjacent to the city’s iconic Cathedral. Founded in 1976, the Girona Art Museum is a piece of art itself, with a mix of Romanesque, Gothic, and Baroque architecture. Inside, the museum offers a journey through centuries of artistic expression, showcasing a rich collection that spans from Romanesque and Gothic religious art to modern works.

Todayk the Girona Art Museum is considered one of the region’s most important cultural institutions, with an impressive collection of paintings, sculptures, altarpieces, and decorative arts. So, be sure to stop by if a dose of culture is what you’re looking for.

10. Girona History Museum

And from art to history, if you want to learn more about the city’s rich and complex past, then the Girona History Museum will take you on a journey from its Roman origins to the modern era.

Opened in 1981, this museum aims to preserve and share the diverse heritage of Girona, a city that has been shaped by multiple cultures, conflicts, and periods of transformation. The museum collection includes exhibits covering everything from medieval times to Girona’s resistance during the Napoleonic Wars and the Spanish Civil War.

Inside, you’ll find a wide range of artifacts and fun multimedia displays that bring the city’s history to life, including sections dedicated to Girona’s Jewish community during the Middle Ages and Girona’s role as a fortified city. If you want to get a deeper understanding of all the beautiful buildings you see when wandering the city streets, then this museum is one of the best places to start.

11. Museum of Jewish History

As I mentioned earlier, the Centre Bonastruc ça Porta is also home to Girona’s Museum of Jewish History, located in the heart of Girona’s medieval Jewish quarter.

This museum focuses on the history and culture of Girona’s Jewish population, which played a significant role in the city’s development during the Middle Ages before their expulsion from Spain in 1492.

Today, visitors to the Museum of Jewish History can explore ten themed galleries that cover various aspects of Jewish life in Girona and Catalonia, including religious practices, education, and daily life, offering a window into a vibrant community that contributed to Girona’s history for centuries but was nearly erased from its collective memory.

The museum (of course) also sheds light on the tragic events leading to the expulsion and persecution of the Jewish community. Not the most ‘fun’ of museums, but worth visiting to learn more about this chapter of local history!

Looking for nerdier things to do in Girona? Well, it’s not as popular as some of the city’s other museums, but Girona is actually home to a museum solely dedicated to cinema, showcasing the history of film with an impressive collection of cameras, posters, and artifacts.

Technically called The Cinema Museum – Tomàs Mallol Collection, this museum is named after Tomàs Mallol, a passionate Catalan filmmaker and collector who spent decades amassing a unique array of objects that trace the evolution of visual storytelling. Opened in 1998, the museum is housed in a beautifully restored 18th-century building in the heart of Girona’s old town.

Visitors to the Cinema Museum can explore over a century of cinematic history, from the early days of shadow plays and magic lanterns to the invention of the first cameras and projectors. The collection includes over 12,000 objects, ranging from optical toys and early motion picture devices to classic cinema memorabilia… so definitely worth a stop for film enthusiasts and history lovers alike!

13. Enjoy some fine dining

Now, after all those nerdy recommendations, you must be starving.

So, let’s move onto another Girona must-do: fine dining! For a city of its size, Girona has a remarkable number of Michelin-recommended restaurants: over 30 in fact, including 5 Michelin-starred restaurants, and even one highly praised three star establishment – El Celler de Can Roca.

So, if you’re looking for foodie activities that will surely wreck your wallet, then be sure to book in for a fancy meal! Just make sure to scour through reviews first to avoid disappointment.

14. Hop on a food tour

Not into Michelin star dining? A more affordable alternative may be to embark on a food tour around the city, which allows you to sample a lot of different specialties at once!

There are quite a few options in the city, including…

• Morning food tour with market visit: A lovely meandering foodie tour with stops at multiple eateries including the main market. Book this tour.
• History and gastronomy small group tour: This is more of a historical walking tour with a stop at a taverna for some tastings, but you will still get to try quite a few different traditional gastronomic products, including some wine. Book this tour.
• Evening food and tapas bar tour: For a fantastic night out you could also join this evening tour to have your dinner at a variety of eateries, ending at a tavern where you can continue to enjoy Girona’s nightlife. Book this tour.

15. Sant Daniel Monastery

If you don’t mind venturing a little farther out, then a visit to Sant Daniel Monastery is another great Girona must-do.

Founded in the 11th century by Countess Ermessenda of Carcassonne, the monastery is nestled in the lush Sant Daniel Valley just outside the city. Dedicated to Saint Daniel, whose relics were brought to Girona, the monastery has been a site of worship and contemplation for nearly a thousand years. Over the centuries, it has undergone various renovations and expansions, yet it remains an active monastic community.

Today it is still home to a small number of Benedictine nuns who continue the tradition of prayer and hospitality. It’s actually quite a nice walk to head out to the monastery from the city centre, and once there you can admire its simple yet beautiful design. The cloister, with its elegant columns, is a highlight of the visit. Inside the church, you can see the shrine of Saint Daniel, a revered site for pilgrims.

BONUS: Hunt for Game of Thrones Locations

Alright, my nerdy nerds, if you’ve been on this site before you probably already know that I’ve spent a lot of time over the years exploring Game of Thrones locations around the world, including all the best GoT activities in Northern Ireland, Game of Thrones sights in Malta, and GoT filming locations in Morocco.

Well, Girona is another great place to spot filming locations, with key highlights being…

• Girona Cathedral and the Arab Baths: I’ve already mentioned these locations as must-sees in Girona anyway, but in case you weren’t aware the steps outside Girona Cathedral is where Cersei begins her famous walk of shame, and the Arab Baths can be seen during Arya’s main chase scene in Braavos.
• Monastery de Sant Pere de Galligants: This monastery was used to depict the Citadel (the headquarters of the Maesters) in Oldtown. The viewpoint nearby is also where Arya is stabbed by the Waif (disguised as a nun)!
• Plaça dels Jurats: Where the play in Braavos about Ned Stark (and later Joffrey) is performed and Arya meets the actress Lady Crane.
• Pujada de Sant Domènec: One of the places Arya runs when trying to get away from the Waif, and trips over a bunch of people.

You can read this full guide to Game of Thrones in Girona for more.

Did I miss any of your favourite things to do in Girona?

Let me know in the comments so I can add more of the best Girona activities to the list. Happy and safe travels! 🙂