Girona

Girona, Spain

Catalonia's second city is many things: medieval stronghold, university city, party town, and modern urban centre. The Old Quarter, with its majestic cathedral, winding alleys and ancient city walls bring the Middle Ages to life, while the modern neighbourhoods across the River Onyar showcase Girona's cosmopolitan side with chic restaurants and cafes, superb shopping and vibrant nightlife. It is no wonder that for years running, Girona has been voted the best place to live in Spain.

Population:

97,200

Currency:

Euro, €1 = 100 cents

Emergency Numbers:

Emergency: 112
Local police: 092
Fire department: 086
Urgent medical service: 061

Opening Hours:

Shops are normally open Monday to Saturday from 9am to 1:30pm and 4:30pm to 8pm, while large department stores tend to open 9am-9pm Monday to Saturday. Restaurants serve food from 12:30pm to 4pm and again from 8pm to 12am. However, many of them are closed on Mondays.

Newspapers:

El Punt
Diari de Girona (Eng version available online)
El Pais

The City

Girona, which lies less than 100 kilometres from both Barcelona and Perpignan, has over the years been under Roman, Moorish and French control, and was once one of the most important Jewish centres in Europe, until their expulsion from Spain in 1492. Even though the Jewish community never returned, much of the old Jewish quarter in Girona and its labyrinthine streets have been beautifully preserved while the medieval heart is now surrounded by modern Spanish architecture. Today it is a thoroughly modern city with a large student population, a thriving art scene, hip bars and chic boutiques.

The River Onyar, lined by buildings in red and ochre, divides the old city from the new, and though it rarely amounts to much more than a trickle these days, is a good place to begin exploring. The numerous unique bridges that stretch over the river, from the old stone bridge to its modern steel counterpart designed by Gustave Eiffel, ease communications between both sides of the city, and provide some of the best views of the iconic facades along the river.

Do & See

Girona is above all a city to be walked. The medieval beauty of the Old Quarter, with its winding cobblestone alleys, pleasant plazas and the unique facades hanging over the River Onyar, is compact enough to explore in depth on foot, and beautiful enough to keep you wandering in circles for days. But don't miss the chance to visit some of the wonderful museums and local attractions, including skiing, ancient monasteries and the unmissable Costa Brava.

Dining

Girona stands tall among the strong tradition of Catalonian food culture, not only as the home of El Celler De Can Roca (the second-ranked restaurant in the world in 2015), but as an overall top foodie destination. Pa amb tomàquet – tomato bread – is a common starter, while the Crema Catalana is an obvious and delicious choice for dessert. Mar i Montanya – a mix of poultry and seafood – and Calçotada are other traditional dishes that are worth trying. For celebrations, you have a go with some bubbly Cava.

Cafes

Cafes in Girona are all about outdoor seating on pleasant plazas or narrow alleys under the shade of trees and stone arches. Coffee, pastries, and ice cream are all on offer, alongside local wine and plenty of tapas, of course. Cafes here are also gathering places and lively centres of urban life at any time of day or night.