Should You Visit Girona?

Are you thinking about visiting Girona, Spain? Here's what you need to know before planning your trip.


Is Girona worth visiting?

Girona is worth visiting for one to two days so that you can explore everything that the city has to offer. We first visited in the summer of 2023 and have returned several times. During our time here, we fell in love with its beautiful old town and colorful riverfront buildings. Girona is a beautiful medieval city in the Catalonia region of Spain. It is filled with colorful buildings, particularly along the River Onyar and near the Eiffel Bridge. The city has an impressive cathedral as well as many ancient buildings and fascinating museums.

Girona, Catalonia, Spain Girona, Catalonia, Spain

Reasons to Visit Girona

Historical Sights
It's a beautiful medieval old town with many wandering streets that are lined with storefronts and classic European cafes.

Museums
Wander the ancient city walls, explore the beautiful Girona Cathedral, and learn about the Church of Sant Feliu. There are also some interesting museums in town including the Museum of Jewish History, the Archaeology Museum, and the Film Museum. Also make sure you walk across the famed Eiffel Bridge.

Food
The small city is filled with cafes and restaurants that spill out into the street. There are also markets such as El LleĆ³ Marketplace where you can check out fresh, local items. Many restaurants also have Catalonian style tapas, seafood such as octopus, and garlic shrimp. For breakfast, there are many pastry shops where you can enjoy a European breakfast.

Shopping
In and around the old town you'll find modern shops, local eateries, charming markets, and anything you might need to purchase. There's also no shortage of souvenir and trinket shops, but they have a bit of personality and character to them.

The Costs
Depending on your budget, schedule, and travel style, Girona might be a very affordable destination for you. Check out the travel costs for Girona here or see if Girona is expensive here.

Authenticity
Girona has an authentic vibe where you can experience local culture, cuisine, and activities without the large tourist crowds of other popular destinations.




Is Girona worth visiting in the Summer?

The warm weather in summer is one of the reasons people visit at this time of year. Temperatures average around 24°C (75°F) with daily high temperatures often more than 30°C (86°F).

The peak season for travel is summer in Girona, so expect to see more tourists than usual. This destination is somewhat popular with travelers, and in the high season it's busier than usual.

You'll also find it quite easy to get around on foot, because this is a very walkable city, especially in the nice weather. This is a great time of year to soak up the small town charm, wander through the museums, and admire the historic sights.


Summer Weather in Girona
Avg Temp
(°C/°F)
Avg Rain
(mm/inches)
July 24°C (75°F) 38 mm (1.5 in)
August 24°C (74°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
September 21°C (70°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)

Is Girona worth visiting in the Autumn?

Autumn is the shoulder season for travel in Girona. This destination is somewhat busy with tourists, but in the shoulder season you'll find less crowds and better deals.

You'll find the weather to be very nice here during autumn with average temperatures around 16°C (61°F).

Autumn is a great time of year to explore the numerous museums and landmarks around town. They are fun for the whole family as well great for couples. Soaking up that old town charm in the autumn is one of the favorite activities of visitors. The quaint scenery combined with the weather this time of year is quite nice. You'll find plenty to do during autumn, as you'll be able to admire the wonderful scenery, browse around the old town, and browse through museums. Also, you can check out the quaint atmosphere and the small town charm.


Autumn Weather in Girona
Avg Temp
(°C/°F)
Avg Rain
(mm/inches)
October 16°C (61°F) 79 mm (3.1 in)
November 11°C (52°F) 82 mm (3.2 in)
December 9°C (47°F) 47 mm (1.9 in)

Is Girona worth visiting in the Winter?

This is the low season for travel in Girona. This destination is fairly touristy, but in the low season you can find fewer crowds and better deals.

The weather in Girona can be quite cold during winter, and averages around 8°C (46°F). But be prepared for much lower temperatures, too.

During this season it's fun to experience the famous sights and museums, the cuisine, and the historic old town.


Winter Weather in Girona
Avg Temp
(°C/°F)
Avg Rain
(mm/inches)
January 8°C (46°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
February 9°C (48°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
March 11°C (51°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)

Is Girona worth visiting in the Spring?

You'll find the weather to be very nice here during spring with average temperatures around 13°C (55°F).

Spring is the shoulder season for travel in Girona, which means slightly less visitors than in the peak season. This destination is somewhat busy with tourists, but in the shoulder season you'll find less crowds and better deals.

The scenery of the town this time of year is absolutely beautiful. Admire the gardens, parks, and fantastic architecture, too. Soaking up that old town charm in the spring is one of the favorite activities of visitors. The quaint scenery combined with the weather this time of year is quite nice. This is a great time of year to browse the shops, browse the museums, and appreciate the quaint setting. Also, you can experience the beautiful scenery, the small town charm, and the historic old town.


Spring Weather in Girona
Avg Temp
(°C/°F)
Avg Rain
(mm/inches)
April 13°C (55°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
May 16°C (62°F) 87 mm (3.4 in)
June 21°C (69°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)

Things to Consider Before Visiting Girona

Nightlife: Most people don't associate Girona with a lively nightlife scene. It's a surprisingly quiet town, especially compared to other nearby party cities, but there are some nightclubs, bars, and music venues that are worth checking out.

Related

What is Girona most famous for?

Girona is most famous for its ancient ruins, colorful old town, grand cathedral, and impressive local cuisine. The city is very popular for its historical sights. It's also known for museums, food, and shopping. It is often described as medieval, ancient, charming, beautiful, and colorful.

What is the most famous sight in Girona?

The most popular sight in Girona is The Girona Cathedral. You can see prices and costs for this and other sights in Girona on our travel costs page.

Or, see tickets, activities, and tours for The Girona Cathedral and other attractions here.

How touristy is Girona? Is it a popular city to visit?

Girona is more popular with local tourists than with international visitors. Here are some of the most popular activities and tours. (Prices in US Dollars)

  • Girona Food & Market Small Group Tour: $106
  • Girona and Besalu, Jewish History tour Small Group from Girona: $147
  • Walking Tour in Girona History and Gastronomy with Tasting: $97
  • Wines Tasting and Typical Breakfast Small Group Tour from Girona: $147
  • Half-Day Game Of Thrones Walking Tour in Girona with a Guide: $44
  • Cadaqués & Dalí House-Museum day trip from Girona (tickets included): $158
  • 2h Guided Kayak Tour on the Costa Brava: $44
  • Girona Guided Tour with Cathedral, Arab Baths & St Feliu Basilica: $131

How long should I spend in Girona?

The ideal length of time for a trip to Girona is one to two days. Since Girona has a variety of activities such as historical sights, most people need this much time to see and do everything here.

If you have a specific amount of time for your trip, see our advice about how much time to spend here: Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Girona? and Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Girona?.