From Wikitravel

Girona [1] is a beautiful town in Catalonia, Spain. It has an attractive Jewish quarter and is often overlooked by budget fliers arriving at Girona-Barcelona airport. Girona makes an excellent stop-off as part of a tour of Catalonia or escape from the noise and speed of Barcelona or as a long weekend getaway with one of those budget airlines.

[edit] Understand

Girona is said to consistently win a country-wide poll of citizens on preferred city to live in.

The old town is on the east bank of the river, with pedestrianised narrow streets surrounded by the city walls. The "Rambla", running parallel to the river, contains many street cafés and tourist restaurants. Tourist information is at the south end of the Rambla, beside the river. The newer town centre on the west bank has wider steets contains most shops and hotels, plus slightly cheaper restaurants.

In August, the city becomes very quiet on Sat and Sun, as most citizens escape to the sea.

[edit] Get in

Girona is located north of Barcelona and can be reached from there by bus, train, or an expensive taxi ride. There is an airport located on the AP-7 highway that also accepts international flights (e.g. to London Stansted for UK). It is also 98 kilometres (61 miles) away from Barcelona.

Girona Airport is 1hr bus ride from Barcelona center. Most low cost airlines like Ryanair, Wizz Air, mention "Barcelona" in their descriptions of Girona airport. You can make connection between the airport and Barcelona.

Bus: If you want to travel to Girona from Barcelona city you can take a bus. That bus stops in the center of Barcelona, in Estació d'Autobusos Barcelona Nord (Barcelona's main bus terminal).

Trains from Barcelona to Girona leaves approximately every hour from Barcelona Estació de Sants. The journey takes 1h20m from Girona to Barcelona Sants and the ticket costs about 6 €, depending on the train type (Catalunya Express is faster, Regional is cheaper). You can check it at Renfe's Train Time Tables page:

• Express bus service from Girona airport to Perpignan
• Renfe's Time Tables
• Time Table Bus From Girona Airport - Girona
• Time Table Bus From Girona - Girona Airport
• Time Table Bus From Barcelona - Girona Airport
• Time Table Bus From Girona Airport - Barcelona

[edit] Get around

By foot Old town is full of stairs making it difficult to wear high-heeled shoes or walk with a baby carriage.

[edit][add listing] See

• The town's architecture is varied and atmospheric resulting from the myriad of occupations and invasions with many narrow streets, a castle, and impressive walled section.

• Església de Sant Feliu, second church in the city. Closed for renovation as of Sept 2007.
• Banys Arabs (Arab baths), c/de Ferran Catolic. Apr-Sept: Mon-Fri 10am-7pm, Sun and holidays: 10am-2pm. Oct-March: 10am-2pm daily (?). €1.5.  edit

• The river, although it dries up in the summer (and gets a bit stinky!), and the houses along it are very pretty.

[edit][add listing] Do

• Walk along the ancient walls (yes, you can get on there) for excellent views of the city
• Enjoy the numerous cafes which are especially atmospheric at night
• The ancient narrow streets of the old Jewish section.
• Check out Girona's lively "discoteca" club scene.
• Play Golf on all the fantastic courses in the surroundings

[edit][add listing] Buy

The old town contains mostly touristy shops. There is also a good selection of modern shops selling the latest clothes.

Market on Saturday. Cheap goods market along river bank in the park north-west of town centre. Craft stalls in the old town.

[edit][add listing] Eat

In the old town, many touristy cafes offer menu del dia for €10-13, even on Sun. Areas with dense coverage of faceless touristy cafes are: Plaça Independencia; Rambla de la Lliberitat (near cathedrals).

Like any other Catalan city, cafes are closed from 4pm until dinner time (about 8-8:30pm). Exceptions are only touristy cafes at Rambla de la Lliberitat.

Fish dishes are better avoided in August--see the shallow river to understand the reasons.

• Le Bistrot, Pujada de Sant Domenec, 4 (halfway on going down from Catedral by either side of Pujada de Sant Domenec), ☎ +34(972)21-8803. Very prominent location, with outdoor tables on arguably most spectacular staircase in the town. Alternatively, consider indoor seats near backyard windows. Frequented by students of the local university. Menu del dia: €17 / €20, available on Sun also; no traditional menu.  edit

• Gran Muralla, Francesc Eiximenis. The best selection of Japanese and Chinese food, featuring sushi, beijing duck, thai salad.[2] [3]

• König, Four locations, [4].  edit

• Frankfurter König 1, Avinguda Jaume I, 1, ☎ 972 212 621. Cheap food such us pizzas, steak, french fries; and also a place to have a drink.  edit
• Frankfurter König 2, Pl. Independència, 2, ☎ 972 202 099.  edit
• Braseria-Pizzeria König, Av. Jaume I, 8, ☎ 972 416 122.  edit
• Koenig Sandwiches, c/Calderers 16 (right under Esglesia de Sant Feliu), ☎ 972 225 782. Modern minimalistic design interior; two floors; well-airconditioned; some WiFi coverage for outdoor tables. Combined dishes (salad+main+side dish): €5.8-6.5; salads €5-7; focaccia sandwiches €3.8-4.5; hamburgers €2.5-3.5; toast sandwiches: €3.6-4.  edit
• König Bar-Restaurant, C.C. Espai Gironès, Salt, ☎ 972 439 123.  edit

• La Dolce Vitta, Plaça Independencia. Italian food for everyone at reasonable prices.

[edit][add listing] Drink

• City Arms, Güell. English pub.

• Excalibur, Cort Reial. typical Irish pub with a good selection of beers.

• Siddharta, Pedret. A suitable place to try the drink named "tisana" (in Catalan).

• Mckiernan's Rambla de la Llibertat. An Irish pub, crowded on weekends. Suitable place to have a drink.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

• Xanascat the National Network of Youth Hostels for all of Catalonia.

• Hotel Carlemany, Joan Maragall. 4 star hotel, one of the most luxurious hotels in Girona.

• Hotel Ciutat de Girona, Hortes. Another 4 star hotel located near the downtown.

• Hotel Bellavista. The only 5 star hotel in Girona.
• Casa Maria Bed and Breakfast, Pare Claret (10 minute walk from bus and train stations), ☎ 34651112796, [5]. checkin: flexible; checkout: flexible. Comfortable and peaceful bed and breakfast, a five minute walk from the old quarter 89 euros twin room.  edit

• [6] - Sleeping in Girona in a Map

[edit] Get out

There is a bus from Girona Bus station directly to Barcelona International airport El Prat (BCN). You can check it at this Time Tables page:

• Time Table Bus From Girona - Barcelona Airport

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