I am planning a day trip from Barcelona to Figueres on 8 October. Traveling by train. Would like to go to Cadaques but the connections don't work for my schedule. Instead considering a stop in Girona on the return from Figueres.
Would appreciate information on Girona. Plan to spend the afternoon. Recommendations for lunch. Strolls. Sites to visit. Convenience of train station to town center. Is it walkable? Is this a worthwhile stop?
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
11294 posts
I loved Girona. I was there in 1995 and so don't have specific recommendations, but I remember that the walk from the train station to the town center (across the river) was easy. My Let's Go guidebook said Girona was "a world class city patiently waiting for the world to notice," and they were 100% right. It has Arab baths, Jewish quarter, loads of atmosphere - everything except tourists.
I don't believe it's in Rick's Spain book, but other Spain guidebooks all have sections on it, which should have more than enough information for an afternoon stop.
Posted by
Barcelona (Catalonia)
2942 posts
It's most certainly a worthwhile stop... Girona is arguably the second capital of Catalonia, after Barcelona, and it's one of the most well preserved medieval towns in the whole region. The city of Girona (100,000 inhabitants) has grown around the old neighbourhood of Centre (http://bit.ly/GIRhoods). The station is at a 15' walk from that area -in l'Eixample. Have a look at this video for a 2' summary: http://infocatalonia.eu/w/Q08lR or this other one too: http://infocatalonia.eu/w/aj5on and then the city's website: http://www.girona.cat/turisme/eng/activitats.php