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Extra day in Girona or Barcelona?

Posted by on

Hello all!

I will be spending a few days next month in Girona and Barcelona. Currently, my plan is to arrive to Girona via train from Madrid around 3pm on a Monday, stay there for three nights, then take an early train/bus to Barcelona on Thursday morning. I would stay in Barcelona overnight, leaving again for Madrid in the afternoon on Friday. I have already been to Barcelona and have done a number of the major touristic things (all the Gaudi attractions, Gothic Quarter, Las Ramblas, Barceloneta, Olympic Stadium). This would be my first time visiting Girona.

My question is-- do you think it's worth leaving a day early from Girona (so, Wednesday instead of Thursday) and adding it to Barcelona? Given that I have already been to Barcelona, I thought at first that I didn't need to spend much more time there on this particular trip. But thinking more, I'm realizing that my last visit, a few quick days with an inflexible school tour, didn't leave much time for simply wandering around the city and interacting with locals, something that's often my favorite part of visiting a new place.

I realize that Girona is fairly small, but I do want to give it it's due-- see the sites, do some wandering, and visit some of the great restaurants I've heard about. Would I be able to achieve that if I shorten my stay by a day? Unfortunately the start and end days are fairly set, so I can't arrive in Girona a day earlier or leave Barcelona a day later. If I do chose to spend more time in Barcelona, I would potentially be interested in visiting a couple of the touristic spots I haven't seen (La Boqueria, Saint Pau, MACBA, more of Montjuic-- which I chose would depend on timing), in addition taking time to walk around and see the city from a more local perspective. I also think it's worth mentioning that while I'm sure I'll return to Barcelona, I'm less sure of when I'd again be able to visit Girona.

Relatedly, if anyone has additional suggestions for either of these cities, either in terms of experiences, must-see sites, or excellent restaurants, please feel free to add. I also do like a bit of nightlife (nothing wild, but I appreciate a good, lively bar), so suggestions on areas to visit for a younger but authentic nightlife scene would be lovely.

Thanks in advance!

Posted by
6485 posts

I consider Girona among my most favorite of European cities. I wouldn't leave a day earlier especially since it sounds likely you'd be back to Barcelona. In Girona, I especially enjoyed walking along both sides of the river and along the entirety of the medieval city walls. We used one of our Girona days to take a day trip to Besalu which we very much enjoyed, but in the end could have used additional time in Girona. We did walk around the old town and Jewish quarter quite a bit. There was a museum, of a typical home along the river that I wished we had done. That said, I really did like Barcelona, too. . .

Posted by
6485 posts

One night in Girona we went to Vadevins. The tapas were good and friendly staff helped us decipher the menu. There is a HUGE selection of delicious inexpensively priced wines. The place was pretty popular, especially with younger people, we arrived at what we thought was early by Spanish standards and were lucky to get a table outside.

Posted by
4180 posts

In Girona, I would recommend the restaurant Casa Marieta, in the Plaça de la Independència. For a traditional Catalan treat try the Canelones de ceps, which are pasta tubes stuffed with ceps, which are local mushrooms from the area, and baked with a béchamel sauce on top. (although ceps may not be in season yet when you go, but it is worth asking).

Posted by
3071 posts

I am born and bred in Barcelona and in love with my city -as those following my posts here know well-.... yet I honestly like Girona very much as well.

While post-independence I don't agree with the delusions of any change in the capital of Catalonia, Girona is the perfect example of a typical Catalan city. Albeit with a foreign population of nearly 35% (15% born in Spain, outside Catalonia, and 20% from elsewhere, from over 40 different nationalities), the city preserves a lot of the traditional Catalan traits in its society and in its traditions and way of life -something more diluted in large metropolis the size of Barcelona- thus it's a good example to learn and to live the true heritage of Catalans.

The city also has an ideal size, neither too big nor to small (pop 96,000), and its history as an important enclave throughout the history of this nation, Catalonia, makes it a place with lots to visit. It has remains and vestiges going back to the 1st century BC when the current Girona was founded by the Romans albeit the tribe of the 'indigetes' had populated the area since far earlier. Girona has also a lively social life, with plenty of people around, lots of restaurants and shops... and, yes, tourists too... but you're in a tiiiny minority there :)

Having said that, in famous events, like the "Fires de Sant Narcis" (the equivalent to La Mercè in Barcelona), or the lovely flower festival "Temps de Flors" the city is flooded with visitors from many other parts of Catalonia and elsewhere in Europe and crowds and flocks are unavoidable.

I always recommend an escapade to Girona... or better still, spending a couple of days there.

Posted by
2 posts

Thank you everyone for your recommendations! It seems that the consensus is that GIrona is the way to go!

Posted by
2047 posts

I think your itinerary sounds fine-though I'm one of those who like Girona but loved Barcelona. Also, if you are coming back to Barcelona one day, it's easy to buy a daytrip train ticket to Barcelona and is a great day out.

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