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Girona Hotel

Looking for hotel in Girona for one night in June. I have seen mixed reviews for Nord 1901 and Hotel Historic. Leaning towards Hotel Historic, but I'm worried about the location being up on the hill. We will be taking a train from Barcelona and then walking everywhere. Is this hotel in a walkable location to see the sights in the Old Town and easily accessible from the train?
Any other hotel suggestions in Girona? Thank you!

Posted by
3428 posts

It's just 600 yards from the Tourism Office. It's a bit up a hill, but it's not a dramatic hill, I mean, it's very walkable -IMHO. But again, this is for European standards; if you are from the US, well, you might or might not find it "too tough to walk", LOL!

This hotel is in the Barri Vell (Old City), right in the middle of most things you might want to see.

As per accessibility from the train station, it's less than a mile away. You could take a taxi, but as far as I recall, it might leave you "close" to the hotel, not "at" it, since it's a pedestrianised area with narrow streets. Not sure it's worth it.
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RANDOM BITS AND PIECES

Just Google these for more details:

Pont de Pedra & Cases d’Onyar: The Stone Bridge is a beautiful gateway into the Barri Vell, with great views over the Onyar and its famous colourful houses. Very Instagrammable, you know the type.

Pont de les Peixateries Velles: The red “Eiffel Bridge”, built by Eiffel’s company before the tower in Paris. Great angles over the river and houses.

Plaça del Vi & Rambla Llibertat: Lively square with the Town Hall and bars under stone arcades. It opens onto Rambla Llibertat, a pedestrian street full of medieval porches, balconies, arches, shops and cafés.

Pujada de Sant Domènec: One of the most charming corners, with its stone steps, arches and the terrace of El Bistrot. Filming spot for Game of Thrones, and it shows.

Jewish Quarter (Call Jueu): A maze of narrow medieval alleys. It is among the best-preserved Jewish settlements in Europe. Carrer de la Força runs through it, lined with stone buildings and small shops, leading up to the Cathedral.

The Cathedral: Sitting high above the city, impossible to miss. It has the widest Gothic nave in the world and mixes Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque styles. Inside, don’t miss the cloister and the 11th-century Tapestry of Creation.

City walls & Jardins dels Alemanys: From these gardens, you can access the old walls and walk about 3 km along them, with great views over the old town and Sant Daniel valley. Towers along the way for even better views.

Sant Pere de Galligants: A 10th-century Romanesque monastery just outside the walls. Now an archaeology museum, but the real draw is the austere building and peaceful cloister.

Sant Feliu: A striking church with mixed styles, built over 500 years. Inside lies Saint Narcís and the famous legend of the flies.

Plaça Independència: One of the main squares, full of terraces. Good for a drink and some atmosphere.
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Other thoughts

Girona isn’t packed with museums, but a few stand out: the History Museum, Art Museum and Jewish History Museum. The Cinema Museum is a personal favourite, with early film gear and a bit of nostalgia. For Modernisme, visit the Rafael Masó house.

And yes, a bit of foodie bragging: Girona punches way above its weight. You’ve got El Celler de Can Roca, regularly ranked among the best restaurants in the world, and its more playful cousin Rocambolesc, where the same Roca brothers turn ice cream into something slightly ridiculous (in a good way). Even if you don’t go full fine dining, at least stop for an ice cream.

La Devesa is one of the largest urban parks in Catalonia, great for a walk or a run, and turns into a fairground during the autumn festivals. For shopping, head to Carrer Santa Clara or the Eixample area for a mix of local shops and brands.

When exactly are you visiting?

Posted by
1480 posts

Since you mention Rocambolsec, I have a question:

I walked by a branch on Las Ramblas several times recently. Each time I passed, it was closed--day time, night time, etc.
Still open?

I hope to visit Girona in September....

Posted by
3428 posts

As far as I know, Rocambolesc in Barcelona opens noon-9pm. Reason being that they have only one (staff) shift.

When visiting Girona, consider adding Besalú and Figueres on the same leg, if you can.

Posted by
1480 posts

Looks like those famous brothers have many enterprises in Girona!

I am looking at HOTEL CASA CACAO--have you looked at that one? It seems to be in the center.

Posted by
1300 posts

We stayed one night at Nord 1901 a few years ago and had a very pleasant stay.

Posted by
5 posts

Thank you so much for the wonderful information! We are traveling in the middle of June. Still not sure of the exact date because it will be before or after our stay in Barcelona. I wish we had more time. One night and one day does not seem like enough.

Posted by
3428 posts

THE MONTH OF JUNE IN GIRONA

At the start of the month, you might catch the tail end of Temps de Flors, when the Old City fills with floral installations and hidden courtyards open to the public. It gives Girona a slightly magical feel, and locals really embrace it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQptHTKK9sU

(don't be fooled by the promotional video... reality sees lots more people, being packed to the rim during the weekend)

On the eve of June 23rd, the Revetlla de Sant Joan is celebrated across Catalonia.

If you’re around Girona for Sant Joan, you’re in for a proper Catalan night… loud, a bit chaotic, and honestly great fun. It’s basically the midsummer celebration (June 23rd), but with a strong local identity baked in. Think bonfires everywhere, fireworks going off non-stop, and people taking over streets and squares for dinner and drinks. No rigid schedule, no big “official” show… it just kind of happens, and everyone joins in.

One of the coolest bits is the Flama del Canigó. It’s a flame brought down from the Canigó mountain and used to light fires all over Catalonia. Sounds a bit poetic, but people do take it seriously; it’s one of those quiet symbols of shared identity. Food-wise, you’ll see coca de Sant Joan everywhere, a sweet flat cake with fruit or cream, usually with cava. Not optional.

Girona does it in a slightly more relaxed way than Barcelona. Still lively, but less madness, more locals, and in smaller towns it can feel almost… wholesome, if you ignore the fireworks at 2 am. But yeah, if you want something very local, very “us”, Sant Joan is it.

https://web.girona.cat/culturapopular/santjoan

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGVodoekl-g

Enjoy!

PS: Ah, yes, no need to say it, these are traditional local festivals, so there’s no need to buy tickets or book anything. You just show up to whatever activity or event you like, at the time and place listed in the program, which usually gets published a few days before.

Posted by
2296 posts

We stayed at Hotel Historic about 15 years ago, and we really enjoyed our stay here. It's a lovely hotel in the old Jewish Quarter. We walked everywhere. I highly recommend!