We are thinking of taking a side trip to Girona from Barcelona. We're hoping to also visit Cadeques and Figueres. This will be in December. We'll probably take the high speed train. Any suggestions as to where to stay (I assume in Girona). Anyone have experience with hotels there?
Also, what's the best way to get from one town to the other? We'd prefer not to rent a car.
Many thanks!
Lisa
You don't say how long you plan for your sidetrip. In general, Girona is a nice place for an overnight and gives you quick access by train to Figueres for the Dali Museum. Cadeques is not easy to get to by bus, and in December I'm not sure what the appeal would be to make the long hike out there. And with short daylight, you'd pretty much have to stay overnight unless you rent a car. You'd have to check and see if the Dali House is open in December (nearby in Port Illgat and well worth the visit if going to Cadaques).
Thanks! Yes, we are planning an overnight. I'll check to see about the Dali House being open in December--it was on my list of places to see. Should we rent a car, once we get to Girona?
Any suggestions as to hotels in Girona, other than those listed in TripAdvisor?
If you rent a car in Girona, it would be much easier to make the trip out to Cadeques. You could even do it in a day and back, though with short daylight, you wouldn't be able to also include Figueres in the same day. You could see the Dali Museum in Figueres on a second day. Driving in that area is not a problem, though you do need an International Drivers Permit to drive in Spain.
Cannot comment on hotels in Girona.
Maybe Enric will see this and give his thoughts on whether Cadaques is worth a visit in winter. It's a beautiful place in summer; just not sure what would be open in the off season.
Hi guys,
Girona: An overnight in Girona is something worthwhile. While I never comment on hotels, I would strongly advise a hotel in the old quarters, especially on the side of the river next to Rambla de la Llibertat. It's the most beautiful area of Girona, full of small streets and back-alleys, similar to the Barri Gòtic in Barcelona. A stroll in the evening and sitting in one of the terraces for a drink is really something. More info here and for a short video here.
Cadaqués: Yep even in winter life goes on everywhere in Catalonia :))... In the understanding that one does not visit Cadaqués or any other coastal town for their shops or restaurants but rather for their quaint little streets, beautiful coves and lovely views, and noting that --as in every other of the 947 towns and villages in Catalonia-- there is people living there all year round... a visitor in winter will certainly not encounter thousands of tourists everywhere and a number of restaurants and shops -especially those living out of hot weather and summer visitors- will be closed, but one can equally enjoy a walk in the town, browse some shops, stroll the boulevard near the main beach/cove and have something to eat somewhere. Is there anything else? I personally prefer a thousand times a visit in winter than in summer... more peaceful and equally beautiful. Don't forget to drop by the church of Santa Maria, a 16th-century gem that contains paintings by Dalí. Also, for info... it's pronounced “kah-dah-kes” (emphasized in the last syllable)... to hear how it sounds check out the pronunciation of user polondriz here. For going from Girona you need to take a bus and there aren't that many, two each day, one in the morning (9am), the other late in the evening (10pm). Check anyhow the schedules as times might vary depending on the season. The company serving this route is Sarfa and the departure spot in Girona you better use is at the bus hub station, in front of the train station. The journey takes nearly 2h. You can (and for peace of mind I would) purchase the ticket online. Note however that from the same company there are 11 buses every day from Figueres to Cadaqués so, if you're staying in Girona, you could arrange for a train from the later to Figueres and a bus to Cadaqués from there, either for both legs of the journey or maybe only the return, it's far more flexible....
Figueres
From Girona, going to Figueres is best by train, a regular commuting train which will leave you in the centre of Figueres (the high-speed train stops in a different station, Figueres-Vilafant, which is two miles away). For schedules here. There are over 30 trains each day, from 7am to 11pm. Tickets are bought on the spot at the station. Price ranges from 4.10€ to 5.45€ depending on the type of train. Aside from the famous Museu Dalí. Figueres is a lively town (pop. 40,000) which offers other sites worth exploring.
Besalú
This is yet another day escapade worth considering from Barcelona, but most especially if you're staying in Girona as it's barely 1h by bus from there. Besalú is a fortified town dating from the 8th century and once the residence of the Counts of Besalú, one of the most important families in Catalonia's history. From Barcelona the bus, served by Teisa, departs at 9:30am from Carrer Pau Claris 117 (just two blocks north of Plaça Catalunya) and arrives at Besalú at 11:15am. From Girona there are many more buses, nearly one each hour. It departs either from the main hub in front of the train station and also from the stop at Jutjats (Catalan for 'courthouse', pronounced "jood-jahts") located north of the old town, and reaches Besalú in 55'. Schedules will also vary in winter, but not that much. The route from Girona to Besalú passes by the town of Banyoles, which has a very beautiful lake.
If departing from Barcelona for me the best option is a fast train to Girona very early in the morning and upon arriving in Girona just across the street the 9:15 bus to Besalú. It will reach Besalú by 11ish and you can explore the town and have lunch. Then take the 2:45 bus back to Girona stopping this time in the stop Jutjats -ask the driver- which is located north of the old city. Then you can walk and explore Girona until late in the evening, There's a lot to see in Girona, aside from many museums and churches. The last fast-speed train does not depart until 10pm. And in 40' you're back in Barcelona... voilà, a full day! I myself have done this several times.
Enjoy!
Beslu sounds great but I think we'll just do Girona and Figueres, with a small possibility of visiting Cadeques (thanks for the pronunciation tip!). We're two old ladies (mid 60s) and even just tempermentally, just prefer a slower pace. My guess is that we'll spend 4-5 nights in Barcelona and 1-2 nights in Girona.
Some time ago there was a popular TV programme here in Catalonia in which a popular and very esteemed presenter, Ivana, was taking visitors for a week to explore different areas of our small nation. One of the chapters included visits to Cadaqués and other sites around Costa Brava. Worth having a look http://www.ccma.cat/tv3/alacarta/catalunya-experience/trevor-i-cori-alt-emporda-i-garrotxa-versio-anglesa/video/5553922/ -the audio is mixed Catalan and English but includes enough of the later to "get it".
In case anyone is interested, they visit: the monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes > Port de la Selva > Port Lligat and the house of Dalí > the natural park of Cap de Creus > Cadaqués > a trip on a hot air balloon over the county of La Garrotxa, land of extinct volcanoes > and a quick visit at Park Güell in their return prior to flying back to the US.
PS. Btw, the visit was in November! :))
