We are heading to Barcelona in November and will do a couple of day trips and need some advice on our second location. We will of course visit Montserrat, but are contemplating between Girona, Perpignan France or Collioure France. It might be nice to see the Catalan culture in a different country (?). Recommendations appreciated and Happy Halloween!
Posted by
Citizen of the World
2006 posts
GIRONA is fantastic— the historic center has architecture going back to the Romans.
TOSSA DE MAR is the best beach town we stayed in with its own castle.
Another ancient town well worth the detour is BESALU.
Have a great trip!
Posted by
Twin Cities of MN
6447 posts
We absolutely loved the time we spent in Girona. It is one of my favorite small cities in Europe. We loved the churches, the river fronts, walking the city walls, so much to do. We were there 3 nights, and took a day trip to Besalu. We didn't run out of things to do.
Posted by
Georgetown,KY
144 posts
We stayed in Barcelona for a few nights, then drove north to Tamariu for few nights ( stopped in Tossa de Mar on the way- just north of Barcelona) and took day trips to Girona and Figures and Begur and Besalu, then stayed south of Barcelona in Villanova i la Geltru (day trips to Tarragona- with Roman ruins and Sitges)
Posted by
Washington DC
28065 posts
I've been to all three and would choose Girona for the variety of sights and its better proximity to Barcelona, meaning half the travel time. Collioure is cute but sort of small. It gets a lot of traffic during beach season; I don't know what it would be like in November. Perpignan is a comparatively non-touristy city. I don't think it has a lot of foreign tourists, even in the summer. Its major sight is the Palace of the Kings of Mallorca. I enjoyed the real-world feel of Perpignan, but I suspect some other visitors would be underwhelmed (just a guess).
Posted by
OP
7 posts
Thanks so much everyone! We will head to Girona. Your help is appreciated!
Posted by
Barcelona (Catalonia)
3071 posts
+1 GIRONA :)
Posted by
9 posts
Tarragona is an excellent choice. Beautiful port city on the sea and has a great number of interesting Roman ruins. Also great restaurants shops and beautiful cathedral.
Another great place to visit is Sitges again right on the water, great beach and promenade. Wonderful lunch at the yacht club always fantastic. Lots of shops on the side streets to explore as well as a lovely promenade on the beach
Giranoa is also a pretty city with a city wall, roman ruins and also connection to filming locations from Game of Thrones. Great restaurant called Blanc as well as a super ice cream shop around the corner. Shops are very good and cathedral is beautiful.