Girona Skyline
Girona is a city in Costa Brava, Spain, and the capital of the namesake province. It’s also one of the oldest cities in Catalonia that dates to the pre-Roman times. We spent about 4 hours in Girona on the way back from Figueres, and I regret we didn’t have time for more.
The beauty of Girona is in the old town located about 15-minute walk from the bus station. You cross one of the old bridges and find yourself within the city walls. Only it’s not just the city walls—you’re in a different century, if not in a different world. You are navigating narrow medieval streets, walking past old and beautifully preserved buildings, souvenir shops that, for some reason, are not too annoying, tiny cafes, sprawling out everywhere, often in the most unlikely places.
There are plenty of things we didn’t see and paths we didn’t take. One of the paths that is a must do (as I realize now) is the Walls Walkway. You can walk the entire length of the wall and climb the tower that will reward you with a view like this.
Saint Mary’s Cathedral and the City Walls Walkway. Not my pick 🙁
I could talk about the streets and beauty of Girona for hours (probably longer than I was there myself), but I’m not that kind of writer. Just look!
Girona, Costa Brava, Spain: Old Town
Girona, Costa Brava, Spain: Old Town
Girona, Costa Brava, Spain: Old Town
Girona, Old Town: “Cafes in the most unlikely places”
Girona, Costa Brava, Spain: Old Town
Girona Old Town: The Top of the Església de Sant Feliu de Girona
The Saint Mary’s Cathedral of Girona is one of the most beautiful cathedrals I have ever seen, inside and out.
Girona, Costa Brava, Spain: Steps to the Cathedral
Girona, Costa Brava, Spain: Old Town: View from the Cathedral
Saint Mary’s Cathedral of Girona
Saint Mary’s Cathedral of Girona
Saint Mary’s Cathedral of Girona
The cafes in the Old Town are tiny and cute. Some of them only consisted of just 3 or 4 tables, and most were full on that beautiful Sunday afternoon. We did manage to find a spot, but aside from a nice presentation, the food was uninspiring. I didn’t feel that a nice presentation necessarily justified a 10 Euro tag for 4 small pieces of herring.
Girona, Costa Brava, Spain: Old Town
Timmy felt the same way about his 10 Euro appetizer or so (don’t remember what it was, but I swear it included the word bestia in it or something close). At least they spoiled us rotten with toasts so we didn’t leave hungry.
Timmy felt the same way about his “bestia” appetizer .
Girona is on my list of places I have to return to. While we were sitting at the cafe, we talked to a Dutch couple from Amsterdam, who had been traveling all over Spain.
“So what is your favorite place in Spain,” I asked.
“This one,” they answered without the slightest hesitation.
I know one thing.
Top Photo Credits: “Girona riverside HDR” by Infernalfox at English Wikipedia. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons.
Second Photo Credits: “GironaPasseigDeLaMuralla“. Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.5 via Wikimedia Commons.
My Other Costa Brava Trip Reports
Lloret de Mar, Spain — a Jewel of Costa Brava: Trip/Photo Report, Part 1
Lloret de Mar, Spain — a Jewel of Costa Brava: Trip/Photo Report, Part 2
Figueres, Costa Brava, Spain: Dali Theater and Museum Photo Report
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