The Best Activities in Gerona

In your passage through the Catalan territory you will find many things to see and do in Girona, and more if you are interested in its incredible historical past or its easy connection to numerous nearby destinations ranging from paradisiacal beaches to beautiful mountain regions.

Located just 45 minutes away from Barcelona, take anexcursion tripto Girona is an ideal vacation plan. Especially if you go to Catalonia during the high tourist season, as this is a city significantly less frequented by mass tourism.

If you go on vacation soon to the beautiful Girona take the following list of activities as advice, so that you can structure an itinerary with the best options that the city has to offer.

People looking to learn a bit about the history of Girona, its people and the evolution of the city should take a moment to tour the best museums in Girona. The alternative is excellent if you are going to be in the city for several days.

Despite its small size, Girona has several interesting museums focused on different interests. Here is a list of some of my favorites, but I recommend visiting as many as possible.

Girona Film Museum

One of the most popular and interesting; founded in 1998 it was the first museum entirely focused on cinema in Spain. It includes a fabulous collection of objects that traces the history of cinema from its beginnings to the present day.

• Price: approximately 6€ per adult ticket.
• Hours: every day from 10 am to 6 pm.
• Address: located at Carrer de la Sèquia no. 1; in the Mercadal area.

Museum of Jewish History

The best place to learn about the Jewish history not only of Girona but also of Catalonia in general. It is located inside an old synagogue built in Girona in the 15th century.

• Price: approximately 4€ the adult ticket.
• Hours: every day from 10 am to 6 pm. Mondays until 14h.
• Address: located at Carrer de la Força no. 8, in the heart of the Jewish Quarter of Girona.

Art Museum in Girona

TheArt Museum inGirona houses an extensive collection of art from the Girona region. It covers the evolution from the Romanesque period to the twentieth century.

• Price: about 6 € the adult ticket.
• Opening hours: closed on Mondays, Tuesday to Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm. Sundays until 2 pm.
• Address: located in the street Pujada de la Catedral, in the Old Town near the Cathedral of Girona.

Girona has many interesting tours that I recommend to really get to know the historical past of the city. They are experiences designed for travelers visiting Girona for the first time to discover the most representative places.

What I will see on these tours

What you will see on the excursions will depend mainly on the type of Girona tour you decide to take. You will come across from very complete options that cover several attractions, to ultra-specific tour options centered around a specific theme.

Likewise, when talking about historical tours of Girona, most of them include the following elements in their itinerary.

• The Barri Vell de Girona: the local name for the Old Quarter of the city and where the most traditional architecture is found. This includes: Girona Cathedral, the traditional Arab Baths, the Church of Sant Feliu, the remains of the ancient Roman walls and much more.

• El Call: the name by which the old Jewish quarter of Girona is known, although small it is one of the best preserved in Europe. It is located within the boundaries of the Old Town.

• El Mercadal: quiet and pedestrianized neighborhood with Renaissance and neoclassical buildings. Here you will find the famous Independence Square, the Cinema Museum, Mercat del Lleo and other attractions.

Information of interest

• Price: prices vary depending on the itinerary and duration from 30€ to 100€ approximately.
• Schedule: group tours are available in the morning and afternoon.
• Duration: 2 hours for the shortest tours to 4 hours for the most complete city tours.

If your travel itinerary allows it, include in your Girona vacation a kayaking route to a destination close to the city. You'll find numerous local options with expert guides offering this type of experience and along with the ease of booking online in advance of your trip.

The adventure includes the accompaniment of an expert guide who will take you to see the stunning nature of the Mediterranean Coast and enjoy a few hours of fun on the water.

Where to kayak in Girona

In the province of Girona there are plenty of places to practice water sports such as kayaking. Some of the most outstanding, favored by tourists and locals alike, include the following:

Costa Brava, 40 minutes away by car; the small coastal town of L'Estartit, 45 minutes from Girona; Tossa del Mar, 40 minutes away; Lloret del Mar, just 35 minutes away; or El Port de la Selva, just over 1 hour from the city.

Information of interest

• Price: the price ranges between 30 € or 60 € depending on the experience.
• Schedule: it is done at different times, both in the morning and in the afternoon.
• Duration: the kayaking activity in Girona usually takes between 2 or 4 hours to complete.

Take advantage of your trip to Girona to take some scuba diving lessons a short distance from the city; there are many options in the area that offer the experience and do not require previous experience.

You will be under the tutelage of expert professionals who will provide the traveler with all the necessary equipment for the experience.

Where to take diving lessons in Girona

Due to its proximity to the coast, within a short distance of Girona you will find many dive sites. The most popular locations within easy reach of Girona include: Tossa de Mar, 40 minutes from Girona; Cala Pedrosa, 50 minutes away; Costa Brava, also 40 minutes by car and many more.

Information of interest

• Price: ranging from 30€ to 600€ per class. The price range is very wide and depends on many factors such as the duration of the classes, the number of participants and the place chosen for the adventure.
• Schedule: at different times to be coordinated with the guide who will accompany you during the activity.
• Duration: From 3 to 5 hours depending on the class you take.

Admire the coastal landscapes full of cliffs, magical-looking caves and secluded beaches on the Mediterranean coast of Catalonia; on your next trip to Girona you can book a catamaran ride and enjoy a day of fun at sea with your friends.

Keep in mind that many details of the experience may vary depending on the activity selected. However, some of the best nautical adventures in the Girona area include: traditional Catalan food served on the boat, refreshing drinks, stops for water sports and the opportunity to visit several secluded beaches in the region.

The catamaran routes along the coast depart from different points of the province. If you are staying in Girona for a few days I recommend booking a boat trip departing from Lloret del Mar, as the small coastal town is only 30 minutes from Girona by car.

Useful information

• Price: group excursions usually cost approximately 50€ per participant.
• Schedule: this aspect may vary depending on the selected activity, however the vast majority of excursions depart mid-morning to take advantage of the best hours of sunshine.
• Duration The trip along the coast can take 4 to 5 hours to complete.

In and around Girona you will find many cycling routes worth exploring. So taking a bike tour along these roads is a great idea that will allow you to get to know part of the city in a faster and more entertaining way.

These experiences offer expert accompaniment and all the necessary equipment to make the adventure, it is considered one of the best excursions from Girona to do on vacation.

You also have the alternative of renting your cycling equipment in a local store or with the municipal bicycle service, to undertake the adventure by your own means. I recommend this only if you have proven experience in the sport.

Cycling routes in Girona

Some of the most popular and interesting cycling routes in Girona are the following.

• Circuita Els Àngels de Girona, with a distance of 71 kilometers, is a route classified as easy with not very intense slopes.

• Costa Brava Circuit, another route classified as simple, ideal for users with little experience. You ride about 95 kilometers to the popular Costa Brava of Girona with its beautiful landscapes.

• Circuit de Mare de Déu del Mont, 120 kilometers of distance and significant elevations make this route one of the most difficult, recommended for experienced cyclists. If you manage to complete it you will feel like a superhero.

Information of interest

• Price: organized cycling routes in Girona can cost between 150€ and 200€ per participant.
• Schedule: these experiences are generally organized in the morning to take advantage of the cooler hours of the day, especially during the summer in Catalonia.
• Duration: varies depending on the route, but you should reserve about 4 hours for the experience.

Hiking enthusiasts will find in Girona and the surrounding area perfect landscapes to explore on foot. One of the best aspects of hiking in Girona is precisely the opportunity to enjoy a varied nature ranging from volcanic landscapes, to miles of coastline.

Hiking routes in Girona

As you can imagine, the hiking trails in Girona are very diverse and cover different levels of difficulty. Here are three popular options but I invite you to do your own research to find the most suitable for you.

• Route through Tossa de Mar: a hiking route of 4.7 km round trip. It starts at Cala Pola and continues to Tossa de Mar. The route is considered of moderate difficulty and requires some previous hiking experience.

• Cadaqués- Cap de Creus route: this trail runs through one of the most beautiful landscapes of Girona: the Natural Park of Cap de Creus. The route is considered of moderate difficulty first because of the length of 13.4 km and the slopes that you will have to do.

Information of interest

• Price: the price will depend on the route you want to do. The most economical and friendly routes for all levels start at 30€ per traveler.
• Schedule: they are usually done in the morning to take advantage of the cooler hours of the day.
• Duration: for most routes you need to reserve between 3 and 5 hours to complete them.

If you decide to enjoy Girona as the locals do I recommend signing up for a surfskate class, a form of land skating that allows you to mimic the sensation of surfing a wave in the sea. This activity will help you improve your skills on the board or, in case you are inexperienced, acquire a new skill.

The classes are held at the Parc d'Skate Domeny in Girona, a park equipped with ramps that occupies an area of 20 X 25 meters and where you can do everything from beginner classes to various ramp tricks.

It is an activity that I recommend to enjoy the days when the weather is nice in Girona, these days are most of the year, but especially I recommend it if you are on family vacation and looking for activities to do with children.

Information of interest

• Price: approximately 35€ per participant, this price includes the instructor's guide and all the necessary equipment for the experience, skateboard, helmet, knee pads and other protective equipment.
• Schedule: the day and time of the classes varies depending on the activity and the availability of instructors.
• Duration: Classes usually take 1 hour and 30 minutes to complete.
• Address: Girona Skate Park on Roberto Bolaño Street, north of Riu Ter.

A spectacular activity that allows you to see the city of Girona and the surrounding areas from a different perspective, because although the region of Girona is beautiful to walk around but from the clouds the landscape is able to take your breath away.

Several local companies offer the experience of a hot air balloon ride, in one of the most suitable activities for the whole family that you can do in this place. There are experiences that offer the excursion to explore the old city of Girona and the surroundings; while others design routes through Tossa de Mar or the volcanic landscapes of Empordá.

The choice of one or the other depends on your preferences: are you excited by the idea of seeing the Girona Cathedral from above? Do you want to know the exact shape of the Onyar riverbed? Or perhaps you prefer to enjoy the miles of coastline that the southern coast of Spain has to offer? You will have different options! Any of the experiences will be unforgettable.

Information of interest

• Price: depending on the experience, prices are available from 150€ per person approximately.
• Schedule: to be coordinated, tours are offered at different times.
• Duration: varies depending on the area and the tour, the minimum time is usually around 1 hour 30 minutes.

To enjoy the party and the best nightlife, Lola Café in Girona is a place you can't miss. With live concerts several times a week it is the best place in town to perfect your Latin dance steps, especially rumba and salsa.

If dancing has never been your forte, this can be a good place to learn or just take a walk to enjoy a couple of drinks, because in its menu you will find various cocktails, wines and mixed drinks.

In addition to the concerts, many other activities are also organized in the place, seeking to offer fun both to tourists but also to locals who go out to enjoy the Girona nightlife.

Information of interest

• Price: the entrance is free for all public.
• Opening hours: the venue is open to the public from Wednesday to Saturday from 5 pm. The party usually goes on until the early hours of the morning and the closing time is scheduled at 03h.
• How to get there: Lola Café is located on Calle de les Ballesteries in the heart of the Old Town.