In the province of Girona we find spectacular towns and cities worth visiting that stand out for their picturesque streets, their quiet beaches bathed by the Mediterranean Sea and their incredible landscapes. When we think of Costa Brava, towns such as Tossa de Mar, Lloret de Mar, Blanes and Calella de Mar come to mind, but what about the capital?
Girona, capital of the province and of Costa Brava, is located just over an hour from Barcelona. The small city is known for its colourful houses on the banks of the river Onyar, its streets full of history from the Middle Ages and its wealth of monuments, museums and gastronomy.
You can get to Girona, in a comfortable way, with the shared transfer services and private transfer services, low-cost and sustainable, offered by Shuttle2Sun, from Barcelona airport, Barcelona port, Reus airport, Girona airport and Camp de Tarragona AVE train station. Now you can book your transfer just 24 hours in advance.
Places you can’t miss
Located in the heart of Girona, Plaça de la Independència is a historic and emblematic place. Surrounded by beautiful buildings and numerous terraces, it is a popular meeting point for locals and the perfect place to enjoy a good tapas bar. It is also famous for its Monument to the Defenders of Girona, located in the centre of the square on a pedestal of Girona stone. It was the first sculpture dedicated to the memory of those who lost their lives defending the city in the 1808-1809 siege of the Spanish War of Independence. Another noteworthy feature of the square is its fountain, known as the Child on Turtle Fountain. In this fountain, a small boy is sculpted sitting on top of a sea turtle, from whose mouth water falls into a bowl.
If you go to the southern end of the square and down Carrer de Santa Clara, you’ll find the Rocambolesc ice cream parlour. The project was started in 2012 by the youngest of the Roca brothers, owners of El Celler de Can Roca, a restaurant awarded three Michelin stars and recognised as one of the best in the world on the “Best of the Best” list.
The ice cream parlour, also run by his wife, Alejandra Rivas, has received several awards, one of the most recent being the award for Best Pastry Experience from La Liste. This gastronomic establishment offers a world of fantasy, with ice creams, popsicles and sweets in a multitude of flavours and toppings that you can combine to your liking.
You can then continue your walk over one of the nearby bridges, such as Pont de les Peixateries Velles or Pont de Pedra. The former was designed and built by the company of the famous engineer Alexandre-Gustave Eiffel, known worldwide for the Eiffel Tower in Paris. From the two bridges, there are spectacular views of Casas del Onyar, the emblematic brightly coloured houses on the banks of the river Onyar, with the Cathedral and Basilica of Sant Feliu in the background.
Continuing along the route on the other side of the river, in Barri Vell neighbourhood, heading north, we come to the Jewish Quarter, one of the best preserved in Europe. Although there are documents that speak of the presence of a Jewish community in Girona as early as 888, it was not until the 12th century that it began to gain importance. Years later, in 1492, they were expelled from Girona by the Catholic Monarchs. They left us as a legacy a fantastic Call, or Jewish quarter, full of history. We recommend that you lose yourself in its streets and discover all the corners that make it up. If you want to find out more about their time in the city, visit the Museum of the History of the Jews of Girona.
You can include in your itinerary a visit to the city walls of Girona, one of the longest preserved in Europe. With its origins in the 1st century BC, it was fortified during the Roman domination and underwent reforms during the Carolingian and medieval periods. Throughout history, it has been the scene of wars and remodelling, but it still stands as a witness to the city’s past.
Remember that with Shuttle2Sun‘s shared transfer services and private transfer services, low-cost and sustainable, you can get to Girona from Barcelona airport, Barcelona port, Reus airport, Girona airport and Camp de Tarragona AVE train station.
Curiosities of Girona Cathedral
Girona Cathedral, built between the 11th and 18th centuries, is an imposing symbol of the city. With a Gothic nave, which is the second largest in the world, its history spans from Romanesque to Baroque. Among its treasures are the Tapestry of Creation and the Beatus of Girona, outstanding for their artistic value.
But beyond its architectural grandeur, the cathedral hides a fascinating legend behind a 14th century Gothic gargoyle on its exterior: The Witch of Girona. It is said that a witch used to throw stones and blaspheme in front of the temple. During a procession, a divine voice punished her by turning her into stone and placed her on the highest part of the building, facing the ground, so that only clean rainwater would come out of her mouth for eternity. This mysterious figure has become a point of interest for visitors, who seek to discover the enigma behind its origin.
The exquisite local gastronomy
Girona is a city with a wealth of gastronomic delights. Highlights include Xuixos, a fried sweet made from puff pastry dough, filled with custard and covered in sugar, perfect for breakfast or an afternoon snack. It was first made in a Girona bakery in the 19th century and has now spread to many bakeries and shops throughout Catalonia, due to the great popularity it has enjoyed among the locals.
Another key gastronomic element is Ratafia, a sweet liqueur that mixes a variety of plants, flowers and spices with alcohol, commonly brandy or aniseed, and its origins date back to ancient times.
Don’t think twice and visit Girona! Shuttle2Sun offers its shared transfer services and private transfer services, low-cost and sustainable, to get to this town, from Barcelona airport, Barcelona port, Reus airport, Girona airport and Camp de Tarragona AVE train station. Now you can book your transfer up to 24 hours in advance.
