Girona Day Trip from Barcelona
Colour-washed houses over the river and the best-kept Jewish quarter in Spain
A one-day drive from Barcelona to Girona — 204 km round trip, about 2h 47m behind the wheel, with stops, timings and where to eat already worked out.
Colour-washed houses over the river and the best-kept Jewish quarter in Spain. It's a day out of Barcelona: 204 km of driving in total, about 2h 47m behind the wheel, and the rest of the day on your feet.
The plan below is paced so the driving doesn't eat the day: leave after breakfast, be back for the evening. Every stop can be swapped for one of three alternatives if it isn't your kind of thing.
You climb Girona's cathedral steps and wander its Jewish quarter by day, lunch at midday, then trace the river houses at golden hour before
Old quarter of Girona · Girona
Medieval lanes, the cathedral's monumental staircase, and the colourful houses lining the Onyar river make this one of Catalonia's finest old towns.
💡 Park at Plaça Catalunya underground car park and walk in — the old quarter itself is pedestrian.
Carrer de la Claveria, 3, Girona
From the old quarter's lanes, the cathedral steps rise just ahead — impossible to miss.
Girona Cathedral · Girona
One of the widest Gothic naves in the world, reached by a dramatic 90-step baroque staircase.
💡 Combined ticket covers the cathedral, cloister and Basilica of Sant Feliu.
Pl. de la Catedral, s/n, Girona
A short walk downhill from the cathedral into the tangle of the Call.
MUHBA El Call
One of the best-preserved medieval Jewish quarters in Europe, a warren of stone stairways and narrow passages.
Placeta de Manuel Ribé, 3, Barcelona
From the Call, a short walk brings you out for a midday break before the afternoon stroll.
La Fabrica Girona · Girona
A relaxed, well-regarded spot near the old town for a proper lunch before the afternoon walk continues.
💡 Popular with cyclists and locals — go early for lunch to avoid a wait.
Carrer de la Llebre, 3, Girona
After lunch, climb back up toward the old walls to walk off the meal with a view.
Passeig de la Muralla
Walk a stretch of the old city walls for wide views over Girona's rooftops and the surrounding hills.
💡 Access points near the cathedral and Jardins de la Francesa; free and open all day.
From the walls, it's a flat stroll back down to the riverbank.
Pont de les Peixateries Velles · Girona
Eiffel's red iron footbridge over the Onyar gives the classic postcard view of the stacked riverside houses.
💡 Best light for photos is late afternoon when the sun hits the house facades.
Carrer del Riu Onyar, Girona
- AP-7 is tolled both ways — keep a card handy for the peatge booths.
- Park at Plaça Catalunya or Devesa car parks; the old quarter is walking-only.
- Girona empties out for lunch (1–4pm) — book or arrive early for a table.
- Barcelona's Zona de Baixes Emissions (ZBE) covers most of the city — check your car sticker before re-entering.
- Besalú+25 km
A tiny medieval town with a famous fortified Romanesque bridge, quieter than Girona and full of character.
- Pals+35 km
A beautifully preserved stone hilltop village in the Baix Empordà, often overlooked by day-trippers.
- Peratallada+38 km
One of Catalonia's best-kept medieval villages, carved partly from the rock itself.
Make this trip your own
Plan your own road trip →This route was drafted with AI. Please double-check roads, opening hours and local conditions before you go.
Made with Roadanza
What will the fuel cost?
This route covers 204 km. Put your own car's consumption and local fuel price in and you'll have the number in a few seconds.
Work it out for this route →Questions, answered
- Should I drive or take the rack railway up Montserrat?
- Drive to the base and take the rack railway or cable car up if you're nervous about mountain roads: the road to the monastery is fine but narrow and busy, and the car park fills before eleven in high season. Both options are signposted from the C-55.
- Which of these is best without a car?
- Girona, unambiguously: a 38-minute high-speed train and a five-minute walk to the old town. Tarragona and Sitges are almost as easy. Save the car for the coast and the wine country.
- Is the Costa Brava doable in a day?
- The southern stretch, yes. Calella de Palafrugell, Llafranc and Begur make a comfortable day. Cadaqués and Cap de Creus are further, on slower roads, and better as an overnight.
- Do I need to worry about Barcelona's low-emission zone?
- If your hire car is recent, no: it will be registered. Older cars entering the ZBE on weekdays without registration are fined. Ask the hire company to confirm rather than assuming.
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